Community Billboard 11th – 17th of May

If you're a fan of that motown, grease lightning scene and think you got that cool slick to cruise along in a Cadillac, or if you're looking for a fun way for all the family to spend having a look at some really cool cars from yesteryear, then at the Blacktown markets there is going to be a special event, Retro Roadtrip, it first started in 2014, and is back again this year, it is a crowd favourite amongst the market going crowds.

Explore the diverse atmosphere at the Retro Markets with live music, a showcase of small retro cars, a car show ’n’ shine, delicious international food stalls, fun areas provided for the kids and countless treasure troves.

For a market with a difference or should I say a car show with a difference there will be something for everyone and also on the day before the main event, skyline drive-in will also be hosting a retro movie and the car show will be on that day too.

When: Sunday 17th 7am – 2pm.

Where: The Skyline Drive, Blacktown.

Cost: $1-$2.

With the 11th to the 17th of May being national volunteer week, the opportunity to volunteer for a cause might be on some of your minds a lot at the moment, often described as the most challenging yet rewarding experience of a lifetime, it can take place in so many differnet shapes and forms, from helping that person who is just a bit out of luck, to going to less fortunate places dotted around the globe to help them develop in areas we're you might be able to help.

If you want to learn the ins and outs of volunteering in Asia, the Pacific or Africa. The Australian Volunteers for International development program an Australian Government initiative. Will be coming to Sydney as it travels nationaly to bring advice and information to anyone who is interested in going over seas to help, if you are thinking of going on a kind hearted trip.

People from all walks of life are needed people in management, health, education, marketing, business development, I.T, skilled trades and agriculture – the list goes on. Go along to hear the returned volunteers talk about their experiences in Indonesia and Fiji.

When: Tuesday 19th May, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

Where: Sydney TAFE, adjacent to Railway Square Bus Terminal, Marcus Clark Building W, Level 8, Room W8.01
827 - 837 George Street, Broadway.

Cost: Free.

Everyone has a different opinion on who they might say is Australias most iconic person throughout history, and some may disagree but the "robin hood" styled outlaw Ned Kelly is regarded by some people to be one of the most famous from back in the day.

Whatever it is about the rebellious characters that show sign of kindness really draws us in, if you take all the best movies and tv shows it shows the baddies slighty genourous characteristics, that people are attracted to.
In the days of Ned Kelly its fair to say that some of the mischief that went on wasn't always law abiding, however they were people who truly stuck to their beliefs that shaped the history of where we live.
If your interested in finding out more about these acts that turned into hero stories and to hear who was it that got up to such adventures, then go along to hear Evan McHugh as he explores Australia’s fascination with bushrangers, the men  and women  who blazed their place into Australian history with daring exploits and audacious deeds.

Evan McHugh is a journalist who has written for newspapers, television, radio and several book also winning awards. He will bring a fresh perspective to a turbulent era of crime, defiance and emerging Australia identity.

Rebels they may have been, but the bushranger motto of ‘liberty or death’ speaks directly to our willingness to defend the freedoms most of us cherish today.

When: Tuesday, 19th May, 12:30pm – 1:30pm.

Where: Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street.

Cost: Free.

Our connection with nature is becoming a more and more concerning issue as time goes by, whether in the sense of us causing too much pollution by chemical gases, or if the children of today are not using what the world has to offer to have fun instead of using something that has to be charged up.

If natures of the world are something you care about, or even if your simply a film fanactic and will take any excuse to go along to a film night then for that eco warrior we all hold within head along to Films For Change: 'Love Thy Nature', for a cinematic immersion into the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world.
Narrated by Liam Neeson.
With great artistry and fascinating details, the film explores how nature nourishes us.
While our environmental crisis threatens the very survival of our species, a renewed connection with nature holds the key to a highly advanced new era.

There will also be music on the night by Darby and Kym Staton who bring some folk melodies mixed with some coastal blues, and there will be no need for popcorn as you wont go hungry with the Indian buffet also on offer.
And of course, not to forget the sweet-tooths, there will be chocolate tasting and not just any ordinary chocolate its raw, organic, vegan, handmade and simply delicious chocolate made by yogis on Scotland Island in Sydney.

When: Thursday 21st May, 6:00pm–9:00pm.

Where: Govindas Restaurant & Movie Room, 112 Darlinghurst Rd.

Cost: General Admission only $35 (includes film, music, chocolate tasting and dinner).

If you're known to be the the Dr. Greenthumbs around the place and gardening is your passion, or if your not and maybe you're all new to the world of gardening and are just starting to set out a few plants in your own garden and your not sure if you let your imagination run wild will your garden just end up looking someone dropped an aisle from the garden shop all in one big mess.

Then for some professional advice maybe if your looking to venture into the landscaping business and want a few pointers from the people who are at the top, in this field.
The garden design series is a journey through intimate private gardens, bold commercial landscapes and cutting edge design hosted by Jimmy Turner, Director of Horticulture Management, Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parkland the series will feature lectures by four outstanding landscape architects/designers.

