Detail: Ghent Altarpiece, Chapel Cathedral of Saint Bavo, Ghent, Belgium, by Hubert and Jan Von Eyck
Making music and singing carols is part of a feast of ideas celebrating both community and culture at Christmas time all around the world.
My Christmas List for 2015 is all about giving gifts to adults that enable family and friends to celebrate both the visual and performance arts, as well as the evolution of both our society and culture all year long.
Wherever you are in the world from The Met in New York to the V & A in London, from the National Grand Theatre Concert Hall in Beijing to the Deutsche Oper in Berlin and from the Royal Albert Hall at London to the Opera House Sydney and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, there are remarkable arts and cultural events and artists needing support.
Tickets to landmark city or local country events make a great gift that keeps on giving all year long.
There are festivals being held everywhere at anyone time, which offer outstanding opportunities for people to enjoy the visual or performance arts of their choice. Festivals in cities in Australia, include the Brisbane Baroque Festival 2016 .
They certainly have a great deal to offer fans, followers and supporters.
Give your friends a night out enjoying a performing arts experience they will love. Unable to attend a performance live?
Help family and friends enjoy their favourite music on CD or by downloading single songs or albums from favourite artists via iTunes. They offer gift vouchers starting at $10.
Physical tickets to shows in town or to your favourite ensemble music group and theatre production are also a great idea.
Other ideas include memberships to Arts and Culture Institutions, including The National Trust.
Then there are one off exhibitions such as Marilyn coming to the glorious rural location of the Bendigo Art Gallery in Victoria starting March 2016.
A Gold Movie Pass to Palace Cinemas for movie buffs and older relatives will ensure that they thank you forever. So here’s my list:
Musicals
Cats the Musical – Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
Singing in the Rain – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth
Sound of Music – Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
Georgy Girl The Seekers Musical – Sydney and Melbourne
Ladies in Black – Queensland and Melbourne
Ballet & Music Institutions with Annual Programs, Subscriptions and Single
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra | Australian Chamber Orchestra | Australian World Orchestra
Australian Ballet | Queensland Ballet | West Australian Ballet | Melbourne Ballet Company | Sydney Dance Company | Bangarra Dance Theatre
Symphony Orchestras
Subscriptions or Certificates to attend a Concert of their choice.
NSW | VIC | S.A. | W.A. | N.T. | QLD, | TAS
Opera Companies in Australia
Opera Australia | Victorian Opera | Melbourne Opera | Opera Queensland | West Australian Opera | State Opera of South Australia | WotOpera | Pinchgut Opera
Galleries in Australia offering a Membership Program
National Gallery of Victoria | Bendigo Art Gallery | Art Gallery NSW | QAGOMA | Art Gallery of South Australia | National Gallery of Australia
Theatre Companies in Australia offering a Subscription Season and Single Events
Sydney Theatre Company | Bell Shakespeare | Melbourne Theatre Company | Queensland Theatre Company | State Theatre Company South Australia | Tasmanian Theatre Company | Theatre Royal Tasmania |Black Swan Theatre Company Western Australia | Darwin Theatre Company
Don’t forget
Search Online for events in your local community.
If all else fails, a home made Christmas pudding is a good choice. Give your friends a taste sensation, with leftovers that will last as long as the last crumb does, created and cooked with love; gather Carolyn’s Mum Rita’s Recipe for Xmas Pudding in a Cloth and make it as a special surprise.
Carolyn McDowall, The Culture Concept Circle, 2015
