Lesley Drumbell’s: Thrum an exhibtion at the AGNSW, charts the artist’s career over more than five decades, revealing her unique visual language, anchored by an enduring preoccupation with colour and the organising power of the grid. Hear from the artist at the media preview, opened by Michael Brand, and Curator, Anne Ryan. Celebrating its tenth year, the 2024 Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival, we explore the program with Christof Wehmeier, Head of International & Festival Promotion, Icelandic Film Centre, at Palace Cinemas.  Zoe Zeniodi, is hailed by the press as “Ms Dynamite”, and is setting to blast audiences in her Sydney debut performance for Opera Australia’s production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. She has an international career as a conductor with critical acclaim. Zoe is the Artistic Director of El Sistema Greece, a community music project that since 2016 provides free music education to children and young people in Greece. All children regardless their origin, language, or religion are not only inspired to strive for a better future, but thanks to music, they are given a platform for dialogue and togetherness across diverse communities.  To find out more visit: https://elsistema.gr/en/

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Straight Line by James Alexander Bright

Release: Cool Cool

INTERVIEW: Christof Wehmeier, Head of International & Festival Promotion Icelandic Film Centre by 2024 SAXO SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Release: Palace Cinemas – 14 August 2024

Derecho by Photay

Release: Windswept

Kajou – Tet Chaje by Various Artists

Release: John Gomez and Nick the Record Present TANGENT

EXHIBITION: Lesley Drumbell – THRUM – AGNSW 13 October 2024 by FEATURED: Lesley Drumbell, Michael Brand and Curator Anne Ryan

Release: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/lesley-dumbrell/

Transformer by Leif Maine & Jackson Mathod

Release: Volte-Face

Chiminyo by Oceans

Release: Single

INTERVIEW: Zoe Zeniodi, conductor OA by Cosi fan tutte: Mozart OA 1-17 August 2024 

Release: https://opera.org.au/productions/cosi-fan-tutte-sydney/

Brasil Relax Samba by FLU

Release: Nas Trilhas da Vida

Pleasure, Joy & Happiness by Galliano

Release: Halfway Somewhere

Keep the Fire Burning this NAIDOC Week! Power to Country is reconnecting a network of First Nations people with sustainable solutions to support them to return to Country. GARUWA is a First Nations led creative agency dedicated to the practice of intergenerational storytelling and Genevieve Grieves, a proud Worimi woman, and Co-Creator and Creative Director, talks us through the film and the campaign for Shirley Simon to return to her homelands on the West Island, in the remote Northern Territory’s Gulf Carpentaria. Power to Country is screening at Carriageworks and in selected venues across Australia. Pereginations is an exhibition that extends over the five spaces of the Watch House Gallery in Balmain. The artist Rita Orsini is French and based in Sydney’s Inner West working across paintings, object design, sound installation, and jewellery. The work presented includes a multisensory installation of, light and sound. She talks us through the exhibition and program of events. Performance artist Vashti Hughes, will be on duty as the BONDI Fashion Police at the Goulds St Street Party, which happens next weekend as a wrap-up event of ths year’s BONDI FESTIVAL.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Orbiting Telesto by Jimi Tenor with Cold Diamond & Mink (int)

Release: Is There Love In Outer Space

Daylight feat. Ellen Beth Abdi by Jamie Finlay (int)

Release: Sun Dogs

Windows by Sugar Candy Mountain (int)

Release: 666

INTERVIEW: Genevieve Grieves, Co-creator and Creative Director, GARUWA by FILM: Power to Country – CARRIAGEWORKS – 21 July (nat)

Release: https://powertocountry.com/

A Song For You by A Song For You (int)

Release: Home

Kenny’s Groove by Batavia Collective (int)

Release: Primasuara

INTERVIEW: Rita Orsini, artist by EXHIBITION: Peregrinations – https://www.ateliersorsini.com.au/peregrinations (loc)

