Things to do in Murray Bridge: April 14-20, 2023

Willy Wonka and dinosaurs come to Murray Bridge. Plus the start of the RMFL and RMNA season, the Murray Bridge Art Fest and more, thanks to Newbridge.

Things to do in Murray Bridge: April 14-20, 2023
Brighten up your life with the Gloops (above) and other wonderful characters in Unity College’s performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Photo: Unity College/Facebook.

If you’re at a loose end tonight or this Saturday afternoon or evening, why not step inside a world of pure imagination and check out Unity College’s musical performance of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

If you’ve read Roald Dahl’s novel or seen the Gene Wilder (1971) film or the Johnny Depp (2005) film based on the novel, you’d already know how good the story is – if you’re new to the world of Willy Wonka, then you have a treat in store.

Tickets to this Friday night’s performance have already sold out, but there are still tickets for tonight’s show or the matinée and evening shows this Saturday – you could almost say the tickets are golden.

This week’s Things to Do is brought to you by Newbridge. Exclusive golf course allotments are now available. Enquire today!

Relax: It’s Friday night! Eat pizza and watch a movie at headspace. Photo: headspace/Facebook.

Friday ☔ 25°

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sold out.

Hospitality course: 10am–3pm at the Murray Bridge Community Centre, 18 Beatty Terrace, Murray Bridge. In this free eight-week course for those interested in going into hospitality, you’ll learn how to make café-style meals. You’ll also learn about industry expectations, basic operations and health and safety requirements. What’s more, you’ll receive mentor support and hear from people in the industry. To register or for more information, contact the Murray Bridge Community Centre on 8531 1799 or email reception@mbcci.org.au.

Funeral of Daniel Moldrich: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

Outdoor cinema and pizza: 6.30pm start for pizza and 7pm start for the movie at headspace Murray Bridge, 10 Second Street, Murray Bridge. Come to this free outdoor event, where you can have that Friday-night feeling by eating pizza and watching a movie, Wonder, starring Jacob Tremblay and Julia Roberts. Bring along some blankies, socks and pillows if you want to feel really Friday night-ish. RSVP: Anina or Chidera on 8531 2122 or email headspace@ireach.org.au.

Creative Composers Cabaret: 7pm at Tailem Bend Town Hall. An evening of original live music by Rosie Roulette, Sam Paul, Jake Fielke, Jarrod Matulick, Anika Bartholomeusz, Katherine Wicker and more, presented by Jakall Productions; BYO nibbles and drinks. Tickets: $25/22 at www.trybooking.com.

Easter Bunny’s been and gone, but other animals eat carrots and weird stuff. Find out more at Safari Foods in Monarto Safari Park during the holidays. Photo: Monarto Safari Park/Facebook.

Saturday ☔ 20°

Round 1 of the River Murray Football League (RMFL) and the River Murray Netball Association (RMNA) 2023 programme: Various locations and times. See your favourite old and new footy and netty teams in their first game of the season – or ever. Teams playing this week are Ramblers V Imperials, Coorong Cats V Southern Mallee (TIN), Mypolonga V Jervois and Tailem Bend V Mallee Districts. Mannum has a bye.

Safari Foods: 9.30am–5pm (every day of the school holidays) at Monarto Safari Park. Fun facts: Giraffes have four stomachs, and ostriches eat stones to help them break down their food. Discover other fun facts about different types of animal diets and what animals around the park love to munch on. Catch daily animal feeds and listen to free keeper talks. You can also create your own recipe using an ingredient from your adventure for a chance to win a family Giraffe Feed. Tickets: From $25 at monartosafari.com.au. For more information, contact Zoos SA or phone 8548 9501.

2023 Eagle ladies day: 2pm–5pm at the Tailem Bend Football Club. Experience the comfort and luxury of the “Ladies’ Pavillion” – otherwise known as the Cricket clubrooms – for an afternoon of fun to welcome the “Mallee Ladies” to the RMFL. Everyone is welcome. There will be bar facilities onsite (cash only), games (bring gold coins to play), a lucky door prize and gourmet nibble boxes to purchase. There will also be entertainment in the evening. For more information, visit facebook.com/events.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 1.30pm or 7.30pm at the Steeple, Unity College. Book fast for this musical performance from Unity College, based on the classic novel by Roald Dahl. Tickets: $25 at unitycollege.sa.edu.au.

“Look, Mummy. I’ve become art!” Check out the Murray Bridge Art Fest on Sunday. Photo: Murray Bridge Regional Gallery/Facebook.

Sunday ⛅ 18°

Murray Bridge Art Fest: 11am–3pm in Sixth Street, Murray Bridge. Come to Sixth Street for an all-ages, family-friendly day packed with creative workshops, family entertainment, local live music and a range of food trucks. Some of the activities on offer include a nylon zoo inflatable storytelling dome, acrylic painting, printmaking, Ngarrindjeri weaving, aersol art, poetry, silk-scarf painting, pottery-wheel spinning, crochet and art-brooch making. Face-painting and fun craft activities can keep even young kids entertained. For more information, contact Michelle Dohnt on 8539 1421.

