What’s on – 298

Yabun Festival 2017

Want to join the largest one-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia? Of course you do. Held upon the traditional lands of the Gadigal people, Yabun (meaning ‘music to a beat’ in Gadigal language) Festival is a celebration of cultural survival featuring two performance stages, over 100 stalls and a number of tents dedicated to panel discussions, community forums and the showcasing of Indigenous cultures. There is also a dedicated Jarjum’s (children’s) tent.

Gatherings such as these are traditionally held on January 26 to rejoice in the survival of Indigenous cultures in the face of European invasion. Yabun is a highly anticipated event that provides a positive space for audiences to celebrate, share, and immerse themselves in the world’s oldest surviving culture.

For the full line-up visit www.yabun.org.au.

Where: Victoria Park, Parramatta Rd and City Rd, Camperdown


 

Treading Lightly

There’s been another merger between our local councils, but this time, it’s a joint effort to deliver a series of free workshops and events aimed to help Inner West residents tread a little lighter on the environment. The collaborative project is managed by Burwood Council, City of Canada Bay, Inner West Council and Strathfield Council, catering specifically for residents.

There is a long list of exciting events such as cooking classes using veggies from your garden, a beehive crawl or compost and worm farming workshops. It’s important to remember that spots fill up quick and registrations open approximately four weeks in advance of each event. Running frequently throughout the year and in various locations across the Inner West, there is bound to be a workshop that interests everyone, with many of the events catering to children. You may even tick off a pesky New Years resolution.

Ciao’s top pick is a No Dig Gardens workshop; hopefully 2017 is the year we finally manage to get that balcony garden we have always dreamed of!

For further information or to see the full list of upcoming workshops contact your local council or visit their facebook page.


 

Now – 19 Mar, 7.30pm
Short + Sweet Festival

The biggest little theatre festival in the world is hitting the Inner West. Running until March, each week is a totally different program, which means new writers, directors and cast. But what makes the festival so ‘little’? Each individual performance of theatre, dance, cabaret and comedy is delivered in tasty, ten-minute bites; a format that has now spread across the globe.

Ciao has one double pass to Week 4 of Short + Sweet, February 1-5, featuring eleven incredible acts, to give away. See our Giveaways page for details.

For further information and the full program visit www.shortandsweet.org.

Where: The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville

 

Jan 19 – 22
The NOW Now Festival 2017

Step aside heavily produced, cookie-cutter festival gigs, here is something different. And more exciting. NOW Now is the annual festival of improvised, spontaneous and experimental music and is back for its 16th year in a row. Aside from showcasing some seriously diverse and creative talent, including musicians, dancers, sound artists and other inspired creative types, the festival is entirely artist powered, which means your ticket price will go directly back into the creation of more incredible works. Running over three nights, tickets can be purchased per night or as a full-festival pass.

Tickets are $20 or $60 for a festival pass. Visit www.thenownow.net.

Where: 107 Projects, 107 Redfern St, Redfern

 

Tues 24 Jan, 10am-12pm
Reuse Workshop

New year… new sustainability goals? Involve the whole family in environmentally friendly practices by bringing the kids along to City of Canada Bay’s Reuse Matters workshop, where they will learn to create mosaic art using only upcycled materials. Taught by an artist, it will allow children to explore their creativity.

Visit www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au.

Where: Concord Library, 60 Flavelle St, Concord

 

Jan 27 – Mar 10
Pics in the Park

Organised by the Inner West Council, Pics in the Park takes place each Friday night and runs from the January 27 through to March 10, with showings alternating between Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt and Mort Bay Park, Balmain. Kicking off at sunset, each night will feature family-friendly short films before the advertised feature. The program begins with a special Yabun Movie Night as part of the 2017 Yabun Festival, featuring the Australian feature film Spear. While the events are free, there will be opportunity for a gold coin donation which will go directly to Twenty10 – a not-for-profit organisation that supports young people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities.

Visit www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au.

 

Sat 28 Jan, 6.30-8pm
Introduction to Urban Beekeeping

Have you heard the news? Bees are awesome. Aside from working hard to create that glorious substance called honey, they also work to pollinate other species and even act as environmental indicators. When the bees are dying something is up with the environment. With all these cool benefits, why not have them in your backyard? This January the Green Living Centre is here to teach you the basics of urban beekeeping, hosted by our local beekeepers at the Graveyard Community Garden. (Perhaps the only type of farm we can manage in our tiny Inner West terraces.)

Bookings essential, visit www.greenlivingcentre.org.au.

Where: The Graveyard Community Garden, 189 Church St, Newtown

 

Ends Jan 29
From the Vault

From the Vault showcase some of the masters of Indigenous art and one of the most exciting art movements of this century. With almost 2,000 works, the exhibition is diverse and powerful. This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some Indigenous art pioneers.

Visit www.kateowengallery.com

Where: Kate Owen Gallery, 680 Darling St, Rozelle