There are plenty of exciting activities across the Riverina this week, including the much-awaited Gundagai Rodeo. Photo: Visit Gundagai.
There’s a whole lot to get excited for across the Riverina – and the best of what’s on offer is in our weekly event guide.
The Bald Archy Prize comes to Temora this week, satirising Australian politicians, athletes, actors and everyone in between in a classic example of Aussie irreverence.
Gundagai’s rodeo is back with plenty of events for cowboys and cowgirls to get excited about, along with plenty of live entertainment post-show.
The Riverina Playhouse hosts the Allegro Youth Ballet Company as it performs a very special rendition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, told through the magic of dance.
Read on!
Multiple Days
Check out Australia’s cheekiest art prize at the Bundawarrah Centre. Image: Bundawarrah Centre Cultural Precinct Facebook.
The Bald Archy Prize – At the Bundawarrah Centre Cultural Precinct
When: 29 November to 4 December, during normal gallery hours
Where: Bundawarrrah Centre Cultural Precinct, 29 Junee Road, Temora
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation.
Head to the Bundawarrrah Centre for the Bald Archy prize, Australia’s most humorous art prize, with 48 satirical portraits of well-known Aussie figures from athletes to politicians.
Don’t miss out on this chance to check out the country’s most irreverent art prize, poking fun at celebrities we love (or love to hate), blending pop culture, politics and satire.
Previous winners of the competition have depicted Kerry Packer, Shane Warne, John Howard and Pauline Hanson, among others.
Get inspired for your garden this weekend. Photo: Ladysmith Park Perennials.
Spring Open Garden – Ladysmith Park Perennials
When: 29 November, 9 am to 1 pm and 30 November, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Ladysmith Park Perennials, 9211 Tumbarumba Road, Alfredtown
Cost: Free but bookings essential.
Head to the Ladysmith Park Perennials for their weekend open days.
One of the most beautiful places in the Riverina, Ladysmith Park is an inspiration to local gardeners with its landscaped grounds. This will be a great showcase of garden design and visitors will get some real inspiration with their plant combinations, seasonal plantings and structured gardens. There will also be a range of plants for sale and a coffee cart.
A unique physical comedy comes to the Borderville Theatre. Image: Flying Fruit Fly Circus.
The Portrait – Play from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus
When: 4 December, 7 pm and 5 December, 7 pm
Where: Borderville Theatre, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, 605 Hovell Street, Albury
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $30 | Book online.
Physical comedy and the art world combine in The Portrait, a new piece of theatre taking a satirical look at the art world, the effect of celebrity and the burden placed on the regular people who guard works of art often worth far more than their salaries.
On the day of a grand opening, two attendants tumble through chaos in a funny, surprising and wordless exploration of the vulnerability of people. With a sharp combination of physical humour and satire of our most cherished cultural ideas, this show is a comedy experience not to be missed.
Saturday
The Gundagai Rodeo is back this November. Photo: Visit NSW.
Gundagai Rodeo
When: 29 November, 9 am to 12 am
Where: Gundagai Showgrounds, Oibell Drive, Gundagai
Cost: Tickets from $10 to $20 | Book online.
The final event on the ABCRA calendar, this rodeo competition is the last chance for the nation’s best cowboys and cowgirls to rack up championship points in the quest for the national title, so high-stakes action is guaranteed.
This event will feature plenty of exciting events, from the open bull ride in the main arena, to the poddy ride, turn and burn in the barrel race and the rope, tie and steer wrestling competitions.
There will also be plenty of live entertainment later in the evening once the main events are done and of course, there is a full bar and canteen facility.
Catch up with local firefighters and find out about the work they do to keep the community safe. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Community Safety Day
When: 29 November, 10 am
Where: Wagga Beach, Cabarita Park, Johnston Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.
Wagga Wagga City Council in collaboration with the Wagga Wagga local police, are inviting Riverina residents to learn about local responders and how they keep the community safe.
Curious visitors will get to meet first responders, who will provide insight into their work, and have a peek at an emergency response vehicle, all while voicing community safety concerns.
Head to the Turf Club for a day at the races. Photo: Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Viewco Xmas Party Race Day
When: 29 November, noon
Where: Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Slocum Street, Wagga
Cost: General admission tickets $10 | Book online.
Head to the Murrumbidgee Turf Club for a great day at the races, with live music, a visit from Santa and kids’ entertainment available. Whether you’re looking to cheer on your lucky pick or you just want to get dressed up with some mates and have a day out, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club is the place to go.
The classic Lewis Carroll story comes to life on stage. Photo: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Allegro Youth Ballet Company
When: 29 November, 2 and 6 pm
Where: CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St, Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $15 to $35 | Book online.
The Allegro Youth Ballet Company is putting on a special production of Alice in Wonderland, telling the story of whimsy, wonder and a reality turned upside down through dance.
Alice follows a white rabbit down a hole and finds herself in a bizarre world populated by a strange cast of characters, with mischievous cats, hatters driven mad, smoking caterpillars and tyrannical queens.
This retelling of the beloved Lewis Carroll story features beautiful choreography, dazzling costumes and stunning dance skills. Suitable for all ages, this performance is not one to be missed.
Some of Australia’s biggest names in comedy come to Wagga. Image: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Wagga Comedy Gala
When: 29 November, 8 pm
Where: The Range Function Centre, 308 Copland St, East Wagga
Cost: Tickets are $93.50 | Book online.
The Wagga Comedy Gala is bringing an all-star line-up of beloved Aussie comics to town for 2.5 hours of non-stop side-splitting laughs.
Bigger and better than ever, the line-up will feature comedians from the screen, social media and beyond, with plenty of household names, including Tony Martin, Celia Paquola, Bob Franklin, Damien Power, Anisa Nandula, Wil Anderson, The Umbilical Brothers, Rhys Nicholson, Geraldine Hickey, Dane Simpson and Paul McDermott.
Please note this event is strictly adults only.
Wednesday
The final storytime of the year is sure to attract a special visitor all the way from the North Pole. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Christmas Storytime in the Botanic Gardens
When: 3 December, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Where: Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street, Turvey Park
Cost: Free | No need to book.
Head to the Botanic Gardens this Wednesday for the last garden storytime of the year.
The Agile Library will be there with games, snacks, stories and plenty of songs for the kids to enjoy – perhaps even with a surprise guest to make things truly festive.
Feel free to bring picnic rugs to this family-friendly day out in the gardens. It’s totally free and all families are welcome.
