Lunch and dinner offerings, whale watching, musical bingo and Supanova: we’ve plenty going in the month of June.
To kick off winter we’ll be hosting a total of SEVEN socials, connecting with buddies in Palm Beach, Chester Hill, Concord, Ingleburn, Terrigal, Homebush and Bondi.
Jump on the links above to join us in June.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Happy birthday to us
But before we get to our June offerings, we’re counting down to the big one!
In 10 days time we’ll be taking over North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel for our 9th birthday.
As revealed last week, on the night we’ll be partying to the sounds of Sydney DJ, Thomas Knight. Expect plenty of top 40, 90s and 00s numbers throughout.
Gig Buddies’ merchandise will also be up for grabs, while we’ll be giving away three lucky door prizes - and offering attendees the chance to win a free DOUBLE PASS to our Christmas party.
For more information about our birthday - including a full list of what food will be served up - load up the ticket link below.
On the night we’ll also be joined by Katie, who’s flying all the way from Brighton in the UK!
Katie is the Gig Buddies’ operation director. As part of her role, she has the pleasure of connecting with other branches - and we’re excited to welcome her to Australia.
Tickets to our 9th birthday cost $40 and they’re selling fast! Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you to dust off those dancing shoes and party with us.
To join us for our 9th, click here.
Viva Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House is set to take over the city once again - and we’re delighted to offer Gig Buddies’ participants discounted tickets to a number of top events.
This May you’ll find us at the Sydney Opera House for the following:
Tia Gostelow
Venue: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Friday 24 May, 7:00pm
Information: A shapeshifting singer-songwriter with a knack for folk, pop and synth grooves alike, rising Queensland star Tia Gostelow is among Australia’s hottest young musical talents. This is her Vivid LIVE debut.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
dstreet Studio Party (18+)
Venue: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Saturday 25 May, 9:00pm
Information: Lighting up the Sydney Opera House Studio with guest DJs Mad Miran, Piezo, Kate Miller and Emelyne, Sydney underground dance music collective dstreet. make their Vivid LIVE debut.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Air play Moon Safari
Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Sunday 26 May, 4:00pm
Information: Marking their era-defining debut album Moon Safari, French pop duo Air return to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall to play the classic album for the first time live in its entirety.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Astral People present Spice Trail: Sid Sriram, Priya Ragu, Raf-Saperra & more
Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Tuesday 28 May, 7:00pm
Information: A celebration of the South Asian diaspora as South Indian Carnatic, playback superstar Sid Sriram, Tamil R&B soulstress Priya Ragu and bhangra beat kahuna Raf-Saperra headline an unmissable party from cutting-edge Australian tastemakers Astral People.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Thelma Plum
Venue: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Wednesday 29 May, 8:00pm
Information: Fresh off a Hottest 100 smash with “We Don’t Talk About It”, award-winning, multi-platinum-selling indigenous star Thelma Plum returns for her first Vivid LIVE show – and solo headline debut – since performing with Paul Kelly.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
BARKAA
Venue: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Date/Time: Friday 31 May, 7:30pm
Information: One of Australia’s most thrilling live performers, Malyangapa and Barkindji musician and hip-hop queen BARKAA returns to the Sydney Opera House with her solo debut at Vivid LIVE.
For more information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are flying out the door! We encourage buddies to get in touch before they miss out.
To take advantage of the discounted prices, email the team with the name of the event you’d like to attend along with the number of tickets required. We can be reached at: info@gigbuddiessydney.org.
Once we receive your email, we’ll then forward a unique ticket link.
Please note, the reduced rate only applies for Gig Buddies’ participants. Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, all fully signed up buddies and volunteers are welcome to purchase discounted tickets.
If your buddy is unavailable but you’d like to attend any of the six events, you’re more than welcome to purchase extra ticket(s) for friends, family members or support worker(s).
Once again, we are indebted to the generosity of Vivid Sydney organisers and the Sydney Opera House. Thank you for your ongoing support and for providing participants with the opportunity to sample some of the best live music at this year’s event.
Foodies unite
Also taking place in May are our two additional Gig Buddies’ events.
Firstly, on Saturday 18 May you’ll find us in Gregory Hills for burgers, shakes and street art. Then later in the month, on Wednesday 29 May, we head to Long Jetty for a catch up over some Aussie pub grub.
To sign up for either gig, jump on the links below:
If you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Ready to go
It’s been a productive period on the pairing front.
Within the past week we’ve welcomed the following new matches: Harry and Michael (above, L - R), Jaime and Georgia (left, L - R) and Lucy and Monique (right, L - R).
Prepped and ready to go
And we’ve also prepared another batch of volunteers.
Thanks to Caitlin and Conner (above, L - R) for joining us on Zoom last week for training.
For the final time…..
For the past two weeks we’ve shared the thoughts of Alex, a current gig buddy and member of our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies.
So far he’s discussed the subjects of mateship and the importance of not giving up. For his final installment, Alex talks about the benefits of having a disability.
"Sometimes you may think ‘the grass might be greener somewhere else’ which is a figure of speech in general, but this could also mean ‘sometimes I wish I didn’t have a disability’ .
When I have felt this I am often sad, but then I think about how great it is to have a disability, as once you realise what you’ve done over the years, you’ll probably realise that having a disability is pretty awesome.
It can get you access to some pretty cool opportunities that only a few people get to do or see, as well as having the opportunity to meet great people - even celebrities.
Personally, I am a fan of The Wiggles and I have had several occasions where I have met several cast members of the original, as well as the current line-up.
After those times where I have met them, I am thankful that my disability gave me that opportunity. Without it, the encounter of meeting those members might not have happened…
It may not be meeting a celebrity, it could be something that you do on a daily basis such as catching public transport. That Gold Opal Card isn’t just a thing for seniors, it’s also for people living with a disability. I am keen on travelling so I can travel as much as I want for as little as $2.50 with the use of my Opal Card.
Another benefit (out of many) which has probably been mentioned before, is the NSW Companion Card.
So rather than think of the negatives about having a disability, think of the positives, which to me - one of the biggest - is being part of Gig Buddies.
The next time you’re thinking: ‘sometimes I wish I didn’t have a disability’, at least try to put that in a positive way by thinking: ‘it’s annoying that my disability prevents me from things I can’t do, but having my disability is my ticket to some great opportunities’.
Furthermore, reach out to your family, friends, as well as other important people who will hopefully reassure you that having a disability shouldn’t stop you from being yourself. Enjoy celebrating what makes you the human that you."
- Alex
Thank you, Alex, for taking the time to share your thoughts with the Gig Buddies’ community.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
