Valentine’s Day with a Twist — Forget chocolates and roses! Gift yourself (&/or your chosen dance partner/friend/family) a day of joyful movement creative connection and meaningful conversations. We’ll weave stories dance with mortality and explore the many ways to approach funerals and living wakes — all held in a warm LGBTIQ+ led space.
🕘 Doors open at 9:45am for a 10:00am prompt start
Event Schedule & Highlights:
💃 10:00am – 11:30am |
Memento Mori Danse Macabre Movement Workshop with Diane Busuttil
Facilitated by Diane Busuttil founder of Creative Caring Australia this movement workshop draws on the historic Danse Macabre tradition to explore mortality through dance and embodiment. Diane’s extensive experience in socially engaged dance and community wellbeing invites you to reflect on death’s universality through creative physical movement that connects body memory and meaning.
❤️ 12:30pm – 2:00pm |
Memento Mori Heart Hoop Weaving & Creative Stories with Jewelz the Hoola Doola
Join Jewelz A Hoopz — Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist performer and death doula — to weave a heart-shaped hoop catcher that you can fill with memories. Bring photos mementos words feathers or materials of your own to personalise your creation or use the supplies provided. Spin the heart weave it and let’s dance with life and mortality together. Heart hoops tape wool and strips of materials will be supplied. Jewelz uses movement storytelling and art to help communities engage with mortality and legacy with joy and compassion.
🧵 2:30pm – 4:30pm |
Cark It Café a Death Café focus on Funerals Living Wakes & Endings Unwrapped
We’ll welcome a guest speaker (TBA) to share insight into the rituals of funerals and living wakes — helping us reframe these traditions with openness joy and personal meaning.
As we turn toward greener more sustainable outlooks there are many choices we can make for our final send-off. Making these decisions while we are living — and having conversations with those who will carry them out — takes the stress out of guessing what your wishes might be during a time of grief.
Once upon a time getting buried six feet under was the norm. Cremation has since taken over but other options now exist — green burials eco-friendly cremations and many other options. And of course if you want to join in the party you might want to think about a living wake before you “Cark It”!
We’ll discuss all things funeral — so you know your options whatever path you choose.
Holding Space at Cark It Café
We’re joined by Jude Tynan (she/they) a skilled and compassionate Mental Health Social Worker and Family Therapist. Jude specialises in working with the LGBTIQ+ community survivors of adult and childhood trauma complex family dynamics and relationship difficulties.
From 12:30–4:30pm Jude will be there to simply sit listen and hold space.
👉 Learn more: opendialogue.com.au/jude-tynan
🎟️ Workshops are ticketed: FREE - $39 — from single tickets to day packages.
Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds — please email Jewelz at [email protected] to make arrangements.
☕ The Death Café is FREE but you must register to attend. You’ll also have the option to make a non-tax-deductible contribution to help cover event costs — should you wish to support.
This event also supports Myeloma Australia in memory of my Big Bad Baba — you can donate here: 🔗 justgiving.com/page/jewelz-cark-it-cafe
Acknowledgements & Gratitude
This project is supported by the City of Sydney Creative Grants and the Dying to Know Day grants.
Big thanks to:
- ACON The Love Project
- Daisybox® — for donating the strong simple and sustainable cardboard casket made from recycled cardboard weighing just 7kg and designed to be personalised with messages artwork and love.
- Palliative Care NSW
- Dying to Know
Come dance weave and create at the third stop on the Cark It Café journey — where storytelling and movement meet mortality and every step brings us closer to celebrating life and death with joy.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
East Sydney Community and Arts Centre, 34/40 Burton St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia, Surry Hills
