Welcome to Giving Culture’s August 2025 update!
We were very sad to hear about David Stratton’s death earlier this month. Like many Australians, at Giving Culture we grew up influenced by David’s perspectives on film, especially as a champion of Australian cinema and our local film industry. We’ve booked in for the tribute screening of Singin’ in the Rain at the Randwick Ritz, which should be a fantastic celebration of David’s life and his immense contribution to the Australian film industry. We hope to see you there!
In addition to David Stratton’s tribute screening, there’s a lot happening in September. The Australian World Orchestra’s performances of Mahler 4 & 5 are on in Sydney and Melbourne in the first week, Australian Chamber Orchestra’s new national tour kicks off on 4 September, and Australian Theatre for Young People’s holiday workshops start at the end of the month.
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Australian Chamber Orchestra – A Musical Awakening
4–21 September
Touring to Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra invite you to take a deep breath and lean into a special program designed to nourish your soul. Directed by ACO Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve, the Orchestra will perform music by Max Richter, Beethoven, Hildegard von Bingen, Vivaldi and more alongside recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey. This concert is for everyone and anyone who wants to experience healing, renewal, invigoration and enlightenment.
https://www.aco.com.au/whats-on/2025/a-musical-awakening
To take advantage of ticket prices, it would be best to redeem either an ACO – Gold Voucher or ACO – Silver Voucher for these performances.
Australian World Orchestra: Last chance for tickets!
We are only just over a week away from the Australian World Orchestra’s performances of Mahler 4 & 5, conducted by Alexander Briger, a gala night presenting Mahler’s matchless symphonies back-to-back in one epic concert.
Experience the radiant melodies and childlike wonder of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, with delicate orchestration that offers subtle undercurrents of disquiet, followed by the turbulence and majesty of Symphony No. 5, a voyage from darkness to light highlighted by the luminous serenity of the famous Adagietto.
You can redeem your Gold or Silver Voucher for MAHLER 4&5 concerts in Melbourne on 3 September at Hamer Hall and in the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on 4 September. Don’t miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Vale David Stratton
Sydney Film Festival celebrates the incredible life and legacy of David Stratton AM, as we honour his passing announced last week by his family. Sydney Film Festival, and by extension the very culture of cinema in Australia, would not exist as it does today without the remarkable passion and devotion of David, who was the Festival Director from 1966 until 1983. You can read more from SFF Australian Documentary Programmer Jenny Neighbour here.
Upon his passing, David’s family encouraged everyone to “celebrate David’s remarkable life and legacy” by watching his favourite movie of all time, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. So, to honour David, we’re screening the classic Gene Kelly musical with the Randwick Ritz. Join us on Sunday 7 September at 4pm to remember David and celebrate his impact on our Festival and industry.
Australian Theatre for Young People
Spring into action this school holidays!
ATYP’s Holiday Drama Workshops are back with a jam-packed program for young performers, and they have just dropped the full line-up to help you plan the perfect break.
Bring stories to life with the power of music, dive into all things comedy, experience the thrill of improv, master the art of screen acting, and more! Designed for K-12 with no prior experience necessary.
Workshops are running from 29 September to 10 October 2024. You can check out the full holiday schedule here: https://atyp.com.au/workshops/holidays/.
You can redeem your Culture Voucher towards ATYP’s holiday workshops by choosing either ATYP – SCHOOL’S OUT for silver vouchers or ATYP – GET DRAMATIC for gold vouchers.