Insights - 27 May 2022
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LIGHTS ON FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2022!
Sydney lights up tonight for Vivid Sydney 2022, the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere.
Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW. It will run for 23 spectacular days, from 27 May to 18 June 2022.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Tourism and Sport and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “There is something for everyone in this year’s awe-inspiring program, with 50 dazzling light installations and 3D projection artworks, more than 111 eclectic music events and 85 thought-provoking ideas talks and immersive workshops.
“Vivid Sydney draws millions of people into the Harbour City’s CBD, which will provide a shot in the arm for businesses and a smile on the faces of festival-goers.
"With your support we can boost our live performance venues, bars, restaurants, cafes, retailers, attractions, hotels and businesses in the city who have done it tough over the last two years. This is a time to come together, to shake off the last couple of years and to get reacquainted with the beauty of Sydney and be inspired and amazed by Vivid Sydney 2022.”
To find out more information, book tickets and plan your visit click here.
Public transport is not just the best way to travel to and from this spectacular event, but will also be part of the action this year.
For the first time ever, Central Station and the Goods Line Tunnel, a forgotten historical landmark, will be part of Vivid Sydney 2022, offering an illuminating glimpse into Sydney’s rich transport history.
The Goods Line Tunnel beneath Central Station, which first opened in 1855, will be transformed into a modern convergence of lights, lasers and smoke effects with more than 100 laser lights - the largest laser installation in Vivid Sydney history.
Central Station’s iconic ceiling and clock tower will also be lit up, while the Grand Concourse will be the stage for a series of free live music performances each Saturday night.
Extra public transport services will operate during the festival as large numbers of visitors are expected to travel to the CBD to enjoy Australia’s largest light show spectacular.
To plan your trip using public transport click here.
EXPERIENCE FIRST LIGHT TONIGHT
Vivid Sydney will launch with First Light – a Welcome to Country and celebration of our First Nations people and their culture.
Shaped by Creative Advisor Rhoda Roberts AO and featuring an especially commissioned dance piece by NAISDA, this powerful opener unfolds tonight from 5:40pm until Lights On at 6pm in Campbells Cove, with Sharing the Same Life Essence, Gadigal story-telling projections on the southern pylon of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Sydney Opera House sails will also be illuminated tonight with a ground-breaking digital artwork, Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, 2021.
The stunning animation is a collaboration between the East Pilbara-based Martu Artists and Sydney-based creative technologists Curiious, bringing to life the Parnngurr community in Western Australia and its surrounding landscape.
The launch of First Light and the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails coincides with National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June 2022.
KEN DONE'S LOVE LETTER TO SYDNEY
Ken Done is leaving his mark all over Customs House, one of Sydney’s iconic heritage buildings, during Vivid Sydney 2022.
Created in collaboration with a team of animators from creative studio Spinifex, the installation - For Sydney With Love – is a bright love letter to the beloved artist's hometown.
“I've lived [here] for most of my life and I am totally in love with Sydney," said Mr Done. "I live beside Sydney Harbour. To make a series of works that are ‘For Sydney With Love’, it's absolutely perfect for me."
The projection will see Mr Done, crayon in hand, colouring in the details of Customs House. Like a live illustration, the building will come to life before moving into some of the artist's signature scenes of the city.
“The majority of my works are about Sydney: about the harbour, about the beach, about the flowers, the lifestyle, the diversity of all of the great things that happen in what I think is the greatest city in the world,” said Mr Done.
Pictured: Ken Done with Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini.
FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY AT VIVID SYDNEY
A fun-filled Vivid Sydney 2022 will inspire little hearts and minds with an array of Light, Music and Ideas events designed to let children’s creativity and imagination run wild.
With the longest continuous Light Walk in Vivid Sydney history, featuring immersive and interactive installations, this year's program is sure to entertain and delight.
Wild Lights at Taronga is back, with creatures from land, sky and sea emerging in a visual spectacle through the magic of light at Taronga Zoo.
Luna Park Sydney’s iconic ferris wheel will also light up again in celebration.
Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “You’re never too young to soak up the essence of Sydney’s soul and what makes it truly unique. Vivid Sydney transforms the CBD into a live canvas, which we hope inspires little hearts and minds to learn more about our people and place. This year children will love installations they can interact and play with, including Bump in the Night and Vivid Reflections. Plus, of course, Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park will be fun with a range of entertainers from 5pm every Saturday.”
