15 of the Best Events Around Australia this July
From major musical, theatrical and cinematic performances to fine art, sports and food and wine, we’ve narrowed down the 15 best events in Australia this month.
David Bowie Is
Handwritten lyrics, costumes, set designs and the artist’s own instruments are featured in the David Bowie Is exhibition. On loan from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the displays provide an unprecedented insight into the life of the Thin White Duke and celebrate his towering influence on music, pop culture and fashion. A must-see.
WHERE: Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne
WHEN: July 16 to November 1 
Revelation Perth International Film Festival
The Revelation Perth Film Festival is back for the 18th time with a stellar line-up of movies from all over the world. Our top pick is The Tribe, a Ukrainian drama about deaf boarding-school students. Entirely played out in sign language, the movie has collected awards at film festivals around the world, including Cannes and London.
WHERE: Perth
WHEN: July 2-12 
Matilda the Musical
Based on Roald Dahl’s novel and produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company, Matilda the Musical is the story of a young girl who dreams of an extraordinary life. The production, which has been lauded as “the standout musical of the decade” by the UK’s Sunday Times, features music and lyrics by Perth-raised Tim Minchin.
WHERE: Sydney Lyric Theatre
WHEN: From July 28 
Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers
The wines of this region age beautifully. During this month-long festival, the Coonawarra winemakers dig out some exceptional drops from their cellars, giving wine lovers a great opportunity to taste and buy rare vintages. Visitors have the option of simply dropping by cellar doors or booking in for special dinners and dégustations.
WHERE: Coonawarra
WHEN: July 1-31
Liverpool Football Club vs Brisbane Roar/Adelaide United
As part of their pre-season 2015 tour, the Liverpool Football Club – 18 times champions of England and five times champions of Europe – will play in Australia. Watch them go head to head with Brisbane Roar on July 17, followed by their match against Adelaide United three days later.
WHERE: Brisbane and Adelaide
WHEN: July 17 (Brisbane); July 20 (Adelaide) 
The Truffle Festival
Some 50 venues spread over 200 kilometres will host 200 events, all focusing on one star ingredient: the black Périgord truffle. Savour a truffle-themed meal at a restaurant such as Flint in the Vines or sign up for a truffle-cooking masterclass. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not head to a nearby farm for a spot of truffle hunting?
WHERE: Canberra and surrounds
WHEN: Until late August 
2015 Festival of Voices
Grammy Award-winners Sweet Honey in the Rock – an African-American ensemble – headlines Tasmania’s Festival of Voices, an extravaganza of musical styles. Don’t miss the City of Hobart Bonfire & Big Sing at Salamanca Place on July 10. There will also be pop-up performances by choirs everywhere from hotel lobbies to markets.
WHERE: Hobart and Launceston
WHEN: July 2-12 (Hobart); July 14-16 (Launceston) 
Western Australian Indigenous Art Awards
Fourteen artists have been shortlisted for the richest Indigenous art prizes in the country and their works will be part of the Indigenous Art Awards exhibition, which celebrates diversity from all corners of Australia. The overall winner will be announced on opening night.
WHERE: Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
WHEN: July 4 to October 12 
Gold Coast Airport Marathon
One of the flattest and most scenic courses in the world will be the site of the 37th Gold Coast Marathon. Take in spectacular coastline views as you negotiate the course. Not up for the full 42km? Over the weekend, there will also be a half marathon, 10km run, 5.7km challenge and – for the kids – 2km and 4km Junior Dashes.
WHERE: Gold Coast
WHEN: July 4-5 
The Dog / The Cat
Two plays – The Dog and The Cat – penned by two different playwrights (Brendan Cowell and Lally Katz) – are interwoven into one evening of drama by director Ralph Myers. It’s comic, it’s irreverent and it’s romantic. It also doesn’t hurt that Xavier Samuel (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) is starring.
WHERE: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills
WHEN: Until July 26 
Alice Springs Show
It’s the return of the Flying Pigs! The stars of the Alice Springs Show are back three times a day with their unique aerial act. This much-loved annual agricultural event at Blatherskite Park also offers activities for the kids, from cooking classes to workshops at Viv’s Animal Farm, and all the usual show treats including the nightly fireworks.
WHERE: Alice Springs
WHEN: July 3-4 
Australian World Orchestra concerts
The musical director of the Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle, will conduct three Australian World Orchestra concerts. The events will see more than 95 Australian musicians and 45 of the world’s leading orchestras and ensembles perform together.
WHERE: Sydney and Melbourne
WHEN: July 29 and 31 (Sydney); August 1 (Melbourne) 
Circus Under My Bed
Australia’s most talented young circus artists – aged nine to 19 – come together in Flying Fruit Fly Circus’s latest show, Circus Under My Bed. With impressive tricks and a few whimsical characters, the production – nominated as Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production at the 2014 Helpmann Awards – takes viewers into a little girl’s big imagination.
WHERE: Canberra Theatre Centre
WHEN: July 16-18 
Happy Days
A woman finds herself buried to her waist under a mound of earth in the blazing sun. Will she struggle to survive or simply give up? Director Wesley Enoch tackles the plot in Samuel Beckett’s surreal masterpiece Happy Days. Starring Carol Burns as Winnie, this is a powerful tale of resilience and indomitability of the spirit.
WHERE: Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane
WHEN: July 18 to August 15 
La Traviata
Australian soprano Lorina Gore steps into the role of Violetta – the famous Parisian courtesan – in Giuseppe Verdi’s 17th-century three-act opera, La Traviata. With lavish sets, flowing costumes and rousing music, there’s plenty to keep you mesmerised. Verdi specialist Renato Palumbo conducts the opera, with tenor Rame Lahaj making his Australian debut. 
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
WHEN: July 3-22 
