Is there anything more uniquely Australian than the Democracy Sausage? Fulfilling your compulsory obligations whilst enjoying a sausage and raising funds for the local community makes it a win-win for all. With the upcoming Australian Federal Election on May 18, you’ll be delighted to know there will be voting provisions as well as a sausage sizzle for expats in New York.
Read on to find out more, as well as what’s on in New York in May:
AWNY is hosting and supporting the following events – come along and join us:
April 29, 7-10 pm: Grange Wine Tasting at The Australian Bar & Restaurant
Join AWNY at The Australian Bar & Restaurant on April 29th for a night wine and food pairings brought to you by Penfolds wine, Australia’s leader of premium wine. Senior Winemaker at Penfolds, Steph Dutton, will lead guests through a five-course food and wine tasting menu, which includes the iconic Penfolds Grange! Get more info and book your ticket here.
May 1, 5:30 pm: Made In America at The Public Theatre
Join AWNY for Made In America at The Public Theater on May 1st. There is a special discount code for AWNY members & guests. In countries all over the world, very different people share the same dream: The American Dream. They don’t just want to live like Americans: they want to BE AMERICAN. Made In America tells the story of two Malaysian screenwriters who set out to write the perfect American film. Get more info and book your ticket here.
June 24, 6:30 pm: Australian Women in New York (AWNY) Annual General Meeting
Save the date! The AWNY Annual General Meeting is just around the corner. If you want to get involved with a dynamic group of women, come along to the AWNY AGM and consider volunteering. Location: The Liberty, 29 West 35th Street. Time: 6:30 pm for a 7 pm start. If you’d like to nominate for a position, the first step is to complete the online nomination form.
Australian Federal Election
The 2019 Australian federal election will be held on Saturday May 18th, 2019. For Aussie expats in New York there are some special events taking place to enable you have your say and ensure you feel part of the voting experience:
Fri May 17, 5pm: Democracy Sausage Sizzle
If you’re living in New York, the Australian Consulate-General is determined to make you feel at home by hosting the 2019 Democracy Sausage Sizzle! Voting opens at the Australian Consulate-General New York from May 6 – 17, Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Then the celebrations kick off at The Australian NYC in Midtown with a Democracy Sausage Party from 5 pm on May 17th. Enjoy a sausage sizzle and happy hour from 5 – 6 pm. Bring your own American (BYOA) and celebrate democracy!
Sat May 18: Australian Federal Election
The 2019 Australian federal election will be held on Saturday 18th May 2019. If you are an eligible Australian citizen living overseas you can still participate but you need to be enrolled. To enrol, check or update your enrolment details visit www.aec.gov.au. The deadline for enrolling or updating your details for the federal election was 8 pm, Thursday 18th April (Australian time in the electorate you’re enrolled). In-person early voting at the Australian Consulate-General, New York will be available from Monday 6th May, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm until Friday 17th May. Note that in-person voting will NOT be available on Election Day as the polls will have already closed in Australia. Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote online now at www.aec.gov.au.
How to vote in America for the 2019 Australian Federal Election
For more details, check out this comprehensive guide compiled by enthusiastic expat blogger, America Josh.
There are plenty of fun events around town to dive into:
FREE: April – December: NYC Weekend Walks
Get moving and meet your neighbors. Weekend Walks promote the use of streets as public space. There will be 124 Weekend Walk events between April and December 2019 in all 5 boroughs. Find one in your nabe.
May 3 – 6: Australian Dance Theatre presents The Beginning of Nature
The astonishingly powerful Australian Dance Theatre presents a beguiling exploration of the natural world in The Beginning of Nature at the Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. This compelling work possesses a hypnotic score sung in Kaurna, the first language of the Adelaide Plains, where the company resides. Part of a two-week celebration of Australian dance.
Sat May 4, 3 – 7 pm: The Liberty’s 7th Birthday Party
The Liberty NYC is celebrating 7 years of being a revered bar and restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Join them for complimentary Mint Juleps, Light Bites, Beer, and the Kentucky Derby Horse Races being played LIVE on their big screens. Come dressed in your very best race attire, (there will be prizes at stake) and there will be sweeps all afternoon! Be sure to RSVP but please note that seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sat May 4, 4 – 7 pm: Derby Day with the New York Magpies
Join the New York Magpies to watch the Kentucky Derby at 5th&Mad in Midtown. Entry is $10 which goes towards supporting the local footy team and there will be Happy Hour Specials from 4 – 7 pm. The theme is Derby Day, so don’t forget to bring your best hat or fascinator!
