Saturday 21st February 2015
Knitting in Public Meetup
So my weekend of awesomeness began with a session at Max Brenners with a group I met through the Meetup app. I first met this group a couple of weeks ago and they're a really friendly bunch. As my fox scarf is finished I worked on a pattern that was recommended last time creating flower granny squares, slurping on scrummy hot chocolate at the same time.
Groups like these are a great way to meet like minded people, learn new skills and share projects and patterns.
Roast dinner at Steph's
Next stop of my weekend of fun was Steph's place for lunch. When she suggested a roast dinner without the meat and real Yorkshire puddings my eyes lit up and I was there like a shot! The puddings lived up to their hype and it was a gorgeous treat.
In our true style, after lunch we watched the Great Comic Relief Bake Off. Dame Edna Everage was hilarious - at one point she presented a large cookie with the aluminium baking tin fused to the bottom!
Chinese New Year in Darling Harbour
During our discussions, Steph and I had talked about the Chinese New Year lanterns in Darling Harbour. Although I thought I'd seen them last week, Steph explained that when she'd been last night there was stalls and all sorts of other lanterns I hadn't seen so I decided to take a look on my way home. While I was wondering around the stalls, I heard the MC on the stage listing some names and my ears pricked up when I heard Tony Abbott. Now, he's not high on my list of favourite people but it was exciting to see him in person nonetheless.
When he left the stage I assumed he'd be whisked away surrounded by security so was surprised when he went on a walk around the area.
After a quick explore of the lanterns I hadn't seen before, I returned to the stage where there was more entertainment with all sorts of dancers.
Now that night had fallen, the lanterns looked stunning against the dark sky.
Returning home I passed the nearby outdoor cinema where I'd seen The Wedding Singer last week...
...the illuminated hearts underneath the highway bridge...
...and the romantically lit rowing boats floating in Cockle Bay.
Sunday 22nd February 2015
Fair Day performance
Today was the first event of the Mardi Gras celebrations that I attended - Fair Day in Victoria Park, Camperdown. I made the effort to get there quite early to enjoy some of the entertainment including a circus skills group...
...and a swing dance group.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir were due to perform at 12:30 so at midday we warmed up in the shade of a tree while waves of nerves and excitement washed over me.
We had to wait quite a while backstage so we ducked in and out of the shade to avoid the blazing sun. The performance was over in a flash but it was fun and we were given a warm reception from the appreciative audience.
Fair Day SGLC stall
After some delicious paella, it was my turn to help on the SGLC stall, encouraging people to both join the choir and to buy tickets for the next concert in June. We had such a fun little crew with Brendan encouraging us all in a sing song. I left with a great sense of commeraderie which I have felt from the moment I first joined the choir.
Chinese New Year twilight parade
Having spent around 6 hours on my feet I was glad to sit down! But I didn't expect to sit for 3 hours waiting for the twilight parade to begin! When I arrived at town hall on the bus close to 5pm, the top half of the steps were already filled so with a big bottle of water and a packet of biccies I bagsied my spot amongst the throng. The town hall was adorned with a rainbow flag, recognising the start of Mardi Gras.
Surprisingly the time passed quickly while I listened to my iPod and people watched. I couldn't help but smile as the people around me got very protective over their space!
While we waited, the performers and a couple of float passed us by and at 7pm the pre-parade entertainment began.
There were Korean drummers and performers...
...and some of the signs of the Chinese Zodiac were represented by cycling jockeys, bouncing rabbits and roller skating snakes, merry go round horses and tigers.
This year is the year of the sheep so there were also skating Little Bo Peeps entertaining the crowd.
As dusk approached, the town hall was lit with pink lighting and the crowd deepened.
By 8pm the sun had set and the parade began. Well, after some dignitaries dotted the eyes and tied ribbons around the dancing lions, awakening and taming them before they performed. Part of this ceremony also ensured that they protect all people.
With 3,000 performers I knew it would be a long parade but I didn't expect it to take over an hour to pass by but it was truly spectacular with lanterns, dancers, martial artists, floats and marching bands. In amongst all of these artists was a 16m long dancing dragon!
It was worth the long wait on the steps because not only did I have an awesome view of parade, I also enjoyed the projections on the Woolworths building in front of me as well as the fireworks released from it's roof.
After a long weekend filled with such amazing activities, I felt lucky to be able to spend time in a city which holds such fantastic events - and also privileged to have made such good friends.
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you. - Lao-Tzu
