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SYDNEY SOLSTICE PUTS SOUL BACK INTO THE
CITY THIS WINTER
A country music festival in Newtown, a celebration of Aboriginal song and astrology at Sydney Observatory, a flash-mob style dance program at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and night-time kayaking on Darling Harbour are all part of the new Sydney Solstice event this June.
Launching the Sydney Solstice program at the weekend, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said more than 200 events would showcase the state’s world-class food, drink, music, creative industries and Sydney’s night-time economy.
“More than 150 venues and hundreds of artists, chefs, musicians and performers will be involved in Sydney Solstice from 8 to 20 June, bringing vibrancy back to the city, creating jobs and supporting economic recovery.
“It’s such a rich program of events that really celebrate local talent and creativity, and put a spotlight on popular and emerging Sydney precincts.
“Sydney Solstice will mark the reopening of Metro Theatre, bring an ice rink and art installations to Darling Harbour, and welcome a two-day street festival at the new South Eveleigh precinct featuring food icon Kylie Kwong, demonstrating the innovation and positive impact that is achieved when industry and the NSW Government collaborate.
"This event will give us all the chance to explore new and loved corners of the city, support local businesses and connect with the community," Mr Ayres said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said Sydney Solstice was a great example of the NSW Government’s commitment to CBD revitalization.
“We’re breathing life back into Sydney again and events such as Sydney Solstice not only drive foot traffic to the CBD and surrounding precincts, they create jobs and energy in the business community.
“Our recent CBD Summit highlighted the need for more initiatives to encourage people back to the city and this one is a reminder our global city is open for business night and day, for work and play.
“By engaging event owners and venues in a program like this, there are significant flow on benefits for suppliers, staff and the entire Sydney visitor economy," Mr Perrottet said.
Sydney Solstice is a NSW Government initiative, managed by Destination NSW, with the event program developed through expressions of interest from industry.
View the Sydney Solstice program at sydneysolstice.com
Industry leaders gather to celebrate the launch of Sydney Solstice: Restaurateur and South Eveleigh Ambassador Kylie Kwong; restaurateur, chef and co-owner of ARIA, Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen Matt Moran; Editorial Director, News Prestige - Vogue, Vogue Living, GQ Edwina McCann; Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres; Editorial Director, premium food and travel - delicious. Escape, Travel + Luxury Kerrie McCallum; restaurateur, chef and TV personality Colin Fassnidge; and CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Albert Kruger.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
SYDNEY CBD AND SURROUNDS
- Immersive multi-sensory ‘Queen’s Feast’ dining and art experience by Heaps Gay at Sydney Town Hall featuring all female chefs including Sarah Tiong, Anna Polyviou, Georgia Woodyard and Claire Van Vuuren
- A world premiere work by William Barton, pairing live music with stargazing at the Sydney Observatory
- The return of performances at Sydney live music mecca, Metro Theatre
- Interactive art installations and dance performances in Chinatown
- A celebration of local seasonal produce and NSW wines at ARIA restaurant
- PoofDoof featuring Sneaky Sound System at Ivy
- A flash-mob style dance program at the Museum of Contemporary Art
- A series of music, dance, theatre and art events in Sydney’s newest small bar precinct, YCK Laneways
- Late-night DJs, dancing and dim sum from Mr Wong
- Series of Mardi Gras events at Metro Theatre, the first time since 1980 that Mardi Gras is involved in International Pride Month.
DARLING HARBOUR AND SURROUNDS
- A Winter Festival celebration featuring an ice-skating rink, ice-skating demonstrations, daily local musician/DJ performances at Darling Harbour
- A Harbour Garden exhibition of work by Goldberg Aberline Studio and Studio A at the Australian National Maritime Museum - GAS create joyous, large scale public art and Studio A provide professional development to artists with intellectual disability
- Fireworks displays each weekend
- A Craft Beer Festival at the Terminus Hotel, Pyrmont
- Night-time sea kayaking launching from Darling Harbour.
NEWTOWN AND SURROUNDS
- From 18-19 June, the streets of South Eveleigh will come alive as local restaurant heroes such as Kylie Kwong, RaRa Chan, and Steve Costi’s Famous Fish are celebrated, and music, entertainment and live performances fill the streets with colour and excitement
- The inaugural Country and Inner Western festival showcases the best emerging and established country, alternative country, bluegrass, folk, Americana and blues artists across an array of small bars, pubs, established venues and open spaces.
OXFORD STREET AND SURROUNDS
- A two-week celebration of all things fermentation – brewers, winemakers, bakers and cheesemakers at Bitter Phew bar on Oxford Street
- ALTAR Danceteria at Hotel Harry is a two-week long celebration of music, food, dance and light, encompassing a range of bespoke events across different musical genres
- A street party in Paddington featuring roaming performers, live-music and local food and wine
- FBi's flagship electronic music show 'Sunset' heads out of the studio to host two intimate live broadcast events at Surry Hills’ Golden Age Cinema and Bar, featuring performances by Simon Caldwell and friends, Deepa, Ben Fester, Kato and friends.
