Neighbourhood Media Marrickville Magazine | December 2022

In a modern, fast-paced, internet-focused age the world around us has become a fleeting folly. However, for one young man, the history of Sydney has never been more important to focus on & highlight to the broader community.

WNathan Mete’s love for history led him to start the page Retro_sydney, which has now amassed an incredible number of followers - 101,000 at last check.

WHILE the images Nathan posts Retro_Sydney are stunning to look at, it’s the stories behind the pictures that makes them oh-so magical. Whether it’s a glimpse at a major transformation of an iconic place. A nostalgic rush for a time passed by. Or simply keeping someone’s memory alive, photographs are a truly unique form of expression.

Neighbourhood Media is excited to have Nathan contribute to this month’s issue with a selection of photographs. So, without any further ado let’s check out what he’s found for us this time.

Image:

Photo Credit: John Ward via City of Sydney Archives. Photos: robbeckettcomedy.com/pics

Image: 1973: Marrickville Road, Marrickville: The 426 heading to Dulwich Hill on Marrickville Road on Christmas Eve, 1973

1971: Illawarra Road, Marrickville: The 423 heading to Earlwood on Illawarra Road near Thornley Street in late March 1971

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Image: 1968: Victoria Road, Marrickville - The 426 en route to Dulwich Hill on Victoria Road near Chapel Street in late October 1968

HYPMOTIVE

Hypmotive is a multi arts retailer which is bursting with unique art and design produced by local makers, artists, designers and Australian brands.

At the heart of what Hypmotive does, it celebrates and fuels creativity by supporting local artists, makers and designers who are using a variety of different mediums and techniques from traditional art making practices such as wheel thrown pottery right through to unique jewellery made with 3D printed technology. They also run pottery workshops and various events throughout the year.

DDON’T be mistaken, Hypmotive is not only for trained artists who have spent years mastering their craft. It is for everyone in the community. Whether you are wanting to come by to admire the art or wanting to get involved yourself. It is well known that involving yourself in creative processes is a meditative experience and well let’s face it... fun. If this sounds like something you’d love to be a part of and you’re feeling creative, you may want to check out their new pottery hub. There are workshops in wheel throwing, glaze and sip, adult group classes and children’s parties. With an onsite kiln, wheel hire and lessons in creating with clay, it really is your one stop shop to delve into a new artistic pursuit.

One local artist whose work is featured at Hypmotive is Jo Skipworth - her work, Marrickville Pork Roll is featured on the front cover of this issue. We interviewed Jo to learn more about her and what inspires her.

What motivates you to create?

I find inspiration everywhere – traveling to new places, architecture, colour. I find creating really helps escape from the stress of day-to-day life – it’s all consuming so your mind has time to chill out!

How did you develop your art skills?

I have drawn ever since I can remember and dabbled with painting in high school. I have a background in architecture,

which is probably why I love drawing buildings so much. My current style developed by experimenting with different materials – almost as if they are in charge and its my job to figure out how to form an illustration from their application.

What is your favourite medium to use and why?

I love using Copic Markers. They apply almost like watercolour, with the added bonus of not having to wait until they dry! The colours are so intense and apply really evenly. You can build layers and tone easily and I find I have a lot more control when using markers rather than paint.

Why is art still important to our community?

By connecting people with places, art can be used to evoke nostalgia and a sense of community - it can be used as a time capsule to celebrate the character of our neighbourhoods, that with the rapid development of our suburbs may not be there much longer.

What is your connection to Marrickville?

I moved to Sydney from Newcastle about 5 years ago, and Marrickville reminded me of my old neighbourhood. It’s a vibrant, creative suburb with great community spirit.

Does the local area inspire any of your Art?

Yes! So many iconic locations that act as landmarks for the local community. And the fact that the old Marrickville Pork Roll shop used to be a public toilet is just wild!

Jo Skipworth Illustration

CHRISTINA, owner of Xanadu Designs, is an artist who creates wearable one-of-a-kind Jewellery. She began as a Jewellery designer in the early 2000s after studying at the Enmore Design Centre. Although she left the industry for a while, building a career in the performing arts and teaching, Christina came back to creating again. The move back to creating was inspired when she was invited to a party and wanted to wear a pair of huge, colourful, lightweight earrings but found the market was lacking.

