Neighbourhood Media CBD Magazine | Issue #4

MEET ALBERT KRUGER, MARDI GRAS CEO

MEET ALBERT KRUGER, MARDI GRAS CEO

WORLDPRIDE EVENTS GUIDE

WORLDPRIDE EVENTS GUIDE

ABERCROMBIE RETURNS

ABERCROMBIE RETURNS

+ HEAPS MORE

+ HEAPS MORE

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

The first ever WorldPride taking place in the Southern Hemisphereon from Feb17 till March 4.

SYEDNEY WORLDPRIDE

Meet Albert Kruger, The 2023

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Ceo

FEATURE INTERVIEW EVENTS GUIDE

In The Mood To Celebrate?

Check Out Our Giant Events Guide

ARTS

Check Out Belvoirs’ Blessed Union - Where Tradition Meets Mayhem

HISTORY

Into The Archives - Looking Back On Darling Harbour

HISTORY

Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building

PUBLISHER - Neighbourhood Media

DESIGNER - Robert Everett

CONTRIBUTORS - Samuel Garrett, Georgina Pengelly, Robert Everett & Corina Harvey

ADVERTISING - Georgie Pengelly - 0416 972 081

EAT

ELE by Federico & Karl

PUZZLE

Will And Karl Are Two Locals Whose Lives Changed After Fostering Through Key Assets Australia

COMMUNITY LIVE

Abercrombie Is Making A Comeback!

Test Your CBD Knowledge & Do Some Maths “For Fun”

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Your guide to the best local food, services, education, entertainment + more

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

TTHE 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) is going to be the biggest and most exciting one yet. To align with their 45th anniversary they will join forces with WorldPride to bring the city streets alive for 17 consecutive days.

WorldPride began in Rome in the year 2000 and is a global festival that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. Cities all around the world compete with each other to be the next city to host the event and this year is Sydney’s turn.

The alignment will be an important milestone for Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community as it will be the first time in history where WordPride has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite WorldPride receiving backlash when it first began, it continues to gain momentum each year and is the biggest organisation of its kind.

During the festival, the Sydney Region will host over 300 events and activities, ranging from arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties and a human rights conference. These events will be held all around the Sydney Basin and will proudly gather on the land of the Gadigal, Cammerayagal, Bidjigal, Darug and Dharawal people.

The main event of WorldPride is the Human Rights Conference that will be held on the 1st to the 3rd of March at Sydney’s International Convention Centre. The focus will be on

LGBTQIA+ Human Rights, both in the present moment, the goals for the future and where the movement is headed. It will be the largest conference of its kind to take place in the AsiaPacific region. There will be over 1500 experts and thought leaders, ranging from LGBTQIA+ activists, campaigners, government officials, First Nation Elders, policy makers and many other stakeholders who will gather here from all over the globe. During this time there will be presentations, workshops and panels designed for reflection and to initiate change.

Although there will be plenty of parties during WorldPride it will also be a time for reflection and learning. We must never forget where the roots of the movement began and the injustices that have occurred. It will become a time in history which will create an important pause to focus on what is still left to be done and bring about change to those who are still facing discrimination.

If you would like to be a part of history, check out WorldPride online and see how you and your family and friends, both young and old can get involved.

sydneyworldpride.com

Get Ready Sydney. From the 17th of February Until the 5th of March Sydney Will Come Alive with Colour, Culture and Community.

MARDI GRAS PARADE RUBY ROAD

Tickets are on sale now to our brand-new Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Area, Ruby Road, where you can witness our grand return to Oxford Street with uninterrupted views, food, bars, relay screens and toilets.

Tickets from $50 + bf scan to buy

AGather. Dream. Amplify – It’s All About Celebration and Healing for This Year’s WorldPride

ALBERT KRUGER is the CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) and has played a vital role in further developing and growing the organisation and building upon its focus on diversity and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

SGLMG is a not-for-profit organisation and is built on the foundations of fighting for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, free creative expression, and challenging systems of injustice and inequality.

Albert expressed that the SGLMG has a long history and was born from a protest on Oxford Street in 1978 and as a result the iconic strip is the beating heart of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival.

He explains that throughout the pandemic “we were proud to have never stopped marching, giving our communities in Sydney and across the world a moment of hope and pride during a very challenging time and that there could not be a more poignant year to return to Oxford Street — given we are welcoming the world Down Under for the first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as celebrating the 45th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras.”

“We were proud to have never stopped marching, giving our communities in Sydney and across the world a moment of hope and pride during a very challenging time.”

everyone who still does not have equality. And to Amplify what is important to you, while also including and wanting the same for everyone else. It is about both healing and celebration. The event has tried to incorporate the values of inclusivity and accessibility for everyone. There are so many ways for individuals of any age to get involved. Because of the large number of events, the best way to find out what’s happening each day is to take a look at the WorldPride website and check out their festival program which will give you a ‘cheat sheet’ to all the times and places where events are happening. It is recommended that you plan and book early as a lot of events are ticketed. If you are looking at coming and getting involved in WorldPride this year, there are many ways that you can do this. For an all-age zone that is perfect for families then look no further than the new viewing area Ruby Road. It is located at the Moore Park end of the Parade route, so you will have uninterrupted views of the Parade. Feel free to pack a picnic or take advantage of the onsite food trucks, entertainment, bars and live screens to see all the action.

Each year Mardi Gras has a theme and this year it is “Gather, Dream. Amplify” incorporating the foundational values of inclusivity and accessibility. It is a calling for people to Gather and participate in a global movement. A time to Dream, about the future, of possibilities and create a space of inclusivity for

If you would like to listen to the Human Rights conference, organisers have thought about all the ways to make it accessible. There is a wide array of ticket options available for individuals and groups, including free live stream and online virtual options if you can’t get to the event.

Blessed Union

Written by Maeve Marsden

Directed by Hannah Goodwin

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

Feb 18th & 23rd

Sydney Opera House - Joan Sutherland Theatre

A late-night celebration for the ages! Opera Australia is throwing open the doors to Australia’s most famous cultural icon for Sydney WorldPride with two exclusive concert performances of Opera Up Late. Making a grand debut at the Sydney Opera House, international cabaret star and opera lover Reuben Kaye will host this late-night celebration of queer romance, drag and music. Directed by the awardwinning Shaun Rennie, this production has a distinctively Australian flavour, including re-imagined opera classics plus a few musical theatre and pop numbers along the way... this is no regular night at the opera! Opera Up Late offers a rare after-hours glimpse at what the stars of Opera Australia get up to when they unlace the corsets and take off the wigs. Please note this production may contain adult themes, coarse language, and sexual content (...if you’re lucky!).

Book now at opera.org.au

The Vanguard Newtown - Following a string of sold-out shows around Australia - Kara Zmatiq brings their touring production company Soiree Cabaret to Sydney for World Pride with their show ‘Pride Soiree’ (4th March). Sequindipped and muscle-ripped, this sexually arousing drag circus cabaret is bound to get your heart racing. Starring Australia’s Premier Live Singing Drag Queen, Kara Zmatiq, as seen on Australia’s Got Talent, this one-night only, cheeky and sexy interactive show is the ultimate night out, featuring jaw-dropping circus and dance acts performed by a talented cast of contortion and aerialist performers synonymous with Cirque Du Soleil! Alongside, there are performances by special guest acts to cult classic gay dance anthems you know and love. Delivered by the powerhouse live vocals of Australia’s Best Live Singing Drag Queen (Kara Zmatiq) in a kaleidoscope of colour. Book tickets now - thevanguard.com.au

The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown 4th March 2023

MAKING A GRAMMAR EDUCATION POSSIBLE

Scholarships and fee-assisted places available

Is your boy an independent, creative thinker? Then Grammar may be the ideal school for him. There is no waiting list and entry is based on merit alone. If families are worried about the fees, please note that Grammar offers a very extensive fee-assistance programme to help boys attend our School.

For more information about our Open Days and Scholarship Information Night, please visit www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au, or contact Tara Rennie at admissions@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Switched On: Nakhane

- March 3rd

2 Angel Place, Sydney

Multi award winning singer, songwriter, actor, and novelist Nakhane has been hailed as “a real star in the making” (The Observer) who “makes the dancefloor a place of tenderness” (VICE). Their previous album, You Will Not Die, garnered acclaim from critics and the adoration of fans like Madonna and Elton John. In their many guises in music, film and literature, Nakhane has been instrumental in challenging the status quo in conversations about gender and sexuality; steadily building a body of work of cultural importance that hits every dancefloor sweet spot.

Book now at sydneyworldpride.com - Tickets from $59

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point

Sydney Dance Company are hosting a range of events as part of the 2023 Sydney WorldPride festival at their Wharf Studios, with the support of City of Sydney. You can’t miss Queers of Java (4-5 March, Tickets $49) - a Project Eleven and Sydney Dance Company production, in association with Sydney WorldPride, performed and choreographed by acclaimed Indonesian dancer Rianto. Or strut your stuff with Dance Workshops on 18th February ($15 per class) in Heels, Voguing, Waacking and Drag + Lip Sync with international drag queen royalty Minnie Cooper of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame! Worked up a sweat? Join us at The Social every Wednesday and Thursday evening in February for a pop-up bar with harbourside views! Book now: sydneydancecompany.com

It’s coming home! The world-renowned Parade returns to Oxford Street in celebration of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ 45th anniversary. This dazzling display of LGBTQIA+ excellence showcases the beauty and strength in pride and self-expression as we continue the fight for equality. As the biggest event of the Sydney WorldPride festival, all eyes will be on over 12,500 marchers as 200+ floats adorn Oxford Street for the first time since 2020!

Download the Mardi Gras Parade Map at sydneyworldpride.com

Oxford Street

Darlinghurst is turning up the Glitter Factor for 2023 and is getting ready to party from Feb 17th till March 5th.The Darlo fringe festival is back for its 6th year and celebrating Sydney WorldPride with a huge series of events including an art walk, performances, big drag brunch, late night shopping, kids zone, storytelling, laneway parties, viewing parties and more.

A Photo Exhibition featuring the “best of Oxtravaganza” from photographer Robert Knapman, will be displayed in the windows of local businesses. Weekend trading hours are extended and key stores and galleries will have DJs, discounts, giveaways and more. Performances like drag, cabaret and theatre shows are on every night of the week

- there’s plenty to do in Darlo! After lock-out and lockdowns the precinct is ready to party, according to the Darlinghurst Business Chamber and local business owner Stephan Gyory, “We’re really excited for Oxtravaganza this year. Our hundreds of local indie traders and creatives are going to shine in the world’s spotlight. And we’re really looking forward to serving the tens of thousands of people who will be our guests over Sydney World Pride; to share stories, good times and the love. Bring it on.”

On March 4th there’s the Darlo Big Drag Brunch, with 20 drag queens getting ready to hit the streets and the many restaurants and cafes across Darlinghurst as people enjoy delicious food and free flowing mimosas. AT ESCAC the Family Zone will be hosting rainbow families with story time and kid’s activities. This kicks off a 48 street party as Oxford St is cleared of traffic and local businesses come out onto the streets. Plus, there are other hubs to be explored like the Rainbow Precinct, Hollywood Quarter, Stanley St, the Glittering Mile, all within a short stroll from Taylor Sq or the CBD. Excitingly, the Mardi Gras Parade - Feb 25th has made its return to Oxford St this year - with plenty of viewing areas!

Various ticket prices apply, but the people watching is free - so join the party!

More info at Oxtravaganza.com.au

SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

Friday 17 February to Monday 6 March

Always for everyone. Abercrombie encourages and champions a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and expression. Worldpride season we will be hub, a gateway, and a party destination for all LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and allies as we converge to celebrate the biggest party in the world, Worldpride. We have a two-week program of the best queer parties and events, curated by one of Australia’s preeminent house DJ’s, Kate Monroe, and nightlife artist and curator, Xander Khoury. From Friday 17 February to Monday 6 March, The Abercrombie will be home to some of Australia’s best queer house and techno parties including Heaps Gay, Kerfew, Barba, SUGAR, Angels Only, Canned Fruit, Fur Ball, Queer Techno Collective, Queer House Collective as well as DJ workshops by Irregular Fit, rooftop parties and more.

15th Feb - 4th March

Presenting nine events as part of Sydney WorldPride

A diverse program featuring a kaleidoscope of comedy, cabaret, dance, and drama from a host of much-loved local and international LGBTQIA+ artists.

The festivities begin with Elias Jamieson Brown’s brandnew play, CAMP, charting the birth of Australia’s fierce gay rights movement. Then comes Gay Sydney: A Memoir, an evocative new work from renowned storyteller and artist, William Yang, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Sydney Theatre Awards. The party continues with All Out Comedy, a spectacular night of stand-up featuring Geraldine Hickey, Nath Valvo, and Coco Jumbo.

To follow, Dan Daw presents the Australian premiere of his critically acclaimed work, The Dan Daw Show, named one of the five best dance shows of 2022 by The Guardian UK. Plus, Shaun Parker & Company return with their cuttingedge dance piece, KING, the Briefs boys return with their new cabaret show, Dirty Laundry, and EnQueer/ Sydney Queer Writers’ Festival presents two thought-provoking panel events.

And there’s free offerings to be enjoyed, too: Seymour’s popular outdoor music series, Seymour Nights, also returns for Sydney WorldPride, offering free performances from some of Australia’s most vibrant voices and wickedest DJs, all in the leafy, summery surrounds of the Seymour Centre courtyard. Get out your planner, get your tickets, and experience Sydney WorldPride arts at the Seymour. seymourcentre.com/what-s-on/sydney-worldpride-2023

A Hilarious Lesbian Break-Up

Comedy Starring Danielle Cormack And Maude Davey.

BLESSED UNION

11 Feb – 11 Mar

Belvoir St Theatre

25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills

IIN ASSOCIATION with Sydney WorldPride, Belvoir St Theatre presents a brand new play written by the host and curator of Queerstories, Maeve Marsden.

Ruth and Judith have been a couple for decades. They have two kids and have fought hard for recognition, for rights, just to be themselves. They’ve lived at the forefront as Australia changed, while their home remained a haven.

Now, their marriage is over. They’ve always told themselves, and others, that theirs was a different union. That they could do this reasonably, politically, calmly. Without hurt.

“Look, we aren’t going to just fall apart like, like, like - a straight couple”, says Ruth.

But are we bigger than our institutions? What will their children say? And what of the human heart?

A funny and moving tale of idealism, love, and the messy business of being alive, from the wicked mind of Maeve Marsden. Blessed Union is sharp, poignant, and very pertinent. A sad comedy, a hilarious tragedy, this is a great play about us.

Playwright Maeve Marsden said, “Blessed Union is a celebration of lesbian families, but it is also a loving and playful critique. It’s taken me a long time to realise what a privilege it is to laugh at the worst of ourselves. When you grow up in a

queer family, on the political back foot, you spend a lot of time not giving the other side cannon fodder; having space to be messy and flawed in public, and on stage, feels like freedom to me.”

Belvoir Resident Director, Hannah Goodwin said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be directing the premiere production of Blessed Union. Maeve is an extraordinary mind. Her play is both ferociously witty and deeply loving. We’re having an excellent time putting it together and can’t wait to share it with audiences at Belvoir.”

A tale of a family falling apart as it struggles to stay together, Blessed Union features Danielle Cormack (TV’s Wentworth, ABC’s Rake), Maude Davey (MTC’s The Heartbreak Choir, The Dry), Emma Diaz (TV’s After the Verdict) and Jasper LeeLindsay.

Blessed Union paves the way in representation for lesbian family stories. A celebration of the triumphs of the LGBTQI+ community, and a self-aware contemplation of what’s still to come.

Book now: belvoir.com.au/blessed-union

HISTORY

Aerial view over Pyrmont Bridge and Darling Harbour - 1873

In 1873, Sydney photographer Francis W Robinson undertook a perilous ascent of the clocktower of Sydney Town Hall, then nearing completion as the tallest structure in Sydney. This image is one of nine photos making up a panorama. The image offers a north west view of Pyrmont, Pyrmont Bridge, Darling Harbour and Balmain in the distance. Ships and boats at the wharves are visible. Sussex Street cuts across at centre.

In the digitally-dominated, fast paced world we live in today, sometimes it’s nice to slow down and reflect on the simpler times of yesteryear, remembering the roots and past lives of our surroundings. Series 1 will take a look at the long development of Darling Harbour and its surrounds.

Darling Harbour Wharves and City Skyline - 1932

View looking from Pyrmont to the Darling Harbour wharves. Ships docked. Showing ships, the wharf, bridge and smoke. Sign for Cold Storage at right

This

Aerial

Looking

Pyrmont Bridge - Swing Bridge - 1937

View south east of Pyrmont Bridge from Pyrmont on western side of Darling Harbour, with the swing span opened for ships.

Constructed between 1899 and 1902, Pyrmont Bridge was one of the first bridges in the world to have its swing span operated by electricity.

Elevated view of Darling Harbour, Millers Point - 2004

is one image of the series taken by Harold Kerr capturing the operations of Darling Harbour wharves from 2000 through to its closure in 2007 and its demolition in 2008. South view of the passenger terminal looking towards Darling Harbour and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

view of Western Distributor, Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour, 1982

west across Cockle Bay to Pyrmont, with Pyrmont Bridge open, towards Wentworth Park and Blackwattle Bay and showing Western Distributor under construction. Commercial buildings include Bradmill in the foreground and Goldsbrough Mort. Photo taken before Darling Harbour redevelopment and Harbourside Shopping Centre.

