The best gigs, concerts and galleries online.
With national exhibitions, musical classics and culture for kids all available virtually, here is your complete digital culture guide.
With the pandemic greatly impacting the arts, creatives have pioneered a way to continue performing, albeit from the silver laptop screen.
From streaming from one living room to the next to unearthing never seen before pieces, the arts have illustrated their ability to adapt, even in the most dire of situations.
With some distancing regulations lifting, seasons and festivals have one foot in the digital world and another in the real one. With all fingers crossed, we are slowly seeing a reintegration of physical, live art.
Sydneysiders can count their lucky stars for this fortunate change of events.
Having been originally planned to exhibit in Melbourne’s south, due to ongoing lockdown conditions, the touring Van Gogh Alive exhibition will instead show in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.
The immersive experience features large scale moving projections of Van Gogh’s work that shift in harmony to companying sounds and smells.
With a mandatory mask regulation, hand sanitiser stations, time limited tickets and temperature checks, enjoy the work of one of the greatest artists of 19th century in a very 2020 way.
WHEN: September 18- August 8.
Join the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on October 30, to catch a live-streamed performance from the Federation Concert Hall, Hobart. The program includes an original piece by local composer Tim Jones, The Mountain. The program also features Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and Steven Verhelst’s Devil’s Waltz. Tune in through the TSO website.
WHEN: October 30.
Listen to the premiere of Galpu Songman Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi’s newest piece, Miyapunu. Arranged for a full orchestra and a youth choir, the premiere is programmed alongside Haydn's Cello Concerto No.1 in C major and Sibelius’ Symphony No.2. To be performed at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
WHEN: 7pm, October 31.
Streaming fortnightly on Thursdays at 7.30pm, claim your free seat on MSO's Youtube channel.
The best of classical music can be viewed live from your homey box seats, presenting a collection of previously recorded recitals introduced by MSO musicians from their own abodes.
Previously streamed shows can also be viewed after their premiere on their youtube channel. Featuring the Circa Contemporary Circus, relive the symphony’s February 2020 performance of Beethoven Symphony No.9. The recital also includes Deborah Cheetham’s 'Dutala, star filled sky', a piece inspired by Beethoven’s Ninth.
WHEN: Thursdays, 7.30pm
TELSTRA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AWARDS
The longest-running art awards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists jumps onto the digital world, allowing audiences across the world to see the work of the 65 finalists.
Finalists include graphic designer Jenna Lee, a Larrakia, Wardaman and Karajarri woman. In her work, Un/bound Passage, Lee has pulled apart and used the pages of a Ladybird history book of The Story of Captain Cook, folding them into little paper boats.
This year's winner, Ngarralja Tommy May’s etching Wirrkanja, is the culmination of the Wangkajunga/Walmajarri man’s three-decade-long career.
Curated by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, this year Australians can walk through physically as well as through a virtual gallery, even voting on their favourites for the Telstra People’s Choice Award.
WHEN: Now
Having already brought viewers talks from the likes of Nigella Lawson and Kevin McCloud, the Opera House’s digital season brings a range of archived, live and premiering performances.
On demand from October 10th on the SOH website, the Sydney Chamber Opera returns to the stage in a very COVID way. Due to restrictions, singers can never sing at the same time, making Leos Janacek’s Diary of One Who Disappeared prime for the picking. Following a man who fleeting meets a woman and quickly becomes consumed by the prospect of romance, this story of unrequited love portrays the haunting side effects of such ideals.
The physically distanced performance features Andrew Goodwin and Jessica O’Donoghue.
Learn about the dangers of data privacy invasions and them being used to influence future elections with whistleblower Christopher Wylie and Russian investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov. Hosted by Lenore Taylor, catch this discussion of information and algorithms at 8pm, October 2.
The importance of diversity and authorship by and for First Nations people is talked about in The Art of Sovereignty. Streaming at 4pm on October 4, filmed from the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
The digital season hasn’t skipped on the kid-friendly activities either. Music playlists, videos and craft workshops will help keep little ones busy. Catch the stage adaption for Margaret Wild and Jane Tanner’s There’s a Sea in My Bedroom. The story follows the young David who is scared of the sea. One day he takes a conch home and hears the waves trapped inside. Featuring a score performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the lead is played by Jack Richardson and directed by Tim McGarry.
The weekly program is announced on Tuesdays on the Opera House website.
WHEN: Various dates.
With the pandemic restrictions continuing to push the prospect of live performances further into the future, the Arts Centre Melbourne presents season two of Big Night In. The weekly streamed show features performances by artists and musicians, accompanied by the Aussie Pop Orchestra. Previous performances featured Eddie Perfect, Christine Anu,Gretel Killeen and Casey Donovan. The stream can be found on the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Youtube and Facebook.
WHEN: Wednesdays, 7pm.
Stroll at your own leisure through the exhibitions and collections at the NGV with their virtual tours. The gallery’s recent hit, Crossing Lines, presents the work of two of the most influential artists of the late twentieth century, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Illustrating how the two artists were interconnected personally and in practice, the NGV exclusive follows how they rose from New York street art into the mainstream. Olympia: Photographs by Polixeni Papapetrou exhibits the Australian photographers work concerning her daughter Olympia, considering the shift her child made to her images. Exhibited pieces cover the period between Olympia’s birth (1997) until the artist’s death (2018).
