Culture news
We’re not sure exactly how this is going to
go down, but if you’ve got eyes for reading and ears for listening then this is
a shindig you won't want to miss. In a twist of fate that is as strange as it
is awesome, the high priest of cult fiction, Irvine Welsh, is coming to Sydney for a very unique meet-the-author event. Fittingly, the man who made his name
chronicling substance abuse and the Scottish rave scene has eschewed a typical
academic setting in favour of Oxford Art Factory and bubbly and canapés
for musical support acts (Jack Ladder and The Disbelievers.) Every rebellious
kid has read the book, seen the movie, owned the poster and crushed on Ewan
McGregor but only an elite few will drink a pint with the author.
Head to Moshtix to get in on the action.
Irvine Welsh plus Jack Ladder and The
Disbelievers will be at Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst on
March 11. $14.95, doors open 7pm.
All The noise and excitement of the Chinese New Year Festival begins with an exciting Launch Celebration at the first night of the Festival Markets in Belmore Park.
With firecrackers scaring away the previous year's misfortune, the clash of cymbals and gongs as lions and dragons come to life, visiting performers from Chongqing in Western China, as well as all the sights, colours and flavours of the New Year Markets, the Launch is a night for young and old.
Delight in the spectacle as you enjoy a meal from one of the many stalls, and welcome in the Year of the Tiger!
Experience the colour, flavours and excitement of an authentic Asian Market at the Chinese New Year Markets in Belmore Park. With more than 50 stalls offering delicious food, New Year gifts, crafts, and activities, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.
Local and international performers bring the stage to life throughout the day and well into the evening, with opera, lion dancing, contemporary performances, music and singing. There’s also film screenings, visiting artists from Chongqing in Western China, and you can also try out your own singing skills in front of the giant karaoke screen.
For further information on the Chinese New Year Festival in Sydney, log on to http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cny/Events/ChinatownMarkets.aspx
If you take on board only one post that I ever make on this fair website, then let it be now and know this:
The Wire is the Best Show on TV. period.
Says who? Me, Charlie Brooker, white people, some other clever ladies and many, many more. If you need convincing, then lucky you, our own ABC will screen this television gem from TONIGHT! Tuesday! You need one of those fancy boxes because it's on ABC2 but it will be worth it.
Sit yourself down, consume every juicy morsel of this fleshy cop drama and prepare to be hooked (I promise I won't say I told you so). Oh for sure!
Starting tomorrow, get your heels down to the Hop Farm in Kent. It's Britain's largest military festival ranging from the first to the second world war, including some modern military displays. There's an arena for military vehicles and tank smashing, a vintage fashion fair with hundreds of shimmying stalls, two dances with the Jive Aces and Glen Miller's tribute band playing on the Saturday night, plus the living history museum with live battle reenactments. It's on until Sunday, so you can camp out like with any big musical festival, except this ones in the 40s.... So wave a flag for Britain and Australia and swing-dance under the sirens of the night to jungle drums and BB jive!
I am tempted to book a trip to India for next year to partake in the celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors (Also celebrated in large Hindu populations). Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. It would be my inner 5-year-old wish to be covered in a wash of soft rainbow colours.
Flight of the Conchords? Yep. But it's not Bret nor Jemaine (cute as they are in animal jumpers and big specs). It's Rhys Darby, the dude behind the hilariously awkward Murray, the bumbling manager of the band. On the HBO gem, Murray may play second fiddle to the quirky melodic observations of Bret and Jemaine ... but on stage he an absolute master of physical comedy.
Shifting flawlessly from playing the dorky teenager sans walkman to a holidayer having sex with a mythical mermaid, Darby's realisations on stage are enough to make you leave the theatre clutching those abs. He'll be taking his show "It's Rhys Darby Night" to the Edinburgh Fringe this year... so expect him to start making regular appearances on your comic radar soon.
