Sydney Festival Thrives with Diverse Performances in Second Week

The Sydney Festival continues into its second week, further igniting the city's vibrant art and culture scene. Despite the first week having come and gone swiftly, with several events both opening and wrapping up, the second week promises no slowdown, boasting an eclectic mix of over 130 events for attendees to enjoy.

Closing Soon: Celebrate Forgotten Icons

This weekend marks the conclusion of two notable shows, but there's still a chance to seize tickets. Send For Nellie at Wharf Theatre until January 14, celebrates the remarkable yet under-celebrated story of Nellie Small, a figure who defied norms with her queerness and ethnicity in 1930s Sydney. On the same date, Big Name, No Blankets at the Roslyn Packer Theatre serenades audiences with the tale of the Warumpi Band, a group who introduced Indigenous language music to the Australian mainstream.

New Attractions: Climate Awareness and Cultural Homages

Highlighted among the new additions is Are we not drawn onward to new erA, which brings a European success story to the Roslyn Packer Theatre from January 16 to 20. The production smartly blends the challenges of climate change with hope and calls for action. Along a similar vein, Arka Kinari will be docked at Circular Quay from January 18 to 20, offering a free performance aboard their 70-tonne ship by activists Grey Filastine and Nova Ruth, advocating for a carbon-free future.

Elsewhere, Kate Bush enthusiasts can anticipate An Evening Without Kate Bush at the Wharf 1 Theatre from January 18 to 21, with a stunning performance by the UK's Sarah-Louise Young. For adventurous audiences, the adults-only Ode To Joy (How Gordon Got To The Nasty Sex Pig Party), a sensation from the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe, opens at Neilson Nutshell on January 16. This story follows Gordon, a Scottish civil servant exploring his identity at Europe's largest gay sex party.

Walsh Bay: A Burst of Culture and Entertainment

The Walsh Bay arts precinct is also getting a vibrant makeover during the festival. Known as the Thirsty Mile, it features the Moonshine Bar as its central hub. Adding to the nightly attractions, the cabaret Smashed: The Nightcap, consistently described as 'fun, sexy, and charming', will entertain crowds at Wharf 1 Theatre until January 27.

festival, culture, performance