Five inspiring events to catch during Live from YCK: Front and Centre

When: Sat Aug 27, 10-11am
Where: Barrack Street
How much: $20

Pickling, preserving and fermenting are coveted culinary skills du jour, but starting out can feel intimidating (no exploding jars, please!). Don’t miss a chance to learn from the best, as beloved Annandale café Cornersmith’s very own pickling queen Alex Elliott-Howery delivers a hands-on class on the Saturday morning. She’ll teach you to turn excess vegetables into crunchy, zingy homemade pickles with a crash course in vinegar choices, flavour combinations, sterilisation, heat processing and safety that will set you up for a lifelong pickling passion. You can expect plenty of delicious tastings and time for questions along the way.  

When: Sun Aug 28, 10-11am
Where: Barrack Street
How much: $20

We’re currently right in the thick of truffle season, if you couldn’t tell from all the funghi-showered dishes drenching restaurants across Sydney in fragrant, funky aromas. Dive into the coveted culinary ingredient at a Sunday morning Truffle Masterclass hosted by Wendy and Alex Burdis from Ganymede Truffle Estate in the Southern Highlands. The organic farmers will talk you through microclimates, truffle grading and aroma classification, with lucky attendees also given the chance to try heavenly products made by artisan producers, from truffle burrata by Banksmeadow's Latteria Deni to truffle charcuterie by Whole Beast Butchery in Marrickville.

When: Aug 27 & 28, noon & 3pm
Where: Barrack Street
How much: $20

While the esteemed cocktail bars of YCK Laneways will always have you sorted for a good tipple, being able to make your own is a sought-after superpower. At raucously fun workshop A little bit shaken, a little bit stirred!, female pioneers of the Australian craft distilling industry will inspire you with their passion, knowledge and career tales before kicking off the party with tastings and cocktails. Drinks writer Christina Butcher is on hosting duties as Nip of Courage owner Kathleen Davies supplies Australian spirits and Bloodwood chef Claire Van Vuuren brings the snacks.

When: Fri Aug 26, 6-10pm
Where: Barrack Street
How much: $20

Sydney Fringe has curated an extravaganza of rock, soul, pop and disco for the first night of Live from YCK. Headlining the night is provocative Brisbane-based performer Jaguar Jonze – the firebrand pop-punk songwriter whose debut album Bunny Mode is out now. Jaguar Jonze is supported by producer-instrumentalist JOY of ‘Smoke Too Much’ fame, as well as Tongan princess Kilimi with her baile and Afro sounds, and Wollongong indie quartet Pirra fronted by the irrepressible Jess Beck.

When: Sat Aug 27, 6-10pm
Where: Barrack Street
How much: $20

Saturday night’s musical lineup is curated by Veer East – a queer, female-led agency known for their innovative programming and spotlighting of female and gender non-conforming DJs, musicians and artists. The festivities kick off at 6pm with Welcome to Country and live painting with Lotte Alexis Smith, before heralding a succession of underground and rising talent that is sure to supercharge your playlists with new faves. There’ll be tunes from Farnozz, Dylan Atlantis, Boy Soda, Baschoe and Flywaves plus spellbinding moves from silk dancer Bella Fuego and a joint dance performance from Sela Vai and Fetu Taku. Headline act Becca Hatch will then take to the stage at 9pm with a silky R&B set. Keep an eye out for projection mapping on the heritage building beside the stage – a light installation by Darkcinema.