Big Gigs.

19–29 Mar GOLD COAST
Magic Millions Carnival 2008
Fast horses and fashion will take over the Gold Coast Turf Club when AU$4 million prize money goes up for grabs. Don your best togs for the Fashion on the Field competition – entry is free – and stand to win over AU$20,000 worth of prizes. Racecourse Drive, Surfers Paradise, tel: +61 (7) 5538 1599.

14 Mar NATIONWIDE
NRL Premiership Season 2008, Round 1
Rugby and footy fans’ favourite sports season kicks off. It’s a big year for NRL supporters as the sport celebrates its centenary this year with a full program of meet-the-fans activities.

20 Mar NATIONWIDE
AFL Premiership Season 2008, Round 1

’til 27 Apr VICTORIA
Sculpture in the Vines
Make your way down to Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove on the Mornington Peninsula for the annual Montalto Sculpture Prize. The winning work walks away with AU$20,000 – have a glass of wine while you admire the genius on display. 33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South, tel: +61 (3) 5989 8412.

20 Mar to 2 Apr SYDNEY
Sydney Royal Easter Show
Kids will love the Farmyard Nursery with baby animals; big kids will dig the carnival rides and Xtreme Korruption team with BMX bikers and bouncing bobcats; and everyone will be amazed by the daredevil riders on those angry bucking bulls. Tickets from Australia Post.

7–24 Mar HOBART
Hobart Mountain Festival
This biennial event includes a film festival (13–16 Mar) about “living and interacting with mountains” and a sculpture trail that will change your perception about the world around you. There’s also a Walks and Talks Program for families and the more adventurous. Film Festival tickets, tel: +61 (3) 6234 6318. Enquiries, tel: +61 (3) 6223 7878.

14–16 Mar HONOLULU
Honolulu Festival
Enjoy song and dance, cuisine, crafts and parades at the most important cultural event on the Hawaiian calendar, which encourages understanding of countries across the Pacific Rim with Japan and Hawaii. Events are free. Tel: +1 (808) 926 2424.

21–23 Mar
BANGKOK
Pattaya International Music Festival
Soak up the food, floral floats, beauty contests and fireworks on the beach for free at this popular annual event, just two hours’ drive south-east of Bangkok.

25 Mar to 4 Apr CHRISTCHURCH
The New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival
Catch the finest local and international artists – such as Deni Hines, James Morrison and Nathan Haines – as they converge on Christchurch. Don’t miss the free shows (29–30 March) at SOL Square and the Christchurch Cathedral. Tel: +64 (3) 377 2365.

BOOK FLIGHTS NOW!

Mar to Apr

Cherry Blossom Season
Keep an eye on those forecast websites for this year’s season. Typically, the cherry blossoms appear in Osaka and Nagoya end March. Don’t miss the fleeting beauty and spirited celebrations.

6–13 Apr

Drug Aware Pro Margaret River
The World Qualifying Series for men’s and women’s surfing takes place at Surfers Point in Western Australia.

13–15 Apr

Songkran
Make a splash at Thailand’s most raucous event. Yes, it’s Thailand’s New Year celebration, when water fights, parades and festivities make for cool fun.

4 Apr to 12 May

High School Musical: The Ice Tour
The High School Musical comes gliding into Australia… on ice. Starting its run in Melbourne’s Vodafone Arena and ending in Adelaide’s Entertainment Centre.

MR NIMBLE FINGERS

Japanese-American ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro first toured Australia with guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel in 2006. The 31-year old now returns for his first solo tour, with his unique combination of jazz, pop rock and traditional Hawaiian music.

What attracted you to the ukulele?
The sound – the ukulele makes people smile and even laugh occasionally.

Was it difficult changing perceptions of the ukulele?
I don’t think about that much when I’m performing. I just have fun and hope that people become interested in learning more about the ukulele.

What is your favourite comment after people hear you perform?
“I didn’t know you could do that on the ukulele.”

Do you think your music is appreciated more outside Hawaii?
Not necessarily. The ukulele is such a charming instrument that it usually wins over the hearts of everyone who hears it. The first time I heard the ukulele, I was four years old. I’m an even bigger fan of the instrument now.

What do you hope to achieve on this tour?
I’m looking forward to meeting new people and possibly musicians.

What keeps you going and what do you do to relax?
Music definitely keeps me going and relaxes me. All you need is music! Well, and air, water, food, love, etc. But music is way up there!

AUSTRALIAN TOUR:
7–10 Mar Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victoria
12 Mar Northcote Social Club, Victoria
13 Mar Sydney Opera House, NSW
14 Mar Lizotte’s, Kincumber, NSW
15–17 Mar Blue Mountains Festival, Katoomba, NSW
18 Mar Bellingen Memorial Hall, NSW
19 Mar Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD
20 Mar Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi, QLD
21–22 Mar East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay, NSW

For enquiries, call Alison Pearl on +61 (2) 6684 5570.