Two Doors Down

There's a middle ground - in the most literal sense - between two doors down and Parramatta (comparable to Walthamstow in London) that a venue/place of interest has to hit for me to be, well, actually interested. Too far and it's just a plain ol' pain. Particularly when you have no car, license, money or access to a mode of transport that isn't public, expensive and unreliable. Too close though, and it simply requires too little effort; why, it would be silly to apply my organisational skills to arranging a trip downstairs, right? Before meandering down to said park/warehouse/sexpot, I see no reason I shouldn't wash my hair, pet my cat, have another go of beating B-Boy in Tetris Blast on my very eighties Gameboy, play with the (stuffed) squirrel sitting on my bed, stare at the photo I had taken of me and an (wholly alive) owl for a good twenty minutes and listen to that new Adam Green album. Twice. But then suddenly it's Midnight and I haven't left the house. With the half-hearted promise that I'll go tomorrow or the next week or perhaps the Friday after instead, the cycle repeats itself and, before I know it, it's been two years and it's moved or gone or been overrun by zombies. This happens to me on a semi regular basis. Last month however, I decided enough was enough and I was going to get my arse over to the Chinese Garden of Friendship before an asteroid hits it or something similarly unlikely yet very probable happens. I wholly recommend you do the same. It's really kind of amazing.

Here's me looking happy (and a little smug - if I read my expression correctly) that I successfully tore myself away from my pet squirrel/owl/cat to visit the Chinese Gardens. To clarify: I *am* referring to my happy smile, not the regrettable bulge in my pants, which is due to my bulky camera. It's true, I swear.

Next on my list of places to go that are just too darn close for comfort? The karaoke bar across the street, suitably named Ding Dong Dang - a name which is also apparently (I would guess) an homage to The Wizard of Oz which can only be a good sign - and High Tea, an intimate, RSVP only live music night which takes place every second Thursday in nearby warehouse.

Vintage and Retro Fashion at Hibernian House

Dear Sydneysiders,
For you and you only, Owl and the Grapes and SixOhOne are collaborating to create a one-day pop up store. Just like those fairy tale pop up books you had as a child, but better. You wouldn't have imagined such a thing was possible back then, but trust us, it certainly is.
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Okay, so the 'collaboration' thing is a partial lie, considering that Owl and the Grapes and SixOhOne are essentially run by the same people. That the event will be a treasure trove of vintage and retro fashion however, is definitely no lie.

In the Green Room housed by SixOhOne, we will be bringing to you all that Cinderalla could have ever wanted. Indeed, we will have food (of the cookie kind), drink (of the BYO kind), The Beach Boys (of the Ipod kind), two cozy cats, a big comfy couch to chill the fuck out on, shoes, bric-a-brac and lots of vintage clothes, mainly of the female genre.

It's the same Saturday as Surry Hills markets so drop down before and/or after to enjoy a laid-back Saturday in our company - we're quite literally just down the street. In fact, we're close to Crown Street, Oxford Street and the City too.

Find us on Level Six of Hibernian House, 342 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. On the corner of Kippax St, just up from Eddy Avenue, opposite Ding Dong Dang, entry via the Stained Glass sign and next door to the (dodgy) Indian restaurant. Zip up in the lift to level 5 (be patient) and there's a security gate on your right. Head up the stairs and at the top you'll see two doors. We're the one on the left. If you're worried you'll lose yourself, don't. There'll be signs.