The Planner

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday April 12, 2008

Compiled by Kerry Coleman. Bruce Elder for 'Excursion'

GOING, GOING ...

BOTANICA

Susannah Blaxill has been painting plants for more than 35 years (Tulip Bud, pictured). See her work alongside that of some of Australia's best botanical artists at Botanica: Fruits Of Our Labour. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm, Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens, city, free, 9231 8182, www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/friends.

LEGAL CHAMELEONS

See a different side of Australia's most prominent legal personalities at Legal Chameleons, an exhibition by senior crown prosecutor and photographer Mark Tedeschi QC.

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, Justice and Police Museum, corner Phillip and Albert streets, Circular Quay, $8, 9252 1144, www.hht.net.au.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT

In 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered by two local boys in Laramie, Wyoming, because he was gay. This play, based on interviews with Shepard's friends, looks at attitudes to hate crimes a decade after his death. Saturday, 7.30pm, Seymour Centre, corner of City Road and Cleveland Street, $15, 9351 7940, www.seymour.usyd.edu.au.

LEO ROBBA

The trees, creeks and formal gardens of Arthur Boyd's property Bundanon are streaked with brilliant reds and oranges in Blood Trees, Leo Robba's latest exhibition, painted while bushfires savaged the land. Saturday, 11am-6pm, Damien Minton Gallery, 61-63 Great Buckingham Street, Redfern, free, 9699 7551, www.damienmintongallery.com.au.

KIDS

BATEAUX JOUETS

Sail a selection of toy boats through a nautical maze or dress up in French-themed sailor suits at Kids Deck, part of the Maritime Museum's new exhibition Bateaux Jouets: Toy Boats From Paris, 1850-1950. Afterwards, make your own boat to take home. Daily during school holidays, 10am-4pm, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, $7, 9298 3777, www.anmm.gov.au.

TOY MARKET

Shop for toys, clothes and accessories created by young Australian designers at the first Young Blood market devoted to children's products. All children will receive a free party pack. Saturday, 8am-5pm, Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, free, 9217 0111, www.powerhousemuseum.com.

PIRATE CRUISE

Don your finest scallywag attire and climb aboard the Svanen Tall Ship for a pirate-themed family lunch cruise. Help hoist the sails and swab the deck while learning about sailors through the ages. Daily during the school holidays, 10.30am, Campbells Cove, The Rocks, $29 (adults $69), 1300 664 410, www.sydneytallships.com.au.

STARGAZING

Catch a rare glimpse of Saturn (pictured) at this children's astronomy night, featuring a presentation entitled Saturn: The Lord Of The Rings, with hands-on science activities and stargazing, weather permitting. Saturday, 7pm, University of Western Sydney Observatory, Werrington, $35 a family, 4736 0135.

Performance

ANTIGONE

Deborah Mailman (pictured) stars in this Company B production of Antigone, a play about love and betrayal. Also stars Katie Fitchett and Gillian Jones. Saturday, 2pm and 8pm, Sunday 5pm, Belvoir Street Theatre, Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, $54, 9699 3444, www.belvoir.com.au.

STEINWAY SPECTACULAR

Eight of Australia's leading pianists will perform a classical repertoire including Ravel's Bolero and the final movement of the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saens,

on eight Steinway concert grand pianos, followed by the world premiere of Sir Charles Mackerras's Waltzing Matilda Fugue. Sunday, 2pm, Sydney Opera House, from $30, 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

EVA LEGENE

Recorder virtuoso Eva Legene is returning to Sydney for the first time since her 2006 tour with Dutch maestro Wieland Kuijken. She will perform works by Bach, Van Eyck and Dornel. Saturday, 8pm, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street, $30, 9705 7468, www.sydneyconsort.com.au.

RICHARD GLOVER

Richard Glover brings his radio segment Thank God It's Friday to the stage with guest appearances from Wendy Harmer, Anthony Ackroyd, Jean Kittson and Lex Marinos. Saturday, 8pm, Riverside Theatres, Church Street, Parramatta, $34.90, 8839 3399, www.riversideparramatta.com.au.

Learn

ART LESSON

Explore still life, portraiture and landscape through the medium of collage with Australian artist Dave Horton at this workshop for beginners and more experienced artists. All materials, lunch and exhibition entry are included. Sunday, 10am-3pm, Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, $90, 9225 1878, www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au.

