What’s On Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Q Theatre Penrith Conservatorium of Music Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
October to December 2025
Where creativity lives, and community leads…
Penrith Performing & Visual Arts is your cultural home. A place where stories are shared, ideas take shape, and futures are made. We are here for the people of this region and powered by the vibrant energy of Western Sydney. You will find live performances at The Joan that entertain, challenge and connect us. Q Theatre builds skills and connection through performance, workshops and masterclasses. Music futures are nurtured every day at the Conservatorium, where learning and passion go together. At the Gallery, bold contemporary exhibitions bring fresh perspectives to our shared experience of place, identity and art. We have shaped a future-focused multi-arts and entertainment centre, creating a place where you, your family and friends can experience all kinds of performance, music and visual arts right here in Penrith. You are warmly invited to join us and experience what’s next.
We acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Penrith and the Nepean River. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour the deep cultural knowledge, creativity and storytelling that have shaped this region for tens of thousands of years. At PP&VA, we are committed to listening, learning and celebrating the enduring cultural strength of First Nations communities. Always was, always will be.
Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
Shireen Taweel, Calculations for Movement – Instrument Three, 2024.
Exhibition
Shireen Taweel: Edge of the C Until 26 October The night sky has long sparked curiosity. In this solo exhibition, Shireen Taweel’s hand-built, intricate sculptures trace a poetic and critical trajectory between culture and the cosmos. Beginning and ending beneath a crescent moon, a symbol of hope, transition and renewal, Edge of the C draws upon histories of Islamic science, ritual and architecture, asking whether diverse spiritual practices and identities will be considered in our designs for life beyond Earth. 4
Exhibition
Exhibition
Hibiscus: Angela Tiatia & Philip Juster Until 26 October Hibiscus brings together Angela Tiatia and Philip Juster in a vibrant dialogue of Pacific stories and imagery. Through sumptuous digital art and richly textured, surreal collages, the artists reclaim and reframe history, art, and culture, revealing unexpected connections and fresh ways of seeing.
Organised Chaos: Penrith Open Studio Until 9 November Showcasing the work created through the Penrith Open Studio program, Organised Chaos highlights the unique approaches of each artist and the subtle connections that link their artworks together. The artworks, along with the exhibition design, framing and installation, were all completed by fifteen young artists from Western Sydney with guidance and support from Gallery staff and artist mentors.
Angela Tiatia, The Pearl, installation view in Hibiscus, 2025. Photo by Eddy Summers. 5
The Pool Show
Exhibition
8 November – 15 February In Penrith’s scorching heat, swimming pools carry cultural, climactic and social importance. The Pool Show brings together some of Australia’s most iconic representations of swimming and swimming pools – think Max Dupain, Tracey Moffatt and Annette Kellerman – alongside newly created artworks by some of Western Sydney’s hottest artists, Katerina Asistin, David Capra, Dennis Golding, and Marian Abboud with the Forked Tongue Storytellers Collective. Curated by Lewers especially for this summer, The Pool Show invites audiences to consider how new definitions of access to swimmable water might shape the future of the hottest part of Australia’s biggest city.
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Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
David Capra, Birthing Things in the Spirit: The Waterbirth, 2014.
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Spring Holiday Art Workshops For ages 3–13 30 September – 8 October From $25 Unleash your creativity and be inspired at the Gallery! Join us for hands-on art workshops inspired by our current exhibitions, from star maps to hibiscus blooms and bold colour experiments. Led by expert artists, you’ll discover stories behind the art through a guided exhibition before diving into creative projects like stop-motion animation, printmaking, and collage. All materials provided. 8
Classes & Workshops
Term 4 Art Workshops For ages 0–12 21 October – 13 December From $120 per term Come on a joyful journey of artistic discovery. In a warm, supportive environment, our interactive classes are designed to inspire creativity and build confidence. Whether it’s a baby’s first touch of paint, or a child experimenting with new techniques, our workshops celebrate imagination. Join us this term and experience the joy of creating.
