Foodies, vintage lovers, science geeks, and families; there’s something for everyone happening this August. We’ve gathered the very best of arts and culture happening near you in this week’s Culture Vulture.
NSW:
What: Fifties Fair
When: Sunday 23 August, 10am-5pm
Where: Rose Seidler House, Wahroonga
The vintage lover’s dreams come true this month with the 20th annual Fifties Fair on Sunday August 23. Pop on your Sunday best for this gorgeous display of fifties nostalgia, hosted at the iconic Rose Seidler House. Shop authentic mid century clothes, furniture, and nic-nacs, have your hair styled, enjoy live music and rock n’ roll dancing, grab a delicious bite from pop-ups from Porteño, Eathouse Diner, Daisy’s Milkbar, Madame Pop and AllPress Espresso, and goggle your dream ride at the classic car displays. There’s a prize for best dressed, so dig up your best fit n’ flare and get ready for some serious mid-century nostalgia. Tickets available here.
What: Sydney Tea Festival
When: August 16, 9am-pm
Where: Carriageworks Sydney
While winter continues to stick around (will it ever end?), make the most of its cosy vibes and head to Carriageworks this weekend for some serious winter warming. The Sydney Tea Festival is a designed to help people discover and experience specialty tea, encourage and grow passion for tea through education, and showcase quality specialty tea providers. The day long festival comprises a tea market and a program of ticketed classes and workshops. Get all the info here.
What: Dragoncello
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Where: 466 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
If you’re after something more intimate, look no further than Dragoncello in Surry Hills. The cosy Sydney venue, owned and operated by chef Roy McVeigh of Berowra Waters Inn, Bathers Pavilion and Bennelong, has just opened its upstairs dining room, with an inspired, innovative, and instinctive new menu. McVeigh uses ingredients that are foraged, locally sourced, and fresh, and has created a menu that surprises and delights. dragoncello.com.au
What: UN Sydney Photographic Exhibition
When: Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 August, Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 August
Where: Stirrup Gallery, Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Rd Marrickville
There are currently 60 million displaced people across the world force to flee their homes because of conflict, famine and war. The majority of the displaced are women and children. The stunning exhibition, ‘Women Together – Conflict, Courage and Hope’, is a collection of evocative images that tell the story of these women, from award-winning Kenyan photographer, Thomas Mukoya. The exhibition is open from 11am-4pm daily, closed Monday and Thursday.
VIC:
What: Hermitage
When: 31 July 15 – 8 November, 2015
Where: NGV International, Melbourne
The latest blockbuster to hit the NGV International is one not to be missed. Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great showcases one of the world’s greatest art collections, featuring work from Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez and Van Dyck, amongst others. The exclusive Melbourne exhibition explores the influence of Catherine the Great, who sourced and commissioned the works during her thirty-four year reign. Get lost in this breathtaking collection, open from until November 8 2015, 10am–5pm daily. Tickets here.
What: Melbourne Writers Festival
When: 20 August – 30 August, 2015
Where: Various locations, Melbourne
Get inspired this August at Melbourne’s annual Melbourne Writer’s Festival. Held over two weeks, the festival of writers, readers and thinkers will celebrate thirty years of presenting the talent and ideas of hundreds of writers from Australia and around the world, through an extensive program of storytelling, conversations, intellectual debate, educational programs and courses, live performances, live music and meet and greets. Tickets here.
ACT:
What: Mt. Stromlo Observatory World Record Night
When: Friday 21 August, 2015
Where: Fellows Oval, Australian National University, Acton
Rug up, pack a thermos, and take part in making history for the Mount Stromlo Observatory World Record Night. Hosted by Mount Stromlo Observatory and the Canberra Astronomical Society, the night sees the opportunity to participate in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Most People Stargazing. Pre-order a special commemorative Galileo and head over to the Fellows Oval at ANU for a night of gazing, lectures, delicious food and live Latin music.
QLD:
What: Royal Queensland Show
When: August 7 – 16 August, 2015
Where: Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
This week is your last chance to relive the joys of your childhood with rides, exhibitions and too much fairy floss at the Royal Queensland Show, The Ekka. This year’s show features 21,000 competition entries, 10,000 animals, all the gourmet award-winning food and wine you could ask for, and endless family entertainment, including the impressive night program. Tickets here.
WA:
What: Perth Science Festival
Where: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth
When: 15 August – 16 August, 2015
Back for its second year, the Perth Science Festival returns this month to combine the delights and wonders of science and good food. Learn mindblowing scientific facts and oddities whilst enjoying food and drink from over 50 stalls, food trucks and a licensed bar. Browse through local vendors, indulge in free tastings, learn about topical technologies like 3D printing and light discoveries, and be entertained by performances, presentations and shows from Scitech. Enjoy live music, film, quirky culinary science and food shows, question and answer sessions with local scientists, watch circus performances, and forget your troubles with a petting zoo complete with cuddly animals and reptiles. There’ll even be a beer and wine fashion show. Get all the info here.
