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GLOBAL GAME CHANGERS IN TOWN FOR VIVID SYDNEY
Vivid Sydney is gearing up for a blockbuster weekend with Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee and internationally revered relationship expert Esther Perel touching down in the Harbour City.
The first week of the largest festival of Light, Music and Ideas in the Southern Hemisphere has been incredibly popular, with hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying the world-famous Light Walk, vibrant Vivid Music events and inspiring Vivid Ideas forums and masterclasses.
Vivid Sydney 2019 has attracted international attention with festival content reaching 8.4 million people online and news articles published across Asia, the U.S. and Europe. Further, the exclusive live stream of The Cure – playing at Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE – attracted hundreds of thousands of views worldwide.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney was an Australian tourism “phenomenon”.
“Vivid Sydney is now a ‘must visit’ festival for international and domestic travellers, and the calibre of talent involved in this year’s event is testament to its global appeal,” Minister Ayres said.
“More than 330,000 people attended the opening weekend of Vivid Sydney 2019 – that’s 100,000 people more than attended the entire inaugural festival in 2009. With most construction banners in Alfred Street removed and wider concourses it is much easier to explore the Circular Quay precinct.
“There are still so many fantastic events coming up for Vivid Sydney, including the sold out Game Changer talks with global trend-setters Spike Lee and Esther Perel this weekend. But never fear, there are still plenty of Vivid Music and Vivid Ideas events for visitors to book, plus the entirely free three-kilometre Light Walk throughout the CBD from Darling Harbour to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.”
The international focus continues this weekend with these key events:
How To Talk About Climate Change (1 June, 10.30am – Museum of Contemporary Art)
The Hidden Pulse moving image program featuring work from the M+ collection in Hong Kong (29 May to 2 June – Sydney Opera House)
Moussa Diakite, modern Malian music (1 June, 8pm – Venue 505)
Artists in Conversation: Emerging Lights, meet Zara Pasfield, third-generation Australian-Chinese Juune and Indigenous performer Gambirra Illume (1 June, 11am – Chatswood)
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer Sandra Chipchase said the international impact of the festival was significant.
“Vivid Sydney celebrates the Harbour City as the hub of creative services for the Asia Pacific region, which is demonstrated by the fact that it attracts world-class thought leaders, artists and performers from right around the globe,” Ms Chipchase said.
“In addition, visitors from around the world stream into Sydney to experience this unique festival, take in our outstanding food and beverage offerings, and explore our world-famous iconic sites. In 2018 we had tens of thousands of visitors from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the US and Singapore attending Vivid Sydney.”
Vivid Sydney runs from 24 May to 15 June, 2019. For a full list of Vivid Music and Vivid ideas events, as well as maps and detailed precinct information, visit www.vividsydney.com
PIE-PARTISAN LAUNCH AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Members of NSW Parliament have gathered with pie-makers from the Southern 'Pielands' Highlands to officially launch Pie Time 2019, a month-long celebration which takes place across the month of June.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres was joined by the Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith and the Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman in the Speaker's Garden to mark the occasion.
They met with a strong contingent of Pie Time participants including local bakers, pie makers, wine makers and tourism operators who travelled from the Southern Highlands to explore what's on offer at this year's Pie Time, and give guests a sample of the region's tasty pies.
Mr Smith opened the event, praising the efforts of Destination Southern Highlands in helping drive tourism in the region.
"It's campaigns like 'Pie Time' which have seen tourism to the Wingecarribee area grow over the years, and since March 2011, we've seen an increase to nearly 584,000 international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors to the region - a growth of 43 per cent."
Minister Ayres also recognised the impact of the NSW Government's work across the State to drive regional tourism.
"In NSW, tourism is the lifeblood of our State, contributing more than $31 billion in total overnight expenditure to our economy and employing more than 171,000 people. The passion and innovation of our local producers vignerons, chefs and restauranteurs are the backbone of this vibrant industry."
Steve Rosa, Destination Southern Highlands Group Manager Tourism and Economic Development was excited to launch the event, speaking to the growing success of one of the region's signature events.
"The month of June has now become known as Pie Time in the Southern Highlands - a celebration of the great Aussie pie where there are 30 days and 100s of ways to enjoy and experience pies."
Pie Time runs from 1 to 30 June in the NSW Southern Highlands. For more information on Pie Time, visit pietime.com.au
Picture: Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres, Destination Southern Highlands Group Manager Tourism and Economic Development Steve Rosa and Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith.
BILLY ELLIOT ACTORS ANNOUNCED
The producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have announced the four young actors who will play the title role in the multi award-winning smash hit’s 10th Anniversary Australian Tour.
Sharing the celebrated lead role are Wade Neilsen (12), Omar Abiad (12), River Mardesic (10) and Jamie Rogers (12). The boys were cast following extensive auditions, and after months of intensive rehearsals will alternate in the role of Billy in the Australian tour of Billy Elliot the Musical. All four boys are making their professional debut.