IMAGE CREDIT: City of Sydney Archives

HISTORY

THE QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING (known to locals as the QVB) is located in the heart of the City of Sydney. It is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks but it nearly didn’t survive to the present day. There have been numerous occasions where it faced demolition, only for it to undergo interior and exterior remodelling to carry on with its long and varied life.

It all began in 1810 when Governor Macquarie designated the empty land, where the QVB stands today, to be used as a produce market. This was later confirmed and set in stone with a general order by the government at the time. But it wasn’t until 1893 that construction of the QVB first began in the hope to boost the economy after a financial recession.

The QVB could have turned out very different to what we know today. Scottish architect George McRae originally presented the council with four designs in different styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Queen Anne and Romanesque. The Romanesque style was eventually voted on and it was built in honour of the Monarch’s Diamond Jubilee.

The iconic domes were made by the Ritchie Brothers, a steel and metal company that produced trains and farming equipment at the time. When completed, the building stretched a massive 30 metres wide and 180 metres long and held 58 shops, including hairdressers, coffee shops, tailors, tobacconists, fruit shops, a chemist, coffee palace, warehouses, storerooms and offices. It was intended to serve as a central shopping district for the growing city. The building officially opened to the public on the 20th of July 1898, and it quickly became one of Sydney’s most popular shopping destinations.

Over the years, the QVB has undergone several renovations and expansions. During the 1930s it was extensively

remodelled in an Art Deco style and in between 1959 and 1971 it became home to the Sydney City Council. During this time, it was proposed that the QVB should be demolished and made into a parkland and civic square with a shopping centre underneath. However, in 1971, Emmet McDermott who was Lord Mayor of Sydney at the time committed to restoring the QVB to its former glory and bringing back its Romanesque design.

Remodelling was a slow process which commenced in 1984 and eventually reopened to the public again in 1986. And, after standing for nearly 100 years, the QVB had come back full circle to its original style and former glory.

In 2009 there was one more refurbishment which mainly focussed on the interiors accessibility and beautification, with internal painting, carpeting areas, escalators to travel between the different levels and added signage and bathrooms.

Today, the QVB is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in Sydney. It is home to a wide range of shops and restaurants, and it is also used for a variety of cultural events and exhibitions. The building’s central location and stunning architecture have made it a popular shopping destination or coffee stop, bringing it back to what Governor Macquarie originally designated it for over 100 years prior.

After such a varied past, it will certainly be interesting to ponder what the building’s future could look like in the next few hundred years. However, it will be highly unlikely to have such a dramatic future as its eventful past, as it is now registered as a heritage listed building and owned by the City of Sydney as of the 5th of March 2010.

TThe Queen Victoria Building in Sydney City has gone through many facelifts but has now returned to its original iconic style.

COMMUNITY I

IN WHATEVER form they take and in all their marvelous diversity, families need nurturing, respect, and support.

Will shares his story of becoming a parent and changing his career to find a better workplace support network that allows him to balance the needs of work and family.

“Losing my dad to Leukaemia in 2018 was really tough and it made me question my career, the life balance I wasn’t getting and what was really important to me. My Dad left an amazing legacy and I was left questioning mine, I felt that my life needed a greater purpose and I had so much to give as a Dad.

Karl and I have been together for ten years and we always wanted to have children together but being a same sex couple, we thought it would never happen.

During a holiday in Tasmania at the start of 2019 Karl and I started to discuss the option of becoming foster carers and this was the beginning of our unexpected journey to being the family we are today.

We chose to foster with Key Assets Australia, who supported same sex couples to become foster carers. For the next twelve months we went through the complicated and at times difficult process of completing all the necessary documentation, interviews and training on how to parent children who can have multiple physical and/or mental health issues or who have suffered abuse or other traumatic circumstances.

There is little notice given of when a child will be placed with you and a month after starting my new role, we had a call asking us if we would take in two children, Chloe 11 years old and Andrew 7 years old on a long-term basis.

We said yes to the opportunity of a long-term placement and we began planning and preparing to ensure the children’s transition to us was smooth and that they had a connection

with us.

The week before the children arrived, we received another call from our social worker explaining that the children’s biological mum had another six-month-old baby boy called Jordan and asked if we would take him to keep all the siblings together. Of course, we agreed and overnight we went from just the two of us to being a family of five - our dream had come true.

Chaos ensued as we moved to a bigger house, bought a pram and car seat, set up the nursery and stocked up on all the things a family of five needs - it was so exciting but overwhelming at the same time.

It’s been over three years now and we have three beautiful children who have changed our life for the better. We were granted guardianship of the children in February 2023 to give our children a forever home and we’re so lucky to have worked with a supportive agency like Key Assets Australia who support my family and the LGBTIQ+ community.

Being a parent is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it’s also the most rewarding. Key Assets has made this journey so much easier for me and my family and continues to support my journey of being a father.”

For local Will, the journey for him and his partner, Karl, to become foster carers was challenging, but it has been the most rewarding experience of their lives.

THE site of the heritage-listed hotel The Abercrombie has played home to a pub space since 1843. The art-deco building that we see today on the corner of Broadway & Abercrombie street was built in 1938, replacing a pub built in 1911, & has stood largely unchanged ever since. However, in 2014 The Abercrombie was forced to shut its doors & stayed unused for 8 long years.

In those proceeding years, the Solotel group purchased the venue & injected significant investment into the venue to bring The Abercrombie into a new era.

Late in 2022, The Abercrombie opened its doors again but 2023 is set to be a true statement year for the venue as it returns refreshed, bigger, better & ready to rejuvenate Sydney’s nightlife.

HONOURING THE HERITAGE

Given that The Abercrombie is a heritage-listed venue reviving the venue was no small task. Solotel couldn’t simply come in & completely overhaul the space. Instead, they worked with a range of stakeholders including The National Trust, architects & the best nightlife promotors in Sydney to ensure the new era of The Abercrombie met everybody’s needs.

