Sydney’s favourite nightlife precinct, YCK Laneways, is no stranger to a block party or festival, but this year, female creatives are taking centre stage.
YCK Front and Centre is a female-led four-week festival celebrating women in the industry who are captivating their audiences through art, music, food and drink.
From August 1 to 31, there are over 50 events taking place at 15 YCK venues. Expect female-led chef collaborations at PS40, live art at Esteban by Sydney-born creative Nanami Cowdroy, live DJ sets from non-binary collective Pho the Girls Social, and so much more.
Barrack Street will come alive with three epic days of live music and masterclasses between August 26-28. For those seeking some daytime enlightenment, a series of masterclasses hosted by an exciting line-up of hospitality veterans will have you mastering the art of distilling with the team behind Women of Australian Distilling, learning how to pickle your own vegetables with cooking school Cornersmith, and a truffle grading and tasting experience with Ganymede Truffles.
Following a day of masterclasses, punters are encouraged to continue the festivities well into the night as a stellar line-up of Sydney’s best female performers take to the stage on August 26 and 27. For $20 per person, Friday’s entertainment has been curated by the Sydney Fringe Festival and will include the talents of Kilimi, Pirra, JOY and Jaguar Jonze. The party doesn’t stop there, with Saturday bringing another night of incredible music with Farnozz, Bella Fuego Silk Dancers, Dylan Atlantis, Boy Soda, Fly Waves, Sela Vai + Fetu and Bella Hatch.
For those looking to explore the broader precinct throughout the festival, YCK has partnered with Moulin Rouge! The Musical for the month of August to bring a series of limited-edition cocktails to participating YCK bars across the CBD. Inspired by leading female characters from the show, bar hoppers can expect cocktails that exude splendour and romance as they bar crawl across York, Clarence and Kent Streets.
Purchase tickets to the YCK Front and Centre festival here.
Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here.