Silversalt Photography
Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
25th BIENNALE OF SYDNEY
In 2026, Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery proudly welcomes the 25th Biennale of Sydney, a world-class celebration of contemporary art, to Western Sydney. Rememory is an evocative journey bridging the fragile space between remembering and forgetting. It explores identity, belonging, and the threads that connect us across time, as artists reclaim stories once lost or overlooked, piecing together fragments of history and memory to uncover new meanings. Mark your calendars and be part of this extraordinary cultural experience. 9
The Joan
35 years of artistic cultural excellence 4
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2 Q Theatre, Belmore and Railway Streets, Penrith (circa 1983) 3 Cast of Q Theatre’s production of Somewhere: The Magical Musical of Penrith (2005) 10
Still Photography
1 Doreen Warburton at the Opening of Q Theatre (1977)
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4 Toni Collete in Q Theatre’s Operation Holy Mountain (1990) 5 Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge AC, CBE at the official opening of The Joan (1990)
For 35 years, the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre has been a place where world-class performances and local stories come to life. Named with the permission of Dame Joan Sutherland, the only venue in the country granted that honour at the time, The Joan stands as a proud symbol of artistic excellence, creativity, culture and community spirit. As we celebrate this milestone, we look to the future. The Joan will continue to inspire, educate and connect, creating space for bold ideas, nurturing the next generation of talent, and ensuring Western Sydney has a stage worthy of its stories. More than a venue, it’s a creative home, open to everyone and driven by possibility. Share your favourite memories and photos from your experiences at The Joan with us at newsfromthejoan@penrith.city 11
Comedy KEG Touring presents
Damien Power 2 Oct 6:30pm & 8.15pm From $35
Music Bach Akademie Australia presents
He’s bold. He’s brilliant. He’s brutally funny. Damien Power, three-time Most Outstanding Show nominee at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, is one of Australia’s most electrifying comedians. With razor-sharp wit and fearless storytelling, he takes you on a ride you won’t want to end.
Kids & Family Cameo Rascale Entertainment presents
Cirque Nouvelle 5 Oct 2pm & 6pm From $45 Prepare to be amazed as our quirky ring master takes you on a journey. Witness riveting acts from around Australia presenting a new evolution of circus. Expect to see acrobatics, juggling, aerials, balancing, contortion and many more jaw dropping feats. Guaranteed to thrill and captivate the whole family ages 4+. 12
The Brandenburg Concertos 14 Nov 7.30pm From $30 Dazzling, daring, and bursting with joy, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are among the greatest achievements in Western music. Forgotten for a century, they are now celebrated worldwide and were even sent into space on the Voyager Golden Record as a symbol of human creativity. Experience the brilliance as Bach Akademie Australia performs four of these jubilant masterpieces in one unforgettable concert.
The Joan Music
Jack Martin Photography
Morning Melodies
The Vallies
A Musical Affair: Celebrating the Legacy of Musical Theatre 22 Oct 11am The Vallies 26 Nov 11am Christmas Then and Now 17 Dec 11am Pre-book $22 On the day $25
Let your mornings sing! Morning Melodies is The Joan’s much-loved monthly music concert series, bringing Penrith to life with the sounds of golden classics, musical theatre gems, and show-stopping performers. Perfect for seniors and music lovers, each event is a chance to relax, reconnect, and revel in the magic of live performance. Tickets include morning tea served from 10am before the curtain rises. 13
The Joan and SIMA present
Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival World class jazz comes alive in these rare concerts in the heart of Penrith. Book a Festival Package to see both concerts and save $15!
Music
Samara Joy (USA) 23 Oct 7.30pm From $89 Don’t miss five-time Grammy Award winner and breakout jazz sensation Samara Joy as she brings her timeless voice to Australia and New Zealand for the first-time. Joined by her outstanding seven-piece band, Samara blends the elegance of jazz’s Golden Age with a modern touch.
The Joan
Music
Hetty Kate: Spring 24 October 7.30pm From $63
Samara Joy: AB+DM; Hetty Kate: Anthony Mollier
Paris-based Australian jazz vocalist Hetty Kate and her quartet perform songs from her latest album, Spring. A sparkling homage to the season of renewal featuring timeless standards by Duke Ellington, Tadd Dameron, Dave Brubeck, alongside hidden gems, this is an evening of elegance and heartfelt jazz.
