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Canberra Today 21°/24° | Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Get planning for a merry end of year event

With Christmas only a few months away, “CityNews” talks to Canberra businesses with fun ideas for Christmas functions. This is a sponsored post.

YES, it’s that time of year again. Christmas is only a few months away, so it’s time to plan your best Christmas… ever! First step, book a fun and relaxing Christmas gathering for work colleagues, friends or family. Second, add to the fun by dressing up Christmas style.  

  Live music for an extra special event

FOR a friendly, relaxed and fun Christmas function, the Austrian Australian Club at Mawson has a number of options to suit any group, says club manager Rob Bolin. 

The club’s function spaces are available for hire, with a large-sized function room, which can accommodate about 200 people and has a big dance floor. There’s also the Bauernstube room, a rustic-styled room, suitable for about 50 people. 

“It’s a lovely room and we can work with you on meal options including a set menu, buffet or banquet-style,” says Rob. 

Head chef Kristoffer prides himself on serving quality, traditional Austrian cuisine, with some of the dishes based on recipes supplied by their long-standing Austrian members.  

“We draw on the wealth of experience of our long-standing members to source some of their favourite Austrian recipes, just as they remember them,” says Rob. 

The Austrian Australian Club is now running live music every Friday night in the function room, with bands performing blues, country, roots and jazz music. 

Rob says that people could tie-in their Christmas group function with the Friday night entertainment to make their event extra special.  

Austrian Australian Club, Heard Street, Mawson. Call 6286 5793, email mail@austrianclubcanberra.com or visit the Austrian Australian Club on Facebook. 

“The Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special”…December 18-21.

Miss Bette ends the year on a high

THE “Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special” on December 18-21 is the perfect way to unwind for the year with friends and colleagues, says Stephen Pike of the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The Q).
“Catherine Alcorn’s performance of Bette Midler is amazing,” he says.

“It’s high energy. She looks and sounds just like Bette and engages well with the audience.”

Stephen is expecting great things from the show and says Catherine has already, with great success, toured her Bette Midler show in the US.
Whilst Catherine has been tottering in Bette’s shoes for a while now, her show has been revamped and is bigger, better and even more impressive, featuring a five-piece band and lots of Bette’s well-known songs, says Stephen.
The Divine Miss Bette Christmas Show will be held in the newly renovated Bicentennial Hall, next door to The Q. 

Stephen says it will be the largest performance since the hall re-opened for performances. 

With a three-course dinner and show option, people wanting to experience a fun night out for their Christmas function can enjoy an entree and main course in the foyer of The Q before returning in intermission for dessert and coffee, says Stephen.   

“People are going to find the show an entertaining and interesting way to relax and unwind during the week before Christmas,” he says. 

The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6285 6290, email boxoffice@qprc.nsw.gov.au or visit theq.net.au

Bookings come with free cocktails

EACH guest will receive a complimentary sparkling cocktail for Christmas functions booked at the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Woden, Tuggeranong or Jamison location, says events and sales manager Orsi Jobbagy.
Orsi and the events team, including Lynda and Kym, are well experienced in creating memorable and enjoyable Christmas functions and can arrange events for 20 to 500 people, says Orsi.
“We have 10 different function rooms which can be decorated in a Christmas theme with festive centrepieces and bon bons,” she says.
“Our private dining room and Orion room at Woden have recently been refurbished with a great new colour scheme, carpets and curtains.”
Over at Yarralumla, Orsi says the picturesque Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Yacht Club is a great venue for events, too. 

And, she says the MV Southern Cross boat is also available for charter for private functions.

Call the Canberra Southern Cross Club events team on 6283 7200, email events@cscc.com.au or visit cscc.com.au

Inner south lounge offers diversity

IN Canberra’s inner south, EQ Cafe and Lounge accommodates an array of events, ranging from large Christmas functions to smaller intimate events, says owner Vim Soneri.

Whether it be a work Christmas party, a birthday party, corporate event or conference, Vim says they can cater for any function or occasion.

“We have a very good outdoor area and we can host over 200 people and customise their menu,” he says.

Vim says the diverse menu options include a buffet, a canape service and a three-course sit-down dinner. 

In the colder months, he says the heated outdoor area can provide comfort and warmth, and now in the warmer months, the deck becomes an open summer space.

But no matter when, or what the event, Vim says EQ Cafe and Lounge has every event covered.

EQ Cafe and Lounge, Equinox Business Park, 70 Kent Street, Deakin. Call 6161 1666 or email eqcafe@eqcafe.com.au or visit eqcafe.com.au 

Book quick for a plaza giveaway

WHEN people book a Christmas function of 50 or more people at Crowne Plaza before September 30, they’ll receive a gift voucher for overnight accommodation (for two) to give away at the event.

This year, meetings director Sarah Conron says they’ve created unique end-of-year events options to ease the stress of planning.

For Christmas functions, she says Crowne Plaza is offering four different menus, including the festive buffet, the deluxe plated menu, the festive cocktail party and the Australian summer barbeque options, which features a smorgasbord of fresh summer salads, breads and dips, and a selection of gourmet items from the grill. 

“Our festive offerings have a point of difference as we have taken into consideration all elements of an event, from festive theming options, lighting, audio/visual requirements and most importantly an extensive selection of food and beverage offerings,” Sarah says. 

Crowne Plaza has six versatile function spaces on offer, with the ability to cater for up to 150 people for a cocktail event or about 90 for a sit-down event. 

But no matter the size of event, Sarah says: “Crowne Plaza can host large corporate functions overlooking Glebe Park to intimate dinners within Redsalt Restaurant, and everything in between.” 

Crowne Plaza, 1 Binari Street, Canberra. Call 6274 5500 or visit canberra.crowneplaza.com

Theatrical dinner set in medieval times 

THIS year, the Harmonie German Club will be hosting “Dirty Dicks”, a special Christmas theatre and dinner experience, says functions manager Matthew Freeborough. 

With a medieval “old English” fun and feasting theme, Matthew says Dirty Dicks is a unique and entertaining dining concept set in a themed environment.

During the highly comical stage show, he says there will be a magnificent three-course banquet, provided by costumed serving staff.

Dirty Dicks is a popular Christmas function option for groups, according to Matthew, but he says for people looking for a traditional German Christmas party, the Harmonie German Club can provide that, too. 

From pretzels to bratwurst, pork knuckles and schnitzels, there are a range of packages on offer such as a buffet, share tables and finger food. 

With three function areas ranging from 20 to over 350 person capacity as well as an outdoor deck and beer garden, the venue can cater for any size of event.

“We have live entertainment every Friday night and are able to offer dinner and show packages to any of our shows,” says Matthew. 

“We can offer a tailor made package to suit your needs.”  

Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah. Call 6295 9853 or visit harmonieclub.com.au

Central location with bush views

CANBERRA Greyhound Racing Club is located on the corner of Narrabundah Lane and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston, which is a convenient and central location for a Christmas function, says chairman Alan Tutt. 

“It is central to many of Canberra’s favourite night spots for those looking to party on into the night,” he says. 

“We can offer in-house catering or you can do it yourself.”

The auditorium has four levels and seating for 120 people, with large glass windows overlooking attractive views and a bushland setting, he says. 

With a wide range of beverages available at the bar, Alan says the functions area is fully air-conditioned and heated too. 

Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, corner of Narrabundah Lane and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston. For event enquiries, call Rob on 6295 3554.  

 

 

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