DUBBO
Fringe Festival
Entertaining
The Dubbo Fringe Festival will feature over 50 events, across seven venues with more than 20 artist groups, all taking place in just four days of fabulous fringey fun and mayhem. The Dubbo Fringe is a festival of performing and visual arts, including theatre, music, cabaret, dance, comedy, circus, spoken word, performance art and children's theatre. May 12 to 15. Ticket $10 to $35. For a full list of entertainment and venues go to www.123tix.com.au/events/dubbofringe.
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Stock Route Festival
Country music
The Stock Route is a brand new country music festival featuring the very best talent touring the country music circuit. It is hoped the festival will become an annual event. May 14. Lazy River Estate. Kids $49, general $89, VIP $180 at www.123tix.com.au/events/31097/the-stock-route-country-music-festival. More info at www.lazyriverestate.com.au/stock-route-country-music-festival.
The Box Show
Live performance
You'll never look at a cardboard box the same way again after Junkyard Beats show how they can take ordinary household items and transform them into extraordinary musical instruments. Follow four characters during their daily activities in a world made of cardboard boxes and see how they reinvigorate the junk that the world has forgotten. Tuesday, May 17. 6pm. $21 to $26. Dubbo Regional Theatre. Tickets from drtcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/16997.
World of Musicals
Listening history
Having graced stages across the globe, the show features a world-class ensemble of talented performers recreating classic hits, fused with emotive ballads, big-screen anthems and iconic show tunes, taken from the musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, We Will Rock You and Sister Act. Thursday, May 19. 7.30pm. Dubbo Regional Theatre. $59.90 to $79.90. Tickets at drtcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/1061.
Buicks rev-up for Dubbo rally
A classic event
The Buick Car Club of Australia is revving-up for its Dubbo rally and the streets will be choc-a-block with veteran and vintage cars from May 15 to 22. Buicks will cover a wide range of years from twenties through to seventies, and locals can view them all on display at a Show and Shine that will take place in the Dubbo RSL Club carpark on Saturday morning, May 21.
SPOWERS & SYME
Exhibition
Celebrating the artistic friendship of Melbourne artists Ethel Spowers and Eveline Syme, this touring exhibition shows the changing face of inter-war Australia through the perspective of two pioneering, modern women artists. The exhibition offers rare insight into the unlikely collaboration between the daughters of rival media families. Until May 29. Western Plains Cultural Centre.
2022 Outback Car Trek
Sign up now
The route for the 2022 Outback Car Trek has been locked in. The trek will start at Parkes on Saturday, June 4, travelling through Nyngan, to White Cliffs, and Cameron Corner before moving into Queensland through Thargomindah, Scrubby Creek and Taroom. It will finish in Hervey Bay on Saturday, June 11.
Every year the Trek raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. However the trek also raises awareness of the organisation in each of the places it visits. To join the 2022 Outback Car Trek, or to get more information on the event, visit outbackcartrek.com.au.
ORANGE
Alice in Wonderland
Live Theatre
Orange Theatre Company presents a brand-new musical version of the timeless classic. Head down the rabbit hole in Lewis Carroll's zany characters, mad tea parties, flamingo croquet on the lawn and tap-dancing playing cards. Join the ever-curious Alice, White Rabbit, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, the Mad Hatter, the mysterious Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts in an over-the-top entertaining musical for the whole family. May 13-15.Orange Civic Theatre. Tickets through Ticketek.
Getting all artsy
Exhibitions
Hello, good to meet you - Liam Benson: an installation that offers a space where audiences can experiment non-verbal communication, dance and sensorial play. May 14 to July 24. Winhanganha Mayiny - Gary Grealy: the renowned portrait photographer with Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council and Orange Regional Gallery to create a series of portraits of members of the Orange Aboriginal community. Until June 5. Figuring the Human - Derek Whitehead: a selection of works from over 25 years of creative practice providing meditations on the human form, drawn from observation and imagination. Until June 12. 10am to 4pm. Orange Regional Gallery.
Music of the Night
Theatre tribute
An enchanting musical and visual spectacular presented by highly acclaimed multi award winning international pianist Joseph Fimmano. Music of the Night is a tribute to the musicals, opera and the beautiful melodies of musical theatre past and present, presented by a collective of elite Australian performers. Sunday, May 22. 2pm. Orange Civic Theatre. Book through Ticketek.
Meet the Songwriter
Clancy Pye
Clancy was raised in a musical family and having picked up her first guitar at six, she has spent most of her life performing. She has written over 100 songs in the past 18 months and is poised to record her first full length album, having been a finalist in the 2022 Tamworth Country Music Festival Star Maker competition. Friday, May 27. 6pm. The Agrestic Grocer, 426 Molong Road, Orange. $20.
Human Nature
Live music
Having been curtailed by COVID-19, Human Nature are back bigger then ever with a "new" tour, People Get Ready, Again - 2022 Reboot, which will bring together the very best elements of the Good Good Life tour and People Get Ready AAA tour into one new, amalgamated show. The Australian music mainstays and ARIA Hall of Fame inductees will perform original hit songs as well as their versions of Motown classics, with a few surprises thrown in. May 27 and 28. 7.30pm. Orange Civic Theatre. Tickets through Ticketek.
Make Do and Mend
Interesting repairs
Orange Regional Museum is featuring a two-part Saturday workshop series with experts on how to "fix things". Learn about kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken, chipped and cracked pottery using lacquer and gold; or give clothes new life with visible mending, repairing garments with hand-stitching techniques that become a feature. Kintsugi for beginners, May 14, 10am to 12.30pm, $37.50 to $50. Visible mending, June 18, 10am to noon, $22.50 to $30. Orange Regional Museum.
Boutique markets
Put it in the diary
The Orange Handmade Boutique Markets & Expo will feature the works of artisans and artists showcasing their works, as well as local and regional talent. There expected to be more than 60 stallholders taking part. June 4 and 5 Orange Ex-Services Club.
Winter Jazz Festival
Full steam ahead for top tunes
Clear your plans for this June long weekend as a Winter Jazz Festival is set to liven up the town. The festival will see a mix of internationally renowned and local artists perform in a series of close to 50 concerts at venues throughout the CBD. Ticketed venues will include The Civic Theatre, church spaces and local pubs and clubs. There'll also be a free venue that will feature local amateur musicians, including school bands. The festival will kick off on Friday June 3.
Live Music Saturdays
Weekly tunes
You can get your weekly fix of live music every Saturday this Autumn at Stockman's Ridge. Each Saturday from 1pm to 5pm you can enjoy live tunes from local musicians with views of the vineyard hills, delicious food and drinks in a relaxed country setting. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from Stockman's Ridge.
BATHURST
Waste 2 Art
Exhibition
Bathurst Waste 2 Art is an annual community art competition and exhibition that celebrates the reuse and recycling of waste through arts and crafts. It aims to inspire communities to find innovative and creative ways to repurpose, recover, recycle and upcycle used materials and resources, diverting them away from landfill. Come and view the creative artworks on show. Until May 15. 10am to 4pm. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
Robot Song
Performance
When 11-year-old Juniper May receives a petition signed by her entire class stating that she is "the most hated person in the school" her life is thrown into meltdown. After exhausting all other avenues, her parents' resort to ... a giant singing robot. Based on a true story, Robot Song illustrates the transformative nature of creativity that, when combined with unconditional love, becomes an unstoppable force. Wednesday, May 18. 6.30pm. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
A kind of magic
Showstopper
Cosentino is Australia's most successful magician, illusionist and escape artist, and he is bringing his show to regional NSW. Having won multiple Merlin Awards, come and see the showman in person and believe or be deceived. Sunday, May 15. 7.30pm. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
Black Cockatoo
Sporting history
Over 150 years ago, 13 Aboriginal men from Western Victoria packed their bats for a voyage to England and into the unknown. Risking illness and persecution, Australia's first international cricket team - including Australia's first Indigenous sporting hero, Johnny Mullagh - amazed the English crowds with astonishing talent, personality and grit. This stage production tells their story of strength, resistance, hope and possibility. Wednesday, May 25. 8pm. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
Bathurst 12 hour
Start your engines
Start your engines for top action on the track with the Bathurst 12 Hour which will be held over three days from May 13. Race fans are now able to buy their tickets for the Bathurst 12 Hour. People can purchase tickets for trackside access, grandstand seating and VIP event parking, which permits parking at the front gate of the event for a single day, the weekend, or all three days. Kids aged 12 years and under receive free trackside entry when accompanied by a paying adult. Visit www.bathurst12hour.com.au to find tickets.
Bathurst Writers' and Readers' Festival
Write that down
The Bathurst Writers' and Readers' Festival is set to return to town from May 20 to 22. The program has yet to be released, but typically the event consists of three days of live streamed events direct from the Sydney Writers' Festival (SWF), along with a program of local author talks.
Mental Health Expo
Stay healthy
The Bathurst Mental Healthy Expo is a great chance to access a range of resources to focus on an area of health that can often be overlooked. Community members including parents, carers and students are encouraged to attend, meet with services and gather information. Special guest will be Sam Webb, who co-founding the mental health organisation and charity, LIVIN, which aims to end the stigma around mental health through apparel, community and education. Wednesday, June 22. 12.30m to 3.30pm. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, City Hall. For information contact Sharnie on swillis@ccwf.org.au.
Bathurst Edgell Jog
Fun run for the diary
While it might not be on until September 18, the Edgell Jog is set to make an anticipated return after a two year hiatus. There will be major prizes for first, second and third male and female across the line. There will also be the inaugural Lou Shehade award, honouring the late long serving committee member. Under the COVID-19 safe format, there will be no limits on participants, just no milling around at the end.
BLAYNEY
Textures of One
Exhibition
The the 2022 Textures of One art prize and exhibition has attracted 68 entries. Guided by the theme With the theme of "Light and Shade" this yea, artists have been presented with a concept rather than a physical object to build their works around, which has produced some strong works. Get down and see it while you can. Until May 27. Platform Arts Hub, Blayney Railway Station.
Rotary Market
Coming up
The next Blayney Rotary Market is nearly upon us, with stalls offering everything from local produce including seasonal fruit and veg, organic meats, cheeses and eggs, to plants, clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, crafts and preloved goods. May 15. 8.30am to noon. CentrePoint Sport and Leisure Centre.
Club events
Millthorpe
Club Millthorpe has some events coming up through the month of May. Saturday, May 14 will be a night of jazz music featuring Pengopus. Saturday, May 21 will be a pool competition. $10 entry fee per person with $100 first prize. Names in by 2.30pm on the day. On Saturday, May 28 the club will host a trivia night. Tables of eight, $10 per person. Limited tables. Contact Kelly on 0438 663 631 to book.
Big Walk
Dementia fundraiser
On of Penrith Panthers' favourite all-time players, Royce Simmons, has hit the road to support dementia research and rugby league in the bush. Royce's Big Walk is a 300km trek walk from Goolagong to Sydney that is being supported by some of rugby league's biggest names, country communities and big business. The walk commences May 17 and will be in Blayney shire shortly after. May 18 - Cowra to Woodstock. Event: Carcoar Central Stock Exchange, 8.45am. May 19 - Woodstock to Carcoar. May 20 - Carcoar to Fitzgerald Mount. Event: Sportsman's dinner, Blayney Community Centre, 7pm. Tickets $50, available from The Royal Hotel (Blayney) 02 6368 2210.
Life drawing
Art skills
Platform Arts Hub will host an afternoon of life drawing. This untutored session is open to artists and those who want to extend their artistic skills. The session will be BYO drawing materials, drinks and nibbles, but there will be six easels available on a first in-best dressed basis and clipboards will be available to borrow. Places are limited, book through Eventbrite or platformblayney@gmail.com. Sunday, May 22. 11am to 1pm. Platform Arts Hub. $25pp.
Chemical cleanout
Gather it up
The safe way to dispose of potentially hazardous household chemicals is at a Household Chemical CleanOut event. Held across NSW on specified dates, this free service allows for the safe disposal of household chemicals that could cause harm to human health and the environment if not done correctly. June 6. 9am to 5pm. Blayney Waste Facility, 4117 Mid Western Highway.
Craft Cuppa 'n' Chat
Friendly gathering
The Craft Cuppa 'n' Chat group welcomes regular and new participants. Bring along anything you've finished during lockdown to show others - there might even be a craft "catwalk" to show off the talent. Every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm ... except on the first Tuesday of each month. 10am to 1pm. Millthorpe CWA Hall, 21 Pym Street. $2.50. Contact Gwen on 0409 711 244 for further enquiries.
OBERON
Pop-up café
Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway
The next OTHR open day will feature scrumptious scones and mouth-watering cakes with tea or coffee at a pop-up café. You can explore the Oberon Station precinct and see the various projects currently underway. There is a display of railway memorabilia and history of the line, plus merchandise for sale. June 4. 10am to 2pm. Oberon Station precinct. $15 adults, under 18s $10 for entry and morning tea.
Waste 2 Art
Competition
Oberon residents will have the opportunity to put trash to good use for the annual Waste to Art competition this month. The competition allows entrants to turn waste into something that could win a prize. This year's theme is soft plastics (but it's not compulsory to create to it). Winning entries will represent Oberon at the regional competition in Lithgow. Entry forms from Oberon Library, Oberon Council, or oberon.spydus.com. Entries and artworks submitted on May 23 to Oberon Library. Winners announced May 25. Public exhibition May 26 to 28. Robert Hooper Community Centre.
It's a classic
Live music
Music on Mount David resumes with its 27th intimate house concert featuring a string quartet of celebrated performers, Rebecca Yu Qing Irwin and Michelle O'Young (violin), David Wicks (viola) and Margie Iddison (cello). The program includes works by Sculthorpe and Beethoven. Friday, June 3. 2.30pm for 3pm. "Kipling", 2784 Abercrombie Road, Black Springs. $50. Bookings are essential at rodtuson1@gmail.com or 6337 9679
Mexican Trivia Night
Test your memory
Head on down to the main pavilion at Oberon Showground to test your memories at a Mexican Trivia Night. The event is a fundraiser for the Oberon Inner Wheel Club Inc. The night will also feature prizes for the best dressed male and female and lucky door prizes. There will be nibbles and a two course dinner available, BYO. Saturday, May 21. 6pm. Bookings essential, call Melita Braun on 0419 628 007 to book your place.
Walk n Talk for Life
Move for your mind
Walk n Talk for Life creates a positive, proactive environment to encourage mental wellness and provide support for those who are struggling, all while going for a stroll. Everyone welcome. Get a free yellow t-short and talk with your local peers. Free, no registration required. The next event in Oberon will be on June 11. Future events will be August 13, October 8 and December 10.
MUDGEE
Mudgee Makers' Markets
Do some local shopping
The next Mudgee Fine Foods Mudgee Makers' Markets will taken place on Sunday, June 5. With a selection of items from dozens of stalls, there's something for everyone. The market will take place from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Robertson Park. These markets take place on the first Sunday of every month (excluding January and February).
Wildflowers Festival
Get prepared
Ok, it may not be held until October 29, but general admission tickets are on sale for the Wildflowers Festival in Mudgee. The festival will feature a who's who of Australian female musical talent. One stop on a wider tour kicking off in March, the Mudgee event at Craigmoor Wines features Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Sarah Blasko, Deborah Conway, Alice Skye and Georgia June. Tickets to Wildflowers are on sale at wildflowerfestivalaustralia.com.au.
People Leadership Series
Workshop
Business Mudgee and Pearl Daly-Swords of the Centre for Executive Development (CED) will host a People Leadership series. The two hour workshop will focus on mindset, tools, skillset and business topics. Details: dates: May 18 from 12pm to 2pm, cost: $250 each course, tickets: 123tix.com.au.
Mudgee CWA Day Branch
Meeting dates
Held in the CWA rooms from 11am at 48 Market Street each first Friday of the month, the Mudgee CWA Day Branch host their meetings. Upcoming dates:June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For more information, contact Genevieve on 0411 574 611.
GRENFELL
While the World Waits Exhibition
Reflect on the last two years
Grenfell artist Helen Carpenter along with songwriters and artists from around the region will be travelling to Grenfell to showcase their works reflecting on the last two years. The exhibition will showcase work from across all mediums. You will see painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, moving image, animation, photography, glass and textiles. The exhibition will will be at the Grenfell Art Gallery until June 2 before moving on to galleries and venues around the Central West.
CANOWINDRA
Anna the Indomitable Concert
A ballad of thrills
World famous Prima Donna Madame Anna Bishop revisits the colonies to thrill Canowindra with her ballads and opera with associate Charles Lascelles. She spins a ripping good yarn of her astounding world adventures. Sarahlouise Owens and Dr John Phillips as Anna Bishop and Charles Lascelles. Tickets $30 each. All Saints Church, Canowindra on Sunday May 21 at 3pm. Tickets at https://www.trybooking.com/BYQUK