The Australians are coming, again

Remember the Australian “invasion” of the ‘80s? As soon as Olivia Newton-John put on the headband, it seemed as if every time you turned around there was Crocodile Dundee offering to “put another shrimp on the barbie.”

If you missed those days, you’re in luck, mate. The 10-day “G’Day L.A.” festival, the second annual event celebrating all things Australian, begins today. Whether it’s an art exhibition, black-tie dinner or a special appearance by the Crocodile Hunter himself, this shameless promotional tool offers something for everyone.

For starters, the 30-work show “Variety and Vitality: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Art” opens Friday at the L.A. Art Exchange in Santa Monica. Not star-studded enough? Then try Saturday’s Penfolds Gala Black Tie Dinner, where for as little as $200 a ticket you too can honor Australian celebrities such as movie stars Mel Gibson and Nicole Kidman, golfer Greg Norman, and Keith Urban, country music’s sexiest man (according to an upcoming show on Country Music Television).

Too rich for your blood? For a scant $25, check out Steve Irwin, he of “crikey” fame, live at the Aussie Travel Expo on Jan. 20 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and Jan. 21 at the Wilshire Theatre. Besides Irwin’s two shows featuring some of his country’s most famous and feared animals, the event also gives attendees a chance to learn more about -- surprise! -- spending a holiday down under.

“Australia Week is all about celebrating the long history of friendship and achievement between our two countries,” Australian Consul General John Olsen says. Well, that and a great way to promote tourism to the land that gave us Paul Hogan.

*

-- Pete Metzger

Info: www.australiaweek.com