Events You Need to Know About in January 2019
All the top events across Australia in January 2019, plus a sneak peek at what's on in February.
VIC
Baldessin/Whiteley: Parallel Visions
Until 28 January | National Gallery of Victoria
Artworks by greats Brett Whiteley and George Baldessin are exhibited together for the first time, painting a picture of life in Australia during the 1960s and ‘70s from two very different perspectives.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
From 16 January | Princess Theatre, Melbourne
The Hogwarts Express comes to Melbourne for its only Australian season. The multi-award-winning show has set box-office records here – more than 200,000 pre-sale tickets flew out the door. Wands
at the ready!
Cricket One Day International: Australia vs India
18 January | Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Indian team stare down the Aussies at the MCG in the final clash of its two-month tour of the nation.
Tennis Australian Open
14-27 January | Melbourne Park
The 2019 Grand Slam season begins with the Australian Open, which sees the tennis world’s top players compete over two exciting weeks.
Frida Kahlo, Her Photos
Until 10 February | Bendigo Art Gallery
Taken from a private collection housed at Kahlo’s Casa Azul, the famous blue house where Frida Kahlo grew up in Mexico City, this series of personal and historical images reveal the interests and passions of the famed artist.
Next Month: St Kilda Festival
10 February | St Kilda foreshore, Melbourne
A celebration of summer, this free event is back for another year. Enjoy music from top Australian talent, plus rides, buskers, kids’ entertainment, dance and more.
NSW
Turandot
15 January-30 March | Sydney Opera House
There’s something about the opening notes of the aria Nessun Dorma that continue to strike a chord with audiences the world over. Don’t miss the chance to hear it live, as Puccini’s epic opera about a ruthless princess and the man who loves her takes to the stage.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
From 5 January | Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Enter a world of pure imagination as Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory opens its doors to those who secured a golden ticket.
Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition
Until 10 June | Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Visiting the harbour city from a galaxy far, far away, this interactive exhibition – featuring original costumes and props from the movie series – is perfect for all those young wannabe Jedis and Stormtroopers.
Sydney Festival
9-27 January | Various venues, Sydney
Featuring everything from a Cuban mambo band to riotous cabaret performances and the groundbreaking theatre of Indigenous writer and actor Ursula Yovich, the 2019 program is more eclectic than ever.
In the Heights
16-20 January | Sydney Opera House
Before Hamilton, there was In The Heights. Created by the master of musicals, Lin-Manuel Miranda, this Tony Award-winning ode to the Washington Heights community of New York heads to the Opera House for a limited run.
Next Month: World Rugby Sevens Series
1-3 February | Spotless Stadium, Sydney
The fast-paced tournament takes over the stadium at Olympic Park as the Aussies play host to 14 teams from around the world, including last year’s champs, South Africa.
ACT
Yayoi Kusama
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
The renowned Japanese artist unveils one of her famous infinity room installations, The Spirits of Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens 2015, as a permanent part of the gallery’s collection.
Storytime Ballet: Coppélia
17-19 January | Canberra Theatre Centre
The age-old tale of Swanilda, Franz and the mysterious Dr Coppelius is the ideal introduction to the world of classical ballet. This interactive staging created for children aged three and over will delight young and old alike.
NT
Big Bash Cricket: Scorchers vs Strikers
12-13 January | Traeger Park Oval, Alice Springs
The Big Bash League heads to the Territory for two hotly contested games between the Adelaide Strikers and the most successful team in the competition, the Perth Scorchers.
Spiders
Until 28 April | Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory
Look away now, arachnophobes! A joint initiative of the Australian Museum and Questacon, this exhibition includes live spiders, specimens and interactive displays, and shares fascinating insights into the lives and habits of these incredible creatures.
SA
Phil Collins
25 January | Adelaide Oval
The multiple Grammy winner brings his Not Dead Yet: Live! tour (and one of the greatest drum breaks in musical history) to Adelaide for one night only.
So Frenchy So Chic
11 January | Pinky Flat, Adelaide
Enjoy the glamour of a Parisian garden party in this North Adelaide park, with an all-female musical line-up and an abundance of French wine and food.
Next Month: St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
8 February | Harts Mill, Port Adelaide
Catch top Aussie acts Courtney Barnett and Gang of Youths, plus a host of international performers, at this touring festival. From here the line-up will hit the road to Melbourne and Fremantle.
WA
Florence + The Machine
12 January | RAC Arena, Perth
The ethereal sounds of the Brit indie rockers will entertain crowds in Perth before continuing around the country to play their latest studio album, High as Hope.
Mumford & Sons
27 January | RAC Arena, Perth
Fans have been waiting since 2015 for the London folk band to make their way Down Under again. Australia is one of the stops on a mammoth 60-date world arena tour to promote their new album, Delta.
Western Australian Circus Festival
19-20 January | Karridale
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages - roll up to Karridale for a celebration of the greatest show on earth. This year's line up includes international talent featured in cabaret, comedy shows and live bands alongside the acrobats, aerialists and circus classes that will help inspire a new generation of ringleaders.
Next Month: Perth Festival
8 February-3 March | Various venues, Perth
Australia’s longest-running arts festival is set to take over the city again, hosting dance, music and circus acts, plus the world premiere of the opera Ned Kelly, which will be staged in an old mill that has been converted into a theatre space.
QLD
Conversations with Nick Cave
11 and 12 January | HOTA, Gold Coast; Brisbane City Hall
The Australian alt-rock legend presents an intimate evening of music and conversation, with solo piano performances and a Q&A.
Jersey Boys
2-20 January | QPAC, Brisbane
This jukebox musical offers an insight into the ups and downs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, showcasing many of the American pop group’s best-loved tunes from the 1960s and ‘70s, such as Big Girls Don’t Cry and Sherry.
The Gruffalo’s Child
3-13 January | Gardens Theatre, Brisbane
A musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular children’s book – a sequel to the much-loved The Gruffalo – this production follows the Gruffalo’s child as she embarks on a wild and wonderful adventure of her own.
Next Month: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
25 February-2 March | QPAC, Brisbane
After wowing audiences in 2017, the Australian Ballet brings its sell-out interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic to Queensland’s capital for a short season.
TAS
Barnbougle Polo
19 January | Barnbougle, Bridport
The world-renowned golf course is transformed into a playing field for this annual tournament between some of the world’s best players and their sleek ponies.
Mona Foma
13-20 January | Various venues, Launceston
Making the move from Hobart to its temporary home in Launceston, Mofo is back and bigger than ever with its eclectic and unpredictable mix of art and music.
Cygnet Folk Festival
11-13 January | Cygnet
The state’s leading festival for all things folk returns for its 37th year. Highlights include Melbourne musician Clio Renner, and former leader of the Greens Bob Brown, who will host Earth Celebration,
a program of songs, readings and ideas to honour the planet.
Next month: Targa North West
16-17 February | North-western Tasmania
The need for speed consumes the Apple Isle as Porsche Targa cars take over highways around the north-western coast, with drivers facing 11 stages of competition over an 170-kilometre route.