ALL THE FREE FUN AT VIVID SYDNEY
The most famous part of Vivid Sydney won’t cost you anything to see. The Light Walk covers Sydney’s most iconic buildings, illuminating them in a wash of brilliant colour.
Stretching for a record 8km, the Light Walk features works from 114 artists along the route. It starts at Central Station, which will be part of Vivid Sydney for the first time in 2022, and runs through the centre of the city to Circular Quay.
Every Wednesday to Saturday night during Vivid Sydney, a mix of Australia’s top musical acts as well as local up-and-comers will take to the stage at Tumbalong Park in Darling Quarter.
Former railway line The Goods Line is now one of Sydney’s unexpected urban spaces and for Vivid Sydney it will transform again. DJs will create a Vivid Sydney soundtrack playing everything from house and electro to blues, funk, Bollywood, salsa, hip hop and more.
If you’ve ever wanted to dance beneath the soaring arches of Central Station’s Grand Concourse, this is your chance. Every Saturday during the festival, Vivid Music at Central Station will come alive with brass bands, folk music and traditional Gypsy tunes. Stop off on your way to or from the Light Walk for a quick spin.
Sydney is a city with a million stories to tell and you can hear some of them at the new Vivid Ideas Up Late program. Spread across some of the city’s top venues (including the Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Australian National Maritime Museum) these late-night events cover everything from the history of queer Sydney to our obsession with wellness, all celebrating what and who makes the city unique through talks, music, performance and art.
Give your teens the chance to connect with their community away from a screen at Gen Next x Vivid Ideas, a one-night-only, festival-style museum takeover at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Led by the MCA Youth Committee, young people aged 12 to 18 will get a taste of Sydney’s creativity with performances, live music, interactive experiences and the chance to make their own art.
Sometimes the best drama happens offstage and, during live recordings of the fascinating STAGES podcast, audiences will get the inside scoop on Australia’s vibrant arts scene. Listen to producers, costume designers and artistic directors talk to host Peter Eyers about what it takes to pull together globally successful stage productions like Moulin Rouge.
YOUNGEST-EVER ARTIST JOINS FESTIVAL
Ninget Universe, which is projected onto the ASN Clocktower in The Rocks, is the creation of 11-year-old Luca French. This fantastical realm bursting with myriad creatures, inventions and planets will transform the heritage-listed façade with bold, colourful characters. “The Ningets basically invent gadgets and do the things that humans just talk about and don’t get on with, like improving the environment,” he said. This is the first time the landmark has been lit up for Vivid Sydney.
NSW VOUCHER BOOST DURING VIVID SYDNEY
Vivid Sydney is a great opportunity for businesses to boost their income by reminding customers to redeem their NSW vouchers. The NSW Government is helping businesses bounce back from COVID-19 impacts with Dine & Discover NSW, Stay NSW and Parents NSW Vouchers. Businesses that are not already registered can check their eligibility and register online. To assist businesses to promote the vouchers, an updated communications toolkit has also been created.
VIVID SYDNEY LOCAL BUSINESS PROGRAM
More than 70 businesses in Sydney's CBD are dressing their shopfronts with Vivid Sydney assets and promoting exclusive experiences, offers, packages, tours or menus during the festival. It's a great opportunity to shine a light on the retailers, hoteliers, hospitality groups, entertainment, travel and tourism operators. Discover the full list of businesses taking part in this Destination NSW initiative by clicking here.
DESTINATION NSW CREATES GIFS
Vivid Sydney photos and videos were viewed by 621.7 million people around the world in 2019. If you are considering using your brand alongside Vivid Sydney, Destination NSW has created 42 official GIFs to use when generating content. The GIFs can be added to Instagram Stories or Reels and TikTok videos. Be sure to tag @vividsydney for a chance to appear on official Vivid Sydney channels. Click here to watch the instruction video.
VENUES LIGHT UP FOR LONGER AT VIVID SYDNEY
Hospitality venues in the CBD and surrounding areas can have their lights on for longer during Vivid Sydney, as part of special event trading extensions. Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government initiative will support businesses by enabling thousands of people to experience some of the incredible hospitality that Sydney has to offer. Instead of closing at 10pm on Sundays, hotels and registered clubs in the CBD, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Potts Point can serve alcohol until midnight.
