Ruckus’ Speed of Life
Sydney based, disability led, contemporary performance ensemble Ruckus are back at it again with their second major production Speed of Life. The show asks the question: “How might you navigate our modern culture when you are unable to process information like most people around you?”
In looking for answers the Ruckus team spent 14 days working in Cambodia and are now, after two years of development, ready to bring you the answers they have found.
If you haven’t got the memo, Ruckus is a group of six entertainers, who aim to smash stereotypes and challenge the audience’s preconceptions about disability through original and provoking performances. Catch Speed of Life between May 25th and May 28th.
For further information about Ruckus or to buy tickets visit ruckus.org.au/bookings. Tickets are $25/$15 concessions. Performances on May 27th and 28th will be Auslan interpreted.Where: PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, 107 Railway Pde, Erskineville.
Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now Festival
This two-week festival is hitting Australian shores with Norton Palace Cinemas playing host to the diverse program of 32 films from May 17th – June 1st.
The festival aims to showcase the past, present and future of independent cinema from the US, including cult classics The Virgin Suicides, Midnight Cowboy and newbies I Smile Back and Mapplethorpe. Films from a wide range of genres will be showcased, including narrative feature and documentaries, along with a retrospective on the first films of now major international filmmakers. Of the line-up fourteen films will be having their Australian premiere.
Ciao has five double in-season passes to give away to your choice of film from this deftly curated and spine-tingling collection. See our Giveaways page for details.
For further information on the festival’s programs and ticketing visit www.essentialindependents.com
Where: Palace Cinemas, 99 Norton St, Leichhardt.
Fri 13 May – 29 May
On Parramatta Road
Local photographer, Lyndal Irons has been documenting the raucous life of Sydney’s most infamous road for over four years. This long-term photography project has been highly awarded and Irons’ exhibition, marking the international Head On Photo Festival, is a chance to view it in completion. See Sydney’s vena cava in ways you never imagined! Official opening is 6-8pm, Friday May 13th.
Where: Articulate Project Space, 497 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt. Open 11am-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday.
Sun 15 May, 2pm
Fundraising Concert at Concord Hospital
Be taken on a European musical journey as the Reverend Paul Weaver and Bruce Wilson perform piano solos and duets to raise money for the restoration of the stained glass windows in the Concord Hospital chapel. Each year the pair performs for classical music lovers, delighting the audience with compositions from some of the world’s greatest artists, including Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt and Debussy. Everyone is welcome, but there is a suggested donation of $15 to ensure the chapel remains a beautiful venue for future concerts.
Where: Concord Hospital Chapel, Hospital Road, Concord
Thu 19 May, 6.30 – 7.30pm
Sydney Writers’ Festival at Ashfield Library
It’s that time of the year when writers, publishers and all-round creative folk descend on Sydney for the international event that is the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Luckily for us we don’t have to venture into the madness of the main precinct to get a piece of the action with Ashfield library partnering with the Festival for the 14th year running, bringing the event to our own backyard. Catch Irish crime novelist, Adrian McKinty, discussing his latest thriller, Rain Dogs. Gleebooks will be selling copies of the book with signings available. The event is free but bookings are essential. For further information or to book your spot visit www.ashfield.nsw.gov.au/page/library.html
Where: Ashfield Town Hall, 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
Ending Sat 28 May
Jane Bennett, Paintings of Glebe, Pyrmont & White Bay
As part of the ‘Creative Glebe’ initiative and the Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art, Jane Bennett will be presenting her major solo exhibition, ‘Paintings of Glebe, Pyrmont and White Bay’. As the name suggests, the exhibition will showcase the history of the Bays Precinct through the eyes of the artist. Particularly notable is a historical series recording the construction of the Anzac Bridge in 1994-95.
Where: Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. The exhibition is open from 9am weekdays, from 10am on Saturday and closed Sunday. Free
Sat 21 May, 11am-4pm
Other Worlds Zine Fair
For lovers of alternative art, this one is for you. The fair begun in 2014 as a critical response to the MCA Zine Fair’s connections to mandatory detention of asylum seekers through their sponsorship by Transfield. While the sponsorship has ended, Other Worlds continues to facilitate the sharing of creative works, in a system that is community run by a group of volunteer Sydney artists and zine makers. Can’t make the fair? Why not check out the launch party the night before, held at Jura Books, Petersham, which will feature live music for a $5-$10 entry.
Where: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Sun 22 May
Flemington Markets Kids karnival
Join Sam Moran from Nick Jr’s Play Along with Sam Show and other shows with Marvel Comics, Dora the Explorer and Paw Patrol. Lots of other free activities and fun things to do.
Sat 28th May
CO.AS.IT National Ball
This gala event will raise funds to establish initiatives that enable independence, participation and a greater sense of well-being for older Italians.
See www.coasit.org.au
