Upnext Team

From 6 to 14 November- the wildest wordsmiths from around the world will come together for Australia's largest performing writer's program- Word Travels' Story Week.This year's program goes virtual and international- bringing together an electrifying line-up of literary talent from across Australia and the world for an action-packed week of wordsmithery.The Festival culminates in the Australian Poetry Slam National Final- a spectacular showdown between the nation's best outspoken wordsmiths on Saturday 14 November. Headlined by last year's indomitable champion wani La Frere- the final will feature 16 sharp-tongued poets setting the stage ablaze for the coveted title of National Champion.

This year- Sydney Open is going digital- offering you a selection of curated online experiences around the key themes of City- Garden and Home.We invite you to discover your city in new ways with our line-up of free live-streamed talks- never before seen content- self-guided audio tours and more across the Sydney Open website.The full digital program will go live on the Sydney Open website from 7.30pm Friday 6 November.Enjoy a sneak peek below and find out more on our website:Sydney Open online talk seriesBe part of the conversations that matter in our inspiring Sydney Open live-streamed talk series launching 6 November. Hear from a range of diverse voices from across architecture- heritage- design and government and enjoy live Q&As.Find out moreSelf-guided audio toursExplore the city in new ways with our self-guided audio tours. Discover urban gardens- open spaces and significant architecture around the city - all at your own pace!

A monthly comedy room showcasing the best queer comedians Sydney- and the world- has to offer.A brand new line up on the first Friday of every month hosted by Jenna Suffern and Brendan Hancock. .For further information and Covid guidelines- visit our website.Note: Live stream tickets are available online up to 30 minutes before show start. Make sure you get your tickets early! A Zoom link will be emailed to you before the show.

Having previously sold out their 2015- 2017 and 2018 Australian tours- the quintessential UK reggae group will return to Australia in November.The band has plans to perform in previously uncharted territory- hitting Canberra- Wollongong and the Gold Coast for the first time- as well return performances in Brisbane- Sydney- Melbourne and Perth.'Our previous Australian tours were all so much fun for us - you guys definitely know how to party down under' said founding member songwriter Robin Campbell. 'We've been waiting for a chance to get back out to Australia since we last left- so we're looking forward to getting down under to celebrate 40 years and a new album- in one of our favourite parts of the world.'The '40th Anniversary For The Many Tour' will offer audiences a taste of classic hits like 'Red Red Wine'- 'I Got You Babe' and 'Falling In Love With You'- as well as tracks from the latest release 'For The Many' which will performed live in Australia for the first time.With over forty top 40 hits in their native Britain and sales of over 100 million records- the band - who recently celebrated 40 years together - are one of the biggest UK music acts of all time- and continue to record charting albums while touring across the world including regular trips to Australia where they have firmly found a place in the hearts of fans.UB40 are Robin Campbell (co-lead vocals and guitar)- Duncan Campbell (lead vocals) Earl Falconer (bass- vocal)- Jimmy Brown (drums)- Norman Hassan (percussion- vocals). The band also features Martin Meredith (sax) and Laurence Parry (trumpet)- who have both been in UB40's touring line-up for over twenty years- and Tony Mullings (keyboards) and Ian Thompson (sax) creating a genre-defining synergy of horns and rhythm section that are uniquely UB40.

A groundbreaking technicolour cross between the Buena Vista Social Club- Gorillaz- Ozomatli and Eminem. Veneno came to life in Sydney- Australia when brothers Cesar and Steve Marin began playing music together inspired by the music of bands such as Los Van Van and Irakere they found their path through the music of Cuba.This musical endeavour led to the formation of Veneno. The early addition of young singer-songwriter Carlos Velazquez lifted the project to new heights. With a versatile mix of RNB- pop and soul- together with his domination of the Afro-Latin Sonero traditions- the band had found its unique and original voice.The following years were spent performing around the country- building a healthy fan base and establishing themselves at the forefront of the music industry in Australia.This momentum created the opportunity to collaborate with musicians outside of the Latin genre. The addition of talented young musicians Ivan Pineda- Marcus Salone- Daniel Goodacre and Dominic Kirk enabled the band to incorporate advanced elements of Funk- Reggae- Jazz and Rock into their music. This evolution contributed to the band's success- becoming the first Australian-Latin ensemble to make its mark in the global music industry.Civic Underground complies with covid safe distancing rules.

