The Planner

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday August 2, 2008

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

GOING, GOING ...

PIANO COMPETITION

Three of the six finalists in the Sydney International Piano Competition will play 19th- and 20th-century concertos with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kirill Karabits. Prizes will be presented at 8pm, followed by performances by the finalists. Saturday, 2.30pm, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, from $44, 9250 7777, www.sipca.com.au.

CONTEMPORARY ART

Three exhibitions by Marrickville artists finish this weekend, including acrylic paintings by Meghan Brewster, collage paintings and video by Peter McGuiness and large-scale decollage by Goran Tomic. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, At The Vanishing Point, 565 King Street, Newtown, free, 9519 2340, www.atthevanishingpoint.com.au.

MEMPHIS DESIGN

On display are furniture, glass (pictured), ceramics and more from the Memphis design movement led by Ettore Sottsass. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm, Shapiro Gallery, 162 Queen Street, Woollahra, free, 9326 1588, www.shapiro.com.au.

MINSTRELS OF MAGIC

Traditional gypsy music is brought to life by the Minstrels of Magic, led by violinist Antal Szalai, from Hungary. Saturday, 2.30 and 8pm; Sunday, 2.30pm, Sydney Opera House Utzon Room, $59.90, 9250 7777,

www.sydneyopera house.com.

CUT & PASTE

Written and directed by Carla Moore, this play follows different characters in parallel stories about dealing with love and lost idealism. Saturday, 8pm, Chester Street Theatre, corner Chester and Oxford streets, Epping, $20, 9876 6332, www.chestersttheatre.com.

KIDS

DOLPHINS AND WHALES 3D

From the coral reefs of the Bahamas to the warm waters of Tonga, this 45-minute documentary gets up close to some of the most intriguing examples of sea life (sperm whale, pictured). Saturday, 10am, Sunday, noon, Imax Theatre, Darling Harbour, $19.50/$14.50 (family $56), 9281 3300, www.imax.com.au.

HI-5

Following the release of their DVD, Go Wild, Hi-5 will be at Sydney Wildlife World to meet fans. Tickets for Sydney Wildlife World are required for entry.

Saturday, 11am, Sydney Wildlife World, Darling Harbour, $29.95/$15 (for Sydney Wildlife World), 9333 9288, www.sydneywildlife world.com.au.

DIDGERIDOO DANCE

Spend the afternoon with Aboriginal performer Matthew Doyle, who will be playing indigenous music for children.

Pick up an instrument

and join the fun.

Sunday, 2.30pm, Art Gallery of NSW, The Domain, free, 9225 1700,

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au.

POSSUM MAGIC

Possum Magic, by Mem Fox, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a festival that includes lamington-making, face-painting and storytelling. Saturday, 10am-3pm, Glen Street Theatre, corner Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose, free, 9975 1455,

www.glenstreet.com.au.

Performance

GERSHWIN SINGS AND SWINGS

The Beethoven Choir presents the music of George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, accompanied by a jazz quartet directed by Steve Watson. Saturday, 2.30-4.30pm, St Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street, city, $32, 1300 558 394.

A VERY BIG GIG

Leading rock musicians from Australia and the US show their support for violinist Wayne Goodwin and the Leukaemia Foundation. They include Midnight Oil members Jim Moginie, Rob Hirst and Martin Rotsey, the Atlantics, Ross Wilson and Good News Week's Paul McDermott. Sunday, 5pm, Basement, 29 Reiby Place, city, $54.80, 9251 2797, www.thebasement.com.au.

CODGERS

In this new play, five senior men meet once a week at the gym. As they solve the world's problems over gentle exercise, they encounter new ideas about ageing, racism and acceptance. Saturday, 2 and 8pm, Riverside Theatre, corner Church and Market streets, Parramatta, $49, 8839 3399, www.riverside parramatta.com.au.

THE CARPENTERS FROM KEMPSEY

Paying tribute to the music of the Carpenters -- with songs such as Close To You, Ticket o Ride, Superstar and Yesterday Once More - Darren and Sharon (pictured) are country hicks who show they can carry a tune in this comedy about

their lives. Sunday, 8pm, Vanguard, King Street, Newtown, $20, 9557 7992,

www.thevanguard.com.au.

Etcetera

BOAT SHOW

In its 41st year, the Sydney International Boat Show features sailing, fishing and power-cruising vessels worth between $400 and $8 million. There are more than 800 boats in the exhibition hall and almost 300 on the marina. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-8pm (halls), 10am-6pm (marina), Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, $18, 1300 726 287, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au.

