Monday April 28
Going out
After taking out an Aria award for their 2011 debut album, the Jezabels have returned to release their sophomore album, The Brink. The four-piece are hitting the Opera House stage to get toes tapping with their moody pop-rock sounds. 8pm, Sydney Opera House, $59, 9250 7777.
Staying in
She's recorded with the Distillers and Spinnerette, but Brody Dalle has only just got around to her first solo album, the hard-rocking, hook-laden Diploid Love. Dalle has lined up an excellent crew of collaborators with Garbage's Shirley Manson, Queens of the Stone Age's Michael Shuman and the Strokes' Nick Valensi pitching in. Out on Caroline.
Tuesday April 29
Going out
The Spanish Film Festival is hitting town and its opening night has the premiere of Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed, followed by a party with free-flowing beer, wine and tapas. The road-trip flick is set in 1966 and focuses on a high school teacher (Javier Camara) who picks up two runaways while on a mission to meet John Lennon. 6.30pm, Palace Norton Street Cinema, 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt, $55, 9564 5620, spanishfilmfestival.com.
Staying in
Young German writer-on-the-rise Judith Schalansky has had her first novel published in English, The Giraffe's Neck. Biology teacher Inge Lohmark might rule her classroom at Charles Darwin High School with an iron grip, but as times change she is forced to confront her own capacity to evolve. $32.99 (Bloomsbury).
Wednesday April 30
Going out
Performance-art legend Marina Abramovic counts Taiwanese-American artist Tehching Hsieh as a personal hero. See what all the fuss is about with One Year Performance 1980-1981 (running until July 6), a collection of the documents Hsieh produced while punching a time clock every single hour for a year. 10am-6pm, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, free, carriageworks.com.au.
Staying in
Judi Dench turns in another beautiful performance in Stephen Frears' touching but never sentimental Philomena, starring as a woman searching for the son she was forced to give up. The New York Times praised the film as "so quietly moving that it feels lit from within". Out today on DVD from Entertainment One, $34.95, rated M.
Thursday May 1
Going out
Producers from Australia's best wine regions will be popping corks and twisting screw tops at Aussie Wine Unearthed. There are more than 100 drops to sample and sommeliers will be on hand to help aspiring oenophiles pinpoint whether it's berry or chocolate tones they're detecting. 6pm-9pm, Ivy Ballroom, 330 George Street, city, $40, merivale.com.
Staying in
Making a television series from a beloved cult film sounds like a straight-up recipe for disaster (think of every single example from the past except Buffy the Vampire Slayer), but everything has gone right for the much-anticipated and Coen brothers-approved TV version of Fargo. The wry crime drama also boasts a wonderful cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks and Bob Odenkirk. 8.30pm on SBS One.
Friday May 2
Going out
The Australian Ballet's double bill Imperial Suite (running until May 17) features two still-stunning works from the 1940s, George Balanchine's Ballet Imperial and Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc. 7.30pm, Sydney Opera House, from $104, 1300 369 741, australianballet.com.au.
Staying in
Chris Lilley's brilliant comic creation Jonah is getting his own upcoming show, Jonah from Tonga. Those who enjoy a good TV-binge watching session are in for a treat as the ABC's iview is making available every episode from the series before they are even shown on television, starting 6pm tonight until 6pm on May 4 at abc.net.au/iview.
Saturday May 3
Going out
The Free Comic Book Day After Party is the perfect way to show a little graphic-novel-geek pride. Luna Park will be overrun by a cosplay parade, comic stands and even a parkour show near the entrance's famous face. 6pm, Luna Park, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, $25, lunaparksydney.com.
Staying in
Merrill Garbus' eclectic musical project tUnE-yArDs has returned with a third album, Nikki Nack. Listen to the joyous percussion of lead single Water Fountain for a taste of the vibrant world-music-influenced tracks. Out on 4AD/Remote Control.
Sunday May 4
Going out
Unsheathe that lightsaber and get along to a marathon screening of the original Star Wars trilogy in honour of Star Wars Day. To those who don't automatically get terrible puns and are wondering why this date was chosen, we say simply: ''May the fourth be with you.'' 2pm, Hayden Orpheum, 380 Military Road, Cremorne, $25, 9908 4344, orpheum.com.au. Staying in Eric Bana appears in crime thriller Closed Circuit as a lawyer who is drawn into dangerous waters while working on a terrorism case. Out on DVD from Universal Sony, $39.95, rated MA 15+.
Hot spot
Inspired by the scandalous underworld of 1920s and '30s Sydney, Mayhem is a one-night-only evening of speakeasy fun. Burlesque dancers, fortune tellers, true-crime storytellers and a grog den will be turning the Justice & Police Museum into a veritable gangster's paradise. Friday, 6pm, Justice & Police Museum, corner Albert and Phillip streets, Circular Quay, $75, 1300 448 849, see sydneylivingmuseums.com.au.
Out of your comfort zone
Plunge into the deep end this Saturday with the launch of Shark Reef Snorkel. The family-friendly dip lets visitors snorkel with reef sharks, sawfish and wrasses, with no diving experience required. 10am and 12.30pm, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour, $95, sydneyaquarium.com.au.
Next week
The Soft Boys' Robyn Hitchcock and The Church's Steve Kilbey have teamed up for a national tour, Insects and Stars. The Reels' Dave Mason is a guest at the Sydney show. May 10, 8.30pm, Metro Theatre, 624 George Street, city, $49.90-$59.90, 9550 3666, ticketek.com.au.
Next month
Creative types and inspiration seekers will want to get along to Semi-Permanent to soak up the general genius pervading the event. International guests speaking this year include artist Mr Brainwash, philanthropic skateboarder Tony Hawk and filmmaker and photographer Cheryl Dunn. May 22-24, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, from $195, semipermanent.com.
