Brisbane’s Thomas Dixon Centre announces VenuesLive as its new hospitality partner

Thomas Dixon Centre, home of Queensland Ballet, the Van Norton Li Community Health Institute and Ausdance Queensland, has announced VenuesLive as its new hospitality partner.

Ready to create an exciting new dining, function and event destination in Brisbane, the partnership promises to transform the hospitality and event experiences at one of Queensland’s most exciting new venues.

Advising that VenuesLive is committed to delivering world-class culinary experiences in Thomas Dixon Centre’s unique and amazing dining and event settings, VenuesLive Managing Director, Daryl Kerry stated “our vision is to curate immersive experiences across all spaces, elevating the overall ambiance and creating lasting memories for all who visit.”

VenuesLive will partner with a celebrated Australian chef to create a stunning new restaurant experience for Brisbane that will be a beacon of sophistication and culinary excellence.

The Centre’s café will feature innovative menus in line with culinary trends while prioritising locally sourced, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. Additionally, a market section will offer artisanal products, baked goods, chef-endorsed take home meals, and a high-end range of convenient grab-and-go items.

VenuesLive will also bring Thomas Dixon Centre to life as a venue of choice for a variety of events, from corporate functions to private celebrations, through a new function and events menu offering, showcasing the unique blend of historical significance, architectural grandeur and boundless creativity at the Centre and through Brisbane’s lively West End.

Kerry advised “our approach very much focuses on customisation and collaboration to suit our clients’ specific needs and preferences. But the creative foundations of Thomas Dixon Centre, with its spectacular rooftop terrace with city views, a dramatic theatre and unique event spaces gives us the opportunity to create unforgettable experiences along with culinary excellence.”

Queensland Ballet Chair Brett Clark said the partnership will enable Thomas Dixon Centre to be activated as a cultural, lifestyle and foodie destination, offering a distinct and memorable experience, whether it’s a pre-theatre dinner, corporate function, or simply a great cup of coffee.

Clark commented “when we designed Thomas Dixon Centre, we placed people at its core. Yes, our artists and arts workers but also others who might be interested in a living, breathing home where creativity thrives.

“We dreamed of some sneak-peak elements to lift the curtain of mystery without ruining the magic. From the Ian Potter Promenade, you can look into the Costume workroom. From the Catwalk, you can look into the studios and from the Executive Gallery, you have the most unique perspective of the Talbot Theatre. And then, of course, the Kite Terrace looks out onto Brisbane with beautiful city views from a unique West End perspective.

“In the arts, we’re all about connecting with emotion and experience. Welcoming VenuesLive now means that we can deepen that experience within our own home. This immersive experience is what we hoped to be able to provide for as many people as possible.”

A building that started its life as a shoe factory in 1908, the Thomas Dixon Centre has been transformed into a world-class performing arts destination and cultural precinct flowing with creative energy. It features a state-of-the-art 350-seat theatre, rooftop terrace, stunning public art and multiple function spaces, as well as dance studios, a wardrobe workshop and arts’ workers spaces.

Queensland Ballet recently became the first performing arts organisation in the world to become WELL Certified™ at the Platinum level, for its home the Thomas Dixon Centre.

VenuesLive, renowned for managing and delivering world-class hospitality and event experiences, brings a wealth of expertise to this new partnership. Awarded the prestigious title of Caterer of the Year at the National Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence in November 2023, VenuesLive’s commitment to excellence and innovation will ensure that every hospitality experience and occasion at Thomas Dixon Centre will be executed with the highest level of professionalism and creativity.

Kerry went on to say “we are absolutely committed to embedding a sense of community into our operation, working closely with the team at Thomas Dixon Centre and local suppliers to showcase the very best that Queensland has to offer, both from a culinary perspective and through the arts.

“By fostering collaborations and supporting local initiatives, we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and creativity.”

Images: The Thomas Dixon Centre (top, credit: Queensland Ballet/Johnny Harkin) and Daryl Kerry of VenuesLive (below).