The Diary
This month’s top events, plus a sneak peek at what’s on in October.
VIC Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
12-30 September Arts Centre Melbourne australianballet.com.au Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into the whimsical world of Lewis Carroll’s book with The Australian Ballet’s production, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.
Pop-up Globe
21 September-12 November Beside the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne popupglobe.com.au Here for a limited season, Pop-up Globe gives Shakespeare’s most popular plays – including Othello and Much Ado About Nothing – a modern twist, with sweeping dances and dramatic battles.
AFL Grand Final
30 September Melbourne Cricket Ground, Richmond afl.com.au It’s the biggest date on the AFL calendar – the hotly contested 2017 premiership will be decided in front of a crowd of thousands on the hallowed grounds of the ’G.
Christopher Cross
7 September Forum Melbourne christophercross.com Come Sailing with the Grammywinning singer-songwriter as he takes you through his timeless hits, including Arthur’s Theme, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1982.
Gareth Sansom
15 September-28 January 2018 National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne ngv.vic.gov.au With more than 130 works on display, covering the artist’s entire career, the exhibition celebrates one of Australia’s most highly regarded painters of the avant-garde.
Melbourne Fringe
14 September-1 October Various venues melbournefringe.com.au Catch a comedy set with America’s Arj Barker and see live art take over Brunswick – just two of the 400-plus events to look forward to at this 18-day independent arts festival.
Lionel Richie
7 October Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne lionelrichie.com The multi-platinum-selling artist is performing his greatest hits, including Hello and All Night Long.
NSW Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
From 17 September Sydney Lyric theatre, Pyrmont beautifulmusical. com.au The Australian premiere of the critically acclaimed bio-musical is here. Witness the life and music of one of the world’s most legendary songwriters, including the release of her first hit (Will You Love Me
Tomorrow) in the ’60s and Tapestry, the album that made her an icon.
Ferruccio Furlanetto
27-29 September City Recital Hall, Sydney opera.org.au Having performed at New York City’s Met and London’s Royal Opera House, the Italian bass singer is coming to Australia for a series of recitals, accompanied by pianist Igor Tchetuev.
Tina Arena
23 September ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour tinaarena.com Celebrating her 40th year in the entertainment business, the pop icon is on tour, making a stop in Sydney to perform old favourites.
Just for Laughs Sydney
11-17 September Various venues justforlaughssydney.com Scottish stand-up Kevin Bridges is among the stars heading to Sydney for this internationally renowned comedy festival, which culminates in the All-Star Gala at the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Running Festival
17 September Milsons Point to Sydney Opera House sydney runningfestival.com.au Lace up your runners and get set for a marathon or half-marathon course that takes in Sydney’s most beautiful landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Fringe Festival
1-30 September Various venues sydneyfringe.com NSW’s largest independent arts festival returns with more than 300 productions, including a worldfirst interactive art showcase from British artist Insa that will take over World Square.
Bowral Classic
22 October Starts in central Bowral bowralclassic.com.au The Gran Fondo-style event sees cyclists from around the country descend on the Southern Highlands. Competitors can choose from three courses, ranging from 50 to 160 kilometres.
NT Parrtjima: A Festival in Light
22 September-1 October Alice Springs Desert Park parrtjimaaustralia.com.au Brilliantly illuminated for this event, the MacDonnell Ranges become a 300-million-year-old canvas.
Darwin International Film Festival
14-25 September Deckchair Cinema, Darwin diff.net.au
Cleverman actor Rob Collins is the ambassador of DIFF, which will screen Indigenous documentaries and international entries as well as drone films.
Uluru Astronomy Weekend
20-22 October Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara ayersrockresort.com.au A rare chance to join award-winning astronomer Lisa Harvey-Smith as she guides stargazers through the outback sky.
QLD Ariana Grande
12 September Brisbane Entertainment Centre ariana grande.com The American songstress is bringing her Dangerous Woman Tour to Australia, with hits that are set to entertain fans old and new.
Michael Mosley – Live on Stage
6 September Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane qpac.com.au The man behind the internationally popular 5:2 Fast Diet talks to Julia Zemiro about health myths, followed by an audience Q&A.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Together
5 October Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane qpac.com.au Two of the world’s greatest voices will perform from a songbook filled with beloved Broadway standards, including a rousing medley from Les Misérables.
WA Wallabies vs Springboks
9 September NIB Stadium, Perth aru.com.au See our green-and-gold Qantas Wallabies take on South Africa’s Springboks as part of the 2017 Rugby Championship.
Joel McHale
18 September The Regal Theatre, Subiaco joelmchale.com A comedy legend in his own right, the Community star is bringing his charm and special brand of stand-up to Perth audiences.
TAS Sounds of the Silver Screen
7 and 9 September Federation Concert Hall, Hobart, and Albert Hall, Launceston tso.com.au The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra performs memorable movie soundtracks, including music from the Harry Potter, Star
Wars and Lord of the Rings films.
Junction Arts Festival
6-10 September Various venues, Launceston junctionartsfestival. com.au This cultural festival, celebrating community and creativity, showcases some of the best art, comedy and music in Tasmania.
Elton John and His Band
27-28 September Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
eltonjohn.com Put on your electric boots (and mohair suit) – the legend is back and he’s bringing his iconic songs.
Megan Washington and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
24 October Federation Concert Hall, Hobart tso.com.au The two-time ARIA Award winner joins forces with the TSO.
SA Royal Adelaide Show
1-10 September Adelaide Showground theshow.com.au The annual agricultural show is bigger than ever, with animals, rides and plenty of carnival food – fun for the whole family!
Dan Sultan
15 September HQ Complex, Adelaide dansultan.com To mark the release of his new album, Killer, the alt-rock musician is bringing his tour to Adelaide, backed by a full band.
OzAsia Festival
21 September-8 October Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide ozasiafestival.com.au Celebrating the artistic and cultural ties between Australia and Asia, this festival features exhibitions and performances, including the dance-theatre production Until the Lions. Don’t miss the Lucky Dumpling Market.
ACT Floriade
16 September-15 October Commonwealth Park, Canberra floriadeaustralia.com Australia’s biggest celebration of spring is in full bloom. Expect a glorious display of more than a million bulbs and annuals across 8000 square metres of parkland.
Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters
15 September-25 February 2018 National Museum of Australia, Canberra nma.gov.au This Indigenous-led exhibition takes you into the heart of Australia on an immersive multimedia journey.
Angelica Mesiti
9 September-March 2018 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra nga.gov.au Five major works from the contemporary artist will call the gallery home for six months, including her award-winning silent anthem, Rapture (2009).