Book ’em.

May has something for everyone, including book worms and dare-devils

SYDNEY
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical
until July
Colourful, spunky and over-the-top – that’s the musical adaptation of one of Australia’s most popular movies: The Adventures of Priscilla – Queen of the Desert. The movie scored an Oscar in 1994 for Best Costume Design and the same award-winning designers – Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardinier (her show-stopping dress made of gold Amex cards is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne) – have created this musicals outrageous gear. Tony Sheldon, Jeremy Stanford and Daniel Scott are in the lead roles as Bernadette, Mitzi and Felicia promising a fab night with fun songs you can sing along to. Lyric Theatre, Star City, tel: 1300 367 794 within Australia for tickets from AU$59.90.

SYDNEY
Sydney Writers’ Festival
28 May to 3 June
If you always have your nose in a book, catch as much as you can of the seven-day Sydney Writers’ Festival – it’s your best chance to get up close and personal with your favourite wordsmiths. Artistic Director Dr Wendy Were says “China, climate change, the environment, religion, democracy, and the cause and effect of war will be recurring subjects throughout the week.”

Check out writers like John Boyne, whose book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is now with Miramax fi lms; Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame; and quirky actor-writer-director Richard E Grant, whose The Wah-Wah Diaries has its share of critics and fans. www.swf.org.au

Lullaby performers
Astrid Pill and Zoe
Barry
Photo: Alex Makeyer

ADELAIDE
Australian Festival for Young People presents Come Out
7−-19 May
Kids take the spotlight at Come Out, which celebrates art across all mediums by children and young people from two years old and up. Artistic Director Sally Chance calls this year’s program, its 34th, “powerful and very festive”. The theme is “The Universal Story” and there’ll be works by professional artists as well as workshops aiming to get young people to “come out” from school and explore art. If you have littlies, try Lullaby, a perfect fi first-time experience for two- to six-year-olds. Tel: +61 (8) 8267 6920.

Bill Leak: Portrait of Paul -
Paul Lepetit
Photo: Diana Panuccio

SYDNEY
Archibald Prize Exhibition
until 13 May
This is your last chance to catch the Archibald Prize Exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The painting competition − featuring portraits of “someone distinguished in art, letters, science or politics” − is Australia’s biggest and is always dogged by controversy and debate. Check out the winners of the fi five categories, including the Packing Room Prize, voted for by the gallery staff – this year the winner is a portrait of actor Jack Thompson by Danelle Bergstrom. The result of the People’s Choice prize will only be announced on 3 May.

Photo: ShutterstockVICTORIA
The Great Ocean Road International Marathon
Apollo Bay, 19–20 May
Stretch your legs on one of Australia’s most stunning coastlines in what’s set to be one of the most challenging marathon courses in the world. The event kicks off on Saturday with a 6.5km race, followed by a 14km run. The main event though is Sunday’s 45km Great Ocean Road Marathon from Lorne to Apollo Bay, and the 23km Great Ocean Road Half Marathon from Kennett River to Apollo Bay. Apollo Bay will roll out the welcome mat with kids’ rides and open-air concerts. Oh, and there’s a prize haul totalling AU$32,000 for the winners. Stake your spot. Tel: +61 (3) 5224 2466.

AUSTRALIA
Crusty Demons Unleash
Hell Tour 2007
various cities, from 18 May
For a night of hell-raising, catch the Crusty Demons’ exhilarating show, full of dare-devil motorbike stunts and pyrotechnics with a stadium-rocking fi nale. Top 2006 X Games riders will be performing along with Australia’s fi rst-time X Games medallist Blake “Bilko” Williams, who’ll show off his death-defying jackhammer fl ip for the fi first time on home ground. Catch the show in Brisbane (18–19 May, Brisbane Entertainment Centre), Adelaide (25–26 May, Adelaide Entertainment Centre), Melbourne (1–2 June, Rod Laver Arena) or Sydney (8–9 June, Acer Arena). Book with Ticketek, tel: 132 849 within Australia, www.ticketek.com.au

THE GOLD COAST
Warner Village Theme Parks
Family holidays to the Gold Coast just became even more action-packed with the launch of a new range of passes at super prices from Jetstar and Warner Village Theme Parks. For unlimited use of Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World for 14 days pick the Super Pass for AU$170 adults, AU$112 kids or, for fifive days unlimited use, pick the Fun Pass for AU$135 adults, AU$86. You can also get great deals on Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World tickets – from AU$64 for adults and AU$42 for kids – and Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World – AU$42 adults and AU$28 kids, aged 4 to 13. Passes are available whenever you book your Gold Coast holiday online. For all your travel choices, go to www.jetstar.com

HAWAII
Annual World Fireknife Dance Championship
Oahu, 16–19 May
Take in some Polynesian thrills and spills this month at the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Adding fifire to the Samoan knife-twirling, which traditionally showcased a warrior’s skills, fi reknife dancing is dangerous, dramatic and great to watch! The founder of the competition, Paramount Chief Letuli Olo Misilagi, apparently got his inspiration from a Hindu fi fire-eater and a baton twirler. www.polynesia.com

Last year’s champion team:
Lowrance LurettesDARWIN 2007
Wilson’s Reel Women Barra Classic
11–12 May
A good sense of humouzr and a can-do attitude are necessary to enter this women’s-only fifishing competition, judging by last year. Even with the river fl ooding, all 181 competitors insisted on pressing on. This crazy carnival “is always a jam-packed weekend of fi shing, friendship, live bands and the quirky mud crab-tying tournament,” says event organiser Emma Cartwright. With that kind of spirit, the fifish at the Top End don’t stand a chance. www.reelwomen.com.au