If time is money...

Background: Piano playing the instrumental introduction to "Mad World" by Gary Jules
Shot 1: (panning left) Sydney's Botanical Gardens 
VoiceOver: Two Tickets to cinema at Mrs Macquarie's Chair . . . $48.

Shot 2: (panning right) Sydney Opera House Forecourt

VO: Two tickets to Sydney Festival's Rogue's Gallery . . .  $170.

Shot 3: (panning down) the barren courtyard of my apartment building

VO: The American SydneySider halfway through every month . . . penniless.

It's no secret that living in Sydney has its price, and I know that many other major cities are no different.  Still, it's like a cruel joke in these busy months when there is heaps going on in Sydney, but a twenty-something like yours truly will be hard-pressed to get to more than a fraction of the things on his must-do list.  Over time I have found ways to stretch my budget, but it's been no easy feat.  

In recent months, I've been stockpiling a few free movie passes as well as keeping my ear to the ground for free screening opportunities.  This week I got to see the recent Aussie release Bran Nue Dae with a handful of Australian celebs (most notable probably being Geoffrey Rush and Missy Higgins).  I wouldn't recommend it for those individuals lacking the suspension of disbelief often necessary for musicals, but otherwise the film is good fun.  However, with more and more holiday releases making their way to Australian theatres, the list of films I'd like to see is growing.  Plus in summer, Sydney makes the most of the weather with a handful of attractive outdoor cinemas.  In fact, for the last three years I keep meaning to catch a film at the OpenAir Cinema at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.  You've got the sun setting behind the iconic Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge, and just as dusk settles over the skyline, the movie screen lights up over the water!  Unfortunately, with a seat in the general grandstand going for $29, it just hasn't found a place in my budget.  They do offer a concession price of $27, but that's still not exactly cheap.  Not to mention, I'd be hoping they accept my rather outdated university ID.

Don't get me wrong, I was most appreciative of the many discounts I got as a student, but in a lot of ways it would seem twenty-somethings have a greater need for a financial break.  Most of us have outgrown the period of being able to easily seek financial support from family.  Furthermore, for those of us that took on a tertiary education and/or simply have moved away from home, our current Herculean debt seems to dwarf our monthly salaries.  Fortunately, some Sydney establishments have caught on with "Under 30" discounts.  I'd specifically like to tip my cap to Sydney Theatre Company.  Their "Under 30" ticket rates have not only allowed me to see Cate Blanchett & Joel Edgerton in a stunning production of A Streetcar Named Desire, but earlier today I was able to get a hold of tickets in the center of the second row for Spring Awakening which I missed out on seeing while in New York.  Granted I had to buy said tickets on a nearly maxed-out credit card, but we will deal with that little detail come payday.

I mentioned Sydney Festival in my last post and they too deserve a bit of recognition for their many FREE events.  Nevertheless, there is heaps on that I'd love to see but not enough free time or monetary backing in my bank account to make it all happen.  So I have been toying with the idea of continuing my annual tradition of going down to Martin Place sometime before 5AM to get in the queue for Tix Next to Nix.  Whether you share my occasional disregard for sleep or simply hold a curiosity for all things anthropological, it can be a pretty intriguing experience.  The festival's discount ticket booth gets a motley mix of SydneySiders before it opens at 8AM.  There are always a few people in their late teens or early twenties who sleep there the night before for tickets to a sold-out musical act.  They know the artist's background, repetoire, and blood type better than you ever would.  Stroll a bit further a long and it’s likely you’ll find an older married couple who are after tickets for one of the more legendary acts on that day.  They find the whole affair of waiting in line for tickets in the wee hours of the morning reminiscent of their younger days when music festivals didn‘t sell out in a matter of seconds due to ticketek.com.au.  But probably the most entertaining persona in line is who I'd like to call "the crazy lady."

I am not being sexist, but I have yet to meet a representative from the Tix-for-Next-to-Nix Crazy Man Society.  In my experience there has always been some forty-something woman with glasses and an all-weather jacket who has the spot directly in front of me.  She knows every event on that day, and clearly doesn't hold a steady job as she informs you that she has been through this whole charade for several other festival events in the past week.  From first glance she sizes you up.  She uses non-verbal communication to let you know that she's a seasoned veteran as she confidently asks you what you are waiting in line for.   Within seconds of your reply, she will then spout off what everyone in front of you is waiting for as well as offer her unsolicited professional opinion about the likelihood of your success in getting said tickets.

