Feature / Photo Gallery

Sydney Road Street Party in pictures

Our roaming photographers captured all the colour and excitement of Brunswick’s biggest annual event

A dancer from O’Ziriguidum Escola de Samba. Photo: Mark Phillips

The Water Drops stilt walkers were popular. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

View looking up Sydney Road. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

The Street Party had a family-friendly flavour. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

These Ghanian musicians were a hit with the public. Photo: Mark Phillips

Best view in the house. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Looking for directions? Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Crowds at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Merri-bek Mayor Angelica Panopoulos and Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross, who opened the event with a smoking ceremony. Photo: Mark Phillips

Four legged friends at the Sydney Road Street Party.. Photo: Mark Phillips

Crowds at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Mark Phillips

Cable Ties’ Jenny McKechnie belts out a tune. Photo: Mark Phillips

Buskers outside the Brunswick Ballroom. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Ghanian musicians rev up their audience. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Drumming up a storm. Photo: Mark Phillips

Crowd-pleasers the Hoop Army. Photo: Mark Phillips

Bean bags provided a place to rest weary feet. Photo: Mark Phillips

A dancer from O’Ziriguidum Escola de Samba. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

‘Barbara’ with their hand-made puppets. Photo: Mark Phillips

Cool drinks in the shade. Photo: Mark Phillips

Nothing better than a gelato on a hot day. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Part of the crowd at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Mark Phillips

Audience at Cable Ties. Photo: Mark Phillips

Pinch Points’ Jordan Oakley. Photo: Mark Phillips

Gaaban (Happy) Stage in Michael Street. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Hana & Jessie Lee’s Bad Habits. Photo: Mark Phillips

Jihan Duhoki from Brunswick-based Iraqi cuisine Nohadra’s Kitchen was one of many food outlets that were popular on the day of the Street Party. Photo: Mark Phillips

Looking down from the balcony of the Brunswick Ballroom. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Jungle City Projects dance school. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Aquatico playing on the Engakeng-end (Song) Stage in Glenlyon Road. Photo: Mark Phillips

Red the Clown and friends. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Another four legged friend out for the day. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

The Terrifying Lows performing on the Kulin-bulok (Community) Stage. Photo: Mark Phillips

Brunswick Community History Group. Photo: Mark Phillps

Guitarists outside Volaris Music. Photo: Mark Phillips

Photos by Ai-Ling Chiou and Mark Phillips
Monday, March 6, 2023

IN blazing sunshine, tens of thousands of people filled Sydney Road on Sunday for the first street party in three years.

The long gap since the last Sydney Road Street Party was held in 2020 was no deterrent as Brunswick residents and visitors of all ages soaked up a day of music, food and community.

Even the weather gods were smiling as the festival was blessed with warm and mostly sunny weather throughout, with the first drops of rain falling just as the final acts took to the eight open air stages at 5pm.

Predictions of public transport chaos due to the closures of both trams and trains on Sunday mostly did not eventuate with plenty of staff on hand to provide directions and assistance.

Sunday was officially the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Road Street Party – a milestone that would have been celebrated in 2021 if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revellers took advantage of the good weather to sample the huge variety of food from all over the world and to enjoy music for every taste, from the punkish Cable Ties on the Engakeng-end (Song) Stage to African grooves from Black Jesus Experience on Kulin-bulok (Community) Stage along with and family-friendly entertainment provided by Riot Baby on the Gaaban (Happy) Stage.

Merri-bek Mayor Angelica Panopoulos opened proceedings at midday on Sunday by launching the Brunswick Music Festival, followed by a smoking ceremony conducted by Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross.

Sydney Road was closed between Brunswick Road and Victoria Street for the day, as were cross streets in that area, but traffic flowed smoothly around the site of the street party and by Monday morning there were no signs of the activity from the day before.

As well as a welcome chance for the Brunswick community to come together, the street party was a showcase of the Sydney Road shopping strip, with 140 stalls and food and drink venues in particular doing a roaring trade throughout the day.

“The Street Party brings so many people to our vibrant shopping strip, and we thank everyone from near and far who not only enjoyed the immense entertainment on offer, but also embraced our businesses too,” said Sydney Road Brunswick Association Manager Troy Stuchbree.

She has sax appeal. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Digging for rare vinyl at the Record Paradise stall. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Cooking up a storm at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

A budding photographer. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

DJ spinning some beats. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Climate campaigners were out in force. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Even police officers need refreshment on a hot day. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

Look out behind you! Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

A performer at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

It was all too much for this young reveller. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

A DJ at the Sydney Road Street Party. Photo: Ai-Ling Chiou

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