Sydney is set for another scorcher this week – and the Festival lineup is coming in hot, too. From five-star cabaret to back-to-back Bach to late and loud nights at the Thirsty Mile, there’s still so much more to explore.
Go forth and squeeze the absolute most from your final week at Sydney Festival.
Tuesday 23 January
NIGHT
Slide into the opening night of Göteborgsoperans Danskompani, a daring dance double bill from Sweden. First up is the jaw-dropping Skid, which sees 17 dancers defying gravity on a vertiginous slope. Then, the intoxicating dancefloor of SAABA takes over, with performers on demi-pointe for virtually the entire sequence, in costumes by Dior’s Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri.
When: 7pm (until 28 January)
Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $79-$129 + BF
Wednesday 24 January
DAY
Your Festival experience isn’t complete without a visit to Hi-Vis, the luminous 46-metre-long installation delighting all ages. “You’ll see that it meanders around the building, it moves around the columns,” sculptor Michael Shaw explains of his madcap creation. “You can see under the sculpture, you can walk under the sculpture. It’s a kind of conversation with the building.”
When: All day (until 28 January)
Where: Moonshine Bar (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: Free
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NIGHT
Once you’ve emerged from the neon dream of Hi-Vis, venture up the stairs to ATYP, The Rebel Theatre, for the world premiere of Saplings. This collection of deeply funny and moving stories was born out of workshops with young people in conflict with the youth justice system, and is a must-see for ages 14+.
When: 6.30pm (until 4 February)
Where: ATYP, The Rebel Theatre (The Thirsty Mile) Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $35
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Or make a date with powerhouse cabaret queen Rizo – one of ABC’s top Festival picks this week. She’s bringing her roof-raising vocals and a serious dose of vintage pop, rock’n’roll spunk and divine joy to Wharf 1 Theatre after sold-out Sydney shows in 2018.
When: 7pm
Where: Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1 Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $89 + BF
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Classical music more your tune? For one night only Turkish concert pianist extraordinaire Korkmaz Can Sağlam takes over the ACO Neilson with works from Bach, Chopin and Shostakovich. He’s played concert and recital halls in Paris, Nice, Brussels, Verona, New York and Salzburg and now it’s your chance to see the astonishing 24-year-old.
When: 6pm & 8pm
Where: ACO, The Neilson (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $89 + BF
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Thursday 25 January
DAY
Explore a free and fascinating collection of artworks by more than 75 artists working in China, and in Australia as members of the Chinese diaspora with In Our Time: Four Decades of Art From China and Beyond, The Geoff Raby Collection. Paintings, photography, drawings, ceramics, sculptures and textiles shed light on a dynamic period of Chinese history.
When: 11am-5pm (until 30 March)
Where: National Art School Gallery 156 Forbes Street Darlinghurst
Cost: Free
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NIGHT
The Marliya Choir of First Nations young people will sing of their dreams, realities and hopes for the future in Vigil: The Future. Creative Artist in Residence Jacob Nash spoke to the SMH about the extraordinary choir of youngsters. “There is clarity and purity in the way they share their message, which I think is so what we need right now,” he says (read the full piece here). And if you can’t make it to Barangaroo, tune into the Vigil livestream from 8.30pm.
When: 8.30pm
Where: Stargazer Lawn, 1 Merriman Street Barangaroo
Cost: Free
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Friday 26 January
NIGHT
Did you catch last week’s epic street dance battles (and spontaneous audience kick-ons) at Sculptured Riddims? It’s your last shot to see the huge moves and sweet grooves of Sculptured Riddims: Can You Afro?, celebrating all things Afro futurism, dance and music.
When: 8pm
Where: Moonshine Bar (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $29 +BF
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Over at Wharf 1 Theatre, Michelle Brasier’s all-singing, all-joking, all-heartbreaking show Average Bear is sure to stun – and boasts a glorious string section. “Nothing can prepare you for the pure magic of Average Bear,” the SMH said in a five-star review. “It’s howlingly funny, emotionally generous and, ultimately, profound.”
When: 5pm
Where: Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1 Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $39-$79 +BF
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Saturday 27 January
DAY
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a sweeter spot to roll out your yoga mat than The Thirsty Mile. As the sun peeks over the Harbour Bridge and water laps at the pier, teacher Jazz Luna will lead you through a 60-min Sunrise Yoga session. Bliss.
When: 6.30am
Where: Wharf 4/5 (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $10 +BF
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NIGHT
In the evening snort with laughter at the Multicultural Comedy Gala in Parramatta. This year’s killer lineup includes Nazeem Hussain (The Project), comedy veteran George Kapiniaris (Fat Pizza), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) Best Newcomer nominee He Huang and plenty more funny folk.
When: 8pm
Where: Riverside Theatres, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Cost: $49-$69 + BF
There’s back-to-back Bach at the ACO this week – and now it’s co-curator Benjamin Skepper’s time in the spotlight. The classically trained musician will perform a site-specific live remix of his composition, Praeludium y Fuga, a work composed for modular synthesiser, piano, electric cello and electronics. Expect a wild ride through time, space and into self-reflection.
When: 6pm (also Sunday 28 January at 5pm)
Where: ACO, The Neilson (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $89 + BF
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The Mile continues late and loud with Finely Tuned: Tornado Wallace & Fantastic Man. Experience two homegrown legends back-to-back by the water till 2am. Those who caught Fantastic Man’s triple j Mix Up last week know goodness is in store.
When: 10pm
Where: Moonshine Bar (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $49 + BF
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Sunday 28 January
DAY
Enjoying a Sunday swim or kicking around Bondi? Head to the Pavilion Gallery for some art with Earth, Sea and Sky: Australian Contemporary Photography. This exquisite exhibition of leading Australian artists and photographers conjures up waterways and ocean scapes, flora and fauna, cloud formations and the sky.
When: 10am-5pm (until 28 January)
Where: Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Drive
Cost: Free
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Head back to the ACO for another Bach show: the joyous Bach in Colour, from Syd Fest fave Andrew Bukenya. Be moved by music from J.S. Bach, his predecessors and the composers he influenced, in styles ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary classical, gospel, spirituals and pop – performed by a diverse 17-voice ensemble.
When: 11am
Where: ACO, The Neilson (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $89 + BF
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NIGHT
For the final night of the Festival we’ve saved something pretty special for you. Carve it up on the dancefloor with our epic Closing Night Party featuring South African DJ Mo Laudi (aka "crowd riler numero uno,” according to fader) and heaps of special guests. We’re putting the art in party for one last hurrah.
When: 9pm
Where: Moonshine Bar (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: $49 + BF
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There’s stacks more shows to see and many Festival adventures to have. Check out the full lineup here.
