Hello people! Look alive, it's almost the weekend. Time to clean the shower, see your pals, or do nothing at all. Either way, if you're looking for things to do this weekend across Australia in May 2023 (that aren't just Vivid and Sydney Writers Festival) continue below. Until next week.
NSW
During the month of May, $1 from every Young Henrys Newtowner purchased at 14 Solotel venues will go towards raising funds for Farmers For Climate Action.
The girlies are heading to Carriageworks! Yes, it's that time of year again. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week has landed at our doorstep once more, here to put some spring in our step from May 15–19.
Step into Le Foote, the new Swillhouse venue in The Rocks, for its opening week.
Season VIII of programming at Phoenix Central Park starts from May 11. Hear from Babitha, Honey 2 Honey, Tom Snowden and more.
May 26 marks the last chance to register for the Incognito Art Show. Details on how to get involve are here.
On Thursday nights from May 11, Carriageworks will host a series of artist-led parties, with Frances Barrett set to present Mouth, a night focused around the voice on May 25.
The Australian Ballet presents Jewels, staged at the Sydney Opera House from 4 – 20 May.
Rico's Tacos will spend May 15–19 slinging tacos at Harry's with Josh Reynolds making drinks and wine curated by Shun Eto.
Playwright Nathan Maynard’s production of At What Cost? has its first season at Belvoir St Theatre from May 4–21, before embarking on an Australian tour.
Colson Whitehead, Bernardine Evaristo, Gabrielle Zevin and Eleanor Catton are just some of the authors you can hear from at Sydney Writers Festival, which takes place from May 22–28.
Sydney Comedy Festival returns from April 24 to May 21, with a huge lineup of local and international acts including the likes of Joe Lycett, Sara Pascoe, Kitty Flanagan and Nemr.
May is the month Vivid LIVE kicks off. There'll be music from Ethel Cain, Dev Hynes, Cat Power, Weyes Blood and more, as well as conversations from Jennifer Coolidge and a food program to get amongst. Learn more about the festival, here.
As part of Vivid LIVE, Chin Chin is hosting Play With Your Dinner, a sip and paint format where almost everything is edible.
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park is offering unique packages for anyone travelling into the CBD for Vivid. Part of the package includes a Vivid cocktail, rates starting from $329 per night, buffet breakfast and parking for one car.
On May 31, Semi Permanent will take over Carriageworks with three days of keynote talks, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations and installations helmed by figures across the creative industries. Explore the 2023 program here
Each Wednesday night in May, one of Waxflower’s resident DJs swaps Brunswick for Barangaroo and takes control of Rekōdo’s vinyl decks.
QLD
Running from May 10–28, Brisbane Art Design returns to Museum of Brisbane with a program of hands-on workshops, open studios, design talks and arty parties.
Ball Park Music, Spacey Jane, Meg Mac, Mallrat, Jen Cloher and Youngn Lipz are all touring through Brisbane in May 2023.
Brisbane Street Art Festival is inviting artists across the globe to enliven its public spaces with murals.
VIC
Melbourne Design Fair returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from May 18–21 .
Mom Publishing presents the book launch for Joey Knox on May 5 at A.N Studio in Fitzroy, who is releasing his book Marisa, a photographic journey across America about a country lost in translation.
Experience the photographs of Catherine Opie in the flesh at Heide Museum of Modern Art for the first survey of the artist's work in Australia.
YIRRAMBOI, Naarm’s First Nations arts and culture festival takes over the city’s streets, laneways and creative spaces for 10 days across May 4–14.
Executive Chef, Ryan Flaherty of Archer's Restaurant is preparing a menu to be paired with four unique and complex Australian whiskey expressions courtesy of Bakery Hill. Find out more, at Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands website.
WA
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts presents the world premiere season of Burrbgaja Yalirra 2 from dance company Marrugeku on May 17–20.
Alt-j, Mudhoney, Slayyyter, The Jungle Giants and Peach PRC are all touring through Perth in May.
Secure tickets to Perth Comedy Festival which includes the likes of Joe Lycett, Sara Pascoe, Reuben Kaye and more.
NT
Bass in the Grass music festival returns to Darwin on May 20, with artists like Baker Boy, Ocean Alley, San Cisco, Hooligan Hefs, and more set to perform.
Experience Taste of Kakadu between May 13–21 at Kakadu National Park, where Indigenous produce is spotlighted and ancient food traditions continued.
Artist Bruce Munro has unveiled his Light-Towers installation at Kings Canyon. Be sure to head to Discovery Parks to see it in the flesh.
TAS
The Jungle Giants, Urth Boy and The Buoys are just some of the artists touring through Hobart in May.
ACT
Sydney hardcore band SPEED is coming to The Basement on May 28.
Australian Chamber Orchestra presents A Clockwork Orange and Beyond on May 23.
The Mousetrap opens at Canberra Theatre for a season from May 11–21.
SA
Abbie Chatfield brings her The Trauma Dump tour to Thebarton Theatre on May 5. There are still tickets available!
If art is on the menu this weekend, take this guide to the exhibitions happening across Australia in May 2023.
Image: Pinterest
