Whats on in Sydney

Inspiring a city in love with art and culture, Hunter Street in the city centre will host live art activation transforming the street into a bustling art space and exhibition.

In a dynamic pop-up style installation, two large shipping containers will take over Hunter Street and form a blank canvas as eight renowned urban artists permeate their unique artistic flare. The artists, including Nadia Hernandez and Shannon Crees, will be dazzling passers-by at various times over a two week period, ending 22 July, with the installation on display for a further week until 31 July.

Workers, shoppers and visitors are encouraged to come down and explore the Hunter Street Urban Art Intervention, meet the artists and take in the creativity at every angle. Tables and seating will be available, allowing visitors to sit back and watch the art pop to life.

The Hunter Street activation is part of the Transport for NSW’s business activation program supporting local businesses during light rail construction by reminding Sydneysiders and tourists that the city centre is still open for business.

For daily artists schedule please see our Facebook page.

In celebration of La Fête Nationale, Felix is celebrating Bastille Day all week!

Every night there will be a special dish designed by Head Chef Nathan Johnson, plus beautiful installations to deliver an exceptional experience for you and your guests.

Toast the occasion with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs at the special price of $95 per bottle or $20 per glass. Available from Monday 11 – Sunday 17 July.

The dinner menu for Thursday 14 July can be viewed here.

Bookings can be made online, or by contacting our reservations team.

King Street bakery café Bakers Maison are preparing for one of their biggest days of the calendar year – the French National Day known as Bastille Day. Just another day in Sydney for most Australians, 14 July – le 14 juillet – in France marks the day of the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the end of feudalism for the French people.

As a traditional French-style bakery, the Bakers Maison team hope to commemorate the momentous day of French democracy with 1789 free croissants with purchase for the hard-working people of Sydney, starting from 7am until 6pm!

The afternoon will see patrons offered some of the best of France with a free wine and cheese tasting. The wine will be red, the cheeses a sharp blue and a devilish triple cream brie, paired with our hot out of the oven French breads.

All are welcome and we hope to see you drop in for a free croissant with your coffee, cheese and wine tasting on the day!

In the early 1920s, an exhibition of war photographs toured Australia, attracting crowds and enthusiastic reviews.

Most of the photographs were taken by Australian personnel who served at Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front. The photographs were enlarged and hand-coloured by ‘digger artists’ at Colarts Studios from smaller snapshots.

In most cases, we don’t know the names of the photographers, nor the returned servicemen who coloured the images, but we do know that the exhibition was a tremendous success.

Some 90 years after the original exhibition toured the country, these prints — which came to the State Library in the 1960s — are displayed together in Colour in Darkness.

Chase away the cold with the launch of Pier One Sydney Harbour’s winter lodge on the pier. Partnering with the oldest distillery in the Scottish Highlands, Chivas Regal Whisky, the lodge is open throughout the colder months.

Chivas Lodge on the Pier provides the perfect winter escape, where guests can watch the sun set in the harbour from the comfort of the lodge. With all the luxurious features of an alpine ski lodge, guests can sip drinks by the fire and relax with friends, in the comfort of lush throws, rugs and opulent finishes.

Special offers over the 3 months include:

• Thursday – Complimentary tasting plate
• Friday – Live music with roaming three minute massage angles
• Saturday – DJ
• Sunday – Live performance.

Chivas Whisky masterclass with Chivas ambassador Rachel Macdonald
14 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep, 23 Sep

Mumm Tasting Class with G.H.Mumm ambassador Chris Sheehy
29 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sep

The Gantry Restaurant Whisky Degustation Dinner with Executive Chef Joel Bickford
15 Sep

Pricing:

• Masterclasses and special dinners: from $40 per person
• Exclusive hire of the Chivas Lodge on the Pier is available.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the official website.

Chivas Lodge on the Pier is open to all over 18 years old.