May 9 – 12: The Australian Ballet at The Joyce Theater
The Australian Ballet presents a program of works by homegrown choreographic talent. Alice Topp’s acclaimed Aurum, draws inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing cracked pottery with precious metals—and explores damage, healing, and the beauty of our flaws.The award-winning duet Unspoken Dialogues by Stephen Baynes, and a new work by Resident Choreographer Tim Harbour will round out the program.
May 6 – 12: 2019 PEN World Voices Festival
Join more than 125 writers and artists representing over 50 nationalities for 60+ events with a human rights focus. The festival, in its 15th year, was founded in the aftermath of 9-11.
Fri May 10, 7 – 8:30 pm: Intimate Terrorism Panel Discussion at PEN World Voices Festival
All too often, domestic and sexual violence remain hidden from sight, but more writers are using fiction, poetry, and journalism to bring it into the open. Hear Iceland’s Gerður Kristný, Canada’s Miriam Toews, Japan’s Shiori Ito, and Rachel Louise Snyder of the United States talk about what prompted them to tell these confronting stories, and how this often private terror can more easily be tackled once a light is shone on it. They talk to Australian feminist journalist and author Anne Summers.
Tues May 14, 6:30 pm: Australian Short Film Today
Australian Short Film Today’s annual 90-minute program of award-winning short films from Down Under returns to the Asia Society (725 Park Avenue at 70th Street) to amuse, challenge and delight. A curated collection of 3 to 12-minute comedies, dramas and animations that will amaze. Open to the public, there’s a cafe, restaurants, museum, pool bar and observation deck.
Wed May 15: Opening of TWA Terminal at JFK
If you’ve ever landed in JFK, you’ll understand why it typically makes the “worst airports in the US” lists. Get set for a transformation, with the much anticipated opening of the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport. CEO of project manager, MCR/MORSE Development, Tyler Morse explains: “Our rooftop pool provides a JFK runway view that rivals an air traffic controller’s vantage point. There’s simply no better place for plane-spotting and enjoying a cocktail, in the world.” Open to the public, there’s a cafe, restaurants, museum, pool bar and observation deck. Incidentally, the TWA terminal is a landmarked building, otherwise, the powers that be at JFK would have loved to tear the place down. It’s a fantastic design and from the front looks like an eagle. As reported by The NY Times, architect Robert A. M. Stern called the TWA Flight Center the “Grand Central of the jet age”.
FREE: May 24 – Aug 16: Intrepid Museum Outdoor Summer Movie Series
Enjoy FREE sea, air & space themed movies under the stars all summer long on the Flight Deck on selected Friday nights. The flight deck opens at 7 pm and doors close at 8:30 pm. Movies begin at sunset.
Coming Up! There are a slew of amazing Australian artists visiting New York over the coming months. Some dates have already sold out so don’t miss out on tickets:
June 13: Courtney Barnett with The National
As part of the BRIC! Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, Aussie singer/songwriter/rocker Courtney Barnett joins The National for a benefit concert at The Prospect Park Bandshell. Tickets are sold out for June 12 but there are still tickets available for June 13. The National are proud to continue their work with PLUS1 and $1 from every ticket sold on this tour will go towards protecting women’s reproductive rights.
June 30: The Veronicas at NYC PrideFest
Brisbane-born pop icons, The Veronicas, are joining the celebrations of the annual LGBTQIA+ street festival. The event is free and open to the public, plus there are VIP tickets for sale.
July 23 – Aug 23: Douglas by Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby’s new show, Douglas, will cover how she dealt with her sudden fame after attacking comedy in Nanette. Gadsby’s Off Broadway engagement will take place at the Daryl Roth Theatre from July 23 to August 17 and tickets go on sale April 14.
Aug 21: Tame Impala
Perth psych-pop band, Tame Impala, have announced new summer North American tour, including a show at Madison Square Garden on August 21. Tickets go on sale Friday 4/26 at 10 am, with presales starting Tuesday 4/23 at 10 am.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 