Spring and Summer Festival Guide

For a fun filled cultural Spring and Summer you definitely need to check out the festivals happening around the country.

Brisbane Festival

The Brisbane Festival 2012 will be filled with ample amounts of arts and cultural activities, shows and concerts running from September 8-29. It includes free outdoor events, galleries, productions scattered all over the city in parks and public places.

It is an annual event initiated to enthuse and foster people about the arts in Brisbane. Now it is one of the most highly respected and acclaimed international arts festivals.

With many genres covered such as classical music, opera, orchestras, original compositions, dance and comedy there is definitely something for everyone’s taste and perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

The Courier Mail Spiegeltent at the Brisbane Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

From March 27- April 21, Melbourne will be in full festive swing hosting the 27^th annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Already with an internationally acclaimed title it is classed as one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. Over 500,000 people attend every year making it the biggest festival in Australia.  

Located in Australia’s comedy capital Melbourne, it has an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts. It attracts both international and Australian performers.

Launched in 1987 by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook it aims to discover, develop and showcase great talent to inspire and entertain the broad based audience. It holds a variety of open microphone comedy competitions including RAW Comedy, Class Clowns aimed for secondary school children and Deadly Funny which creates a whole career path for indigenous comedians.

 It runs for three and half weeks and definitely something not to be missed. 

The Festive Club at Melbournes International Comedy Festival

Sydney Festival

Every January running from 5-28, Sydney Festival transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration by showcasing the highest quality art and unique ideas from both national and international artists.

Festival First Night is the unique opening show for this free event which attracts over 200,000 people which is the perfect curtain raiser to this three week ticketed and free program drawing in crowds of over 650,000. The following Saturday also present free concerts held in the famous Domain Park. 

The program is quite diverse with burlesque circus performances to New York raps to Russian theatre whilst also incorporating contemporary dance, family programs and traditional Indigenous arts. There are 300 performances, around 100 events performed by 1,000 artists in at least 20 venues each year. The events are held throughout Sydney’s CBD including Hyde Park, Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park Barracks. 

Main Stage at Sydney Festival

Falls Music & Arts Festival

For the music goers who want to enter the New Year jam packed with fine tunes, fun in the sun, camping and arts then Falls Music & Arts Festival is definitely something to check out. It is held from the 29 December -1 January simultaneously in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania.

There is a smorgasbord of activities and entertainment over the few days. Boogie Nights is a night to dance your problems away along to music from all over the globe. The Village is a party and festival within a festival filled with weird and wonderful things to discover such as circus workshops, morning yoga and samba classes. Other events include the APRA Peoples’ Stage, Falls Films, Fiesta & Art Camp and UTAS which the students of the University of Tasmania put on a show discovering the ‘art of sounds’.

It originated from a small family catch-up around the campfire with friends and their guitars to an annual event which involves the whole community recognising the importance of the arts. 

Attendees have the option of onsite or offsite accommodation of either an earthy camping experience or more civil cabins. 

Fiesta & Art Camp at Falls Music & Arts Festival

 

Perth International Arts Festival

The Perth International Arts Festival is held annually during 8 February - 2 March. Entering over 50 years it offers some of the world’s best theatre, music, film, street arts, visual arts, literature and free community events. It is about giving local performers a platform and opportunity to showcase their talent and for attendees to enjoy. It raises the profile of local artists to an international portfolio and context. Informing the masses of the cultural and environmental context of Western Australia including Indigenous heritage is an important part of the festival.

Attracting more than 300,000 patrons the festival grows bigger and better every year.

Performance at Perth INternational Arts Festival

Adelaide Fringe

The Adelaide Fringe takes over Adelaide creating a buzzing atmosphere full of culture, music and art. During 15 February – 17 March Adelaide opens its doors to all artists who want that opportunity to display their talents to a massive live audience for some whom it may be the first time.

Spanning for 4 weeks it includes home-grown talent along-side artists of cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, visual art and design. Situated in pop up venues as well as theatres, hotels, art galleries, cafes and town halls it hosts over 900 events. 

The uniqueness of the Adelaide Fringe is that it does not run venues itself rather supports, encourages and facilitates the registered artists with marketing, ticketing, programming, scheduling and designating participants a venue. 

Opening Night at Adelaide Fringe

Canberra Festival

In 2013 Canberra with be celebrating its 100^th birthday and would be the perfect time to attend the Canberra Festival. Held during the 2-18 March this 17 day event highlights the cities talent and unique qualities through exhibitions, displays, sports, music, film, dance and theatre. 

It comprises several minor events all emphasizing different art forms. Enlighten features Australia’s famous attractions which hosts performances, exhibitions, tours and exclusive dining experiences. Others include Lights! Canberra! Action! a short film competition, The Balloon Spectacular displays some amazing hot air balloons, Symphony in the Park and Telstra Ballet in the Park celebrate 50 years of Australian Ballet.

Balloons Spectacular at Canberra Festival

What you can't miss when visiting South Australia

Hahndorf

Within the Adelaide Hills is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf. There is still a strong German culture in this town, most evident in the smallgoods stores and German bakery’s that line the main street. While in Hahndorf you can make your way through the towns many cellar doors on offer, and then eat the freshest local produce in one of the trendy eateries. 


This town will have you topped up on culture with its galleries, migration museum, artist’s studios and art classes. If you’re bringing the kids along be sure to take them to the Hahndorf Farm Barn, where they can cuddle some friendly animals and check out the nature wildlife park. 

Hahndorf Inn, Hahndorf

Barossa Valley

Australia’s wine capital, Barossa, is the best place to go if you’re looking to indulge in great wine in absolute luxury. With more than 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries you will be spoilt for choice.

Not only is the wine world class, but the fresh local produce from the Adelaide Hills is something to be admired also.

Speaking of food, a visit to Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop is an absolute must whilst in the Barossa Valley. Here you can check out the famous cook and writer’s product range and have tastings. And if you’re lucky you might even get to meet her!  

Wining & dining at Murdock Wines Barossa

McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale is the perfect destination for your next wine adventure, with more than 60 cellar doors, it’s a favourite South Australian wine region.

Visit Coriole Vineyard’s cellar door in an old, ironstone barn. Taste reserve wines and back vintages in the wine room and then enjoy lunch in the courtyard.

Chapel Hill offers panoramic views over the Onkaparinga Valley. Set within an old stone church, the cellar door sells a variety of wine. Penny’s Hill is inviting, with casual, farm charm. You can relax on the couches inside or play boules on the lawns, while enjoying the wine and tapas.

Coober Pedy

If you are looking for a very unique kind of holiday, then Coober Pedy is the destination for you. This opal mining town exists underground to escape high temperatures. Underground you will find hotels, restaurants, bars, and an underground church. You can take a tour of the town and check out the underground homes, opal mines, art gallery and pottery, or try your luck fossicking for opals at various spots around town. This fascinating place really is one of a kind and definitely a must do if you are considering a South Australian outback adventure. 

Coober Pedy, South Australia

 

Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre exists in the harsh South Australian outback and is the largest lake in Australia, spanning 9,500 square kilometres. As the lake rarely fills with water, and becomes a giant salt pan, which fascinates you with the white crystals that shimmer in the sunlight.

You can check out the lake from a plane, which allows you to view the endless still water or salt creeping over, or enjoy the lake by boat and listen to the sounds of the wildlife.

You can choose to camp in one of the camping grounds or if you prefer the indoors, there are hotels and caravan parks at nearby towns where you can grab a good pub feed. 

   

Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast in a stunning region which was formed by tonnes of marine life falling to the sea floor, and is a treasure trove of natural wonders.

There are plenty of picturesque coastal towns to visit along the amazing Limestone Coast such as Robe, where you can swim at the stunning beaches, peer over rugged cliffs, and eat the best seafood. Then, head to Cape Jaffa to check out dolphins and penguins as they swim close to the shore. Coorong is a great place for swimming, fishing, or relaxing.

The Limestone Coast’s beaches are rugged and something to be seen, and offer some of the best fishing and surfing locations. 

