whats on in sydney
Mitchell Library After Dark Tour
As I have mentioned before, we are entering loads of competitions over here. I am pretty much convinced that we are the ONLY ones doing so because we seem to be winning at least one thing every week. It’s starting to get a little embarrassing, if I’m honest and it’s starting to become a bit of a joke with our friends here.
A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call inviting me to the Mitchell Library After Dark Tour which I won having entered an online competition with radio station ABC Sydney.
Himself had to work late in order to keep me in the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed since moving here (high class hookers and cocaine served by oopma loompas from solid silver platters) and so I went on my own but I wasn’t very well (bad head cold) and frankly felt like death warmed up. However, ever dutiful, I thought it only right and proper to spread my plague around the other unsuspecting members of the tour group and so off I trudged to Mitchell Library, without a thought for my own bed and flu remedy based needs.
We were greeted with wine and canapes – *little rice pancake wrap things with vermicelli in the middle that stuck to the roof of your mouth like clingfilm and made it impossible to eat and hold a conversation at the same time. Having to stop mid conversation to suggest to an old man that he remove a worm of vermicelli which has just landed on his specs isn’t a good look. (It’s easier just to not say anything and walk away slowly).
Once we’d negotiated the vermicelli wraps and the Chenin Blanc, we were split into two groups and enjoyed a guided tour around the very bowels of the building. Our extremely knowledgeable and affable guide Paul Brunton took us into the picture storage room and through the staff offices where we saw some strange artifacts (many of them hair based, strangely) before leading us to the basement where thousands of books are stored. We stood in the dark and heard a story about a gruesome murder (which is what you need on a Monday evening), before heading back up to see some items belonging to writer and poet Henry Lawson, including his death mask which was a bit eerie. But ooh, what a lovely ‘tashe.
The second half of the tour was a focus on some of the item in the museum’s current exhibition ‘100′ which is part of the library’s centennial celebrations.
It promised to be really interesting but unfortunately by this time I was drowning in my own snot and thought it best to ‘do one’. Besides, I think that Himself might be interested and it’ll keep him quiet for half an hour.
So it was pleasant way to spend an evening, something a bit different and an insight behind the scenes of one of the most historic buildings in Sydney. Certainly worth a look.
* this pic was borrowed from http://simonfoodfavourites.blogspot.com which is a fabulous website for Sydney foodies or those visiting the city. I will be working my way through his recommendations for the next oooooooh, eight years.
Going out in Sydney, in February, For Free
Going out in Sydney with no money is a doddle – there are lots of free events and festivals on throughout January and February. I hope this gives you a decent list of free things to do in February.
Since we started writing our blog we have been doing LOADS (and I do mean loads) of free things in Sydney. I mean like almost everything that we have done over December was free, and then in January we had a bit of money, so brought tickets for events at Sydney festival, BUT… not forgetting; New Years Eve and the NYE Fireworks, Sydney Festival First Night with Al Green, Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra on The Domain, Australia Day celebrations in Hyde Park, Circular Quay and then the fireworks in Darling Harbour… as well as the Laneways art installations/exhibitions in the city we have done REALLY well, and as we have been walking to almost all of these free events – it has cost us pretty much… NOTHING (apart from a LOT in beer – shhhh)
SO in light of this, I have decided to give you a list of all of the free events in the main festivals this February – Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year (program here), TropFest short film festival, Sydney University O (orientation – read Freshers) week and loads of other cool little things that you need to read the local publications about.
Good advice is to either spend $3.95 on Time Out Magazine or visit their website – which is blooming awesome!
Free Things To Do In Sydney this February!
Monday 1st February
Been and gone – too late for me to add anything
Tuesday 2nd February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Wednesday 3rd February
Thursday 4th February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Friday 5th February
Bankstown Chinese New Year – www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au
(5.30pm-9pm) Bankstown City Square
Saturday 6th February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
(9.00am-late afternoon) Bankstown City SquareBankstown Chinese New Year – www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Fringe in Paddington – Markets – www.thefringe.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Steyne Market, Manly – www.steynehotel.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
Sunday 7th February
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
Monday 8th February
Tuesday 9th February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Wednesday 10th February
Thursday 11th February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Friday 12th February
The start of Sydney Chinese New Year Celebrations
(4pm-10pm) Held at Belmore Park (in front of Central Station, Sydney) there are due to be 350+ acrobats performing as well as “firecrackers” – read maybe small fireworks? There will be a Chinese New Year Market with food, stalls, music and festivities – I gather that the traditional Chinese New Year lion thing will be weaving its way around as well (from the pictures)
Saturday 13th February
(9.00AM-5PM) The Fringe in Paddington – Markets – www.thefringe.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Steyne Market, Manly – www.steynehotel.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
(8pm) Summer of Free Love – Space, Sydney – Old School Rave/House night – www.spacevanue.com.au
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Sunday 14th February (Valentines Day)
Picnic on the Domain for the lovers?
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
Monday 15th February
Tuesday 16th February
(10.00-12.30) Held at City of Sydney Library Make your own Chinese New Year decorations – NSW.gov.au
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Wednesday 17th February
Thursday 18th February
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Friday 19th February
(7pm) Held at Gallery 4a: Cinema Alley – Film Showing – The Cowboys Flute. Just note you need to book tickets, it isn’t just a free for all.
Saturday 20th February
(9.00AM-5PM) The Fringe in Paddington – Markets – www.thefringe.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Steyne Market, Manly – www.steynehotel.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Sunday 21st February
(10am) Mardi Gras Fair Day – Victoria Park, Camperdown
(Lunchtime [12pm] until late – 11pm ish) TropFest Short Film Festival – AMAZING short Film festival that EVERYONE goes to. – www.tropfest.com
Twilight Chinese New Year Parade
(7.45-10pm) Held in Chinatown and Cockle Bay (Darling Harbour) – FREE FIREWORKS and parade
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
Monday 22nd February
Sydney University – Oweek (freshers) Dance Festival from 3pm – Look on the website – http://www.oweek.info
Tuesday 23rd February
Sydney University – Oweek (freshers) Look on the website – http://www.oweek.info
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Wednesday 24th February
Sydney University – Oweek (freshers) Pie Fight??? Look on the website – http://www.oweek.info
Thursday 25th February
Sydney University – Oweek (freshers) Look on the website – http://www.oweek.info
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Friday 26th February
Sydney University – Oweek (freshers) Look on the website – http://www.oweek.info
Saturday 27th February
(7.45pm) Oxford St. & Flinders St – Darlinghurst – Mardi Gras Parade
(8am to late afternoon) Massive Dragon boat racing event with over 20 rowers in each boat! You have seen the adverts with the drummer in a boat – well this is for real with them racing up the harbour.
(9.00AM-5PM) The Fringe in Paddington – Markets – www.thefringe.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Steyne Market, Manly – www.steynehotel.com.au
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBd – www.therocks.com.au
(10.30AM) From in front of Town Hall – Local people show off their best bits of Sydney – it is free, but apparently it is accepted that you tip them for their time. Free walking tours of Sydney www.imfree.com.au
Sunday 28th February
(8am to late afternoon) What I guess are the finals? of the Dragon boat racing event which starts on the Saturday 27th.
(9.00AM-5PM) The Rocks Markets, The Rocks, Sydney CBD – www.therocks.com.au
Hope that this helps if you are looking for things to do in and about town.
Any days that are missing or anything that you have found for free – just let us know.
Himself
A Couple Of Nights Out In Kings Cross, Sydney
Kings Cross, Syndey – Nights and going out at Goldfish, The Sugarmill, Darlo Bar & The Bunker
DJ at the Bunker, Kings Cross
We have been out a few times now in Kings Cross (the happening, fringe area of Sydney) as it is only about 10 minutes walk from us, and is the closest station to where we are living. It is a bit odd really as going out over here on a Friday night is a straight from work event with your work colleagues, and Saturday seems to be a much later affair with people going from one place to another as each one closes up – I have seen dawn two weekends on the trot after going out on a Saturday!
Best nights that we have had have been at Darlo Bar (around the corner from us) and Goldfish on our side of Kings Cross. I get the impression that you really need to know where you are going as many of the bars charge, and it would be an expensive mistake to end up paying for a crap night out. Darlo Bar is great as they have quiz nights, movie nights and all sorts – its a bit of a curse being so close 
We also went to The Sugarmill to see a girl who we saw DJ’ing in Darling Harbour play again – I took her a few tunes, but we missed her by about an hour or so – 
. Decor in the Sugarmill is mint – like the bars that Zsófi took us to in Budapest.
The music that we have heard out and about has generally been pretty cool, with most places playing a mix of funk, blues and a bit of soul. We keep getting live accompaniment to the dj’s – something that I haven’t seen since I was in Budapest. I think V had some of the videos on her post. [link] mine are more tunes and moments for me since we got here. Laurent Garnier made me nearly cry – missed my sister at that point. I don’t know why – its not a moment that we have shared, but it always makes me think of her and her fella, as it’s one of my favourite choonz.
Funk and Soul at Goldfish – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlojoYOv1s
Live Bongo Man at The Bunker, Kings Cross – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLxkUSplLSY
Live Sax in Goldfish – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMtAw_qj_Q
Anyway a load of pictures of V, Geoff and Cyn and a few randoms:
We got talking to the dj’s missus in Goldfish on Friday and she emailed us with a few cool new places to check out – her fella dj’s out about town (he played some cracking tunage):
The Fringe bar in Paddington, does great food ($10 most food – they do really good pizza) have a great Comedy night on a Mon. You can just go for the comedy that starts at 8.30 but get there a little before for a seat, or you can pay $25 and you get a meal a drink and the show.
The Argyle – in the Rocks great deco, listed building and phil plays there most Saturdays (he’s their New Year’s Eve)
Goldfish on a wed – Latin night, Goldfish on a Fri – Sugar and Soul as you have seen!!!
Ice Bar at Circular Quay (if you go upstairs you can pay to go in the minus 15 ….yes -15 degrees and you get a cocktail) then head downstairs on a sun to hear Phil playing accompanied by a sax playing and a singer great way to unwind before heading back out to work on a mon.
Favela – Kings Cross great venue – on a sun they have a latin american night and they do an all you can eat buffet brazilan BBQ and its yummy.
So – you are about as up to speed with places to go as we are.
Recent Updates
- Friends and their loveliness
- A Day in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, NSW
- A Weekend in Leura in the Blue Mountains, NSW
- Australian spiders we have gazed at in abject horror
- Weekend in the Australian Blue Mountains
- Free Ben and Jerrys In Manly, Sydney – April 20th 2010
- Mitchell Library After Dark Tour
- MGMT at Virgin Mobile Metro Theatre Sydney
- Fings wot we have done for free in Sydney
- St Patrick’s Day in Sydney, Australia – Sun 21st March