Original Spin

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday August 25, 2001

Edited by Jacqui Taffel

Make all the right moves at Wahroonga's Fifties Fair or Sydney University's big board game.

BEST BODGIES

Fifties Fair

Designed by Harry Seidler for his parents and completed in 1950, Rose Seidler House rocks to the devil's music as this fair takes over again for the day. Now under the wing of the Historic Houses Trust of NSW, the property has been restored to its original modernist glory. Tomorrow the grounds will be full of stalls selling '50s gear, including clothes, furniture and music plus food such as burgers and fairy floss. Entertainment will be provided by the Catseyes dancers and compere Little Pattie backed by the Flaming Stars. The house is also open for inspection. Goodness gracious, great balls of fire. Sunday, 10am-5pm, $7 (children under 12 free), 71 Clissold Street, Wahroonga, 9989 8020.

BEST RECOMMENDED READING

The Fabulous Family Day Out

To celebrate the end of Children's Book Week, this free event invites kids to dress as their favourite book character to be in the running for prizes. They can also meet a number of local illustrators and authors, including special guest Jennifer Rowe (better known in children's circles as Emily Rodda, author of the popular Deltora Quest series). Other attractions include appearances from book characters including Maisy, Peter Rabbit and Wally (of Where's Wally fame), a book market, clowns, story-tellers and face painting. The Illawarra Youth Circus and the Australian Theatre of the Deaf will also perform. Sunday, 10am-4pm, free, No 8 Passenger Terminal, Hickson Road, city (entry opposite Napoleon Street), 9818 3858.

BEST BREAKABLES

Ranamok Glass Prize

No klutzes allowed inside this prestigious annual exhibition, formerly the RFC Glass Prize. The works of 38 finalists are on display, chosen from entries by 96 artists. The prize aims to encourage "creativity, skill and innovation in contemporary glass design" and the winner, Mark Thiele from Adelaide, receives $7,500, which should keep him in glass for a short time at least. Until September 8, Monday-Friday,

10am-6pm, Saturday, noon-4pm, free, Volvo Gallery, corner York and Barrack streets, city, 9249 3400.

BEST OPEN DAYS

UTS Info Day, Sydney Uni Courses and Careers Day

Two academic institutions open their doors today. The UTS Tower Building hosts a day of activities, including stalls with information about more than 100 undergraduate courses, as well as a student take on Burke and Wills, a look at the university's ecologically sound worm farm, Chinese massages, a book fair, tours of community radio station 2SER, free food and drink. The UTS Kuring-gai campus at Lindfield has its open day next Saturday. Saturday, 9am-4pm, free, UTS city campus, Broadway, 9514 1222.

Up the road at Sydney University, the public is also welcome to find out about courses. Most activities centre on the Camperdown and Darlington campuses, but Mallett Street (nursing), Cumberland (health sciences), Macquarie Street (Sydney Conservatorium of Music) and Rozelle (Sydney College of the Arts) are also open. The day includes talks from members of various faculties, university tours and entertainment including a giant game of Twister. Saturday, 9.30am-4pm, Sydney University, Camperdown and Darlington, 1300 362 006.

BEST IDENTITY CRISIS

The Anastasia File

Marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Grand Duchess Anastasia, the Hunters Hill Theatre presents this play about a mysterious young woman dragged from a canal in Berlin. She claimed to be the daughter of the Romanov tsar, whose family was killed by communist revolutionaries in 1918. This production comes from Sydney's oldest community theatre group, started more than 70 years ago. Directed by Ian Evans, six actors play 36 characters. Until September 8,

Thursday-Sunday, 8pm (2.30pm Sundays and last Saturday), $18/$15, Hunters Hill Theatre, Margaret Street, Woolwich, bookings 9879 7765.

BEST SWASHBUCKLING

In the Wake of the Bounty

As part of its By Water exhibition, the Museum of Sydney has an ongoing program of rare films dealing with adventure and exploration. Today Errol Flynn hits the screen in his first film role as Fletcher Christian in In the Wake of the Bounty (1933), the first talkie directed by Australian film pioneer Charles Chauvel. Saturday, 2.30pm, free with museum entry, $7/$3, corner Bridge and Phillip streets, city, 9251 5988.

BEST PRELOVED TREASURE

Secondhand Saturday

The Inner Sydney Waste Board is working with local councils to reduce the amount of landfill generated by residential clean-ups. One successful concept has been Secondhand Saturday, when a certain day is recommended for garage sales across one suburb. Today, Burwood residents are offering their unwanted items for sale - more than 60 households registered interest leading up to the event. Burwood council is also holding a clearance sale at nearby Enfield Bowling Club (Shelley Street, Enfield), where bargain hunters can pick up details of other locations. Saturday, 9am-3pm, various locations around Burwood.

BEST SACRED SONGS

Oscar and Marigold

and The Field

Take a trip back in time as vocal duo Oscar and Marigold present music from ancient history, including compositions written in the 11th century by Abbess Hildegard Von Bingen, motets of the 12th and 13th centuries and music transcribed from the oldest surviving Jewish communities. Accompaniment is provided by virtuoso tabla player Bobby Singh. The program also features jazz group The Field, which includes Lloyd Swanton, Hamish Stuart, Bruce Reid and Barney Coman, playing contemporary music to "have a good time to". Sunday, 2pm, $20/$25, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford Street, Paddington.

BEST BALL

PGA Golf Show

The Easy Rider, described as the Harley-Davidson of golf carts, is a low-slung three-wheeler with finger-tip controls and reversing alarm. The Q Link pendant apparently reduces stress and balances body energy while you're on the course. The Tee-eezy reduces the need to bend over while teeing and retrieving balls. These are just a few of the products featured at the first Sydney PGA Golf Show. Other highlights include virtual golf simulators, golf clinics, holidays, fashion, a junior putt-putt course and appearances by golfing identities. Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm, $14/$8/$40 family, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, 9704 1004, www.pgaexpo.com.au

BEST SCI-FI

Bankstown Freecon

Science fiction and fantasy readers and would-be writers are welcome to hear Alan Grieve, Claire McKenna, Ian Mackereth and Cat Sparks read and discuss their work before taking questions. Also speaking is Annette Bauer from Macquarie University's Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and themes covered include Mars in fact and fiction and funny science fiction. Saturday, 9.05am-3.55pm, free, ground-floor meeting room, Bankstown City Library, 62 The Mall, Bankstown, 9707 9708.

BEST SMOKY VOCALS

Divas of Jazz

Be transported to the jazz clubs of the '40s and '50s, courtesy of local jazz outfit Miss Otis Regrets. On lead vocals, backed by piano, bass, drums and guitar, the Divine Miss O will plunder the great jazz diva repertoire, emulating the likes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. This is the first of a series of cabaret-style events for this venue. Sunday, 6-9pm, $10 (including finger food) upstairs, Unity Hall Hotel, 292 Darling Street, Balmain, bookings

9810 1331.

Email event listings to metroevents@ smh.com.au or fax 9282 2481.

BEST OF THE BEST

BEST EASTERN ENERGIES

Asian Music & Dance Festival

Crammed into this event are stories from a Tibetan monk, an afternoon of classical Chinese strings and Hindustani ragas, hands-on gamelan workshops, an Indian dance based on ancient Tamil love poems, Turkish folk music and a concert of Indonesian music and dance. The festival is based at the Opera House Studio; the foyer will host a number of free events including a display of original Indian art. Asian food is available at the Festival cafe on the western boardwalk and on Saturday a festival club with live music will be open from 10pm. Saturday from noon, Sunday 1-6pm, $24/$18 (discounts for two or more shows with phone bookings), Sydney Opera House, 9250 7777.