There are plenty of town festivals, exhibitions, music and more to get into this week. Photo: Visit NSW.
It’s a busy week across the regions this week, with live music, town festivals, art exhibitions, tribute acts, expos, writers events, art classes and more.
Batlow’s Ciderfest brings together great food, circus performances, stalls, cider tasting, beer, wine and spirits and more – the perfect way to bring in the cold months.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride lights up Narooma with a procession of motorbikes as well as historic vehicles, all to raise money for a good cause.
Read on for all the best to get up to in the coming days across the regions.
Multiple Days
The beautiful NSW countryside rendered in watercolour, from the collection of the NSW State Library. Image: Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council.
HG Lloyd’s Historic Landscapes – Art exhibition
When: 9 to 15 May, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Rusten House, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Free.
On loan from the NSW State Library, the watercolour sketchbook of HG Lloyd shows the artistic results of years of touring the state and beyond in the 1860s and 1870s, with a keen eye for feel, colour and composition. Forming part of the Heritage Festival, this exhibition is a celebration of a local artist from the past, focusing on the tradition of seeking to capture the beauty of the state’s unique vistas. River scenes, countryside and Australia’s characteristic far horizons are all in the spotlight here.
Friday
A unique concert combines two stellar performing artists. Image: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.
Golden – Concert at the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
When: 15 May, 11 am to 12:10 pm
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: Tickets from $20 | Book online.
Golden is a concert bringing together two vocal talents, Luke Kennedy (Swing On This, The Voice Australia) and Irena Lysiuk (Your Song, Are You Lonesome Tonight), along with piano virtuoso Damian Sim, for a celebration of classic Hollywood and Broadway hits. Some of your favourite films and stage shows will be brought to life, including My Fair Lady, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, An Officer and a Gentleman, A Star Is Born and many more.
There will also be original arrangements, performed with passion and skill. Don’t miss out on this special concert coming to the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.
Two of the best bands remembered. Image: Bay Pavilions.
Kings of Country Rock – Eagles Vs Creedence
When: 15 May, 8 pm
Where: Bay Pavilions, 12 Vesper Street, Batemans Bay
Cost: Tickets from $50 | Book online.
This two-hour stage show recreates the sound of two of the greatest musical acts in the country rock genre – The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Part one of the show will bring to life the musical history of the Eagles, the highest-selling American band in the US. Strap in for all the hits such as Take It Easy, Witchy Woman, Already Gone, One of These Nights, Lyin’ Eyes, Take It to the Limit, New Kid in Town, Desperado, Hotel California and Life in the Fast Lane.
Part two takes you back to the 60s and 70s with Creedence Clearwater Revival, who became a household name thanks to their unique sound and authentic feel. Get ready for Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Up Around The Bend, Born On The Bayou, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Travelin’ Band and Green River.
Saturday
Looking to do good for the community? Image: Bega Valley Shire Council Facebook.
Bega Valley Volunteer Expo
When: 16 May, 10 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Oaklands Events Centre, 3546 Princes Highway, Pambula
Cost: Free.
This exciting event will feature 25 local organisations showcasing a range of volunteering opportunities on offer throughout the local region, so if you’ve been looking to donate some time and help out a good cause or benefit the community, this is the place to find your outlet.
There will be social support, animal welfare, emergency reponse, tourism, environmental, men’s and women’s, historic, arts, sports, health and charity organisations present, with just about everything in between.
Come see what you have to offer the community and where you can best give your talents.
Say farewell to warm days and look forward to the snow ahead. Photo: Visit NSW.
Batlow CiderFest
When: 16 May, 10 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Pioneer Street, Batlow
Cost: Ticket prices vary | Book online or purchase tickets at the gate.
With food from around the world, live music, circus performances, stalls, cider tasting, beer, wine and spirits, you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend a Saturday than at the Batlow CiderFest. A celebration of local producers, and of course the fantastical things they make, CiderFest is a full day of fun with plenty to see, taste and listen to.
There’s no better way to celebrate the end of warmer Summer days and the true beginning of the Snowy Mountains winter.
Sunday
Get kitted out for a good cause. Image: The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Facebook.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Narooma
When: 17 May, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Nata Oval, Narooma
Cost: Free to spectate.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is an event that celebrates the importance of men’s health and raises awareness for men’s health issues, mainly prostate cancer. It also raises funds for research and men’s mental health programs.
Narooma’s DGR is one of more than 1000 around the world to be held on Sunday 17 May to raise funds to be invested by the official charity partner, Movember, for both local and global research and men’s mental health programs.
Those entering are encouraged to wear their finest dapper attire so they look stylish while they ride. This event does not discriminate and both women and men are welcome to dress up, ride and raise money for a great cause.
Thursday
Looking to improve your artistic skills? Image: Humanitix.
Life Drawing Art Central Moruya
When: 21 May, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Where: Art Central, 24 Church St, Moruya
Cost: Non-members $65 | Concession or members $50 | Book online.
If you’re an aspiring artist or a long-time pro, Life Drawing in Moruya is a great opportunity to capture the human form on paper. Artists will get together in a room with a live model and focus on perspective, light, shade and foreshortening with a series of sketches. No experience is necessary for the workshop and complete novices as well as more experienced artists are invited to come pick up some new skills.
Designed to improve objectivity in individual art, this special class is hosted by Lesley Whale, an artist with extensive experience in publishing, newspapers, magazines, technical texts, medical texts and more.
Get the inside scoop on the best writers at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Photo: eventbrite.
Sydney Writers’ Festival Live Stream – Bringing the Past to Life – Batemans Bay
When: 21 May, 4 pm
Where: Batemans Bay Library, Hanging Rock Place, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free | Book online.
Writers and readers have their plans set for this week, with a free livestream at the Batemans Bay Library featuring talks from three highly anticipated writers.
Historical fiction buffs will love the featured author, Robbie Arnott, who will be talking about his newest novel, Dusk, set in the isolated mountains of Tasmania; Tasma Walton, who will be providing the inside scoop on her novel, I Am Nannertgarrook, based on her own family; and finally, Booker Prize winner Yann Martel, who is providing a new perspective on the Trojan War in Son of Nobody.
These authors will present in conversation with ABC Radio National host Kate Evans.
