Events
Big and famous, or small and impromptu, events in Central Australia often wryly mock grander traditions from other parts of the world. Things are usually done differently here.
CASA and the zen of tourism
Demographer Dean Carson from Charles Darwin University has a point when he says Alice Springs is moving away from a tourism-based economy – but I suspect there’s a lot more to it. Just about every academic opinion gets routinely oversimplified for the sake of radio news, so it would be unfair to judge Dean’s views via its passage from media release through the 8.30 news to the morning talk show. But the story of the Central Australian Supported Accommodation (CASA) service’s art program ...Read more
What a knock-out!
I had an unexpected visitor banging on the front door, just after I had reluctantly crawled out of bed. Just one loud knock; who could it be, at 7.30 am, I wondered grumpily. I opened the door with slight trepidation. No sign of the knocker, until I looked down to notice a smudge of grey feathers on our front steps. Trepidation ongoing, I gently scooped the apparently lifeless visitor on to my hand, where it lay on its back, legs in the air. Now I could see much more than shades of grey: an oran...Read more
Dinner with Miss Pink?
For those not taking part in Alice’s annual summer mass exodus, this report from a trade magazine is offering something completely different for the New Year: Summer nights in Alice Springs will never be the same again now Evenings in Alice has started. “Evenings is Alice is a themed progressive dinner with entertainment based on the history and characters of the town,” said Kathy Graham, the owner of the SEIT Outback Australia, a family owned company specialising in unique tourism exp...Read more
This beats the box
Dedicated twitcher Richard Waring has captured the joy of birdwatching as a family affair as he relates the details of his travels across the Centre en route to victory for him and his two sons in this year’s Red Centre Twitchathon. At his excellent blog Richard Waring’s Birds of Australia is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated account of the Buff Budgies Team – Richard, Banjo and Moses – as they begin their journey at Kunoth Bore, counting up an extraordinary 91 differe...Read more
Hip Hop is his passport
Can hip hop change your life? Alice Springs will have a chance to find out when one its foremost practitioners returns to the Centre for this year’s Alice Desert Festival. Morganics has been travelling the world sharing, teaching and skilling up on this universal language since his own life was changed by hip hop in 1984, as he relates in his soon-to-be published book Hip Hop Is My Passport. Now, in the wake of the London riots and global cultural and economic breakdown, he believes hip hop ca...Read more
A sketch in time
As a one-time sketching traveller , I’m an immediate fan of the Alice Springs Sketchcrawl and its invitation to “see the world, one sketch at a time …” An early reader of Betty Edwards brilliant Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain, I discovered there was no better way to slow down and truly appreciate whatever environment I was in than to “draw it in” to my right hemisphere by taking up sketchbook and pencil and putting critical thinking faculties aside...Read more
Couture In Motion
Fashion came to life in Alice Springs when designers from the Sustainable Couture group showcased garments made from recycled and repurposed materials. Pre-loved clothing, blankets, and any other versatile textile was transformed into standout couture at a unique catwalk show. Locals and visitors alike were treated to the Sustainable Couture style, featuring works by seven designers including Philomena Hali, Kathryn Frank, Nicky Schonkala, Sarah Hill, Julie Millerick, Carmel Ryan and Franca Fred...Read more
A show of spirit
The days are getting longer and strange, post-solstice energies are abroad in the Centre. Winter is still the policeman, as the mayor puts it, but winter is notoriously short, and even in the coldest month indian summers can be expected. Then at the beginning of July comes the fireworks of Territory Day and the Alice Springs Show, and a brief period of rebellion against the tyranny of short days, stiff southerlies and frosts. After the enthusiasm of my early days as a dad with two boys, it wou...Read more
Peta Smith opportunity
With your head now wrapped in shrouds of glory courtesy of the Beanie Festival, you may wish to consider some similarly inspired and warm attirement for other body parts. Long-time Territory textile artist Peta Smith is selling some printed winter corduroy skirts in Alice Springs this weekend. Sadly, Peta was recently injured after falling off her horse and won’t be doing any more printing, so this will be your last chance to buy an original Peta Smith-printed garment. Peta Smith has li...Read more
The next big event
Central Australians are in a box seat for Thursday morning’s full lunar eclipse. All you have to do is get up very early. Starman Andrew Fitzgerald gives a background briefing in this video, and here is NASA’s report: The world will witness the longest total lunar eclipse on June 15 (June 16 in Australia) since 2000. Totality, the event where Earth’s shadow completely covers the moon, will last for about an hour and 41 minutes. The dramatic event will see the moon changing colours ...Read more
Alice rider fastest up Anzac Hill
Alice Springs rider Ryan Standish won the Anzac Hill sprint section of this week’s Red Centre Enduro mountain bike classic from about 200 competitors. Riders in the Enduro pitted themselves against the notoriously steep slope of the popular local landmark, otherwise noted for its Anzac memorial and 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape, while spectators cheered them on up the hill. This short video depicts some of the action. ABC Radio reported that Standish rode up the hill in 4...Read more
Pedal power boost for CASA
Congratulations to the clients, staff and supporters of CASA (Central Australian Supported Accomodation) for their mammoth fund-raising ride on Saturday. Dozens of colourfully clad cyclists cheerfully defied the frosty morning (followed by stiff headwind) to head off for the Ross River Resort 86 km away, gathering between $15 and $20,000 for CASA’s flourishing two-day-a-week art program. With dozens of participants in five teams – the Pavement Pirates, Spin Cycle Devils, Outspoken, Pedal...Read more
Recent Features
- The hospital they didn't want
- The secret life of white-plumed honeyeaters
- Crime levels not new: police commissioner
- Mandatory treatment plan would cost hundreds of millions
- Misbehavers "not welcome": police commissioner
- That famous Whitegate mob again
- CASA and the zen of tourism
- Return of the man from Oodnadatta
- The memories are always there
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