This led Christina to start experimenting with leather. It soon became her favourite medium and it’s easy to see why. It is lightweight, durable and holds its shape. The earthy quality of the leather and its sustainably and knowing it will eventually

return to the Earth all made it an appealing medium to the Jewellery Artist.

Christina is a versatile artist who takes sustainability very seriously in her creations. She experiments with different leathers that are uniquely Australia, such as Kangaroo and Cane Toad leather and Eel skin. Christina is inspired by colour and wants her clients to feel confident and fabulous wearing her unique one-of-a-kind colourful designs. In particular, the last three years have been a time where Christina has really pushed the boundaries on what can be done with leather using paints and finishes to bring about extra colour, while keeping her products uniquely Australian and Earth Friendly.

W K

WHILE creating art and using her hands, Helen is in her element. She loves to use her rich imagination to dream up imaginary worlds and create wonderful characters. Helen Rose Nehill is an artist and Illustrator who studied Design and Illustration at the Design Centre in Enmore. Over the years, Helen has studied at various art schools and completed courses to further develop and refine her skills.

Helen’s favourite medium to use is ink and dip pen and using watercolour and gouache to include pops of colour. It is not just a process for Helen, it is a fully immersive, sensory experience bringing her into the present moment.

When Helen uses ink, she loves everything about the process, from the way the ink glistens on the paper before it dries, to the scratchiness of the nib as she draws. It is truly a meditative experience.

Helen supports the process that art has in the act of healing and mental health. Not only does it nurture her soul as she creates, but the artist firmly believes that it is important for the mental and social health of a community. Creating things with our hands and being present in the moment heals ourselves and each other.

KATE SHANAHAN believes that the world would be a dull place without creativity and that by creating art we create a space to hear people’s stories and to understand ourselves more.

The Artist first developed a love of creating when she was a costume and set designer for the theatre. It was here that Kate learnt to upcycle and save things from landfill and in the process create wonderful and captivating pieces for the stage.

Her time in the theatre inspired Kate to create Upcycled Bags, where she uses a variety of mediums. Her favourite being leather as it is hard wearing, it can be painted on and will allow her bags to last and grow old gracefully.

Each bag Kate creates is truly unique and built from upcycled, sustainable materials. They are designed to be beautiful as well as functional. Each object she creates is a wearable piece of art that has a story woven into it from the past of the objects it is made from.

CXanadu Designs Christina Sceats

Helen Rose Nehill

Upcycled Bags Designed by Kate

Xanadu Design

Helen Rose Nehill

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WWE spoke with Mayor Darcy Byrne about his efforts to bring more community-minded events to the Inner West, as well as why it’s important to maintain the area’s pub-culture and why making the streets more pedestrian-focused is the way forward.

Following the success of the 2022 Marrickville Music Festival on 19 November, Mayor Byrne had this to say:

“The crowds really flocked down there, which I think is indicative of the fact that people are really keen to come back together through community events and Main Street activity following COVID-19.”

When asked if the residents could expect to see more community events in the future, the Mayor said:

“The Marrickville Music Festival will be back again next year. We have the Espresso Chorus, who have traditionally held a very large-scale outdoor Christmas carols event on Norton Street in Leichhardt — they are coming to host two concerts in December at Marrickville Town Hall.”

“We also want to go further than just annual festivals by having more regular street closures and pedestrianising main streets on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis, and that’s a project we’re working on intensively.”

The pandemic prompted a boom in outdoor living in response to capacity limits and indoor restrictions. However, the Mayor has acknowledged that the high cost of outdoor events has been a disincentive for businesses and councils.

“I think we need to make sure we get the policy settings right so that we encourage more use of our public spaces and streets for community gatherings. Now that the COVID-19 situation is a lot safer, there’s a real hunger from local people and people across Sydney and Australia for more community events.”

“We are working systematically to look through how we can reduce those costs, and we proposed to the NSW government that there be a pilot, here in the Inner West, of a programme to have more pedestrianisation of main streets.”

