What's On – 225

Get in the Halliday spirit

For many Inner Westies, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas until they’ve sung along with others carolers at Carols in Halliday Park – a tradition that spans over two decades…

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Carols in Halliday Park. To be held from 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th December, this year promises to be a great night for the whole family with the usual entertainment, carols, festive food, candles, glowsticks and, of course, a special visit from Santa Claus himself – how he’ll enter the park this year is anybody’s guess!

Drawing a crowd of thousands each year, there’s no better way to kick off the Christmas holidays than singing Jingle Bells with a backdrop of the famous McGrath Avenue house lights. Local charity, Communities for Communities, is holding the event to raise much needed funds for the 2014 building project in Indonesia so come along for a fun evening that supports a good cause.

• Where: McGrath Ave, Five Dock. For more information visit www.communitiesforcommunities.com.au.

 

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Keen Victorians

Following the success of last year’s A Christmas Carol at Newington College, the Friends of New Theatre will be returning with another unforgettable show titled Victoriana!

Newington’s historic Old Stone Chapel is the perfect place for this year’s pre-Christmas entertainment from New Theatre. Victoriana! is both a music-hall cabaret and singalong so frock up, grab a few friends, book a table and join in singing the choruses of Daisy Bell, She’s Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage, Where Did You Get That Hat?, Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-Wow and Waiting at the Church, plus plenty more music hall favourites.

The evening’s entertainment is suitable for ages 10+ and with only two performances on Saturday 14th December at 7pm and Sunday 15th December at 4pm, music lovers won’t want to miss this chance to work their vocal chords!

Tickets are $40, or $35 for concession, including snacks and song sheets. To book or for more information visit www.newtheatre.or.au.

• Where: The Old Chapel, Newington College, 200 Stanmore Rd.

 

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From Friday 13th December

School holidays at the library

Marrickville kids are invited to enjoy a whole program of free exciting activities at their local libraries this year, which will include pirate dress-ups, craft workshops and a special Christmas Storytime session and party on Wednesday 18th December from 11am at Marrckville Library. Come along for songs, stories and visit from Santa. Don’t miss the Mad Hatter’s magic show at Marrickville Town Hall on January 14th from 2pm either, the show promises to be an hour of enchantment with Alice and the Mad Hatter’s spectacular fusion of magic, juggling, singing and dancing. Bookings essential on 9335 2173 or 9335 2174.

• For the full program visit www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/en/library/

 

Monday 16th December

Sydney Sixers return!

The Sydney Sixers are set to play their second Twenty20 cricket game at Drummoyne Oval this year on December 16th. The gates will open at 3pm with junior clinics running until 5pm. Then the Sydney Sixers v SCG XI match will kick off at 6pm. The event offers something for everyone, with cricket clinics for the kids, giveaways, autograph opportunities, a membership drive and much more. Come and meet the players and settle in for an evening of action and party entertainment! Food and drink will be available for purchase or you can bring your own picnic but remember this is an alcohol and glass free event. Entry is free and all ages welcome – the last match attracted a crowd of over 3000 people!

• Drummoyne Oval: Bayswater St.

 

Until Sat 21st December

Red Bull Curates: Ross Halfin

This rather rad exhibition hits Earl’s Duke Joint in Newtown this December showcasing a selection of photographs by one of the world’s most acclaimed music photographers, Ross Halfin. The limited edition works span four decades and feature legendary subjects including Led Zeppelin, The Who and Black Sabbath. Each of the 12 small bars involved in the exhibition (of which Earl’s is just one) has chosen 10 images to exhibit, in collaboration with Halfin, that best represent their venues. The images will rotate and be exhibited until the end of the year with the images on display all available for purchase.

• More info at www.redbull.com.au/curates

 

Sunday 22nd December

Neighbourhood Christmas Party

Join The Royal Hotel’s Neighbourhood Christmas Party from 12pm to 5pm on December 22nd and spread some holiday cheer amongst your fellow locals. Bring the whole family along to this all-ages event with a petting zoo, face-painting and a special visit from Santa organised to keep the kids entertained as well as Christmas hampers and raffles to be won, live entertainment and two complimentary drink tickets on entry. There will also be complimentary snacks available all afternoon. You’d be crazy to miss it! The Royal Hotel will also have a competitions to win one of 10 Christmas hams on Christmas Eve this year, with proceeds going to St Vincents de Paul.

• Where: 156 Norton St, Leichhardt.

 

Until 25th December

Petersham pop-up shop

A new pop-up shop has opened in Petersham featuring artisan and designers gifts just in time for the Christmas season. Check out this little treasure trove next door to Arome Living, which will be selling Australian made pieces including Florence Broadhurst journals, cards and notebooks, paintings by Hugh Ford, cushions made from original pieces of Australian designer and vintage fabrics as well as a few quirky pieces and stocking fillers for kids. Operating from 10am to 4pm daily, if you’re stuck for gift ideas, this is the place to be inspired. All customers will receive a beautifully embossed gold and green notebook free with every purchase.

• The Wild Colonial Company: 74 Palace St, Petersham.

 

Friday 20th December

Bruer’s Brew

Get in the Christmas spirit with some live music this year – be at the Marrickville Golf Club from 7pm on Friday for a soul and funk extravaganza featuring special guest vocalist, Robert Susz, alongside Jason Bruer on sax, Adam Pringle on guitar, Vito Portolesi on bass and Antero Ceschin on drums. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and start the weekend on the right note, with free entry all night long. If that’s not music to your ears, we don’t know what is!

• Where: Wharf Rd, Marrickville.

 

Saturday 21st December

Christmas Carnevale!

Come along to the Family Christmas Carnevale and Carols night at All Souls Church in Leichhardt this month and celebrate the start of the holiday season! From 4pm, there will be a children’s zoo, jumping castle, busking, nativity photos, pony rides and face-painting to entertain the little ones, while the older guests can enjoy a coffee and barbecue dinner. Carols starts at 6pm. For more information visit allsouls.net.au or call 9569 2646.

• Where: corner of Marion and Norton Streets, Leichhardt.

 

Sunday 2nd February

Laneway Festival

It’s just been revealed that the Laneway festival will again take place in Callan Park next year after Leichhardt Council approved an increase in the venue’s capacity to 12,000 attendees for the upcoming concert (some councillors wanted the capacity to be capped at 8,000). This year’s lineup features a range of international and local talent including teenage sensation Lorde from New Zealand, XXYYXX all the way from the USA, Australia’s own The Growl and CHVCHES from the United Kingdom,  just to name a few. Music lovers won’t want to miss this outdoor festival right in Rozelle.

• Where: Sydney College of the Arts.