Get geared up for art crawls and free gigs set to rival the likes of the cultural additions of the Biennale of Sydney and Vivid Music programs when this month-long activation of artistic experiences takes over a sizable patch of the Rocks this autumn between April 7 and May 1. The majority of the program is free and designed to be as inclusive as possible.
107 on The Rocks is taking over four unique historically significant spaces – Atherden Street, the Gallery, Coroners Court and the Courtyard on Circular Quay West St (opposite the Overseas Passenger Terminal) – and reimagining them with cultural experiences, workshops and installations that bring people together and encourage participation. It’s all the brainchild of 107 Projects Inc, an independent charity focused on connecting the creative industries to communities to create positive social change.
The 107 on The Rocks Courtyard Bar will be stocked by some of 107 Projects’ longtime supporters with Mountain Goat craft beers, G&Ts from Hickson House Distilling Co, rum cocktails from the Keel plus burgers, nibbles, a pop-up oyster bar and a special barbecue popping up throughout the festival. This will feature alongside a line-up of live music from a mix of genres including R&B, funk, hip hop and jazz.
You’ll also be able to explore the Rocks Art Trail, with a guided map featuring both public art and pop-ups. Highlights include Tender Young Creatures, a new artwork from the House that Dan Built which features an installation of 100 handmade Handmaid's Tale-esque red capes and explores the stories of 100 women through a 100-minute original composition and live performance. Jams in the Hueosphere brings an interactive multimedia installation of 400 LED lights and 100 speakers by UNSW’s Interactive Media Lab, with passers-by able to explore unique sound compositions by day and unique live music by performances by night; and an artwork installation called Skins by artistic duo Madwings will transform public surfaces and windows around the festival with colour and flair, layered with a message of respect for First Nations peoples.
Elsewhere in the program, Shopfront Arts Co-Op hosts a series of school holiday workshops; Rizzeria will transform an empty shop into Rizzotopia featuring workshops and drop-in sessions; and Heaps Gay are bringing the Sydny Kings to the Rocks for a night of drag king performances, music and late-night dancing on April 22 to pay homage to kings past and present.
You can pop into the Festival Hub at 6-8 Atherden Street to chat with the team and pick up an art map to help you find and explore all the art hubs and happenings, and find the full program on the website.