Nine things to do in the regions this week (19 - 25 July)

Keen on some art, a show at the theatre or some fun in the snow? From an art exhibition in which youngsters have reflected on the Black Summer bushfires to an ABBA tribute show, a chat about sitting on the sidelines and music of all kinds, this is one week when we can all have some fun!

Multiple days

Bombshells

When: 18 to 27 July
Where: Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The Q), 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Tickets cost between $30 and $59.90 and are available via the Performing Arts Centre’s website.

This is the latest production from Joanna Murray-Smith, the playwright behind Julia and Switzerland. A group of women are in different stages of their lives: an ageing cabaret singer, a nervous bride-to-be, an exhausted young mother, a widow, a broken-hearted cactus lover and a feisty teenager. Despite their differences, they all come together and realise they have more in common than they expected.

Author Talk with Karen Viggers

When: 23 July, noon to 1 pm (in Bega) or 3:30 to 4:30 pm (in Eden)
Where: Bega Library, Zingel Place, Bega; and Eden Library Meeting Room, Eden Library, corner of Mitchell and Imlay streets, Eden
Cost: Free entry.

Author and veterinary surgeon Karen Viggers’ latest novel, Sidelines, starts like many children’s sports games – that is, it’s a bit of fun and the parents stand on the sidelines talking to each other. That changes when a controversial line call is made, resulting in paramedics on a soccer field and a patient with a significant fracture. Karen will be visiting two libraries in the shire to talk about her latest work, as well as her career.

Burning Generation

When: 20 July to 15 August, 9 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday)
Where: H R Gallop Gallery, Building 21, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free entry.

The Burning Generation exhibition features artworks by young people aged 12 to 24. They were inspired by their experiences of the Black Summer bushfires, and how they – and their communities – pulled together to support each other. The exhibition explores themes of the loss of possessions and loved ones, displacement after natural disasters, destruction of Country and mental health impacts of the fires. Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics led a research project that culminated in a visual representation of how the Black Summer bushfires affected Australia’s regional youth. Their research, funded by the NSW Government and CSU, was carried out with local artists and researchers in 2022 and 2023 in the Snowy Valleys and the Bega Valley and resulted in the exhibition.

July Kids Snow Festival

When: 4 to 21 July, events at various times
Where: Various locations at Thredbo Resort, Thredbo
Cost: Depends on event; see program.

Send the kids off to get some quiet and know they’ll be looked after in this month-long festival of fun and activities in the snow! While the festival is coming to a close, there are still a few days of events to enjoy. Why not head to the snow for some fun before school goes back?

Fungi Feastival 2024

When: Until 21 July, events at various times
Where: Events located between Batemans Bay and Eden; see program
Cost: Depends on event; see program.

How often do you think about fungi? This month-long festival is dedicated to showing how mighty they can be – and if you’ve been meaning to head along, this is your last chance before the fungi fun finishes for 2024. There are events celebrating the science, art and farming of mushrooms – check out a talk on how mushrooms can improve our health, test your trivia knowledge and enjoy delicious truffle lunches.

Saturday

Beethoven Op 18

When: 20 July, 2:30 to 4 pm
Where: All Saint’s Anglican Church, 42 Princes Highway, Bodalla
Cost: Tickets cost $30 and are available via TryBooking.

This is sure to be a treat for the ears! Affinity Quartet are travelling to Bodalla, where they will be performing Beethoven’s Op 18 Quartets No 1 and No 4.

Sunday

Abbalanche: The Australian ABBA Tribute Show

When: 21 July, 3 to 5 pm
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: Tickets cost between $49.90 and $69.90 (plus booking fee) and are available via the Performing Arts Centre’s website.

Mamma Mia! Does Your Mother Know the news? The multi-award winning Abbalanche will be stopping by Goulburn with their tribute to iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. The show is set to bring the biggest hits from the group’s setlist, so grab your best 70s throwback outfit and get ready to sing along!

Fire

When: Sunday 21 July, from 3 pm
Where: Collector Memorial Hall, Bourke Street, Collector
Cost: Tickets cost $50 (plus booking fee) and are available via 123tix.

Everyone is invited to this reading of a 100-year-old drama play. Fire, a four-act drama, was written by rural playwright, World War I soldier settler, and recipient of the Croix de Guerre, Millicent Armstrong. It explores themes of classism on a western NSW property in the 1920s. This reading has been organised by Music Theatre Projects, which has been highlighting the life and works of Millicent Armstrong for modern audiences.

Koi Kingdom

When: 21 July, from 3 pm (food and bar service from 2 pm)
Where: Windsong Pavilion, Four Winds, 17 Four Winds Road, Barragga Bay
Cost: Tickets cost between $35 and $45 (children aged 16 and under have free entry) and are available online.

Guitarist Marcos Villalta, bassist Stephen Hornby, and saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul make up Koi Kingdom. This Sunday, they’re travelling to the NSW Far South Coast for an all-ages gig. The group is set to perform two sets of music, including their latest album in its entirety. There will also be a food truck and bar, so get ready to party.

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