Get your calendars ready because March has a whole feast of exciting cultural and literary events coming up!
2 March: The Alarming Conservatory Book Launch
Corey Wakeling is launching his new poetry collection, The Alarming Conservatory, published by Giramondo Publishing. The event will take place at Frontyard in Marrickville from 6pm to 8pm, with readings and copies of the book available for purchase. Hosted by Astrid Lorange, special guest readers include Aden Rolfe, Emily Stewart, Toby Fitch and Melody Paloma. Click here for more information.
Ends 4 March: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2018
Mardi Gras is back for another year to take over the streets of Sydney! Don’t miss out on the iconic parade and Cher at the official after-party on Saturday 3 March. Don’t forget about all the other activities taking place as well, including academic discussions, art exhibitions and dance parties. Everything ends on 4 March. Click here to find out more.
March 5: Story Club: The Last Days of Rome
Join the Story Club at the Giant Dwarf for a themed night of side-splitting laughter, comedy and storytelling. Listen as writers, poets and playwrights read out their hilarious tales from a giant armchair. Hosted by Susie Youssef, this night will feature storytellers such as Eddie Sharp, Ally McClean, Nina Oyama and Veronica Milsom.
5–29 March: Girls to the Front
Visit the Bankstown Arts Centre during March for Girls to the Front, a group exhibition of three, contemporary female street artists from Western Sydney: Tiera Boo, Karen Farmer and Christina Huynh. The official exhibition launch takes place on Wednesday 7 March from 6.30 to 8pm.
March 6: Word in Hand with Mama Alto and Annaliese Constable
Word in Hand is coming to the Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville for an incredible night of spoken word storytelling. Be bewitched by song and poetry from Mama Alto, a gender transcendent diva, cabaret artiste, jazz singer and activist. Annaliese Constable, a writer, performer and queer rights activist is also here to deliver a night of tragedy, comedy and laughter. Open mic signup is available on the night for those who want to share their own stories in five-minute slots!
March 7: Obsidio Book Launch
Join bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff at Kinokuniya Sydney for the launch of Obsidio, the third and final book in the Illuminae Files trilogy. Hear the authors discuss their series in conversation with Catriona from Little Book Owl and get your own copy signed! For more information and to RSVP, go here.
March 8: The Lebs Book Launch
The award-winning Western Sydney author and Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist, Michael Mohammed Ahmad, is launching his provocative new novel, The Lebs, at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown. Join the author in conversation with Peter Polites to discuss his work and its confrontation of issues such as identity and hypermasculinity. Click here to purchase tickets.
March 13: AVANT GAGA#35: Poetry Night at Sappho
Sydney’s largest regular poetry event, Poetry Night at Sappho, is happening on the second Tuesday of March! Guest poets include Ross Gibson, Anne Elvey, Susie Anderson and Jonathan Dunk. Entry is free, drinks and tapas are available at the bar. Open mic signup is available from 7pm for up to 10 people, reading for a maximum of two minutes each.
March 23: Apple and Knife Book Launch
Intan Paramaditha’s translated short fiction collection Apple and Knife is launching at Better Read than Dead in Newtown. Mixing elements of horror, myth and fairy tale, these short fictions reveal the strange otherworld that exists beneath the surface of everyday Indonesian existence. Join Intan, Brow Books, and Shirley Le from the SWEATSHOP Collective as they share this remarkable book with the world, featuring a reading from Intan. Entry and drinks are free, and attendees can purchase the book on the night. Click here for more information.
21–24 March: National Play Festival
Playwriting Australia and the Darlinghurst Theatre Company present the National Play Festival in Sydney! Taking place over four days, this festival celebrates new and ambitious voices in Australian playwriting, featuring eight new plays and a whole host of artist talks, forums, and masterclasses. Get your tickets now.
March 24: Subbed In Turns Three!
The Western Sydney literary organisation Subbed In is turning 3! Join in on the celebrations with a bumper reading event at Freda’s, featuring live music and a zine fair. A host of excellent writers will be performing their works, including Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Winnie Dunn, Shirley Le and Wendy Chen. Queer pop band SPORTSBRA will close out the evening with a special performance.
March 28: Inqueering Minds Book Club
Visit Better Read than Dead on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6.30pm for their new Inqueering Minds Book Club. Indulge in some wine and cheese whilst discussing queer perspectives in the remarkable literary work, Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman.