MCA Late: May

Overview

Fancy a Friday culture trip at a cocktail-appropriate time slot? MCA Late is a welcome offering for Sydneysiders looking to start their weekends early — and it's sticking around through May. With free entry, doors open til 9pm and a string of fresh music acts, talks, workshops and film screenings in tow, it's a true highlight of the Museum of Contemporary Art's event calendar.

On Fridays throughout May, Sounds on the Terrace will take over the rooftop with a diverse lineup of music performances from incredible local acts. One week, the inimitable dancer and choreographer Fetu Taku will host Gemma Navarrete — a singer-songwriter from western Sydney producing poetic R&B tracks — and a DJ set by Worship Collective's Red Rey. Jonny Seymour will help you herald the funner end of the week spinning groove-ready tracks, while other local favourites Chela, Carolina Gasolina and OKENYO will bring killer sets to the intimate openair stage.

Visit your favourites in the permanent collections after dark, or discover other enthralling pieces exhibiting at the MCA for a short time only. Catch the works of five young artists at Primavera 2021, dive deep into the 23rd Biennale of Sydney with rivus or check out Perspectives on Place, an examination of the multifaceted layers that form both our social and physical environments. If you want to get more hands-on, head to a clay-based workshop led by Ebony Russell or sign up for Sundown Sketch to explore the current works via a drawing class (with a glass of wine at hand, too). Scared you'll miss an opportunity to flex your own creative muscles? Sign up to the MCA Late mailing list.

Get your fill with shimmering harbour views at the MCA Cafe while you sip on a standout Aussie vino (or perk up with a nighttime caffeine hit in the shape of a salted caramel espresso martini). Then, check in for retail therapy at the MCA Store.

Bianca De Marchi

MCA Late is the ideal way to shake up your after-dark activity rotation. Head to the website to check out the full program. Please note, some exhibitions are ticketed.

Image credits: Bianca De Marchi, Anna Kucera, Lexi Laphor, David Collins