Release: The Watch House Gallery, 179 Darling Street, Balmain – Sat-Sun 13-14 + 20-21 July 2024

Poetry among friends: 2pm Sunday 14 July 2024 by Register to attend: https://www.ateliersorsini.com.au/cours (loc)

Why You Lied by Forest Law (int)

Release: Zero

Playful by Private Joy (int)

Release: Desire

INTERVIEW: Vashti Hughes – BONDI Fashion Police by GOULDS STREET PARTY – 11am-4pm Sunday 21 July (loc)

Release: https://www.bondifestival.com.au/event/gould-st-street-party/

Season One by The Vegetable Plot (loc)

Release: GOULDS STREET PARTY

Wendy Sharpe Fundraiser Art Auction: Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia to support their work for women with obstetric fistula by Campaign name: Wendy Sharpe’s Art for Hamlin (loc)

Release: Dates: 17th to 25th July 2024 Where: hamlin.org.au/artauction (this goes to a ‘holding’ page at the moment but when the auction goes live it will

Hakawati by Sadeedo (int)

Release: The Desert Island

FILM: The Koalas | http://www.thekoalasfilm.com/ by Roseville screening, Wednesday 17th July 6.30pm https://www.rosevillecinemas.com.au/movie/the-koalas | Roseville- Stuart Blanch, Diana Pryde, Emma Hu (loc)

Release: Newtown screening, Thursday 18th July 6.15pm https://newtown.dendy.com.au/movie/the-koalas/

It’s Supporter Drive on Eastside in present tense, but you will hear about the Past Continuous, by Julie Rrap, which opens at the MCA and features the artist’s groundbreaking feminist landmark installation, Disclosures: A Photographic Construct (1982). Wendy Sharpe is celebrated for her expressive works that observe the human condition and in Spellbound at the AGNSW, she presents an aesthetic journey into the nature of creativity. As part of the program she is an artist in residence with a live mural painting in a working space with furniture, object and paintings from her Sydney Studio. The BONDI FESTIVAL opens in July, and we explore the program with Chris Bendall, Artistic Director of the Bondi Pavilion. Opera Australia’s Angela Hogan will be performing three roles in Puccini’s Ill Trittico, which the audience will see three one-act operas with three directors.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Love Heart Cheat Code by Hiatuskaiyote (nat)

Release: Love Heart Cheat Code

INTERVIEW: Wendy Sharpe by EXHIBITION: SPELLBOUND AGNSW – 11 August (loc)

Release: Artist in Residence events: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wendy-sharpe/related-events/

OSAKA by Athletic Progression (int)

Release: cloud high in dreams, but heavy in the air

BONDI FESTIVAL 5 – 21 July 2024 by INTERVIEW: Chris Bendall, Artistic Director, Bondi Pavillion (loc)

Release: https://www.bondifestival.com.au/

Aether + Vassallo album release: Unbroken by 7pm Saturday 29 June – https://events.humanitix.com/aether-vassallo-album-launch (loc)

Release: Annandale Creative Arts

National Indigenous Art Fair 2024 by Overseas Passenger Terminal on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th Jun (loc)

Release: https://www.niaf.com.au/

INTERVIEW: Juli Rrap by EXHIBITION: Past Continuous (loc)

Release: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Animal Instinct by Special Feelings (nat)

Release: WA Australia

Lament for the Sky by AcidSlop (nat)

Release: Freedom to Talk

INTERVIEW: Angela Hogan by PERFORMANCE: ILL TRITTICO 3-19 July (loc)

Release: Opera Australia

The Real Refuses returns for an exhibition of those art works that have been rejected for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. This is the 28th year that the Manager of Tap Gallery, Lesley Dimmick, has been going to the AGNSW Dock to invite artists to participate, and we hear from her. Pretty Unsettling is an exhibition at Damien Minton, that is a presentation of well known iconic Australian impressionist paintings that alters traditional readings through inserting humorous images of creatures and characters. The artist, MOOK explains more about his practice. Acclaimed German conductor Johannes Fritzch, joins us to talk us through his leading role for Opera Australia’s winter season of the celebrated Italian composer Puccini’s prodution, Tosca.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

That’s Fine by Pippa Blundell (int)

Release: Single

Ember by Glasshopper (int)

Release: Single

INTERVIEW: Lesley Dimmick, Director TAP Gallery by 28th Real Refuses: Artists not selected for The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes (loc)

Release: Opening: 5-8pm Saturday 22 June 2024

Souvenir by Rosettes (int)

Release: Souvenir

INTERVIEW: MOOK SIMPSON, Artist by EXHIBITION: PRETTY UNSETTLING 26 June – 6 July (loc)

Release: Damien Minton Presents – OPENS 6pm Tuesday 25 June

Chivalry Is Not Dead (Salami Rose Joe Louis Remix) by Hiatus Kaiyote (nat)

Release: Mood Variant (The Remixes)

Shake (ft. Alfa Mist) by JSPHYNX (int)

Release: Reflex

Attachments by Culross Close (int)

Release: Learning to Let Go

INTERVIEW: Johannes Fritzch, Conductor by PRODUCTION: Tosca, Puccini OA (loc)

Release: Sydney Opera House: 25 June – 16 August

L and D by Helena Kay’s KIM Trio (int)

Release: Moon Place

Garden at the End of Time explores the garden as a politically and culturally charged site. The curators, Anna Kirk and Tai Mitsuji talk us through the exhibition at the Tin Sheds. UNDO THE DAY, brings together work from 10 earlier career and established contemporary artists, exploring the human response to move towards the light when in darkness. We take you to the National Art School Galleries for a walk through with the curator, Gina Mobayed. The Affordable Art Fair opens for its third installment at the Randwick Racecourse Winx Pavilion, with more than 50 independent Australian Galleries, and we find out more from the Fair Director, Stephanie Kelly Gordine.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Omega by Qwalia (int)

Release: Abbreviations

five by Black Decelerant (int)

Release: Reflections Vol. 2

Interview: Stephanie Kelly Gordine, Fair Director Australia by Event: Affordable Art Fair – 16 June 2024 (loc)

Release: Royal Randwick Racecourse Winx Pavilion

Doing Our Thing With Pride by Al-Dos Band (int)

Release: Single

Between Spaces by Finn Rees (nat)

Release: Dawn Is A Melody

Gallery walk: Gina Mobayed, Curator by Exhibition: UNDO THE DAY – 3 August (loc)

Release: National Art School Galleries

Juno 60 by Benny Salvador (int)

Release: Gumboot

Into The Blue by Aaron Frazer (int)

Release: Into The Blue

All Seasons by Mohsen Soltany Zand, Cosmogenics (loc)

Release: Performance as part of Refugee Week: 18 June 2024 | https://nas.edu.au/undo-the-day/

Interview: Anna May Kirk and tai Mitsuji, Curators by Exhibition: Garden At The End of Time (loc)

Release: Tin Sheds, Sydney Uni – 19 July | https://www.sydney.edu.au/architecture/about/tin-sheds-gallery/garden-at-the-end-of-time.html

Wiggle Room by Osunlade (int)

Release: Inner Garden

Sound Baja by GAF & The Love Supreme Arkestra (int)

Release: Ganzfeld

Culross Close by Attachments (int)

Release: Learning To Let Go

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft’s exhibition The Country Cries Truth opens at the State Library of NSW and we hear from the curator, Cherokee Lord. Born in Mexico, raised in Texas, Natalia Trevino will be sharing her poetry in Embrace Home: four female poets with representations of home at the Stanley Street Gallery, and we preview the event which is presented by Poetry Sydney. Window Dressing is a performance that allows us to indulge the voyer within as eight windows of the Chau Chak Wing Building are illuminated in Haymarket for Vivid Festival, and we hear from the Director, Liesel Baddorek.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Family Tree by Family Tree (int)

