NEWTOWN VOICES
Sunday 4 June
Leichhardt writer and former Newtown resident Sue Cartledge’s first novel, Newtown Voices, will be launched at the Better Read Than Dead bookshop by Montreal Poetry Prize winning poet, Mark Tredinnick. The novel transports us to 1978 and follows the lives of four locally-residing characters: a newspaper editor, a queer anarchist activist, and two newcomers recently arrived on the scene — one from civil war in Croatia, and the other a divorcee from Tasmania. Tredinnnick says of Newtown Voices: “You’ll meet cops and crooks, journos and painters, emigres fleeing violence in Europe and bringing finer food and wilder ways in their luggage; you’ll walk King Street as it comes out of its closet and opens its eyes, as a new Australia dawned.”
Better Read Than Dead, 265 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
VIVID
26 May – 17 June
The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is coming to the Inner West. Rhodes: Creative will feature robots, 3D printing and wearable technology. Highlights of the program include a Human Robot Friendship Ball, to celebrate the relationship between people and machines. Participants will also be able to design jewellery using 3D modelling and 3D printing, while learning how to create wearable electronics. For a creative and fun-filled festival of masterclasses and activities, check out the range of seminars on offer.
The Connection, 30 Shoreline Drive, Rhodes
Bitch
31 May – 17 June
Sydney playwright Wayne Tunks’ latest play exposes a raw and sinister underbelly of suburban Australian family life with a darkly funny tale of characters. The Post family suffer through themes of alcohol, gambling and porn addiction, gender politics and more, with heart-warming humour throughout. Tunks says his work focuses on real issues people are facing today. ‘Bitch’ is both a gritty drama and black comedy that promises to entertain.
Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Tinel Dragoi
Saturday 10 June, 5pm
Celebrate the Balmain Sinforia’s 100th performance with a glass of bubbly and showcase from Australian violinist Tinel Dragoi, performing works by Borodin, Mozart and Dvorak. With previous performances in Romania, Switzerland, Cyprus and Adelaide, Dragoi will explore the vivid melodies of these timeless composers under the direction of Balmain Sinforia’s founder, Gary Stavrou. This year, Stavrou was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to music, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Sinforia.
Italian Forum, Leichhardt
Musica Lirica
Saturday 17 June, 5.30pm
Bellissimo! Enjoy a showcase of young opera singers performing popular Italian arias and songs at the Leichhardt Town Hall. Featuring arias from famous Italian operas such as La Traviata, La Boheme, Aida, The Barber of Seville, Rigoletto, Tosca, The Marriage of Figaro, and Madama Butterfly, guests will also enjoy nibbles and beverages to an Italian theme. All the performers are previous winners or entrants in the Australian Singing Competition, the nation’s most prestigious competition for classical singing. The free event will be music to your ears!
Leichhardt Town Hall, Leichhardt
Mrs Carey’s Benefit Concert
Sunday 18 June, 3pm
A community of musicians, passionate about classical music and social change, are donating their time for the inaugural Symphony For Life Benefit Concert. Featuring Sydney Brass, the Chamber music ensemble from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Consort 8, the resident ensemble at St Paul’s Anglican Church, the event will raise funds for music programs for underprivileged young people. Organised by celebrated classical music teacher Karen Carey, the woman behind the acclaimed documentary ‘Mrs Carey’s Concert’, the event seeks to ensure refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids and other marginalised young people have access to empowerment through music. If you’re a fan of classical music and good causes, this is the event for you.
St Paul’s Anglican Church, 205-207 Burwood Rd, Burwood
My Heritage
Friday 23 June, 6.30pm
Books and stories open up whole words to people — places and times unknown become connected to us. Minh Hiền’s touching memoir, My Heritage: Việt Nam fatherland motherland, shares the story of her migration to Australia. In 1981, seventeen-year-old Minh Hiền fled Vietnam in a tining fishing boat to pursue peace, freedom and education, leaving behind her parents and her customs. At this book reading, she will share stories of her rich culture and experiences. This event for UNHCR fundraising invites locals to join Patti Miller (Australia’s most experienced life-writing teacher), Margaret Eldridge AM (Minh Hiền’s first English teacher), Trí Tuệ and Farshid for a conversation about life-writing, autobiography and heritage. Enjoy refreshments from Vietnamese dishes at this free event.
Venue upon Registration, Drummoyne