The Planner

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday October 11, 2008

Compiled by Kerry Coleman, Angie Schiavone Send listings to theplanner@smh.com.au

GOING, GOING ...

THE NARCISSIST

Stephen Carleton's politically incorrect comedy about superficial characters playing a manipulative dating game closes tonight. Today, 2pm and 8pm, Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, tickets $56-$77 plus booking fee, bookings,

9250 7777.

VIOLETA DINEVA

The abstract artist combines the Queensland bush and the natural environment of her native Macedonia in Perpetual, an exhibition of paintings.

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, free, 0403 787 440, www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

WILD AUSSIES

Billie bilby, Miles the frill-necked lizard, Murray the red-tailed black cockatoo, Roxie the yellow-footed rock wallaby and G.W. Shark sing original Australian songs in Taronga Zoo's harbourside park.Saturday, 10.30-11.10am and

1-1.40pm, Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, free with $39 zoo admission, 9969 2777, www.taronga.org.au.

THE PEARLFISHERS

Michael Lewis and Henry Choo perform In The Depths Of The Temple, the No. 1 song in the ABC Classic 100 Opera survey, in this Opera Australia production of Bizet's classic.

Saturday, 7.30pm, Sydney Opera House, from $67, 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

A TOUCH OF

CREATIVE MADNESS

Artists explore the theme "madness" in this exhibition in conjunction with Mental Health Week. All works (Bravo, pictured) are for sale and a percentage of profits goes to mental illness research.

Saturday, 9.30am-5.30pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm, Orson & Blake, 483 Riley Street, Surry Hills, free, 8399 2525, www.artwhatson .com.au/creative madness2008.

MIDWEEK

MANTRAS AND ANGELS

Synergy Percussion and the Grainger Quartet collaborate with didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton (pictured). Friday, 8pm, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, city, $59, 8256 2222, www. cityrecitalhall.com

DANCING WITH EROS

Liz Williams combines her love of Rome, dance and watching young children at

play in this exhibition of ceramics. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am-5.30pm, Maunsell Wickes at Barry Stern Galleries, 19 Glenmore Road, Paddington, free, 9331 4676, www.maunsellwickes.com.

TWICE UPON A TIME

An aristocrat, a selfless swallow and a poor street girl learn about life in this musical based on Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl. Friday, 8pm, Olympic Parade Theatre, Olympic Parade, Bankstown, $27, 9676 1191, www.btsinc.org.

MARATHON MAN

Run alongside ultramarathon man Dean Karnazes in this Starlight Children's Foundation fundraising event. Afterwards, Karnazes discusses his book 50 Marathons 50 Days. Tuesday, noon, The North Face, 130 Pitt Street, city, race entry $50 (talk free), www.thenorthface.com.au/funrun.

ETC

OUR PROJECT

Carers, psychiatrists, nurses and others whose lives have been touched by mental illness explore their feelings and experiences in this photographic exhibition

as part of Mental Health Week. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-9pm, Manly Community Centre, Wentworth Street, Manly, free, www.pioneer clubhouse.org.au.

COMEDY SHOWCASE

Julia Morris (pictured), Axis of Awesome, Amelia Jane Hunter, Jackie Loeb, Brett Nichols and other stand-up comedians will have you in stitches at this gala event. Saturday, 8.30pm, Sydney Comedy Store, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, $25, 9020 6966, www.star100.com.au.

GLAD RAGS

Shop for vintage frocks, suits, earrings, shoes, bags, brooches, skirts, gloves, compacts, parasols, fans and hats at the Way We Wear vintage fashion and textile fair. Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm, Hunters Hill Town Hall, Masonic Temple and RSL Hall, Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill, $12,

web.mac.com/vintagecelebrity.

FUTURE FEAST

Sustainability consultant Michael Mobbs, Powerhouse Museum curator Anni Turnbull, artist Juliet Holmes a Court and others discuss sustainable food at this three-course lunch in conjunction with the Food for the Future Fair. Saturday, 1pm, NG Art Gallery, Upper Level, 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale, $70, 9318 2992,

www.ngart.com.au.

FREE

MACKENZIE THORPE

The artist depicts his stay with Kintore Aboriginal elders in the Northern Territory. Saturday, 11am-6pm; Sunday, noon-5pm, Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, 515 Sydney Road, Seaforth, 9907 0595, www.tvhgallery.com.au.

STREET SIGN SALE

Purchase one of North Sydney's old street signs at North Sydney Market. Food, antiques, clothes and jewellery are also for sale. Saturday, 9am-4pm, Miller Street,

North Sydney, 9922 2299,

www.northsydneycentre.com.au.

