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Writer's pictureGig Buddies Sydney
Apr 10, 20225 min read

Dust off those dancing shoes

At long last, we can reveal our birthday plans.


We’ll be taking over Sydney’s Shark Hotel on Thursday 26 May. Dust off those dancing shoes and join us as we belatedly blow out the candles on our birthday cake!

It’s been a long time since we’ve had the opportunity to bring the entire Gig Buddies community together. Our 7th birthday party runs from 7 - 10pm and tickets cost $49 per person.


Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you to join us as we celebrate turning 7.


The ticket price covers food and entertainment (a DJ and live band). For more information about our party at Shark Bar, and to purchase your ticket, click here.


And if you have any questions about our 7th birthday, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.

 

The results are in


For the past three weeks we’ve run a survey, asking buddies, volunteers and support networks to share their thoughts on our face-to-face social outings.


Both Sydney and Central Coast participants’ were asked the same questions - thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out our form. Below is a snapshot of some of your answers.


Based on your feedback, our social events are popular.

In terms of how much money buddies feel comfortable spending on tickets to our events, the majority (61%) said between $21 and $49. And, with regards to people’s motivations to come along to one of our gigs, either catching up with their buddy or making new friends came top.

In terms of preferred days of the week and timings, feedback suggests Saturday evenings are the most popular.


As for buddies and volunteers planning to attend future events, the survey indicates a minimum of ‘more than two weeks’ notice is required. As such, as of June this year we’re going to try and provide a month’s notice for all face-to-face socials.


As for us, a key takeaway is to improve on this.

When asked ‘would you only attend a Gig Buddies face-to-face social event if your buddy was in attendance?’, 45.9% responded ‘yes’. We would love to increase this number.


We’re to consult with the project’s user-led team, Soul Fly Band and we also encourage buddies, volunteers and support networks to share their thoughts on the subject. If you have a suggestion on how we could ensure more participants come along to our events should their buddy not be able to attend, please let us know.


We can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.


Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part in our face-to-face social survey.

 

The weekend’s action


On the subject of our face-to-face socials, it was wonderful to catch up with buddies in Sydney and on the Central Coast last Friday (8/4).


We held two gatherings: an evening of punk, hardcore and metalcore at Marrickville’s The Factory Theatre, while a little further north, we were joined by buddies in Wyong for this year’s Loves Lanes Festival.

To see more photos from Marrickville click here, and to see what we got up to in Wyong, load up this link.

 

What's on


As for the rest of April, tomorrow’s trip to Mona Vale (12/4) for pub trivia has now sold out. Limited spots are available for our outing to West Ryde (Friday 22/4), however.

For more information about the Jellybean Jam event, including how to sign up, load up the link below:

 

Viva Vivid Sydney


Vivid Sydney is set to make a welcome return - and we’re delighted to offer Gig Buddies’ participants discounted tickets to a number of top-notch events.

Thanks to the generosity of event organisers and Sydney Opera House we’ve been provided with discounted entry to RnB, soul, dance, electro, punk and house music events. This May and June you’ll find us at the Sydney Opera House for the following:

- HTRK: Friday 27 May @ Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre. 7pm start (duration of show yet to be confirmed). Reserve seating. Standard ticket price: $49.50. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).



- RVG: Monday 30 May @ Sydney Opera House, Studio. 8pm start (duration of show yet to be confirmed). General admission, standing only. Standard ticket price: $34. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).


- Skeleten: Wednesday 1 June @ Sydney Opera House, Studio. 8 - 10pm. General admission, standing only. Standard ticket: $34. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).


- Astral People: Friday 3 June @ Sydney Opera House, Northern Broadwalk (outdoors). 5 - 10pm. General admission, standing only. Standard ticket: $89. Gig Buddies price: $30 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).



- Miiesha: Friday 3 June @ Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room. 7 - 8pm. Unreserved seating. Standard ticket price: $34. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).



- TEEKS: Monday 13 June @ Sydney Opera House, Joan Sutherland Theatre. 8 - 9:30pm. Reserve seating. Standard ticket price: $39. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).



Our Vivid offer is available for signed up buddies and volunteers only. However, if your buddy is not around during the times of the events listed above and you’d like to attend with someone else, get in touch.


To take advantage of the discounted prices, email the team with the name of the event you’d like to attend. We can be reached at: info@gigbuddiessydney.org. We’ll then forward a unique ticket link.

 

Zoom trivia is back


Are you at a loose end this Thursday afternoon? Come join us on Zoom as we host another battle of wits.

Start your long weekend the right way! Kahoot! apps at the ready - our monster music quiz runs from 4 - 5pm.


In addition to Thursday’s online trivia, we also invite buddies to connect with us at 4pm today (Monday 11/4) for our weekly chat. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.


And to find out more about this week’s online offering (and to sign up), load up the link below:


Thursday 14/4


All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.


If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/SMS us on 0402 708 814.

 

1 up


We’re delighted to introduce our latest match.

Here’s us welcoming Nick and Paul (L - R) to the Gig Buddies family. We’re looking forward to hearing about their forthcoming catch-ups.

 

Ready to go


And last week we prepped another three volunteers.

It’s great to welcome Robin (top), Lauren (middle) and Darcy (bottom) to the family. Thanks for joining us on Zoom - we’re looking forward to pairing you up in due course.

 

Hold the press


Due to the forthcoming Easter break and ANZAC Day public holiday, the Gig Buddies’ newsletter is taking a two week time-out.


We’ll return in a fortnight’s time, on Monday 2 May.


Please note, the Gig Buddies office will be closed on Good Friday (15/4), Easter Monday (18/4) and ANZAC Day (25/4).

 

Matthew, Carol, Tony, Bec and Chelsea

 

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.



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