Nine things to do in the Riverina this week (11 - 17 November)

It’s a diverse calendar of events this week in the Riverina with something for everyone across the region.

In Wagga, the Alliance Francaise celebrates 50 years with a cabaret spectacular and the region’s best local emerging artists converge on the Civic Theatre stage to present their original music.

Out west, Narrandera is marking Small Business Month with workshops for its SMEs, start-ups and entrepreneurs, or over in Coleambally, there’s a good old-fashioned school fete.

Up north in Temora, folks have their pick of a circus or a country music festival and in Griffith, we have the highly-anticipated Carnival of Cups.

Events are happening all throughout the week; here are our top nine picks.

Friday

Paris After Dark

When: Friday 11 November, 6:30 pm – 11 pm
Where: Romano’s Hotel, 81 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: $99, book here.

Join the Alliance Francaise de Wagga Wagga in celebrating 50 years with Paris After Dark – a three-course French dinner and cabaret experience. Featuring award-winning performers Milko Foucalt-Larche and Parisian-born Corinne Andrew, this variety cabaret is performed in English and French. The sumptuous French-inspired dinner includes francophile favourites such as pate, boeuf bourguignon and millefeuille, served alongside the enchanting spirit of a real Parisian party. Doors open at 6:30 pm, dinner starts at 7:30 pm and the show kicks off at 8:30 pm.

Grand Baxter at Tumut River Brewing Co

When: Friday 11 November, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Tumut River Brewing Co, 1/5 Capper St, Tumut
Cost: Free entry.

There are few better ways to kick off the weekend than with a cold craft brew and live folk tunes. Celebrating the October release of their single I Don’t Want To Know, Grand Baxter are taking to the road with their delicately dark and cautiously optimistic folk music – and Tumut is next in line. The alt-folk brainchild of singer-songwriter Ben Langdon, Grand Baxter’s music is characterised by considered songwriting, bittersweet lyrics and a sprinkling of country-folk heart.

St Peter’s School Fete

When: Friday 11 November, 3:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: St Peter’s School, Currawong Cres, Coleambally
Cost: Free entry.

There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned school fete. Raising funds for St Peter’s School, this event offers oodles of entertainment for the whole family including laser tag, a jumping castle, prizes, lucky dips, a barbecue, doughnuts and much more. Browse the stalls of cakes, plants and activities, and don’t forget to enter a raffle for your chance to win prizes.

Saturday

Live Local Original

When: Saturday 12 November, from 7:30 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way (off Tarcutta St), Wagga Wagga
Cost: Adults $25, under 18s $15, book here.

If you like your music live, local and original, that magic trifecta is set to hit Wagga. Some of the region’s best local emerging artists will gather at the Civic Theatre to perform their original music. Featuring Amy Kubank, Gone Fishin, Jesse Aviu, Courtney Barron, A.D.O LFO, KHS Funk Explosion and more, this event presents the chance to support local musicians and possibly witness the next big thing at ground level.

The ErinEarth Workshop and Open Garden Day

When: Saturday 12 November, 9 am to 12 pm
Where: ErinEarth Garden, 1 Kildare St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: $10, book here.

ErinEarth is holding a hands-on workshop to demonstrate how to make a worm farm out of recycled materials, reuse kitchen scraps to make fertile plant food, and integrate this low-maintenance system into a household’s sustainable habits. Participants take home the worm farm they make on the day and learn how to take care of them. Free kid’s activities run through the day, including a seed bomb making station and a worm scientist activity. Tickets include admittance to the worm farm workshop and a vegetarian lunch. The garden opens at 9 am, followed by the workshop from 10 am to 11:30 am and lunch around midday.

Griffith Carnival of Cups

When: Saturday 12 November, 5 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Dalton Park Racecourse, Remembrance Dr, Griffith
Cost: Adult $10, seniors $5, under 18s free, payable upon entry.

Time to converge at the track for a night of exciting harness racing for the whole family. The event includes entertainment, Fashions on the Field, activities for the kids, food, drinks and mini trots. Bookmaker and TAB facilities are located on site.

Monday and Tuesday

Small Business Month – 2023 Marketing and Goal Planning Session for Small Business and Social Media Bootcamp

When: Monday 14 November (Marketing and Goal Planning Session) and Tuesday 15 November, 6 pm – 8 pm (Social Media Bootcamp)
Where: TAFE NSW – Narrandera, 54-68 Elwin St, Narrandera
Cost: Free, book here (Marketing and Goal Planning Session) or here (Social Media Bootcamp).

Narrandera Shire Council and Narrandera Business Group are partnering again to mark Small Business Month with two marketing workshops to support local businesses. On Monday 14 November is the 2023 Marketing and Goal Planning Session for Small Businesses. In this two-hour session alongside like-minded businesses, you’ll learn about setting realistic and achievable business marketing goals and kick-start the new year with a solid plan. Then on Tuesday 15 November, the Social Media Bootcamp is for small business owners who are lost when it comes to marketing on social media. With a focus on Facebook and Instagram you’ll cover everything from setting up your profile correctly to using in-bound tools such as reels, highlights and stories, trends, tools, a deep dive on how and why to use hashtags on both platforms and whether or not to schedule your posts.

Thursday

Temora Country Music Festival

When: Thursday 17 November to Sunday 20 November, various times
Where: Temora Ex Services Club, 130 Baker St, Temora
Cost: Various costs, payable upon entry.

Dubbed “The Friendly Festival”, the Temora Country Music Festival invites all to join in the fun of another “Big River Entertainment Awareness Of Rural Towns” event. The feature artists are Craig Giles, Kinta, Wayne Horsburgh, Tom Maxwell, Kerran Keats, Grant Luhrs, Jay Podger, Alastair McLean, Alex Winnell, Vicki Walsh and The Good Time Band. The weekend is MCd by Dawn Prentice. There are plenty of accommodation options for visitors and a town of people waiting to welcome you.

The Harrington Circus Show

When: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November, 7 pm, Saturday 19 November, 4 pm and 7 pm and Sunday 20 November, 11 am
Where: Temora Showgrounds, Mimosa St, Temora
Cost: Adults front view $25, adult side view $20, kids front view $15, kids side view $10, to book call 0431 969 209.

This is the first time The Harrington Circus Show has come to Temora Showgrounds. This outstanding show is especially great for kids aged four to 14 and big kids of any age. Over 45 minutes, a variety of performers will delight audiences with interactive spectacles. Make sure to rock up early as the grounds open an hour before showtime, with plenty of fun activities, games and food on offer.