Sydney Festival 2019: The Plus Ones’ Guide

The Sydney Festival (9 – 27 Jan 2018) is back again this summer, and we all know what this means. This is the time of year that the city comes alive with art and performance, where public spaces are transformed into pop-up stages and there are events going on wherever you look. Now in its 42nd year, the festival line-up includes a wide range of international and local acts at every price bracket and there really is something for everyone. This is The Plus One’s Guide of what you simply can’t miss at Sydney Festival 2019.

Pigalle 8 – 27 January
Part circus, part burlesque, part 1970s discoteque, Pigalle promises to be glamorous, outlandish and a lot of fun!

Rock Bang 10 – 13 January
If you think you’re too grown up for the circus, think again. Rock Bang is a hilarious and impressive punk-rock adult circus with a twist. Think gravity defying acrobatics mixed with punk rock attitude.

Immerse 23 – 25 January
A 45-minute experience which provides ‘full immersion into a unique world of sound, music and colour.’ Great for those who want some of the music and culture Sydney Festival has to offer, without sitting through a full ballet or opera.

Les Filles de Illighadad 19 January
For something completely unique, go and check out Les Filles de Illighadad. Traditional Tuareg guitar reinterpreted for Western ears by Niger’s only female band.

Dust 9 – 13 January
Dancenorth are well known for their inspired and bold performances. After several years of critically acclaimed performances and a string of awards, they are back with Dust. A modern dance phenomenon as thought-provoking as it is beautiful.

Le Gateau Chocolat 23 – 27 January
A cabaret with a difference, Le Gateau Chocolat promises to be delightful, fun and flirty.

Beware of Pity 23 – 27 January
After critically acclaimed performances in London and Berlin, this is the Australian premier performance of Beware of Pity. A modern adaptation of a novel first written in 1939, it’s as relevant today as ever before. Performed in German, this play is surtitled.

Blak Box 9 January – 2 February
A truly immersive experience, Blak Box is a surround sound listening pavilion which invites you to sit in contemplation while listening to stories with elders past and present.

Deer Foot 16 – 20 January
Part of a wider series of Aboriginal and Indigenous stories from around the world represented at this year’s festival, Deerfoot uses storytelling to depict graphic historical and contemporary issues from an indigenous Canadian perspective.

Article 14.1 14 – 23 January
Sydney Festival has plenty for those on a budget too. Article 14.1 is just one of the many incredible performances available for free. A multi-media performance which relives the immigration of Vietnamese refugees in 1981 – Article 14.1 promises to be poignant and thought provoking.

As you can see, there’s a lot to choose from. The line-up is as varied as it is rich and creative. Whatever you decided to do, you can’t go far wrong – just do something! It’s a magical time of year where Sydney’s streets, public spaces and creative hubs are transformed and there is quite literally something for everyone. Don’t leave it to the last minute and risk missing out on what promises to be another incredible festival experience.

– Elli
Elli de Ryckman de Betz has been quietly attempting to discover and attend all the contemporary arts shows she can find – the more out-there, the better. Anything with ‘subversive’, ‘immersive’ or ‘experiential’ in the title is an instant win. Judging by this line up, it’s going to take her a lot longer than she’d originally thought to get through them.

Make sure you head to the Sydney Festival website immediately to buy your tickets before they sell out or have a look at the full lineup

Disclosure: The Plus Ones are invited guests of Sydney Festival.
Image credit: Sydney Festival.