Category Archives: What’s on in Sydney

A Day at the Sydney Writers’ Festival: it’s… the vibe… of the thing

Posted on by
Reply

The Sydney Writers’ Festival is an annual event featuring talks and panel discussions from authors around the globe. It’s a time when I get my writing/reading nerd on so I thought I’d share a feel for what a day at the festival is like.

  • I arrive. Sodden from the rain.
  • I get directed and redirected until I find the correct ticket window. Volunteers are in abundance, but unfortunately hold no clues.
  • I get misdirected again.
  • The queue is large by the time I arrive; the line stretches along the pier. It’s a free talk with limited space so volunteers count people waiting… 15, 16, 17… Continue reading →

Gig Review: Planetarium by Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner and Nico Muhly

Posted on by
1

Part greatest musical collaboration of recent times and part high school science lesson, last night’s performance of Planetarium at the Sydney Opera House was undeniably epic.

Sydney Vivid Festival brought together Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner (The National) and Nico Muhly to present a unique musical event themed around our Solar System. Performing to a packed out Concert Hall, the trio told the stories of each planet, the sun and the moon. An expert musical composition teamed with a stunning visual display expressed the voice of the individual planets as imagined by this holy trinity of modern music. Continue reading →

Is the decrease in quality political journalism a threat to democracy?

Posted on by
16

Growing up in my household, weekend relaxing was synonymous with reading the newspaper. After the grocery shopping was done I would open whatever food I’d snuck into the trolley when dad wasn’t looking and sit down to read the paper. It was usually a family affair with my parents, brother and sister peeling off their favourite sections of the paper. “Who has the Good Weekend?”… “Claire, did you leave it in the bathroom… again?” Happy days.

Now I usually get my weekend news fix browsing on my iPad or laptop. And not just one source either, I browse lots of different news websites and social media platforms to get my information. And I’m not alone on this one. Continue reading →

Garage Sale Trail Fun

Posted on by
6

Last weekend I hosted a garage sale as part of the annual Garage Sale Trail. Seeing as we don’t even have a garage this would appear a pretty amazing feat, but that’s just how I roll.

The Garage Sale Trail is an annual event in which everyone is invited to host garage sales or get amongst the sales as a buyer. It began in Bondi and now in its third year has spread Australia-wide. Continue reading →

Feminism: It is still relevant, but what next?

Posted on by
26

You could cut the oestrogen with a nail file as you entered the Sydney Opera House Theatre two weeks ago. As a kick-start to International Women’s Week, the House put on a series of talks titled “The F-Word”. This day of feminist discussion saw Naomi Wolf and Germaine Greer give individual talks, and was rounded out by a Q&A style debate featuring these two prominent feminists joined by journalist Clem Bastow and war correspondent Eliza Griswold.

Continue reading →

Gig Review: Girl Talk At The Enmore

Posted on by
Reply

Combine a seemingly disjointed mix of pop, rap, grunge and every other musical sound, Twist and Shout vigorously, drench in sweat, and add Kelly Clarkson to taste. Here you have the recipe for the perfect gig: a Girl Talk gig. Just don’t forget to add water or you might not make it out the other side.

Last Saturday saw Gregg Gillis perform yet another sweat-fest of a show at The Enmore in Newtown, Sydney. Working PARTYING under the alias of Girl Talk, Gillis knows how to get the party started, climaxed, and utterly done, all the while leaving the crowd panting for more.

Continue reading →

A Man and his Dog: “The Artist” Film Review

Posted on by
3

I never quite thought I would be able to say “I saw that new black and white silent film last night – and LOVED it!” But last week I did just that. I saw The Artist at St George Open Air Cinema and would recommend it to all.

Originally I wasn’t that keen to see it, but one of my more ‘culturally in-the-know’ friends was going and I really wanted to see her. Plus, heading to the open air cinema is one of my favourite summery things to do in Sydney. So I purchased my ticket on a whim and went along for the ride. Continue reading →

Best Restaurant in Sydney – Porteño, Surry Hills

Posted on by
2

Porteño is my favourite restaurant in Sydney.

OK, so I haven’t eaten at ALL the restaurants, especially the fancy ones, (remember no-one pays me to do this… yet) but hey, I eat a lot! So that’s got to count for something besides a popped button on your slacks, right? (Did I just say slacks? Am I my mother? Dear God.)

Continue reading →

The Great Australian Guilt – Shitty Weather

Posted on by
10

There is no greater guilt for Aussies than when you’re trying to impress someone visiting and the weather is shit. It’s December in Sydney and I’m still using my winter doona, wearing ugg boots and tempted to put the heater on in the office. La Niña you’re a bitch! Just ’cause you’re not ‘bikini ready’ for summer you’re spoiling it for the rest of us!

Seriously though, it’s an embarrassment. Particularly because a lot of my overseas friends will be visiting or returning home this summer. They arrive off the plane in their thongs and Bonds singlets expecting to be greeted with blue skies and balmy nights, and this is what they get?

Continue reading →