WAITING FOR GARNAUT

The Wharf Revue plays on the light side of climate change in this political satire, with sketches including The Sound Of Rudd, Brendan Nelson: I'm Not There and Obama Rap.

Saturday, 2pm, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, Walsh Bay, $48, 9250 1777,

www.sydneytheatre.com.au.

PAMPER ZONE

Head to Chatswood Chase and pamper yourself with tastings, cooking demonstrations with Ready Steady Cook's Darren Simpson (pictured) and fashion shows. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-3pm (fashion shows 11am, 1 and 3pm; cooking demonstrations noon), Chatswood Chase, free,

9422 5316, www.chatswood

chaseshopping.com.au.

HOW YOU MAKE IT

Eight Australian fashion designers show their experimental works based on the question, "How and why are things made?" Visitors can try on garments. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm, Object Gallery, 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, free, 9361 4511, www.object.com.au.

Learn

CONVICT WOMEN

Women Transported -- Life In Australia's Convict Female Factories is a confronting exhibition about the harsh lives of female convicts (pictured) in 12 convict factories across Australia. It tells their story through films, talks, interactive displays and early colonial artefacts. Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 346a Church Street, Parramatta, free, 8839 3311,

www.parracity.nsw.gov.au.

BIKE MAINTENANCE

Learn how to fix a puncture, replace a tyre, adjust the gears and more in this general safety course for bike riders conducted by a qualified mechanic. Sunday, 10am-2pm, Field Studies Centre, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park, $89, 9714 7888, www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au.

LIVING INNER CITY: MASCOT

This social history walking tour examines life in the inner city, beginning at George Hanna Memorial Museum in Mascot and making its way through various historical sites, the old Ascot racecourse and the shopping district. Sunday, 2-4pm, Mascot (meeting point tba on booking), $25, 8239 2211, www.hht.net.au.

PHILOSOPHY AND THE FUTURE

Journalist and author Derek Maitland will argue that the philosophical "science of the soul" may be lost as we follow social, economic and bio-technological trends

into the future. Tuesday, 7.30-9pm, Fair Trade Coffee House, 33 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, $6, 9797 6459, www.philoagora.com.

Out of town

MIC CONWAY

The musician's National Junk Band uses ukuleles, a sousaphone, phono-fiddles, singing saws, rubber chickens, steel guitars, garbage cans and even a kitchen sink to create toe-tapping tunes. Saturday, 9pm, Heritage Hotel, 240 Princes Highway, Bulli, $16, 4284 5884, www.heritagehotel.com.au.

LES FEMMES CLASSIQUE

These pastel works depict sensual, romantic women using silhouette, light and shade. The works are said to reveal the deepest fantasies of the artist, Kate Smith. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm, Paintbox Fine Art, 32 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, ACT, free, 6162 1717, www.paintboxfineart.com.

PARADISE GARDEN

Take a guided tour of this garden, with more than 12 hectares of camellias, magnolias and thousands of colourful flowers, or simply relax with a picnic by the lake. The Camellia Research Society can also teach you how to

grow drought-hardy camellias.

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm, Paradise Plants, 2117 Greta Road, Kulnura (30 minutes from Gosford), free, 4376 1330.

CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

Chocolate lovers may discover heaven at Hunter Valley Gardens, with stalls (pictured) and chocolate fountains scattered through the grounds. There are cooking demonstrations, wine-and-chocolate pairing classes and a History of Chocolate walk, as well as children's entertainment. Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm, Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin, $19.90/$12, 4998 4000, www.hvg.com.au.

ANNUAL ART SHOW

In its 32nd year, the Springwood High School Annual Art Show features about 400 paintings and more than 40 craft and pottery exhibits. It includes work from Blue Mountains artists Sue Gasser and Maggie De Courcy.

Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, Springwood High School, Grose Road, Faulconbridge, $5, 4751 2111, www.springwoodhighnsw.com.au.

Midweek

REPLANT EXHIBITION

With climate change blamed for severe weather conditions, Replant -- A New Generation Of Botanical Art features prints of plants (pictured) that can survive monsoonal rains, dry weather and wild fires. Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Red Box Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens, city, free, 9231 8111, www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

TASTE OF TETSUYA

Award-winning chef Tetsuya Wakuda will host a tasting and information night, serving canapes and answering questions about his techniques. Thursday, 5.30-7.30pm, Foodhall, David Jones Market Street, city, free, 9266 5544,

www.davidjones.com.au.

