From stargazing to art deco appreciation – the Riverina has a week of diverse entertainment options on offer. Photo: iStock.
There’s plenty to do in the Riverina Murray region this week – especially if you’re keen on festivals, stargazing, railway history, live music or markets.
Kicking off the week, Australia’s biggest art deco festival hits the small town of Leeton, the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga invites you to stargaze with them and award-winning country artist Fanny Lumsden brings her Deep In The Fallow Tour to Junee.
On Saturday Wagga’s spiritual and wellbeing expo is back by popular demand, The Riding for the Disabled Association celebrates its new op shop premises with a car boot sale, Ladysmith Railway Station opens its doors and the region’s drag darling Rose Quartz hosts a sing-a-long.
The weekend caps off with the Marramarra Aboriginal Markets at Wagga Showground and on Wednesday, Kapooka’s Australian Army Band presents a series of concerts proudly hosted by the Civic Theatre.
All Weekend
Immerse yourself in the food, fashion, motors, culture (and crime!) of the 1910s to 1940s. Photo: Leeton Council.
Australian Art Deco Festival
When: Friday 8 July to Sunday 10 July, various times; click here to see the program
Where: Various locations in Leeton, NSW
Cost: Free or paid entry to various events; book all ticketed events here.
Australia’s biggest and best art deco festival returns to the little town of Leeton for another year. The program is jam-packed, so plan ahead. Festival-goers will enjoy drinks, dancing, food, photography, trains, cars, antiques – the list goes on. Grab the family, hop on the free public transport from Griffith or Narrandera and travel a hundred years back in time.
Friday
Ranging in experience from novice to world-class amateur astronomers, the ASAW has opened up one of their private member-only viewings to the public. Photo: ASAW.
Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga presents a Public Viewing Night
When: Friday 8 July, 6 pm to late
Where: Bowna Reserve, Bowna Waters Road, Table Top
Cost: Free entry, gold coin donation for BBQ.
ASAW is the local astronomical society for the Albury-Wodonga region. Recently the society has been migrating towards more ‘on the field’ meetings, viewing nights and guest speaker events. Bring your own telescope or camera, or have a look through ASAW telescopes – you may view Saturn and a first quarter moon. Make sure to bring your own chair and dress warmly for the occasion. Contact David Thurley on (02) 6040 3704 or 0418 690 142 for more information.
After finishing a support act run for Paul Kelly throughout Australia and simultaneously celebrating 10 years of her own touring brand, The Country Halls Tour, Fanny brings her live show back to the Riverina. Photo: Fanny Lumsden.
Fanny Lumsden’s Deep In The Fallow Tour
When: Friday 8 July, 7 pm – 11 pm
Where: Athenium Theatre, Broadway Street, Junee
Cost: Adult $30, VIP (incl. Meet & Greet + Gift) $60, Kids (5-17 yrs) $15, Family (2 adults, 2 kids) $90, Under 5 Free. Bookings essential, get tickets here.
Having recently released Fallow + Variations, an entirely new version of the album which had a shaky start after being released in 2020, Fanny Lumsden and her band are determined to give the much-loved album one final lap of honour. Fanny has a long list of accolades under her belt including an ARIA for Best Country Album, five CMAA Golden Guitars including Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year and AIR Country Album of the Year.
Saturday
Due to popular demand, this gathering of like-minded spiritual enthusiasts, creators, healers and readers again descend on the Kyeamba Smith Hall. Photo: Edz Norton, Unsplash.
Wagga Spiritual, Health & Wellbeing Expo
When: Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 July, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Kyeamba Smith Hall, Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke Street
Cost: $9 weekend ticket (covers entry for both days), $5 general admission ticket; click here to book.
Shop for crystals, candles, clothing, baby needs and sensory items, or fulfil your spiritual needs with tarot and oracle card readers, mediums and astrologists just to name a few. Talks and demonstrations from industry leaders are scheduled throughout the weekend. This is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people and even get a reading or a healing session if you feel you want to.
“No matter rain, hail, or shine, we will be going ahead,” the event organisers declare. Photo: Charise Kenion on Unsplash.
Riding for the Disabled Car Boot Sale
When: Saturday 9 July, 9 am – 2 pm
Where: Riding for the Disabled, 321 Plumpton Road, Lake Albert
Cost: Free entry.
Much loved not-for-profit The Riding for the Disabled Association recently moved its op shop into bigger premises on Baylis Street. What better way to celebrate than with a good old-fashioned car boot sale? Rug up, bring a bag, grab some food from the BBQ and find some treasures amongst the wide variety of stalls. “No matter rain, hail, or shine, we will be going ahead,” the event organisers declare. So head down to Lake Albert and support a great local cause.
The Tumbarumba railway took nine years to build and was operational between 1917 and 1974. Photo: Tumba Rail.
Ladysmith Tourist Railway Open Day
When: Saturday 9 July, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Ladysmith Railway Station, Tumbarumba Road, Ladysmith
Cost: Gold coin donation upon entry.
Opened for the first time in May 1917, the little station at Ladysmith has decades of history waiting to be shared with visitors. The station is one of a few remaining on NSW’s first true rail trail, which passes through beautiful subalpine countryside and farmland. Buildings, tracks, stockyards and other infrastructure at the station are lovingly preserved by the “Tumba Rail” group. Head to the station for the open day and find out more.
Hosted by Out Social, Alphabet Soup and The Curious Rabbit, this all-ages event is karaoke at its best. Photo: Rose Quartz.
Rose Quartz presents Drag Queen Sing Along for Pride
When: Saturday 9 July, 7 pm – 10 pm
Where: The Curious Rabbit, Johnston Street, Wagga
Cost: $25 general admission, $15 Out Social members and can be booked here.
The spectacular collaborations continue – join Rose Quartz and friends for a night of all-singing, all-dancing chaos. Belt out your favourite pride anthems alongside the region’s most famous drag queen. Bookings are essential and tickets are limited – so make sure you don’t miss out.
Sunday
Sisters Rosie Powell and Angela Galluzzo founded Prickly Lizard Events to share food, coffee and culture. Photo: Supplied.
Marramarra Aboriginal Markets
When: Sunday 10 July, 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Hammond Hall, Wagga Showground, Bourke Street
Cost: Free entry.
Hosted by Wagga Aboriginal Women’s Group and Prickly Lizard Events (organisers of the wildly popular Narrungdera Earth Festival), these Sunday markets have something for everyone. A Welcome to Country will be followed by live performances for visitors. Browse the stalls with a coffee, or grab a sausage from the fundraiser barbecue. Face painting will keep the kids entertained while you meet the lineup of artists, creatives and other fabulous stallholders.
Wednesday
Under the musical direction of Major Greg Peterson, enjoy a fantastic variety concert featuring some of the best tunes ever written for musical theatre. Photo: Kapooka March Out Guide.
Australian Army Band Kapooka presents Music at Midday & Music in the Evening
When: Wednesday 13 July, 12 pm
Where: Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way
Cost: Free entry, but bookings are essential. Book tickets here, or contact Wagga Civic Theatre for group bookings.
Kapooka’s Australian Army Band provides musical support to the First Recruit Training Battalion and the Riverina community. Part of their community contribution is presenting a daytime and early evening series of concerts proudly hosted by the Civic Theatre. Join the band as they highlight the best tunes from Australian musicals, which have made it big overseas. Audiences will be able to make a cash donation to the Specialist Medical Resources Foundation. This local charity provides financial assistance to help cover a range of medical expenses for locals who need it most.
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