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Eddy Summers
Music
Our Local Symphony Orchestra Penrith Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has filled The Joan with unforgettable music, uniting exceptional local talent and celebrated guest artists since 1990. This season, be swept away by the soaring passion and powerful sounds of Brahms and Borodin in Romantic Epics, a concert of grand melodies and emotion that will leave you breathless. Then join us in December for a cherished tradition with PSO’s Family Christmas Concert featuring Glenbrook Ballet Theatre, PSO Festival Chorus and Penrith Youth Orchestra. This joyful celebration blends festive favourites and carols in a magical afternoon for the whole family. Romantic Epics – Brahms & Borodin 8 Nov 7.30pm From $25 Family Christmas Concert 7 Dec 3pm From $25 16
The Joan
Music
The Harbour Agency presents
Damien Leith Roy Orbison and Friends 4 Dec 7:30pm
From $60
Award-winning singer Damien Leith brings the magic of Roy Orbison’s music to life in an intimate acoustic showcase. Featuring Orbison’s greatest hits from Oh, Pretty Woman to Crying and Only the Lonely, the show also celebrates the works of artists he inspired, including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, k.d. lang, Linda Ronstadt and the Traveling Wilburys. In a very special feature, Damien will debut brand-new songs co-written with Roy’s legendary collaborator Joe Melson, writer of Crying, Only the Lonely, Blue Bayou, and more.
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Penrith Conservatorium of Music
Music
Emmanuel Despax with the Richard Bonygne Ensemble
Chopin: A Stranger In Paris 30 Oct 7pm From $38
Experience the haunting beauty of Chopin’s music in this one-night-only Sydney exclusive. Internationally acclaimed pianist Emmanuel Despax (FR/UK) will be accompanied by the Richard Bonynge Ensemble for an intimate evening of works by Romantic-era master composer Frédéric Chopin. From Berceuse and Barcarolle to Sonata No. 2 and the rarely heard chamber arrangement of Piano Concerto No. 1, this is your opportunity to witness world-class artistry and the poetic depth of Chopin, performed with breathtaking intimacy.
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Benjamin Ealovega
“Despax weaves magic with a powerful, velvety touch… with playing of poetry and tenderness.” BBC Magazine
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Unlock Your Musical Potential For over three decades, Penrith Con has been inspiring musicians of all ages with world-class tuition. We offer private lessons for all ages, tailored to your experience, from beginners to advanced musicians. Learn a variety of instruments, including voice, with expert guidance, supporting students preparing for AMEB and HSC exams, as well as those practising for leisure. For those just starting out, our lively group classes offer a fun, social way to build skills and confidence. Available for early childhood, primary school children, and adults, these classes are the perfect introduction to music.
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Classes & Workshops
Private Lessons Term 4 13 Oct – 19 Dec From $450 per term (plus $15 admin fee) Group Lessons Term 4 27 Oct – 19 Dec Early Childhood Music
$190 per term
Junior Keyboard or Violin $210 per term Con Singers Collective
$150 per term
Ukelele for Adults
$120 per term
Penrith Conservatorium of Music
Experience the Power of Music
Music
At Penrith Con, our Ensemble and Orchestra programs offer students more than just practice, they provide a journey into the heart of music. Under the guidance of seasoned musicians, students hone their skills through focused rehearsals, gaining confidence and mastery along the way.
Eddy Summers
Regular performance opportunities at The Joan and beyond give students the thrill of the stage and the chance to share their passion with the community. Join us as we celebrate music with upcoming concerts for everyone to enjoy, featuring the vibrant energy and talent of our young musicians. Spring Recital Violin Masterclass with Madeleine Easton Penrith Youth Orchestra – Season Finale Semester Two Showcase
8 Oct 8 Oct 16 Nov 11 Dec
11am 1pm 3pm 6pm
From $12 $10 From $28 From $12 21
Classes & Workshops
Eddy Summers
The Joan
Q Theatre presents
Spring Holiday Drama Workshops For ages 5–18 and adults 30 Sep – 9 Oct From $60 From storytelling, stage combat and movement for young performers, to Shakespeare for adults, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the musical theatre workshop for people living with disability, or the HSC Set Design workshop with acclaimed designer Hailley Hunt. Book for you and a friend using the code FRIEND25 to get $10 off.
Term 4 Drama & Dance Workshops For all ages 14 Oct – 6 Dec For over 35 years, we’ve nurtured creativity across all ages and abilities. From kids to adults, seniors to people living with disability, our tailored classes build confidence, skills, and artistry every term. Drama classes from $204 per term Dance classes for 55+ $15 per class or $125 per term 22
Kids & Family
The Wind in the Willows Based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. Adapted by Mike Smith and Keith Dawson.
29 Nov 6pm 30 Nov 1.30pm From $30 Kenneth Grahame’s timeless tale is brought to life on stage for the whole family by Q Theatre’s Junior Performance Ensemble of talented young performers aged 9-12. Join Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad on a lively, music-filled adventure of friendship, folly and the great outdoors.
