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SYDNEY SECURES HAMILTON
One of the most successful musicals of the decade, Hamilton, is coming to Sydney thanks to the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 130,000 people are expected to visit NSW to see the production.
“This is a huge win for NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Hamilton coming to Sydney demonstrates the global appeal of the Harbour City.
“The musical is one of the most talked about Broadway shows, achieving massive success with a Grammy Award, Pulitzer Prize and a number of Tony Awards.”
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the production is expected support up to 350 jobs and generate more than $84 million in visitor expenditure.
“Hamilton has been described as the hottest show on both Broadway and the West End and is sure to make its mark at the beautiful Sydney Lyric Theatre,” Mr Ayres said.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the NSW Government is committed to attracting the best musical productions to the State.
“We are thrilled that Sydney will premiere one of the world’s most successful musicals, Hamilton. This critically-acclaimed creative masterpiece has captured audiences globally through its unique storytelling and style,” Mr Harwin said.
Hamilton premiered on Broadway in August 2015 and took home 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. It is also currently playing on tour in the US and in London’s West End, where it opened in January 2017 winning seven Olivier Awards.
Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Hamilton’s score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.
Hamilton will be presented at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from March 2021. People interested in purchasing tickets can register their interest on the following waitlist: HamiltonMusical.com.au
Image (L to R): Minister for the Arts Don Harwin, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Producer Michael Cassel, Destination CEO Sandra Chipchase and Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres.
LIGHT'S ON! IT'S TIME TO SHINE FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2019
The time to shine has arrived! It’s Lights ON at 6pm tonight to mark the start of Vivid Sydney 2019, kicking off 23 nights of the largest event of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere.
All eyes will be on the world-famous Sydney Opera House for the Lighting of the Sails, created by LA-based artist Andrew Thomas Huang. His exquisite tribute to Australia’s native plants will feature among more than 50 installations and projections on the Vivid Light Walk, created by over 100 artists and collaborators from 17 countries. These works of art and technology will feature across eight Sydney precincts including Barangaroo, Chatswood, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Luna Park, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Taronga Zoo.
In addition to these breathtakingly beautiful light installations and projections, Vivid Sydney features an exciting program of live music events, seminars and workshops as part of Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas.
Destination NSW CEO and Executive Producer – Vivid Sydney, Sandra Chipchase said with a record number of attendees expected to attend this year’s Festival, there will be something for everyone.
“It doesn’t matter your age or interests, whether it’s your first time to Sydney or you’re a local – Vivid Sydney has universal appeal. The Vivid Sydney program presents spectacular and accessible light installations, music events and thought leadership experiences that everyone can enjoy,” Ms Chipchase said.
Vivid Sydney’s Charity Partner this year is the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section), which is the perfect choice given the record numbers of tourists travelling to regional and remote areas of NSW and the fact that Vivid Sydney has a proud record of delivering visitors to regional areas. In 2018, of those travelling on Vivid Sydney travel packages, nearly 33,000 extended their experience beyond Sydney to visit a regional NSW area.
Vivid Sydney 2019 would like to thank all of its Government and tourism industry partners, and encourages everyone to attend this one-of-a-kind, spectacular show of light, music and ideas, which is on until 15 June.
Visit VividSydney.com to plan your trip.
NOT YOUR USUAL GETAWAY IN PENRITH
Penrith is full of unexpected finds and the NSW Government’s latest marketing campaign in partnership with Penrith City Council is set to entice potential visitors to come and explore it for themselves.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the State Government had matched the Council’s $100,000 contribution dollar for dollar, resulting in a $200,000 campaign for the region.
“Penrith has it all - from outdoor adventures, adrenaline activities, a rich history, diverse arts and culture offering and a thriving food and wine scene,” Mr Ayres said.
“A short drive from Sydney and you can be another world away in a spot that’s perfect for singles, couples, friends and families alike to spend a few nights.”
