Welcome to Giving Culture’s June 2024 update and news from our partners.
We’re also very pleased to be supporting Limelight with a special offer for new subscribers to the magazine. Limelight plays an important role in covering and promoting the Australian arts and culture scene, and we look forward to presenting four lucky new subscribers with a Gold Culture Voucher in a couple of months’ time! Find out how to subscribe here.
If you’d like more information about Giving Culture, contact us or sign up to our monthly emails at givingculture.com.au/contact.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Silence & Rapture touring nationally in August
The Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company reunite for the first time since 2015 in Silence & Rapture, an immersive showcase of music, dance, vocals and breathtaking lighting.
Hailed as “two of our most innovative, new music-embracing ensembles” (Limelight), this all-star collaboration is directed by Richard Tognetti, with evocative choreography by Rafael Bonachela, and features Grammy Award-winning countertenor Iestyn Davies in his long-awaited Australian debut.
Featuring the sublime music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt, you’ll transcend centuries on an immersive journey into the human soul, in a concert experience that promises to be a 2024 ACO season highlight.
From 2-19 August in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane
Book: https://www.aco.com.au/whats-on/2024/silence-and-rapture. Culture vouchers for these shows can be redeemed here.
Australian Theatre for Young People
The cool change in the air means Winter holidays are just around the corner and so are ATYP holiday Workshops! Available for school years K–12 and all experience levels, workshops range from 2 to 5 days. There really is something for everyone – check out some highlights below.
Years K-2: The Monster at the End of this Workshop
When: 9:30am – 3:30pm, Monday 15 – Friday 19 July
Wait, what did that title say? There is a MONSTER at the end of this workshop, that sounds scary, right? What kind of monster will it be? Where do they live, what do they eat and what do they do all day? The choice is yours! Led by an experienced ATYP teaching artist, students will develop story-telling techniques, create monster characters, make new friends and surprise your family and friends with a monstrously good show at the end of the workshop.
Years 3-4: The Newsroom
When: 9:30am – 3:30pm, Monday 15 – Friday 19 July
Isn’t the news just crazy?!? I mean, you can’t write some of this stuff . . . can you? These holidays we are handing control of the story over to you to explore the world of a busy newsroom. You will create your own broadcast containing not only news, but commercials and drama skits too! Step into the shoes of a reporter breaking the news, your favourite weather person or maybe even a celebrity. Learn the art of interviewing, writing and acting. Get your best broadcaster voice ready because you are going live in three, two, one!
Years 7-9: In on the Act: Shack
When: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday 8 – Friday 12 July
These holidays, ATYP is diving into our library of amazing scripts so students can immerse themselves in one of our plays commissioned for 10–13-year-olds. Participants will have an Antarctic adventure as they explore Shack by George Kemp. Read the play, choose your favourite scenes and monologues then discover how to create three-dimensional characters and performances. Work on articulation and projection and learn how to hold an audience’s attention. Learn about script analysis, establishing subtext, clarifying intention, sharing focus and building tension. Invite your family and friends at the end of the week to share with them your parts of this exciting play for young performers.
Check out the full program for ATYP’s Winter Holiday Workshops. You can redeem your Culture Voucher towards drama workshops by choosing either ATYP – SCHOOL’S OUT for silver vouchers or ATYP – GET DRAMATIC for gold vouchers.
Sydney Film Festival
The 71st Sydney Film Festival awarded its largest ever prize pool at the Closing Night ceremony, including the prestigious Sydney Film Prize to the Italian film There’s Still Tomorrow directed by and starring Paola Cortellesi. [It was also Giving Culture’s favourite film this year, from the selection we attended!]
Winning films in previous years were: The Mother of All Lies (2023); Close (2022); There Is No Evil (2021); Parasite (2019); The Heiresses (2018); On Body and Soul (2017); Aquarius (2016); Arabian Nights (2015); Two Days, One Night (2014); Only God Forgives (2013); Alps (2012); A Separation (2011); Heartbeats (2010); Bronson (2009); and Hunger (2008).
The Documentary Australia Award was presented to James Bradley for Welcome to Babel and the winner of the First Nations Award was New Zealand filmmaker Awanui Simich-Pene’s short film First Horse. You can see the full list of award-winners here.