“We want the Inner West to become the alfresco dining capital of Sydney and pedestrianisation of main streets is a

really good way to work towards that goal.”

Currently, the Inner West council website promotes many outdoor community events and activities, such as the free Newtown Walking Tour.

“One of the main reasons people love living in and visiting the Inner West is that our streets are such fun, vibrant and interesting places. If you live here, you can walk up the road to your Main Street and see hundreds of your neighbours and spend time in the public domain, in a way that is very social.”

“Walking tours are another great example of something that we should be supporting and promoting and making it easier for local community organisations to hold, and that will be part of the plan as well next year.”

Another part of the Inner West’s identity is its historic pub scene. Recently, the council voted to heritage-list 27 pubs in addition to the 31 already protected.

“In recent years, for the first time ever, we’ve seen a trend towards pubs being converted for other business uses or for residential development, and we want to counteract that. The message we’re trying to send to prospective pub owners is that if you buy a pub in the Inner West, be prepared to operate it as a pub.”

“These hotels, many of which have been in existence for more than a century, are really integral to the Inner West and the inner city. We don’t want to see that famous pub culture going out the back door,” said the Mayor.

However, these protections do not enforce how the pub must operate. Lately, the Inner West has seen a rise in integrating pubs with other businesses, such as The Exchange in Balmain, which recently closed its doors after an attempt at using the building as a co-working and bar space. Mayor Byrne had this to say of heritage protections:

“It protects both the façade of the building and the internal fittings, such as the public bar, so it is much more difficult to simply convert a pub into office space once it has been heritage listed. But it does still allow flexibility for a different hospitality use or a different mix of uses within a pub.

The Exchange has since been approved to be used as a pub and boutique hotel. Mayor Byrne recognised this revision to traditional hotel usage as “a really good thing for our local economy.”

The Mayor is also tackling the enemy of pubs and live music venues: noise complaints. The council is combating such complaints with their “Good Neighbour Policy”, which sees residents and licensees meet to resolve their issues through mitigation rather than litigation.

“The reason that we created our policy is that there are lots of examples of famous live music venues across Sydney that have gone under because of the legal costs of having to fight against noise complaints.”

“In NSW, the system allows for someone who’s making a complaint about noise at a live music venue or a pub to go through multiple different government agencies. Not just the council but also the licencing police and the liquor regulator, and other agencies as well. So, the costs of fending off those complaints, which are sometimes vexatious, became prohibitive for lots of Sydney’s most famous live music venues,” said Mayor Byrne.

It’s clear the council is looking to improve the spirit of the Inner West and the appeal of main streets. Notably, the Mayor is looking to implement reduced rates for main street landlords who keep their dwellings tenanted, subsidised by higher rates for those who leave their buildings empty — which would require an amendment to the Local Government Act.

When asked how this would benefit the area, Mayor Byrne said:

“When main street landlords choose to keep their properties untenanted for long periods, those empty shopfronts have a detrimental effect on the whole Main Street economy. It drives down pedestrian traffic and lowers the vibe of a main street if there are many shopfronts which are shuttered and empty.”

Regarding improving community sentiment, the Mayor has said that he wants to see more involvement from residents.

“It shouldn’t be the council working from the top-down hosting events we control. We need more creativity coming from the bottom-up with local businesses, organisations and residents coming up with ideas.”

This follows the events of Saturday night when the council held a viewing of the match between the Socceroos and Tunisia — an idea brought to the council by two residents.

“It was fantastic for local businesses. Local cafes and restaurants were chock-a-block with patrons who then came out to watch the game afterwards”.

You can contact the Inner West council via their website to share any ideas. innerwest.nsw.gov.au

“You can walk up the road and see hundreds of your neighbours”: Mayor Darcy Byrne talks pedestrianisation and community gatherings in the Inner West.

AS YOU wander through the streets of Marrickville you’ll pass by a wide array of different buildings & structures. Some of these will be very simple, industrial designs while others will be highly complex & beautiful. Marrickville locals, Kreis Grennan Architecture believe these two styles don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive.