In a statement ahead of the opening Solotel CEO, Elliot Solomon said, “There’s a strong sense of responsibility reopening the Abercrombie given that formative memories of generations of Sydney partiers, including myself, were forged here.”

Continuing on from this Neighbourhood Media recently spoke with General Manager Zoe Simmons about the vision behind the renovations.

“We wanted to have a level of nostalgia as a nod to the old Abercrombie as a major part of the revamp, but we also wanted it to be purpose-built for what it’s going to be now,” explained Zoe. “The old Abercrombie became known as a party pub. Despite not being built for that purpose it became a great place to have parties & Sunday sessions.”

The biggest heritage elements that have been retained are the facades, the staircases, the original doorways & the beautiful art-deco balcony.

“It’s quite funny if you walk around The Abercrombie now, there are a lot of doors that don’t go anywhere because we have to keep them under heritage, so a lot of these doors have been repurposed as windows,” said Zoe with a proud smile.

Zoe then shifted over to speak about the balcony in a similar proud fashion, “We’re one of the few places that get to utilize our balcony as part of our licence. There are a lot of those front balconies in other hotels, but often they’re no longer allowed to be used, so it’s really cool that we’re able to utilize those spaces at the front.”

THE NEW ABERCROMBIE

Under the new vision for The Abercrombie Solotel have essentially created 3 venues within 1.

The ground floor plays home to the main club space, a public bar & a beer garden. Here Sydneysiders will be treated to regular performances & events from some of Sydney’s finest party promotors. For Solotel & Zoe, it was imperative that they worked closely with the likes of House of Mince, Sweat it Out, Future Classic, Purple Sneakers, and Motorik to create a purpose-built party space that could take full advantage of the venue’s 24-hour licence.

Move up one level & you enter Casa Rosa, a playful, latenight Italo-disco cocktail lounge and rooftop Terrazza. Or you can head across to the adjoining terraces to check out the aperitivo wine bar and shop, Lil Sis.

When describing the unique rooftop courtyard Zoe said, “ I remember sitting in the old Abercrombie courtyard the year that it closed and it was relatively desolate around you but now we have a skyscraper above us that skims us, so it’s a little bit like having UFO land on you.”

When asked why they chose to split The Abercrombie into 3 distinct venue offerings Zoe explained that the entire hospitality scene has undergone significant change.

“The hospitality scene has changed in terms of how big hotels run. In the past pub trade was the main thing. But now these 500+ capacity venues tend to have other features within them, sort of businesses within businesses.”

Shifting to this model isn’t just a venue decision though according to Zoe, “I think the consumer these days wants a lot from their nightlife experience. In the past, we had the pub crawl culture but now you can have those different experiences throughout the evening at a single venue.”

As WorldPride Sydney fast approaches The Abercrombie is set to become a major hub for incredible queer entertainment from both Sydney & around the world. Beyond that 2023 is set to be a huge year for The Abercrombie with Zoe saying, “we’ve eased into 2023 but we’re kicking into high gear for WorldPride & won’t be hitting the brakes anytime soon.”

So whether you want to party the night away in the ground floor nightclub space, get a traditional pub meal in the beer garden, sip on an Aperol spritz on the rooftop terrace or indulge in some fine wine, cheese & a charcuterie board The Abercrombie has a space for you.

Abercrombie - Now Open 100 Broadway, Chippendale res.abercrombie@solotel.com.au

TThe Abercrombie returns refreshed, bigger & better than ever.

MUSIC

It is no secret that Australia’s music industry has had some setbacks and challenges over the last three years. With the industry operating at four per cent in 2021 due to the pandemic, national organisations like music licensing body OneMusic Australia have been working on initiatives to create sustainable careers in the industry. From our favourite local venues like The Great Club to long-standing Lazybones with live music seven days a week, Marrickville is teeming with talent and musicians deserve the right foundations to continue performing, touring and making music.

IIN THE spirit of coming together, local businesses will be working with OneMusic to launch the latest technology helping in this plight. Coming out of the UK, the Audoo Audio Meter is a brand new device, set to change how music played in venues and businesses will be identified.

The Audoo Audio Meter is able to fingerprint music being played in venues to better reflect the royalties being paid to music creators. Tech company Audoo’s investors include some of the world’s most influential musicians such as ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus.

Beloved bar Miss Wolf on Marrickville Road is one of the first venues in the country to install the device. Passionate about music, business owner Gavin Andrews says: “I believe the arts and any form of entertainment should be supported properly.”

Opening in 2019, Miss Wolf has regular events including drag shows twice a week. Drawing in a crowd from every corner, the shows often play a range of music including iconic Australian artists Kyle Minogue, Vanessa Amorosi and Tina Arena.

2022 ARIA Song of the Year Winner, Tones and I is just one of the many high-profile Australian artists to participate in the Audoo launch. The names of music creators will be displayed on a selection of devices to reflect the impact of the technology. As Spotify’s all-time most streamed female artist, Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey” has clocked over five billion streams, going quadruple platinum in the US and 11-times platinum in Australia. The launch has allocated close to 100 music creators with venues already including Casey Donovan, Client Liaison, Illy, John Foreman and Tash Sultana.

Audoo Senior Vice President & General Manager, Asia Pacific, Matthew Fackrell says: “It is so pleasing to see in the first data back from the Audoo Audio Meter installs that some venues are huge fans of local music. A gym in Brisbane’s suburbs featured Ocean Alley, Pnau, Hermitude, Bag Raiders, Cosmo’s Midnight, George Maple, Jungle Giants, Letters to Lions, Jack River, Lime Cordiale, Greta Stanley and Tash Sultana in their first plays, while a music store in Melbourne’s CBD featured KYE, Julia Jacklin, Sensient amongst others.”