Snorkelling off Limestone Coast

Fleurieu Peninsula

There is plenty to see and do here for all kinds of travellers. You can visit some cellar doors or bask in the beauty of the ocean, where you might see a whale or two swim by.

The Fleurieu Peninsula offers a laid back feel and beautiful scenery, created by the cliff tops, beaches, coves and the winding Murray River. You can watch little penguins come ashore at Granite Island, or get close to kangaroos in the conversation parks. This area has a real beach culture, where you often see surfers walk around with their surfboards, families playing in the sand and eating fish and chips. The sun, food and wine make this place a little piece of paradise.


To book your South Australian holiday visit www.sunloverholidays.com.au or talk to our experts on 13 88 33.

The Archibald Prize. Art Gallery of N.S.W.

David Reyne. 

How often have you stood in an art gallery staring quizzically at the framed, lurid pink squiggle on the wall and thought to yourself, “hell, I could’ve done that”?

Perhaps you’ve even bolted home, stopping off at the newsagent on the way for a roll of cardboard, and a paint brush or two, convinced that you could slosh a bit of watercolour about and get the million dollar cheque the galleries are paying for similar kinds of work.

A couple of hours spent in the Art Gallery of New South Wales might get you to reconsider.

A walk through Sydney’s beautiful Domain with its winding footpaths, copious lush gardens and gently sloping lawns gives the feeling of wandering through a masterpiece, particularly as you rise the crest leading to the Gallery to be confronted by its classic sandstone façade. If it weren’t for glimpses of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House over your shoulder, you’d almost believe you’d stumbled upon Athens or Rome, such is the style and grandeur of the Gallery’s ostentatious entrance of Ionic columns and Neo Classical portico.

It’s a daunting welcome to any kind of building but given this holds one of the country’s finest collections of art, you can’t help but think you’re about to discover walls heaving with heavily framed brushwork by humourless masters depicting depressing scenes of bloody historic battles and grim faced angels attempting to part gloomy skies to clear way the way to heaven for emaciated, twisted corpses. And, believe me, there are those kinds of works.

They’re not the reason why I visited, however. I came for the Archibald Prize exhibition which runs until the 3^rd of June 2012.

Once inside, I headed downstairs and was immediately taken by the magnificence of the assembled work; bold, colourful, modern. Sometimes amusing and sometimes stark.

Each of the 41 finalists in 2012’s Archibald are here. Each portrait has an accompanying plaque explaining the work and a brief history of the artist responsible, but it’s the undoubted skill that stops me in my tracks. There’s such a joyous energy present. Some works are incredibly audacious with the paint looking as if it’s been flung at the canvas from a distance, while others seem almost photographic, such is the extraordinary detail involved.

Not once do I find myself thinking I’d easily knock one of these up at home. Quite the contrary. I find myself up close, marveling at the brushwork, amazed by the piling on of layers and textures, wondering how, when viewed from only inches away, some look nothing like they do when viewed again from the middle of the room.

And then I started questioning the judges’ decision. How on earth could one be deemed ‘better’ than the other? Indeed, how on earth were one or two even regarded as being worthy to hang at all?

I eventually realise I’ve spent three hours staring at works of art without even noticing the passing of time. It also dawns on me that, sadly, my attempts at sloshing a bit of watercolour upon a bit of cardboard is, exactly that - sloshing.

We’re all aware of the splendour of Sydney Harbour and its surrounds. It’s one of the most beautiful harbours in the world but never would I have thought I’d go specifically to head indoors… to look at ‘pictures’. I’m glad I did. 

To learn about the exhibition click here

Sleeping Around by Kerry Heaney

Introducing Kerry Heaney author of Eat, drink + be Kerry a food, travel and lifestyle blog. Kerry has kindly shared her recent post: Sleeping Around - Henry Jones, Tasmania. Enjoy.

Ooh Henry, I love your rugged, olde world looks, your quirky outlook and taste in food and you can show me your etchings anytime.

Is it wrong to fall in love with a hotel?  I shared two nights with Henry and it really wasn't enough.  It wasn't enough to get a good feel for the surprising town of Hobart and it left me wanting more.

