The Diary
This month’s top events, plus a sneak peek at what’s on in August.
This month’s top cultural, sporting and food events
VIC
THEATRE Much Ado About Nothing
17-27 July Arts Centre Melbourne bellshakespeare.com.au
The witty quarrels between courting couple Benedick and Beatrice take centrestage as Shakespeare’s beloved rom-com comes to Melbourne.
Aura EXPERIENCE
Until December 2019 Sovereign Hill aurasovereignhill.com.au
In this new immersive theatrical extravaganza at Sovereign Hill, 26 hectares of gold-rush territory are brought to life with 3D light projections and walk-through historical exhibits.
Midawarr: Harvest ART
Until 14 July Melbourne Museum museumsvictoria.com.au
This collection of works by Mulkun Wirrpanda and John Wolseley reflects the artists’ experiences of the Yolngu country’s harvest season over the past five years.
Shakespeare in Love THEATRE
15 July-14 August Arts Centre Melbourne mtc.com.au
Fresh from giving Muriel’s Wedding the stage treatment, Simon Phillips has turned his attention to Oscar winner Shakespeare in Love. It plays for a limited season in Melbourne.
ART Turning Points: Contemporary Photography from China
Until January 2020 National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne ngv.vic.gov.au
Showcasing the wave of Chinese photography produced since the 1990s, the works on display depict themes such as self-identity and connection to traditional culture.
Sylvia NEXT MONTH
31 August-10 September Arts Centre Melbourne australianballet.com.au
Stanton Welch’s new production of the Léo Delibes masterpiece – which required lead dancers to learn the art of sword fighting – will have its Australian premiere in Melbourne.
NSW
ART Shaun Gladwell: Pacific Undertow
19 July-7 October Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney mca.com.au
Spanning two decades of the artist’s practice across painting, drawing and video, this retrospective also features
augmented and virtual reality pieces that aim to highlight technology in 21st-century art.
Whiteley OPERA
15-30 July Sydney Opera House opera.org.au
The life of legendary artist Brett Whiteley is painted across a new canvas: the stage. His tumultuous personal story is set to music by composer Elena Kats-Chernin.
ART Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial
26 July-13 October Mildura Arts Centre nga.gov.au
This National Gallery of Australia touring exhibition includes pieces by 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists created in response to the 50th anniversary of the 1967 history-making referendum.
NAIDOC in the City FESTIVAL
13 July Hyde Park, Sydney whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Observe the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Languages at the Harbour City’s NAIDOC celebrations featuring live performances, kids’ activities and a marketplace with local arts, crafts and produce.
David Hockney: Prints ART
13 July-8 September Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea nga.gov.au
More than five decades of the experimental printmaker’s work is on its way around the country, showing in southern Sydney before a final stop on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
NEXT MONTH Hugh Jackman: The Man, The Music, The Show
2-5, 7 August Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney hughjackmantheshow.com
The Boy from Oz is heading home after touring Europe and North America. During his month-long Australian run, Jackman will perform songs from The Boy From Oz, Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman and other hit tunes from Broadway and Hollywood.
ACT
ART Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia
Until 27 October National Gallery of Australia, Canberra nga.gov.au
Highlighting the incredible recent art emerging from Bali and Java, this exhibition includes both up-and-coming and established artists whose work explores topics such as family, sexuality and the environment.
DANCE Bangarra: 30 Years of Sixty Five Thousand
18-20 July Canberra Theatre Centre bangarra.com.au
Marking 30 years of innovative Indigenous dance theatre, the acclaimed Bangarra company visits the nation’s capital to perform a limited-run program of three contemporary works.
SA
THEATRE A View from the Bridge
12 July-3 August Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide statetheatrecompany.com.au
Playwright Arthur Miller’s tale of family drama in 1950s Brooklyn has long been lauded as one of the most important works in American literature. Sixty-four years after it was first staged, the State Theatre Company is bringing the classic story to life.
Ned Kelly ART
Until 4 August Riddoch Art Gallery, Mount Gambier nga.gov.au
Mount Gambier gets its chance to see iconic works by one of Australia’s most revered artists when this travelling exhibition of Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly series rolls into town.
SALA Festival NEXT MONTH
1-31 August Various venues, South Australia salafestival.com.au
Regional and city art galleries across the state will exhibit works by thousands of South Australian visual artists in mediums including painting, photography, moving image and sculpture.
WA
FESTIVAL Revelation Perth International Film Festival
4-17 July Various venues, Perth revelationfilmfest.org
More than 120 feature-length, short and documentary films from around the globe will screen at an array of venues across the city during this two-week event.
Sweeney Todd OPERA
13-20 July His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth waopera.asn.au
Ben Mingay steps into the title role of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The Tony Award-winning musical thriller follows the twisted story of Todd and his accomplice, insane pie-maker Mrs Lovett.
Bledisloe Cup NEXT MONTH
10 August Optus Stadium, Perth rugby.com.au
The trans-Tasman rivalry is headed west for the first time when the Wallabies take on the All Blacks in Match 1, hoping to break Australia’s 16-year drought.
QLD
Regional Flavours FESTIVAL
20-21 July South Bank Parklands, Brisbane regionalflavours.com.au
A family-friendly roster of celebrity chefs, live music and kids’ activities will descend on South Bank, along with a bumper market filled with provedores peddling fresh produce, wine, jams, cheese and more.
School of Rock THEATRE
From 12 July Lyric Theatre, Brisbane au.schoolofrockthemusical.com
Class is now in session! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest hit musical re-creates the 2003 film starring Jack Black and features a cast of super-talented youngsters.
FESTIVAL Groundwater Country Music Festival
26-28 July Broadbeach, Gold Coast groundwatercmf.com
Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole join the line-up of homegrown and international artists at this free outdoor event.
The Curated Plate NEXT MONTH
8-11 August Various venues, Sunshine Coast thecuratedplate.com.au
Expect local and overseas chefs (including Peter Gilmore and Raymond Blanc), specialty dining experiences and plenty of samples to whet your appetite at this new four-day culinary festival.
NT
SPORT Australian Outback Marathon
26-28 July Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara australianoutbackmarathon.com
Runners hit the red dust, passing the iconic Uluru and Kata Tjuta during the full and half marathons or the less-intense fun runs (11 and six kilometres).
Beer Can Regatta SPORT
14 July Mindil Beach, Darwin beercanregatta.org.au
Now in its 45th year, the classic Territory race sees boats made from cans, plastic bottles and milk cartons built to varying degrees of seaworthiness. Don’t miss the sandcastle and thongthrowing competitions.
TAS
FESTIVAL Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest
12-14 July Ranelagh Recreation Ground, Huon Valley huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au
Held in the middle of Tasmania’s wilderness in the depths of winter, this event will have you singing at an apple tree, sipping on the state’s best apple cider and watching as a two-storey-tall wicker man burns on a cold night.
Devonport Jazz MUSIC
25-28 July Various venues, Devonport devonportjazz.com
The hills of Devonport will be alive with the sound of (jazz) music when this beloved North West festival returns with a slew of Australian and international musos.
MUSIC The Best of Rodgers and Hammerstein
4 July; 6 July Federation Concert Hall, Hobart; Albert Hall, Launcestontso.com.au
Few people have made more of an impact on the world of musical theatre than Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Sing along to songs from their biggest hits – The Sound of Music, The King and I and Oklahoma! – played by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Chocolate NEXT MONTH Winterfest
11 August Latrobe chocolate winterfest.com.au
The central north-coast town of Latrobe welcomes chocoholics in honour of the scrumptious “brown gold”.