From the utterly marvellous writer of Neighbourhood Watch and The Dog/The Cat comes a modern romance about wanderlust, heartbreak and karate. Lally Katz has spent the past decade turning her life into a series of hilarious and theatrically gorgeous plays. This time it’s her parents’ turn.

After nearly losing his mind in the abandon of 1960s America, young Danny (who happens to share a name with Lally’s father) finds his way again with the help of an enigmatic sensei. At a New Jersey karate dojo, he and other mislaid souls make their way back into the world, and Danny bumps into a woman called Lois… Meanwhile, in present-day Australia, Danny’s long-lost grandchild has decided to become Patti Smith…

Inspired by the true events that brought Dan and Lois Katz together, Back at the Dojo features a Hogarthian parade of characters, two real-life karate instructors and the incomparable Luke Mullins (Angels in America, The Glass Menagerie) in a role written specially for him. Belvoir joins forces with legendary Melbourne company Stuck Pigs Squealing for this ravishing, nourishing story about the myths families live by.

A co-production with Stuck Pigs Squealing

Image: Luke Mullins and Natsuko Mineghishi. Photographer: Brett Boardman.

The Cleftomaniacs are an auditioned community choir which meets each Thursday evening during school terms at the South Sydney Uniting Church in Raglan St Waterloo. The choir has a long and distinguished history and have been singing together for over 20 years.

Highlights include performances of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, the presentation of the 2008 Sydney Acappella Festival and many tours to regional and interstate festivals. In 2015 The Cleftomaniacs undertook a tour of New Zealand and this year they participated in the 2016 season of The Events at The Belvoir St Theatre. They will also appear at the Blackheath Choir Festival in late August.

The choir is led by arranger, composer and music educator, Gary Smith, who currently directors 5 Sydney community choirs as well as managing a choral website; Acappella Central. Gary also leads music tours to international festivals.

The Cleftomaniacs will present their next major concert at The South Sydney Uniting Church on Saturday evening, September 24.

In 2017 they plan to make a musical tour of Hawaii.

The Choir will have a 2 week break on Thursday July 28 and August 4.

How does it work? Viewing the exhibition is free.
Artists of the society donate the paintings.
The paintings are hung on the walls and a catalogue is produced.
Tickets are sold at $370 each.
Ticket holders come to the gallery during the viewing times and list their favourite paintings.

On Sunday 7 August at 12 noon we draw the tickets one by one until all tickets are drawn. When your ticket number is drawn out you select a painting – it’s taken off the wall and given to you.

Every person purchasing a ticket will choose a painting. There are always more paintings on walls than tickets sold so that everyone has a choice of paintings.

There is excitement in the air as 12 noon approaches on the day of the draw – the giant lolly jar circulates through the gallery rooms, a glass of bubbly relaxes the nerves and the fun begins – everyone takes home a painting of their choice. For added excitement there is an auction commencing at 3.30pm. If you wish to take part in the auction, register at the front desk.

Viewing times:
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm
First viewing Saturday 6 July and every day until Saturday 6 August (last viewing day)
No viewing 7 AUGUST ( Ballot ticket required for entry)
Door open at 11.30am for seating only.
Draw will commence at noon sharp.
Ticket holders and partner only. Children cannot be accommodated on the day.

For any information at all regarding the Ballot please contact the event organiser.

The magic goes on… Thursday night at the Mec brings you Live & Original with Pat O’Grady an explorer of music genres; Just Kidding – Band Just a couple of kids, kidding around; and ending off with Jonathon Holmes a piano thumpin’ singer/songwriter.

Kat’s Hosting with Lola on the sound desk. These beauties will also bring you a song or two.

The night kicks off at 7:30, 3 acts, 3 bucket rounds and ends off at 10:30. Be sure to fill the bucket with loads of love for live & original music❣ There’s also a meal deal for 15 bucks from the kitchen which is open til 9:30pm.

The Mercantile Hotel – The Rocks is Australia’s oldest running Irish pub, filled with character & we add to the character when we perform there.

