Sydney Comedy Festival and Comedy Gigs

We turn our belly laughs now to Sydney comedy events in hearty preparation for the Sydney Comedy Festival.

The Festival begins next week (27 April - 17 May) and it couldn't have come at a better time. Amid the usual doom and gloom projected by the media, Sydney's ripe for a good giggle and the Sydney Comedy Festival along with the following comedy gigs are chomping at the bit to deliver!

The Sydney Comedy Festival showcases our brightest comic heroes from across Australia coupled with the best international gems on offer, plying its trade on Australia's most famous stages including the landmark Sydney Opera House and the iconic Enmore Theatre. Forget your cares and come and listen to the cares and demented musings of Australia' and the globe's funniest people.

All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born

Perrier Award nominee and if.comedy award winner, Mark Watson in "All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born". The comedian, author, sports pundit and husband will be delivering his latest show in May at the Enmore Theatre.

April Comedy at Randwick Rugby Club

April 30 - Catch Brett Nichols, Justin Jamieson and Tom Oakley for a night of April foolin'! Lots of laughs for only $10 with a free house drink at the Randwick Rugby Club.

Canned Laughter Comedy Night

On Friday 3 July the Hordern Pavilion will play host to the fourth annual Canned Laughter comedy night. The hottest talent in Australian comedy are on the bill, live on one stage, for one night, for one cause - CanTeen. Be part of the audience Read more..

Carlingford Bowling Club Comedy

May 29 - Carlingford Bowling Club hosts deadpan delight Bruce Griffiths, man about town Clint Paddison and comedy darling Dave Williams join forces for a giant night of laughs - all for only $5. Read more..

Comedy at Marble Bar

Every Tuesday! This historic heritage listed room is venturing into the comedy world and raising the Bar for the comedy scene by presenting a weekly Tuesday early evening show, 6.30 onward. Entry $15. Show meals available.

Comedy at the Gaelic

The last Tuesday of every month! A-List and The Gaelic combine to bring you Comedy at The Gaelic. You'll be mad and sad to miss this night filled with tear-inducing laughter.

Comedy on the Rox

Every Wednesday night, 8:00pm, at the Roxbury Hotel. Tickets: $15, or $12 with student card. Hit the link for more information.

Comicide - Death By Funny

"Outstanding sketch comedy... Highly recommended" - The Age. Sydney's longest running sketch show has returned from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to sell-out crowds. With new sketches performed every show, the mix is fresh and fast.

Danny Bhoy

Scotland's Danny Bhoy returns to Sydney with a new show after a phenomenal year, which has seen him become one of the biggest acts on the international scene. Since last performing in Australia in 2007, Danny has completed a sold out tour of New Z Read more..

Full Body Contact No Love Tennis

Full Body Contact No Love Tennis is the best in improvised comedy theatre in Sydney. Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, pairs of Sydney's funniest improvising actors make up short plays and musicals based on audience suggestion. Past and c Read more..

Laughs in Liverpool

April 30 - Full on laughs with Subby Valentine, Gary Bradbury and Oliver for a tiny zero dollars at the Liverpool Hotel.

Monday Night Comedy

17 years and still going! The World Famous Monday Night Comedy @ the Fringe is bigger and better than ever. See some of Australia's best comedians and international stars. Livin' loud!! Every Monday Night @ The Fringe Bar.

Scared Scriptless Theatresports Comedy

Every Friday night teams of improvisers battle it out to win the love and laughs of a jovial audience in a plush, smoke-free venue, Bailey's Bar, The Clarence Hotel. Scared Scriptless - often exciting, often hilarious, always improvised!

The Wharf Revue

Riverside Theatres presents a brand new offering of sharp satire and edgy humour with the tenth annual season of the Sydney Theatre Company's THE WHARF REVUE from Tuesday 8 September for six performances only!

Visit our What's On Sydney Events Calendar for more information and events by date!

Sydney Women’s Clothing Stores and Fashion Palette

With the fashion event of the year approaching (the inaugural Fashion Palette), this weeks focus clearly has to fall on Sydney Womens Clothing Stores. But first, a bit about Fashion Palette itself.

Occurring in May 2009, the Australian fashion community will be the first to experience Fashion Palette, a new interactive fashion event. Twelve leading fashion designers will each share their personal career journeys and offer support and advice to the next generation in a World Wide Fashion Industry First!

Fashion Palette is aimed at providing an opportunity for Australia's next generation of fashion designers to learn from some of the worlds most inspirational fashionpreneurs in a two-day event. In addition to the two-days of presentations from leading fashion figures, Fashion Palette will host a design competition, catwalk show and after party, all designed to offer networking opportunities and to celebrate newly discovered talent.

