The Weekender: August 8 – 10
GET around the Bendigo Writers Festival, shop at the Somers Winter Market, get travel tips at the Discover the Americas Travel Expo or enjoy a free jazz/classical music concert down at Monash University. Daniel Driscoll has the lowdown on what’s on this weekend!
Bendigo Writers Festival
Friday, August 8 – Sunday, August 10 (Various times); The Capital Theatre (50 View St, Bendigo, Victoria)
Image: Casey Fleser via Flickr
The annual Bendigo Writers Festival is on at The Capital Theatre. The three day literary event, designed for readers and writers alike is a celebration and examination of writing in its many forms. Guest speakers will cover a range of interesting topics of discussion and might just have you looking at the craft a little differently before the weekend’s finished.
About 100 writers will be participating in the festival and more than50 sessions will be available to the public. Special guest writers will include Blanche d’Alpuget, novelist and biographer of Bob Hawke and Australia’s unofficial poet laureate Les Murray whose vision of Australia has travelled all over the world.
Lifestyle and well-being authors will be giving talks including diet researcher Catherine Itsiopoulos. A whole run of well known Australian writers will be giving talks including Raimond Gaita, author of My Father Romulus and Gary Disher, author of nearly 50 books.
Jess Anastasi will host editorial coordinator Alaina Gougoulis, editor Lyn White, critic James Ley and publicist Alan Davidson in an interactive session about what makes a book publishable. You can also take your chance at pitching your writing project to the panel and receive constructive feedback by registering on the site.
Throughout the weekend there is also a free program of short events in the Hub, celebrating with writers and their new books.
This year, event organisers have introduced a convenient Festival Taster pass (2 sessions of your choice), as well as a new Premium pass (valid all weekend). Keynote addresses are individually ticketed.
For more info and to book tickets head to the festival’s website.
Somers Winter Market
Saturday, August 9 (10.00am – 3.00pm); Coolart Wetlands and Homestead (Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC)
Image: Frankzed via Flickr
The seventh annual Somers Winter Market is on at the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead.
Check out the hand-made wares by local artisans in the grounds of the historic mansion, enjoy some music with a DJ and ‘live’ entertainment, grab a drink from the wine bar marquee and enjoy some winter foods.
The market is spread around the grounds of the homestead which you can explore while you enjoy some winter foods including mouthwatering sea food and chocolate. Hit up the wine bar marquee to enjoy a selection of local wine, cider or beer.
Live entertainment will be supplied by Texan turned Melbournite, Thomas Hugh on the verandah of the homestead with his own brand of acoustic indie rock or you can jump around to DJ A13’s beats in the main marquee.
Entry to the market is by gold coin donation and proceeds will go to the local Somers Pre School.
Enjoy a great day out for a good cause!
For more info head to the market’s website.
Discover the Americas Travel Expo
Sunday, August 10 (10.00am – 5.00pm); Melbourne Exhibition Centre (2 Clarendon St, South Wharf, Melbourne)
Image: Ben Salter via Flickr
Thinking of travelling around the Americas but unsure of what to do, where to go or how much to spend on? This weekend, the Discover the Americas Travel Expo at the Exhibition Centre will answer these questions and more!Entry is free, so have a look around, chat to those in the know and maybe even book your next holiday while your’e there.
You’ll be able to research destinations, compare prices and even book a holiday on the spot to destinations including Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, South America and the USA. There’ll be a huge range of information and hundreds of exclusive deals on the day!
Enjoy free presentations and let the experts help you plan, book and most importantly save some money on that next big trip!
For more info head to the expo’s site.
Free Concert at Monash University
Sunday, August 10 (2.30pm); Robert Blackwood Hall Monash University (Wellington Rd, Clayton)
Image: Mark Skipper via Flickr
Enjoy both jazz and classical music as the Monash Academy Orchestra and members of the Monash University Big Band present a program that encompasses both styles of music.
The free concert is conducted by award-winning Australian conductor Fabian Russell who will be leading the band through music from John Adams, Maurice Ravel, Duke Ellington and Don Banks.
The show takes place at Robert Blackwood Hall and runs for approximately two hours with a 20 minute interval.
If you like big band or classical music then head along for a great afternoon of classic songs!