Baby, it's cold outside. But that doesn't mean us Sydneysiders need banish ourselves to a self-imposed Siberia of DVD marathons, baggy-arsed tracksuit pants, and far too many cheese toasties. There're plenty of things happening this winter in the city to keep the fun temperature turned UP and those chills to a minimum.
Knitting. Your Grandma does it and so should you.
Knitty Gritty, a free Thursday night knitting group at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi, will teach you how to make your toes, fingers, neck and maybe other places all warm and toasty. All resulting knits are donated and distributed to Open Family Australia, meaning you'll be knitting one and pearling one for an even greater cause than your appendages.
Need a seasonal hit of vintage clothing, knick-knacks or creepy doll statues? There's no need to let the constant raining out of the Surry Hills, Glebe or Marrickville outdoor markets stop you. Paddington's infamous
Fringe Bar is back trading on a weekly basis, following a purdy-like makeover. They’ve got indoor and notably dry Saturday markets for a sweet weekend shopping option.
For all those winter book worms, here's a chance to stray outside the mother cocoon (bed) and go somewhere else pretty cosy: the
State Library of NSW. They've got an exhibition - Recycled Library - on this month full of hacked up old novels made into sculptures. Sadly you can't take your doona in there with you, but it is free entry, in consolation. Okay, maybe you can try to stow away a blanket...
Hey there, little badger. Are you desperately needing to put on some winter weight? You know, for hibernation? This June is the
Good Food and Wine Show. So it goes without saying that you can expect some good food and good wine to stick in your mouth (maybe even some cheese toasties if you're lucky). But if you're on a budget, please don't forget the tried and tested winter meal: Chinese Noodle House dumplings. It’s pho your health.
Nothing makes the winter blues go away like a good ol’ belly laugh. As you probably know, New Zealand kids
Flight of The Conchords are coming to the Opera House in early July. New dates have now been added after the first lot sold out super fast, so you too can go along and pretend to be a part-time model – but you’ll probably still have to keep your normal job. There's also The Sydney Retro Cinema for indoor laughs, where you can snuggle up, eat popcorn and watch tried-and-true flicks like Anchorman.
But for those who are actually keen to embrace the winter months, there's actually stuff on involving ice and snow (who knew?!). And you don't even have to leave the city to find it.
Sydney Ice Arena is open and unsurprisingly involves ice-skating - they'll even switch a disco light on for you for loose times on Friday and Saturday nights. Bondi's also got a beach ice-rink this year as part of the national
Winter Festival, with an ‘80s skate at the end of the month.
WORDS: Emilia Terzon