Join us on Thursday night❣

Christmas comes early at Sheraton on the Park!

If you love the festive season and don’t want to wait until December, then join us for Christmas in July at our signature restaurant Feast and indulge in the traditional Christmas gourmet buffet and everything that makes the season delicious.

Double seating on Friday and Sunday dinner only:

• 6pm – 8pm
• 8.30pm – 10.30pm

A foundations class where anyone is welcome to come and revisit the basics or get to know yoga for the first time.

Every pose, even the simplest (and sometimes especially so) can hold a challenge for us. As we move, place our bodies in shapes and try to breathe comfortably, we feel sensations.We can also look to the mind. So it’s a bit of body and a bit of mind. There will be music played during the postures and we relax lying down on the floor at the end.

The class is designed to be small so you can be guided more personally as you try the postures and breathe and move.

Wear comfy clothes that are not too baggy. Everyone is welcome. Injuries and special requirements welcome. Everything provided.

Bookings essential.
See website for details.

Held postures, supported by blankets, pillows and props. Restorative yoga is an approach that doesn’t require movement. Postures are either seated or lying and held for a number of minutes once you find a way to settle into the support.

Restorative yoga targets the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the branch of the nervous system that is responsible for all the physiological responses we feel when we are relaxed. Through conscious breathing and focused attention, we practice becoming attuned to the body and then we practice letting the muscles relax.

Restorative yoga is a good practice in which to nurture an injury back to health. It is a great balance to a dynamic yoga practice and it is proven to decrease a high stress response and assist recovery from trauma. The use of support means this practice is well suited to those bodies that are naturally very bendy as the support is more important than the sensation so injury is less likely. Instead of bending into the body more, we take the poses in a way that facilitates a deep muscular letting go where muscles send the chemical signals to the brain that everything is OK and we are safe to relax, which stimulates the parasympathetic response. It encourages a sense of being supported, being at ease and being held.

Bookings essential.
See website for details.

In yoga nidra or deep conscious relaxation of body and mind, the body fully rests. Traditionally on the floor lying down, the practice can also be done seated if necessary. Whatever option, the body is supported and encouraged to be comfortable and relaxed.

Your awareness is guided by the teachers voice to focus on different areas of the body to induce a state of deep rest. The practice is usually around half an hour and might be preceded by some gentle stretches to assist your body to release into the posture for resting.

Anyone can do yoga nidra. It is widely known that the benefits are similar to the refreshing effects of deep sleep.

You don’t need special clothes as it’s a no sweat practice and there is no wriggling against your clothes as you move.

Bookings essential.
See website for details.

Black Eye Gallery is proud to announce the upcoming solo exhibition of Christopher Walters.

“When does a landscape image stop being a landscape image? How much information does it need to portray before it becomes something else, something abstract? With the saturation of photography widely accessible in the world today I am looking to push the boundaries of what a photographic landscape image is, what it needs to say, and also what it doesn’t.” – Christopher Walters

Christopher Walters photography conveys the details of a place that gives you that special feeling that is hard to describe. Like a misty sunset, the stillness of the ocean, low lying clouds or rolling hills doused in sunlight. When isolated, these details evoke a sense of place without being tied to a particular location.

Opening night celebrations run from 6 – 8pm on the 8th of July, rsvp to anna@blackeyegallery.com.au

These classes are calming. There are some flowing vinyasa movements at the beginning of the practice to move and disperse excess energy. As the class progresses the pace slows so that after slower movements toward the end the poses are almost restorative, which means on the floor and staying in the pose for longer.

Over time this practice helps moderate feelings of anxiety or continuous worry and helps manage panic and stress. The postures are designed around slower breath focused movements. We do more forward bending, less back bending. We work on grounding in balances and slowing down the breath. We move the joints and limbs softly and place the hands with meaning and the intention to come back to yourself (Nyasa).