Visit the gallery’s website for an array of events and activities for the entire family. The Under 5s: Hermannsburg Potters online session gives families the opportunity to let their little ones engage with a discussion concerning art-making. This session looks into a small group of artists outside of Alice Springs, the Hermannsburg Potters. Their pottery tell stories of their culture, colourful terracotta depicting their past and present. Tune into their website on October 8, 10am.
Join The NGV’s curators Wayne Crothers and Annika Aitkens on October 2, 12pm, as they illustrate the importance of the galleries' recent Korean acquisitions. The first of such acquisitions include a rare eighteenth century moon jar.
WHEN: Various dates.
Showcasing mini-exhibitions, art-making workshops, articles and behind the scene tours, the gallery’s ‘Together in Art’ seeks to inspire all throughout isolation. Offering classes hosted by renowned Australian practitioners, audiences are invited into the artist's private world, teaching skills specific to their work.
In one of the most recent workshops, join artist Desmond Lazaro and his son as he explains how to make a flower pattern. Combining organic and geometric elements, the audience is led through the creation of the paper-bound bloom. Other classes include the likes of Tony Albert, Adrienne Doig and Ben Quilty.
The annual national competitions, the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes have all been delayed to later in the year. After attaining your timed ticket, walk through this year's finalist. Amongst the finalist as the winner of the Packing Room Prize, Wongutha-Yamatji man Meyne Wyatt’s self portrait.
The winner of this years Archibald prize is Vincent Namatjira’s ‘Stand strong for who you are’, a portrait of the former footballer Adam Goodes and Namatjira.
WHEN: Now
Black Swan’s Home Theatre streams new content from the state’s flagship theatre company. With such series as Our Place in This World, the companies executive director Rick Heath joins executives from other organisations across the world to discuss the role of the arts during the pandemic. With four parts to the series already up on the Black Swan website, previous sessions include the likes of the Director of Public Forum at The Public Theatre, New York (US) and the Head of Culture, Leisure Sport and Tourism at Durham County Council (UK).
WHEN: Now
One-third of the venues included in the Museum of Applied Arts and Science, Sydney’s Powerhouse museum showcases innovation in design and their impact on the nation and the world. Now reopened to the public, visitors are welcome to wander through the permanent and new exhibitions.
Hybrid: Objects for Future Homes presents the commissioned work of nine design studios in collaborations with researchers. Teams were given the project brief to explore the role of the home in 2030, investigating the quickly changing global environment.
Walkthrough the largest retrospective of Australia’s frontier guitar manufacturer, Maton: Australia’s Guitar.
Born in Melbourne, woodwork teacher and luthier Bill May founded the renowned company out of his own garage, having since created over 200 guitar models. The exhibition includes such pieces as the The Easybeats’ guitarist Harry Vanda’s guitar used to create the classic, “Friday on My Mind”.
WHEN: Various dates.
TASMANIAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
Reopened to the public, the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery exhibits some of the best work the state has to offer.
Walk through a showcase of Launceston artist Stephanie Dean studies of Tasmania’s native flora. Interested in the topic since her childhood, Dean has devoted her life to depicting the natural worlds surrounding her.
Focusing on portraits and artworks that illustrate vanity and mortality, the all too relevant exhibition This Too Shall Pass presents an array of pieces from TMAG’s collection.
WHEN: Various dates.
In the midst of physical distancing, the MCA have an array of online and physical exhibitions, allowing audiences from across the country to be involved.
The work of Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee exhibits in Moon in Dew Drop. This survey presents Lee’s work that draws upon her Australian and Chinese heritage, influenced by the philosophies of Daoism and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism. 70 pieces from across the artists extensive career opens on October 2.
WHEN: Opens October 2.
WEST AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
In the midst of concert cancellation, the WASO has started publishing more and more publicly accessible content onto their website. Sounds & Stories is a collection of reviews, interviews and articles that give us a backstage view of the symphony orchestra until their staged return in October.
Such online content includes principal orchestra members disclosing their concert preparation in Pre-Concert Prep and another principal giving a tour of their instrument workshop in Workshop Wonders. The cast of WASO is brought to life as audiences are given a close look into their practices.
The orchestra is to return at 7.30pm on October 1 and 4 as Jessica Gethin conducts the overture of Bernstein’s Candide, Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Suite No.1 and Orff’s Carmina Burana. This performance will be Gethin’s WASO debut.
WHEN: Various dates.
In the hopes of accompanying homebound patron and casual viewers, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra is offering a free online series of recitals starring ASO musicians. Although unable to capture the embodied feeling of being in a live concert, it’s hard not to see the magic in such beautiful pieces.
Although free to view, the symphony is encouraging audiences to donate. If you’re craving some classical music, stream violin player Emma Perkins’ performing Kreislers’ Recitative & Scherzo.
WHEN: Now
The Sydney based theatre company has reopened after a six-month closure.