FOREST FAIR

Learn how to navigate the Australian bush at this fair, with stalls, rides, woodworking demonstrations, a climbing wall and music. Sunday, 10am-3.30pm, Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills, 9871 3377, www.forest.nsw.gov.au/cumberland.

CARNIVAL OF CULTURES

Learn hip-hop dancing or the art of body percussion at this community festival. There are pony rides, barefoot bowls and music. Sunday, 10am-4pm, Ashfield Park, corner of Parramatta Road and Orpington Street, Ashfield, 9716 1800, www.ashfield.nsw.gov.au.

WHY I LOVE NATURE

Artworks created by children aged 5 to 12 to celebrate World Environment Day are on display. They include sculptures, mobiles, paintings (pictured) and a model of a town made from recycled materials. Today, 10am-4pm, CarriageWorks,

245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, 1300 723 038, www.sydney childrensfestival.com.

OUT OF TOWN

MEDIaEVAL WOLLONGONG

Knights, kings, queens, crones and bogan vikings (pictured) star in An Absolutely Authentic History Of Wollongong In The Mediaeval Period, a collection of comic sketches. Saturday, 2.15pm and 8.15pm, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre,

Burelli Street, Wollongong, $25,

4226 3366, www.ipac.org.au.

PUDDING DAY

Celebrate the 90th birthday of Norman Lindsay's fairytale The Magic Pudding with music, storytelling, bush walks, billy tea and damper. Sunday, 10am-4pm, Norman Lindsay Gallery, 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge, $10, 4751 1067, www.nationaltrust.org.au.

CAVES CONCERT

Harpist and singer Claire Roche performs Irish ballads and jigs in a limestone chamber. Then, join her for cheese, wine and a chat. Saturday, 8pm, Jenolan Caves, $45/$25, 1300 763 311, www.jenolancaves.org.au.

ROCKING HORSES

Watch artisans craft old-fashioned rocking horses at this Hawkesbury Festival open weekend, which includes food, sheep shearing and an antiques display. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-3pm, Renaissance Rocking Horses, 143 Pitt Town Road, McGraths Hill, $5, 4577 8697, www.rockinghorses.com.au.

RONAN/RONAN

A French cabaret artist uses record turntables, children's toys and a box full of bric-a-brac to create joyous songs. Saturday, 7pm, Old Convent, Convent Road, Borenore, $80 (two-course French dinner included), 6365 2420,

www.oldconvent.com.au.

PERFORMANCE

MORGAN JOANEL

The Perth musician performs her retro pop tunes at the launch of Amanda Baker's new CD, The Queen. Saturday, 8pm, the Vanguard, 42 King Street, Newtown, $20, 9557 7992,

www.thevanguard.com.au.

MUSICA VIVA

The Australian String Quartet, the Song Company, the Jerusalem String Quartet and other chamber musicians perform at the inaugural Musica Viva Festival. Saturday and Sunday, various times, locations and prices, 1800 688 482, musicaviva.com.au.

BOOK OF LONGING

Composer Philip Glass interprets the poetry and images of Leonard Cohen in this dark, hypnotic concert. Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 6pm; Sydney Opera House,

from $65, 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

THE MODERN INTERNATIONAL DEAD

Belinda McClory, Ian Meadows and Colin Moody star in this play about Australian relief workers trying to deal with violence, land mines and political cleansing. Saturday, 2 and 8pm, SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street,

Kings Cross, $43, 1300 306 776, www.griffintheatre.com.au.

KILLER JOE

Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre becomes a dirty, depraved Texan trailer park in this play about murder and insurance fraud (Maeve Dermody, pictured). Saturday, 8.15pm; Sunday, 5.15pm, Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street,

Surry Hills, $29, 9699 3444, www.belvoir.com.au.

BOOKS

CHRISTINE MANFIELD

Join the chef and cookbook author (pictured) for dinner and hear about her latest book, Fire.

Thursday, 7pm, $125 includes three-course meal, Bathers' Pavilion, Balmoral, bookings essential, 9969 5050.

BAND DAYS

Tour manager Sam Cutler discusses his book You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life With The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead And Other Wonderful Reprobates. Monday, 5.30 for 6pm, $15, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, city, bookings, 9273 1770.

LIFE OF CRIME

Crime writers can get an insight into the minds of the criminally insane at a talk

given by psychiatric nurse Terry Smith. Sunday, 4pm, $10, Partners in Crime meeting, Hughenden Hotel, 14 Queen Street, Woollahra, bookings essential, email robyn_mcwilliam @bigpond.com.