On May's date there will be a talk that will probably be a lot of interest for Sydney siders, who don't always have too much room to play around in their back gardens and want to know how to make use of what they have, it might not be the biggest meadow in the ranch but your kids want to go play in it and you want to grow some flowers, let Matthew Cantwell help you out his advice for Gardens for the Modern Family,

When: 21st May 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Where: Royal Automobile Club of Australia, 89 Macquarie Street.

Cost: General $75.00.

Nowadays everything can be searched and saved online, but really when it comes down to it the best and only way to see real artifacts of history is at a museum.

Museums are in nearly every city in the world and here in Sydney it might not be the oldest city in the world but it sure does have some interesting stories throughout its time.

The Museums Australia’s national conference will be held in Sydney from 21st-24th May at Sydney Town Hall.
The sector has much to celebrate and the conference will align with two key signature events for our city, the opening of the Vivid Festival and the Sydney Writers Festival.

As the world becomes more networked, concepts of governance are reinvented, expertise is challenged, knowledge is democratised, in short, everything is contested. Some argue that these changes mean the very nature of museums and galleries as organisations is changing or has already changed.

The only thing anyone can predict about the future is that more change is on the way.
The event will feature about 100 speakers who will debate the changing nature of the sector, a large creative industries trade fair and many Sydney specific social events. There will also be a range of different tours starting from $12 if you want to be guided by the experts.

When: Thursday 21st May to Sunday 24th May.

Where: $83 George St,Town Hall, Sydney.

Cost: Day only and concession prices available.

Of course many of you know the Vivid festival is just around the corner, however I just said I would remind you of some of the great events taking place that you can go along to this year.

As every year just standing taking in the outstanding designs and art being projected onto some of Sydneys most iconic buildings it is just a sense of WOW, it is very easy to just look for countless amount of time at all the different shapes, until it just gets that little bit too chilly to be outside.

A really cool mix of music and light being used in a fantastic way is the piano stairs, its at the external stairway of the iconic AMP Building at Circular Quay, they are turning the stairs into a giant piano keyboard, as visitors are invited to trip the light up and down the steps and give their most noteworthy performance.

A fun way to encourage physical activity, teamwork and collaboration, Piano Stairs are a toe-tapping way of making music and shedding a few calories at the same time.
Even if your not one for the daily exercise, I couldn't think of a funnier way to get them legs pumping its on for over two weeks so you could have a Mozart note mastered by the end while losing a few pounds.

Now sticking with music as the Vivid festival is not just about lights its also about music and unique ideas as some of you Eastside listeners are fans of soul and funk this will be an event not to be missed, as Melbourne based nineteen piece powerhouse Afro-Beat ensemble the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Soul of Sydney are ready to present a special event as part of Vivid Festival 2015 on the 24th of May, at a secret location 5 mins from the CBD, to be released to ticket holders only.

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (POAO) are a specially hand-picked cross-section of Melbourne’s unique funk, soul and afro-beat scene masterminded by Zvi Belling, Ethan Hill (DJ Manchild) and Tristan Ludowyk, and are signed to Hope Street Recordings.
Influenced by Nigeria and it’s surrounding African nations, the high intensity funk sound produced by the ensemble is an infectious blend of African rhythms akin to Fela Kuti.

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra have seen them grace Melbourne International Arts Festival (2008), WOMADelaide featuring Tumi (2010, the Perth International Arts Festival (2011) and Byron Bay Bluesfest (2011).

Also around Martin place there will be interactive light displays that appear different to each person, they change in size and shape with your movements to the projection, if your looking for something out of one of them futuristic movies this is where you will find it.

When: Friday 22nd May to Monday 08 June.

Where: Sydney Harbour and popular locations in CBD.

Cost: Free

If you're one of the many herbivore's out there or simply don't feel like eating a plate of meat today.
Then the annual Sydney vegan expo is on this month where you can sample delicious vegan goodies, browse over 30 vegan product stalls, hear amazing speakers on animals, the environment, health and fitness.

Such as their keynote speaker Philip Wollen who has won several awards for his work,love for animal rights and social justice.
He sits on the International Advisory Boards of many NGOs around the world.
Also the CEO of Animal Liberation NSW Lynda Stoner and also the winner of Mr. Natural universe in 2009 will be giving talks on their opinion's plus many many more speakers.

A day where there will be workshops on vegan advocacy, nutrition and raw food.
To be filled up on lovely vegan delights and also filled up with all the informationa and facts you need to know, sometimes you think you might know exactly, where your favourite shooping items come from well maybe you don't, get all the facts at this animal loving expo.

When: Sunday 24th May 10am-5pm.

Where: Petersham Town Hall,
107 Crystal Street, Petersham.

Cost: $10.