Unique Spaces
for Your Next Function
Host your next event at The Joan or Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery, two venues offering versatile spaces and stunning settings. From The Joan’s elegant concert hall, theatre, and studios to the Gallery’s picturesque riverside location, we provide the perfect backdrop for performances, weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations. Enjoy professional facilities, flexible layouts, and exceptional catering from our on-site cafés, renowned for fresh and innovative menus. Create unforgettable moments with us. 22
The Joan venues@penrith.city 02 4723 7624 Gallery galleryfunctions@penrith.city 02 4735 1100
Eddy Summers
Penrith Performing & Visual Arts – where creativity thrives and culture comes alive
Western Sydney is fast emerging as Australia’s premier arts and culture destination. At Penrith Performing & Visual Arts, we create unforgettable experiences that inspire locals and draw visitors from near and far. From international stars to homegrown talent, from groundbreaking exhibitions to dynamic music, theatre, and visual arts, we’re proud to put Penrith at the heart of a vibrant cultural community.
Call us directly on 02 4723 7620
Your support fuels this growth, helping us showcase world-class art, nurture local creatives, and keep Penrith shining on the cultural map. Be part of our future. Invest in culture. Empower community.
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
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PARTNERS
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Penrith Performing & Visual Arts
penrithregionalgallery
October to December 2025
Penrith Regional Gallery Exhibitions Shireen Taweel: Edge of the C
Until 26 Oct
Hibiscus: Angela Tiatia & Philip Juster
Until 26 Oct
Organised Chaos: Penrith Open Studio
Until 9 Nov
The Pool Show
8 Nov – 15 Feb
Classes and Workshops Printmaking for ages 5-8
30 Sep
Printmaking for ages 9-13
1 Oct
Gallery Playdate for ages 3–5
2 Oct
Collage and Stop Motion for ages 5-8
7 Oct
Collage and Stop Motion for ages 9-13
8 Oct
Term 4: Bubs Club for ages 0–18 months
21 Oct – 25 Nov
Term 4: Tots Club for ages 1.5–3
21 Oct – 25 Nov
Term 4: Art Odyssey for ages 9– 12
22 Oct – 10 Dec
Term 4: All in Art Group for adults living with disability
22 Oct – 19 Nov
Term 4: Art Adventure for ages 5–8
25 Oct – 13 Dec
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The Joan Events Damien Power
2 Oct
Comedy
Cirque Nouvelle
5 Oct
Kids & Family
Penrith Con – Spring Recital
8 Oct
Music
Violin Masterclass with Madeleine Easton
8 Oct
Music
Morning Melodies – A Musical Affair: 22 Oct Celebrating the Legacy of Musical Theatre
Music
Samara Joy (USA)
23 Oct
Music
Hetty Kate: Spring
24 Oct
Music
Chopin: A Stranger in Paris
30 Oct
Music
Penrith Symphony Orchestra: Romantic Epics
8 Nov
Music
The Brandenburg Concertos
14 Nov
Music
Penrith Youth Orchestra – Season Finale
16 Nov
Music
Morning Melodies – The Vallies
26 Nov
Music
The Wind In The Willows
29 - 30 Nov
Kids & Family
Damien Leith – Roy Orbison and Friends
4 Dec
Music
Penrith Symphony Orchestra: Family Christmas Concert
7 Dec
Kids & Family
Penrith Con Semester Two Showcase
11 Dec
Music
Morning Melodies – Christmas Then and Now
17 Dec
Music
Classes and Workshops HSC Set Design Workshop with Hailley Hunt
1 Oct
Access – Musical Theatre Workshop for adults living with disability
3 Oct
Fight for the Spotlight: Stage Combat and Movement for ages 13-16
7 Oct
Unlocking The Bard: Shakespeare Workshop for Adults
8 Oct
Stories of the Land: Eco-Theatre for ages 9-12
9 Oct
Penrith Con – Private Music Lessons
13 Oct – 19 Dec
Studio Q Term 4 Drama and Dance Classes
14 Oct – 6 Dec
Penrith Con – Group Music Lessons
27 Oct – 19 Dec
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Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Q Theatre | Penrith Conservatorium of Music 597 High Street, Penrith 02 4723 7600 thejoan.com.au penrithconservatorium.com.au Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery 86 River Road, Emu Plains 02 4735 1100 penrithregionalgallery.com.au
Cover image Angela Tiatia, The Pearl, video installation at the Hibiscus exhibition, Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery until 26 October 2025. Photo by Eddy Summers.