Release: Family Tree

INTERVIEW: Cherokee Lord, Curator, State Library’s Indigenous Engagement Branch by ARTIST: Dr Bronwyn Bancroft (loc)

Release: EXHIBITION: The Country Cries for Truth

Collecttivo Immaginario by Alberoni (int)

Release: Alberoni

PANEL DISCUSSION: Country Cries Truth – Bronwyn Bancroft by 2-3pm Sunday 2 June 2024 (loc)

Release: The Library Auditorium, Lower Ground 1, Macquarie St Building

All Seeds by Don Glori (nat)

Release: Don’t Forget To Have Fun

Discern Define by The Poets of Rhytm (int)

Release: Discern / Define

INTERVIEW: Natalia Trevino, poet – https://www.nataliatrevino.com/about by EVENT: Embrace Home – Four female poets with representations of home, sharing explorations of poetry in two languages (loc)

Release: 3-5pm Saturday 1 June 2024 | https://events.humanitix.com/natalia-trevino-embrace-home

How to Open a Portal by Low Leaf (int)

Release: Red Moon

Flute Punch by JJ Whitefield (int)

Release: Puzzled

The Mystery of Man by Zara Mcfarlane (int)

Release: Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan

INTERVIEW: Liesel Baddorek, Creative Director by PERFORMANCE: Window Dressing (loc)

Release: VIVID FESTIVAL: https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/window-dressing

Nothingness by JJ Whitefield & Forced Meditation (int)

Release: The Infinity of Nothingness

The Australian Design Centre 60th Anniversary event and exhibitions program opens. We hear from the nonth artist in the Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft series, ceramicist Prue Venables and her moninated artist Lauren Joffe. We also hear from a number of people in attendance of the celebration. It’s the 70th German Film Festival and we hear from Palace Cinemas Curator of Film and Screen Culture, Zak Hepburn to explore the program.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

peck by Oreglo (int)

A Secondary Eye Gallery opens in Queen Street, Woollahra with a solo exhibition of rare Rover Thomas works from the 1980s and 1990s, some of which have not been seen in public. Rover Thomas was the first Indigenous artist to represent Australia in the Venice Biennale in 1990. Boris Cornelissen is a founding partner and speaks on their aims of developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia. The Sydney Writers Festival Artistic Director, Ann Mossip talks us through this year’s program and we hear from guest curator and poet, Jazz Money, along with featured poet Toby Fitch.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from Gadigal country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. 

Playlist

Laraaji – Daddy’s Gonna Tell You No Lie by Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra (int)

Release: Outer Spaceways Inc

GALLERY OPENING: A Secondary Eye – Friday 3 May 2024 by INTERVIEW: Boris Cornelissen, Founding partner (loc)

Release: 101-103 Queen Street, Woollahra

Walked off into the distance by Art test – Asta Hiroki’s Folded Music (int)

Release: Single

Sydney Writers Festival: 20-26 May 2024 by INTERVIEW: Ann Mossop, Artistic Director (loc)

Release: https://www.swf.org.au/

Lightgeist by Jonny Drop – Andrew Ashong (int)

Release: Puzzle Dust

Mango Cool by Cheo (int)

Release: Single

INTERVIEW: Jazz Money, Guest Curator of Sydney Writers Festival by https://www.swf.org.au/program (loc)

Release: https://www.jazz.money/

Bewitched by the Sea by Aura Safari and Jimi Tenor (int)

Release: Sensory Blending

Long Day by Brainstory (int)

Release: Ripe EP

INTERVIEW: Toby Fitch, poet and editor by Sydney Writers Festival: https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2024/a-line-in-the-sand-twenty-years-of-red-room-poetry/ (loc)

Release: Avant Ga Ga [poetry event] https://www.facebook.com/groups/352270972833/

I’ve Got Reasons by The Greyboy Allstars (int)

Release: Get A Job: Music from the Original Broadcast Series Soul Dream