We spoke with Christian Grennan & Chris Kreis recently about their shared journey with architecture. The pair then gave us their top tips for anybody looking to employ the services of an architect to design a home or workspace.

DEVELOPING A PASSION FOR ARCHITECTURE

For both men, the passion for buildings was passed down to them by their families.

“I got my passion for building through my father who was a property developer and my sister, an interior architect,” recalled Chris. From there Chris quickly found ways to feed his passion, “Since childhood, I have always liked building things, starting with small hobby projects and eventually progressing to building houses. Whenever I can I love getting involved hands-on, putting things together to make them function and look good.”

According to Christian, this idea of immersing yourself in building & design is exactly how he found his path into architecture.

“I have lived on building sites all my life. My father always wanted to be a builder but was expected to study at university. At the time building was not a university degree so that resulted in us living in houses that were always being renovated. Mum always joked she has never lived in a finished house,” explained Christian. “My brother then became a builder so then I worked alongside him & my father as soon as they could make me productive.”

FORMING KREIS GRENNAN ARCHITECTURE

Although both men love to get their hands dirty down on the building site they found their true calling when they delved into the world of architecture & started working together in 2013.

When asked how they came to join forces Christain said, “It all happened quite organically. Chris had a project for the conversion of a warehouse into residential apartments so

we started talking and working on the project together. We respected each other’s strengths and were able to build upon them to get a better result than if either of us had done the project on our own.”

The decision to form a single firm rather than working as separate entities came down to this idea of building off each other’s individual strengths.

“Together we have experience in property development, design, architecture and building,” said Christian. “Design is a continual loop of evaluation/ criticism and testing possibilities.”

Since they each had similar, yet divergent backgrounds, the pair could be very open, honest & insightful with their feedback to each other. A process that they ultimately believe leads to better designs.

TIPS FOR HOME BUILDERS LOOKING TO EMPLOY AN ARCHITECT

In closing out our conversation with the Kreis Grennan Architecture team we wanted to get some tips to help anybody looking to build their dream home.

According to the duo ultimately the project must cater to the client & their design aesthetic. But most of all, how the client will live or work in the space. In saying that though the biggest tip they have for potential clients is to “find an architect who fits your needs & has a style you like.”

Christian explained that it’s important to keep in mind when approaching an architect that it’s not going to be a fast process.

“You are going to be spending a fair amount of time discussing what’s important to you. Don’t save money on design fees and select the cheapest architect, you will later regret spending a lot of money on something that doesn’t work for you. Good design takes time. The decisions made during the early planning and design stages are the most important ones. Building upon good decisions ensures a smooth and efficient construction stage.”

Check out Kreis Grennan Architecture at kreisgrennan.com.au

ADesigning beautiful & functional spaces in Marrickville.

Overnight, the Inner West Council (IWC) voted to invest $7.5 million into a main street revitalisation fund. The fund will be used to boost five of the Inner West’s main streets in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

As part of this funding, IWC will provide up to $1.5 million in capital investment for street furniture, artworks, decorations and infrastructure.

Mayor Darcy Byrne explained just how vital this funding was to help entice people back to the area’s main streets.

“Our whole community did it tough during lockdowns. Our businesses took a hit and at times the streets were almost deserted,” Mr Byrne said. “Now is the time for a reawakening. We want people back in the shops. We want restaurants and pubs to be full. We want the colour and movement that the Inner West is famous for.”

To access funding, the local chambers of commerce, businesses, landlords, artists and community organisations will have to work together to put forward a plan to revitalise their main street. These proposals will need to address how they will improve occupancy rates, organise regular activations and events, and involve residents in increased activity.

According to Byrne, consultation will take place with local businesses, main street property owners, chambers of commerce, and community arts organisations about the criteria for the expression of interest process and the nature of the proposed works.

Deputy Mayor Philippa Scott said: “I am very excited to see what we can do when we work together to beautify, enliven and activate our spaces.”

Looking for somewhere to book in for a big year of arts and cultural experiences in Sydney? Look no further — here’s a roundup of some of the top music, opera and dance experiences this city has to offer.