Event Times:

• Day One - 1st May: 8.30am - 6.30pm

• Day Two - 2nd May: 10am - 6.30pm

Sydney Womens Clothing Stores

Sydney Womens Clothing Stores make Sydney the fashion state of Australia and Sydney women some of the most stylishly dressed women in the world. Sydney is Australia's Paris, and here's where to find some of this season's most stylish clothes, and dress to impress!

From Dotti to Barkins, read on to get your fashion chic kicks!

Akira Womens Clothing

Akira Isogawa has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs, which are sought after in every major fashion capital throughout the world.

Since 1998, Akira has show his collections in Paris, where he presents Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collection to international buyers each year.

Akira continues to maintain a strong presence in Sydney, where he has shown collections at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week every year since 1996.

His work has been warmly received by fashion critics, drawing favourable reviews from leading figures such as Anna Piaggi and media including The New York Times and US Vogue.

Visit the profile page for Sydney Akira store locations.

Dotti Womens Clothing

Dotti gives you the very best wardrobe options and ideas so that you can mix it up and make a style all your own. Whether it's chic daywear or glamour for a night on the town, Dotti has something to inspire you.

Dotti is street smart and savvy, giving you the latest looks, fast. We know how to keep up with the demands of your wardrobe, with up to the minute styles and accessories. If you like your fashion hot, you'll find everything you're looking for at Dotti.

With 18 Sydney Dotti store locations and growing to choose from, there's bound to be one near you! Visit the link above for details.

Barkins Womens Clothing

For the best of the best in Ladies' Wear, visit the Barkins womens clothing website and download their seasonal catalogue.

For the finest in Womens' clothing, including shoes, printed tops, shrugs, jeans, tunic dresses, cardis, zipper leggings, boots, waistcoat, pants, heels, jackets, shirts, blouse dresses, pea coats, jewelery, knit tops, skirts, belts and other accessories.

Visit the Sydney Barkins womens clothing profile for store locations, or visit OnlySydney's Sydney Women's Clothing Stores for more stores throughout Sydney and NSW.

Sydney Museum and Science - International Year of Astronomy

As a followup to the previous blog about Sydney's International Year of Astronomy, I thought I'd go a step further and list more of the upcoming IYA events, along with some of the very important venues, those Sydney observatories hosting them.

Before I do though I just wanted to add a bit more information about 2009 IYA, and why it has been deemed the International Year of Astronomy. In essence, 2009 marks 400 years since Galileo, arguably one of the most important astronomers in the field, turned his telescope to the stars and was bold enough to state the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other way around.

That being said, 400 years later there are still very few of us who understand or even contemplate Earth's position in the universe. Thus the importance of encouraging a broader curiosity and wonder about the universe we live in.

With ninety percent of Australia's astronomy infrastructure currently housed in New South Wales, it is the perfect place to celebrate the Year of Astronomy and foster this new curiosity in our kids.

Get involved in 2009, the International Year Astronomy, and set your child on a path of intellectual enlightenment, offering them useful tools for an ever-increasing "space-faring" future. Take a look at these events and visit your closest observatory, listed below.

Events

Sydney Observatory April school holiday program

Bring your children to the Sydney Observatory these holidays, and we'll take them on a tour of the universe! Children's planetarium An entertaining 30 minute constellation storytelling session in the beanbag planetarium. Sit back and be amazed as you travel through time and space.

Treasures of Sydney Observatory

Join a fabulous guided stargazing tour featuring stories of the instruments used by past explorers and astronomers to map both skies and land. Explorers and astronomers such as Matthew Flinders, James Cook and Henry Chamberlain Russell. The tour includes the 3D Space Tour through the universe.

Winter Solstice at the Sydney Observatory

Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy at the Sydney Observatory. On 21 June at 3.46pm the Sun is at its most northerly position for the year. This is the day of the winter solstice, about which mythology has developed and superstition has grown.

Sky's The Limit: Astronomy In Antiquity

Many ancient religions and their myths revolve around the planets and the stars as they looked to the stars to make sense of their world. Follow the stars and see how people used them to predict the change of the seasons, track time and create calendars.

South Pacific Star Party

Since 1993 the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has hosted the now famous annual South Pacific Star Party (SPSP). The Star Party provides amateurs with the chance to meet other amateur and professional astronomers, and observe under dark skies with superb seeing conditions the night sky as it's meant to be viewed.

Space exhibition - Powerhouse Museum

Open every day except Christmas Day. (Extended opening times for some public and/or school holidays.) The Powerhouse Museum's exhibition Space looks at the history of the human desire to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Parramatta Park Astronomy Open Night

Come along to the Parramatta Park Astronomy Open Night, a large scale, multi-society public open night to be held at Parramatta Park, Saturday, 2nd May 2009, from 6:30pm on.

Music and the Cosmos

Music and the Cosmos is a special event featuring leading astronomers from the University of Sydney's School of Physics, and an SCM Chamber Music Ensemble. Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with the Sydney Science Forum and Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Smart light Sydney

Smart Light Sydney is a free, self-guided Light Walk. Take a stroll from Sydney Observatory through and around the iconic harbour front precinct, viewing the beautiful and dynamic light art sculptures using innovative, smart technology.

Astrophotography on a budget

Astrophotography doesn't have to be expensive. Mike Salway (Ice in Space website - Astronomical imaging on a budget) reveals how to get the most out of your equipment and take beautiful pictures on a budget.

Saturn Night Fever

Peer through the Sydney Observatory telescopes and see a naked Saturn without its rings, Alpha and Beta Centauri, the constellations Taurus and Virgo and a universe of other celestial features, and experience space as never before in the 3D Space Theatre.

Observatories in Sydney and NSW

Mudgee Observatory

Mudgee Observatory has been a private observatory for the past ten years though is now open to school groups, organized tours and any member of the general public who wishes to attend.

Dubbo Observatory

The Dubbo Observatory lets you zoom to the moon and through the solar system. Discover the Milky Way and beyond with the most high-tech telescopes in the West.

CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope - 'The Dish'

The famous Parkes observatory, as featured in the Australian movie 'The Dish', is a landmark radio telescope nearly 50 years old, yet still considered to be one of the best single dish radio telescopes in the world.

Darby Falls Observatory

The Darby Falls Observatory is located on Observatory Road (off the road to Mt. McDonald) Darby Falls, Cowra. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights and every night during school holidays (weather permitting). Winter 7pm to 10pm, summer (daylight savings) 8:30pm to 11pm.

Green Point Observatory

The Green Point Observatory is operated by the Sutherland Astronomical Society (SAS) in Sydney, and houses 41cm and 35cm telescopes. Green Point Observatory is open for meetings every Thursday evening, commencing at 8pm, and visitors are welcome to attend Guest Speaker Talk.

Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre

The Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre is located on the border of the Central Coast and Lower Hunter, no more than two hours from most Sydney and Newcastle suburbs. The Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre is a public access astronomical observatory.

Macquarie University Observatory

Macquarie University campus at North Ryde is open to the public on Friday nights from March to November inclusive, subject to bookings, unless raining. Please ring for confirmation on 0427 433 388 if the weather is doubtful.

Port Macquarie Observatory

The Port Macquarie Observatory is run by the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc., a non profit voluntary group of people interested in astronomy. Astronomy Open Nights The observatory is open to the public on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

The Australia Telescope Compact Array - Narrabri

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), at the Narrabri Observatory, is an array of six 22-m antennas used for radio astronomy. Located about 25 km west of the town of Narrabri in rural NSW (about 500 km north-west of Sydney), it is operated by the Australia Telesco Read more..

University of Western Sydney Observatory

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) Observatory runs public astronomy nights along with school, holiday and group programs during the day or evening. UWS Observatory is located at the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Campus, Great Western Highway, Werrington North.

Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium

The Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium is operated by the University of Wollongong as a public science centre. The centre includes a planetarium (BlueScope Steel Star Theatre), observatory, laser light shows, extensive interactive exhibits, demonstration theatre and more.

Bathurst Observatory

Bathurst Observatory is located at two sites. One site is for research and study, while the other is for public viewing through telescopes, and also has a daytime space show in the new 200 seat theatrette. The public observatory is located at the Bathurst Goldfields site.

Crago Observatory

Crago Observatory is located on Bowen Mountain near North Richmond (NW of Sydney), and is operated by the Astronomical Society of NSW. The observatory houses a 40cm Dobsonian telescope, and is open on Saturday nights (nearest to Last Quarter Moon phase).

Linden Observatory

Visit Linden Observatory in the Blue Mountains and join any of WSAAG's (Western Sydney Amateur Astronomy Group) observing nights, where anyone can drop in and look through their telescopes. Observing nights are usually held on Saturdays closest to the New Moon.

Siding Spring Observatory

Siding Spring Observatory is home to some of the world's major telescopes and Australia's largest optical telescopes. Siding Spring Observatory is located next to the picturesque Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran, N.S.W.

Warrumbungle Observatory

Warrumbungle Observatory, otherwise known as "Tenby Observatory", is located on the Timor Road that leads out to the Warrumbungle National Park, 10 kilometres from Coonabarabran. The Warrumbungle Observatory holds three Computerised telescopes including a 14 inch Telescope.

Introducing yourself and your child or children to the wonders of the universe and really coming to understand our planet's place in it is the greatest way to emphasise how delicate and extraordinary life on Earth really is. Not only will you learn, you'll find your jaw dropping at the marvels and imagery the galaxy and universe present us every day, yet we rarely raise our gaze to.

Visit our OnlySydney Museum and Science category for listings and more information on these 2009 International Year of Astronomy events and Sydney Observatories.