As the days grow shorter, the nights grow colder and our number of clothing layers increases from two to six or eight, the temptation to stay at home and congregate around the heater is a strong presence in our minds and hearts – especially when it’s raining outside. Of course, I am a big fan of the bed and blanket combination myself, however I’m also a firm believer in not letting the weather conquer the wonderful experience that is your life. So instead of boiling up tea after tea after tea, I challenge you to ditch that magazine, turn off that DVD, get off the internet (after you finish reading this article) and put on your warmest coat and gloves: it’s time to brave the world outside and experience the best of what Sydney has to offer in July!
1. Cart-Load-O-Fun from Central to Casula Station
On Saturday, the 6th of July you can experience a train ride like no other you have experienced before as the City of Sydney council teams up with game designers Florian Mueller and Chad Toprak and presents you with Cart-Load-O-Fun, a digital game which immerses you in your train carriage and encourages you to interact with your environment. Instead of just a train ride, you get a social game experience for the price of a standard train ticket.
The concept is simple: meet at 11:30am at the south end of Platform 19, Central Station to depart on the first carriage of the 11:43am train.
Team up with a partner on the train and use the handholds to control your in-game avatar and find out why this revolutionary game is currently being reviewed worldwide as a valuable addition to public transport.
For more information, please visit the following link: http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/18894-cart-load-o-fun-central-to-casula-station
2. Pizza Festival 2013
The annual Sydney Pizza Festival is on for the better part of the month of July, starting on the 8th and culminating in a massive all-you-can-eat showcase of some of the most authentic Italian pizzerias in Sydney.
The concept is simple: celebrate pizza, both the refined art of making pizza and the (sometimes) not-so-refined art of wolfing said pizza down – don’t forget your napkin! The participating restaurants have been hand-picked by a board of connoisseurs based on using the finest and most authentic Italian ingredients as well as fresh local produce. The techniques used by the selected gourmet chefs are as close to authentic Italian as you can get in Sydney.
The Pizza Festival closing event is a date to save in your calendar: on July the 29th all 13 selected Pizzerias will be holding their All-you-can-eat fiesta at Salt, Meats, Cheese in Alexandria. Rock up at 6pm with an empty stomach and your pre-booked ticket ($25) and you will have four hours to try every pizza you can imagine.
Purchase tickets to the event here: http://pizzafestival.com.au/sydney/ and be prepared for an eating marathon.
More information can be found here: http://www.saltmeatscheese.com.au/blogpost/pizza-festival-2013/
3. Electric Dreams
Digital art has become part of our daily life.
‘Electric Dreams’ immerses you in the realm of digital and electronic media through projects from media artists, interactive digital platforms (Google Earth Liquid Galazy, Streetview and Hyperlapse) as well as an array of video game classic such as Pac Man, Asteroids and Donkey Kong which you can play on the night.
The main focus of ‘Electric Dreams’ is three of the Museum exhibitions: Speak to Me, Semipermeable (+) and Synapse: A Selection. One $15 ticket will cover your entry to all three on the 4th of July, for this very unique after-hours viewing from 6pm-9pm.
The event will also feature artist talks and a chance for you to get create some sustainable jewellery with contemporary jeweller Melinda Young.
Tickets and further information: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/whatson/electric-dreams.php
4. Spotlight Prowl at Centennial Parklands
If you’re someone who likes a slice of outdoor action to balance your fast paced city lifestyle, this is the event for you. The Spotlight Prowl is held on Friday, the 5th of July at 4:45pm at Centennial Park.
You meet your experienced Ranger at Robertson Road Gates and embark on a journey to see how the park transforms as the sun goes down and the native nocturnal creatures come out. From brushtail possums, microbats and tawny frogmouths to one of Sydney’s largest colonies of the grey headed flying fox, this will definitely be a walk to remember – just make sure you bring your torchlight!
Book a ticket early for $14 per person here: http://spotlightprowl.eventbrite.com.au/
5. NAIDOC Week
Each July, NAIDOC celebrations are held Australia-wide to honour and celebrate the achievements, history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With a variety of exciting and immersive cultural events beings held around Sydney, there is a lot to pick from.
My recommendations are visiting Hyde Park on Monday the 8th of July – from 11am until 3pm, you will be able to see street warriors, musicians, dancestry as well as partaking in art, music and dance workshops with an elaborate closing ceremony at 2:45pm finishing the day off.