Now at first you might just politely smile and try to get back to watching “Mad Men” on your ipod, but it’s already too late.  She has used her cat lady appearance like a magician uses slight-of-hand to sneak a small percentage of doubt into your subconscious.  After an hour (and trust me you will have to wait over an hour if you have any chance) the carefully deposited seedling of doubt will have crept into your mind.  You too might  memorize what everyone in front of you is waiting for.  Another symptom is discovering you’ve taken up the role of sentinel keeping a close eye on anyone who dares approach the ticket window.  Are they just reading information posted on the side of the booth?  Or are they threatening the order of this recently established Martin Place colony?  Perhaps you will share a glace with that slightly older married couple as if to say, “We can take this intruder if need be.”  But alas the person in question moves on.   A more curious passerby may even ask what everyone is waiting for.  At this stage, you might consider yourself a pro and answer the question like a jaded tour guide spouting a pre-rehearsed reply.  If this occurs, consider yourself one quilted-knee-length coat/uncombed-hair-combo away from becoming the next crazy lady.  Fortunately, once the booth opens, the line moves pretty quick and you often walk away with tickets for whatever you hoped for in the first place.  With your sanity only temporarily forfeited, you now have some heavily discounted tickets to what will mostly likely be an awesome performance.

With all this in mind, I'm not sure if I will continue my traditional peregrination to Martin Place this year.  Who knows though?  When it comes to saving a bit of money on quality tickets, I suppose I find myself going to pretty great lengths.

Swingin' into the New Year

The relatively relaxed start of a new decade quickly became busy for me when I arrived back in Sydney.  Whenever I've been away for a while I usually like to hit the ground running.  It's the fastest way to feel back in the swing of things and the best for combating post-holiday feelings of melancholy.  With plenty of work in front of me, that's just what I did.  Of course, I also managed to keep myself with busy when I was off the clock.  Back in Boston, this time of year presents a bit of challenge as the winter chill keeps people indoors and the limited sunlight makes things a bit sleepy in a post-holiday season.  In Sydney, just the opposite happens.  With the holidays behind us, the city shines bright while basking in the extra hours of daylight.  Everyone is keen to go out.  If there was any doubt of this, Sydney Festival First Night is sure to disabuse you of any misconception.

I've been to Festival First Night for the last few years.  It's a great chance to see hundreds of thousands come together in the city to just enjoy music an performances from around the world.  With various stages going off simultaneously throughout the CBD, it can be a bit daunting to figure out where to go, but I gave myself the manageable task of seeing only two performances: the Manganiyar Seduction and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Both of these I would have paid to see, but the opportunity to catch them live was a relief to my otherwise struggling wallet.

The difference in style between these two were so very different.  Still each carried a great energy in their own way.  The Manganiyar Seduction has this really interesting stage that looks like something from the TV gameshow Hollywood Squares.  While describing this concept to an Australian friend of mine, I loved that his impulse response to this description was "I'll take Whoopi for the block" but I digress.  The performance starts with lights around one square turning on and the red curtain parting to reveal a single man starting to play music.  Another curtain parts and the lights around this square light up as another man on another traditional Indian instrument joins in.  This goes on until there are over three dozen men on stage participating in this orchestration.  The exotic sound and innovative visual concept truly seduced my friends and me.

Afterwards, our group parted ways as we each made our way to another stage for various performances. Having been a long-time lover of swing music, couldn't pass up the chance to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Plus, on previous Sydney Festival First Nights, Martin Place was the area to go to for a bit of a dance.  This year was no exception and while most of the crowd was happy to stand and watch, there was a handful of people who were there to swing dance.  It was great to see so many people just having fun and letting loose.  My friend and I were on the beginner's end of the spectrum present, but that didn't stop us getting caught up in the moment. In fact, it wasn't until we stopped to breathe that I remembered I was attempting to do all this in flip-flops and consequently gave myself a massive blister.  Still, as I limped back to Paddington, I was glad to be back in Sydney in the summery season that suits it best.