Community Billboard 26th of October to the 1st of November

It is never too far between a good family festival happening in Sydney, and this one is over here on the Eastern side. A day that celebrates everything good about a fair day with live entertainment, carnival rides, market stalls and boutique shops, it is the annual Double Bay Street Festival.

The festival is back this year even bigger and better, with over 320 stalls selling bespoke items, there is something there for everyone.
There is all day entertainment, roving entertainers, amusement rides, camel rides, a children’s activation area from Goodstart Early Learning and a prestigious car display.

There will be an endless variety of fabulous and unusual stalls featuring designer fashions, vintage, antiques, kids toys and clothing, Fair Trade, sustainable and eco friendly products, gourmet food and all sorts of other lovely goodies.

When: Sunday 1st November, 10am 4pm.

Where: Knox Street, Double Bay, 2028.

Cost: Free.

The buildings in Sydney might not be the oldest in the world, however some of the architecture and history is the best in the world. For 364 days a year, some of Sydney's most iconic and recognisable (from the outside) buildings are shrouded in secrecy, but one day of the year they are yours to discover, learn about and explore at the Sydney Living Museums Sydney Open.

The annual event has been presented by Sydney Living Museums since 1997, Sydney Open lets you discover the story of Sydney’s architectural heritage from the past, present and into the future. You can explore the unexplored during Sydney Open.

A chance to see more than 50 buildings of the city’s most treasured and architecturally significant buildings from the CBD to Ultimo and Chippendale, such as Sydney Town Hall and Parliament House. Gaze at the new buildings changing the face of our city, such as the UTS, revisit old favourites like St Mary’s Cathedral and, for a lucky few, delve underground into the St James Station Tunnels.

You might stroll past these buildings every day but it is not everyday you get the opportunity to go and see for yourself what is in the unknown corners of the QVB, The Mint, or Sydney Fire Station plus lots more interesting locations, you can also bring your camera along to this one day event.

When: Sunday 1st November.

Where: City wide.

Cost: $49.

If you are looking to put your favourite quote or familiar saying in a lovely framed art piece but don't want just plain simple text writing, head along to an arts workshop that will show you how you can accomplish turning your favourite words into an art piece at Words Into Art.

This workshop will experiment with watercolour paper and paints as well as black sharpie pens to create a typographic art work. We have all seen the home touches that people have hanging on the wall or stuck to the fridge with friendship quotes or humours sayings, however this is your chance to put your unique touch to it and have something meaningful to you, framed that will make your home decorations even more personal.

Words Into Art will be instructed by Lynda who is a qualified transpersonal art therapist with a passion to share the relaxation experience of mandala creation. Lynda‘s philosophy around creativity is anything goes and there’s no right or wrong way to explore creativity. Pop along and create your own unique symbol.

When: Wednesday 4th November, 6:30pm to 7:45pm.

Where: 21 Oxford St, Paddington, 2021.

Cost: $19.

If you are a regular listener to Eastside Radio you might already know about this event, as it is sure to be full of worldwide talent and a celebration for the love of music, as the fourth year of the Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival returns next week for two weeks.

The festival is being held in one of our proud sponsors great jazz venues and is brought to you by the City of Sydney and the "Sydney Improvised Music Association" who are not for profit organisation that facilitate the performance of contemporary jazz and improvised music since 1984 and have organised a number of gigs in its time that you might have been to.

This year the festival brings together a diverse range of artists from Australia, Canada, the USA and Cuba.
This year the festival is celebrating the joy of life, and youthful energy as conveyed through music.
The launch night of the festival will see four-time JUNO Award winner, and two-time Grammy nominee Jane Bunnett bring her Maqueque to Australia for the first time bringing world class Afro-Cuban jazz.

Throughout the festival you have some highly talented artists from around the globe and Australian such as Mimi Jones - Camille Thurman Quartet, Ellen Kirkwood and Alex Hahn & the Blue Riders plus many more. It is a must attend event if you are fan of great live jazz with lots of different styles and techniques on stage you have a whole two weeks of choosing.

