Culture, ideas and fun at City’s youth festival

From 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.

The City of Sydney's annual festival features a dynamic program of arts, culture and sporting events across Sydney from 10 to 18 April.

Youth Week in the City 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," the Lord Mayor said.

"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."

Youth Week highlights include:

Slams and Jams for Social Justice

Thursday 11 April, 6pm-8pm - Ultimo Community Centre, Ultimo

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.

Intercultural Sports Day

Friday 12 April, 5-10pm - KGV Recreation Centre, The Rocks

The Youth Week Sports Event at KGV Recreation Centre in The Rocks gives young people from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds an opportunity to engage and participate in a safe and friendly environment with other young people.

Underground, Music and Art

Friday 12 April, 7.30pm-9.30pm - Green Square library, Green Square

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

Friday 12 April, 5pm-8.30pm - Fishburners Coworking, Sydney

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

Saturday 13 April, 11am-5pm - Waterloo Skate Park, Waterloo

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

Sunday 14 April, 9.30am-4.30pm - Customs House library, Circular Quay

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.

Bubble Soccer

Monday 15 April, 12pm-4pm - Harry Noble Reserve, Erskineville

Encased in orb-like inflatable bubbles, participants can take part in a five-a-side soccer tournament. Guaranteed hilarious fun, players are encouraged to bounce into each other as they fight for possession of the ball. The competition will include a barbecue for all participants.

The Jobs Agenda for Young People

Tuesday 16 April, 5.30pm-8.30pm - Fishburners, Sydney

The Jobs Agenda is designed to help young people tackle the issues they can face seeking employment. The event will cover employment, career pathways and challenges, and include roundtable discussions and Q&A sessions.

Betty Makin Youth Awards Night

Tuesday 16 April, 6pm-9pm - Redfern Town Hall, Redfern

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.

Sports Day

Wednesday 17 April, 11.30am-2.30pm - Perry Park Recreation Centre, Alexandria

Young locals can try out the brand new sporting facilities at Perry Park with option to partake in netball, futsal and volleyball competitions.

Create for Change: Activism in the Arts

Wednesday 17 April, 6pm-8.30pm - Customs House, Circular Quay

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.

Dodgeball

Thursday 18 April, 11am-3pm - Peter Forsyth Auditorium, Glebe

This event will bring together young people, with the City's Area West Youth and Community team, Glebe Youth Service, Glebe PCYC and the Leichhardt Local Area Command (Glebe Police). Relationships and trust will be developed with the young people by using the sport of dodgeball to engage them in competition with local police and various youth and community workers.

Wrap Party

Thursday 18 April, 3pm-7pm - Yurong Parkway Basketball Courts, Woolloomooloo

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.

More information

For more information on the Youth Week program go to youthweekinthecity.com.au

For media inquiries contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor, Elaine Kelly on 0477 362 550 or [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore contact Communications Officer Anusha Muller on 0408 494 545 or [email protected]