I LOVE buying gifts, and I used to be really good at it, but now the only person I excel at buying lovely things for is myself. This self-absorbed style journey does not cut it at Christmas time though.
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I also don’t think people like receiving “things” as much as in times past. A gift had good intentions and a partial joy attached to it. When I ask my children what they want for Christmas or for their birthday they answer with stone cold pragmatism … money.
My recommendation to circumnavigate the giving of cold, hard cash is to buy an experience. Given what my role is in life, it will come as no surprise that I recommend an experience at the theatre.
My husband, Alf, is a keen mountain biker and for his birthday this year, I bought him tickets to the Banff Mountain Film Festival. I’m not into adventure movies but I thought I’ll endure it because I love him. The marketing message said I’d experience incredible highs and agonising lows through the lenses of some of the most accomplished climbers, paddlers, skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, mountain bikers, explorers and adventure filmmakers alive today. It was wonderful. The short films had heart, they were exceptionally well made and it turned into one of our best ‘date nights’ this year. In 2018, the Banff Mountain Film Festival will be at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday, May 29 at 7pm.
Another exceptional experience that Alf and I enjoyed this year was seeing The Whitlams 25th Anniversary Concert in Canberra. There’s no need for you to travel so far in 2018 as the band round out their tour with a visit to Wagga on Friday, June 22. The Whitlams' line-up of Tim Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Warwick Hornby on bass and Terepai Richmond on drums will be delivering the sort of sprawling, rambunctious set they have become famous for. The band has an impressive backlist and still plays with passion and precision. They are ditching the conductor and the charts, and are back to the common muscle-memory of 1000 shows and six albums.
Ross Noble is a familiar face at the Civic Theatre but it’s been a while since his last visit. The Daily Telegraph in the UK called him “one of comedy's greatest marvels”; he is a surrealist connoisseur and story spinner. Ross will return to Wagga on Wednesday, April 18 at 8pm with his new show, El Hablador. Join the master of improvisational stand up as he takes you on a wild ride through his imagination. It will be a guaranteed night of nonsense from one of the world’s best comedians.
The theatre will launch the 2018 Season on Thursday, November 30 and while the line-up is secret until then I can assure you that once again, a variety of genres and styles will be on offer. If you’re really not sure what might appeal to the gift recipient there’s always the solid gold gift certificate option. New shows go on sale all the time; check out what’s available at www.civictheatre.com.au.
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THE Air Force Band will present Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite in their only public concert in Wagga this year on Tuesday, November 28 at 7.30pm. This musical masterpiece, which thrust Stravinsky into the limelight, is beautifully transcribed for wind band and delivers a breathtaking depiction of the magical ballet.
Also featured in the program are the Air Force Big Band, vocalist Corporal Roxanne Moxham and the Air Force Fifes and Drums.
This is a free concert however tickets are required.
Tickets can be secured online at www.civictheatre.com.au or by phoning the Civic Theatre on 6926 9688.