Community Billboard 12th – 18th May
This weekly community gig guide is proudly sponsored by the City of Sydney’s Plan for the future – Sydney 2030 – making our city more green, global and connected.
Excel Basics at Customs House
Learn to use Microsoft Excel 2007 to create spreadsheets – an easy way to create budgets, manage lists, or track data. Good mouse, keyboard and computer skills required.
When: On Monday 12 May from 02.00 pm to 04.00 pm
Where: Customs House Library, 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay 2000
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Intermediate Facebook at Surry Hills Library
Do you already use Facebook? Learn how to get the most out of Facebook with an emphasis on security, privacy and safety. Previous experience and accounts with Facebook required. All classes are free, bookings are essential.
When: On Tuesday 13 May from 10.00 am to noon
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street Surry Hills 2010
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
How easy was that? At Surry Hills Library
Have you always had a desire to make your own sweet treats but didn’t know where to start? Join local librarian and amateur baker Paul who will be demonstrating how easy and cheap it is to whip up a quick and tasty dessert to please the fussiest
kids, partners or friends.
When: On Tuesday 13 May from noon to 01.00 pm
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street Surry Hills 2010
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Wills and Power of Attonrey at Kings Cross Library
Have you looked at a Will recently? Planning ahead for yourself and the ones you love is easier than you think! Join our Law Week presenter to gain information and resources to help ensure your wishes are known and how to prepare your will.
When: On Tuesday 13 May from 01.00 pm to 02.00 pm
Where: Kings Cross Library, 50-52 Darlinghurst Road Level 1 Kings Cross 2011
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Kings Cross train station.
Computer Basics at Surry Hills Library
This course is designed for adults with no previous computer experience. Become familiar with computers and Microsoft Windows while mastering basic computer, mouse and keyboard skills in a supportive environment.
When: On Tuesday 13 May from 03.00 pm to 05.00 pm
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street Surry Hills 2010
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Pine Street World Environment Day Competition Workshops at Glebe Library
Workshop your entry for the Pine Street Creative Art Centre World Environment Day competition. Bring along your ideas and creativity to this hands on information session with Pine Street staff.
For ages 5-12
A World Environment Day Event
When: On Tuesday 13 May from 03.30 pm to 05.30 pm
Where: Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road (cnr Wigram Road) Glebe 2037
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Bus – Glebe Point Road
Strata Skills 101 – The Sinking Funds
Are you new to strata life? Have you lived in strata for years and don’t really understand what the sinking fund is actually for?
Strata Skills 101 ‘The Sinking Fund’ interactive workshop will help. Here is your opportunity to learn and understand the financial future and value of a sinking fund.
This interactive workshop will discuss:
• The purpose of the sinking fund;
• Benefits of a 10 year plan;
• The planning process;
• Best practice models for small, medium and large stratas; and
• Why planning as a community is essential to harmony, presentation and physical maintenance of your strata home.
Ensure your strata scheme is as effective, financial and strategically structured as it can be.
Regardless of whether you own or rent, you’re invited to attend – Strata Skills 101 workshops have something for everyone.
Workshops are strictly limited to 50 participants. No walk-in places are available for this venue, so please register online to secure your place.
When: On Tuesday 13 May from 06.00 pm to 08.00 pm
Where: City of Sydney, Level 3, 307 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Town Hall Railway Station with good bus access also
Late Night Library at Newton: You and whose Army?
UK born writer/performer Phil Spencer has teamed up with Sydney singer/songwriter Richard Cuthbert (Cuthbert and The Nightwalkers, The Green Mohair Suits) for a stand up storytelling autobiographical adventure, directed by Scarlet McGlynn.
Equal parts stand-up comedy and storytelling, You And Whose Army? is a darkly comic true tale about growing up in the ‘slums’ of rural South Oxfordshire, moonlighting as a Glaswegian drug dealer and how a twenty eight year old man has never – ever – thrown a punch.
Weaving a heart felt and harrowing hungover tale with a handful of new songs by Richard Cuthbert, You And Whose Army? is simple story telling at its very best.
You and Whose Army? debuted in January 2014 in a sellout season at Marrickville’s The Newsagency, made a brief appearance at City of Sydney’s Late Night Library pop up library series at Sydney Festival’s Hyde Park Village, and now Late Night Library are thrilled to host the Sydney encore of this excellent storytelling adventure.
Writer/Performer Phil Spencer
Musician Richard Cuthbert
Director/Dramaturg Scarlet McGlynn
More info campfirecollective.com.au
When: On Wednesday 14 May from 08.30 pm to 09.30 pm
Where: Newtown Library, 8-10 Brown St Newtown 2042
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Web Pages 101 at Customs House Library
Learn to create your own website. In this intermediate IT course, we will learn basic HTML (the language used to build websites) to create a simple webpage and use Weebly to build a well-designed and easy to use personal website. Excellent computer/internet skills and an email address are required.
