What’s On

Welcome to our events, exhibitions and showcase listing page. If you have a special showcase, exhibition or event that you’d like us to promote on this page, please email us the full details of the program along with the relevant photos to editor@dailystraits.com. We accept listings from around the globe, just be sure to shoot us an email with the complete details and we will do the rest.

Aqua Rugby Returns

Sydney, April 1: Sydney’s Darling Harbour is set to host the unique BSc Energy Aqua Rugby Festival from April 11th to 13th, featuring a floating 30 x 30 metre pontoon for the game.
This third-season event promises a mix of full-contact rugby and water fun, with players and celebrities participating in men’s and women’s competitions, as well as special matches celebrating culture and diversity.
Fans can enjoy various ticketed experiences, from party pontoons with DJs and bars to a luxurious VIP area with private cabanas, all-inclusive food, and drinks.
The event is accessible to the public, with options for everyone to enjoy the sport and the festivities from multiple vantage points around Darling Harbour.

Superhero Streamers Unite Again!

Sydney, April 1: In its fourth consecutive year, Cure Cancer’s Game On Cancer® initiative is rallying Superhero Streamers of all kinds to support ground-breaking cancer research.
From April 1st to May 31st, creators across Australia will join forces to raise funds for Cure Cancer researchers, hailed as the real-life superheroes in the fight against various types of cancer.
ASUS ROG is stepping up its support by sponsoring a fundraising team, matching donations, and offering products as fundraising incentives. Among the highlighted captains leading fundraising teams are Game On Cancer® enthusiast Camomo_10, Twitch Partner LHP64D, tech creator Nicktacula, and goto.game’s JackHuddo. Additionally, gaming organization Ground Zero is backing the initiative with two fundraising teams.
Participation is simple.
Streamers can sign up on Tiltify, choose to join a fundraising team or go solo, and then engage their community in fundraising efforts through live streaming.
Exciting prizes await those who hit fundraising milestones, including exclusive Superhero Streamers Packs, Game On Cancer® merchandise, and high-tech gaming gear provided by ASUS ROG.
The initiative aims to leverage the gaming community’s passion and generosity to support vital cancer research.
To date, Game On Cancer® has raised over $1.25 million AUD for cancer research, making it a leading charity initiative in the Australian gaming industry.
Notable personalities from the gaming world, including Loserfruit, Aliythia, Bajo, and AussieAntics, have previously lent their support to Game On Cancer® fundraisers.
The initiative garners support from various gaming industry ambassadors, including Back Pocket, SkillUp, MissMollyMakes, and Jeff Cannata.
Their involvement underscores the broader gaming community’s commitment to making a difference in cancer research.
Anyone interested in supporting the cause can follow Game On Cancer® on Twitter, join the community on Discord, and, most importantly, donate to their favorite Superhero Streamer.
Together, they can help drive crucial advancements in cancer research and support those battling the disease.

JNewtz’s Comic Triumph

Melbourne, April 1: Renowned comedian JNewtz is set to bring his uproarious show, “Identity Crisis,” to the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Tackling topics ranging from impostor syndrome to the absurdities of woke culture, JNewtz promises an evening filled with laughter and insightful mockery.
Drawing from personal experiences, the show delves into JNewtz’s lifelong struggle with fitting in, offering a relatable and comedic take on common insecurities.
Through humor, JNewtz emphasizes the importance of finding laughter even in life’s darkest moments, turning the stage into a platform for bold statements against societal norms.
“Identity Crisis” is not just comedy; it’s a therapeutic journey towards a lighter outlook on life.

Join MR D.I.Y. Art!