The Australian tour will premiere at Sydney Lyric Theatre from 10 October 2019.
Australian producer Louise Withers said: "On behalf of the International and Australian Producers, it is a delight to announce these four amazing young actors. The rigorous training they have already undertaken, to be successful in becoming Billy, is astounding to watch and it is a delight to have these boys join the company, and to watch them embark on a journey which will provide a life experience and a performance experience which cannot be equalled. Australia will be amazed."
Featuring music by the legendary Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has been seen by over 12 million people worldwide.
Buy your tickets to the Australian premiere in Sydney at billyelliotthemusical.com.au
Pictured: River Mardesic, Wade Neilsen, Jamie Rogers, Omar Abiad (credit: James D. Gordon).
ROCK 'N' ROLL COMEDY TO CLOSE SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
The 66th Sydney Film Festival has announced the Australian Premiere of Yesterday, a rock ’n’ roll comedy by Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) as the Closing Night Film at the State Theatre on Sunday 16 June.
Yesterday follows a struggling singer-songwriter who wakes after a mysterious blackout, to discover that The Beatles have never existed. Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, Jack’s fame explodes – at the risk of losing the one person who always believed in him.
Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill), the film stars Himesh Patel (EastEnders) alongside Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), and appearances by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and television host James Corden.
Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley said, “The Festival is delighted to close with Yesterday. It’s exciting to see such internationally-renowned filmmakers joining forces for this joyous film that explores music, dreams and friendship that will resonate with Festival audiences.”
The Closing Night Gala will include an awards ceremony announcing the winners of the Sydney Film Prize, the Documentary Australia Foundation Award, Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, the Event Cinemas Australian Short Screenplay Award and the UNESCO, Sydney City of Film Award.
The 66th Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Destination NSW.
Book tickets here.
BEACH TO BUSH RUGBY IN ORANGE
Sydney’s premier rugby competition is headed west, with a First Grade Shute Shield clash taking place in Orange tomorrow for the third-consecutive year.
Australia’s oldest district rugby union club, Easts Rugby, is hosting three matches against Gordon Rugby Club, with the support of the
NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
About 200 club players and staff will be travelling to the region for the event, which plays a crucial role in strengthening grassroots ties between the State’s country and coast.
The First Grade clash will kick off at 3PM tomorrow at Wade Park in Orange, or watch the game live on 7Two in Sydney or Prime Two in regional NSW.
FINAL CHARLIE
TICKETS ON SALE
The Sydney season of the spectacular new musical Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to an end, with the season extended due to huge demand until 21 July.
Sydney secured the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory through the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film including “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray.
Don’t miss out on this spectacular show – tickets available here.
WORLD'S FINEST CHOIRS COMING TO SYDNEY
Gondwana World Choral Festival is set to be the greatest gathering of international choirs in Australia this century, as more than 1,000 young singers from some of the world’s finest choirs meet in Sydney to join in song and celebrate 30 years of Gondwana Choirs and Sydney Children’s Choir from 15 to 21 July.
The new week-long festival brings together extraordinary young singers from Canada, China (including Inner Mongolia), Estonia, France, Japan, Latvia, the USA and around Australia to perform two gala concerts at the iconic Sydney Opera House and a series of performances at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
For tickets and more information, please visit Gondwana World Choral Festival.
WATCH WHALES FROM NSW PARKS
Visitors to coastal NSW national parks are being encouraged to keep an eye out to sea as tens of thousands of whales start their annual migration north.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said NSW has more than 860 national parks and reserves, many of which are great coastal vantage spots for whale watching.
"During May to November, more than 30,000 Humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of Antarctica to the warmer waters off north east Australia to mate and give birth before heading south again," Mr Kean said.
Learn more at VisitNSW.com.
PREPARE FOR A NEW ERA IN WELLNESS
Luxury resort brand One&Only has introduced an exclusive global partnership with leading wellness and beauty brand, Chenot.
The new offering at One&Only resorts will provide a complete holistic approach to wellness, with guests receiving tailored treatments based on in-depth scientific research.
Guests will be offered bespoke programmes to tailored nutritional menus, fitness schedules, targeted spa treatments, stress relieving activities to cosmetic beautification and more.
Learn more about the partnership in this video.
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!
A series of cold fronts has brought fresh snow to the NSW Snowy Mountains, leading to one resort opening its snow fields a week early.
Both Thredbo and Perisher are benefitting from the seasonal change, with low temperatures and strong winds coating the region in a blanket of white.
The official snow season will be underway in just over a week when families take advantage of the Queen's Birthday long weekend to head up the mountains - though Perisher has already opened its snow fields to the public.
Head to VisitNSW.com for more information about how you can plan your trip to the snow.