On Sunday the 14th of July, NAIDOC will be celebrated at the historic Redfern Oval (corner of Chalmers and Redfern Streets) with plenty of footy games, stalls and fun to keep you entertained from 9am. You can expect a heated match from two traditional rivals, the Redfern All Black and the La Perouse Panthers at 2:30pm to keep you very entertained.
Keep an eye out for WEAVE (Working to Educate, Advocate, Voice & Empower) volunteers who are part of organizing the event to see how you can help out with the community spirit.
More information: http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/18244-naidoc-in-the-city
Please contact WEAVE should you have any enquiries about the 14th of July: http://www.weave.org.au/b/index.php/about-weave/
6. The Aroma Festival at the Rocks
Is your first thought after turning off your morning alarm about how much you’re going to enjoy your morning coffee?
In that case, Sydney is throwing the perfect festival for you on Sunday the 21st of July – the Aroma Festival where you will experience every possible caffeine-related sensory perception: the smell, the taste and the indulgence of the best on offer.
Already jotting this one down in your diary? You should be, since this festival is free for all to attend with entertainment, coffee workshops and countless desserts to lead you into meeting 24 roasters and appreciating the 2013 coffee mosaic.
Now that is a sweet deal.
More information including a video of the 2012 festival: http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-The_Rocks_Aroma_Festival.htm
7. The Annual Bondi Winter Festival
When you think of winter, the beach is never really the first thing which comes to mind, is it?
This is why Winter Festivals Australia brings winter fun to the sea on an annual basis, from the 29th of June to the 15th of July this year.
Bondi is decked out for winter with an ice rink, a ski themed lodge with a few fireplaces to crowd around and of course, live music and entertainment.
The mulled wine will be pouring.
More information can be found here: http://www.sydney.com/events/bondi-bergstation-winter-festival
8. Surry Hills Markets
The Surry Hills Markets have been held on the first Saturday of every month since 1981, and will be popping up on Saturday, the 6th of July. Featuring a diverse range of stalls, you can expect to find anything from pot plants, to 1960s record players in pristine condition to an amazing variety of clothing, both vintage and new.
Really showcasing the community spirit of one of Sydney’s most popular inner-city suburbs, these markets are worth a look after your finish a relaxed Saturday breakfast, so head over to Shannon Reserve off Crown St, Surry Hills.
More information: http://www.shnc.org/markets/index.htm
9. BINGO Unit
Have you ever wanted to jump into a television crime scene and live out your secret dream of being a cop? Team MESS have the answer for you.
In a revolutionary interactive police drama experience, Bingo UNIT is an imaginary new television crime drama which will have five iconic crime show scenes shot from the 2-6th of July in various locations in Sydney. Taking part in the pre-production is free, contact admin@performancespace.com.au for more details. Anyone can be part of the film crew or act in a scene.
The public performances will be held at Carriageworks during 10th-13th of July, where the audiences will be able to watch all the footage, explore the filming process and take part in additional scenes aiming to solve the mystery of the crime which has been committed.
The finale will be held in courtroom, but not before audience members have a chance to explore every single cop cliché (catering will consist of doughnuts and coffee) and witness the many twists and turns of a crime scene investigation.
As a bonus, you can meet the artists for a Q&A panel after the last show on July the 11th.
Tickets can be bought here for $35 ($25 if you’re e-Subscribe to Performance Space): http://www.performancespace.com.au/2013/bingo-unit/
Further information about the venue: http://www.carriageworks.com.au/?page=Event&event=BINGO-Unit
10. ‘Here I Am’ Screening for NAIDOC week
The City of Sydney Library will holding a free screening of ‘Here I Am’ on Tuesday, the 9th of June as part of NAIDOC celebrations throughout Sydney.
‘Here I Am’ is about Karen, a gorgeous young woman fresh out of prison who finds herself on the streets wanting to turn her life around but with no one to help her. Finding a shelter for women in the same situation as her, Karen has a new hope and begins the journey of restoring her life, determined to never give up despite being propelled to face the most difficult truths of her own life.
‘Here I Am’ is a story of hope and the resilience of women and a must-see production.
Reserve your free ticket here: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/6487122157/es2/?rank=11
So….
Ready to brave the cold now? With so much to see and do in July, it will actually be quite a challenge to stay at home since your diary is filling up quickly. If you have any event suggestions you would like to share after reading this article, please feel free to let me a comment.
Love it, Olga. Would like to try the the train game. I bet my arm can beat your arm