What's On In Darwin Australia in April 2015?

Planning your travels in Australia always gets a bit trickier when you hit the Top End. Information is always that bit more elusive. Finding out what’s on in Darwin in April, for example – especially with regard to this month’s ANZAC Day services – has been something of a challenge. So, with apologies for the slight murkiness of some of what follows, here’s our guide to events in Darwin this month, beginning with some chin-stroking.

The Beards – The Strokin’ My Beard Tour
A band dedicated to converting everyone into a beard lover through the medium of song. The Adelaide-based band formed in 2005 and performed one show, only to receive such praise that they decided to record a whole album of songs dedicated to facial fuzz. They’ve had success not only in Australia, but throughout North America and Europe too. Now it’s your chance to see the ARIA Award nominees on their Strokin’ My Beard Tour which coincides with the release of their second album, imaginatively titled The Beard Album.

Where: The Railway Club, Somerville Gardens, Darwin
When: 7pm, 10-11 April
Cost: $32.50 per ticket

Photo courtesy of The Beards Website

National Trust Heritage Festival
This 9-day festival celebrates Darwin’s history and its importance in shaping the city of today. There’s a photography competition, bus tour, sausage sizzles, afternoon tea, a ghost walk and more to help you get to grips with Darwin’s past.

Where: National Trust sites across Darwin
When: 13-22 April
Cost: Vary from event to event – some are free. Check website for details.

Photo courtesy of National Trust Australia Website

Nitro Circus
What started out as some pals making DVDs in a garage in Utah has become a global sensation. Nitro Circus grew in popularity when it teamed up with MTV to create a TV show, then it became Nitro Circus Live in 2010. Here you’ll see death-defying stunts performed on all sorts of extreme vehicles, with a generous helping of pyrotechnics thrown in for good measure.

Where: TIO Stadium, Abala Road, Darwin
When: 5:30pm, Friday 24 April
Cost: From $59 for an adult. You can buy tickets here

Photo courtesy of Nitro Circus Website

ANZAC Day

Darwin Chorale: The Armed Man
Beautifully moving music performed by Darwin’s musicians and singers accompanies haunting images of war. The production by Karl Jenkins premiered in London in 2000, and has now been performed over 500 times to critical acclaim. There couldn’t be more apt occasion to watch a production with such a strong anti-war message than on ANZAC Day and the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

Where: Darwin Entertainment Centre
When: 7:30pm, Saturday 25 April
Cost: $35 for a full-price adult ticket

Photo courtesy of Darwin Chorale Website

ANZAC Day services
Despite significant work (and funding) to create an event that serves as a fitting 100th memorial of the Gallipoli Landings, details are still, even at this late stage, infuriatingly elusive.

What we do know is this: in previous years the dawn service has taken place at the Darwin Cenotaph on the Esplanade from 6am. The ANZAC Day Parade has taken place between 8am and 10am. This year, part of the parade’s route should include the newly renamed ANZAC Centenary Walk in Bicentennial Park.

The walk will pass the new ANZAC Memorial Garden, designed following a competition amongst local school children. Fingers crossed they’ve come up with something more exciting than Burley-Griffin’s design for Canberra…

With any luck the details will be published in time for the day itself, and you should be able to find them on the city’s website.

Photo courtesy of www.rslwahq.org.au website