From around the country, businesses are showing a concerted effort to support the arts through this OneMusic initiative. These include restaurants, bars, dance studios and office spaces from Dead Ringer in Sydney’s Surry Hills to Brickhouse Gym in suburban Brisbane. Catherine Giuliano of OneMusic Australia says: “We are seeing an outpouring of support from businesses around the country and are optimistic at the very real impact the Audoo Audio Meter will have for our music creator members.”

A OneMusic licence gives you legal access to the majority of the world’s music and brings you into the music economy, allowing even more music to be created. Providing licences to thousands of businesses around Australia, they play a big role in musicians sustaining healthy and thriving careers.

If you are a business interested in supporting this initiative please email audiometer @onemusic.com.au

DINING T

THERE are many venues around the world that claim to provide diners with an exclusive, fine-dining ‘experience’, but I dare say there are very few that deliver quite like ELE by Federico & Karl.

If you want to feel like a bona fide ‘foodie’, or be treated like royalty, this is where you need to make your next booking. ELE offers a progressive degustation experience, consisting of not only various dishes, but various atmospheres and environments. That’s right, this venue is not just about the incredible food and wine — each dish is complemented by different lighting, visuals and physical surroundings.

The masterminds behind this new dining concept are Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla — both celebrated and accomplished Sydney restaurateurs. Federico is behind the incredible LuMi, Leo and LODE. Karl was Head Chef at Oscillate Wildly (Newtown) in 2009 and earned the venue two Hats from the SMH Good Food Guide. With these credentials, you know you’re in for a treat (or several).

Most chefs aspire to do more than fill their diners’ bellies. They want to excite, inspire and encourage emotion — I saw this first hand. Midway through the evening, I looked up at my dining partner who had paused with a tear in her eye after the first mouthful of a particular course which featured gooseberries. The dish created such an impact, a rush of memories returned from her childhood: she used to run through Timaru, New Zealand, picking fresh gooseberries off the tree with her brother. I think that is truly ‘experiencing’ a dish.

On this note, let’s talk about the food for a minute. Towards the end of the evening we were fortunate enough to meet Head Chef, Tom Foster who, unbeknownst to us, whilst he was serving up our incredible mains and desserts, was also being awarded Good Foods’ Young Chef of the Year — very fitting. Tom explained the importance of the produce they use — of course, it is always the highest quality and in season. But, more than that, ELE only works with independent, local producers. Tom was even able to tell us the origin and life cycle of the exact berries used in our desert that evening, he could even name the owner of the farm they were harvested in. Thanks, Julie, they were delish!

I don’t want to give you any spoilers as I think the journey ELE provides is made even sweeter by the elements of surprise throughout the evening, but do not expect a passive dining experience. You will be moved around, you will be educated and your mind will be blown.

An immersive fine-dining experience unlike any other. If you’re looking for something that really moves you - this is it!

“If you want to feel like a bona fide foodie, or be treated like royalty, this is where you need to make your next booking.”

“If you want to feel like a bona fide ‘foodie’, or be treated like royalty, this is where you need to make your next booking.”

This recently re-opened venue is hosting a stack of different parties during Sydney WorldPride + Mardi Gras?

7. In 2023, The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are joining forces with?

8. ELE by Federico & Karl can be found at?

9. Which markets close to the CBD are undergoing a major overhaul?

Which Street is this years Mardi Gras Parade returning to?

Key Assets find what for children?

This years Mardi Gras themeGather. Dream. Amplify - is all about celebration and *******?

Which hotel overlooking Darling Harbour have changed their sign to celebrate Sydney WorldPride?

Where can you indulge in a bottomless rose brunch?

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5. This recently re-opened venue is hosting a stack of different parties d ring S dne WorldPride Mardi Gras?

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1. Which Street is this years Mardi Gras Parade returning to?

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ASHBURY

PLUMBING

Licensed professional and qualified 24 hours plumbers who serve in all types of properties within the inner west, eastern suburbs & Sydney.The team offer over 15 years experience and their emergency plumbers are equipped with the latest technology to ensure each job is completed to the highest standard.

1800 274 287 info@ashburyplumbing.com.au

KEY ASSETS

Founded in Australia in 2007, Key Assets has grown to be one of Australia’s leading non-government children and family services providers. Have you ever considered Foster Care? Key Assets will work with you to make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of children in your community. If you can provide love, safety and care for a child we’d love to hear from you.

Keyassets.org.au 1800 932 273

SEED SPACES

MYBOND

MyBond is an innovative new fintech disrupting the rental bond market that helps & assists tenants pay for their rental bond for a fee of one week’s rent or as little as $150* (T&Cs apply). Reducing the financial stress involved in moving into a new property by saving time and cashflow. Fast, easy and reliable with no interest, no repayments and no credit checks. Apply now at mybond.com.au. or call us now on 1800 342 342

KOPYSTOP

Established in 1983, Kopystop is an Australian owned and family run print shop. Their friendly, experienced team offers fast, high-quality printing of flyers, brochures, booklets, business cards, posters and more. 9211 2733 - Shop 3, 55 Mountain Street Broadway.

9211 2733 - Shop 3, 55 Mountain Street Broadwayprint@kopystop.com.au

HANNAH

LOURENCO PHOTOGRAPHY

A highly sought after Wedding, Maternity, Newborn and Family Photography Studio with headquarters in three prime Sydney locations - Glebe, Curl Curl Beach and Cronulla Beach. This Company’s success (90+ raving social media reviews) has been driven by a passion for giving engaged couples, expectant couples, new parents and families - a second to none experience and timeless photos that will mean the world to them, in the moment and for decades to come.

Call Hannah - 0412 541 765

Introducing the Glebe’s newest coworking, meeting and event space - ideal for socially minded entrepreneurs, eco-enterprises, Bcorp businesses and good humans! Seed Spaces help social & eco-conscious business owners turn good intentions into business innovations, partnering them with like-minded leaders and experts. Whether you’re a start up, fuelled by a passion to foster world change or an existing business with a cause-centric focus, we’re here to help expand your network and keen to chat!

