Best Arts & Entertainment

Best Aboriginal Art: Kate Owen Gallery

Australian Indigenous art is renowned for its famous aesthetic, cultural heritage and its diversity in applications. Kate Owen Gallery and Studio adds another dimension to that diversity. Proudly showing off Indigenous talent from all over Australia it has become a hub for local and international collectors alike. Come down to the gallery at 3pm on Sundays to watch Kate lead an informal talk about the Indigenous art world. Also don’t forget to check out their website. It’s full of fantastic tools for enthusiasts of Indigenous art including an extremely detailed search which you can refine by artist, location, palate or price. (Tom Hellier) 680 Darling Street Rozelle, 9555 5283

Best Art Gallery over $5000: Tali Aboriginal Gallery

According to Tali Aboriginal Art Gallery, there is a big world out there and we only ever catch a glimpse of it. But from the moment this two-storey gallery opened its doors last October, our horizons have been widened. Tali Aboriginal Art Gallery is committed to the promotion and support of Indigenous cultures through exposing the diversity and brilliance of their art. The gallery ensures that the communities who supply the artwork also stipulate the prices, making their magical pieces affordable. Now we can stroll through the gallery without worrying about our wallets as we become entranced by the beautiful jewellery, artwork, gifts and carvings on display. If you’re more of a hands-on person, you can participate in indigenous workshops such as the weaving class run by well-known artist Robyn Djunginy. (Kristie Beattie) 667 Darling St, Rozelle, 9555 6555

Best Art Gallery (under $5000): TAP Gallery

The TAP Gallery is practically an institution among Sydneysiders, reputable for over 20 years of support to up-and-coming artists and uncovering some of Sydney’s finest creative talent. With regular exhibitions of all kinds of weird and wonderful art, as well as having a peaceful café, the TAP is a great place to meet friends, talk, think, navel-gaze, and generally be inspired by the creativity around you. You can find information on upcoming exhibitions and venue hire on their website, and organise life drawing classes for your next hen’s party! (Erin Halligan) 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst, 9361 0440 www.tapgallery.org.au

Best Chinese Contemporary Art Gallery: White Rabbit

White Rabbit is a four-storey house with a tea room that houses a wide and astonishing range of contemporary Chinese art. The pieces reflect the artistic explosion in China in the last 10 years and so it’s full of visually astounding pieces that are often tremendous in size and ambition. Often too, the artisanship and skill involved in the works is overwhelming and take your experience far beyond a conceptual appreciation. The staff don’t just sit on a stool and stop you touching things; they’re happy to discuss and explain the works if you wish. The last exhibition there was tremendous and the one opening at the end of August, titled Beyond the Frame, promises to take art “way out of the conventional box”.  I’ve never been so awestruck by a collection this side of the equator. (Justin Wolfers) 30 Balfour St, Chippendale 8399 2867

Best Cinema: Palace Norton St

For years film addicts have relished the exotic offerings of this licensed movie house. Yup, that’s right folks. You can kick back with a beer or glass of wine while enjoying your non-mainstream movie. Famed for deviating from Hollywood’s roll of crowd-pleasing reels, the theatre hosts a vast array of international flicks rendering it United-Colours-of-Cinema status. Like its other Palace siblings, the Leichhardt venue unfurls banners for the Italian, French, Greek, Palestinian, German and Spanish film festivals annually. Its quartet of theatres also shows filmed operas and orchestras and caters to stroller-driving parents with Babes in Arms on Thursday mornings. (Deb Erwin) 99 Norton St, Leichhardt 9564 5620 www.palacecinemas.com.au

Best Comedian: Wil Anderson

Apart from hosting the fourth season of ABC’s The Gruen Transfer, funny bloke Wil Anderson continues to traverse the globe with his witty punnified shows. This month the mildly crude and socially astute comic is stationed at Sydney’s Comedy Store doing his Man vs Wil stand-up show, hot on the heels of Wilful Misconduct (2010). Significant notches on his career belt include memorable appearances at international comedy festivals in Edinburgh, London, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles and all across Australia. The energetic 37-year-old was born and raised in Heyfield, Victoria and is known for donning thongs and a black suit jacket while unleashing his sharp and emphatic tongue on stage. (Deb Irwin) www.wilanderson.com.au; www.comedystore.com.au

Best Comedy Venue: Happy Endings Comedy Club

There is no better place for a comedy club named Happy Endings than Sydney’s bustling Kings Cross. But here you’ll be asked to keep your clothes on while you laugh your pants off. The intimate venue accommodates patrons around small tables, ideal for small groups and parties. And although your mother would suggest you should not laugh with your mouth full, Thai food from a restaurant next door can be arranged. With laughter in abundance and a very convenient location, this is a great way to add a happy ending to your evening or get started on a high note. (Rafael Garcia)  154 Broughman St, Kings Cross 9300 9060 www.happyendingscomedyclub.com.au

