‘Baludarri’ is a Darug word referring to 'leatherjacket fish' that is also the collective name given to inner west suburbs Birchgrove, Balmain, Rozelle and Lilyfield. Inner West Fest – Baludarri is a series of events and activations that celebrate the unique character, businesses and people of these suburbs.
The event is an opportunity to celebrate local and close to home with community-led art, music and food events. Here are some highlights of Inner West Fest – Baludarri:
COMMUNITY
Lighting the Town Hall
Balmain Town Hall, Fri Mar 19, 7pm
The Town Hall will be lit up with projections and stories in celebration of the people, history, plants and animals of the local Indigenous community.
Stronger Together
Refugee Welcome Centre, Rozelle, Sun Mar 28, 11am-4pm
Women from the Inner West and newly arrived Syrian refugees join forces to run a festival celebrating and reflecting upon the role of women in society.
FOOD & DRINK
Balmain Rozelle Food and Art Festival
Various venues, Mar 19-28, 10am-4pm
Galleries and hospo venues will be putting on wine-pairing dinners, an Art Trail, free ice-cream, whisky tasting, gallery openings and networking events.
Binky Devonshire Tea Live Music Experience
Binky & Co, Balmain, Sun Mar 21, 2-4pm
Café-restaurant Binky & Co hosts an afternoon Devonshire tea experience accompanied by live music – bookings essential.
ART
Perfect Match: Cohen Park Street Art
Cohen Park, Annandale, Mar 20-28
Three Inner West street artists – Kim Siew, Rebecca Enya Lourey and Lotte Alexis Smith – will each paint a street artwork at Cohen Park reflecting the uses of the park and how people connect in the space, especially during the pandemic. A free street art workshop for kids aged 9-13 will take place on Sat Mar 27 – book here – and a BYO picnic on Sun Mar 28, 3pm, will launch the works and introduce the artists.
Art Month Sydney presents: Gallery Warming
Artereal Gallery, Rozelle, Sat Mar 20, 10am-1pm
Head to the gallery for a morning of events to celebrate contemporary art: an installation by Patrizia Biondi, readings from poet Eunice Adada, plus a panel discussion on the importance of ethical art collecting in a climate crisis.
Artspark Family Sewing Workshop
Artspark Studio, Rozelle, Sat Mar 20 1-4pm
Child-parent pairings are invited to a free fun workshop to learn how to sew a cockatoo to take home – booking essential. Kids should be over eight years of age.
SPORT & FITNESS
Bowlopalooza II: Celebrating Women
Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club, Sat Mar 20, 5-11pm
This evening of bowls, beers and bands celebrates women in sport, music and beer. Expect the Ladies Bowling team hosting an introduction to bowls; a meet and greet with Philter head brewer Samara “Sam” Füss; and sets by bands Dead Witch, Megafauna and Sweetie.
Baludarri Biathlon Fun Run
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Sun Mar 21, 7am
This non-competitive, free Inner West Fest event consists of a Sunday morning jog followed by a quick dip in the pool at LPAC. Register here.
PERFORMANCE
Metropolitan Orchestra
Balmain Town Hall, Sun Mar 28, 3.30pm
The cellists of the Metropolitan Orchestra will perform works by Tavares, Paert, Wagner, Faure, Piazzolla, Ravel, Shostakovich, and Led Zeppelin – book here.
Expect further Inner West Fest events throughout the year celebrating different groups of suburbs. Next up in May: Inner West Fest – Gulgadya, a celebration of Croydon, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Annandale and Ashfield.