ONE JUST WORLD

This forum will discuss gender equality in a sustainable future. The

panel includes academic Emele Duituturaga, Jane Sloane (International

Women's Development Agency) and Conny Lenneberg (Word Vision Australia). Wednesday, 6-7.30pm, Great Hall, UTS, Broadway, free, www.onejustworld.com.au.

ALISTER SPENCE TRIO

Contemporary jazz pianist

and composer Alister Spence joins Lloyd Swanton (bass) and Toby Hall (drums and glockenspiel) to play songs from the trio's critically acclaimed albums, Three Is A Circle, Flux and Mercury. Wednesday, 8pm, Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, $25, 9550 3666, www.factorytheatre.com.au.

Free

DIVINE DUETS

As part of Macquarie University's Music on Winter Sundays series, the Ku-ring-gai Male Choir will perform opera duets along with guest appearances by soprano Heather Lee and mezzo-soprano Vivienne Powell.

Sunday, 2.30-4.30pm, Macquarie Theatre, Macquarie University, 9419 7030.

SORDID TALES

The Sordid Tales: A History Of Chippendale celebrates the murky history of this suburb through artworks, historical talks and documentary by local and international artists.

Saturday, 9am-10pm, NG Art Gallery, 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale, 9318 2992,

www.ngart.com.au.

TRASH OR TREASURE?

Travellers have been collecting souvenirs (pictured) since time immemorial. Come and see mementos collected by pilgrims, sailors, soldiers, cruise passengers and tourists.

Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am-5pm, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, 9298 3777, www.anmm.gov.au.

ARREBATO

This Spanish ensemble will perform original music during a lazy lunchtime. Its mainly instrumental music is propelled by flamenco guitar with an occasional blend of cello, mandolin, saxophones and more. Sunday, noon-3pm, Newington Armory Wharf, Sydney Olympic Park, 9714 7888, www.sydney olympicpark.com.au.

FOR THE DIARY

JULIETTE BINOCHE AND AKRAM KHAN

The Academy Award-winning French stage and screen actress (pictured) joins

dancer and choreographer Akram Khan in a theatrical piece exploring love, betrayal, acceptance and misunderstanding. February 18-28, Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, $80-$125, 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

COASTFEST

Enjoy blues, roots, world, folk and alternative beats on the shores of Lake Macquarie as more than 60 acts, including Jeff Lang and Epicure, take to the

stage for this three-day, family-friendly festival. September 5-7, Point Wolstoncroft, Lake Macquarie, $125, www.coastfest.org.au.

TASMANIA UNBOTTLED

Sample more than 100 wines, including sparkling, pinot noir, riesling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, from 28 leading Tasmanian producers.

Wine tasting will be complemented by gourmet nibblies. September 1, 4-9pm, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks, $45, www.winetasmania.com.au.

FILM FESTIVAL

Alternative and experimental film from local and international artists will screen as part of the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Organisers say the festival aims to reunite audiences with creative expression that seems to be disappearing from the Sydney art scene. September 11-14, Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Enmore, $12 a session, 9797 9428, www.suff.com.au.

Bookworm

SARA DOUGLASS

The fantasy writer will sign copies of her new book, The Twisted Citadel. Thursday, 6pm, free entry, Dymocks, 424 George Street, city, 9235 0155.

OLD AND WISE

Ross Fitzgerald and Lyndal Moor, co-editors of Growing Old (Dis)gracefully, will

discuss life after 50. Thursday, 12.30pm, $22, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, city, bookings, 9273 1770.

JACQUELINE KENT

The author will discuss her book, An Exacting Heart: The Story Of Hephzibah Menuhin, with journalist Caroline Baum.

Thursday, 6pm, Woollahra Council, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, bookings, 9391 7100.

Partners in crime

Peter Rolfe, of the NSW Homicide Survivors Association, will speak at a meeting of crime fans. Sunday, 4pm, $10 (includes devonshire tea) Hughenden Boutique Hotel, Woollahra, bookings essential, 9918 3356.

TALKING TERROR

Brett Bowden and Mike Davis, co-editors of Terror: From Tyrannicide To Terrorism, will discuss the book with journalist Paul McGeogh. Thursday, 6.30pm, Gleebooks, Glebe, bookings essential, 9660 2333.

MICHAEL VEITCH

Hear the author (pictured) speak about his book, Fly: True Stories Of Courage And Adventure From The Airmen Of World War 2. Monday, 7pm, $8.80, Mosman Library, Mosman, bookings essential, 9969 9736.

Angie Schiavone

bookworm@smh.com.au

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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