Community Billboard 16th to the 22nd of November

If you come from the countryside and have shifted your life to being a city slicker but still miss the freedom of having your own farm, where you can take full advantage of the paddock to plate concept, or on the other hand you have never experienced what it is like to sow your own potato or generally get your hands dirty but the idea is always something that has interested you, then not to worry as the farm is coming to the city and you can be a part of all the fun and rewarding work.

This weekend there will be a City Farm Activity Day where you can have fun, meet new people and help prepare city farm materials.

City farms are growing in significance throughout Australia and the rest of the world, as part of a global shift towards sustainable local communities who are committed to sourcing fresh food. A City Farm or Sydney was first proposed back in 2009 and construction is now starting this year, at a location in Sydney Park at St Peters.

The City Farm will be a place for food production, farmers' markets, community participation, education, innovation and collaboration. Features will include: growing fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables all year round, running a weekly farmers market, minimising waste to landfill and maximising organic growing principles, inspiring and educating locals on how to grow their own food, connecting the city with the country, providing volunteer opportunities for the community and partnering with local institutions to bring everyone together to make this an even bigger success.

At the activity day you will be preparing the farm's raised garden bed materials and enriching soil in the orchard area, there will also be an indoor workshop to explore growing techniques for small market gardens and discuss crop ideas for the farm.

When: Saturday 21st November, 10am to 4pm.

Where: Sydney Park, Sydney Park Road, St Peters, 2044.

Cost: Free.

For a completely unique night out, the launch of Australia’s first ever electric viola da gamba band will be on next Wednesday, as Elysian Fields takes to the stage.

Band leader Jenny Eriksson is proud to launch Elysian Fields featuring the electric viola da gamba and a star line up of local artists including: Matt Keegan on saxophone, Matt McMahon on keyboard, Siebe Pogson on electric bass, Finn Ryan on drums and on this special launch night they will be joined by guests: Steve Elphick on bass and Sarah Belkner on vocals.

Jenny Eriksson is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading acoustic viola da gambists – a 7 string, bowed instrument about the size of a cello with frets however on this night it is all about a totally new instrument entering the Sydney improvised music scene.

Elysian Field’s influences are as broad as its members but include jazz greats, such as Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, Tord Gustavson, Victor Wooten and Mats Norrefalk. There will also be sounds of local artists Guy Strazz and Steve Hunter's work thrown into the mix. It is sure to be a night of entertaining ear tingling talent as it might be your first time hearing this sound live for the first time.

When: Wednesday 25th November, 8:30pm.

Where: Foundry616, 616 Harris Street, Ultimo, 2007.

Cost: $21:50.

An arts event that will show you the very best of emerging artists' work will be the UNSW Art & Design ANNUAL graduate exhibition and screenings, where you will see the work of the next generation of artists, designers, makers and digital media creators.

The largest national showcase of graduate contemporary art, design and creative media work, the A&D Annual encompasses multi-site exhibitions and screenings featuring exciting new work by more than 200 participating creatives, spanning installations, animation, media and film, digital media and graphic design, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, sound, furniture and jewellery, textile design, design for social innovation, ceramics and more.

The event will run for over two weeks giving you lots of time to go and spectate some of the great works on display. There will be a one night only special showcase on the 4th of December at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington, right next store to us here at Eastside Radio, bringing you a night of both new film and media work by graduating students.

When: 25th November - 12th December, 10am – 5pm (Closed Sundays).

Where: UNSW Art & Design, Paddington Campus, Cnr Oxford St & Greens Rd, Paddington, 2021.

Cost: Free.

If at times you are curious about what musical and artistic creativity future generations are going to be producing, maybe you feel that you are not hearing music like you used to, then an event that will give you a look at what great talent is coming your way will be the Schools Spectacular.

The event first started in 1984, it has grown to become a highlight on the Sydney entertainment calendar. With over 2000 dancers, a 1500-voice choir, an 80-piece symphony orchestra and 50 exceptional soloists there is going to be a huge variety of different talent throughout the event.

Students from more than 400 public schools across NSW including soloists from ages 5 to 18 who will feature in this inspirational display of music, dance and pageantry. The Schools Spectacular brings students, teachers, schools and their communities together in a rich and rewarding program.

When: Friday 27th Saturday 28th November.

Where: The Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly Sydney Entertainment Centre), 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour, 2000.

Cost: $68.00

With all the talent shows on T.V. and restrictions in certain areas, busking is not as common as it once was. However lots of artists still break into the music industry by playing and singing their hearts out on the streets.

If you love the energy and atmosphere that a busker creates then an event that will be busker central will be on next week as the Lexington Place Busking Competition is on.

Maybe you are an emerging artist yourself and want to keep finding ways to get your name and style out there then this an event to do just that, you can be sure there will be lots of like-minded artists there on the day who will want to connect. There could very well be talent spotters down there too it could be your next step to your big break.

Lexington Place will come alive with local talent as the artists battle it out for cash prizes. The prizes for youth and open categories are 1st Prize - $250, 2nd prize - $150, Audience Favourite - $100.
For an afternoon of great music, games and giveaways with a free sausage sizzle head along to the Lexington Place Busking Competition.

When: Saturday 28th November, 12pm - 2pm.

Where: Lexington Place, South Maroubra, 2035.

Cost: Free.

If you are looking to pick up some unique handcrafted gifts this time of year there will be a market full of artisan crafters at the Etsy Made Local Market.

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods. Next Saturday Etsy will be running its local market event to show you the talent and produce that is made by sellers who are living in your own community. Etsy Made Local is a one-off event featuring 65 stallholders from artisan jewellery makers to handcrafted home wares designers.

The team behind the event have been working for months to get the right mix of sellers on the day. Many of the sellers will be hobbyists, so there will be many unique products on display that you don't come across everyday.
The market is going to be a world of delicious food trucks, entertainment, workshops and, of course, some of the finest Etsy makers and designers in Sydney where you will get the chance to talk to the designers and makers about their project so you know exactly what you are buying.

When: Saturday 28th November, 10am-5pm.

Where: Seymour Centre, University of Sydney, Cnr Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale, 2008.

Cost: Free.

If you are a dog owner or you just happen to love the furry four legged pooches then the annual Glow in the Park is an event on in the Eastern Suburbs, to promote night safety when walking dogs while raise money for charity, and to just have a fun night out.

If you have a dog and find that working holds you back from bringing your dog out during the day and are left having to do it in the evenings when it is starting to get dark, this event will demonstrate how illuminating your pet at night can be fun and allows you to walk your best friend as safely as possible.

There will be lots of fun happening throughout the evening such as live music, a sausage sizzle, raffles and lots of great prizes for the best dressed, the oldest dog, most handsome dog, pet and owner look alike and a talent competition too. There will also be glow items for sale for pooches and kids and after the sun sets, the Christmas lighting comes on.

All proceeds go to a local charity, Fetching Dogs. This charity rescues dogs from the pound, provides all necessary veterinary care and then fosters and rehomes the pet into a new loving home.

When: Saturday 28th November, 6.30pm to 9pm.

Where: Alexandria Park, Buckland Street, Alexandria, 2015.

Cost: Free. 

If you are looking for a place to express your inner soul and to connect with like minded people who believe in consciousness, creativity and collaboration then there will be an event on to celebrate contemporary living to an aim towards a better planet at this years Embrace Life Festival.

The festival started in 2011 where a small group of holistic health and well-being specialists held an event to allow their community to experience different energy-based treatments, participate in group meditations and learn ways to approach day to day issues through a selection of hand-picked guest speakers.

Today the event has grown to a festival full of interactive and experiential workshops, music and stage performances,fashion designs and artwork, meditations, sound healings, body movement classes, access to a selection of treatments and readings, and gorgeous natural and handcrafted products.

The idea of the event is to provide a platform that allows for all creative expression where connections are created, information shared and everyone can engage in co-creating the life they live

When: Sunday 29th November.

Where: 151 Darley Road, Manly, 2095.

Cost: $15