This massive festival is one of the largest gatherings of Indians outside India! But you don’t have to be Indian to join in the fun. Every year more than 25, 000 Sydneysiders attend to learn more about Indian culture and have a lot of fun!

Popular stars Tania Zaetta and Kamahl will perform alongside 70 other entertainers from India and Australia. There’ll be more to see on center stage with a sari fashion parade and Bollywood Spectacular showcasing traditional dance.

As you’d imagine, at an Indian festival you’re never going to go hungry. Some of Sydney’s top Indian restaurants will be on hand to serve up traditional fare to the masses. There’ll also be Indian cooking displays so you can learn how to recreate the yummy dishes at home.

It’s a great day out for the kids too, who’ll love the camel rides and fireworks display.

The India Australian Friendship Fair is held in recognition of Indian Independence Day. It looks to built social solidarity between India and Australia. To help achieve this aim, profits from the fair will help pensioners, new migrants, and women in need.

Date: Sunday 10 August
Time: 10 am to sunset
Location: Athletic Centre
Address: Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
Public transport: The Athletic Centre is a short walk from Olympic Park train station
Parking: On site parking is available for $8
Cost: $5 per person

Image source: Barun Patro @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

This is a two-day celebration of local underground arts, featuring installations, music, theatre, and digital media works. All works were developed during the recent Public Arts Lab, so they’re just about as fresh as they can get!

The Underbelly festival gives Sydneysiders the rare opportunity to discover the performances, artworks, projects and ideas that are ripe in warehouses, bedrooms, and makeshift exhibition spaces throughout the city. It gives the artists that dwell on the fringe a space to step into the spotlight, and the audience a chance to see something truly unforgettable.

Dates: 12 and 13 July
Times: Noon to 11 pm on Saturday and 2 pm to 10 pm on Sunday
Location: CarriageWorks
Address: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Public transport: CarriageWorks is an eight-minute walk from Redfern train station
Parking: Limited parking on site. Enter at 229 Wilson Street, opposite Queen Street
Cost: Single tickets are $32 for adults and $28 for concession holders. Weekend passes are also available for $58 for adults and $50 for concessions. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster
Website: http://www.underbelly.com.au

Image source: Aliasfreq @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

The event is your chance to indulge in all things Italian. Activities and events are designed to engage young and old alike with this vibrant European culture.

Italian festivals around the city will host degustation dinners and offer specials ever day during the event.  There will also be cultural events around the city, including performances from classical pianist Andrea Padova and Italian fashion parades.

But the centerpiece is Primo Italiano, held on May 25. This day of celebration in East Sydney’s Little Italy district (Stanley and Yurong Streets) has plenty for everyone to enjoy. Adults will lap up the Italian food, wine, and music. And the kids are going to love the gelato! On second thoughts, the adults will probably want to try some too!

Head to the website to see everything the Sydney Italian Festival has to offer.

Dates: May 20 to June 10
Location: All over Sydney
Website: http://www.sydneyitalianfestival.com.au/

Image source: Anna Moderska @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

You’ll see Sydney Harbour like never before on board the Deerubbun, an ex-Navy Torpedo Recovery Vessel. Along the way you’ll hear tales from the local Eora, Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal, and Wallumedegal people. You’ll also learn more about Sydney with stories of the Aboriginal names and meanings of the city’s landmarks.

The cruise will take you to see indigenous cave shelters, rock carvings, and early settlements. You’ll even witness a traditional welcome ceremony on Clark Island.

This is such a unique experience, and a great way for all tourists, and the locals, to learn more about Australia’s indigenous heritage.

Dates: Cruises run Tuesdays to Saturdays
Time: 12:45 pm
Address: Depart from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay
Public transport: Catch a train or ferry to Circular Quay
Parking: Paid parking is available at the Sydney Opera House
Cost: Adults $55, children and concessions are $45 (includes light refreshments). Call the Tribal Warrior Association on (02) 9699 3491 to book your place
Website:  http://tribalwarrior.org/

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Festival First Night
What: Massive street party to celebrate opening night, featuring 200 festival artists. Highlights include a free Brian Wilson and Paul Kelly concert in The Domain and the dance party in Martin Place. 
Where: Angel Place, The Domain, Hyde Park, Macquarie Street, and Martin Place
When: January 5
Cost: Free

About an Hour, Movers & Shakers
What: Eight contemporary dance pieces combining theatre, music, and technology.
Where: Sydney Opera House and Parramatta Riverside Theatres
When: January 5-26
Cost: $25

Black Watch
What: Play about the Scottish Black Watch regiment and their part in the Iraq War from the National Theatre of Scotland
Where: CarriageWorks, Redfern
When: January 10-26
Cost: A reserve $70 adults and $60 concessions, B reserve $60 adults and $50 concessions

Water Fools
What: Light, sound, and pyrotechnic display which tells the story of an everyday man whose life is turned upside down when his head bursts into flames. The production is by the acclaimed French group, Ilotopie.
Where: Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay
When: January 18-19 at 8:45 pm.
Cost: Free

Brian Wilson
What: Legendary Beach Boys front man performs the bands iconic album, Pet Sounds
Where: State Theatre
When: January 9
Cost: A reserve $140 adults and $130 concessions, B reserve $125 and $115 concessions

Cannot Buy My Soul
What: Impressive line-up of Aussie talent pay tribute to Aboriginal troubadour, Kev Carmody. Concert features performances by Paul Kelly, Dan Kelly, Tex Perkins, Clare Bowditch, Missy Higgins, Kev Carmody and more.
Where: State Theatre
When: January 10-11
Cost: A reserve $85 adults and $75 concessions, B reserve $75 adults and $65 concessions

Au Revoir Parapluie
What: James Thierree combines dance, theatre, and circus in this amazing show.
Where: Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay
When: January 8-27
Cost: A reserve $70 adults and $60 concessions, B reserve $60 adults and $50 concessions. All children’s ticket $35.

Joanna Newsom
What: American songbird performs her second album Ys with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: January 25-26
Cost: Adults tickets $80-$50, concession tickets $70-$40

Three Works by Nacho Duato
What: Works performed by the leading modern dance company in Spain, Compania Nacional De Danza.
Where: Lyric Theatre, Star City
When: January 6-8
Cost: Adults tickets $80-$60, concession tickets $70-$50

Sufjan Stevens
What: This American singer/songwriter is leading the current indie pop folk revival.
Where: State Theatre
When: January 12-14
Cost: A reserve $65 adults and $60 concessions, B reserve $60 adults and $55 concessions

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

According to GerMANY FACES, not very. This enlightening cultural expo showcases the real Germany, a thriving hub of science, entertainment, and the arts.

GerMANY SHOWS features some of Germany’s most innovative visual art displays, with installations, photographic exhibitions, and paintings. Visiting writers, academics, artists, journalists, and performers will hold seminars as part of GerMANY TALKS. Acclaimed caberet star Meret Becker will bring her show to Sydney as part of GerMANY MOVES. A film festival, popular and classical music performances, and architectural tours are also part of this diverse event.

Culture vultures can experience GerMANY FACES until October 20. Full details of the GerMANY FACES program and schedule are available at the festival website.

Image source: Carl Ratcliffe @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler