Events in Armidale in August 2016
Although winter is in full swing, Armidale still has a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained. No matter what the weather, there is always something on offer for everybody. Just take a look at what Armidale has to offer in August ….
WIGGLES @ THE SERVIES !! – Sunday 7th August 2016
Yes, the Wiggles will be performing in Armidale on Sunday 7th August. A show not to be missed – something to be enjoyed by the whole family!
VENUE: Armidale Memorial Ex-Services Club, 137 Dumaresq Street.
TIME: 10.00am-12.00pm.
COST: $27.50pp, free (12 months & under).
Wiggle Town Tour
The Wiggles are Australian icons, loved by Australians all over. A recent survey found that 70% of young parents say that The Wiggles are their pre-schoolers favourite entertainers!
The Wiggles are celebrating their 25th birthday in the best way possible: Emma, Simon, Anthony and Lachy will be performing in over 100 locations around Australia! Wiggle Town is the name of a brand new tour, as well as the new Wiggles CD, DVD, and TV series which will debut on ABC TV soon. The Wiggle Town tour follows the amazing success of last year, where The Wiggles performed in every state and territory across Australia. They have sold out over 200 shows and have performed to over a quarter of a million fans around the world, making The Wiggles the most successful children’s entertainment group.
The Wiggle Town tour will feature songs from Wiggle Town. Join in with the latest Wiggles hits such as “Do the Propeller”, “Emma’s Yellow Bow” and “Simon Says” as well as Wiggle classics “Hot Potato”, “Rock a Bye Your Bear” and “Fruit Salad”. They will of course be joined by Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus!
For more information, phone 02 6770 0800 or visit http://www.armidaleservies.com.au/events/
Get in as soon as you can, as tickets are selling fast!
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Friday 5th to Sunday 7th August 2016
The movie: La famille Bélier (The Bélier Family)
VENUE: Belgrave Twin Cinema: 137 Dumaresq St, Armidale NSW 2350
COST: $17-
Everyone is deaf in the Bélier family, except for their dutiful teenage daughter, Paula, who acts as an interpreter for them, especially in the running of their dairy farm, where cheese is produced. In fact, only one of the actors is actually deaf (it is hard to guess which one) and the others must learn sign language for their roles. Unknown to them all, even Paula, is that she has an extraordinarily beautiful singing voice and the film unveils her talent and the repercussions that ensue. It was a huge box-office hit in France on release and has won numerous Césars (French Oscars) and other awards. It is a warm, funny, feel-good film with a knockout finale. Don’t miss it! For further event information please visit the Armidale International Film Festival Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/armidaleinternationalfilmfestival/
For more information: blog.une.edu.au
Tickets from: Hilary Hutchinson – hilaryhutchin@gmail.com
Linda Hess – linda.m.hess@gmail.com
FOR MUSIC LOVERS OF ALL AGES : AN EXCITING AND DIVERSE LINE-UP THROUGHOUT AUGUST
- Totally Gourdgeous @ McCrossins – Friday 19th August
VENUE: McCrossins Mill, Salisbury Street, Uralla.
TIME: 8.00pm.
COST: $25 (adult), $20 (concession).
Formed in 1998, Australian band Totally Gourdgeous is comprised of four excitingly diverse singer/songwriter/musicians playing funky folk music on instruments made from gourds. They are: Penelope Swales (guitar), Carl Pannuzzo (drums), Mal Webb (bass, mbira – thumb piano – and bugle) and Andrew Clermont (violin, mandolin and guitar). Their songs are written and sung by themselves and a few close friends. All the instruments are hand-made from gourds by Penelope under the guidance of world renowned luthier, Jack Spira. They combine to create an exciting, wild, fun, musical experience.
“Pun Kin” is their fourth CD. They have played at major Folk Festivals around the country, as well as in Denmark, Germany, Austria and New Zealand. For more information, email Andrew at Andrew.parker6@bigpond.com.
- Equus @ McCrossins – Sunday 14th August
VENUE: McCrossins Mill, Salisbury Street, Uralla.
TIME: 3.00pm.
COST: $25 (adult), $20 (concession).
Equus is a band which blends the traditional music of Mongolia and the Middle East, with elements of improvisation, to make
each performance spectacular and unique. You will hear the rolling rhythms and beautiful harmonic overtone singing of Bukhu with the instruments, and sounds of various cultures near and far – with the unpredictable energy of a punk band. The result is always spectacular. For more information, email Andrew at Andrew.parker6@bigpond.com.
- Peter Allen Music @ the Newie – Friday nights 12th, 19th & 26th August
VENUE: New England Hotel, Cnr Dangar and Beardy Streets.
TIME: 6.00pm.
Take a trip down memory lane with the music of the late great Peter Allen, played on Peter’s old piano. For more information, phone 02 6711 1186.