Free sausage sizzle: 12pm at Mypolonga RSL. For local families, hosted by the Rural City of Murray Bridge; bring a salad to share.

Grapes for Good wine tasting: 1pm–4pm at the Safari Shop, Monarto Safari Park. Come to Monarto for a free tasting of Langhorne Creek’s best wines. With the help of Kimbolton Wines, you can get a unique wine flight and hear about the conservation programmes that Grapes for Good support. For more information, phone 8548 9501.

Monday ⛅ 23°

Bush walk or bike ride: 10am–12pm or 1pm–3pm at the Olearia trail, Callington Hill carpark, at the corner of Highland Road and the old Princes Highway. Children up to the age of 12 and their families can ride their bikes or walk on this trail. Bookings essential: Phone Lyall on 8215 6347.

Funeral of Frank Carter: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

Funeral of Dorothy Elliott: 2.30pm at the Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

Tuesday ☀ 24°

Bike ride adventure: 10am–12pm or 1pm–2pm at Kinchina Hilltop carpark, Maurice Road, Murray Bridge. Children aged 5 to 12 and their families can bring a bike or walk the trail. Bookings essential: Phone Lyall on 8215 6347.

The Dinomaniacs: 11am at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre, 13–17 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge. The Dinomaniacs are a high-energy and highly interactive dinosaur adventure, suitable for the whole family. The show includes original songs, classic tunes and other surprises. Dress up as your favourite dinosaur and join in the fun, with exciting opportunities to get up cloase and personal with the dinosaurs. Tickets: $16.50–$60 (family pass). Children two years old and under are free. Go to events.ticketbooth.com.au.

Markus Hamence Terrariums: 1–2pm at the Murray Bridge Library. Adelaide’s indoor plant guru, Markus Hamence – aka the Botanic Designer – will present a workshop for avid plant lovers and the plant curious. In this hands-on workshop for children aged from 12 to 16, you can create and take home your own terrarium. Bookings: Contact the Murray Bridge Library on 8539 1175.

Wednesday ☔ 20°

Escape room – Down the rabbit hole: 10am–12pm at the Murray Bridge Library. This school holiday activity for children 5 to 12 years old will be held every half hour from 10am to 11.30 am (four sessions). What will you find in your adventure down the rabbit hole? For more information, contact Murray Bridge Library at library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au or phone 8539 1175.

Funeral of Kevin Scheer: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

Funeral of Joan Kluge: 2pm at the Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

Mandala workshop with Kylie Martin Art: 2.30pm–4.30pm at Edwards Square Community Centre, 2 South Terrace. Using your intuition, draw your own mandala, which you can use for meditation. By the end of the creative and calming workshop, you will have created a completed mandala you can take home and use. Tickets: $20. Bookings essential. Phone 8531 1799 or visit murraybridgecommunitycentre.com.au.

Thursday ☁ 16°

Chronic pain open day: 9.15am–4.15pm at iREACH Rural Health, 55 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge. Four different interactive workshops can help your well-being. These include an art therapy workshop; a gardening workshop with Sophie Thomson from Sophie’s Patch; self-care with Fiona Meade; and a sprout-cooking demonstration to promote a greater awareness of diet and wellbeing. You can register for as many workshops as you wish to attend, but you need to register for each workshop. To book, phone 8531 1303 or visit ireach.org.au.

Drawing challenge: 10am–12pm at White Park Hall, Mulgundawah Road, Murray Bridge. Children aged 5 to 12 can learn to draw cartoons and experience still-life art. This event is free, and all materials are supplied. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings essential: www.trybooking.com. For more information, contact the Communities for Children team on 8572 3513 or email c4c@tbcc.org.au.

Funeral of Colin Lancaster: 10am at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, corner of Charles Street and Florence Street, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or at admin@mingefunerals.com.

BackBeat 60: 11am–12pm at the Murray Bridge Town Hall. Join BackBeat 60 as they explore the songs and stories from around 1960, when Beatlemania was about to explode, British groups copied American rock ‘n’ roll and tried to be like Elvis and rock ‘n’ roll was evolving into 60s pop. This is an all-ages show. Tickets: $20 at events.ticketbooth.com.au.

Autumn craft – Making suncatchers: 1pm–3pm at White Park Hall, Mulgundawah Road, Murray Bridge. Children aged 5 to 12 can help create suncatchers to celebrate autumn. This event is free, and all materials are supplied. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings essential: www.trybooking.com. For more information, contact the Communities for Children team on 8572 3513 or email c4c@tbcc.org.au.


Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event by emailing michael@murraybridge.news. Events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.

To express an interest in sponsoring this feature, email jane@murraybridge.news.