Their first production back is a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own. Directed by Carissa Licciardello, the piece investigates the need for new spaces as well as illustrating a change in the ownership of story-making. This feminist piece is witty and poetic, staring Anita Hegh and Ella Prince.
WHEN: Until October 18.
STC’s virtual series showcases personal videos from Australia’s favourite actors, directors and writers. Each week, creatives present conversations and readings from plays and novels. Log on at 4pm on October 10 for a live virtual reading of a draft of James Elazzi’s play in development, Fat Fatima. This virtual reading is a part of the STC’s Rough Drafts series, an initiative to support new Australian work by providing artists the opportunity to experiment and grow ideas.
The company has returned to the stage, coming back with Wonnangatta. The performance has shifted stages from Sydney Opera House to the Roslyn Packer Theatre to allow for physical distancing. Written by Angus Cerini and directed by Jessica Arthur, the gothic mystery stars Wayne Blair and Hugo Weaving.
WHEN: Wonnangatta runs until October 31.
QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY & GALLERY OF MODERN ART
With free timed-entry tickets, the QAGOMA has reopened to a COVID safe audience.
Exhibitions include Cut It, a deep drive into the manner in which artists give images meaning. Curated by the Brisbane International Film Festival, with a focus on the media. Stills from pop culture have been collaged to re-contextualise social structures and our idea of iconography.
WHEN: Now
The centre has reopened and is once again the home to splendid live performances in the refurbished Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Although the 2020 Adelaide cabaret festival has been cancelled, one performance from the lineup remains. Returning from 2014, The Cowgirl and the Showgirl Ride Again stars singer/songwriters Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan. Showing from October 9-10.
WHEN: Opening October 9.
Catch horn players Sarah Barrett and Emma Gregan play the works of Handel and Mozart on the ASO website, available on demand until October 7. The pair perform Handel’s allegro, Air & Gigua and Mozart’s Menuetto & Allegro.
Described as ‘an Emperor among concertos’, Beethoven’s brilliant final piano concerto is to be performed by pianist Konstantin Shamray alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by the former principal Nicholas Braithwaite, the scheduled performance also includes the work of Dukas, Britten and Elgar. The orchestra is to play at the Festival Theatre on October 16, 6.30pm.
WHEN: Various dates.
Inspired by Blair Tindall’s book, Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs and Classic Music, PSO's Mozart by Candlelight seeks to bring the great’s work into the real world. Mozart’s pieces are played alongside his own letters to loved ones as well as music inspired by his life. PSO founder and CEO Bourby Webster directs the orchestra at the Perth Concert Hall.
WHEN: October 30.
With the grim reality of Victoria pushing the likelihood of live theatre into the future, the city’s theatre company has invested it’s time into audio ventures. MTC’s associate artistic director Sarah Goodes has collated a three-part, 4 and a half hour version of Henry James’ haunting novella, The Turn of the Screw. The company's associate director Petra Kalive has also created a series titled Great Australian Speeches illustrating the contrast between Indigenous Australian voices and moments from the history of white Australia.
Interested in knowing more? Read Peter Craven’s review.
WHEN: Both series are currently available via MTC’s website.
Western Australia’s state theatre centre is open with performances suited for the entire family.
Two unlikely friends join forces to help a hatchling in The Pigeon and The Albatross. Presented by Australian Baroque, this show brings together music and storytelling in a kid friendly tale of curiosity and kindness.
Circa Contemporary Circus’ Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus portrays the vibrant personality behind the classical genius. Notes are brought to life by the performance of circus members, created for audiences aged three and above.
WHEN: Both performances open on September 29.
Johannes Fritzsch conducts the symphony through Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 in C minor. Op.67, a piece sure to stir any listener, no matter how many times they’ve been lucky enough to hear it. The orchestra is also programmed to perform Richard Strauss’ tone poem, Don Juan. The program is to be performed at 11am, October 16 and 3pm and 7.30pm on October 17 at the QPAC’s Concert Hall.
WHEN: Various Dates.
Presenting new recordings, live-streamed performances as well as access to never seen before footage, ACO’s HomeCasts has taken advantage of this era of physical distancing.
Jump onto the ACO youtube channel to watch the Chamber Orchestra live as they perform a program including the work of such composers as Brahms, Arvo Part, Piazzolla and Walton.
The chamber orchestra is returning to the stage for the first time in six months on September 5-11. Taking to City Recital Hall, the orchestra plans a program including the work of Mendelssohn and Schoenberg.
Filmed from each performer's home, Richard Tognetti is featured in a cosy rendition of Shostakovich String Quartet No.8, now available on their youtube. Artistic Director Richard Tognetti, violin player Satu Vanska, viola player Stefanie Farrands and cellist Timo-Veikko Valve give a spellbinding performance of Shostakovich’s Eighth String Quartet.
WHEN: Now
Drama-hit Opera Australia changes tune after shock exit
The nation’s biggest performing arts company will not replace its artistic director role, just three weeks after the abrupt departure of Jo Davies.
Shogun makes history, Debicki claims crown at The Emmys
FX’s sweeping adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, set in 17th-century feudal Japan, has set a single-year record of 18 Emmy wins.