Plants with Bite!

Learn how these intriguing plants have adapted to nutrient deficient environments by feeding on meat. The Visitor Centre will house a spectacular carnivorous plant display with information and documentary film sessions and plants available for purchase.

When: Sat 2 March to Sun 10 March, 9 am-5.30 pm daily (9.30 am weekends and public holidays)
Where: Visitor Centre, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
Cost: Free entry
Enquiries: 4567 3000
Restaurant Tomah: Open 10 am-5 pm daily. Bookings recommended on 4567 2060

Trivia Night

Bring your brain’s trust and test your botanical and general trivia knowledge in a fun filled night at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Quiz Master Clarence Slockee will keep you entertained as your team strives for the giddy heights of our inaugural trivia night winner!! Great prizes to be won as well as enjoying a Brazilian BBQ and cocktail bar. Teams of 6-8 people. 

When: Friday 22 March 2013, 6.30 pm arrival for 7 pm start
Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre, entry via Mrs Macquaries Rd
Cost: Members $40.50, non-members $45. Includes a drink on arrival and Brazilian BBQ
Enquiries: 9231 8182
Bookings essential: Book online (individually as part of a team or by team) or phone 9231 8182

Handa Opera

Carmen - Georges Bizet

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will take your breath away. From the moment you enter the magical harbour-edge setting, take your first sip of champagne and look across the astonishing floating stage at one of the world's most beautiful cities, you'll understand why images of the spectacular first production were beamed across the world and why critics and audiences were in raptures.

In 2013, Carmen takes the stage; dangerous, sexy and incandescent in a thrilling new production.

Carmen tells the story of the naive soldier Don Jose who abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts the army when he falls under the alluring gypsy's spell. When he loses her love to the dashing toreador Escamillo, the scene is set for jealousy and vengeance. Bizet's seductive melodies and fiery Spanish rhythms conjure a world of desire, defiance and doom, in some of the world's best loved music, including the Habanera, Seguidilla, Flower Song and Toreador Song.

This awe-inspiring production by one of Australia's most daringly theatrical directors, Gale Edwards (The Boy From Oz, La bohème), and award-winning designers Brian Thomson (The Rocky Horror Show, La Traviata on Sydney Harbour) and Julie Lynch (Travesties, La bohème), features richly costumed soldiers, smugglers, cigarette girls, urchins, matadors and flamenco dancers swirl across the luminous set, lit by fireworks ... to reveal more would ruin the surprise.

Come early and soak up the atmosphere as the whole precinct is transformed into a Spanish fiesta, with tapas bars and restaurants offering a wide range of pre-performance drinking and dining options.

Performed in French with English subtitles.

Running time: Approximately two hours and forty-five minutes including one thirty-five minute interval.

When: Friday 22 March to Friday 12 April (no performances on 25 & 29 March and 1 & 8 April) at 7.30 pm
Where: Fleet Steps near Mrs Macquaries Point, Royal Botanic Garden
Cost and Bookings: see Opera Australia website 

Garden Grooves presents the Crooked Fiddle Band

Join us for an afternoon of wild entertainment in the Formal Garden as Garden Grooves presents the Crooked Fiddle Band. Intertwining folk traditions with modern evolutions, this Sydney-based acoustic four-piece spurs the audience into a post-apocalyptic hoe down with ecstatic and twisted high-energy tunes and an expansive cinematic edge. 

www.crookedfiddleband.com/about

When: Saturday 23 March 2013, 2-4 pm
Where: Formal Lawn, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Cost: Members $22.50, non-members $25. Children under 12 free of charge
Refreshments: Kiosk available
Enquiries: 9231 8182
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

AnnanROMA Food and Wine Festival

The AnnanROMA food and wine festival is a highlight of the Macarthur region’s event calendar. The festival showcases producers, restaurants and wineries of the Macarthur region. You can taste your way around Lakeside as you enjoy the great line-up of musicians and performers, as well as the stunning views from Lakeside.

When: Sunday 14 April 2013, 10.00 am-4.00 pm
When: Lakeside
Cost: Free
Enquiries: Phone 4634 7935

TomahROMA

A celebration of nature’s bounty set against the spectacular deciduous colours of our cool climate Garden. Come and enjoy all the day has to offer like; local produce, gourmet delights, wine tasting, live radio broadcast, live music, free guided walking tours through the Garden plus plants for sale including Wollemi pines.

When: Saturday 27 April 2013, 9 am-4 pm
Where: Upper Garden, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
Cost: Free entry
Enquiries: 4567 3000

2013 Artist-in-residence Sculpture Launch

The annual Artist-in-residence program engages an artist to create a sculptural masterpiece for the Garden. The sculpture launch will be followed by a number of free art workshops for visitors this winter. The program is sponsored by Interlink Roads.

When: Sunday 26 May 2013, 11.00 am-12.30 pm
Where: Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan
Cost: Free
Enquiries: Phone 4634 7935

KEY TO LOCATIONS

Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah