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.

Cowra Exhibition Spotlights Japanese-Australian History

Sydney, April 27: A new exhibition at the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre will tell the untold stories of Japanese migrants who contributed to Australia’s nation building between 1867 and 1946.
Curated by Flinders University cultural historian Dr Tets Kimura, Unspoken Contributions features photographs documenting Japanese arrivals to Australia who worked as performers, heavy labourers, harvesters, launderers, pearl divers, fishermen and sugarcane cutters, while bringing their unique customs, cuisine and traditional clothing.
Many Japanese migrants born in the first half of the twentieth century were automatically British subjects and therefore Australians, but continued to be treated as foreigners. During the Second World War, the majority of civilians of Japanese heritage were interned in enemy alien camps across Australia, including the Woolenook Wood Camp in South Australia.
The exhibition includes a photograph of a cricket pitch used by Japanese and other internees at the Woolenook Wood Camp, a satellite of the Loveday internment camp in the Riverland.
Unspoken Contributions: Engaging Public Dialogue with Japanese-Australian Photo Exhibition (1867-1946) runs from 1 May to 28 June 2026 at the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, Ken Nakajima Place, Cowra NSW.

International Jazz Day Marks 15th Anniversary

Paris, April 27: Renowned musicians from around the world will gather on 30 April in Chicago for an All-Star Global Concert to mark the 15th edition of International Jazz Day, organised by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
The lineup features Gregory Porter (US), James Morrison (Australia), Tiger Okoshi (Japan), Mandisi Dyantyis (South Africa), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Mino Cinélu (Martinique, France) and many more, with events taking place in over 190 countries.
“Each year on 30 April, this global observance reminds us that jazz is a universal language that transcends borders, generations, and cultures. It invites us to listen deeply, respect each voice, and create together in harmony,” said Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General.
The concert will be streamed live worldwide at yt.be/jazzday, with full programming details available at jazzday.com.

Rohan Arneil Tours

Perth, April 24: Sydney comedian Rohan Arneil will tour Australia in 2026 with his new show, You Wouldn’t Have Cut Me Off If I Wasn’t So Sunburnt.
The former garbo and qualified stonemason will bring the show to Sydney, Perth, Newcastle and Brisbane from May to June, following earlier comedy festival appearances.
“Very excited about the new jokes. I’ve been supervising some apprentices so I genuinely have a lot to get off my chest. I’ve been told I’m not their boss a bunch and ten minutes later, begrudgingly explained how time zones work. Pretty cute. As close as I’ve got to fatherhood so far in my life.” – Rohan Arneil
The show follows his previous releases Top of the Food Chain and The Never-Ending Smoko, and is billed as the final instalment in a trilogy exploring modern masculinity, tradie culture and class struggle.
Rohan has toured with the Sydney Comedy Festival Roadshow, opened for Sam Taunton, Jimeoin and Sam Campbell, and appeared on podcasts including Alpha Blokes, The Mugg Off, Phone Hacks and Get Around Me.

Bastille Festival Back in Sydney

Sydney, April 21: Bastille Festival will return to Sydney’s Circular Quay and The Rocks from July 16 to 19, 2026, marking its 14th year with a bigger footprint than ever. Free to attend, the four-day event will feature gourmet food, wine, live music and cultural performances in the heart of the city.
This year’s festival will include more than 130 exhibitors, over 80 dishes and more than 110 free performances, along with a new French-inspired flea market at Gateway Plaza.
For the first time, Bastille Festival will also expand beyond Circular Quay through a collaboration with the City’s busking program, creating a connected musical experience across surrounding precincts.

Scaling Franchises in WA

Perth, April 16: Success Tutoring founder and Global CEO Michael Black will headline the Franchise Council of Australia’s WA Insights Breakfast in Perth on Wednesday 22 April, where he is set to share lessons from building one of the country’s fastest-growing education franchise networks.
Hosted at Mount Lawley Golf Club from 7.30am to 9.30am, the event will focus on how franchise brands can scale sustainably, strengthen systems and stand out in an increasingly competitive market. The session will be facilitated by Franchise Council of Australia Head of Operations and Events Lisa Saville.
“This is not the old model of franchising,” Black said.
“We are seeing a complete shift in how brands are built, how they grow and how they connect with customers. The next generation of franchise businesses need to think differently, move faster and operate smarter.”
Black said he would speak candidly about the realities of rapid expansion, including the challenges, mistakes and decisions that shaped Success Tutoring’s growth. Members and non-members are welcome, with places limited.

Harry Joins Mental Health Summit

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is set to speak at the inaugural InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne this week, joining a broader discussion on workplace mental health, psychological injury and psychosocial safety.
The two-day event, presented by Lifeline Narrm, will run from April 15 to 16 and bring together leaders, policymakers, practitioners and advocates to explore practical strategies for building mentally healthy and high-performing workplaces. Other speakers include Jelena Dokic, Hugh van Cuylenburg, Allan Sparkes and Dr Amy Cuddy.
Lifeline Narrm said all ticket proceeds from the summit would support its 24/7 crisis support services in Victoria, as well as community education and suicide prevention programs.
Organisers have also announced a virtual option, which includes 30-day on-demand access to sessions and post-event content.
Tickets for the in-person summit start from $997, while virtual access is priced from $498.

Cambridge Unveils Autumn Markets

Perth, April 15: Cambridge Markets will hold three autumn market events across Sydney in May, featuring food, entertainment and local businesses.
The line-up includes the Wentworth Point Autumn Market on May 3 at Town Square, the Engadine Autumn Festival on May 23 and 24 at Cooper Street Reserve, and the Watsons Bay Autumn Market on May 31 at Robertson Park.
Cambridge said the events will offer live entertainment, family-friendly activities, rides and a wide mix of stalls, with the Engadine festival positioned as a new flagship event for the Sutherland Shire.