What's On in Sydney

Why am I here? What is my life for? What—if anything—does it mean? Ecclesiastes, “the strangest book in the Bible,” begins with the argument that our life on earth is pointless, that we spend it working hard for “vanity,” for nothing better than vapor—and then die and disappear into oblivion. In the 1960s the themes of Ecclesiastes profoundly moved a young Jewish American boy, starting him on a quest for meaning that led him to the Bhagavad-gita, India’s preeminent book of wisdom. Today, after following the teachings of the Gita for more than forty-five years, that young boy, now old and wiser, looks deep into Ecclesiastes again. Vanity Karma Jayadvaita Swami, has won the 2016 Benjamin Franklin gold award for the best book in the “religion” category. The award was announced by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the authority for the awards, at a ceremony on April 8 in Salt Lake City. The IBPA is the largest publishing association in the United States. Nearly 1,400 entries from across the publishing industry were submitted to the 2016 awards program for consideration. Come, Join for an enlightening conversation on Vanity Karma with Jayadvaita Swami— an evening of wisdom, music and over a karma-free vegan dinner.

Jordan Astra is a Canadian-Indonesian singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto, crafting a vibrant blend of uptempo R&B, modern funk, and soulful pop deeply influenced by jazz harmony and live-band performance. Known for his rhythm-forward arrangements, tight grooves, and melodic storytelling, Jordan’s sound draws from artists like Anderson .Paak, Jamiroquai, Kaytranada, and Bruno Mars, while carving a lane that is distinctly his own. After spending eight formative years in Australia developing his artistry and refining his musicianship, Jordan returned to Canada to release Man From East (2023), an intimate, reflective project capturing his cross-cultural journey. His 2024 follow-up Far Deeper became a breakthrough moment, earning millions of streams and establishing him as a rising voice in the global R&B/funk landscape. Now signed to LA-based Mind of a Genius Records and Toronto’s Sincerely Management, Jordan celebrates his latest album Time Will Tell (2025), the final instalment of a three-part trilogy exploring identity, evolution, and the joy of movement. On stage, Jordan performs with a dynamic four-piece band, delivering a high-energy show rooted in live instrumentation, jazz-influenced arrangements, improvisation, and feel-good danceability. Whether poolside, in a club, or on a festival stage, Jordan Astra creates music that lives in the sweet spot between groove and storytelling, inviting audiences into a world shaped by culture, rhythm, and the timeless spirit of soul and jazz. ____________________________________________ We acknowledge that this event is held on the stolen lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.