No Images? Click here SYDNEY WELCOMES DUTCH GOLDEN AGE MASTERSThe Sydney International Art Series exhibition, Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age: masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum opens tomorrow at the Art Gallery of NSW. Drawn from the Rijksmuseum, the renowned national collection of the Netherlands, the exhibition includes a rare painting by Johannes Vermeer and a room dedicated to Rembrandt van Rijn. As part of promoting the exhibition, the Dutch masters are also featuring on the sides of Sydney buses on major routes to and from the city this month. The NSW Government is pleased to support the Sydney International Art Series via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, which brings artworks by the world’s most outstanding artists exclusively to Sydney for locals and visitors to enjoy. Since its inception in 2010, the Sydney International Art Series (SIAS) has generated more than $134 million in overnight visitor expenditure for the State, and attracted over 1.8 million attendees, with more than 180,000 overseas, interstate and regional NSW overnight visitors coming specifically to Sydney to view the exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).. Pipilotti Rist: Sip my Ocean, which is also part of the SIAS, is on now at the MCA. Both exhibitions run until 18 February 2018. Find out more. Photo credit: Jan Davidsz de Heem, Still life with flowers in a glass vase 1665–70 (detail), Rijksmuseum, on loan from the City of Amsterdam (A van der Hoop Bequest). Images left to right: Jan de Bray, The governors of the Guild of St Luke, Haarlem 1675 (detail); Karel Dujardin, Self-portrait 1662 (detail); Jacob Adriaensz Backer, Portrait of Johannes Lutma, silversmith in Amsterdam (c1587-1669) c1646 (detail); Frans Hals, Portrait of Feyntje van Steenkiste (c1603/04-1640) 1635 (detail), Rijksmuseum, on loan from the City of Amsterdam; Johannes Vermeer, Woman reading a letter 1663, Rijksmuseum, on loan from the City of Amsterdam (A. van der Hoop Bequest); Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, Self-portrait as the apostle Paul 1661 (detail), Rijksmuseum, de Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland; Gerrit Dou, Old woman reading c1631–32, Rijksmuseum, AH Hoekwater Bequest, The Hague.
SOCCEROOS FIGHT FOR WORLD CUP SPOTAustralia will face Honduras tomorrow in the first leg of their final FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play-off, before returning to Sydney for the do or die clash at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, 15 November. The winner of this play-off series will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Russia, so spectators can expect a fierce contest as Australia puts everything on the line. Sydney has been a happy hunting ground for the Socceroos, with Australia securing its World Cup spot through wins in the Harbour City in both 2005 and 2013. The Socceroos’ two FIFA World Cup Play-off series matches against Syria and Honduras were secured for Sydney by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Tickets can be purchased here. EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINSVisitors thinking of going canyoning in regional NSW, but maybe aren’t game enough to try, can experience a virtual version first at the Blackheath Blue Mountains Heritage Centre. Using cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology, it’s now possible to ‘explore’ the Claustral Canyon, one of the most popular canyons in the Blue Mountains, and also one of the most technically difficult to enter when canyoning. Using special VR goggles, visitors can experience the high rock walls and waterfalls, all from the warm, dry comfort of the Heritage Centre. The Centre also offers Outside In, a new interpretative display on the history of the Blue Mountains heritage-listed walking tracks, Aboriginal heritage and the Grose Valley. Find out more. OPERA HOUSE TURNS PINK FOR MARDI GRASTo celebrate the launch of the 2018 program of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Sydney Opera House lit up its sails hot pink on Friday 3 November. Next year’s event will be extra special as Mardi Gras celebrates its 40th anniversary. Mardi Gras began as a celebration turned protest in 1978 and has continued over four decades as a celebration of diversity, acceptance, pride and family. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival kicks off on Friday, 16 February 2018 with 17 sparkling days of parties, performances and family and community events. The highlight is the iconic Parade on Saturday, 3 March 2018, which is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Tickets are on sale now. ARIA WEEK 2017 IS BIGGER THAN EVERARIA Week returns to Sydney for the sixth year from 19 November with its biggest, most dynamic and exciting line-up yet. The program includes special one-off gigs, showcases, conferences and events taking place in and around Sydney in celebration of Australian music, coinciding with the 2017 ARIA Awards. Presented with the support of the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, ARIA Week will once again see Sydney abuzz with the best new artists and ground-breaking music industry conferences. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “ARIA Week is a fantastic celebration of Australian music, and the perfect time to see breakthrough artists perform, and hear industry icons share their expertise. We’re delighted to host this incredible line-up of events and performances in Sydney.” Find out more. THE BALLINA PRAWN FESTIVAL IS BACKThe banks of the Richmond River will come to life tomorrow at the annual Ballina Prawn Festival. Featuring live music, food stalls selling prawn dishes, a boat parade, a raft build and race, a sand castle building competition and prawn shelling contests, it’s a fun celebration of the prawn. The event received funding from the NSW Government’s 2017 Flagship Event Fund, which is administered by the State’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. The Fund offers annual grants of $20,000 or a triennial grant of $27,500 each year for three years for marketing activities aimed at increasing overnight visitation. Find out about the Ballina Prawn Festival or the Flagship Event Fund. BALLOT OPENS FOR NYE FIREWORKS HOTSPOTRoads and Maritime Services is once again giving away tickets to view Australia’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks from one of the best viewing spots in Sydney. New Year’s Eve on the Cahill Expressway is the ultimate family friendly site with great entertainment, fun giveaways and a great range of food. The ballot for the event gives thousands of NSW residents the chance to apply for guaranteed entry into a safe, alcohol-free environment. Anyone can apply for up to five tickets for either the 9pm or midnight session. The ballot closes at 11.59pm on Monday, 20 November. Successful applicants will be notified by email on 7 December. Register here. COME TO THE BAND SPECTACULAR AT LEETONCommunity and professional bands from all over Australia will descend on Leeton this weekend for the town’s 2017 Outback Band Spectacular. Now in its 10th year, the event is organised by local band members and their families and is a chance for town bands to come together to perform. With a packed schedule of performances, bands will play around town, outside local businesses, as well as on an open-air stage in Jarrah Mall, making for a great reason to visit and check out the Riverina town. A highlight of the two-day event is the Mass Band Concert on Saturday night where all the visiting bands and performers come together to play the same pieces of music. Find out more. NEW REGIONAL NSW FOOD AND WINE SCHOOLOrange’s Ross Hill Wines has launched a custom-designed School of Wine and Food, aptly named Barrel & Larder. This new cellar door addition has been designed to attract locals and out of town visitors interested in learning more about the delicious cool-climate wines and the seasonal produce in the region. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall, said Ross Hill Wines had secured $150,000 from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Fund to help fund the new development. "The NSW Government is pleased to support this initiative which will help drive continued visitation to an already vibrant region which in turn supports the local economy and jobs,” Mr Marshall said. Find out more. BRING THE FAMILY |