It’s hard to know what to do after work sometimes… when you’ve got The Z Factor and Please Date My Horribly Awkward Son doubling up on TV, how could you possibly consider heading back outside?! Luckily, we’re keeping our eyes out to bring you the best, brightest, and usually cheapest stuff on the Sydney arts and culture scene.

So when the lure of comfortable pants and reality TV threatens to maroon you on the shores of mediocrity, FBi’s culture guide has got you sorted…

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Get dark with art that matters

Soda-jerk’s video installations explore death through the dark matter lurking behind screen stars. ‘Dark Matter’ was recently penned by The Guardian as a video-masterpiece of the 21st century. You don’t wanna miss a masterpiece, do you?

WHAT: Soda-jerk exhibition special weekend opening
WHERE: UTS Gallery, Level 4, 702 Harris St, Ultimo
WHEN: Saturday 1pm – 5pm
HOW MUCH: Free

The Time That Remains, Soda-jerk 2012

Feel the pre-love

This one’s for the ladies. With 50 stalls packed with one-off vintage rags, start next week in pin-up perfection.

WHAT: Round She Goes
WHERE: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road
WHEN: Saturday 10am – 3pm
HOW MUCH: $2

Discover something new

With 10 000 smackaroonies and a resume-worthy achievement up for grabs, this year’s John Fries Memorial Prize not only rhymes, but promises to deliver some incredible new works of art. Check out the 22 who made the cut here.

WHAT: John Fries Memorial Prize for emerging visual artists 2013 finalists exhibition opening
WHERE: Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence st, Sydney
WHEN: Saturday 10am – 5pm
HOW MUCH: Free

Sophia Egarchos, Levels #2 2012

Step back in time

The Fifties Fair is back, celebrating everything from classic cars to rock ‘n roll. There’s a barber for the gents and Boogie Bop Dames for the ladies, and food by Porteno will keep you jiving long into the afternoon.

WHAT: Fifties Fair
WHERE: Rose Seidler House, Wahroonga
WHEN: Sunday 10am – 4pm
HOW MUCH: $30 / $25 Concession pre-sale only

Get dramatic

Simon Stone’s writing breathes fresh life into August Strindberg’s play Miss Julie while Leticia Cáceres and Brendan Cowell bring its conflict to the stage. Miss Julie tells the tale of a privileged woman and a working-man, both seeking control of their lives and using each other to get it

WHAT: Miss Julie preview
WHERE: Belvoir Theatre
WHEN: Sunday 6:30pm (running until 6th October)
HOW MUCH: $65 / $45 concession / $29 student rush

Don’t forget to tune in to Arvos on FBi for more Culture Guide– each weekday at 4:30pm.