This week is full of kids’ events for the school holidays, from the educational to the exciting. Photo: Erth Visual & Physical Inc.
There’s so much to get keen for in the Riverina region this week, with plenty of school holiday events, festivals, cultural events and live music.
For a blast from the prehistoric past, head to Wagga Civic Theatre for Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, where kids can get up close and personal with the dinosaurs and creatures they’ve only seen in their wildest dreams.
The Riverina Readers Festival is almost here and the program is again packed with talent. Experienced crime and romance writers, as well as Miles Franklin Award-winning authors, are coming to give attendees a peek into the world of professional writing.
Johnny Cash fans who want to see ”The Man in Black” honoured should head to the Griffith Theatre to see the Get Rhythm show, a faithful tribute act performing all the hits from one of the best musicians of the past century.
Multiple Days
The Barry Young River of Stories competition lets young writers spread their wings, especially with this year’s theme. Photo: Albury City Council.
Barry Young River of Stories Awards
When: 11 July to 17 July, entries close Friday, 25 July
Where: Library Museum, corner of Kiewa and Swift streets, Albury
Cost: Free. Entry information here.
The Barry Young River of Stories competition gives primary and secondary students in the Albury-Wodonga region a chance to test their writing skills. Students can win prizes for themselves as well as donations to their school.
This year’s theme is “adventure”, and winners are invited to the awards presentation ceremony at Write Around the Murray on 13 September.
Students may interpret the theme as broadly or as narrowly as they wish and the competition rewards the creativity of each writer. See the website for more information on word counts, prizes, categories and entries.
Kids can get up close and personal with scaly creatures at Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo. Photo: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
When: 15 July, 10 am to 12 pm and 16 July, 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Tickets $29. Book online.
Young palaeontologists and dinosaur lovers must go to the Wagga Civic Theatre this week to see some of their favourite prehistoric creatures brought to life.
Erth’s dinosaurs are friendly and ”alive” and they’re here to provide an educational performance that will be an absolute treat for kids who want to see the science of dinosaurs in action. Kids will meet the carnivorous Australovenator, a Queensland dinosaur, as well as a whole cast of long-extinct creatures that once ruled the planet.
Friday
Head to the Wagga Library to enjoy a free family-friendly film. Image: Visit Wagga.
Family Movie Friday at the Wagga Library
When: 11 July, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free. No bookings required.
Drop into the Wagga Library children’s area for a family-friendly movie. The film playing is a mystery but all screenings are G-rated and run for about 90 minutes. Please note that kids under 16 require an adult to be with them for the duration of the film.
Saturday
Literature lovers rejoice, the Riverina Readers Festival is here. Photo: Visit Wagga Wagga.
Riverina Readers Festival
When: 12 July, 9 am
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, 243 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $88. Book online.
Bringing together people from all over the region, the Readers Festival invites bookworms and bibliophiles to celebrate literature. Attendees can expect to hear from leading writers from across the country, such as bestselling romance author Rachael Johns, Miles Franklin Award winners such as Shankari Chandran, and bestselling crime writers including Mark Brandi and Anna Snoekstra. That’s just an inkling of the pantheon of talented men and women coming to the festival.
There will also be a special talk from Dr Susan McLaine, a bibliotherapist, on the benefits of reading on the mind and soul.
If you live for the written word, this is a must-visit event.
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Wagga Civic Theatre. Image: Visit Wagga.
Balgarra Performance at the Wagga Civic Theatre
When: 12 July, community barbecue from 4:30 pm, show starts at 5:30 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free.
Balgarra is a NAIDOC Week celebration that brings together the creativity and strength of the Indigenous community in Wagga. Meaning “emitting sparks” in Wiradjuri, Balgarra is a musical and cultural event that unites the community to celebrate a rich historical heritage and the future.
Can you hear the train a-coming? It’s rolling ’round the bend. Image: Arts & Culture Griffith.
Get Rhythm – Johnny Cash and June Carter Show
When: 12 July, 7:30 pm
Where: Griffith Regional Theatre, Neville Place, Griffith
Cost: Concession tickets $60 | Adult tickets $64. Book online.
Get Rhythm brings an authentic and nostalgic Johnny Cash experience to fans all across the country and this Friday it’s coming to Griffith. Get Rhythm has earned broad acclaim with the performers’ uncanny resemblance to the famous pair, live-band sound and their energetic tribute to one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. If you’re a fan of ”The Man in Black”, don’t miss this musical event or you’re gonna cry, cry, cry.
C’est magnifique! A bilingual musical cabaret is coming to Griffith. Image: Arts & Culture Griffith.
Paris Down Under
When: 16 July, 11 am
Where: Griffith Regional Theatre, Neville Place, Griffith
Cost: Tickets from $20. Book online.
Paris Down Under is a French pop cabaret that celebrates 1960s and ’70s pop music, both the iconic French music of that era and the British, Australian and American tunes that made their way into French culture. This excellent musical show is performed in English and French, giving audiences a fantastic concert in their native tongue while serenading them with the beauty of the French language.
