Category: Talks, courses & workshops

If you already know the basics of the bridge game or you have just finished the Beginners Course- you may want to consider refreshing or expanding your knowledge with our Face-to-Face Improvers Courses. These courses will run for 6 weeks (once a week) - 3 lessons on card play and 3 lessons on bidding- with notes and practice play at each session. This is perfect timing to complete a course before Christmas!Where?All our courses will be held at Level 1- 162 Goulburn Street- Sydney. Parking is available at the Secure Parking Station at the corner of Elizabeth & Goulburn Streets. For $12 a validation ticket covering a full day's parking can be purchased from us.We hold our regular club games in the same premises. You can continue to play & improve after completion of these courses with us here.We're CovidSafe: We are running regular sessions and courses CovidSafe. Please find our Guideline for F2F Sessions and the full Covid-19 Safety Plan on our website.

The Sydney Connection conducts weekly inner-city dining walks of Surry Hills- Darlinghurst and Potts Point.Accompanied by our Owner-Operator Maree Sheehan a well-connected local guide- our walks are aimed at visitors and Sydneysiders who want to go 'where the locals go' for inspiring food- good service and cool interiors.We offer our guests the chance to experience Sydney's fabulous small bar culture and dine at three different inner-city Sydney restaurants in one evening. If you're a local looking for a new perspective on our fine city this is the perfect experience.For visitors- it's a great opportunity if you are only spending a short time in Sydney and want to gain an understanding of our food culture and night time vibe. You can also ask your guide all your Sydney questions: our history- the demographics of the precinct- the latest real estate prices or just where to go for breakfast.Surry Hills Highlights We begin our dining walk in Surry Hills in the industrial interior of a rum distillery with its own bar. Positioned on a tree-lined street edged by cycle paths next to the latest in modern architecture juxtaposed by grand Victorian terraces dressed in filigree and greenery. With cuisines from Italy- France and the Middle East we are spoilt for choice in this part of inner-city Sydney.The main streets of this precinct are a mix of commercial and residential buildings. Elegant restored pubs stand next to on-trend cafes with street seating and restaurants with secret lush courtyards hidden out the back. Favoured by professional creatives and locals for breakfast- lunch and dinner there is always a new special or cocktail to discover. There's a relaxed vibe with fabulous fashion and interior store windows competing for our eye as we stroll down Crown Street taking in the scene.Group discounts available now - see our website for detailsCOVID Safety measuresWe are limiting our group size to 6 guestsEnjoying 3 courses instead of 4 coursesBooking separate Uber's for guests & guide for pick-upPracticing social distancing on the walk between venuesDining at restaurants that adhere to the 4 square measure rule between tablesIndulging in a sit-down dessert - with sparkling - instead of lining-up for gelato (sorry Riva Reno & Messina - we will be back!)Giving a complimentary bottle of Sydney Distillery sanistiser to each guest on arrivalPlus of course we are packing masks in case you forgot yours!

One of our favourite Tasmanian vineyards is about to release a new vintage- and we're celebrating with an exclusive dinner to showcase each new wine.Bay of Fire wines are distinctly Tasmanian- produced from hand-picked local fruit- specially selected for quality and character. Each fruit parcel is kept separate so it can be constantly assessed in order to capture its unique essence at precisely the right moment. And then- in the finest oak available- the fruit is given the freedom to let nature work its magic. The evidence of the alchemy of this winemaking practice can be experienced in each and every Bay of Fires Wine.Starting at 7pm on Thursday 5 November- enjoy a 3-course dinner and appetiser- plus six wines for $99 per person.We are adhering to strict hygiene measures and social distancing regulations.

Written and performed by Drew FairleyIn the shallowest hour of the night a faint outline appears. The ghost populi. They outnumber us. They watch us fret and obsess. But tonight- they strike up the band. Your chair has been dusted off. Your glass polished. Your lights dim. Let the music awaken in your ears and drink up the spirits. Drumroll... Welcome. Ghost Salon is a lush evening of hilarious and haunting cabaret. A luminous view into those who've been left in the dark. Part seance- part confessional- part spectral hooley. All welcome- dead or alive.About the artistMost recently Drew was an artistic associate for Strut N Fret production company and was absurdly trapped on a P&O cruise during the early months of the pandemic. He wrote Actual Cabin Actual Fever- an IGTV series during his ill-fated oceanic adventure. Before all this he was the artistic associate for A Midnight Visit in Melbourne. Before that he performed in Romance- a thwarts and all cabaret- for the Flying Nun- Larry's Odyssey by Vashti Hughes- directed by James Winter. He performed with ERTH visual and physical theatre company in their national tour of The Prehistoric Aquarium- directed by Scott Wright. The Kids Cafe at the Sydney Opera House. Deathtrap at the Darlinghurst Theatre- directed by Jo Turner and Jack and the Beanstalk- Directed by Chira Guidi for the Adelaide festival. He has also written for Accolade Events Company in the reimagined Sovereign Hill light and sound spectacular. Previously- Drew worked with Lisa Chappell as director of Bad Day Insurance. As dramaturge on Here- a Verbatim Theatre piece through Warringah council- directed by Kristine-Landon Smith- Tamasha Theatre Co UK. Version 1.0 in The Major Minor Party- as an actor devisor- Terripin Puppet Theatre Company as a writer of Pip and Pooch. Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre as a writer-director on their new musical - Oh My God I've Been Kidnapped and I Hate what I'm Wearing. Purse of the Mummy for Marguerite Pepper Productions and the Casula Arts Centre. What we are doing to ensure you are COVIDSafe at The Flying NunCapping our audience at 25 people per show. Ensuring that artists and staff are well before they start work. Sanitising all furniture and touchpoints prior to each opening. Closing our foyer bar and offering table service. Reconfiguring our venue to manage physical distancing. Ensuring a 3m distance between stage and the audience.

Treat your team this Christmas with a 2 hour jewellery making class that provides instant gratification. All participants have the opportunity to make a beautiful piece of silver jewellery. In this introductory jewellery class you will experience the use of a range of jewellery tools and techniques in a friendly and relaxed environment. We follow strict Covid-19 safety regulations at The Bench - so- this could be the perfect opportunity to get the team back together after months of working from home!When: Please select 'BOOK NOW' for 2020 dates & times or please contact The Bench to arrange a time more suited to you.Duration: 2 hoursClass size: Maximum 10 peopleCost: $120Bookings available herePrerequisiteThere are no formal entry requirements for this course. You do not need to be artistic or creative - you'll be surprised what you can create under the guidance of our expert tutors. The Ready to Wear - Work Christmas Party workshop is perfect for absolute beginners with no previous experience. This is an extremely fun and creative workshop - no matter what your gender!Course ObjectivesYou will be guided through the following techniques in this one day workshop:Texturing - You may add texture to your jewellery through a variety of different tools.Assembling- Colouring- Finishing - You will discover how to connect components- polish your finished design and introduce colour to your work using patination techniques.Course OutcomesYou will learn the basic skills needed to create your own beautiful earrings- pendant or ring. The workshop begins with short- structured technical exercises and lots of material play. Fabricating- decorating and joining will be demonstrated and everyone will leave looking fabulous! Or- at least with a Christmas present for the tree!What's IncludedAll materials are included. You just need to turn up with a pair of covered shoes and we provide the rest. Each participant will receive enough Sterling Silver to make at least two pieces of jewellery- copper sheet and consumables (saw blades- emery paper).We understand a Christmas Party without booze is just not a Christmas Party. Therefore we do offer BYO however we ask that you follow any rules or request by your tutor. If you're able to wait until after the class to drink- we promise you will be completely satisfied learning to make jewellery without the booze!

A ravishing feast of music featuring some of Sydney's finest musicians.The performance will include members of Pinchgut Opera- The Song Company- Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and brass players of the Sydney Symphony and Opera Australia Orchestras.All works will be performed one voice per part- featuring a number of antiphonal Gabrieli motets- Allegri's 'Miserere'- as well as Tallis' 'Lamentation of Jeremiah I' and Tomkins' 'When David Heard' for men's voices. Also in this concert will be Bach's earliest known cantata '-Nach dir- Herr- verlanget mich'- Buxtehude's 'Der Herr ist mit mir'- as well as Bach's great motet 'Jesu Meine Freude'.Programme:Jesu Meine Freude | Johann Sebastian BachIn ecclesiis | Giovanni GabrieliMagnificat | Giovanni GabrieliMiserere | Gregorio AllegriWhen David Heard | Thomas TomkinsLamentations of Jeremiah I | Thomas TallisSuscipe clementissime Deus | Giovanni GabrieliNach dir- Herr- verlanget mich | Johann Sebastian BachDer Herr ist mit mir | Dieterich BuxtehudeFeaturing:Soprano | Chloe Lankshear- Claire Burrell-McDonald- Amber JohnsonAlto | Michael Burden- Oscar SmithTenor | Elias Wilson- Thomas HallworthBass | Hayden Barrington- Jack StephensOrgan | Hamish Wagstaff- Samuel GiddyViolin | James Tarbotton- James ArmstrongBassoon | Tiger ChouCello | Sophie FunstonDouble Bass | Linh NguyenTrombone | Scott Kinmont- Nigel Crocker- Nick Byrne-Greg van der Struik- William Kinmont & Brett PageTrumpet | David Elton & Simon WolnizerCOVID-19 SAFETYWe will be limiting the number of people in the Cathedral in accordance with current Public Health Orders and ensuring appropriate physical distancing at all times.Hand sanitiser will be available and audience members over the age of 12 are required to wear masks.

Lilthai Dreaming is an exhibition of Indigenous Australian Art encompassing paintings- bark paintings- and ceramicsBibi Barba - Saltwater Women-Woka Woka- Dungutti- Cammeraygal- Gadigal- Yuin Nation 'Like many artists- my work tells a story. It's about my connection to family- to the land- where I was born- my struggles and triumphs.'Warnayaka Collection Warnayaka Art Centre is located in the community of Lajamanu- 580kms south west of Katherine- Northern Territory in the Tanami desert.The most important thing expressed by the artists across the generations is the need to preserve and pass on the knowledge of Warlpiri culture. This encompasses not only art- but includes language- social structure- law and country.Lorna Morgan Biddy Yulngarri Jurrah-LongRosie Murnku Mark TasmanMyra Patrick HerbertJudy MartinKitty Napanangka SimonElizabeth Nungarrayi RossBiddy Timms NapanangkaMolly Jinjingarli TasmanLily HargreavesThe safety of our visitors- artists- teachers- staff and volunteers is vital.We are observing strict physical distancing and hygiene measures to protect the health of visitors and staff and minimise the spread of Covid-19.These include enhanced cleaning regimes- social distancing and limits on the number of people in the gallery- sanitiser and hand washing facilities and changes to our class sizes.Don't visit if you're unwell or- if in the last 14 days- you have experienced cold or flu symptoms- have returned from overseas or have been to or had contact with someone from a Covid hotspot. Visitors are required to provide their name and contact details on arrival at the Gallery- to support contact tracing in line with NSW Health rules and our Covid-Safe plan.floor markings and signage to help visitors maintain safe distances.There are limits on the number of visitors overall and the Gallery space has its maximum capacity- based on the rule of 1 person per 4 square metres.Please don't touch the artworks.We are also available for private viewings of our exhibitions by prior arrangement.

Pharos is a ten-member powerhouse big band formed in 2016. Featuring a six-piece horn section- this unique and electrifying collective merge the best of the big band with the flexibility- creativity and genre-bending exploration expected in any modern ensemble. What's more- every single member of the band is a talented female jazz musician. In the group's short lifespan- Pharos has worked with an incredible list of local and international artists- premiering and performing the work of composers- both Australian and international. In a world premiere- Pharos will perform a new work commissioned for the festival before performing exclusive repertoire composed and arranged by SIMA's 2020 Artist in Residence- Dr Sandy Evans. Come feel the energy that only a big band can inspire!Covid-safe measuresDo not attend if you are feeling unwell. Shows will be seated and limited to 60 per sitting- with patrons seated to allow for social distancing. Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff. The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including: Hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue- and regular sanitising of the venue and facilities.

This adventure is a combination of a walking tour- self-discovery and a learning experience.OverviewThis is a fun and adventurous way to learn how to take creative photographs with your smartphone while exploring Coogee Beach east of Sydney. During this three-hour workshop- we will head out to Coogee Beach and its surrounds to photograph surf- water- rocks- architecture and anything else that inspires you! The workshop is suitable for all skill levels- all ages- and any type of smartphone. What we doGive you some creative photography fundamentalsTeach you how to improve your phone handling skills when taking photographsShow you some creative composition techniques and tips used by professional photographersPoint you to our favourite phone apps for expanding your photo-taking and editing of your photos What you will needA smartphoneA basic tripod and phone tripod mount (one of each can be provided if requested)A basic level of fitness as we will be walking for most of the workshopA water bottleTime & placeThe workshop starts at 4.30 pm sharp. Please arrive 15 mins before the workshop beginsMeet at Coogee Bite Cafe- 126a Beach St- Coogee NSW 2034Cost: $60COVID-SAFECovid-safe guidelines: For your safety- we will carry hand-sanitiser and practice safe distancing.