Vivid Sydney
Sydney’s favourite winter festival delivers again with a bumper program of light, music and ideas. Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Johns and Flume top the Vivid Live bill at the Opera House, while Vivid Ideas will be headlined by Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner and Wallpaper founder Tyler Brûlé. Vivid Light returns with illuminated musical dice, a brightly coloured version of Duck Duck Goose and a 3m high illuminated doll “that just wants to be hugged”.
Vivid Sydney, Sydney Opera House, from 22 May to 8 June
La Sylphide in Brisbane
In August the Queensland Ballet, led by artistic director Li Cunxin (otherwise known as Mao’s Last Dancer), will make its London debut at the Coliseum with Peter Schaufuss’s very romantic production of La Sylphide. Before that, local audiences will enjoy the story of the Scotsman whisked away on his wedding day by the tantalising sylph and her coterie of ethereal sisters. While most Brisbane performances are sold out, organisers says there may be last minute releases.
La Sylphide, Playhouse, QPAC, from 20 to 31 March
Batmania Melbourne
Fun fact: Batmania was once considered as a name for Melbourne, after one of the founders John Batman. Instead it was named after a Derbyshire village, but the city may go bat-crazy with this new exhibition by Melbourne artists Kathy Holowko. Fascinated with the nocturnal critters, Holowko has created 200 lifesize bats from laser cut steel, garbage bags, plaster and paint, which will be individually hung from the atrium of Federation Square. And each morning and evening, a soundscape will simulate the noise of bats settling into their roost after a night of foraging.
Batmania, Federation Square, Melbourne, from 1 April to 28 April
Hobart weather art
Known for pulling together intriguing group shows, Hobart’s Despard gallery forthcoming exhibition Weather combines artists Andrew McIlroy, Tony Barrow, Peter Hjort, Dale Richards, and Catherine Woo. Each of the group offer new work inspired by the vagaries of the weather, something Tasmania offers in great variation.
The weather group exhibition, Despard Gallery, Hobart, from 15 April to 10 May
Carnegie conversations at the Opera House
How could society evolve if we stopped to think about it? The Carnegie conversations hope to kickstart debate with a day of talks. Questions include “Can ideas make a difference to our future?” and “What’s wrong with politics?” with speakers such as Julian Burnside, Marcia Langton and Tony Windsor presenting their ideas on how to change Australia for the better.
Carnegie conversations, Sydney Opera House, 3 May
