Art & About Sydney
23 September - 23 October 2011

What if we threw a huge, free 10th birthday party in Martin Place and you were invited to be part of the celebrations? You are!

Join us for the party of the year, starting your night in Martin Place with performances from Paul Mac (DJ set), Paris Wells, Ben Walsh, Women of Soul and FourPlay. There’s also a bar, food and the announcement of this year’s Sydney Life winner.

For information on free shuttle buses running throughout the evening download pdf here.

Paul Mac is a multi ARIA Award winner and a leading figure in Australian electronic music. A three time winner of Dance Artist of the Year in Rolling Stone’s Readers’ Poll, he has a successful solo career and has also recorded with artists such as Daniel Johns from Silverchair.

Paris Wells is a feisty singer/songwriter who flirts with alternative pop and electro-soul. Paris has made a name for herself playing at the Big Day Out, Meredith and Falls Festival, and touring with the likes of Lily Allen and Justin Timberlake.

Ben Walsh has earned himself a phenomenal reputation internationally, and is celebrated as one of Australia’s most accomplished percussionists and performers.

Women of Soul is a collaboration between some of Australia’s finest female vocalists starring Miss Min and Evie Willie. Inspired by a host of Motown, northern and modern Soul music icons.

Fourplay is an eclectic electric string quartet, whose repertoire includes covers of diverse artists such as the Beastie Boys, Jeff Buckley, Charles Mingus and The Strokes, and their own originals, inspired by the wide array of diverse music such as rock, dub, folk, gypsy, klezmer, electronica, post-rock, jazz and improv.

The night continues with our City’s cultural institutions joining in the party. The Art Gallery of NSW, the State Library, the Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Customs House, Museum of Sydney and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) are opening their doors until late. Bring your bike, take a walking tour or catch one of our free buses, to discover some of this years Art &About installations, explore a museum or gallery and see our City as you’ve never seen it before.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

5pm – 9pm
Art Gallery of NSW 
www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Willkommen! Step into the decadent world of 1920s Berlin with a late night program of free events including roving performers, cabaret shows, special tours, documentaries and more. Highlights include Fringe festival darlings Anything Goes cabaret, a What If themed creativity workshop, 2 for 1 tickets in to The Mad Square exhibition and free entry into the member’s lounge for one night only.

Australian Museum: After Hours

6pm
Australian Museum
6 College Street, Sydney
www.australianmuseum.net.au

Discover over 55 delicate botanical illustrations and artists creating body art – all inspired by the Museum’s latest exhibition ‘Beauty from Nature: Art of the Scott Sisters’. Relax to soulful music in the Museum’s Skeleton’s Gallery, then cruise into the Indigenous Australians Gallery after a visit to the bar.  Free admission and programming for tonight only.

Love Lace

6pm – 9pm
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street, Ultimo
www.powerhousemuseum.com/lovelace

More than 130 contemporary lace works by 134 artists from 20 countries feature in this spectacular, ground-breaking exhibition, which showcases lace in ways never before seen or imagined! The works are incredibly diverse and truly extraordinary. Admission to the Powerhouse Museum for the Love Lace exhibition only, free for between 6pm – 9pm only.

On Sale! Artists’ Markets

5pm – 9pm
State Library of NSW
Macquarie Street, Sydney
www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Enjoy the Friday Night Live celebrations and then come shopping in the State Library. With art, homewares and gifts from emerging artists and designers, you’re sure to find something you love. While you’re there, see how shopping in Sydney has changed since 1788 at On Sale! Shops and Shopping, the State Library’s latest exhibition.

Surf city Opening Night

5pm – 9pm
Museum of Sydney 
Cnr Phillip & Bridge Streets, Sydney
Cost: $10.00
www.hht.net.au

Celebrate the opening of the Surf city exhibition with live music, DJs, surfing films and demonstrations. Admission fee includes a complimentary drink on arrival.

Surf city returns to the beaches of the 50s, 60s and 70s and shows howSydney’s love affair with surfing has left an indelible, salt-stained mark on this beach-loving night.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

Until 8pm
Various locations around The Rocks
www.pv11.com.au

To celebrate the Opening Night of Art & About the MCA is open late until 8.00pm.  Come and see Primavera 2011 and catch some of the performances. For more information visit www.pv11.com.au

Hallowed Ground?

The library of the future
8pm – 9pm
Customs House Library
Cost: Free
Bookings essential: 9242 8555

Join in a lively discussion on the future of book borrowing in the digital age. Panel members John Birmingham, Richard Francis-Jones and Stephen Johnson look at how we consume information and the future relevance of public libraries.

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