CiderFest is set to include acrobatic displays. Photo: Batlow CiderFest/Facebook.
We have something for everyone this week – covering art, music, food and wine, reading and writing, and volunteering!
In the music world, Canberra-based singer-songwriter Ava Martina will join Parmy Dhillon for part of his tour, with the two taking to stages in Canberra and the South Coast. Sydney Symphony Orchestra is coming to Goulburn and a new album from The Wildfires is launching in Cowra this weekend.
Brides-to-be and grooms-to-be needing a bit of inspiration in planning their big day can stop by the two-day Something Blue Wedding Trail and Fair. On Friday, stop by an expo to learn about volunteering opportunities in Goulburn, or Gundaroo for a flamenco show and two-course dinner.
Meanwhile, Keith Coleman’s exhibition in Bega is coming to a close soon, but the livestream of the Sydney Writer’s Festival will be starting shortly. Saturday will also see the return of Batlow CiderFest.
Multiple days
The two musicians are set to perform at several gigs in Canberra and the South Coast of New South Wales. Photo: Acacia Simmons via Ava Martina/Facebook.
Parmy Dhillon tour with Ava Martina
When: Various, tour finishes on 2 June in Victoria; see program
Where: Various; see program
Cost: Free entry.
Melbourne musician Parmy Dhillon will be joined for this part of his tour through Canberra and the regions with local singer-songwriter Ava Martina. The two will perform in Majors Creek (19 May), Tomakin (20 May), Canberra (26 May), Moruya (27 May) and Katoomba (28 May) at various venues. Mr Dhillon will perform his new single New Forever during the tour, plus some older work and covers with Ms Martina.
From venues to vendors, you’re sure to find some help with your upcoming wedding! Photo: Sapphire Coast Weddings & Events/Facebook.
Something Blue Wedding Fair and Trail
When: 20 May (Wedding Trail), 9:30 am to 4 pm; 21 May (Wedding Fair), 11 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Various (Wedding Trail); Oaklands Event Centre, 3546 Princes Highway, Pambula
Cost: Free entry.
This two-day event is set to give you inspiration for your upcoming wedding – and maybe some phone numbers or new places to check out! Saturday (20 May) will see a tour of several venues in the area, including a winery, an event centre and a caravan park. Meanwhile, sip complimentary bubbles at the Wedding Fair on Sunday (21 May) and see what the vendors have to offer.
Brightly coloured glazes are common in this exhibition, which is coming to a close soon – so get in quick for a visit. Photo: Spiral Gallery Bega/Facebook, showing works by Mr Coleman.
Keith Coleman solo exhibition
When: 28 April to 24 May, 10 am to 4 pm (Monday to Friday) or 10 am to 1 pm (Saturday)
Where: Spiral Gallery, 47 Church Street, Bega
Cost: Free entry.
Keith Coleman is a self-taught image maker whose work involves acrylics, print making, sculpture and design, according to a biography on the gallery’s website. His latest exhibition will close on Wednesday (24 May), and features ceramic works with brightly coloured glazes and a few multi-medium artworks. It is inspired by his garden and the natural environment in the Bega region.
Jane Harper will be among those coming to town (via livestream) with the Sydney Writer’s Festival. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Sydney Writer’s Festival viewing
When: 25 May to 28 May, various times
Where: Various
Cost: Free entry or $5 per ticket, depending on the library and with bookings essential at some locations.
Libraries in the Eurobodalla, Bega Valley, Wagga Wagga and Griffith will be joining in on the fun when the Sydney Writers’ Festival returns for 2023. And lucky for us, there’s no need to make the trek to Sydney in the cold, with sessions to be livestreamed in the regions. Geraldine Brooks, Pip Williams, Barrie Cassidy, Helen Garner, Stan Grant and Teela Reid and others will be (virtually) present.
Friday
This may be your chance to get involved with those offering a helping hand in Goulburn. Photo: Goulburn Volunteer Referral Service.
2023 Goulburn Volunteer Expo
When: 19 May, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: St Saviour’s Cathedral Hall, 170 Bourke Street, Goulburn
Cost: Free entry.
If you’ve been thinking of giving back to your community, this is the perfect chance to get some more information or to put your name to something. The Volunteer Expo is organised by the Goulburn Volunteer Referral Service and is part of National Volunteer Week.
The ticket price includes a two-course meal and the flamenco performance from southern Spain. Photo: Tallagandra Hill Winery/Facebook.
SENES Flamenco
When: 19 May, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
Where: Tallagandra Hill, 1692 Murrumbateman Road, Gundaroo
Cost: Tickets are from $43.66 and are available via Eventbrite.
This night will take you to Andalusia, with traditional costumes, dance choreography and musicians coming together for a flamenco performance. Formed in 2011 by dancer Aya Kitaoji, SENES Flamenco is coming to Gundaroo for one night of dance and a two-course dinner. The doors open at 6:15 pm, with dinner service starting at 6:30 pm and a 7 pm show start.
Saturday
Apples are a key part of Batlow – and when it comes to the Batlow CiderFest, they’re on display. Photo: Batlow CiderFest.
Batlow CiderFest
When: 20 May, from 10 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Pioneer Street, Batlow
Cost: $30 for adults, with those 17 or younger having free entry; tickets are available online.
Apples have had a long history in Batlow … and they’re now also the focus of an annual end of harvest celebration for residents and visitors alike. In its eleventh year, there will be acrobatic displays, orchard tours, food stalls, tastings and sales of alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders. But if ciders aren’t your thing, there will also be cold climate wines and craft brews on offer. Additionally, there will be festival buses to transport visitors from Tumut and Tumbarumba.
The Wildfires is made up of Lucy Lehmann and Andy Baylor, who are releasing their new album. Photo: The Wildflowers.
The Wildflowers Annual Show
When: 20 May, 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Cowra Railway Station, Lynch Street, Cowra
Cost: Tickets cost between $10 and $40, and are available via TryBooking.
The Wildflowers – Lucy Lehmann and Andy Baylor – will be joined by guests as they launch their new album Another Day In A Country Town. There will also be a poetry reading by Geoffrey Lehmann. Tickets can be purchased for the show, which at extra cost include dinner.
Thursday
Classical music fans won’t need to travel to Sydney for this performance, which includes music by Edvard Grieg, Ludvig van Beethoven and Richard Strauss. Photo: Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Facebook.
The Sydney Symphony performs Beethoven
When: 25 May, 7:30 pm to about 9:15 pm
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: Tickets cost between $27 to $57 and are available online.
As part of its annual regional New South Wales tour, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be performing in Goulburn for one night only! Limited tickets for the performance are available, which will see the orchestra perform with Simon Bruckard as conductor and Diana Doherty on the oboe.