AAFTER the stops and starts of 2022, Sydney’s theatre and live performance scene is back in full swing. City Recital Hall presents a smorgasbord of musical experiences including everything from electroclash to chamber music. Opera Australia comes back in force including two outdoor spectacular, and a special showcase of OA’s famous Chorus. Sydney Dance company celebrates a decade of New Breed at Carriageworks, along with new intimate experiences and touring shows. Get online and get booking those season tickets!

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

Packed with familiar hits, world premieres and exciting new contemporary dance experiences, Sydney Dance Company’s 2023 Season is bound to delight and inspire.

“In 2023, Sydney Dance Company will welcome international artists and present entirely unique dance experiences, cementing our place as a global incubator of innovation and groundbreaking movement. I am delighted to announce a premiere triple-bill Ascent, co-commissioned by the Canberra Theatre Centre, followed by a season at Sydney Opera House as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. It’s an honour to be part of the Sydney Opera House’s 50th anniversary celebrations, even more special as Sydney Dance Company performed as part of the Opera House’s grand opening in 1973, so it will be a real full-circle moment,” says Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela.

Ascent will feature the reprise of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever and two world premieres by Bonachela and internationally renowned choreographer Marina Mascarell, Ascent is full of electric movement and emotional force.

Sydney Dance Company’s second season will deliver

an entirely new experience for audiences — Up Close. Performed in the Neilson Studio at Sydney Dance Company, this intimate setting will provide audiences with an unparalleled connection to the formidable Company dancers. “Our first-ever season of Up Close will feature my brand-new work Somos, meaning “we are” in Spanish. Audiences will be transported by a cascade of solos, duets and trios with a distinct Latin flavour,” explains Bonachela.

In 2023, Sydney Dance Company celebrates a decade of New Breed with co-presenter, Carriageworks. With the unwavering support of The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed has seen more than 34 emerging dance artists present world premiere works. After this year’s soldout inaugural season supported by the City of Sydney, INDance will return to the Neilson Studio in August. This curated program provides the opportunity for independent Australian dance artists to present their works to new audiences at Sydney Dance Company.

In May 2023, the Company will commence its National Tour, presenting a wide range of works including Ascent, Rafael Bonachela’s critically acclaimed ab [intra] and a double bill of Bonachela’s Impermanence and Antony Hamilton’s Forever & Ever. From Wyong to Warrnambool, Sydney Dance Company will visit 14 locations across five states and territories, connecting with new audiences and familiar faces. “I look forward to welcoming audiences into our world, to experience a year of invigorating, transformative dance,” says Bonachela.

Join Sydney Dance Company for another year of mastery, innovation and provocation. Subscribe at sydneydancecompany.com

INEW THEATRE

IT’S a wonderful feeling to finally get to launch a season after nearly three years of stop, start, off again on again and off again,” says Artistic Director, Louise Fischer. “And what a line up we Have! “We’re presenting four plays that will challenge you to question the definition of normal, give you moral conundrums to unravel, reaffirm your faith in the power of kindness and make you laugh till you nearly pee yourself. “From classics to new works, the New’s tradition of presenting affordable theatre without skimping on quality continues, and we look forward to seeing you in the foyer during 2023.”

First up is a Sydney premiere, presented as part of Sydney WordPride Pride Amplified.

JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS by Tom Wells is an hilarious and heartwarming queer rom-com about football, friendship and finding your way.

Season: 7 February – 4 March.

In March/April, New Theatre’s stage is set to explode with the crazy comedy of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean. This hilarious romp celebrates the best of British comedy (think Carry On movies meets Fawlty Towers ), in a unique laugh-out-loud mix of satire, slapstick, skiffle music and sparkling one-liners.

Season: 14 March – 15 April.

The third play for 2023 is a timely revival of one of the classics of 20 th century American drama: Arthur Miller’s ALL MY SONS . This searing drama of a family in crisis, written in 1946, was also a scathing indictment of postwar America. Seventy years later, it is still devastatingly relevant.

Season: 25 April – 27 May.