Pop in for a tour today - contact Abbey & Friday on 8014 4299 - 137-141 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

KIL.N.IT STUDIO

A space that provides studios, workshop space, firings and classes to those with an explorative attitude to ceramics. The studio has emerged in response to the increasing popularity of ceramics as an artistic medium and creative practice. We exist for and support all artists, the community and those with dreams involving clay.

184 Glebe Point Rd (Entry via Wigram Lane) 0459 500 164

LAING+SIMMONS GLEBE

Glebe’s leading real estate agents and property managers providing a full suite of real estate services to people in the inner west. From sales, residential and commercial property management, project marketing, strata management, auction services and more, our highly experienced and proudly local team is here to meet all your property needs.

81 Glebe Point Rd 9660 5333

if you want your business listed - email Info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au

PETS

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY VET

Acclaimed internationally for its exceptional health, care and welfare of animals… It is a general practice veterinary clinic, a referral centre for other vets to send complex cases and a teaching hospital for veterinary science students to learn the practical components of the veterinary profession. This practice also offers 24 Hour Emergency Care.

65 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown 9351 3437

THE CAT PROTECTION SOCIETY

Each year the Cat Protection Society of NSW helps thousands of cats and the people who love them. They take in homeless cats and kittens and provide them with all the veterinary care and rehabilitation they need before finding them the loving and responsible homes they deserve. The Cat Protection Society of NSW also helps cats in the community with their discounted feline health services including discount desexing, vaccination and microchipping as well as providing free information and education for cat owners and people working with cats. If you’re in the area drop by their Cat Boutique 85 Enmore Road Newtown, open 7-days a week, 10am to 5pm, for all your cat care essentials including cat food, litter, flea and worm treatments, toys and much more for your feline friend plus great gifts for cat-lovers.

The Cat Boutique - Open 7 days (10 - 5pm) 85 Enmore Road, Newtown Office - 103 Enmore Rd - 9519 7201 info@catprotection.org.au

MICKIE MAGAN EQUINE HERBALIST

With a passion for natural health, Mickie uses a multi-disciplined approach to healing horses and has had great success with ulceration, behavioural issues, laminitis, hormonal issues, toxicity and many other conditions

Equineherbalist.com.au

0412 800 868

THE WILD VET

Run by Dr Emma Hall, also known as ‘The Wild Vet’, this practice is experienced and equipped to deal with an extensive range of species. In addition to dogs and cats, they have a special focus on birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents, and other pocket pets. They work with state of the art diagnostic, laboratory, surgical and clinical settings enabling them to provide the highest standard of care for your pet - every time.

22a Bridge Rd, Glebe 1300 945 383

EDUCATION

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

A university powered by human collaboration - Macquarie University is ranked among the top one per cent of universities in the world. Since its foundation nearly 60 years ago, it has aspired to be a different type of university – one focused on fostering collaboration between students, academics, industry and society. As a collective, the University is advancing world-class theoretical thinking and translating it into real-world solutions.

To find out more, visit the Macquarie University website mq.edu.au

MACLEAY COLLEGE

Offering a personalised learning environment for students looking to pursue diploma and bachelor qualifications in journalism, advertising, digital media, business, accounting and marketing. Curriculum emphasises practical skills informed by the latest ideas, trends and thinking. Learn from practising industry experts and tap into an amazing network of contacts. Macleay’s internship program ensures you put classroom learning to practice and graduate with on-the-job experience and networked to industry. Classes are limited to 25 students and held in our modern campus in Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. FEE-HELP is available for all courses.

Level 2, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills

1300 939 888

INTERNATIONAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL SYDNEY

A unique independent, coeducational, secular school offering quality teaching for early learning, primary and high school students through to Year 12. IGS opened its doors in 1984 with a unique vision to provide its students with a globally-focused bilingual education, rich in the study of music and the arts.

4-8 Kelly St, Ultimo - 9219 6700www.igssyd.nsw.edu.au

SYDNEY

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The ideal school for boys who are independent, creative thinkers with a love of learning, a curiosity about the world and a passion to get involved in sport, music, drama, debating, chess, Cadets, art and more. Grammar is an unusual school. Its liberal curriculum sets it apart, as does its focus on the life of the mind. If families are worried about the fees, please note that Grammar offers a very extensive fee-assistance programme to help boys attend our School. There is no waiting list and entry is based on merit alone.

College St, Darlinghurst

9332 5805

sydgram.nsw.edu.au

if you want your business listed - email Info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART (NIDA)

Redefines world-leading education in the stage and screen arts. NIDA nurtures ‘the world’s most wanted storytellers’ through unparalleled practice-based learning, ongoing connections to industry and a culture of creative innovation.

From NIDA’s acclaimed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to the industry-leading short course programs delivered by NIDA Open and NIDA Corporate Training, NIDA’s goal is to empower storytellers of all ages and backgrounds and to cultivate a community and a culture that are both inclusive and empowering.

Visit us on campus at NIDA Kensington or at nida.edu.au

UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA

As the only university in Tasmania, our whole island is your campus. Whether it’s performing in the middle of a globally renowned arts festival or researching sea life in the middle of the Southern Ocean, here you’ll be able to learn in ways you never expected. In addition to our Tasmanian campuses, we also have a Sydney campus, offering health and medicine courses.

To find out more, contact us on 03 6226 2999 or visit utas.edu.au

ENTERTAINMENT

CITY RECITAL HALl

Located in the heart of the CBD, the City Recital Hall hosts a rich program of concerts and events for the music lovers of Sydney covering a broad range of genres from the contemporary to the classical.

2 Angel Place, CBD 8256 2222 cityrecitalhall.com

OPERA AUSTRALIA

Opera Australia presents a year-round program of stunning operas and blockbuster musicals, encompassing everything from niche work to crowd pleasers. We perform the city’s beloved Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour each year at Mrs Macquaries Chair in March-April, as well as performances at Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. Whether it’s your first time or you’re an afficiando, you’re sure to be moved by the emotion of an Opera Australia performance.

