Community Billboard 13th to the 19th of July

If you feel like not putting on your usual outfit one morning and just strolling out of the house to do some shopping in your pyjamas or if you want to bring some fun to your workplace with colourful onesies then this is the day to do it. Thousands of schools, businesses and groups across the country will be showing up in their PJ’s and onesies for the day in support of national Pyjama Day. It is a a day dedictated to raising funds for The Pyjama Foundation who help children in foster care enjoy a brighter future through reading, education and encouragement.

It is a fun way to highlight the importance of reading and to raise funds for children in foster care at the same time. Currently there are 43,000 children in care and it is estimated a staggering 75% of these kids will not finish schooling, so it is a given that as much as possible needs to be done, and there is no funnier and more comfortable way to do it.

When: Friday 17th July, 1:00am–11:00pm.

Where: Pitt Street Mall, Pitt St, 2000.

Cost: Free.

Looking to eat healthier while also going green and growing the vegetables yourself? Then "Seed to Plate" is where you will find out all you need to know about setting up your own vegetable patch. Even if you live in a city slicker's apartment and are afraid that you just don't have enough room on your balcony, not to worry as you will be shown all the dos and don'ts, learn what plants and vegetables grow best in small spaces, the importance of healthy soil and how to grow veggies without the use of chemicals.

The event will be presented by Myriam Petrie who will demonstrate that winter is an enjoyable season for gardening, if you know what to grow. So get them green thumbs on and start sowing your seeds to get a meal on your kitchen table from your back garden.

When: Saturday 18th July, 11:00am.

Where: Green Square Library, 100 Joynton Avenue, Zetland, 2017.

Cost: Free.

For all of you who are passionate about art you are probably well aware what is starting next week, however just to remind you, the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes are beginning. The annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike will be back again having first been awarded in 1921, it is Australia’s favourite art award, and one of its most prestigious.

Awarded to the best portrait painting, it’s a who’s who of Australian culture – from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists you will be sure to see a few familiar faces.

The Wynne Prize is awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture, while the Sulman Prize is given to the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project in oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media.

The exhibition will run for over two months so you will have plenty of time to go for a look at some wonderful works of art and you can also see the work of budding artists aged 5-18 on display in the Young Archies.

When: Saturday 18th July to Sunday 27th September.

Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, 2000.

Cost: Adult: $15, Concession: $12.

Can't decide what your next gig is going to be? Well next week one of our proud sponsors the foundry 616 will be holding a night of high-quality original and improvised music from several great artists.

It is going to be a night packed with entertainment as one of Australia’s most highly respected and well known jazz pianists Matt McMahon, who is a frequent collaborator with such artists as Phil Slater, Katie Noonan, Sandy Evans, Simon Barker, Steve Hunter, Dave Panichi and many others. McMahon will be joining Hannah James, the duo will be presenting a collection of Hannah’s originals and favourite standards.

Then following this highly anticipated performance you will have Matilda Abraham along with her band. On this night she will be joined by Jonathan Zwartz for both electronic and acoustic parts, interwoven with lush vocal harmonies to set you on your night.

When: Tuesday 21st July, 7:45pm–11:00pm.

Where: Foundry616, 616 Harris St, Pyrmont, 2009.

Cost: Adult: $15.00, Member: $10.00, Door Sales Only.

If you are looking to explore why your mindset is key on understanding what's possible, how entrenched beliefs can be transformed to help you get to where you want to be and to find out how you can help vunerable people in need then "The Hunger Project" will be holding a "rethinking what’s possible" breakfast workshop. This is a free 2-hour experience of giving you insights into the work of "The Hunger Project" and inviting you to consider your role in ending hunger.

The Hunger Project is the world’s largest leadership and training organisation working throughout Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, committed to empowering people to end their own hunger.

Working in 24,000 villages and impacting 19 million people, "The Hunger Project" has developed a unique and highly strategic approach to leadership. To share the inspiring stories of with their village partners
and recalibrate your perspective with examples of what’s possible in your life the rethinking what’s possible workshop gives you the opportunity to see how questioning your own beliefs can result in extraordinary outcomes.

When: Wednesday 22nd July from 7.30am to 9.30am.

Where: 1/1 Castlereagh Street, Sydney 2000.

Cost: Free.

With these cold winter evenings, doing outdoor activities might not be top of the list, so that's why "Late Night Library at Surry Hills" is back: the award-winning program where they keep their doors open and invite talented performers to question, challenge, experiment and entertain.

One of the many events that will be on throughout the winter season is "Stories about Music" an evening of songs and stories from some of Sydney's best, including Anwen Crawford who is a music critic for The Monthly and The New Yorker, and recently published Live Through This a book on Courtney Love. You will also be hearing from Tom Ballard and AH Cayley on the night.

When: Thursday, 23rd July, 9:00pm to 10:00pm.

Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street, Surry Hills, 2010.

Cost: Free.

As part of the "Bondi Winter Magic Festival", which was set up five years ago, there will be art on Bondi's streets this week (you can read more about this on last week's community billboard) and next week there will be "Bondi's Music on the Streets", happening down by the beach.

A fun day of feel-good music vibes where there is sure to be something for everyone, as the organisers have invited everyone from buskers to orchestras, garage bands to musical families, established musicians to bagpipe players. There will also be a variety of dance groups in attendance, inspiring onlookers to loosen up and get in the groove.

Each year music on the streets raises money for charity. This year proceeds will go to the Wairoa School in Bondi who provide quality educational programs, in a caring environment, for 65 students with intellectual and multiple disabilities drawn from the eastern and inner west areas of Sydney.

When: 26th July, 11am-3pm.

Where: Bondi - Campbell Pde, Gould Street, Hall Street, Curlewis and surrounds.

Cost: Free.

One thing that you notice around the CBD is that Sydneysiders love their coffee, it is the caffeine hit in the morning that drives a lot of us of here.

If you are one of the many coffee lovers out there who appreciate being served a good roasted brew, "The Aroma Festival" is back for its 18th year of awakening your senses to the richest blends of coffee. The festival has already begun, however its highlight will be next week as the "Aroma Festival Day" is on for you to participate in a blend of activities and workshops.

For the third year running the best cafés in the Rocks will play off in the fierce "Aroma Cup". Each café goes head to head creating the best froths and showing off their own technical coffee making flair to win over the people’s choice awards, as well as industry of the year award for the best coffee experience of the festival. Plus you’ll find more than 50 coffee and gourmet food stallholders, food trucks, vintage and specialty coffee carts, latte art competitions and demonstrations, pop-up bars and cafes, roving performers, and live coffee painting.

This is a day to congregate with your fellow coffee connoisseurs and smell the roasted beans fill the streets of the rocks. You might find your new favourite place to pick up a cuppa while also hearing from the experts.

When: Sunday 26th July, from 10:00am–5:00pm.

Where: The Rocks, Corner of Circular Quay West and Argyle St.

Cost: Free. 