Finally, New Theatre is producing the Australian premiere of an acclaimed new English play, JELLYFISH by Ben Weatherill. This radical and heartfelt love story with a difference explores the issue of independence and sexual fulfillment for those living with a disability.

Season: 6 June – 1 July.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 28 November at 10am - take advantage of the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $22 tickets for any performance during the season, when booked using the promo code WORM.

OOPERA AUSTRALIA’S 2023 SUMMER SEASON

OPERA Australia’s 2023 Summer Season provides the opportunity to experience world-class opera at Sydney’s very own world-renowned opera theatre, the iconic Sydney Opera House. Or, for the unmissable event of Sydney’s annual social calendar, head outdoors for the spectacular Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

With an array of new productions and beloved classics featuring some of the finest singers and musicians from Australia and around the world, audiences are guaranteed to be transported by the exquisite music, breath-taking sets, and stunning costumes. Opera aficionados or those new to the artform can share dramatic tales of love, loss, and revenge in a variety of world class performances, ranging from crowd favourites to brand new works and thrilling concerts.

Popular classics include the chilling psychological thriller Don Giovanni, introducing Australian singers Sophie Salvesani and Bronwyn Douglass in their main stage opera debuts, and the bohemian romance of La Bohème offering audiences one last chance to savour Gale Edwards’ beloved production.

The Australian premiere of Rosetta Cucchi’s production of the true-life love triangle Adriana Lecouvreur will feature star dramatic soprano Ermonela Jaho in the title role opposite American tenor Michael Fabiano. Donizetti’s rarely performed Roberto Devereux will be presented in two concerts featuring debuts by Italian soprano Roberta Mantegna and Polish mezzo soprano Agnieszka Rehlis.

The Opera Australia Chorus will take centre stage for the first time in Chorus! , performing the best of the best operatic choral pieces. Celebrating Sydney’s WorldPride, Opera Up Late offers a night at the opera like no other with re-imagined opera hits, a distinctly Australian flavour and a few pop numbers by fabulous OA singers and special guests along the way. The Great Opera Hits concert series provides light-hearted entertainment with the world’s most recognisable arias.

The critically acclaimed and wildly popular Madama Butterfly returns to the overwater Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage to present the same heartbreaking tale as Miss Saigon and send Puccini’s stunning melodies soaring over Sydney Harbour. The fabulous, all-inclusive night out at Mrs Macquaries Point, includes pop-up dining and drinking, fireworks, a spectacular production and the perfect view of Sydney Harbour.

Date: 1 January – 23 April, 2023

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House and Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney

Ticket cost: Prices vary from $69 (+ $9.80 booking fee)

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY — ASCENT

This inspired triple bill features the return of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever and world premieres by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela and renowned international choreographer Marina Mascarell. Brimming with physicality, Ascent tempers contemporary classical with futuristic experimentation — a portrait of contemporary dance and its potential to move, excite and activate audiences.

Sydney Opera House

16–26th of March 2023

Tickets

CITY RECITAL HALL —

Switched On: Nakhane

London based, South African-born powerhouse Nakhane — musician, novelist, actor and queer activist — makes their debut at City Recital Hall next March as part of CRH presents 01 | 23 and Sydney WorldPride. Instrumental in challenging the status quo in conversations about gender and sexuality, Nakhane has been steadily building a body of work of cultural importance that hits every dancefloor sweet spot. Fresh from collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Perfume Genius and Moonchild Sanelly, Nakhane is a true star in the making.

2 Angle Place, Sydney Cityrecitalhall.com

Tickets from $59 (+ booking fee)

NEW THEATRE - JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS

First up on New Theatre 2023 line up - Jumpers for Goalposts is a hilarious and heartwarming queer romantic comedy about football, friendship and finding your way. Barely Athletic is a bottom-of-the-ladder five-a-side soccer team in a local LGBTQI+ amateur league in Hull, England. Player-coach Viv was thrown out of Lesbian Rovers for being too bossy. Beardy Geoff, a gay busker, has a weakness for sex with opposing players. Viv’s brother-in-law Joe, the team’s token straight guy, is seriously unfit – and depressed. And shy library assistant Luke only joined because he’s got a crush on student Danny, who’s struggling with issues of his own. Though on-field success is what they’re after, it’s how these five very different personalities support each other off the field that lies at the heart of this utterly charming, feel-good story.

