Swimming & Singing in the City with Christa Hughes

In Episode 4, Ruby catches up with the talented and wildly entertaining Sydney singer and performer, Christa Hughes.

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Christa reminisces about accompanying her late father, the jazz pianist, Dick Hughes, at concerts at iconic venues in Sydney and remembers the cicadas, honeysuckle, jazz and chocolate rousses of her childhood. She shares her favourite spots for ocean swims and discusses the best places for live music in Sydney- when open.

Show Notes

In NSW and Sydney, Football refers to Rugby League.(8:42)

Christa's father - Dick Hughes played at the Sydney Opera House during it's construction (10:09). Later he played played Gymnopédies by Erik Satie in the concert hall of the finished building. (10:30)

Christa likes to take advantage of Sydney's swimming spots. Some of her favourites include:

• Shark Bay at Neilson Park. A small, almost hidden beach in an exclusive suburb. (3:30)
• Bondi beach and Ícebergs'ocean pool (19:36)
• Clovelly beach (5:41)
• Bronte beach and bogey hole - a few beaches north of Maroubra, where Ruby met up with Chris Cody (5:58)

Insider tips for Sydney Nightlife from Christa including free music in pubs and more eclectic venues. 

• East Sydney Hotel (22:13), Cnr Crown &, Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
• The Hollywood Hotel (22:36), 2 Foster St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
• Shakespeare Hotel (23:51), 200 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
• Camelot Lounge, Marrickville Rd & Railway Parade, 103 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
• Gasoline Pony, 115 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
• Lazybones Lounge, restaurant and bar, 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
• Moshpit (Rock'n'Roll), 642A King St, Erskineville NSW 2043

Then there is the El Rocco Room (24:58), 22/154 Brougham St, Potts Point NSW 2011, where you might find Ruby and Christa post-lockdown... grab a piece of pizza next door - or at the bar.