March events in Sydney
Summer’s children may be weeping in the slightly cooler autumn breeze, but wise Sydneysiders know there’s no reason to despair the coming of March. While the days are growing shorter, the list of outstanding activities this month is growing ever longer. Party at Parramasala, Africultures Festival and the Latin American Festival, and talk gender equality and diversity at All About Women.
Also, our favourite secret beaches will be less packed – creating the illusion that they actually are secret – and you’ll be able to nab a table at the best waterfront bars as the tourist hordes abate.
RECOMMENDED: The best indoor climbing centres in Sydney.
Major events in March
The National Biennial of New Australian Art
The second iteration of this multi-venue art extravaganza features 65 artists drawn from across the country and all stages of their careers. While each has its own theme, all three institutions involved are presenting a diverse line-up of artists who are responding to the state of the world as it currently stands but drawing in historical and cultural perspectives.
West Side Story on Sydney Harbour
Things will be a little different as the Opera Australia steps away from the operatic repertoire with its first outdoor musical, West Side Story. For this new production, they're reuniting American director Francesca Zambello and veteran Australian set designer Brian Thomson, who were the dream team behind the first Hand Opera on Sydney Harbour.
Rob Brydon: I Am Standing Up
Rob Brydon’s new show is his first live outing in nine years, and he’s been stockpiling new comedy ideas that he'll bust out in March. But you can also expect some of his trademark vocal gymnastics, like the Small Man in a Box and his celebrated Michael Caine and Al Pacino impersonations.
The Choir of Man
In a beautifully recreated pub, nine bearded blokes will belt out harmonies from the likes of Guns n’ Roses, Adele, the Proclaimers, Sia and even the odd Broadway classic. The tunes will be accompanied by tap dancing, beer mug percussion and friendly banter about men's mental health.
Hot Blood
Bringing together 23 contemporary artists, all of whom are unafraid of taking risks and refuse to be limited by gender, age or national identity, the works in Hot Blood explore subjects as diverse as sexual desire, body frailty, spiritual ecstasy and traumatic memory, often in disturbing or deliberately confronting ways.
The Sapphires
Before The Sapphires became a hit 2012 film, it was a hugely popular play, telling the story of a group of Yorta Yorta women who form a girl group and travel to Vietnam in 1968 to perform soul classics for the troops. This new production will travel to more than 140 locations on an extensive national tour.
Every Brilliant Thing
Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing is a solo performance about a person who, as a child, started compiling a list of every brilliant thing in life, in an attempt to bring their mother out of depression. It’s now 20 years later and they're still compiling the list.
Tim Minchin
Even if you missed his Tony-winning musical Matilda and his scene-stealing turn as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, you know and love Tim Minchin. The Perth comedian and singer-turned-global superstar is bringing his irreverent humour to Sydney as part of his Back tour.
March Dance
If you were ever planning to try a dance class in Sydney, it’s time to step up in March. During this month-long dance festival, there’ll be performances in venues across Sydney, forums and talks to discuss the evolution of the art form, and workshops and classes for those who learn best by doing.
Liverpool on a Roll
This new food festival will set up the grills and fryers in Greenway Park and the first diners can expect a caravan of food stalls offering tasty meals all served on bread – think burgers, bánh mì and burritos. They’re also promising garden games and live entertainment to go with dinner.
Salome
If you don’t already know the story of Salome, here’s what you need to know: it ends with a princess demanding the head of a prophet on a platter. She then sings an aria to the severed head. It's bloody, it's nasty and it's... a little bit sexy?
Fierce
Melbourne Playwritgh Jane E Thompson is telling essential stories about women in sport. Fierce explores gender bias, intimacy and the battle for equality. It takes place in a world where the women play against the men, rather than in a different footy league, and also investigating the masculine culture and Australian-ness of the game.
Neon Gods Film Series
Great movies by Taiwanese directors including Hou Hsiao-hsien, Edward Yang, Ang Lee and Tsai Ming-liang feature in the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ newest free film series, Neon Gods. It's designed to complement the AGNSW’s exhibition Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Saturday Night Fever
The 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever first turned into a musical in 1998 for the London's West End. This new version features Bee Gees hits 'Stayin' Alive', 'How Deep Is Your Love', 'Night Fever' and 'Tragedy', and is led by Australia's disco queen Marica Hines.
The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race
The new GP in the fictional town of Appleton discovers that the local Appleton Potato Race offers $1,000 to male winners and a measly $200 to women. She decides to set things right and coax the town into the 21st century, whether it wants to go there or not.
Anne-Marie
Sydney has made it pretty obvious that we want to be friends with party pop queen Anne-Marie. Her Sydney show saw sell out success last October, so she’s bringing her jam-packed 12-track album Speak Your Mind back for more applause in March.
Harvest Lunch
Every Sunday in March, the Paramount Recreation Club will be laying tables with autumnal bouquets and feasting plates for their Harvest Lunch on the rooftop. It'll showcase the produce from the Locals Market, which is a small enterprise operating out of the club bringing local, seasonable produce to the neighbourhood.
Sydney Dance Company: Bonachela / Nankivell / Lane
Sydney Dance Company is turning 50 in 2019 and celebrating in grand style with works by Australia's leading choreographers. Their Sydney season kicks off in March with a triple bill of performances by Sydney Dance Company artistic director Rafael Bonachela, Gabrielle Nankivell and Melanie Lane.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
[Sponsored] Sydney is taking temporary custody of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. It showcases the best of the natural world, and also the patience and ingenuity of the photographers who spend their time embedded within wildlife to get that one incredible shot.
Harvest Grape Stomping
Urban Winery functions as a cellar door for tastings, a wine bar with appropriate cheese and charcuterie snacks, and a fully functioning winery. They encourage city dwellers to get involved in creating their favourite grown-up grape juice, and at this tour and tasting session, you’ll be getting your hands (and feet) into the action.
Artisans Market Glebe
Artisans Market Glebe is all about handmade and local products, sold direct to you by the artist or designer who created them. The quarterly market set up at Foley Park with around 60 stallholders selling jewellery, plants, furniture, fashion and childrens' toys.
Yoga On the Pier
A majestic yoga practice performed on the edge of the glistening Sydney Harbour is already an uplifting experience, but you’ll feel even better about this seaside class because it’ll cost you no dollars. Be there on Wednesdays from 6.30pm for the 50-minute practice.
Have a pint in the hills
Best pubs in Surry Hills
They pack the pubs tightly inside the 2010 postcode. You've got craft beer temples with gleaming banks of taps ready to cater to even the most esoteric thirst; there are tried and tested stalwarts for a cold beer and a Swans game; or you can upgrade your dinner in high-end dining rooms.
