Fun things happening on the North Shore

WHAT'S on this month: a festival of colour, Japanese flower arranging and more.

Colourful candle burning. Picture: iStock

WHAT'S on this month: a festival of colour, Japanese flower arranging and more.

Library Halloween Party

North Sydney Council are hosting a Halloween Party! Family friendly for ages 5 and up, this will be an hour of spooky kooky fun, with stories, games, food and prizes for the best/most terrifying costumes. Bookings for this party are essential.

When: Thursday 25th October, 6pm – 7pm
Where: Stanton Library, 234 Miller Street, North Sydney

Details: HERE

Open Day at Sydney Design School

Have you ever wondered what it would take to become a professional interior designer? Sydney Design School are holding an open day on November 3rd allowing members of the community to explore the design studios and talk to the educators at the design school.

When: Saturday 3rd November, 10am - 12pm
Where: Sydney Design School, 40 Oxley St North Sydney, NSW 2065

Details: HERE

Northside Produce Market

The Northside produce market brings fresh produce straight from the farms to Sydney. At these fresh food markets you can expect to meet the person who has actually picked the apple, seasoned the trout, rolled the pasta or milked the goat. The market is set in a relaxed park setting with a great community vibe, so make sure you check it out and grab some of the freshest produce Sydney has to offer.

When: Saturday 3rd November, 8am – 12pm
Where: Civic Park, 200 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060

Details: HERE

National Art – Part One

An amazing exhibition and celebration of artworks by fifty practising Australian artists who have studied at the National Art School and have generously donated work from their personal collections to the School. This is one of the most significant moments in the history of the National Art School’s Collection, affirming our optimism for the bright future of the School. National Art – Part One presents an expansive approach to art today, encompassing the broad stylistic diversity that the National Art School promotes. The earliest work is from 1947 and the most recent is from 2018, spanning seven decades, across many generations, art movements and media.

Where: Forbes St & Burton Street, Darlinghurst   
When:  Monday–Saturday, 11am–5pm till Saturday 27 Oct

Details: HERE

Diwali: the Festival of Lights

Happy Hindu New Year! The North Sydney Council will be holding a talk on the philosophy of Diwali, the talk will be held by Swami Shrikarananda (Swamiji) who is the Resident Acharya (Teacher) of Chinmaya Mission Castle Hill, Sydney. Swamiji has been in charge of spreading the Chinmaya vision in QLD and ACT for the past 10 Years. This talk will be followed by a 25 minute performance of Indian traditional dancing - Odissi and Kathak. Everyone is welcome to come along, but bookings are essential.

When: Thursday 15th November, 7pm – 8pm
Where: Stanton Library, Level 1, 234 Miller Street, North Sydney

Details: HERE    

Ikebana: Traditional Japanese flower arranging course

Learn how to arrange flowers in the Ikebana style, which is very different from the European style. More specifically, you'll learn about the Ikenobo school within Ikebana, which emphasises elegance and simplicity, originating from Buddhist monks. You'll ALSO learn about the history of Ikebana, and about Japanese culture too. You'll use Kenzans (pin pads) and ceramic vases as your base, to build your 'freestyle' arrangements. There are three styles that you'll learn and explore:

- Moribana - "filling up" the container, with a very natural look

- Nageire - "thrown into" the container (very similar to Chabana or tea ceremony flowers), a simple arrangement with usually only one or two flowers

- Jiyuka - creative modern/contemporary freestyle, where you can use other materials, like plastic or metal to complement your flowers

You'll learn about the 'Yin and Yang' of plants (sunny and shady sides) and how best to express these.

Find out more: HERE

Originally published as Fun things happening on the North Shore