Hey, Ms Dj
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday February 9, 2002
As the year of the horse bolts off, Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras gets wet and Goulburn gets the blues.
BEST DANCING DRAGON
Chinese New Year Parade
The Year of the Horse is welcomed in with this colourful annual parade through the city. Performers in traditional costume, marching bands, dragons and lions will join Chinese community groups along the route from Town Hall to the Entertainment Centre. Nearby, at Darling Harbour, Sydney's Chinese newspaper, The Independence Daily, hosts an afternoon garden party celebrating Chinese culture. Sunday, parade, 10am-noon, city; garden party, 2-5pm, free, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
BEST BLOOMS
Sydney Flower Markets
Flowers are an important part of Chinese New Year and special varieties are stocked by stallholders at Sydney Flower Markets. Peonies are an auspicious flower, particularly the red ones, and cumquat trees sell well because their Chinese name rhymes with gold and luck. After the floral browsing, shoppers can visit the Sydney Fresh Food Market and the Sydney Swap and Sell Market (on Tuesday, a lion dance will bless the market plaza). Flower Markets, Monday-Saturday, 5am-11am, Parramatta Road, Flemington (enter via Austin Avenue), www.sydneymarkets.com.au
BEST SPEEDO SPOTTING
The Jellyfish Grotto Pool Party
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is upon us, so to speak, with the usual packed month of frolics, fetish and fun. One of this weekend's highlights is the annual pool party, transforming Victoria Park pool into a magical ocean kingdom - The Jellyfish Grotto. Kate Monroe spins the records, costume design is by Chelsea Bun and Olympic gold medal swimmer Mark Tewksbury is guest of honour. Prizes, including tickets to the mardi gras party, will be awarded for best fishy fashion, so grab your best flippers and dive on in. Saturday, 8pm-midnight, $38/$25, Victoria Park, City Road, Darlington, bookings 9266 4822, www.ticketek.com.au
BEST BARGAIN
Free Kids at Jenolan Caves
No, that doesn't mean you can take home a child for nothing. Though not directly affected by the recent bushfires, Jenolan Caves have felt their impact; it's been a quiet summer for the usually busy area. To entice visitors back, until the end of February there's free entry for up to two children with each paying adult. This also applies to Wombeyan and Abercrombie caves. About 21/2 hours' drive from Sydney, Jenolan has nine caves open for tours; accommodation packages are also available. Daily until February 28, inquiries 1300 763 311, www.jenolancaves.org.au
BEST CHOCS AND CHICK FLICKS
Romance on The Rocks
In time for Thursday's St Valentine's Day smooch-a-thon, The Rocks gets into a romantic mood this weekend. The Valentine-inclined will be wooed by dancing classes, poetry recitals, opera singers, scenes from Romeo and Juliet and a romance fair in Campbell's Cove featuring books, chocolates and flowers, among other things. There is also a free film festival at the ASN Theatrette on Hickson Road, playing heart-string-twanging classics such as An Affair to Remember, Love Story, Like Water for Chocolate and Ghost. BYO tissues. Saturday and Sunday, The Rocks, inquiries 1902 222 222, www.rocksvillage.com
BEST JAMMING
Jazz and Blues in the Reserve
West of the bridge, an afternoon of music features bass player John Leigh Calder and pianist Col Nolan with their new band, Blazz, playing a heady blend of blues and jazz. Both have been playing for more than 40 years, between them supporting music greats including Dave Brubeck, Benny Goodman and Hank Williams jnr. Sunday, 5pm, free, Dunlop Reserve, Roseby Street, Birkenhead Point.
BEST FILM FOOD
WHO Weekly OpenAir Cinema
If you've never seen anyone strain spaghetti through a tennis racket, you've never seen The Apartment, with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. You might like to catch it for the first time outdoors under the stars (or the clouds, depending on the weather) at OpenAir Cinema. The moment where the screen slowly rises up into place with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a backdrop is worth the price of entry alone. Food is available, by Bennelong chef Guillaume Brahimi, and a bar and a coffee stall will be open. Saturday, gates open 6.30pm, film starts 8.30pm, $16/$15, Mrs Macquaries Point, Royal Botanic Gardens, bookings 1300 139 588, www.who.com/openair
BEST BALDIES
Coolac Festival of Fun
The funkiest rural arts festival in Australia starts this weekend at Coolac, near Gundagai, about four hours' drive south-west of Sydney. The Coolac Festival of Fun opening party is a concert under the stars featuring the rock 'n' roll antics of the award-winning Jive Bombers. The festival also features a number of art exhibitions including the satirical portrait and sculpture prize, The Bald Archies, and Meet the Sculptors: In Fine Form, representing sculptors from the region. Other events during the next three weeks include two more open-air concerts, a gala showcase dinner and Art Trek, a weekend when all exhibitions will be open. Jive Bombers concert, Saturday, 8.30pm, $30, Festival Gardens, Coolac, festival inquiries 6945 3240.
BEST AUSTEN FOR ANIMALS
Mansfield Park WIRES benefit
In an indirect sort of way, Jane Austen is doing her bit from beyond the grave to help Australian native wildlife. Genesian Theatre, a community theatre group whose members work for nothing, is staging an adaptation of Austen's Mansfield Park that runs until February 23. But the cast and crew have decided to give an extra performance, with all proceeds to the NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES), the volunteer network that looks after injured native animals. Surely, Austen would approve. Saturday, 2pm, $10, Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, city, bookings 9645 1611.
Email event listings to metroevents@smh.com.au or fax 9282 2481.
BEST OF THE BEST
Goulburn Blues Festival
Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants around Goulburn will be ringing to the sound of the blues this weekend as performers from Australia, Britain and the United States gather to howl at the moon, metaphorically speaking. As well as the many gigs around town, other highlights include the busking competition, workshops (an extra $5 each), an art exhibition and a Youth Jam featuring up-and-coming blues artists playing with veterans Dutch Tilders. For those feeling sinful, there's a blessing and blues service on Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, the Chain Awards honour Australia's best blues players. Saturday and Sunday, Saturday pass $40, Saturday night pass (from 7pm) $25, Sunday pass $20, various venues, Goulburn, inquiries 1800 353 646.
© 2002 Sydney Morning Herald
