January 31 and February 1 2015
Movie Club at Museum of Sydney
Sydney film maker Amin Palangi produced the documentary “Love Marriage in Kabul” and this film will screen on Sunday 8 February at the Museum of Sydney. Afterwards Amin and producer Pat Fiske will host a Q&A session. The film is about an Afghani-Australian woman who looks after orphans in Afghanistan. One of these orphans, Abdul, falls in love with his neighbour Fatemeh but the course of this love story does not run smoothly and needs the support of Mahboba Rawi, the Afghani-Australian woman to assist. Tickets $15/$12 includes free admission to the Museum of Sydney.
When and where: Sunday 8 February 11am to 1pm Museum of Sydney, cnr Bridge and Phillip Streets, Sydney.
The Unspoken Word is Joe
This is a play within a play within a reality. It interleaves reality and theatre and at times you feel like it’s quite Truman show like. Written by Zoe Dawson, the play is ostensibly about a break up but it is so much more. Directed by Declan Greene it stars Natasha Herbert, Nikki Shiels, Annie Last, Aaron Orzech and Matt Hickey. At just over an hour (without an interval) you will feel not entirely sure that you have seen a play rather than witnessed a delightful organised chaos.
When and where: On now until 7 February Griffin, Stable Theatre Kings Cross.
Tin Shed Camping Tours
The Rock Surfers are telling ghost stories, setting up a campfire, starting a sing-along and providing some sleeping bags in a woodland adventure! in the Seagull room on Friday and Saturday night. Tickets $15
When and where: 30 and 31 January 8.30pm Friday 6pm and 8.30pm Saturday 90mins. Bondi Pavilion Seagull Room, Bondi Pavilion Theatre.
The Credeaux Canvas
Directed by Dan Eady and written by Keith Bunin. Disinherited by his father, an art dealer, Jaime needs to make money (and his mark) for a friend Winston to paint his girlfriend Amelia (in the style of French painter Jean-Paul Credeaux) in an attempt to sell the painting (a forgery) as the real deal.
When and where: On from Saturday 31 January 8pm Seymour Centre, City Road, Chippendale
Madama Butterfly
Puccini’s tragic love story is presented by Opera Australia (Moffatt Oxenbould’s 1997 production) with soprano Alexia Voulgaridou in the title role, (Antoinette Halloran and Hiromi Omura will take the role of Cio-Cio-San later in the season), James Egglestone (and later Diego Torre) as BF Pinkerton. Sian Pendry, Graeme Macfarlane, Jane Ede, Samuel Dundas take the minor roles. Matthew Barclay directs this 2015 production which is traditional and focuses on the isolation and sacrifice made by Cio-Cio-San for the love of BF Pinkerton and her desperation and engulfing sadness when he does not return. Superb performance from this cast especially Alexia Voulgaridou and a guaranteed three hanky night!
When and where: On at the Opera House as part of OA’s season.
Piccolo Tales
A show in a Kings Cross Café! The Piccolo Bar which has appeared in many TV shows and movies about Kings Cross will be hosting Piccolo Tales written and performed by Vashiti Hughes. It is all about Vittorio, the 80 year old owner of this café and behind the scenes the tales over the last 50 years. Directed by James Winter. Tickets $40 inside $20 outside. Bookings www.picolotales.eventbrite.com.au. There is a 20 person maximum per show (for seating).
When and where: Starts February 3 Tuesdays and Thursday at 8pm Picolo Bar 6 Roslyn Street Potts Point
Playing Rock Hudson
Playwright and co-director Cameron Lukey looks at the final days of Rock Hudson’s life in a new play on at the Old Fitz. Stars Paul Dowson, Mark Taylor. It looks at what celebrities have to lose by coming out. Part of Red Line Productions first season at the Old Fitzroy Theatre. Tickets $27. Bookings www.oldfitztheatre.com/rock-hudson
When and where: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30pm Saturday 4pm Sunday 7pm. 3 till 15 February Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street Woolloomooloo
Beautiful Whale – Life Sized Photography by Bryant Austin
Finishing on 1 February is a beautiful photographic exhibition featuring 11 life sized whales photographed by Californian photographer Bryant Austin. Tickets $15/$10. Bryant will talk on the final day of the exhibition, Sunday, 1 February at 2pm about his experiences photographing whales in the ocean.
When and where: Australian National Maritime Museum, on now until 1 February 9.30am till 6pm.
Blakattak, Bandiera Nera and Strange Associations
In the University of Sydney’s Contemporary Art Space at the Sydney College of the Arts an exhibition looking at Aboriginal, Italian and Korean politics and culture is on. Blakattak focuses on Australia’s ignorance of Aboriginal history and equality and rights. Bandiera Nera focuses on the work of 20th century Italian film maker and poet, Pier Paolo Pasolini. Strange Associations is an exhibition by Yvonne Boag inspired from time she spent in South Korea.
When and where: SCA Gallery, Sydney College of the Arts, Callan Park, Lilyfield 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm Saturday Free. On until 21 February.
Cock
Directed by Shane Bosher, this play by Mike Bartlett stars Matilda Ridgway, Michael Whalley, Matt Minto and Nicholas Eadie. It’s all about John – who is in a relationship with his boyfriend but then accidentally falls in love with a woman and he is riddled with guilt. He decides to have a dinner party with both his girlfriend and boyfriend – what will his decision be! Tickets $38 – $32 – $22.
When and Where: Old Fitzroy Theatre, Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo, 3 February to 5 March.
Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective
Fifty original art works by New Zealand children’s author Dame Lynley Dodd with free story time and craft under fives on Wednesday mornings from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. Free.