Located on Hobart's waterfront The Henry Jones Art Hotel is a converted jam factory with all the charm, nooks and crannies of an old building. It includes Henry's Restaurant, The IXL Long Bar, Jam Packed Cafe and Henry Jones Design Gallery.



Who was Henry Jones? He was born on  July 19, 1862. His parents John and Emma were immigrants from England answering the call of emigration from the British Isles in the late 1850s.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel is located on Hobart’s waterfront and is Australia’s first dedicated Art Hotel. The site dates back to 1804, when Lieutenant-Governor Collins landed just footsteps from the front of the hotel's main entrance.

It houses one of the nations largest private companies and a brand still known today as H. Jones & Co. Pty IXL Jams.  The hotel houses over 300 original and contemporary works of art showcasing Tasmania’s leading and emerging artists, most of which are for sale.



So what have you got here?  A hotel well positioned to take in the best of Hobart, spacious rooms with personality and great art on the walls.

There's also a cute deli/cafe/gift shop right next door for those times when you just want something quick. Henry Jones Hotel

Melbourne: What you need to know

The City

In Melbourne there is a multitude of laneways just begging for exploration. Discover trendy bars and cafes, plus exciting street art. In the more refined arcades you can browse through couture boutiques, discover new designers and spend up big at vintage stores. After hitting the shops kick back with a coffee at one of the many cafes in Degraves Street, the cobbled bluestone laneway from Flinders Street to Flinders Lane. 

Melbourne Laneway

Sport

Melbourne has a calendar packed full of sporting events. The Australian Open Tennis Tournament kicks off the year with 2 weeks of heart pumping tennis action in January; March brings the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Albert Park (just east of the city); winter offers AFL games each week at the MCG or Etihad Stadium in the redeveloped Docklands and the year caps off with Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival. Sunlover Holidays enjoys a great tradition of offering packages to the Melbourne Cup each year. Choose from entry with reserved seating to marquee packages including lunch and drinks. 

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Shopping

The city centre offers QV, Queen Victoria Market and the GPO with a offer a range of shopping options from budget to designer. Treasures are to be found in the laneways and alleyways, so don’t be scared to lose your way, as you might stumble across a gem. The best way to navigate the city is by the free city circle tram. On the fringe of the city centre is Bridge Road in Richmond, home to many high street factory outlets; Gertrude Street in Fitzroy offer eclectic clothing labels and Chapel Street in South Yarra and Prahran offers boutiques, designers and high street stores. Don’t miss Topshop, the first of the famous British fashion chain stores to open in Australia. There are also several large shopping malls offering the chain clothing stores and department stores in the suburbs of the city. To learn from those in the know, take a shopping tour of the best spots in the city. 

Tram outside of Flinders Station

Music

There is a thriving live music scene in Melbourne. Inner city hipsters enjoy intimate venues in down city laneways or above a corner pub in streets such as Brunswick in Fitzroy. East of the city rock, folk and indie bands can be found playing in the trendy suburbs of St Kilda, Windsor and Prahran. Chapel Street in particular is well known for nightclubs, bars and restaurants that fill the streets each Friday and Saturday night.

Comedy

Continuing with the trend of enjoying live entertainment comes Melbourne Comedy festival. Each year in March and April comedians from around the world take to Melbourne to enjoy one of the largest comedy festivals in the world.  If you can’t get to the city in autumn, you can still enjoy comedy all year in the smaller venues such as Comedy at Spleen.

Melbourne

Art

Spend an afternoon strolling through the halls of the National Gallery of Victoria’s international collection or the Victorian Arts Centre. For outdoor art fused with architecture walk through Federation Square. If you prefer discovering new art then head to the laneways to find street art and small galleries offering local artists. 

Dining

Food and wine is a passion in this city. Visit Lygon Street in Carlton for great Italian fare, Lonsdale Street in the city for Greek food or Little Bourke Street in Chinatown for Asian dishes. Travel in March and you can be a part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Over 250 events are open to the public, including markets at Southbank, Federation Square and the Docklands. There are master chef classes, cooking displays, wine tastings, degustation dining events, five course brunches, international cuisine evenings and chocolate making classes.