Best Dance Performance: Bangarra Dance Theatre

Indigenous performance company Bangarra has won numerous awards including the 2010 Australian Dance award for Outstanding Performance by a Company. Under the leadership of artistic director Stephen Page and the musical direction of his brother David Page, the dance company has explored what it means to be Aboriginal. A good example of its repertoire is the latest show, the thought-provoking Belong now at the Sydney Opera House until August 20. The work includes About by Elma Kris, a piece that involves spirits of the wind as they move through the land and ID by Stephen Page, which explores identity through scenes that include a cheeky depiction of the school-yard amid more sombre presentations of butchery and nature. (Evan Gray) www.bangarra.com.au

Best Fringe Theatre: New Theatre, Newtown

Located in the heart of rapidly gentrifying South Newtown is The New Theatre. Sydney’s longest continually running playhouse has been in operation since 1932. It originally opened its doors as a venue for “workers’-theatre” but today is completely community-run and is operated by a large and committed team of volunteers most of whom live locally. Despite its community feel, the quality of productions puts many professional theatre companies to shame. The interior harks back to the earlier days of Belvoir and is relaxed, warm and welcoming. The theatre provides “pay what you can Sundays” offering an opportunity to enjoy high quality productions at bargain basement rates. (Cale Johnson) 542 King Street, Newtown. www.newtheatre.org.au

Best Local Band venue: Petersham Bowling Club

The Petersham Bowlo, founded in 1896, is one of the oldest clubs in NSW but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s old hat. Every Friday night some of the brightest local bands play to a largely local audience. Recent acts include Jamie Hutchings, Khancoban and Paul Bignell. In recent years local support helped keep the Bowlo from being destroyed by property developers. Beers are cheaper, the club is pokie-free and the décor would earn two thumbs up from nan. On top of the usual Friday night show, beers, bowls and DJs take over every Sunday afternoon and there are often one-off gigs or events on Thursdays and Saturdays. (Lucien Alperstein) 77 Brighton St, Petersham , 9569 4639

Best Museum: Museum of Contemporary Art

The most enthralling exhibitions in Sydney are usually to be found inside the walls of the Museum of Contemporary Art, which recently showcased hugely varied exhibitions from Annie Leibowitz’ iconic photographs to Olafur Eliasson’s incredibly colourful installations. They’re renovating at the moment until early 2012, but never fear! Several exhibitions are continuing offsite till November, including the mesmerising, intricate collaboration “Tell Me Tell Me”, between Korean and Australian artists at the National Art School Gallery (June-August). If this exhibition, in its vibrancy and versatility is only an interim measure, bring on the new year. (Justin Wolfers) 140 George Street Sydney 9245 2400

Best Nightclub: Civic Hotel

The Civic Hotel has a special energy, according to its young and bubbly staff. It has a history; it’s old but with a new twist, and that’s something you don’t get elsewhere. Situated just around the corner from the local court, in the late afternoon it’s amazing for eavesdropping on conversations between lawyers and politicians and at night, the club downstairs comes alive as promoters take over and the younger crowd parties till dawn. Their recent refurbishment has struck a balance between class and sound, producing a sophisticated vibe through sleek furnishings and clever lighting. (Jason Marshall) 388 Pitt Street, Sydney

Best place to see the unseen: Mu-Meson Archives

“Australia’s premier underground cinema and source of esoteric knowledge”…could not have put it better myself. Want to know where to see a Divine retrospective? A Bill Hick’s doco? Sydney’s first Robot Fair and movie feast? How about some Para(noide) Politics? If it wasn’t for Jamie and Aspa and the crew, these gems would be gathering dust and degrading; even YouTube can’t match the eclectic mix available here. Included under the Mu-Meson banner are Texas Chainsaw Trivia and the perfectly named Miss Death’s Stitch n Bitch – knitting was never so much fun. Best place for keeping the celluloid dream alive and the underbelly culture of our fine city well exposed. (Chris Peken) Parramatta Rd, Annandale  9517 2010, mumeson.org

Best Quirky Venue: Camelot Lounge

I’m not going to spoil your fun but when you go to Camelot, look around you for a moment, then think about the name. Puns aside, Camelot Lounge rose out of the ashes (and a few doors down from) the old Qirkz and has continued on where the old venue left off, great acts –  from cabaret, to world, to blues, to…well anything that tickles Yarron’s fancy – along with fine pizza, chairs and cushions for almost all, and a new licensed bar. The ambience is definitely eclectic, uncle chic (or shiek?) – Camelot is one large lounge room and a venue you can go to on spec. (Chris Peken) 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, 9550 3777 camelotlounge.com

Best Underground Artistic space: 505

This funky little venue started off as an underground club but its popularity quickly forced it to turn legit. If you’re a big fan of Jazz, Roots, Reggae, Funk, Gypsy and Latin, then this place is for you. 505 is an artist- run, artist oriented club aimed at providing performance venues to the community without going too overboard in the drive for profit. They also go out of their way to nurture up-and-comers, so it’s a great place if you want to see something new. It’s a must-see for Sydney’s hipster community. (Jason Marshall) 505/342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills.