The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide
The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide is a growing collection of people, organizations, projects, books, ideas and ongoing conversations about cities and the people who shape them. It grows out of the podcast, but extends well beyond it—connecting the people doing the work, the places where it’s happening, and the ideas, experiments and resources worth carrying forward. Think of it as part reference library, part trail of breadcrumbs: a way to follow the conversation wherever it leads.
Explore by type, browse alphabetically or by date, or search for something specific. Follow the tags to discover connections—or explore the map to see where the people, projects and ideas in the Field Guide take us.
Big Swoop
One of Canberra's most loved pieces of public art, Big Swoop is a larger than life sculpture of an Australian magpie pecking a chip.
The cheeky sculpture sits in the city's Petrie Plaza and is a nod to Canberra's unique urban wildlife. It was created by Canberra resident and artist Yanni Pounartzis and unveiled in 2022.
Sitting at 2.4 metres high and 3.5 metres long, Big Swoop is Canberra's contribution to Australia's list of "big things".
Uchimizu
Uchimizu (打ち水) is a traditional Japanese practice of sprinkling water on streets, sidewalks, and other outdoor surfaces to cool the surrounding area. As the water evaporates, it draws heat from the pavement and air, offering a simple, low-tech response to hot weather. Historically, the practice has also been associated with suppressing dust and welcoming guests.
Bowl Plaza
Bowl Plaza in Lucas, Kansas, turns the public restroom into roadside attraction, public artwork, and community project all at once. Covered in elaborate mosaics and shaped with a healthy sense of humor, it offers an exuberant answer to a rarely asked city-making question: why shouldn't the bathroom be memorable?
Lezlie Lowe
Lezlie Lowe is an author, strategist, consultant, and journalist; a professional communicator with decades of experience. Her work, voice, and the issues she amplifies often centre on urbanism, gender dynamics, and the intersection of the personal and the political.