- Met Opera – “Elektra” – Saturday 6th August
VENUE: Belgrave Twin Cinema, 137 Dumaresq Street.
TIME: morning (Saturday), afternoon (Sunday).
COST: $29 (adult), $25 (concession), $17 (3-14 years).
Richard Strauss composed this opera about Elektra, the eldest daughter of the late King Agamemnon (who has been murdered by his wife Klytamnestra), and Elektra’s quest for revenge.
Approximate running time: 2 hours 10 minutes, including intermission. It is sung in German with Met Titles in English.
Soprano Nina Stemme portrays Elektra in her primal quest for vengeance. Legendary mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier is chilling as Elektra’s fearsome mother, Klytamnestra. Soprano Adrianne Pieczonka and bass Eric Owens are Elektra’s troubled siblings. Chereau’s musical collaborator, Esa-Pekka Salonen, conducts. For more information, phone 02 6772 2856.
- NECOM – The Marriage of Figaro – Thursday 11th August
VENUE: Lazenby Hall, University of New England.
TIME: 7.30pm.
COST: A Reserve Seating – $77 (adult), $67 (pensioner), $57 (student); B Reserve Seating – $67 (adult), $57 (pensioner), $47 (student); C Reserve Seating (restricted viewing) – $47 (adult), $37 (pensioner), $27 (student) – available at www.trybooking.com/LBCU.
The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart – an Opera Australia production – will be touring NSW.
Come along and hear the wonderful NECOM (New England Conservatorium of Music) Children’s Chorus, who will be taking part alongside outstanding cast members from the chamber orchestra from Opera Australia.
The story follows the adventures of a wealthy household in Seville over one crazy day of disguise and ‘doubling up’. Figaro and his bride-to-be, Susanna, must outwit the scheming Count Almaviva to stay together. Will their wedding go ahead as planned?
This is a new adaption of this brilliant comic opera. Award-winning creative duo Michael Gow and Robert Kemp have created a brand new production of Mozart’s opera, featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set. It is sung in English, and is a delightful night out, suitable for the whole family. For more information, phone 02 6788 2135.
- Armidale Symphony Orchestra Concert – Sunday 14th August
VENUE: Lazenby Hall, University of New England.
TIME: 3.00pm.
COST: $60 (family), $25 (adult), $20 (UNE student), $5 (school student).
Puccini – Gloria with Armidale Choral Society
Sculthorpe – Small Town
Mozart – Concerto for Flute and Harp (soloists: Isla Biffin, Nick Negerevich)
Conductors: Graham Maddox and Robert Jackson
For more information, visit www.armsymph.org or email info@amfchoral or admin1@armsymph.org.
- Market Sunday Concert – Sunday 28th August
VENUE: Uniting Church, 114 Rusden Street.
TIME: 12.30pm (tea and sausages available from 11.30am).
COST: Concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, phone 02 6772 3233.
WINTER FOODIE TRAIL !! – Saturday 6th August
VENUE: various, see below.
TIME: various, meet at 9.30am.
COST: $132per person.
A great way to try local foods, beer, cider and wines. What better way than to have fun with a group, and at the same time enjoy local offerings – and be driven there and back.
Trail Details
Looking for expressions of interest. Bookings are essential and places are limited. The Trail is $132 per person including lunch and all tastings. Pick-up is from the Armidale Tourist Information Centre at 9.30am and we finish at The Welders Dog at 3.00-3.30pm.
9.30am Meet Armidale Tourist Information Centre
9.45am Two Goats Café and Baa (coffee tasting)
10.30am Petersons Winery (wine tasting)
11.45am Sunhill Dairy (cheese tasting)
12.30pm New England Brewing Co. (wood-fired pizza lunch and beer tasting)
1.45pm Whyworry Wines (wine tasting)
3.00-3.30pm Welders Dog (beer and cider tasting, end tour)
For more information, phone Deb on 02 6778 4889.
JAPANESE CULTURAL EVENING – Tuesday 30th August
VENUE: Arts Lecture Theatre 1 (A1), University of New England.
TIME: 6.00-900pm
The Japanese Cultural evening is a chance to celebrate and share the full richness of Japanese culture with the university and local community.
A programme of wonderful events is planned, and will include a talk about Japan and a quiz on Japan and its culture by Japanese exchange students. The evening will also include music, poetry, dance and martial arts presentations.
Delicious Japanese food will be available including sushi, savoury pancakes, curry and sweets. Don’t miss this highly popular night! For more information, phone Kiyomi Yamada on 02 6773 3028 or email kyamada2@une.edu.au.
DANCE: If you love all forms of dancing, there’s a variety on offer in Armidale!
- New England Highland Dancing Competition – Saturday 6th August
VENUE: Multi-purpose Hall, New England Girls’ School, Uralla Road.
TIME: from 8.30am. Celtic Thunder memorabilia available for purchase.