FOLLOW THE THREAD

Hear the stories behind the colonial soft furnishings and textile items in Elizabeth Farm's collection on this guided tour, followed by a historical discussion over tea and refreshments. Saturday, 10am-11.30am, Elizabeth Farm, 70 Alice Street, Rosehill, $15, 8239 2211, www.hht.net.au.

SUSTAINABLE FESTIVAL

Learn about water conservation, grey-water reuse, solar energy, natural cleaning, worm farming and permaculture at the Cooks River Festival, featuring eco-friendly entertainment, organic food, a butterfly show and art made from natural substances. Sunday, 11am-4pm, Steel Park, Marrickville, free, www. marrickville.nsw.gov.au.

FROG POND

Discover how to create frog-friendly habitats in your backyard, the benefits of having frogs nearby, how to recognise species and facts about frog biology at this hands-on DIY frog pond workshop. Saturday, 9.30am-12.30pm, Marrickville Community Nursery, Addison Road, Marrickville, 9335 2222, www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au.

Out of town

ROSS WILSON

From Daddy Cool in the 1970s and Mondo Rock in the 1980s to a collaboration with the Wiggles and a judging spot on It Takes Two last year, singer Ross Wilson has seen it all. Tonight he will play his hits including Eagle Rock, with his band the Urban Legends. Sunday, 6pm, Towradgi Beach Hotel, 170 Pioneer Road, Towradgi, $23 ($45 with dinner), 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au, www.towradgibeachhotel.com.au.

BIT OF ITALY

Travel from winery to village centre and back again at this Italian-themed event featuring wood-fired pizzas, wine-tasting, olive picking, market stalls, live music, bocce and an Italian evening feast. Saturday, 10am-4pm, Broke Fordwich Wine Region, Hunter Valley, free (dinner extra), 6579 1259, www.brokefordwich.com.au.

NORMAN LINDSAY

Meet Emily Rodda and other children's authors and illustrators at the eighth annual Norman Lindsay Festival of Children's Literature. Books for children aged 1 to 15 will be on sale. Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3pm, Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge, $15, 4751 1067, www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au.

GOAT RACES

More than 40 wild goats will take to the streets of Bundarra this weekend for the annual Bundy Goat Races. Pulling local children behind them in carts, the goats (pictured) will run seven races throughout the day. Other novelty events include yabby racing and dog high jump.

Saturday, from 9am, Bundarra town centre, free, 6778 4496, www.bundarra.com.

Etcetera

ARAB FILM FESTIVAL

The latest films from the Middle East at the 2008 Sydney Arab Film Festival. Don't miss Caramel (pictured), an award-winning feature from Lebanon about men, sex and motherhood. Saturday and Sunday, Riverside Theatres, Church Street, Parramatta, $15/session, season pass $72, 8839 3399, www.riversideparramatta.com.au.

VINTAGE CLOTHING

Shop for antique clothes, jewellery, linen, lace, sewing patterns and parasols at the Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show, featuring 1950s evening gowns, vintage make-up and swing dance demonstrations. Saturday, 8.30am-4.30pm; Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm; Canterbury Racecourse Function Centre, King Street, Canterbury, $12, 6628 6688, www.lovevintage.com.au.

PREQUELS AND SEQUELS

Comic improvisers remake blockbusters, comedies, thrillers, romances and arthouse classics at Prequels And Sequels, a stage show in which the audience can redirect and recast Hollywood movies.

Sunday, 8pm, Newtown Theatre, corner King and Bray streets, Newtown, $26, 9550 3666, www.ticketek.com.au.

SMARTARTS FESTIVAL

Learn how to write a rap song, create stencil art or spin turntables at the smARTarts Festival, featuring the art and music of people aged 16-30.

Saturday, 2-8.30pm, Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine Street, Chippendale, free, www.pinestreet.com.au, www.smartarts.org.au.

Free

HORSEY STUNTS

Trainers and their noble steeds perform stunts usually seen only in action movies at this precision riding demonstration.

Sunday, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm, Showring, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, free, 8117 6700, www.eqmoorepark.com.au.

CITYFEST

Enjoy international food, market stalls, a parade, street entertainers and live music at the annual Holroyd CityFest street fair. Don't miss the Waiters Race, where hospitality staff run an obstacle course.

Saturday, 10am-4pm, Holroyd city centre, free, 9840 9719, www.holroyd.nsw.gov.au.

SURRY HILLS FESTIVAL

See dogs dressed up in costumes, including Addams Family members, at the Surry Hills Festival. There will be market stalls, acting workshops and performances by Watussi, King Farook and Kat Frankie.