Although Alec Hobbes - famed social Darwinist and artificial intelligence researcher - is dead- his computer algorithm lives on- working away in his study- while his widow Meridee tiptoes around the machine much like she did around her husband for most of their marriage. Her friends Judith and Lydia turn up to shake their friend out of her isolation and self-neglect- but what promises to be a weekend of laughter and wine turns comically savage when Hester arrives and truths about the past start to tear at the fabric of friendship.While Wicked Sisters wouldn't pass the Bechdel Test because the women are talking about men - survival and men- ambition and men- murder and men- blackmail and men - it's also a story about our future- artificial intelligence- ruthless competition- the issues women face in their fifties as they deal with life's lacerations- and the struggle to stay relevant as we slide towards extinction.Wicked Sisters premiered at the Stables in 2002- a time when Australian stages were bereft of fiercely intelligent- independent- brave- witty female characters over 50. Like Margaret Atwood- playwright Alma De Groen's writing of women was way ahead of its time.Griffin will be adhering to government advice to ensure the safety of its audience- staff and crew. Both Griffin and the Seymour Centre are registered Covid safe businesses- and will be implementing measures including reduced audience capacity- socially-distanced allocated seating- hand sanitising stations placed throughout the theatre- regular deep cleaning before and after each performance- and the wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

Ever wondered how you can get this season's must-have looks but also save money and the planet at the same time? This is the free masterclass for you. Hosted by a panel of Australia's biggest names in sustainable styling and fashion- you'll get practical tips to help you uncover secondhand treasure in your neighbourhood. Learn how to style secondhand pieces with help from Hannah Klose and Natalie Shehata at this online workshop.Register hereAbout Hannah KloseNever Ever Pay Retail op shop blogger- Hannah Klose- has been thrifting since birth thanks to her mum's op shop obsession! When she's not blogging about the best secondhand hot spots you can catch her styling recycled runway shows or sniffing out a bargain somewhere in Brisbane. She lives by the mantra 'buy nothing new' (except for underwear) and 99% of her wardrobe is pre-loved. About Natalie ShehateNatalie Shehata is the founder + editor of tommie magazine 'the destination for creative Womxn with a conscience'- as well as the Eco Stylist for Save the Children Australia op shops nationally. Her fashion styling career spans 11 years. She founded tommie magazine with the intention to change the way we consume and interpret fashion- by educating and bringing an awareness to how our clothes are made and what actually happens 'behind the seams' - both in the manufacturing of our clothing and the advertising of them.  About this eventThis event is being delivered as part of City of Sydney council's commitment to reducing landfill and supporting residents to reuse and reduce waste at home. It is brought to you by the City of Sydney and the team behind Garage Sale Trail- Australia's #1 community and sustainability event dedicated to helping us make or save money buying or selling pre-loved.  Join the Garage Sail Trail in person or online on 21 & 22 November and grab a bargain at one of 16-000+ garage sales being held across the country.

BAD Sydney presents a star-packed in person festival on 7-8 November at the State Library of NSW. See Kate McClymont- Gary Jubelin- Jess Hill- Michael Robotham- Caroline Overington- Chris Hammer- Tom Keneally- Nick Kaldas- Jana Wendt and many more.As always- there's plenty of crime and thriller fiction with Australian greats like Garry Disher- Michael Robotham and Chris Hammer as well as rising stars. Journalists explain why they turned to (fictional) crime. Fiction icon Tom Keneally talks to us about his view of the nature of evil and we explore writing about Auschwitz in fiction after 75 years.Like every year- we look at true crime - the first Australian serial killer with Tanya Bretherton or more recent Sydney crime with Kate McClymont. Top ex-NSW police Nick Kaldas- Gary Jubelin and Deb Wallace talk about their experience of policing. Speakers with personal knowledge tell us about experiencing the prison system and the impact of crime on victims and their families. We investigate wider criminal and social justice issues like modern slavery and the prevalence of domestic abuse as well as what can be done about it with Stella prize winner Jess Hill Are we in danger of turning into a security state asks Brian Toohey? Can we trust the justice system to make the right decisions queries Xanthe Mallett?Tickets start at just $10 for online sessions- and tickets to attend in person are extremely limited due to social distancing restrictions- so get in quick.This year we are restricted to 30 people in the audience for each event following NSW health regulations. We are using two rooms in different parts of the Library. For the Metcalfe Auditorium- enter the Library from the Macquarie Street entrance. For the Dixson Room- enter the Library from the Mitchell Building entrance on Shakespeare Place facing the Botanic Gardens. Covid-safe measuresPlease look at the special conditions of entry to the library for these unusual times. Be reassured that we are following all advice to keep you save.

Bondi Bazaar is Sydney's best curated indoor and outdoor Saturday Bondi markets.Launching 10 October- Bondi Bazaar will be held at Beach Road Hotel (71 Beach Road- Bondi Beach).Browse over 50 bondi market stalls each week- ranging from arts and crafts- vintage clothes- food- home wares- pet products- jewelry and much much more.