Highland dancing is a style of competitive solo dancing developed in the Scottish Highlands in the 19th and 20th centuries, and is often performed to the accompaniment of Highland bagpipe music. It is a technical dance form requiring technique, stamina and strength. The dancers wear specialised shoes called ghillies and dance on the balls of the feet. Highland dancing involves not only a combination of steps but also some integral upper body, arm and hand movements. The dancers are judged as solo dancers, even when dancing in a group. For more information, phone Jenny on 02 6772 4210.
- Guyra Dance – Armidale Dance Group – Saturday 27th August
VENUE: Bill Wicks Gymnasium, Guyra Central School, Marne Street, Guyra.
TIME: 7.30pm.
COST: $8per person. A ‘plate’ for supper would be appreciated. Monies raised will be donated to CanAssist. For more information, phone Hazel on 02 6775 2543 or email hcharles@bigpond.com.
- Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Ball – Saturday 27th August
The theme of this year’s fund raising ball is: “Jewels of Arabia”. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was established in 1975 in the Newcastle area. Today the Service includes four helicopters operating across the Hunter, New England – North West, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions.
The Service undertakes more than 1000 missions each year, and operates 24 hours a day – every day of the year. So book a table and support this wonderful organisation. For more information visit our website on www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/Events
AND FOR THE ART LOVERS
- Armidale Art Gallery Exhibition – Monday 1st to Thursday 25th August 2016 Exhibition open Mondays to Saturdays.
VENUE: Armidale Art Gallery, 168 Beardy Street Mall (upstairs – adjacent Carr’s NewsXpress).
TIME: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, phone 02 6772 9993.
- Gallery 126 Exhibition – Tuesday 2nd to Friday 26th August 2016 Exhibition open Tuesdays to Fridays
VENUE: Gallery 126, 126 Jessie Street.
TIME: 8.30am-5.30pm.
Paintings by Arthur Chaffey, “Landscape & Absence”, in memory of Andrew McCue. For more information, phone 02 6771 1859.
AND IF YOU ENJOY WANDERING THROUGH MARKETS
- Uralla Indoor Markets – Saturday 27th August
VENUE: RSL Memorial Hall, Salisbury Street, Uralla.
TIME: 8.00am-1.00pm.
COST: free.
Just some of the items which may be available are: office furniture; toys; clothes; scented herbs; trees and shrubs; jams; art and craft; linen; concrete garden ornaments; leather ware; honey crockery and cutlery; shoe; knitting; jewellery; home baking; floor mats and rugs … and much, much more! For more information, phone Uralla Neighbourhood Centre (Salisbury Street, Uralla NSW 2358) on 02 6778 3277.
- PCYC Markets in the Mall – Sunday 28th August
VENUE: The Mall, Beardy Street.
TIME: 8.30am-1.00pm.
Purchase fresh products from producers and possibly find the article that you have always wanted. For more information or to book stall, phone 02 6772 1023.
- Farmers’ Market & Car Boot Sale – Sundays 7th & 21st August
VENUE: Curtis Park, adjacent Armidale Visitor Information Centre carpark (behind Hungry Jacks).
TIME: 8.00am-1.00pm.
Purchase fresh products from local producers. And maybe find the article that you’ve been looking for – in someone’s car boot!
For more information or book stall, contact 0476 539 204 or email armidalefarmersmarket@gmail.com
AND EVEN ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO BE OUTDOORS
- Armidale Birdwatching Group – Sunday 7th August
VENUE: Sunnyside TSR, off New England Highway.
TIME: 8.00am (depart Visitor Information Centre, 82 Marsh Street).
Bring food (morning tea and lunch), water, binoculars, sunscreen and hat, and wear firm shoes. For more information and to register to join the group, phone Shirley on 02 6772 7262.
- Armidale Parkrun – Saturdays 6th; 13th; 20th; 27th August
Venue: SportUNE fields, off SportUNE Drive
Time: Every Saturday at 8am (7:45am arrival)
Cost: FREE
It is a 5km running, jogging or walking FREE event. Anyone wishing to join in must register online and bring their printed barcode with them. It is a wonderful community event. For more information: http://www.parkrun.com.au/armidale/ To register: http://www.parkrun.com.au/register/
Please check dates and times of events on individual websites in case of any changes.
So if you’ve arrived in Armidale and have discovered what there is to offer, why not book in at The Club Motel Armidale, situated at 107 Dumaresq Street, Armidale. (You might even want to extend your stay in Armidale, to fit in some of the activities on offer!)
At The Club Motel Armidale we provide easy access to our 18 rooms, which are all located on the ground floor, with parking outside each room. We offer affordable rates, and rooms are always maintained in pristine condition. Club Motel Armidale will provide you with the comfort you are looking for in excellent motel accommodation in Armidale.
Call us today on (02) 6772 8777 – we will make your stay a memorable one.