Culture, ideas and fun at City of Sydney’s Youth Week Festival

City of Sydney Youth Week 2019 AARFrom retro video games to bubble soccer, to an ideas pitchfest young residents from around Sydney are invited to take part in a range of activities designed by young people as part of Youth Week this April.

The City of Sydney’s annual festival features a dynamic program of arts, culture and sporting events is designed for people aged 12 to 24 years of age, and is an opportunity for young people to express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives, and create and enjoy activities and events.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Youth Week is the perfect time for Sydney’s young people and the entire community to recognise the work, talents and creativity of our younger residents. The festival is a hugely popular event that enables young people to come together and celebrate their important role in the community,” said the Lord Mayor.

“The young people in our city contribute a positive energy and vitality that helps make Sydney such an exciting place to live, study and work. I encourage everyone to embrace this spirit, and hope our young people get involved in the many fantastic events taking place around the city.”

Highlights of Youth Week 2019 include:

Slams and Jams for Social Justice
Ultimo Community Centre: Thursday 11 April, 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Sydney Youth Music will present musicians, spoken word artists and comedians aged from 12 to 24. Under the theme ‘Coming together to connect, share, speak out and celebrate’, Slams and Jams is an opportunity for participants to present their cases on social justice issues that affect today’s young people.

Underground, Music and Art
Green Square Library: Friday 12 April, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Live music, interactive art and retro gaming take over Green Square Library for a special Youth Week after-hours event. The live music line-up includes local Sydney talent The 902 and The Lazy Eyes. Participants can help build a virtual reality world or an interactive game exploring the concept of climate change. Singers can head to the karaoke room while gaming fans can battle it out on retro video games like Atari, Nintendo and Sega.

Entrepreneurs’ Apprentice Pitchfest
Fishburners Coworking, Sydney: Friday 12 April, 5.00pm – 8.30pm
This event invites small business owners, start-ups and scale-ups who are prepared to let an aspiring entrepreneur into their world of work. The event will bring a select group of 10 entrepreneurs to pitch to a group of potential interns to join them for a week of work experience.

Fernside Youth Festival
Waterloo Skate Park: Saturday 13 April, 11.00am – 5.00pm
The 21st Fernside Youth Festival has been co-designed by young people in collaboration with local organisations and highlights the diversity, history and strength of the community. Youngsters can take part in a Skate and Scooter Competition and there will be a variety of arts and cultural stalls. Live music with a DJ, other entertainment and a range of food stalls will also feature as part of the event.

Young Change Agents
Customs House Library, Circular Quay: Sunday 14 April, 9.30am – 4.30pm
A social entrepreneurship program for young people aged 16-25 years,with a focus on three issues facing young people today: employment, civic engagement and marketing for youth activities. Participants will work in teams to come up with a social enterprise solution to one of the issues and then pitch their idea to a panel of judges.

Betty Makin Youth Awards Night
Redfern Town Hall: Tuesday 16 April, 6.00pm – 9.00pm
In honour of the late community leader and activist, the annual awards recognise young individuals and groups who have excelled in educational, vocational and community projects over the last year. The awards night includes scholarship announcements and presentations recognising the efforts of young people, youth workers and the community that supports them.

Create for Change: Activism in the Arts
Customs House, Circular Quay: Wednesday 17 April, 6.00pm – 8.30pm
In this interactive panel discussion for 16-25 year olds, participants will learn how to use art to affect change. Pine Street Creative Arts Centre presents a panel of artists working across a range of disciplines including activism, inclusion and collaboration in the arts. The panel will discuss how artists can play a key role in raising awareness of social and environmental issues through meaningful projects.

Wrap Party
Yurong Parkway Basketball Courts, Woolloomooloo: Thursday 18 April, 3.00pm – 7.00pm
This event includes DJ workshops, dance performances and art-based workshops and gives an opportunity for young people from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to engage and participate in a safe and friendly environment.

The City of Sydney Youth Week runs 10 – 18 April 2019. For more information, visit: www.youthweekinthecity.com.au for details.

Image: Youth Week – courtesy of City of Sydney