Weekend Picks: Beginnings and birthdays, festivals and finals

It’s all happening around the country this week: Word monkeys rejoice at Gold Coast Writers’ Festival, foreign film buffs can enjoy the Singapore Film Festival in Perth where rock lovers can experience the magic of Rock It Festival. Blues and roots fans can get their fix at Adelaide’s Backwater Blues and Roots Festival, Surry Hills Festival offers up all of the arts and culture, and Milpirri Festival celebrates the land and its people in the Top End. Also in the NT is foodie and fun chasers’ delight, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Canberra lights candles for its sister city, Nara, Japan and also gets to party with Hot Chelle Rae, while Brisbane are graced with Matchbox Twenty and the Clave Contra Clave Grand Final. Coffs Harbour and Newcastle recognise and rejoice in love and diversity, Melbourne’s Federation Square has its 10th birthday party, Cox Plate Day is on, and the Imperial Russian Ballet visits Ipswich, Toowoomba and Maryborough with their performance of Sleeping Beauty. Remember to check out the foodie fun at our Eat Your Heart Out spin-off site dedicated to all things to wow your tastebuds!    

It’s also your last chance for Sydney Rides Festival as it reaches the finish line, as does the Adelaide Fashion Festival, while it’s game over for Melbourne’s video game exhibition Game Masters.

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