Start planning your May with a little help from Toowoomba Living. Not to be missed events include Hampton Festival, and of course, First Coat.
Roller Derby: The Autumn Assault – Saturday 7 May
Roller Derby is back for 2016 with a double header at Clive Berghofer Arena. There will be stalls, raffles, hot food and bar as well as roller derby action. Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $8 for kids and free for kids 5 and under.
Mother’s Day Classic – Sunday 8 May
Australia’s largest breast cancer research fundraiser is on again. A 6km run and 3km walk will start around 7am from Lake Annand. Remember, it’s not about the time of your race, it’s about continuing the fight against this cancer that continues to affect every single one of us. Register for the event at the Mother’s Day Classic website.
Melbourne Comedy Roadshow – Saturday 14 May
Get some laughter in your life at the Melbourne Comedy Roadshow at the Empire Theatre. Tickets are $37.
Three Fat Chefs Italian Feast – Saturday 14 May
Enjoy the flavours of Italy in support of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation at the Three Fat Chefs dinner. Starting at 7pm this $120 a head dinner includes drinks and the chance for four people to win a trip to Stanthorpe with meals, accommodation and wine included.
Exhibition: Treks by Carol McCormack – finishing Sunday 15 May
Feather and Lawry Gallery brings Carol McCormack’s interpretation of Australian landscape art in her exhibit Treks. The exhibit will close Sunday 15 May, Feather & Lawry Gallery is open seven days, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday to Sunday 11am – 3pm.
Hampton Festival – Sunday 15 May
Ex Masterchef contestant Hayden Quinn will be there, along with food and wine from local restaurants and producers, live music, art and more. Entry to this year’s Hampton Festival is $10 per adult, kids under 12 are free. If you don’t want to deal with parking and driving (remember I said there would be wine?) free buses are departing from Toowoomba and Crows Nest on the day, check out the Hampton Festival website for all the details.
First Coat – Friday 20 May to Sunday 29 May
Now in its third year, First Coat is the art and music festival that’s brightened up our streets and made people everywhere sit up and pay attention to Toowoomba. This year the outdoor gallery will extend to other parts of Queensland with some large scale murals being painted in Caloundra, Brisbane, Pittsworth, Stanthorpe and Oakey too.
Artists include: D*Face, Todd Francis, Guido van Helten and musical artists include Philadelphia Grand Jury, Dj Bacon and Hound.
The full program goes live on Friday 29 April. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for all the awesome details.
The Shed First Birthday Open Day – Saturday 21 May
The latest Small Business Snapshot featured personal and group training gym The Shed. They’re having an open day to celebrate one year of the doors being open. There will be free sausage sizzle, free coffee from Anna Shirley’s, facepainting from Glittery Giggles, demos and more, from 9am to 12pm. Head to Alex Mac at The Shed Facebook page for more details.
Mini Toowoomba Open House – Sunday 22 May
This year’s Toowoomba Open House is a smaller, one day only affair in preparation for a big event in May 2017. Free of charge, you can wander through some of Toowoomba’s most beautiful private and public buildings, including private homes Ellerslie and Bendemere and the Toowoomba Railway Station. More details about what’s open when on the Toowoomba Open House Facebook page.
Pop Will Eat Itself – Friday 27 May
Pop will what now? I don’t know, but what I do know is at this event at the Mills Precinct will feature food stalls, adult beverages (including a dedicated espresso martini stand) and a DJ set. Hosted by The Spotted Cow, you gotta get tickets to get in. Entry is $5 for general admission or you can nab a VIP ticket for $95 which includes a 3-hour drink package, VIP mezzanine floor with seating, and $20 food voucher per ticket. Tix are limited so pop over to the Facebook event for more details.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show – Thursday 26-Friday 27 May
See this favourite childrens’ book come to life on stage at the Armitage Centre. There will be characters from Eric Carle’s other stories, including Mr Seahorse and The Very Lonely Firefly and the show includes 75 puppets. Morning, afternoon and evening shows available. Check the Empire Theatre’s website for details.
Middle Ridge Race Day – Saturday 28 May
Frock up for a day at the races. Held at Clifford Park tickets are $80 per head which includes nibblies, main meal and dessert and complimentary drink on arrival. For more check out the event on Facebook.
Markets
Here’s what’s on and when for markets in Toowoomba this month.
My Local Feast Farmers’ Market – Every Thursday 3pm to 7pm at the Empire Theatre
PCYC Markets – Every Sunday from 7am to 12.30pm
Margaret Street Markets – Sunday 1 May from 8am to 2pm
The Original Mix Emerging Designer Markets – Saturday 14 May from 8am to 1pm
Markets at the Manor – Saturday 14 May from 12pm to 5pm
Queens Park Markets – Sunday 15 May from 8am to 1pm
Toowoomba Farmers’ Markets – Saturday 14 May and Saturday 28 May (new venue: Lindsay Street near Cobb and Co)
The Handmade Market Expo – Sunday 29 May from 9am to 2pm