When: Wednesday 4th to Sunday 15th November.

Where: Foundry616, 616 Harris Street
Ultimo, 2007.

Cost: Various Prices, Some events free.

The avenues in which we purchase Fairtrade products and learn more about where we shop are becoming more accessible all the time. If you are looking for a place that provides handmade products that believe in ethical awareness then head along to Designed For Good.

This unique pop-up brings together a collection of like minded brands creating products that combine good design with social justice. Showcasing a curated collection of beautiful designer home wares and accessories that are ethically handmade and support communities of artisans living in some of the most challenging regions of the world, you can shop here from the 4th to the 22nd of November.

Some of the brands that will have products for sale are "One Another", "Shelf/Life", "The Dharma Door" and "Once was Lost" who all have a passion for ethically and fairly traded products.

During the length of the pop-up's opening they will also be running workshops, next Sunday is your chance to learn how to make your own stunning organic vessels using Fairtrade raffia as Lisa Tilse who is recognised as one of Australia’s most respected and influential voices in contemporary craft and design, will be showing you how to make your vessels.

When: Event 4th to 22nd November, Workshop 7th November.

Where: 72 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, 2010.

Cost: Pop-Up - Free, Workshop $100.

Next Friday will be the 20th anniversary of the Lennox Street Studios.

The studio’s 20th anniversary show will throw the doors open to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic process and introducing the public to the artists behind the work. The events will all start next Friday and run through the weekend, the show will be opened with a launch event featuring special guest speaker, renowned Australian artist Elisabeth Cummings.

There will be lots of special events from artist studio tours, artist talks, a tour of Newtown street art, to life drawing class and much more.
Represented artists for the celebrations will be a selection of some of Australia’s most high profile artists including Wynne finalist 2014 Tim Johnson, 2014 Sulman prize winner Andrew Sullivan, and Michael Fairweather, Archibald finalist 2014.

It is your chance to take in the wonders of Lennox Street Studios that consists of 35 studios and currently houses 34 practicing artists, an opportunity to meet the artists, discover their stories and sources of inspiration and buy work directly from them.

When: Friday 6th to Sunday the 8th November.

Where: Lennox Street Studios, 111 Lennox Street, Newtown, 2042.

Cost: Free.

If you are looking to get an insight into another country's culture but are not sure where, then just head along to Darling Harbour next weekend, as "Matsuri in Sydney" returns for another great day of Japanese culture celebrations.

The one day festival first started back in 2006 to celebrate Japanese culture and cross cultural friendship between the Japanese and Australian people. Last year the event had over 25,000 people in attendance and this year is going to be even bigger and better.

A festival that will bring you Japanese food stalls, a beer garden, and lots of gorgeous Japanese stalls.
There will also be exhibition booths where you will find traditional arts and crafts workshops with activities like origami and calligraphy, and over on the stage you will find yourself entertained by traditional festival dancers, as well as karate and sumo demonstrations, a taiko performance and much more.
A fun day out to spend the day at Australia's biggest Japanese event.

When: Saturday 7th November, 11am 7pm.

Where: Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, 2000.

Cost: Free.

Maybe you have skied in Austria or hiked the Inca Trails in Peru or maybe you have never left your own state, either way an event that caters for all of you who want to learn more about the next place you travel is going to be on next weekend as the Adventure Travel Expo comes to Sydney.

Whether you are a first time backpacker or a seasoned traveller, this unique travel expo brings together tour operators, accommodation networks and employment and volunteering agencies to help you choose your own adventure.

Each team member at the exhibition has a unique and charismatic approach to developing memorable experiences, they will work with you to make sure all your requirements and stop-offs along the way are met so you can have an unforgettable experience.

When: Saturday 7th Sunday 8th November, 11am - 5pm.

Where: Lower Town Hall - Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, 2000.

Cost: Free.