JONATHAN KING

Hear the Australian war historian speak about his book, The Western Front Diaries. Tuesday, 1pm, free, Stanton Library, 234 Miller Street, North Sydney, no bookings, inquiries, 9936 8400.

ART AND FOOD

Photographer Sarah Rhodes and author Alice McCormick discuss The Artist's Lunch, their book about the influence of food in art, with local artists. Tuesday, 6.30pm, $10, Wilson Street Gallery, Newtown, bookings through Better Read Than Dead, 9557 8700.

Angie Schiavone

bookworm@smh.com.au

CHILDREN

INSECTS IN THE GARDEN

Meet an aerial redback spider, a swarm of stilt-walking insects and friendly gardeners in this enormous inflatable garden with prehistoric Australia fauna. Saturday, 11.30am-2.30pm, CarriageWorks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, free, 1300 723 038, www.sydney childrensfestival.com.

KUNG FU PANDA

Learn martial arts from the master. Po (pictured) from Kung Fu Panda sings and dances and teaches children a kung fu routine to help them stay safe and healthy. Saturday, 11am and 1pm, Westfield Hornsby, corner Florence and Hunter streets, Hornsby, free, 9477 5111,

www.westfield.com /hornsby.

ART DAY

Discover your inner artist at New Victorians and Old Victorians. Take a closer look at gargoyles, paint fancy lords and ladies, and enjoy dozens of craft activities. Sunday, noon-4pm, University Art Gallery, University of Sydney, Camperdown, free, 9351 6883, www.usyd.edu.au/museums.

SPLASH FESTIVAL

Learn how to swing from a trapeze or shoot a bow and arrow at this family fun day. SpongeBob SquarePants and Fifi and the Flowertots will perform, and there will be

rides and activities. Sunday, 10am-5pm, Aquatic Centre, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, $18/$20 ($60 family), 9752 3666, www.aquaticcentre.com.au.

NEXT WEEKEND

AKOOSTIK MUSIC

The Flood, Felicity Urquhart (pictured), Smokin' Joe Robinson and others perform at the Wingham music festival. Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, Wingham Central Park, Isabella Street, Wingham, from $20, www.wingham akoostikfestival.com.

LA BOHEME

Life may not be easy but it is beautiful in Puccini's classic tale of young love in Paris. An Opera Australia production conducted by Giovanni Reggioli. Saturday, October 18, 1pm, Sydney Opera House, from $65, 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

CHRISTA HUGHES

The rock singer performs songs by Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday with her father, the jazz pianist Dick Hughes. Sunday, October 19, 6pm, the Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney Opera House, $35, 9250 7777,

www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

PACIFIC MARKET

Shop for Pacific Island food, gifts, clothing and jewellery at this maketi, with children's activities and a costume parade. Saturday, October 18, 11am-3pm, Penrith Regional Gallery and the Lewers Bequest, 86 River Road, Emu Plains, free, 4735 1100, www.penrithregionalgallery.org.

KENNY ROGERS

The American country music legend returns to Australia for his first tour in a decade, performing hits including Lady, The Gambler, We've Got Tonight and Coward Of The County. Saturday, October 18, 7.30pm, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Brown Road, Broadmeadow, from $99, 132 849,

premier.ticketek.com.au.

FOR THE DIARY

THE FARHA TOUR

Egyptian beauties join local bellydancers for Cairo Nights, a Middle Eastern extravaganza with whirling dervish, Egyptian dancers and traditional music. November 6-8, Riverside Theatres, corner Church and Market streets, Parramatta, from $45, 8839 3399, www.riverside parramatta.com.au.

NEWTOWN FESTIVAL

Kobra Kai, the Seabellies, the Wahas, Tijuana Cartel, Radical Son, Mr Percival and others perform at this annual community event. November 9, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, gold coin donation, www.newtowncentre.org/festival.

UMBILICAL BROTHERS

The physical comedians perform Don't Explain, their signature collection of

hilarious observations about everyday life. November 25 to December 6, Sydney Opera House, $39.50, 9250 7777,

www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

LIGHT THE NIGHT

Tim Campbell, Lior, the McClymonts, Maria Venuti and Emma Pask and the cast

of Wicked perform at this annual charity concert to raise money for leukaemia research. November 10, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, city, from $49.50, 8256 2222,

www.cityrecitalhall.com.

BLOC PARTY

The indie rock band (Russell Lissack, pictured) play songs from their albums Silent Alarm, A Weekend In The City and Intimacy. November 26, Hordern Pavilion, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, 132 849,

premier.ticketek.com.au.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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