New Theatre - 542 King St, Newtown

7th Feb - 4th March 2023

Tickets are $35 full price, $30 concession

OPERA AUSTRALIA — MADAMA BUTTERFLY

The critically acclaimed and wildly popular Madama Butterfly returns to the overwater Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage. Based on the same heartbreaking tale as Miss Saigon, witness Puccini’s stunning melodies floating over Sydney Harbour. Experience a fabulous, all-inclusive night out with themed dining/drinking options, fireworks, a spectacular production — all against the perfect backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney

24th March – 23rd April, 2023

Tickets from $99 ($9.80 booking fee)

Opera

PATRON-IN-CHIEF DR HARUHISA HANDA

HERO PARTNERS

TTHERE’S not much else cooler than music, so it’s no surprise that Marrickville, recently dubbed “Sydney’s Coolest Suburb” is home to a plethora of venues that live and breathe live music that support local artists.

To help you make the most of the festive period & have a great night our in Marrickville we’ve compiled this list of our favourite venues.

First up, is Lazybones Lounge Restaurant & Bar A cosy, quirky & incredible live music venue that has live music 7 nights a week, often over 2 levels. Head to Lazybones Lounge & take in some of Sydney’s most exciting musical acts. The venue’s decked out with velvet curtains and eclectic decor, creating an extravagant atmosphere. There is a small cover charge that goes directly to the artists.

SOUNDS LIKE: Across the span of a week Lazybones Lounge welcomes a wide array of Sydney best acts, whether that be pop, soul, RnB, world music or jazz.

EAT & DRINK: There is an ever-changing food menu; fresh made pizzas to South African fusion curries, fries, wedges & charcuterie boards. Add to this a lengthy list of cocktails, microbrew beers & wines from around the globe & you really can’t go wrong.

CAN’T MISS: Burlesque At The Bones on Jan 7

Next, Butchers Brew Bar, a small bar and live performance venue nestled in the neighbouring Dulwich Hill, at the top end of Marrickville Road. These guys are celebrating their 4th Birthday on Dec 22 and they pride themselves as the champions of local emerging and established talent. Another feather in their cap, Butchers Brew were awarded “Favourite Venue” by the Sydney Blues Society in both 2021 and 2022! It’s super easy to access via public transport and there’s a heap of free parking options.

SOUNDS LIKE: Every night is different! You can see diverse local and international talent (established and emerging) across a wide range of genres; jazz, funk, blues, reggae, soul, indie pop, Americana, folk, Brazilian and world music. They also host book nights, workshops and other cultural/social events.

Eat & Drink: 20+ quality wines by the glass, plus bottled and craft beers and ciders, premium spirits and amazing cocktails, as well as a selection of low and zero-alcohol options. There isn’t an in-venue menu, but there’s a heap of options in the immediate surrounds and you are more than welcome to BYO!

CAN’T MISS: The Ben Waters Trio (UK) Jan 31 & Feb 1 - one of the world’s top boogie woogie piano players (buy tickets online - $40).

While Lazybones Lounge & Butchers Brew Bar are outstanding, and there’s so much more to check outGasoline Pony: Another highlight on any Marrickville live music adventure, The Gasoline Pony has performances most nights of the week. Run by musicians for musicians, the Gasoline Pony is a muchloved and well-respected part of the inner west’s formidable creative economy. Showcasing everything from pop to Appalachen blues, Mexican salsa, jazz & community choirs. This is another venue to keep an eye on.

115 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Camelot Lounge: If you want a venue with a bit of diversity decide - Camelot Lounge is for you! They offer a great 2 for 1 option with the venue encompassing 2 separate intimate rooms/stages. Upstairs you’ll find the Camelot Lounge itself or you can head downstairs to Django Bar. This is a boutique music venue that sees a variety of singer-songwriters, world music artists, jazz, folk, blues, cabaret, comedy and other outstanding acts from Australia and beyond taking to the stage.