GRETCHEN CARLSON SHARES VIVID IDEAS
The Vivid Ideas program will bring together the world’s brightest minds and fearless global storytellers, with more than 85 intriguing talks and workshops on offer. Among the headline guest speakers is Gretchen Carlson, a fearless trailblazer for women’s rights. On 29 May 2022, the American broadcast journalist, author and television personality will discuss with Lisa Wilkinson how her campaign to introduce legislation to end the silencing of harassment victims resulted in new labour laws being passed by the US Government.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE PARTNERS WITH FESTIVAL
Bombay Sapphire is partnering with Vivid Sydney to bring the House of Bombay bar to Darling Quarter. Working with Vivid Sydney Light Walk artist Elliott Routledge and music producer Nicky Night Time, Bombay Sapphire will be offering an incredible sensory experience alongside some fantastic cocktail offerings. The bar will be open throughout Vivid Sydney from 5-11pm each night.
LIGHTS & ACTION ON
THE WATER
During Vivid Sydney, the waters of Cockle Bay will dance with the showstopping Sydney Infinity by Oracle Liquid, an epic water sculpture on a scale never seen before in Australia. Also on the water, Walsh Bay will come alive with a floating Light Walk incorporating the large-scale artwork Ephemeral Oceanic. Visitors will be invited to walk under more than 200 giant, bubble-like spheres hovering in the air.
VIVID SYDNEY SUPPER CLUB LAUNCHES
Mary’s Underground will host the inaugural Vivid Sydney Supper Club every Friday and Saturday night during the festival, featuring a variety style show incorporating musical theatre acts, cabaret, dance, drag, comedy, surprise guests, acoustic pop-ups, jazz, DJs and more. Curated by Trevor Ashley, the event is headlined by talents such as Tim Freedman, Emma Pask and Bob Downe.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARCIA
In a Vivid Music exclusive, legendary Australian music icon Marcia Hines will entertain audiences with The Gospel according to Marcia at St Stephen’s Uniting Church, in Macquarie Street, Sydney. The world-premiere show will see the singer perform with a 12-piece choir and band, set against an atmospheric, bespoke lighting backdrop, celebrating the sounds of her gospel roots from 9-11 June 2022.
CITY OF SYDNEY PARTNERS WITH VIVID X/CELERATE
The City of Sydney is providing funding for the X/Celerate live music program during Vivid Sydney. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The live music and performing arts sectors were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with curtains drawn and venues closed. The X/Celerate live music program, which focusses on supporting diverse artists, venues and audiences, is another way the City is helping our creative community back onto its feet."
CROWN SYDNEY LIGHTS UP BARANGAROO
Indigenous artworks will be showcased along Barangaroo’s waterfront Wulugul Walk during Vivid Sydney 2022, with an immersive display of art projections as the centrepiece of Crown Sydney’s inaugural Vivid Sydney activation, The Gallery. Spectacular lighting projections will create a walk-through experience for pedestrians along the landmark waterfront walkway, bringing to life the works of First Nations students from Blacktown and Redfern.
VIVID SYDNEY HIGHLIGHTS
FASHION’S FLASH: BACK TO THE FUTURE: Sydney-based stylist, podcaster and vintage aficionado Madeleine Park will present Fashion’s Flash: Back to the Future at UTS on 7 June 2022, during the Vivid Ideas Exchange program. Read more
THE BUSINESS OF BAZ: Baz Luhrmann will provide insights into his celebrated career and screen the Sydney premiere of his new movie ELVIS on 5 June 2022 as part of the Vivid Ideas series. Read more
AUDIBLE’S LIVE EVENT SERIES: Audible Live: Stories Made to be Heard will be held over three nights during Vivid Sydney, including talks with Melissa Doyle (tickets here), Adam Liaw (tickets here), Marc Fennell and Laura Nagy (tickets here).
VIVID MUSIC IN EVELEIGH: Carriageworks will present its seventh Vivid Music program, including Estonian rapper and visual artist Tommy Cash, American indie Queer artist Perfume Genius, Japanese all female rock band Chai and Perth’s Alter Boy. Read more
VIVID IDEAS UP LATE: Sydney’s renowned cultural institutions will host a series of free, playful nights that mix talks, performances, fashion, music and food at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum and Australian National Maritime Museum. Read more
VIVID LIVE AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE: Vivid LIVE will feature more than 70 Australian and international artists presented across seven Sydney Opera House venues, including rock royalty Paul Kelly with Time And Tide: Four Decades of Song under the stars on the Northern Boardwalk. Read more
TAKE A CRUISE TO SEE THE LIGHTS: A great way to see the lights is aboard a harbour cruise during Vivid Sydney 2022. You can view all operators here.
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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