When: On Thursday 15 May from 10.00 am to noon
Where: Customs House Library, 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay 2000
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Twitter 101 at Customs House Library
Learn how to join and use Twitter, a popular social media app to discover news and information. Learn to follow individuals or organisations, post a Tweet or retweet, and use @mentions and #hashtags. Good mouse, keyboard & computer skills, experience navigating the Internet, and an email address required.
When: On Thursday 15 May from 02.00 pm to 04.00 pm
Where: Customs House Library, 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay 2000
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
After School Bookclub at Ultimo Library
Join us for our new after-school bookclub! Each month has a special theme. Check out the reading list for each month. At the end of each session you will have an elegant take-home craft.
7-11 yrs
When: On Thursday 15 May from 04.00 pm to 04.45 pm
Where: Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street Corner Harris Street Ultimo 2007
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Nick Parnell – Vibes Virtuoso
Music’s greatest ‘hits’ re-imagined by one of the world’s foremost vibraphone players and his mallets of steel.
Nick Parnell makes old music new again, injecting energy into repertoire that might be familiar to some, but definitely inspirational to all, as evidenced with his latest album release, Vibes Virtuoso.
Favourites from an internationally classic music repertoire – such as Gershwin’s Summertime, Albeniz’s Tango, Ravel’s Alborada del Gracioso and Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – have been cleverly re-imagined by Parnell to create a whole new, vibrant listening experience despite the familiarity of the melodies. Most importantly, the vibraphone superbly melded with piano gets its moment in the spotlight, ranging from the technically challenging to sheer lyrical beauty in the space of a heartbeat.
Born in the Australian outback, Nick Parnell started teaching himself drums in his parents’ sheep shearing shed at the age of ten. Such humble beginnings ignited a passion in Parnell that has led to industry acclaim, such as the Centenary of Federation Medal awarded by the Australian Government and appearances with the likes of David Helfgott, Simon Tedeschi and the Australian String Quartet.
As one of the first musicians to bring the vibraphone to the attention of the classical world, Parnell’s ongoing ambition is to break down the elitism of classical music and make it available for everyone to enjoy – something he achieves with enviable mastery through Vibes Virtuoso.
“Dazzling dexterity… balanced with supreme delicacy.” The Advertiser – Australia
“Nick Parnell is a complete and utter star. A brilliant and beautiful performer.” Emma Ayres, ABC Classic FM – Australia
When: On Thursday 15 May from 07.00 pm to 08.00 pm
Where: City Recital Hall, Martin Place between George & Pitt Streets Angel Place Sydney 2000
Cost: Adult: $38
Concession: $30
City Recital Hall VIP: $28
(Additional fees may apply)
How to get to this event: Wynyard and Martin Place train stations are 5 minutes walk from Angel Place. All buses to and from Circular
Quay stop nearby on George Street or Pitt Street
The Gin Mill Social
Inside an old closed-down bank lies the hottest spot on the strip.
It’s prohibition time, an era of secrecy and excess – and you have the secret password…
Hang out the front when you arrive, but look busy (we don’t want those cops spotting you).
Look out for a heavy-looking guy, lurking in the shadows.
If he approaches you, have your guard up – this could be the cops.
He’ll ask you a series of questions – play it cool and drop the secret code in conversation, to be sure.
If this is the guy, he’ll motion you to a secret door. Slip inside, but don’t be seen. Down the dirty alley, and through the second check-point.
Leave your guns at the door – and get ready to party, prohibition style!
Now here is what you need to know…
The cat who owns the joint will be wanting to meet you – get ready for a chat and a dance, if you’re game.
Be friendly and obey the rules – but most importantly: have fun.
The rules…
It’s the 1920s and there aren’t rules, this is a speakeasy…except if the cops arrive, then hide your drinks and walk in a straight line or you’ll blow the whole operation.
Here is what we have for you…
We got some real nice fellas who will have a drink ready for you when you arrive, to calm those jitters.
Your first drink is on us, but ask you waiter for some help with the next few, they’ll have some tips for big drinking.
Your waiters will be bringing you food all night – if you like something, ask for more!
(For a taster of what we’re serving, see https://slide.com.au/theginmillsocialmenu).
The entertainers…
We have some sexy guys and dolls keeping the party happening; they’ll be doing some aerial performances, some sultry burlesque and a bit of vaudeville juggling, just for you. It’ll be happening when you least expect, and we ain’t paying them, so give them a clap to keep them happy.