Bring a thread (Sutra) of calm in to your week, to help tie the busy-ness together.

Bookings essential, see website for details

The Galeries and Art Month Sydney continue their partnership with the launch of their inaugural Emerging Artist Exhibition, which celebrates and supports Australia’s next generation of contemporary art talent.

Following a call-out to artists back in March during Art Month Sydney, four talented finalists will display their works in The Galeries public art space for the month of July, with an artist prize announced on 12 July 2016 at an official launch event.

The finalists consist of Brendan Barnacle Duck, Daniel Grosz, Jessica Barraket, and Kai Waskowski.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artist, with a People’s Choice prize. Votes can be cast online at www.thegaleries.com/emerging-artists, or shoppers can vote in-centre using their mobile devices.

Voting closes August 2nd 2016.

Learn to brew great coffee at home, with a variety of manual methods, brew theory, the right coffee roasts and advice on what equipment to pick.

Plus, brew equipment packs available for purchase.

Looking for some great ideas to avoid the winter brain drain, and keep the kids entertained over the July school holidays?

The flagship Microsoft Store at Pitt St Mall Sydney is the perfect destination to keep their imagination and creativity active over the winter break.

In collaboration with EA Sports, this unique Festival of Xbox will include workshops on the most popular EA Sports games, including FIFA ‘16, NBA Live and Madden ’16. Kids will work in teams to complete hands-on challenges and in-game tournaments. These interactive workshops are recommended for children aged 7 – 14 years.

Apart from brushing up on their teamwork, participants will also be treated to exclusive ‘tips and tricks’ from an expert player, learning to play like pros on the virtual field!

There are limited spaces available so parents are advised to register in advance. All children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Heavy Metal brings together works from three ongoing series by Sydney sculptor, Dion Horstmans. Wall mounted and freestanding, Horstmans’s multi-dimensional sculptures are crafted using precious and base metals. Heavy Metal includes works in gold, bronze, black nickel, copper, and steel.

Horstmans’s obsession with contrasting ideas (flow and stasis, light and shadow) is built upon in Heavy Metal as he examines the notion of strength, weakness, and the passing of time. Malleable precious metals that will tarnish and corrodes sit alongside Horstmans’s trademark steel structures – a material renowned for its strength and longevity.

Shadow, the overarching theme in Horstmans’s practice, transforms works and marks the passing of time; the impermanence of precious metals highlights this notion. Metallic lustres are exploited – areas are polished to produce brilliant illumination while others are left dull and raw. Light is captured and reflected, darkness is omnipresent and time is frozen in Horstmans’s tangible, static shadows.

Traditional tribal patterns and motifs underpin Horstmans’s entire body of work and these bold studies of line and shadow are a respectful nod to his Islander heritage. Shapes are revealed as the viewer moves around each work – a constant dynamism that embodies Horstmans’s infinite energy.

Text by Harriet Morgan.

In Metamorphosis, I explore of one of the great mysteries of life through the transformation of fly larvae in an immersive stereoscopic projection. Maggots are more commonly associated with death and decay, but like caterpillars they undergo a stage of transition before emerging as exquisite insects.

For this installation, I visualised and animated virtual pupa data captured through the science of 3D Microcomputed X-ray Tomography led by forensic research at the Natural History Museum in London. This new work is a result of my collaborative relationship with key researchers in visualising 3D and 4D data captured with Micro-CT at the NHM Imaging and Analysis Centre. My 2015 residency at the Centre was supported by an artsACT project grant.

My practice encompasses a range of photographic media in both traditional print, digital platforms and interdisciplinary research. My investigations of frontier scientific visualisation technologies has forged new territory with the science of Micro-CT. I am a pioneer of 3D and 4D Micro-CT visualisation using Drishti volume rendering software at the ANU Department of Applied Mathematics. In 2015, I was awarded the inaugural Paramour Prize for Art and Innovation and am a recipient of the 2011 Synapse residency grant through ANAT.