Get out and about this month
Art X
10 years of Breathing Colours Art Gallery in Balmain. This tucked away creative institution is turning 10. After years of nurturing, showcasing and breaking emerging artists and established artists, Breathing Colours pays tribute to some of the greats in the stable with a show – Art X. Until Sunday 11th February 2018 on Montague St, Balmain.
Farm Chats
The FARM CHATS series bring together a range of experts each month on a range of focus areas, including food growing, ethical and fair food, young farmers, female farmers, food sustainability, waste, native foods, plant-based eating and farm-to-table. On February 7th with a panel chat on urban farming with co-founders of Pocket City Farms, Emma Bowen and Michael Zagoridis, plus Nick Ritar from Milkwood, Jon Kingston from Wayside Chapel and a VERY special international guest Michael Ableman, a renowned urban farmer from Vancouver who started Sole Food Street Farms. Also coming up are talks on female farmers, bush foods and plant foods. There is Young Henrys on the beer taps and Maker Sydney providing delicious snacks. Tickets are $20, including a drink and nibbles. February 7th Camperdown
The Uncommon Feast.
As part of Lunar New Year in the Inner West, celebrated Asian-Australian writers Lachlan Brown, Wai Chim, Eileen Chong, Isabelle Li, and MC Sheila Ngoc Pham will read their work and discuss themes of culture, identity and food. Live Chinese music from Eugenia Teng, traditional Chinese tea and snacks, book sales and author signing.
Wednesday 7 February
Book online viawww.innerwestlibraries.eventbrite.com.au or call 9716 1810. Ashfield Town Hall
Calligraphy and painting demonstrations
A special series of connecting with extraordinary Chinese artists
Thursday 8 February see Chinese artists Professor Wen-hua Tan (Director of Australian Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Art Institute) and calligrapher Daniel Ng demonstrate the ancient art of calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting. The finished pieces can be taken home – a tradition said to gather good wishes for the year ahead.. No bookings required. Leichhardt Library, Monday 12th February see Chinese artists Su-bin Xu and calligraphers Wen-lu Zhu and Zhuo-quan Chen at Marrickville Library. On Monday 19 February Chinese artists Xiu-ying Chen and Ding-xian Luo and calligraphers, Wen-lu Zhu and Herry He Wang will be at Ashfield Library
See the full Lunar New Year program at www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/lunarnewyear
Storytime
For children ages 3-5. Kiran Shah will lead festive chanting and dancing, and tell stories involving Chinese Zodiac animals, to usher in the Year of the Dog. No bookings required. On Wednesday 7 February at Haberfield Library
Author Wai Chim leads an interactive story time of the popular Chinese fairy tale The Four Dragons. No bookings required. Ashfield Library and Wednesday 14 February there is a fun and interactive story time session dedicated to doggy fuzzy, shaggy and adorable best friends. Bookings required on the day of the session, call the library on 9335 2173. Marrickville Library
Free Lunar New Year film screenings
Enjoy a selection of gripping Asian cinema, for free.
On Tuesday 6 February. Eat Drink Man Woman screens at the Marrickville Town Hall meeting room. On Friday 9 February watch Chinese Zodiac at Ashfield library. Light refreshments provided. On Friday 23 February check out All in this Tea at Marrickville Town Hall meeting room. For more info go to www.innerwestlibraries.eventbrite.com.au or call 9335 2173.
The Metropolitan Orchestra Turns 10
To celebrate enjoy a gorgeous concert of Beauty. Sibelius’ “Swan of Tuonela” is immersed in ancient Finnish mythology taking the listener on a magical journey where a swan glides majestically on black mystical waters.Then move to the beautiful and desolate Australian outback in a world premiere Australian orchestral song cycle titled ‘Beauty’. The second half of the evening will take the audience to the ‘New World’ with Dvorak’s iconic ninth symphony.
Sat 17th February 8pm, Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, www.metorchestra.com.au/tickets
Aged Care Expo
Scalabrini is hosting a free Aged Care Expo to provide families with an informative event to help reduce the stress of navigating the complex system. Take the opportunity to discuss, Retirement Village, Home Care and financial systems (discussing lump sum and/or regular income stream withdrawals from your home equity), problems with seniors’ medication mix-ups, home down-sizing and more. Enjoy complimentary wood-fired pizzas freshly cooked by the resident chef, and go on site tours of the brand new state-of-the-art village at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
Saturday 17 February from 10.00am – 3.00pm at The Village by Scalabrini, 5 Mary Street, Drummoyne, Admission is free, however you need to register by calling 1800 722 522
Instrument Petting Zoo
As part of the opening celebrations, Inner West Institute of Music are hosting a free event: An Instrumental Petting Zoo. This is an opportunity for curious children (and adults!) to see, hear, and touch the musical instruments, such as violins, cellos, saxophones, drums, piano accordions, ukuleles…the list goes on! Discover your child’s inner Mozart. Sunday 18th February, 1-2:30 at suite 2, 84 Great North Road, Five Dock. Bookings are essential as space is limited! https://innerwestinstituteofmusic.com/events/
Bag It Screening
Everyone is invited to a free screening of /“Bag it: Is Your Life Too Plastic?” – a film which takes a light-hearted look at a serious issue. The screening will be followed by drinks and nibbles and a chance to talk to local business owners in a relaxed atmosphere about how they have reduced single-use plastic and to find out about their experiences of saving money and the environment, gaining a competitive edge over big business, attracting environmentally-conscious Inner-West customers by harnessing the awareness about plastic pollution fuelled by “War On Waste.”
Thu. 22 February 2018, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, The Addison Road Community Centre Marrickville.
Lunar New Year Festival in the inner West
Inner West Council will celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Dog with a series of events culminating in the annual festival in Ashfield Civic Centre. Council’s 2018 Lunar New Year festivities commence on Tuesday 6 February with a film screening, and end on Saturday 3 March. Everyone’s invited to these free events: There is a special event – the Lunar New Year Festival featuring Beijing Opera, and traditional dance and musical performances in the Town Hall, and a lucky Lion Dance through the business district.
Ashfield Civic Centre, 260 Liverpool Road Ashfield, Saturday 3 March, 11am.
Stressed and Anxious?
The Free Glebe Anxiety Disorder Support Group meets on the 1st Saturday of each month at 3pm at the Belendi House. The next meeting will be on the 3rd March. The support group is open to people with Anxiety Disorders and their friends and family. The group is for over 18s and is not suitable for people with Schizophrenia or PTSD. Find people that can help support you and your network. For more information call Rachel on 9339 6013 or email supportgroups@wayahead.org.au