When and Where: On until 15 March 2015, Level 1, Mitchell Building, State Library.
Bankstown: Live
Urban Theatre Projects together with the Sydney Festival present a walk into Bankstown where you can drop into the neighbours to see theatre in the backyard, filmed around the washing line and have a chat to the residents. This is actually the work of 25 international Australian artists who together with four local residents of Bankstown are presenting theatre film, audio and animated works in their homes.
When and Where: 22-25 January 2015, 6 pm to 10 pm, Northam Avenue, Bankstown.
Take a Seat: Australian Modernist Seating
The Penrith Regional Gallery looks at seating design and construction in the period 1940 to 1975. Curated by Meredith Hinchliffe, chair designs during this period was influenced by contemporary art, world wars and industrialisation.
When and Where: On now until 22 February 2015, Penrith Regional Gallery, 86 River Road, Emu Plains.
Circus Factory
Power House Museum Circus Factory is an exhibition of vintage toys and novelties, live performance and side show stories. It is a hands on interactive exhibition which also includes over 60 circus costumes and props and some of the costumes are over 100 years old. A vintage carousel is also on display. Have a go at the side show activities such as the Strongman Game, the Laughing Clowns and there are holiday activities throughout January including performances from Circa.
When and Where: On now at the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
Bungaree: The first Australian
This is an exhibition that was previously on at the Mosman Art Gallery and returns for another visit from this weekend. It is a multi-arts response by contemporary aboriginal artists to the story of aboriginal historical figure Bungaree. Mosman Art Gallery is bringing this exhibition back to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Bungarees Farm at Georges Heights in Mosman which was the first land grant by colonial authorities to an aboriginal person. There will be a site specific 9 day arts event to commemorate Bungarees Farm which will be presented in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Camouflage Fuel Tank at Georges Heights. If you were not able to catch this exhibition in 2012 when it was first at Mosman, then don’t miss it now. Free
When and where: On now till 22 February, Mosman Art Gallery. Bungarees Farm site specific event 31 January – 8 February, Georges Heights Mosman.
Towers of Tomorrow with Lego bricks
At the Museum of Sydney is an exhibition of a mini metropolis of skyscrapers from Australia and Asia. Built by Australian Lego obsessive, Ryan McNaught, the Lego towers include the Tokyo Skytree, the Twin Petronas Towers, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Sydney Tower. Kids can also make their own towers with lots of loose Lego bricks. Tickets $15/Family tickets $45.
When and where: On now until 19 April Museum of Sydney Cnr of Phillip and Bridge Street Sydney.
Pop to Popism
The Art Gallery of New South Wales big summer show Pop to Popism starts this weekend with over 200 works by famous pop artists. Get your fill of David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Brett Whiteley, Martin Sharp, Martha Rosler, Peter Blake, Maria Kozic and heaps of others.
When and where: On now Art Gallery of New South Wales
Notorious Criminals and Breakers
The Justice and Police Museum has a new exhibition about a grandmother Caroline Grills who baked cakes and slices but included just that added extra ingredient – rat poison! The story of Mrs Grills and many other infamous criminals is told in this exhibition as well as the clever criminals who were experts in safe breaking and other criminal endeavours that may not be practised as much these days! Tickets $10/$5
When and where: Weekends only on now from 10am to 5pm Justice and Police Museum, Corner of Phillip and Albert Streets, Circular Quay
2014 Moran Prizes
The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize will be displayed as part of the Moran Art Prizes Exhibition at Juniper Hall in Paddington.
When and where: On now till 15 February Juniper Hall, Oxford Street, Paddington
Harry Seidler: Painting toward architecture
Presented by Sydney Living Museums, this exhibition looks at one of Australia’s most famous architect’s pioneering and distinctive career and his work in office towers, houses, apartments and public buildings. This exhibition is curated by Vladimir Belogolvsky and Sydney Living Museums’ Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon. It looks at his journey from Austria to England and his work in Australia including collaborations with Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Neimeyer, Sol LeWitt, Lin Utzon, Dick Dusseldorp and Max Dupain amongst others. There are family photographs and personal effects.
When and where: Museum of Sydney, cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney from Saturday 1 November ($10)
The City of Forking Paths
This is a magical twilight walk listening to an audio narration accompany a film on a smartphone of the area that you walk from Customs House to the Quay and then to The Rocks. As a local, re-discover your own city and the amazing buildings and stories that have that built the city especially in The Rocks area. As a foreigner or from other parts of Australia, delight in this guided tour of a special part of Sydney. A specially commissioned artwork for the Biennale, Canadian artist Janet Cardiff together with George Bures Miller came to Sydney last year and spent several months in The Rocks, living and experiencing the area. They set about making a film (at night) which immerses you in your surroundings and introduces a soundscape, music and noise that accompany you on a delightful journey. So while watching the film and listening to the narrative which includes fictitious scenarios and confusing sounds, you are directed on this walk wending your way through laneways and streets, pausing to look at places you may normally just rush past and not notice. You take this walk on your own leaving space in between the next person to allow a gap to experience it yourself – indulging in an hour of aloneness and art. This film makes Sydney look like part of a noir film – moody and edgy but fascinating and historic. Given the proposed changes to The Rocks, this may soon be a historic record of the area. This audio video walk is a permanent gift to the city and is downloadable onto your smartphone or you can borrow a phone (leaving your credit card and photo id at Customs House). Suitable also for kids but from age 8 and above. Flat shoes recommended as it takes just over an hour – and then you need to walk back from the Rocks to Customs House to return the smartphone. Free! and on forever! or as long as technology will allow.
When and where: On now (and forever!) after sunset. Customs House Circular Quay.