Riverbeats 09

Converting Sydney's second largest CBD into a hub of creativity for the fourth year running, Riverbeats '09 is a showcase of art, music and multimedia installation set against the beautiful backdrop of Parramatta River. A fantastic cultural party, the festival also has an environmental flavour: it aims to reconnect the people of Parramatta with the heart of the area – the river – and promote discussion about improving Sydney's waterways.

A spectacular night of free entertainment, Riverbeats Live is the highlight event happening on Saturday 31 October, 7–10pm. This concert features performances by Synergy Percussion's new band Moth, AFI award-winning musicians and multimedia artists Decoder Ring, the Translators, and the Blenders. Haiku poetry by local writers will be projected across the water and international cuisine will be served at Eats B4 Riverbeats on Church Street before Riverbeats Live kicks off.

Other events on the Riverbeats ‘09 calendar include Loy Krathong (a traditional Thai water festival where hundreds of tiny candlelit lotus-boats are floated on the river) on Saturday 7 November; the Water Project Symposium, led by Sleek Geeks Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer, on Friday 13 November; and a Carp Fish Out for anglers of all ages and competencies on Saturday 14 November. Current, an exhibition of sculptures along the riverbank and throughout Parramatta City, runs 30 October–15 November.