Return to latest news Posts by Deborah-Jane Gillard

4-6 March, 2010 (10-6pm)
@ BJB Studios, 259 Riley St, Surry Hills.

The Big Fashion Sale, the unique boutique sale that features a vast selection of talented Australian designers including.

ELKE KRAMER | NATHAN SMITH | COHEN ET SABINE | MARNIE SKILLINGS | SHONA JOY | RITTENHOUSE | WOODFORD & CO | MARSU HOMME | DEADLY PONIES | RUBY SMALLBONE | ZOEMOU | MATT WESTON | MAURIE & EVE | MYPETSQUARE | SQ

A fashionista’s paradise awaits as Australia’s top designers showcase their most coveted pieces at heavily reduced prices.

For full details visit http://www.bigfashionsale.com.au/

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

11-15 November
The Bicycle Film Festival, Sydney

In 2001, Brendt Barbur, Founder and Director, was compelled to start the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. Instead of being deterred by this experience, it inspired him to create a festival that celebrates the bicycle through music, art, and film. Now in its ninth year the festival is held in 39 cities worldwide. 250,000 people are expected to attend this year.

The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle in all forms and styles. If you can name it - Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo, Road Cycling, Mountain Biking Recumbents - we've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance?

The Festival brings together all aspects of bicycling to advocate its ability to transport us in various ways. Ultimately the BFF is about having a good time. We have been fortunate enough to include the work of established artists such as Jorgen Leth, Mike Mills, Jonas Mekas, Blonde Redhead, Swoon and Michel Gondry; as well as talented newcomers as part of our programming. Many of the artists who have participated in the Bicycle Film Festival, such as the Neistat Brothers and Lucas Brunelle, are gaining more and more recognition for their work.

For full details head to http://bicyclefilmfestival.com/?p=sydney

To celebrate 30 years of melissa the ‘Queen of Punk’, Vivienne Westwood, has created another head-turning collection. The dramatic Lady Dragon Ball features oversized metallic spheres which come in a range of translucent blues, purples and greys. For a look that’s hot off the runway Vivienne Westwood’s Wings are the ultimate in sexy summer wedges, whilst the sought after Lady Dragon Hearts makes a return this summer in a new range of gorgeous colours including; Gold, Grey, purple and cerise pink.

Melissa’s staple range draws inspiration from ‘under the sea’ with intricate coral detailing on styles such as treasure and Coral the range offers a complimentary mix of muted and acid tones.  The new summer collection from melissa® encompasses some of the season’s hottest trends, using bold colours and innovative design. melissa® is available from selected boutiques around Australia or on-line at www.melissaaustralia.com.au

This year, the 13th Japanese Film Festival will be delivering another fantastic line-up, bringing about a rhapsody of film festivity to your local city.

Kicking off from 24 November at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, and 3 December at ACMI Cinemas, Melbourne, the annual Japanese Film Festival is in full speed ahead for another exciting year of the latest Japanese cinema.

Opening the festival in Sydney (and closing in Melbourne), is the adorable comedy, The
Handsome Suit. Life is dull and boring for the awkward and ugly Ohki but when he dons
the ‘handsome suit’, he is immediately transformed into attractive male modelHikariyama. Featuring glamorous runway scenes, shot on location at the Tokyo GirlsCollection 2008 Autumn/ Winter show (one of Japan’s biggest fashion labels), thisCinderella-like story is a feel-good comedy for all.

For more information, please visit www.japanesefilmfestival.net.

Tired of trawling through sites such as eBay and etsy? Welcome to www.twinset.com.au the brainchild of two talented eco-fashionistas, who prefer to try their hand at re-styling a
retro piece or grabbing some sweet vintage in place of mass-produced items that often end up as landfill.

Twinset.com.au is a new online vintage and retro boutique based in Australia, meaning you will no longer need to hunt high and low for stylish clothing, accessories
and other pre-loved pieces in trends that are unique to our climate and our styles.

For further information head to www.twinset.com.au for offbeat vintage and quirky retro, hints and tips on keeping your carbon footprint as small as possible without compromising your look, and, well, just other lovely stuff.

Contempo brings you this special event showcasing contemporary art from China with talks and entertainment in the atmosphere of avant-garde Beijing.

Nick Vickers, Curator of Delmar Gallery, will speak on the evolution of contemporary Chinese art from its rebellious beginnings in the 1980’s to its globally white hot status today. Simon Wright, Director of QCA Gallery, will then speak on the rapidly growing profile of a new generation of artists emerging from outside Beijing. View the exhibition SICHUAN HOT! - new paintings by emerging artists from Chongqing City.

Feast like an emperor at our Dumpling Bar. Sip on lychee cocktails or Chinese beers. Play checkers over tea and have your fortune read. Live music will seduce with Lulu Liu (pipa) and John Huie (guitar) performing an eclectic mix of traditional Chinese instrumental music and contemporary works.

Dress in costume and you could win dinner for four to Kylie’s Banquet at Billy Kwong restaurant. All guests will be given a 2-for-1 ticket offer to see the upcoming film Mao's Last Dancer courtesy of Hopscotch Films.

This event was created through the generous donations from Belinda Franks Catering and Taylors Wines.

THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2009
6.30PM - 9.30PM | RAY HUGHES GALLERY
270 DEVONSHIRE STREET, SURRY HILLS
$35 MEMBERS | $45 ADULTS
BOOKINGS http://www.contempo.org.au OR CALL 9225 1878