The Penrith – Not Your Usual marketing program consists of paid advertising focused on digital channels such as social media, video and display that will directly target the adventure seeker audience in Sydney and regional NSW. The paid advertising will be complemented by dedicated PR activity by Destination NSW.
Read more about the new marketing campaign in The Western Weekender.
INVESTING IN THE LOCAL FACES OF TOURISM
More than 150 visitor information staff from across NSW are participating in workshops to support and attract the local faces of the State’s thriving tourism industry – its enthusiastic volunteers.
The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW has joined forces with TAFE NSW to provide nationally accredited volunteer management training in 14 locations throughout NSW involving 55 Accredited Visitor Information Centres (AVICs) throughout the State.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said volunteers are a rich source of information in their local regions and it is crucial to give them with the skills they need to best promote tourism.
“Tourism is big business in NSW accounting for 1 in 22 jobs and, together with the State’s impressive major events calendar, generated an extraordinary $31.8 billion in overnight visitor spending for our economy last year,” Mr Ayres said.
“There is no doubt that volunteers were crucial to this success. They know their local regions better than anyone else and have the enthusiasm and passion to match.
For further information about Accredited Visitor Information Centres across NSW, visit visitnsw.com/visitor-information-centres
DON'T MISS SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Supported by Destination NSW, the Australian premiere of cult classic Saturday Night Fever is in its final weeks and must close at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 2 June.
Saturday Night Fever is based on the 1977 movie starring John Travolta, which follows Tony Manero and his quest to become king of the club. Starring Australia’s Queen of Disco Marcia Hines, along with Paulini and Timomatic, this production is jam-packed with disco classics including the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than A Woman.
Don’t miss out – tickets from $59.90 available here.
SYDNEY FIRST INBOUND STRATEGY WORKSHOP
Tourism businesses in and around Sydney can join the NSW First Inbound Strategy Workshop in The Rocks on Thursday 6 June, to learn how to target overseas visitors by selling through trade and online distribution partners.
The one-day workshop is $50 per person and is part of the NSW First Program, designed by Destination NSW to assist NSW tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell tourism experiences.
SYDNEY AIRPORT LAUNCHES NEW ASSISTANCE SERVICE
Sydney Airport has partnered with Medical Travel Companions to launch a new service, aimed at helping passengers who require extra assistance.
The new service will allow passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond.
These companions provide assistance to passengers including families with young children, people with disabilities, elderly travellers and passengers recovering from injury or surgery, among others.
Passengers seeking assistance can book their companion online.
CENTRAL NSW DISCOVERY PASSPORT
Take the kids on an adventure with the new Central NSW Discovery Passport.
The initiative aims to help families unearth some of the 50 child-friendly attractions and experiences across the region, which begins in Oberon and continues through Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
Families simply stamp their passport and win prizes as they go, with the main Rainbow Prize including accommodation and family passes to the value of $1,160. The Central NSW Discovery Passport is valid until the end of the July 2019 school holidays.
Learn more here.
ENJOY THE ART OF LUNCH
Visit the Blue Mountains on the last Sunday of each month until October 2019 to enjoy a brand new experience, which brings together the very best of fine art, music and culinary delights.
The Art of Lunch will take place simultaneously at several restaurants and galleries within the Greater Blue Mountains region, with each venue offering a different theme, exhibition and performance.
The Art of Lunch guests will enjoy a three-course meal introduced by the chef, a visual art exhibition opened by the artist and a 30 minute live music performance delivered in a concert atmosphere.
Go to artoflunch.com.au for full details.
SOUTH COAST FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Block out 13-15 September in your diaries – the South Coast is putting on a show! Hosted in Berry, the South Coast Food and Wine Festival will showcase the very best the region has to offer.
Award-winning chefs including James Viles from Biota Dining, Nick Gardiner from Hampden Deli & Cooking School and Kelly Eastwood from Eastwood Cooking School will be using some of their favourite local ingredients to prepare menus to be served at their pop-up eateries.
The Festival will also feature the biggest collection of Wineries from Southern NSW, and host a series of masterclasses.
Learn more here.
