MCA spring events

Gwago Patabagun (we will eat presently) is a tasty event rolling onto the front lawn of the MCA. Sydney artists Tessa Zettel and Karl Khoe will have a mobile food cart out the front of the MCA, serving pikelets with honey straight from the source: a beehive of native, stingless bees. After filling up, take part in a buzzing conversation about Sydney Cove. Wed 1 Sep, 5-6pm & Sat 2 Oct, 11am-12noon. Free.

You’ll never curse those pesky weeds again after Sydney Weed Discovery Tours, a botanical bonanza through the CBD that shows us the wonderful side of that most under-appreciated of plants, weeds. Artist Diego Bonetto will even show you how to use them in the kitchen. 4 & 18 Sep, 16 & 23 Oct, 2–4pm. Free.

5 Terratoriums, 5 Tours and a World of Facebook Friends is a nature walk with a difference: a tour of Sydney’s botany and its connection to virtual spaces. Sat 4 Sep, 2–4pm. Free. Bookings essential.

Or you can take a trek with the Urban Wildlife Safari, a four-hour tour through the CBD on which you’ll learn about the resilient little critters that call it home. Sat 9 Oct, 12 noon–4pm. Free. Bookings essential.

As part of the In the Balance exhibition, designer Liane Rossier and television presenter Nell Schofield will discuss climate change and art at Floor Talk: In the Balance. Both presenters are members of Al Gore’s Climate Change Project, so neither will be afraid to deliver some inconvenient truths. Sat 11 Sep, 2.30–3.30pm. Free.

Hundreds of volunteers will be covering themselves in mud as part of a silent protest over the 2006 Indonesian mudslides. Artist Dadang Christanto will lead the volunteers in his MCA Artist Performance on the front lawn of the MCA. Sat 30 Oct, 12 noon–2pm. Free.

If you’ve seen Primavera 2010but just can’t get enough, catch Primavera: Past, Present and Future. The talk will bring together past artists and curators to talk about previous exhibitions and their impact on them. Sun 26 Sep, 2–3pm. Free.

For further insights into this year’s Primavera exhibition, be sure to be there when curator Katie Dyer takes the stage. Dyer chose to focus on the individual skill of the artist in different mediums, instead of going with pieces from a single movement. She will explain her decisions and take questions, so the Primavera 2010 Curator Talkis a must. Sat 13 Nov, 2.30–3.30pm. Free.

Also, remember it’s never too early to introduce someone to art at the MCA. Pre-schoolers aged 18 months to 4 years will enjoy some play-based learning on their Art Safari.Wed 15 Sep, 10.30–11.15am. Bookings essential.

Bubby and the parents and carers who love him/her can enjoy a one-hour guided morning stroll around the MCA in Art Baby, followed by coffee and biscuits in the MCA café (for the adults). Tue 26 Oct, 10–11.30am. $15, babies free. Bookings essential.Thomas Mitchell

For bookings for all MCA events call 02 9245 2484.

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