480 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills – opera.org.au

KARA ZMATIQ LIVE SINGING DRAG QUEEN & CABARET ENTERTAINER

Pitch-Perfect and Absolutely Fabulous» (Theatre Thoughts) Bring the glitz and glamour to your next event with Australia’s Premier Live Singing Drag Queen, Kara Zmatiq as seen on Australia’s Got Talent. Expect powerhouse vocals, mesmerizing costumes and truly unforgettable entertainment suitable for all ages and occasions Australia-wide.

Getaqueen.com 02 5302 7023 bookings@getaqueen.com

SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

Since 1978, Sydney Theatre Company has produced work that is – in the words of founding artistic director Richard Wherrett – “grand, vulgar, intelligent, challenging and fun.” A paradox as playful as our city. The Company presents an annual season of diverse productions at its own venues at The Wharf and nearby Roslyn Pack

9250 1777

sydneytheatre.com.au

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

An ensemble of 17 dancers, led by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, have become one of the world’s strongest forces in contemporary dance. Beyond our performances nationally and internationally, we offer the largest public dance class program in Australia and an exceptional education program for school students and preprofessional year dancers. In October, don’t miss our powerhouse triple bill Resound, featuring the return of the acclaimed Ocho and two world premieres, Summer by Bonachela and The Universe is Here by Stephanie Lake

15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct - sydneydancecompany.com

BELVOIR THEATRE

Engaging Australia’s most prominent and promising playwrights, directors, actors and designers to realise an annual season of work that is dynamic, challenging and visionary. Keep up to date with performances at belvoir.com.au.

25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills - Box office - 9699 3444

if you want your business listed - email Info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au

SEYMOUR CENTRE

Seymour Centre is a vibrant, multivenue performing arts centre located in inner-city Chippendale. We champion new voices, inspire wide-ranging audiences, and invigorate the artistic life of our city through our annual independent theatre season, our dynamic education program, and our presenting partnerships with major cultural events and festivals.

Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale, NSW 2008 02 9061 5344 seymourcentre.com

SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE

The Sydney Lyric is one of Australia’s newest and most innovative theatres. Located in The Star complex, The Lyric Theater has a history of welcoming legendary international performers and productions such as Matilda the Musical, The Book of Mormon, Saturday Night Fever, Hamilton and more. Having recently undergone an $18 million renovation to the auditorium, foyers, bars, ticketing and merchandising facilities, the theatre boasts state-of-the-art facilities throughout to focus on innovation, comfort and accessibility.

55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009 (02) 9509 3600 sydneylyric.com.au

EAT & DRINK

THE JACKSON

The Jackson – Sydney’s newest and most luxurious superyacht have opened their gangway to the public for special events this Summer. From a Chandon Harbour Long Lunch to a Rose Bottomless Brunch, The Jackson offers the ultimate on water dining experience for guests looking to soak up the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and make up for lost Summers in style! Book now – thejackson.com.au

PINOT & PICASSO (SURRY HILLS) Australia’s #1 Paint and Sip Experience - now open in Surry Hills! Enjoy a night of BYO wine, nibbles and painting as our expert Pinot & Picasso hosts deliver step by step instructions with plenty of room left for your inner-Picasso to run wild. By the end of the night, even all you ‘non-creatives’ will be taking home your very own Picasso! Pinot & Picasso is the perfect, fun & memorable experience. Whether you want to host it in our studio or at a venue of your choice, we can do it. Ideal for fundraisers, birthdays, team building, hens parties, promotional events & Christmas parties.

1 Blackburn St, Surry Hills - 1300 414 329

SYDNEY FISH MARKET

The largest seafood market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, SFM sells over 100 different species of fish and seafood everyday. Caught and brought directly to the market, the seafood is absolutely fresh and very high quality. SFM also hosts a number of other retail outlets including green grocer, bakery, butcher, supermarket, kitchen products, delicatessen, bottle shop and more. They have bars and eateries, so you can make a day of it. Parking on site or nearby. Buses, light rail, and ferries stop within easy strolling distance. Great location, great atmosphere, great seafood

Cnr Pyrmont Bridge Rd & Bank St, Pyrmont 9004 1100 - sydneyfishmarket.com.au

ABERCROMBIE

The multi-level adults playground is back! On the ground floor is the incredible club space, public bar, and beer garden with a full pub menu and pizza by the slice. For a more relaxed atmosphere, venture upstairs to Casa Rosa, a playful, late-night Italo-disco cocktail lounge and rooftop terrace with an eclectic mix of DJs on high rotation throughout the week. Head into the adjoining terraces, for Chippendale’s (very) late-night wine bar and shop, Lil Sis. Inspired by the charming ‘cave à vins’ found in the neighbourhoods of Paris.

100 Broadway Chippendale www.abercrombie.sydney

MARQUEE

A fixture in Sydney’s music and dance scene for close to a decade, with the likes of Calvin Harris, Drake, Avicci and Tiesto gracing the stage, Marquee is the city’s premier nightclub. Featuring 20,000 square feet of floor space across three unique rooms, the iconic nightclub recently reopened after a refurbishment and refresh with a new first-class sound system, lighting and DJ booth. With expansive views of Sydney Harbour and the city as well as some of the world’s best DJs performing every week, Marquee is the home of music, dance and good times.

80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 marqueesydney.com

SOKYO

Sokyo blurs the line between ritual and art. Guests will experience Executive Chef Chase Kojima’s exciting menu featuring traditional Japanese flavours with modern touches, all using the highest quality Australian produce available. Think fresh sashimi, the must-order miso glazed toothfish and sushi that looks like it’s been crafted by an artist. Sleek, chic and sophisticated with moody lighting, a stunning bar and authentic Japanese artwork, Sokyo is the kind of restaurant that you won’t forget anytime soon.

Level G, The Darling at The Star 80 Pyrmont Street Pyrmont - 1800 700 700

if you want your business listed - email Info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au