The main event…
The Jordan C Thomas Band – the hottest band on the scene, these guys are the heartbreakers of the 1920s.
They’ll have you up and dancing faster than we can scream “RAID!”.
Other details…
The party begins at 7pm sharp.
Food is served banquet style, arriving on share platters. Eat as much or as little as you like.
The dress code is simple: girls in pearls, guys in ties. The Gin Mill Social is perfect for a birthday, anniversary dinner, meet with the in-laws, hang with the outlaws, or simply to reconnect with old friends. Candles are lit. Lights are low. Conversations are loud. It’s a lively atmosphere.
When: On Friday 16 May from 07.00 pm to 11.55 pm
Where: Slide, 41 Oxford Street Darlinghurst 2011
Cost: Dinner and Show $89 (+bf) – includes drink on arrival
How to get to this event: St James or Museum Station
Make your own Doorsnake Workshop
There are many ways to keep your house warm without increasing your energy bill. Join us for a fun and practical session where we show you how to make a door snake. These little creatures are great to fill the gap between your door and the floor. It is that little space that creates cold draft and cools your house down during autumn and winter.
Bring any fabric scraps you have and your crafty spirit. We will provide filling, needles, sewing machines and materials to personalise your door snake.
This session will be run by the lovely ladies Laura and Juliet from Bobbin & Ink.
When: On Saturday 17 May from 10.30 am to noon
Where: The Green Living Centre, 218 King Street Newtown 2042
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Self Deference for Boys and Girls at Surry Hills Library
Self Defence is not about being strong enough to fight back in unwanted situations. It’s about learning to use your brain rather than your fists. In most cases boys and girls are able to talk their way out of a situation or run from potential danger but there are times when they must also protect themselves form harm.
This session with Christian will help teenagers identify dangerous situations and learn to walk away or talk their way out of it without the need for physical contact. They will also learn some simple self defence strategies to use should the need arise.
Wear loose comfy clothes as this will be a practicle session.
Suitable For teenagers Boys & Girls 10-18 and parents
When: On Saturday 17 May from 11.00 am to 01.30 pm
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street Surry Hills 2010
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Dose of Green: Spotless Natural Cleaning
The Library has teamed up with Green Villages to bring you a series on all things Green at Waterloo, Glebe and Surry Hills. Keep your eyes out for more information.
When: On Saturday 17 May from 01.00 pm to 01.30 pm
Where: Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road (cnr Wigram Road) Glebe 2037
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Bus – Glebe Point Road
Draw on Life at Haymarket Library
Enjoy the feel of pencil on paper? Join artist Kathe Payne for an hour of pencil shavings and creative minds. Kathe will help you develop your sketching skills and guide you through some basic techniques for bringing you imagination to life.
When: On Saturday 17 May from 02.00 pm to 03.00 pm
Where: Haymarket Library, 744 George Street Sydney 2000
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Womens of the Chinese Tearooms
In this illustrated presentation featuring historic images, curator Dr Nicola Teffer talks about the women of the Chinese tearooms: the ‘ladies who lunched’, the social reformers and the waitresses who served them all.
The tearooms offered women of all classes a place to meet, socialise and collaborate on social causes such as the right to vote, temperance, the right for all children to attend a kindergarten and other women’s rights.
Dr Nicola Teffer is an art historian and curator with a particular interest in 19th-century Australian photography and social history. She was the 2012 State Library of NSW Nancy Keesing Fellow, and won the University of Technology’s Chancellor’s Award for her doctoral thesis in 2001. As well as curating Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story for Sydney Living Museums, Nicola has curated a number of exhibitions for the City of Sydney, including No Ordinary Man: Sydney’s Quong Tart, Coffee Customs, Recollecting Rowe Street and Spanning the Decades. She has lectured in the art history departments of the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney and has published her work in a number of academic journals.
When: On Saturday 17 May from 02.00 pm to 03.00 pm
Where: Museum of Sydney, Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets Sydney 2000
Cost: Free with Museum Entry:
Adults: $10
Concession: $5
How to get to this event: Two minute walk from Circular Quay and Circular Quay train station.
ATP Heritage Community Days
On Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 May 2014 ATP volunteer and former Eveleigh Railyard Engineer, Richard Butcher, will be taking tours of the Blacksmith Workshop, conducting a heritage interpretation of the space and giving a first-hand account of what the railway workshops used to be like. During the tours participants will also have the chance to see real blacksmiths from Wrought Artworks using traditional machinery and tools.
The fun day out will continue with train displays courtesy of ATP tenant 3801 Ltd where the whole family will be welcomed aboard to explore restored historical train carriages and engines. Devonshire tea will be served in the buffet with a backdrop of 1920s train memorabilia and décor.
When: Between Friday 16 May and Saturday 17 May from 10.00 am to 03.00 pm
Friday 16 May – tours at 10.00 am, noon and 2.00 pm
Saturday 17 May – tours at 10.00 am, noon and 2.00 pm
Where: Australian Technology Park, Locomotive Street Eveleigh 2015
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: CityRail operates frequent train services between Redfern Station (adjacent to the Australian Technology Park)
and other major Sydney stations including Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay.
The bus stop closest to the Australian Technology Park is on the corner of Boundary and Regent Street.
Pyrmont Festival in Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
The ultimate event to experience a fabulous blend of city and regional produce and creativity, guests can enjoy wine dinners and tastings, photographic exhibitions and art displays without having to leave the city. Iconic Mudgee wineries participating include Huntington Estate, Burrundulla Vineyard and Lowe Wines. Winemakers and Pyrmont eateries will expertly select wines to match lunches, dinners and tastings across the 10 days.
The festival headliner is a two-day outdoor event with free entry* in Pirrama Park on the weekend of 17 and 18 May (11am-5pm) that caters to the whole family, with a program of live music and local artists across both days, as well as rides and children’s entertainment. Guests can meet the wine-makers and taste more than 150 wines, as well as sample a broad range of fine foods at more than 50 stalls.
Presented by the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce with the support of the City of Sydney, in partnership with the Mudgee Wine Region, this 10-day festival program highlight’s Pyrmont’s position as one of Sydney’s fastest growing tourist, creative, cultural and dining precincts.
Pirrama Park Highlights
• The Eighth Annual Pyrmont Art Prize, curated by Lesley Dimmick of the Tap Gallery – This features more than 300 artworks with thousands of dollars in prizes on offer, as well as artists from Mudgee Region collaborating on a Sculpture Garden mounted throughout Pirrama Park.
• Mudgee Sculpture Garden – Situated in Pirrama Park, these eye-catching sculptures inspired by Mudgee Region’s rural landscape will feature in a special ‘Sculpture Garden.’ There will be more than 25 art pieces from nine Mudgee artists – with all works for sale. This will be on display on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May, from 11am to 5pm each day.
• Culture at Work’s Art Science Schools Project – Five local schools will paint more than 200 canvases with the topic of ‘Water,’ exhibited on 17 and 18 May in Pirrama Park.
• The Star Demonstration Kitchen – The Star will be showcasing the best of its fine dining at Pirrama Park on May 17-18 providing cooking demonstrations several times per day. Schedule to be released soon via the website.
*Editor’s note: Charges applicable for wine-tastings, with wine packages from $20
When: Between Saturday 17 May and Sunday 18 May from 11.00 am to 05.00 pm
Where: Pirrama Park, Pyrmont, Pirrama Road Pyrmont 2007
Contact: 0410 338 331
Website: https://pyrmontfestival.com.au
Notes: Free valet bike parking provided by the City of sydney
Other Services: Disabled access, Food outlet, Bicycle parking, Public toilets
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Sydney Buses
Light Rail
Mirko Parks
For one weekend in May, the small parks that dot inner-Sydney’s Surry Hills will be transformed into jaw-dropping outdoor galleries, with free contemporary art installations and performances in Micro Parks, presented as part of Performance Space: PSpace Social.
Artists Joan Ross, Ensemble Offspring, Justin Shoulder, Fondue Set, and Malcolm Whittaker will all stake their claim on tiny patches of greenery around Surry Hills to create free, family-friendly works. Some will be interactive, some immersive and others performative, but all will make art public, accessible, and fun.
Micro Parks was last staged in Erskineville as part of Sydney Festival 2013 and was enjoyed by over 6000 people. Now, it’s Surry Hills’ turn. Five of Australia’s most exciting visual and performing artists transform public parks into creative wonderlands. Adventure playgrounds will become colourful monsters, enormous wind-powered musical instruments will appear, long-lost dogs will be remembered, hi-vis fences will float in mid-air, and women and their babies will dance through time and space.
Designed to run throughout the day, Micro Parks allows the audience to wander from park to park taking in the installations at your own pace, or discovering performances as they appear. Pick up or download the PSpace Social brochure for a handy map and walking guide, as Surry Hills becomes alive with public art that proves every space is a Performance Space.
City of Sydney is the Major Partner for MICRO PARKS.
When: Between Friday 16 May and Sunday 18 May from noon to 05.00 pm
Check website for various performance times.
Where: Parks throughout Surry Hills, Check website for locations Surry Hills 2010
Other Services: Disabled access, Bicycle parking
Cost: Free
How to get to this event: Central Station