It’s hard to believe it’s already March, but as we continue to steamroll our way through the year, the arts offerings around the country are only getting better. Here’s just seven of the events we think you can’t miss – from an entire month dedicated to art in Sydney, to theatre, exhibition openings and comedy all around the country, mark these events on your calendar:
Art Month Sydney (Various Venues, Sydney)
Each March, Art Month celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary art in Sydney by throwing open gallery doors and unique locations around the city, presenting over 200 exhibitions and events. It runs for the entire month and you can learn more about what’s happening at their official website.
STC’s Chimerica (Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney)
The Sydney Theatre Company is presenting the Australian premiere of the new play by Lucy Kirkwood, Chimerica.
Inspired by one of the 20th century’s most powerful images – a man standing triphantly in front of tanks in Tiananmen Square – Chimerica tracks two decades of complex US-China relations alongside the personal stories that exist beyond the margins of history. At once intimate and geopolitical, it is a gripping thriller, a touching romance, a cracking comedy and a rich drama.
Chimerica is on now and will enjoy performances at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney until April 1st. For tickets and more details, head HERE.
Bill Hensen – NGV International (NGV, Melbourne)
Part of the National Gallery of Victoria’s Festival of Photography is a special collection of recent photographs (2008-2011) by Bill Henson, selected by the artist, and encompassing themes including portraits, nudes, lush museum interiors and transcendent landscapes.
The images in this exhibition continue Henson’s sensitive, sophisticated study of the human condition, which he has realised over his forty year career. The exhibition opens on March 10th and runs until August 27th. For more details, head HERE.
Castlemaine Festival (Victoria)
Castlemaine State Festival began in 1976 through the vision of Berek Segan AM OBE. It has grown to become Australia’s flagship regional arts festival. This year, their diverse program includes a mix of music, theatre, film, live art and events for the kids – plus a special feature on the Philippines. The program is so good, we’re not even sure where to start, so take some time and explore it for yourself. Victoria’s Premier Regional Festival runs from 17-26 March. For more details head to their official website.
Jake & Amir: If I Were You: Live (Melbourne and Sydney)
Jake Hurwitz, Amir Blumenfeld and Streeter Seidell are coming back to Australia in March 2017, visiting Melbourne & Sydney following sold out shows in 2015. The comedic duo are the writers/actors/editors behind the Webby award winning internet series “Jake & Amir”. They have released two videos a week for over four years, with each episode now averaging more than 500,000 views.
Streeter Seidell will join Jake & Amir again as a special guest when they head down under. Streeter first gained popularity through his involvement in CollegeHumor, having a hand in all facets- from executive director of the site, to co-author of the first book, to co-star in the videos. He’s now a writer for the iconic Saturday Night Live.
SHOW DATES:
Thursday 16th March – The Athenaeum, Melbourne
Saturday 18th March – The Metro, Sydney
Cry Jailolo – Indonesia (Melbourne and Brisbane)
Fresh from a string of dates at Sydney Festival, Darwin Festival, OZAsia Festival and multiple European cities, Cry Jailolo is arriving to Indonesia to ignite the Arts Centre Melbourne (as part of Asia TOPA) and The Tivoli stage in Brisbane this month.
Driven by the relentless rhythms of the ocean and the life that teems within, Cry Jailolo is an hour of constant motion in a shimmering halo of hope. Inspired by the ‘Legu Salai’ dance of the Sahu Tribe and the ‘Soya-Soya’ dance from North Maluku, Cry Jailolo resonates with a spirit and optimism that is all its own. And by all accounts it is not to be missed.
You can see the show at the Arts Centre in Melbourne as part of Asia TOPA from March 1st to 4th. Details are HERE. The show will then head to The Tivoli in Brisbane on 9th March at 7pm. For tickets and more details on that performance, head HERE.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore (Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne)
Melbourne Opera are set to present Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore, their first big success. H.M.S. Pinafore features many of G&S’s best loved comic songs, arias and choruses in a scintillating and timeless send up of the British class system and politicians. An all-star cast featuring David Gould as Sir Joseph Porter KCB has been assembled by Melbourne Opera for this first professional G&S production in over 20 years.
Robert Ray, well known G&S expert, will direct and choreograph and the production features the acclaimed Melbourne Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Greg Hocking and Raymond Lawrence.
Presented by Melbourne Opera, Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore will be seen at Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne with four shows between March 14th and 18th. For tickets and more details head HERE.
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