January 09

The Combined Art Societies of Sydney invites Sydney Festival visitors and Sydneysiders to the 19th  Annual ‘Art of Sydney’ Awards Exhibition in The Terrace Room at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. Over 300 original artworks will be on show.

image: By Marlene Weaver

During the Gold Coast’s popular Magic Millions racing carnival, North Burleigh Surf Club is holding a fun day fundraiser for just $50.

The day includes free return transport from the club to the races, entry costs and gourmet cocktail food- all inside the air-conditioned walls of ‘The Dome’ and the Gold Coast Surf Club. Throughout the day, North Burleigh Surf Club will also hold auctions, raffles and fashions on the field to keep the winning atmosphere alive.

The 2009 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival will world premiere eleven new Australian films from established and emerging Australian filmmakers including five features, one feature documentary, five short films, and for the first time a moving image art installation.

The festival also celebrates the most elegant of genres, the romantic comedy - showing four classics, The Apartment, Manhattan, Midnight and the Philadelphia Story.

FIRST NIGHT AND BEYOND

The Sydney Festival is here again in 2009, with local, national and international artists across various genres including theatre, music, dance and film.

Venues all over Sydney are showcasing 21 days of the arts and entertainment and it all kicks off with a free night, Saturday January 10.

A special kids program begins the event - Festival Kids. This schedule is in the daytime to create a family-friendly environment.

Evening performances include the legendary Grace Jones, The Festoons, Nina Ferro, the Cat Empire, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, newcomer Santogold, Canadian DJ A-Trak and Bangarra Dance Theatre among others…

Sleep with the fishes- literally! Oceanworld Manly’s Family Sleepover is a once in a lifetime experience and an exciting way to see Oceanworld’s myriad of marine creatures with a unique camping-style adventure!

Sunday of the Australia Day long weekend will be a day of pure relaxation and indulgence at ‘Crush 09’, the Adelaide Hills Wine Festival.  This event will be a chance to escape the heat of the city by relaxing in the freshness of the Hills, and sipping on a glass of exquisite wine…