On This Week

Ok, I know this seems a bit lazy but I long longer have the time to kill on this blog that I used to. Therefore, I’ll probably just be posting my Mediate column here. Seems like I’m cheating, but meh.

What’s on This Week

Breaking Australia’s Silence: WikiLeaks and Freedom

Listen up future hard-core journalists! Have you been following all this wikileaks hoo-hah recently? Well if you’re still keen to hear more about it, be at Sydney Town Hall this Wednesday (16^th March) at 6:30pm for “Breaking Australia’s Silence: WikiLeaks and Freedom”. The public forum will include former intelligence officer and independent MP Andrew Wilkie, award winning journalist and documentary maker John Pilger as well as human rights lawyer Julian Burnside. The night’s set to be full of great discussion about freedom of speech, the democratic role of journalism, and the responsibility of government to protect journalists. So head along and voice your opinion, or sit back and listen to some really interesting speakers.

Absolut Art Exhibition

Generations upon generations of artists will tell you art & booze go down swell together, so it’s no wonder the world famous Absolut Art Collection’s stop over in Sydney is stirring so much hype. The exhibition features more than 20 renowned artists, including Andy Warhol and Louise Bourgeois, who have contributed their own vision of the iconic Absolut bottle. If that’s not already enough, this night time only event will also include local and international DJ sets, live installations, film projections and a cocktail bar to keep you entertained. Starting this Friday the 18^th at Ray Hughes Gallery in Surry Hills, the exhibition will be running until the 27^th between 6-10pm Tuesday – Friday, 2-11pm Saturdays, and 2-10pm Sundays

YouTube Symphony Orchestra @ SOH

“Classical music? Cool? Pffftch, never!”

Well that was before YouTube got involved.

This month, the Sydney Opera House will be playing host to the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is completely made up of musicians from around the world who were hand picked to play in Australia after their performances were seen on YouTube. If you’re not so keen on the music, there’s still plenty to do. The Western Foyer will be transformed into a YouTube Lab, where visitors can explore the ways social media and technology are changing the ways we create and access art, music and film. There will also be a Festival Bar, nightly performances from local acts, as well as real time projections of the concerts across the sails of the Opera House. The festival kicks off on Tuesday so head along to the website to see what’s on! http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/youtubesymphony/default.aspx

Oestrogen Love Fest 2011

aka International Women’s Day in taking place on Tuesday March 8.
This year IWD turns 100, and for those out of the loop, this is not a day to celebrate  boobs, sandwiches and PMS. Instead it is a day where we celebrate the achievements of women all around the world and use these achievements to inspire and empower others.
Unfortunately IWD doesn’t really have the same standing it does in other countries. Did you know it’s an official holiday in almost 30 countries and women get honoured with small presents and flowers?!
PRESENTS PLEASE!
Anyways, there will still be a few cool events running on Tuesday if you’re feeling the lady love.
Crafternoon Tea @ Reverse Garbage

This place is so rad. You can get lost in here for hours looking through piles of old children’s video boxes and kitsch 3D pictures of puppies and flowers. If you have never been to Reverse Garbage, it’s basically a not-for-profit co op not unlike a giant industrial style reject shop. There are two in Sydney, the original giant shed within the grounds of the Addison Road Centre in Marrickville and more recently a more designer/artist friendly addition in Taylor Square. This Crafternoon Tea will be taking place at the former from 2.30 – 4pm, so make sure you’re there to get creative, help the planet and eat cake with a bunch of other lovely ladies.

 

WOW Film Festival

If you haven’t had enough of short films since Tropfest, pop into Customs House from 12.15 – 1pm. To kick off the Annual World Of Women Film Festival and celebrate the centenary of IWD, the event will showcase a selection of  short films made by women. There will also be a Q&A session with the Festival Director Sil-Nyin Cameron so head along to see some great shorts and support women in film.

 

Leona Edmiston Luncheon

If you have $130 dollars lying around, why not join Leona Edmiston to celebrate her label’s 10 year anniversary and IWD all in one hit. You’ll get to enjoy a 3 course lunch with matching wines, a fashion parade of Edmiston’s AW11 collection and a few words from the lady herself about her inspiration for the collection and views on & tips for this season’s trends. The luncheon will take place at Pendolino in the Strand Arcade at 12:30pm.

If you have another $130 lying around after you’ve booked your ticket, why not take me with you?

 

Jurassic Lounge

Jurassic Lounge is going all girly on us, adding a few lady bits to their regular Tuesday night activities. Alongside the creepy skeletons and pythons doing the rounds, there will be tarot card readings, Cunningpants of Snatch & Grab Dj’s in the Silent Disco, as well as a screening of Dena Curtis’ documentry 8 Ladies (don’t worry, there will almost definitely be more than 8 ladies there on the night!).

$15 entry on the door includes a free drink, so head to the Australian Museum between 5:30 and 9:30pm.

 

Happy IWD! Don’t forget, small presents and flowers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Your friends,

aroundsydney

 

March For The Exhibitionists

If you wake up tomorrow feeling a little bit more colourful or creative, don’t panic! It’s only Art Month int the CoS.

No this does not mean you should add a whole bunch more blurry black & white pics to your flickr. I’m sorry man, your photography sucks. But it’s okay, because throughout March there will be plenty of stuff on to get you inspired.

The program has been split up into four precincts, so you can easily check out what’s happening near you or plan a day trip accross the city. Talks, workshops, walking tours, live music nights and luncheons will be taking place all over town so check out the webste

Map guides – http://www.artmonthsydney.com/2011/maps/

Main website  – http://www.artmonthsydney.com/2011/

Here are just a few of the things that caught aroundsydney‘s eye.

ARTcycle (link)

Every Saturday during Art Month bike tours of each precinct will be running. Guided by various biking enthusiasts, artists and Fbi hosts alike, these tours are a great way to explore, learn more about local artists and gain buns of steel all in one day!

Make Clover Moore’s dreams come true, GEDDON YER BIKE!

More details here

Creative Conversations (link)

Creative Conversations will be bringing together artists and fashion designers to talk about their collaborations at the lovely National Art School in Darlinghurst on March 23rd. Akira Isogawa will be there to discuss his collaboration with artist Lindy Lee, and sculptor Adam Laerkesen will be talking about his works for sass & bide. The talks will focus on the relationship between art and fashion and are a great opportunity to hear some of the Australian creative world’s best talk in depth about their work.

Sadly it’s not a free event, tickets will set you back $25  and can be bought from the website.

Marrickville Open Studio Trail (link)

An open day for studios and art spaces in Marrickville, MOST will be most worth the trip into the inner west.

With everything from printmaking to woodwork on show there will be a lot to cram in in just one day. For the really keen people out there, there will be two different walking tours running.  In the morning take the street art tour through the colourful lane ways around Newtown & Enmore. If you still have energy after that, the ARI (Artist Run Initiative) tour from 2-5pm will show you around artist run galleries, exhibitions and studios.

You can download the map from the title link or head to the Marrickville Council website for a run down on everything happening on the day.

Art After Work (link)

All you really need to know about this is free drinks. You’re welcome.

Happy Art Month!