Kuala Lumpur, March 27: Malaysia’s leading home improvement retailer, MR D.I.Y., invites artists to participate in its annual Art Competition, now in its captivating third year.
With a generous prize pool of over RM100,000, the competition is open until 30 March 2024 for entries and 30 April 2024 for artwork submissions.
This year’s theme, “Reality of Abstraction,” challenges artists to abstractly blend imagination with reality through colors, shapes, and emotions.
Available to individuals and educational institutions, the contest awards 40 winners across various categories, including a Grand Prize and several special recognitions like the CEO Award and Creative Artist Award.
Launched to foster Malaysian art appreciation and support the local creative ecosystem, the competition encourages artists to describe their work in 200 words when submitting via MR D.I.Y.’s official website and to send artwork photos to a designated email.

Colors Unveil Virtual Magic

Japan, March 29: Sony Music Solutions Inc. announces the live streaming of NIJISANJI EN’s AR event, “COLORS,” featuring two stages: PASTEL and VIVID.
This pioneering AR live event will showcase 15 VTubers in their first 3D live performances, enhanced with live band music and cutting-edge AR technology. Scheduled for April 14, 2024, the event promises a mix of song and variety performances, delivering many firsts in VTuber entertainment.
Although it’s a pre-recorded live stream without a physical venue, fans can enjoy the opening of each stage for free on YouTube and niconico Live Broadcast.
Note that Fulgur Ovid will only appear in 2D due to health reasons, and some parts of the performance will lack AR effects. Streamed worldwide in 19 regions via Stagecrowd, tickets are available from March 28 to April 29, 2024.
For tickets and more details, go here.

Celestial Celebration in Texas

Texas, April 1: As the countdown to the 2024 Texas Eclipse Festival begins, anticipation is building for what is being hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime celestial celebration.
Scheduled for April 5-9 at the picturesque Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas, the festival is expected to draw thousands of attendees from around the globe, all converging to witness the first total solar eclipse visible in North America in two decades.
This unique event combines the thrill of a total solar eclipse with a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Festival-goers can look forward to an eclectic lineup featuring over 400 artists, scientists, musicians, and thought leaders.
Highlights include immersive art installations by Meow Wolf, live painting sessions capturing the eclipse’s impact on wildlife, and thought-provoking talks by pioneers in space, technology, and wellness.
Music will pulse through the festival’s veins, with seven stages hosting celebrated musicians from across the world, ensuring an unforgettable auditory journey.
In addition, the festival marks a significant moment for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), celebrating its 38th anniversary with a series of talks exploring the intersection of psychedelics and society.
Organized by Disco Presents and Probably Nothing, the Texas Eclipse Festival is not just an event but a communal space where art, science, music, and the marvels of the cosmos come together.
As the moment of totality approaches on April 8, festival attendees will share in the awe and wonder of this rare astronomical event, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
For those eager to be part of this extraordinary gathering, tickets and package details are available at seetexaseclipse.com.

Innovators Challenge Healthcare Future

Kuala Lumpur, April 2: Disruptive Doctors and 1337 Ventures have joined forces to launch the Disruptive Doctors H-Innovators Challenge, a unique six-week competition designed to inspire medical students worldwide and doctors in Malaysia to develop innovative solutions for the healthcare industry.
This partnership aims to cultivate a culture of innovation in healthcare by offering participants a platform to pitch ideas, gain mentorship from experts, and secure resources to realize their innovative solutions. Dr. Selina Chew, CEO & Co-founder of Disruptive Doctors, and Bikesh Lakhmichand, Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures, both expressed enthusiasm for the initiative’s potential to drive significant advancements in patient care through disruptive innovation.
The challenge runs from April 1 to May 31 inviting all interested parties to contribute to the future of healthcare.