Saturday, 10am-6pm, Prince Alfred Park, corner Cleveland and Chalmers streets, Surry Hills, free (gold coin donation recommended), 0412 214 844, www.surryhillsfestival.org.au.

HANDBAGS

From tiny velvet clutches designed to carry handkerchiefs to the oversized totes of today, see how handbags have changed over the years at Handbags Through The Ages. Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm, Queen Victoria Building,

George Street, city, free, www.qvb.com.au.

Midweek

CARNIVAL

Spend the night in Rio at Establishment's Carnival night, featuring samba dancers, conga lines, podium girls in feathers and beads (pictured), complimentary Coronas, and the sexy sounds of La Fiesta Sound System. Friday, 9pm, Establishment, 252 George Street, city, free, 9240 3000, www.merivale.com.

SUSTAINABLE SYDNEY

World-renowned Danish architect Jan Gehl will present his recommendations for improving Sydney at this talk, which is the first of the Sustainable Sydney 2030 City Talks. He will also announce the findings of a Public Life and Public Spaces survey he conducted late last year. Wednesday, 6.30pm-8pm, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, city, free, 8256 2222, www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

DEAR MR RUDD

A panel of leading thinkers, including former WA premier Geoff Gallop and professor Robert Manne, will discuss the future of Australia under a Rudd Government at the Sydney Ideas Forum, a preview to the Government's 2020 summit to be held later this month. Monday, 6.30pm, Seymour Centre, corner of City Road and Cleveland Street, $20, 9351 7940, www.usyd.edu.au/sydneyideas.

SPUD PLANTING

Eat, plant and play with purple Congo, pink fir apple and other rare potatoes at Spudz4kidz, a program celebrating the 2008 UN Year of the Potato. Monday-Thursday, 10.30am-noon and 1pm-2.30pm, Royal Botanic Gardens, city, $11, 9231 8134, 9231 8331, www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

FOR THE DIARY

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

The famous blue and yellow Cirque du Soleil big top returns to Sydney with its new show Dralion, a fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the modern style of Cirque du Soleil, performed by more than 70 artists from 19 countries. July 17-August 17, Showring, the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, $69-$109, 1300 130 300, www.cirquedusoleil.com.

BOEING BOEING

First performed in the 1960s, this play is one of the most successful comedies of all time. This production stars Newstopia's Shaun Micallef, Sea Patrol's Sibylla Budd, Home and Away's Rachel Gordon and Helen Dallimore. June 7, Theatre Royal, 108 King Street, Sydney, $89, 1300 795 012, www.ticketek.com.au.

ROGUE TRADERS

See ex-Neighbours starlet and host of So You Think You Can Dance? Natalie Bassingthwaite (pictured), James Ash, Danny Spencer and Cameron McGlinchey perform their hits including Voodoo Child, Watching You and I Never Liked You. Saturday, 6pm, May 15, Luna Park, Milsons Point, from $51, 136 100, www.ticketmaster.com.au.

CINDERELLA ON ICE

The third production by the world famous Imperial Ice Stars, Cinderella On Ice features 23 Russian ice dancers who will perform never-before-seen tricks. Choreographed by Tony Mercer. August 22-31, Theatre Royal, 108 King Street, city,

$59, 1300 795 012, www.ticketek.com.au.

Excursion

LITTLE BAY

You'd better hurry if you want to enjoy the quiet of Little Bay. Landcom is busy building huge apartment blocks between Anzac Parade and the beach and in a couple of years' time, if the "mature accommodation" signs are indicative, Little Bay will be awash with the elderly, sunning themselves before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

Head off Anzac Parade and drive towards the ocean until you reach Lister Avenue. There's parking just down the hill from the Australian Nurses' Interdenominational War Memorial Chapel, which is well worth a visit. It is open from 8am-4pm every day and the view through the window behind the altar is positively spiritual.

Beside the Surf Life Saving offices, there is a clearly marked path through The Coast Golf Club down to Little Bay Beach. This is one of Sydney's prettiest beaches. Being a golf course (pictured), the surroundings are green, manicured and lawn-like. And the beach itself is a delight: intimate, safe and edged by rocky cliffs.

The views north towards Buchan Point, which rises dramatically from the ocean, are some of the best in the Sydney basin. There are no shops, toilets or dressing sheds so come prepared. If you make the effort this is about as good as it gets when it comes to having a picnic beside the Pacific. And rumour has it that the fishing off the rock platform is rather good as well. Bruce Elder

For more information, see smh.com.au/travel/australia.

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