Nine things to do in the Riverina this week (2 - 8 Sept)

Spring has officially sprung in the Riverina, and it’s showing in a lively social calendar featuring bush dancing a country show and more.

If you’re just about ready to shake off the winter chills, the Riverina is providing ample opportunity this week.

Idris Elba fans will be over the moon as he headlines yet another blockbuster at the cinemas, while those who need a dose of Australiana to kick off spring can head to the Narrandera Show or the Downside Bush Dance.

From the Nest Studio Collective to the opening of the Dobell Drawing Prize in Griffith and all the arts and crafts between, there’s also a healthy dose of cultural offerings.

We’ve gathered the pick of the litter here, so read on.

All Week

The Wagga Eisteddfod features a blood-pumping highland dancing category. Photo: Wagga Eisteddfod Facebook.

Wagga Wagga Eisteddfod

When: Wednesday 31 August to Saturday 10 September, various times, see the program here
Where: Various Wagga locations, see the program here
Cost: Gold coin donation on entry.

Eisteddfods – originally an ancient Welsh tradition – have long been a part of performing arts culture in Australia – and this one showcases some of the youngest Waggarians’ talent. Competitors will go head to head for the top prizes in singing, dancing, speech and drama categories. A source of scouting young talent in the regional arts industry, contact the Wagga Eisteddfod Society via the links above to grab your program.

These two icons need no introduction. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Roadshow Entertainment.

New Releases @ Forum Cinemas

When: Various times all week, see schedule
Where: Forum 6 Cinemas, 77 Trail Street, Wagga
Cost: Adult $19.50, child (3-14 years) $13.50, concession $15.50, senior $13.50, family (2A & 2C or 1A & 3C) $55, book here.

Idris Elba stars alongside Tilda Swinton in Three Thousand Years of Longing, a fantasy film directed by Australian icon George Miller (Mad Max, Happy Feet). A doctor of mythology (Swinton), content with her life, encounters a djinn (Elba) who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom; but their conversation leads to consequences neither expected. Alternatively if you feel you need some sophistication on Sunday, don’t miss Forum’s special one-day-only showing of The Metropolitan Opera’s production of Hamlet.

The prize’s namesake, 20th century artist William Dobell, won the iconic premier award for portrait artists, the Archibald Prize, three times. Photo: Dobell Drawing Prize.

Dobell Drawing Prize Griffith

When: Opening event Friday 2 September, 6 pm and exhibition open Wednesdays to Fridays, 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Griffith Regional Art Gallery, 167 Banna Ave, Griffith
Cost: Free entry.

Opening in Griffith tonight (2 September), celebrate this national exhibition’s stopover in the region with a glass of Dee Vine Estate wine in hand, while you peruse highly regarded drawings. Expect everything from animation to collage, paper weaving, charcoal, ink and watercolour. An important attribute of this art show for the new age – the original prize never stipulated what a drawing is in the terms and conditions of entry, allowing definitions of drawing to shift and evolve with each competition.

Brittany Hefren Reality or Possibility, 2022. Photo: Nest Studio Collective.

Nest Studio Collective: Self & Surrounds

When: Friday 2 to Thursday 29 September, weekdays 8 am – 4 pm, Fridays 8 am – 8 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm and Sundays 10 am – 2 pm
Where: The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston Street, Wagga
Cost: Free entry, see event listing here.

The Nest Studio is a female collective of emerging regional creatives who are in the early stages of their career, recent creative graduates or in their final year of study. Their debut group exhibition Self and Surrounds the Nest explores the diverse ways we experience and interpret the world around us. This exhibition is supported in part by the Charles Sturt Community University Partnership Grant Program, so head down, grab a coffee and support these local women.

All Weekend

These beautiful lamps never go out of style – they originated 5000 years ago in the Ottoman empire. Photo: V on Unsplash.

Turkish Art Festival: Mosaic Lamp Masterclasses

When: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September, various times
Where: Wagga Show Society, 36 Bourke Street, Wagga
Cost: $119 per person, book here.

Celebrate Turkish culture and learn the detail, care and skill that goes into creating mosaic lamps – an iconic design article of the Middle East. You’ll get to create your very own lamp to take home, while sipping on Turkish coffee and tea and enjoying handmade treats. No experience is required to join this class – just creativity.

Saturday

You might be surprised by the variety of brews at this event. Photo: Craft Brew & BBQ.

After the success of Street Scapes 2021, the council decided to reboot it in 2022. Photo: Griffith City Council.

Street Scapes Griffith Launch

When: Launch Saturday 3 September, 4 pm – 9 pm and event runs until Friday 7 October
Where: Memorial Park, 275 Banna Ave, Griffith
Cost: Free entry.

Griffith is kicking off spring with a bang at the Street Scapes launch. Market stalls, games and activities are running from 4 pm to 8 pm and local bands Folk U & Analog Trick will provide the tunes from 5 pm onwards. Luke Piccolo from Limone Dining will be dishing out some deliciousness, with Yarran Wines on hand for drinks. For six weeks after, locals and visitors can enjoy a series of activities, events and activations that invigorate and breathe life back into the city’s street scapes. Find out more about the huge variety of events here.

The Downside Hall is one of the state’s most carefully preserved community halls. Photo: VisitNSW.

Downside Bush Dance

When: Saturday 3 September, 7:30 pm – midnight
Where: Downside Hall, Downside-Shepherds Siding Road, Downside
Cost: Entry $5 Adults, $3 Kids, payable at the door (cash only).

A precious Riverina tradition comes alive once again this weekend, bringing some 70s bush magic to life. The Downside Bush Dance has been running continuously on the first Saturday of each month since 1971. It’s always been a great time for family and friends, just 20 minutes out of Wagga – so get your stomping boots on and dance the night away.

Thrills, spills and so much more – a country show is the ultimate big day out. Photo: Narrandera Show Society.

Narrandera Show

When: Saturday 3 September, main gate opens 11 am, fireworks at 7 pm
Where: Narrandera Showground, 35-45 Elizabeth St, Narrandera
Cost: Family (2 adults and 4 children) $30, adult $15, concession (card required) $5, child (under 16) $5, payable at the gate.

Get along to Narrandera’s longest running annual event, which attracts thousands of people each year. There’s so much to see and do – craft and cooking competitions, attractions, sideshow alley, photography, horse eventing, stockman’s challenge, freestyle motorbikes, performers and stalls of all kinds. Don’t miss the free fireworks at the end of the night.