Ambiwerra Festival – Brisbane’s famous one-day food and music event – will celebrate 16 years on Sunday, 3 August.
Over the past 15 years, Ambiwerra has grown into a “must do” event on Brisbane’s calendar. Heading to Ambi on the first Sunday in August is an annual tradition for thousands of foodies and music lovers, their friends and families, who converge on the tree-lined Ambiwerra sports field at Corinda for a seriously good time.
They sample the festival menus of a dozen of the city’s leading restaurants, taste a selection of wines from hundreds on offer and take in the live music – 15 acts on three stages, plus roving entertainment and street performers.
Kate Ceberano – headline entertainment
Jazz and blues is the overall theme for the day’s music program which features one of Australia’s truly great voices, the sexy, sultry Kate Ceberano, whose latest album has shot up the charts. In her first appearance at Ambiwerra, Kate is billed to sing a bit of everything – jazz, soul, blues and folk for the crowd of all ages.
A feast of live music
Brisbane’s jazz queen, Ingrid James, having just returned from performing in Denmark, will set the scene for the 16th Ambiwerra Festival where families, groups and couples pick prime positions on picnic rugs before the main stage.
They’ll enjoy the repertoire of this leading jazz vocalist whose voice has been likened to chocolate – rich, dark and smooth, while clients and guests are served in style in the corporate tents and others take up residence for the day at tables and chairs dotted around the site.
Everyone is sure to be thrilled by the distinctive sounds of OzBrazilian ensemble, The View From Madeleine’s Couch, before this popular group heads off to South America to perform in Rio de Janeiro in October.
And 19-piece big band, The Brisbane Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, will perform a wide range of jazz including latin, funk, swing, rock and gospel before the party band SAVVY, lures the merry crowd to its feet to dance out the rest of the day.
The festivities have been extended this year, with the inaugural Ambi Classics - Opera in the Field taking place on the Friday evening before Ambiwerra.
Food, glorious food
Throughout the day, festival-goers indulge their senses as they choose from around 50 entrée-size dishes on offer from leading restaurants including River Canteen, Restaurant Two, Zenbar and Restaurant Rapide.
What’s new this year is Food by Farrell. The Royal on the Park Hotel’s Black Hat executive chef, Gary Farrell, is creating a special festival menu, and another leading Brisbane chef, Craig McCabe, of Soul Kitchen fame, is launching his new Woolloongabba restaurant, Enoteca, at Ambi and his menu will include hand-made gnocchi with a bolognaise sauce.
There’s Merlo Coffee, Kingaroy Cheeses and a range of superb desserts from Cream Patisserie; fresh strawberries and cream; plus Indian and Vietnamese food…so everybody’s tastes are catered for.
To complement the fine food, a selection of boutique beers and more than 100 big and small name Australian and New Zealand wines and French champagnes are available by the glass or bottle.
Fabulous fashion
The Fashion Platter Awards is a colourful highlight at Ambiwerra and this year there were a record number of entries. Secondary and TAFE fashion design students whose designs have made the finals, will parade among the crowd and across the three stages attracting support from festival-goers who take part in the awards by voting for their favourite entry.
Kids at Ambi
Children also have loads of fun at Ambi, catered for with their own mini EkkA-style entertainment area with a sideshow alley, sample bags, face painting, pizza and other kids’ food. Rides include dodgems, Octopus, Sizzler and Fantasy Airport.
General information
Ambiwerra is an all-weather event, so be prepared. Bring your picnic rug, sunscreen, hat and umbrella.
Currency of the day is Ambi Dollars. AU $1.00 = AMBI $1.00 Ambi Dollars can be purchased at the on-site Commonwealth Bank. Ambi Dollars are the ONLY accepted currency on the day.
You will need your Ambi Dollars to purchase food, wine, other beverages, raffle tickets and children’s entertainment. The Commonwealth Bank remains open until 5:30pm on the day to exchange unused Ambi Dollars or you can donate them directly to Ambi’s Charity partner at the gate on exit.
Tickets to Ambiwerra are available now through Ticketek, or else buy your tickets at the gate on the day for $55. Pensioners and seniors cardholders (with ID) $10 each. High school students (with school ID) $10 each. Primary school students $5 each. Under 5's free.
We recommend taking public transport. A taxi rank is available at Ambiwerra, and there are free shuttle buses connecting Corinda train station to and from the festival. Visit Translink for more public transport options.
Just to let everyone know, so you don't get a nasty surprise at the gate. It's only AGED pensioners who get in for the lower price, so all you disabled folk and single parents, don't think you've got an extra $35 to spend on food or the kid's rides.
I'm so glad I checked the actual ambiwerra site to find out about transport. I was going to go, but there's no way I can afford to now - bummer!!