HOYTS Hosts Star Wars

Sydney, April 4: HOYTS cinemas across Australia and New Zealand are set to celebrate the beloved Star Wars saga on the iconic May the 4th weekend.
This year, fans can look forward to a special cinematic journey with screenings of the original and prequel trilogies, including a dedicated session for “The Phantom Menace” to mark its 25th anniversary.
Brad Eaton, HOYTS General Manager of Customer Engagement, expressed enthusiasm for the event, highlighting it as a celebration that connects generations through stories of heroism and hope.
The festivities kick off with back-to-back screenings of the original trilogy, followed by the prequel trilogy sessions on Sunday, May 5th.
Eaton emphasized the unique experience of watching these timeless classics on the big screen, enhanced by state-of-the-art cinema technology and the comfort of reclining seats.
The screenings are designed to cater to both long-time fans and newcomers alike, offering them a chance to experience the films in an entirely new dimension.
Tickets are available for individual movie sessions at $17 each.
Adding to the excitement, attendees will be treated to an exclusive sneak peek of “Acolyte,” the upcoming Star Wars series set to premiere on Disney+ in June, at the end of each session.
The event promises to be a memorable weekend for Star Wars enthusiasts, celebrating the legacy of the franchise at HOYTS cinemas.

New Monthly Beachside Market Set to Launch at Maroubra Beach

Sydney, April 18: Sydney’s Maroubra Beach will host a new beachside market starting Sunday, May 5, 2024. Located at Broadarrow Reserve, 292-310 Fitzgerald Avenue, the Maroubra Beach Markets will operate on the first Sunday of each month from 8 AM to 2 PM.
Organized by Cambridge Markets and Randwick City Council, the market will feature over 100 stalls offering a wide range of items including fresh produce, artisan foods, fashion, homewares, crafts, plants, flowers, and art. Highlights include goods from local entities such as Farmer and Son, Universal Foods, and Bezo Bees, along with handcrafted items from Ju Proena Ceramics and original designs by Maroubra Design.
Visitors can also enjoy hot meals on-site, with offerings from vendors like Gamal Falafel Bar and Agape Organic Food Truck. A special section for vintage and recycled goods will cater to those shopping with sustainability in mind.
Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch expressed enthusiasm about the markets, citing community engagement and economic benefits as key outcomes. Market director Madelienne Andersen emphasized the event’s role in strengthening community bonds and supporting local businesses.
For more information, contact info@cambridgemarkets.com.au.

Inaugural Wallabee Day Announced

Sydney, April 18: Clarks has declared Friday, April 26th as the first-ever Wallabee Day to celebrate the iconic shoe’s global influence since its debut in 1968.
This date marks a quirky historical moment from 1971 when 4,176 crates labeled as Wallabees arrived at New York’s JFK Airport, intriguingly mistaken for live animals rather than the now-iconic shoes.
Known for their foot-shaped toe and natural crepe sole, Wallabees were first created in Somerset, England, and have since been embraced by musicians, artists, and style influencers worldwide, symbolizing casual sophistication and street cool.
Clarks invites everyone to join the festivities commemorating this staple of fashion.

DIY Made Simple’ Competition Announced

Kuala Lumpur, April 19: The ‘DIY Made Simple’ competition is back, inviting all secondary school students and teachers in Malaysia to participate in its eighth annual edition. This year’s competition, themed ‘Wonder Waste Creations: Paper & Plastic Edition,’ challenges students to enhance their school facilities using innovative recycling, reusing, and upcycling techniques focusing on paper and plastics. This initiative supports the Malaysian government’s goal to achieve a 40 percent recycling rate by 2025 as outlined in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Schools interested in participating must submit their entries by 9 May 2024. A jury comprising members from Universiti Malaya (UM), MR D.I.Y., and the Ministry of Education’s [MOE] will review the entries and select sixteen schools to advance. These schools will collaborate with UM’s Faculty of Built Environment from 5 June to 31 July 2024 to develop their projects. Final evaluations will take place in August 2024, where students will present their projects to the panel of judges. Winners will be announced during the Grand Finale later that month.
The ‘DIY Made Simple’ competition is co-organized by MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd [MR D.I.Y.], the largest home improvement retailer in Malaysia, together with Universiti Malaya’s Community Engagement Centre [UMCares] and Faculty of Built Environment, and is supported by the MOE’s Sports, Co-Curriculum, and Arts Division.
To register, please visit here.