19 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

LIVE 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.

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

Audoo Senior Vice President & General Manager, Asia Pacific, Matthew Fackrell

SUCH was the case for Sausage Factory, an inner west ‘Snaggery and Brewery’ with a devoted patronage. Its legacy won’t ever die, even after co-owners Chrissy Flanagan and Jim Flanagan part ways and close their restaurant on 17 December.

“We know our way around a sausage,” the Sausage Factory’s website confidently states. Housing their restaurant in an old butcher shop, the Flanagan duo (who coincidentally have matching last names) created small batches of sausages for all dietary requirements from “real meat, no junk, and always certified free range.” They also stocked Sausage Queen Brewing, poured to wash down sausages devoured by the Sausage Factory’s eager visitors.

While their origin story harks back to 2015, the Sausage Factory opened as a Dulwich Hill-based restaurant in 2017.

“The Sausage Factory evolved since we started [operating] five nights a week doing like a huge menu,” said Chrissy Flanagan, also known as the Sausage Queen, “We cut back with a set menu that worked for us. People wanted to trust us to give them delicious sausage — a huge endless range of

choices wasn’t as necessary.”

They were well-known for experimentally integrating Australian Indigenous ingredients into both their beer and sausages.

“My favourite sausage was a chicken and pork button blanc, an incredibly decadent French sausage with an absolute ton of eggs and milk. Incredibly difficult to make, but rich. People compared it to the texture of souffle.” Chrissy said her favourite beer was “the first beer we ever made — Boss Ale Paleish — which was incredibly fully flavoured.”

It wasn’t just the menu that was innovative and inclusive, but the vibes too, with many reviews praising the restaurant as ‘fun,’ ‘intimate,’ and ‘warm.’

“It became clear that people were coming as much for the experience, atmosphere and community as they were for the sausages,” Chrissy reflected. “That was something I hadn’t expected, but I’ve been incredibly thrilled by.”

When considering a memory from the restaurant’s story that would stay with her, Chrissy spoke about a recent 30th birthday celebration at the Sausage Factory.

“We know our way around a sausage.”

SMost of the time, it’s not the bricks and mortar that make a restaurant an iconic feature of a neighbourhood, but its people.

“It was just an incredibly joyful night, and a Phil Collins song came on which the friendship group had choreographed a dance for,” she recalled. “They got up and did the dance, and it was just so light-hearted. That’s definitely something I will remember.” On 6 December, just eleven days before their final night, Chrissy shared to her 74k TikTok followers that the Sausage Factory would close. The decision followed the separation of the co-owners in their private life partnership. Neither felt it was right to continue their project without the other, nor was it sustainable to continue working together.

“We’re closing on our own terms,” she said. “We could easily keep going. We’re not closing for lack of patrons or financial reasons. It’s just our relationship circumstances and out of respect for each other that it’s such a special place that we built together. I certainly couldn’t consider doing it on my own.”

While their closing devastated the local community, Chrissy stated in a follow-up TikTok that she didn’t want to let the door hit her on her way out or let the “punitive gods of hospitality” punish her. She might have achieved this wish, as the Sausage Factory booked out for their final week of service.

Once the Sausage Factory finishes up its chapter in Dulwich Hill, will the Sausage Queen live on, having dismantled the kingdom she constructed over the last five years?

“I will continue to be the Queen of Sausages. I will continue making them and teach people as a sausage educator,” Chrissy confirmed about the future.

“I will not be manufacturing sausages in the same volume, but sausages will always belong in my heart.”

Hypmotive is all about fostering creativity! We have some great workshops that cater to all ages, from wheel throwing to glazing.

Let the kids come and make a mess at our Pottery Hub! Scan the QR Code or contact us today to make an enquiry.

ALL OF OUR POTTERY WORKSHOPS ARE SUITABLE FOR ANY LEVEL.

IT’S A LOT OF FUN PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH POTTERY OR THE WHEEL!

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.

Featuring three works: Forever & Ever by Antony Hamilton New World Premiere by Rafael Bonachela New World Premiere by Marina Mascarell

Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre