Sydney Gears Up for Opera House's 40th Anniversary

The sight of the Sydney Opera House lit up in the city's harbour is always a highlight of any holiday to Australia, but this October it will be more special than ever.

That is because the iconic building is celebrating its 40th anniversary and a series of events have been planned to mark the occasion.

Among them is a star studded concert on 27 October featuring the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Opera Australia soloists.

Ending the evening with a rendition of Beethoven's Ninth will be particularly poignant, as it was played when the Queen declared the venue open in 1973.

Dennis Watkins, artistic director of the event, told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'We will honour the past and also look forward.'

A week prior to the concert, tourists will be able to wander around the Opera House as it will have an open door policy between 9am and 1pm on 20 October, with cake and music also provided.

Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced

The producers of last year’s acclaimed tour of The Mousetrap have assembled another stellar all Australian cast to stage one of Agatha Christie's most loved plays, A Murder is Announced.  Featuring Christie’s legendary lady sleuth, Miss Marple, A Murder is Announced establishes firmly Christie’s claim to the throne of detection. The plot is as ingenious as ever, the writing skillful, the dialogue both wise and witty; suspense builds from the very start and is maintained ever so brilliantly until the final revelation.

Judy Farr will play Christie’s much-loved heroine, Miss Marple. 

Joining Judi Farr (in alphabetical order) will be James Beck (City Homicide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Neighbours) as Edmund Swettenham, as Mrs Swettenham, Carmen Duncan (After The Fall, Another World, Winners and Losers), Robert Grubb (Yes, Prime Minister, MAMMA MIA!, We Will Rock You, The Flying Doctors) as Inspector Craddock, Victoria Haralabidou (Stuff Happens, Thirst, Brides) as Mitzi andJamie Kristian (Underbelly: Razor, The Bill, The Crucible) as Sergeant Mellors/Rudi Scherz. The lady of Little Paddocks, matriarch, Letitia Blacklock will be played by Debra Lawrance (Home and Away, Evil Angels, The Memory of Water) with Nathaniel Middleton (Bell Shakespeare) as Patrick Simmons, Libby Munro (Venus in Fur, The Bind, All Saints) as Phillipa Haymes, Elizabeth Nabben (Winners and Losers) as Julia Simmons. 

Capping off a stellar cast is Deidre Rubenstein (Palace of Dreams, Night Letters, Josh Jarman, Siam Sunset) as Letita’s old friend Dora “Bunny” Bunner.

A Murder is Announced is full of twists, turns, mystery and intrigue that will have you guessing till the very end. If you enjoyed the Mousetrap, you wont want to miss Miss Marple as she works tirelessly to solve whodunit in this Christie masterpiece, A Murder is Announced. Coming to the Comedy Theatre, from October 30 for strictly 5 weeks.

SYNOPSIS

In an English village, you turn over a stone and have no idea what will crawl out. The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Miss Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 13th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30p.m.’ A childish practical joke or a hoax? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks home when, at the appointed time, the lights go out and a gun is fired...

WHERE: Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay

Purchase Tickets at Ticketmaster

Gala Fashion Evening to Kick Start Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013 - Metro Hotels

Local designers, fashion students and retailers will take centre stage at a Gala Fashion Evening to be held as part of Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013 in the Metro Hotel Ipswich International Grandchester Ballroom on Friday 25^th October from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.

Wine and canapés will be served at 6.30pm on The Terrace, followed by a Runway Show featuring the best of local and regional fashion design at 7.00pm, a spectacular performance by Ipswich-based Allula Productions’ burlesque show, and the announcement of the winners of the PFAFF Student Design Awards. Stefan Hair Salon will be providing a complimentary Hair & Beauty Bar set up for guests attending the function from 4.30 to 6.30pm.  Bookings are not required.

This premier regional fashion event of the year will showcase the latest creations from local and metropolitan designers and retailers, including Leigh Buchanan Designs, When Freddie met Lilly by Vanessa Hoe, Naked in the Night Clothing Co., Loose Lemur Clothing, Queensland Bridal Design, and ready-to-wear to name just a few.

Metro Hotel Ipswich International General Manager Ted Matthews said the fashion evening was a wonderful way of showcasing the enormous amount of local talent and fashion available in Ipswich, while also providing a great excuse for a night of entertainment for all.

“Ipswich is fortunate to have so much wonderful fashion on offer but we also enjoy getting together for a great night out,” he said.  “The Gala Fashion Evening has been organised to not only celebrate the diversity of fashion and design here in Ipswich, but also to be a night of great fun, fashion and music!”

The 2-day Festival will continue on Saturday 26 October with the Vintage Vixens and Retro Rockabilly Fashion Fiesta in Ipswich City Mall from 9.30am to 1.30pm, featuring a parade of recycled and up-cycled fashion, and numerous stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories.

At 1pm, that same day, there will be a Catwalk Collections parade at Riverlink Shopping Centre, at which designer pieces will be exhibited, along with bridal fashion design and student design award winners.

 

Tickets to the Gala Fashion Evening are $22.00, and are available from Ipswich Events Corporation or you can ring 3812 2974. Guests wanting to stay at the hotel can call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321 or the hotel direct on 07 3812 8077.

Lady Gaga Set for VIP Repeat in Sydney as Southern Cross Austereo Negotiates Deal

Lady Gaga performs her first Monster Ball show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in 2010

IT was one of the must-see events of 2011 and Lady Gaga looks set to return to Sydney Town Hall for a repeat performance.

It's understood radio network Southern Cross Austereo is in talks with the US singer's music label to stage an intimate concert during a break in an upcoming tour, with February the most likely month.
A SCA spokesperson wouldn't confirm the plans.

However, music industry sources say the network is in the final stages of negotiations.

Dubbed the 'Monsters Ball' and staged at Town Hall in July 2011, it was hailed a massive success for SCA as well as commercial partners, Vodafone and MCM Media. The invite-only show cost $1 million.

View Source

Homebake Opera House: Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Presets and Bernard Fanning Among Headliners

Rock everyman: Bernard Fanning will play at Homebake on the Opera House forecourt.

Homebake will be a three-day festival at the Opera House on December 6 to 8

The rumours that 2013 Homebake festival will be held on the steps of the Sydney Opera House have been confirmed by the event's organisers – but that was just the start of changes to the long-running Australian Music festival for its 18th birthday.

Homebake, for 17 years a one-day event, will be run as a boutique festival over three days at the Opera House forecourt, in conjunction with the Opera House’s 40th anniversary.

Paul Kelly and Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day, on Friday, December 6, from 4pm. The Presets and Cat Empire will head a dance-focused bill on Saturday, December 7, and the closing day, Sunday, December 8, has a rock line-up led by Birds of Tokyo, Bernard Fanning, You Am I, The Rubens and the Beasts of Bourbon. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 2pm.

Gurrumul Yunupingu will headline a folk-rock focused opening day. Photo: Rob Gunstone

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

The capacity will be slashed from 20,000 at the Domain to 5000 per day. But organisers say Homebake will still feature other entertainment, such as comedy, market stalls, bars and food outlets.

Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said Homebake co-promoter Michael Chugg was behind one of the first concerts on the forecourt, which featured Stevie Wright, Skyhooks, Richard Clapton and Split Enz.

"Our 40th Anniversary is all about drawing on our heritage, as we launch into the future and the next generation of artists, audiences and visitors to the Opera House.  So it is wonderful to be welcoming Michael Chugg and Homebake onto the forecourt as part of our celebrations.”

Chugg said the Sydney Opera House was ‘‘a special place’’.

“I have wonderful memories of delivering shows from some of the best Australian acts on those very steps, from the ... Concert of the Decade to the Crowded House Farewell To The World tour.’’
Homebake is expected to revert to a one-day festival in the Domain from 2014.

Homebake’s 18th birthday edition is on December 6-8 and takes place at the Sydney Opera House forecourt and surrounds. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, September 25 at 9am, from www.homebake.com.au and www.oztix.com.au

ACTS LISTED AS PERFORMING

Friday, December 6, 2013

Paul Kelly

Gurrumul Yunupingu

Eskimo Joe

Vance Joy

Thelma Plum

Sheppard

Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Presets

The Cat Empire

Architecture In Helsinki

The Aston Shuffle

Way Of The Eagle (featuring guest performers Dan Sultan, Daniel Merriweather, Amy Findlay, Harry Angus & Lachlan Mitchell)

Deep Sea Arcade

Bam Bam

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Birds of Tokyo

Bernard Fanning

The Rubens

You Am I

Beasts Of Bourbon

Kingswood

Courtney

Theatre and Shows in Sydney

There's always a lively calendar of theatre, musicals and other performances to experience on stages scattered around Sydney. Outstanding venues include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Lyric at The Star and the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

In 2013 the Sydney Theatre Company offers a stunning program that includes new productions of Romeo and Juliet, Waiting for Godot and The Maids by Jean Genet while Opera Australia features classical favourites including Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's La traviata. Also performing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House is the Bell Shakespeare Company, bringing to life the timeless works of Shakespeare and other prolific writers throughout the year.

Major venues that host West End and Broadway shows year-round include the Theatre Royal, The Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket and The State Theatre. The Griffin Theatre Company performs new writing theatre at The Stables in Kings Cross while King Street Theatre in Newtown has cabaret, drama, pocket opera, chamber music and more.

The Seymour Theatre Centre also in Newtown, has a wide range of performing arts - drama, music theatre for young people - and is a venue for January's Sydney Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Children's Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival. Riverside Theatres at Parramatta has more than 700 performances a year including opera, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013

Don't Miss the 2013 Ipswich Fashion Festival - Catwalk, Culture and Couture

TICKETS ON SALE NOW – ONLY $22.00 per person. 
PHONE 3812 2974

Metro Hotel Ipswich International
Grandchester Ballroom
Friday 25 October 2913
6.30pm—8.30pm

The premier fashion event of the year! A celebration of the diversity of fashion, design and culture.

Runway Designs by Leigh Buchanan Designs and Vanessa Hoe “When Freddie met Lilly’, Naked in the Night Clothing Co, Qld Bridal Design, Pret a Porter, and the PFAFF Student Design Awards.

Wine & canapés 6.30pm on The Terrace.

Runway Showing:7.00pm

Spectacular performance by Allula Productions

Free Guest Hair & Beauty Bar 4.30pm—6.30pm . Bookings essential.

Tickets: $22.00pp. Phone 3812 2974

All tickets enter the draw to win fabulous prizes.

Vintage Vixens & Retro Rockabilly’ Fashion Fiesta!
9.30am—1.30pm
Ipswich City Mall
Saturday 26 October 2013

Stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories and preloved fashion. Join us for the Prom King and Queen pageant, Vintage Cars, Swing Dance, Fashion Parade, Miss Lindy Charm School, the Sugar Shakers, and so much more.

‘Catwalk Collections’ Fashion Parade
Riverlink Shopping Centre
1.00pm
Saturday 26 October 2013

The Gala Fashion Designs cross the Bremer River. Where high-end fashion meets Ready to Wear. Parade includes Designer pieces, Qld Bridal Designs, Pret a Porter, and the Student Design Award winners.

Sydney Fringe Festival 2013

The largest independent arts festival in New South Wales, the Sydney Fringe Festival, will present a mammoth 300 acts this September. This month long celebration of art, theatre, music and sound, dance, poetry, film and food and wine will be held in over 60 venues across five distinct creative villages on the city's fringe.

The Seymour Centre courtyard will be transformed into 'Emerald City' - the Sydney Fringe Festival hub. Open every Thursday to Saturday throughout the festival, 'Emerald City' will play host to free live music, comedy and cabaret events.

 n the Newtown festival village, festival goers can visit the music venue 'Eliza's Juke Joint,' check out the free 'Artcore Guerllia Artfair' event in the Dendy cinema carpark and have fun reliving their childhood at 'Camp Super Happy Sunshine Fun' at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. 

Leichhardt will play host to 'Equus' at The Forum, a fire based circus act from Circaholics Anonymous and a magic show at AV Union.

In Marrickville, Camelot Lounge will feature a month of live music, including the vocal styles of Abby Dobson, whilst the Factory Theatre will present Fringe Comedy

 Over at Surry Hills, the Slide Lounge will feature burlesque shows and a late night bar, the Old Fitzroy Theatre will have a great line-up of independent theatre and Emma Pask will perform at Venue 505, whilst Lisa Chappell will perform at The Old 505 Theatre.

In the Glebe and Chippendale villages, there will be lots to discover; from artisan food to hidden galleries, as well as live performances, including a fresh comedy line up at Bedlam Bar and exhibitions at White Rabbit Gallery or Matty Grey's Slime Time at the Seymour Centre as part of Sydney Fringe Kids.

Sydney Fringe Festival spokesperson Kerri Glasscock says 'We are thrilled to release our 2013 program. 

This year we have delved deeper into the heart of Sydney expanding our scope not only artistically but geographically. We are excited to offer Fringe visitors more intimate experiences this year as we have discovered hundreds of hidden gems within the city, not only focusing on a terrific arts program but opening up to artisan food, crafts and sub-cultures. We have unlocked the city and invite you all to join us in celebrating the wonderful world that is Sydney's fringe'.

For more information, full program and tickets from 5th August, head to www.sydneyfringe.com

Fringe Accommodation  

Sydney's Festival of the Winds 2013

Sydney's most colourful spring festival

Sydney's beloved kite flying festival, the Festival of the Winds, returns on Sunday 8th September 2013. 

Throughout the day there will be heaps of activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Art displays, flying displays, a full day multicultural entertainment program, roving performers, circus clowns, a real butterfly house, children's rides and inflatables, puppet shows, kite making workshops, food stalls and much more.

One of the largest kite flying festivals in Australia, the Festival of the Winds attracts both local and international kite-makers, flyers and enthusiasts. International guests this year include flyers Karl Longbottom from England, Peter Clark, Craig Hansen and Debby Hansen from New Zealand and Liu Zhiping from Weifang, China. 

There will be fabulous delta, free form and fighter kites from the Australian Kite Flyer Society members who will be showcasing their own designs, huge hand-made character kites as well as kite designs from India, Malaysia, China and Japan.

2012 Festival of the Wind

All festival-goers are invited to fly their own kites alongside the experts; bring along your own kite, purchase one from the kite stalls in park or make your own kite by participating in one of the kite making workshops!

Accompanying the interactive kite activities is an all-day multicultural entertainment program with great music, dance and kid's shows MCed by Sydney's one and only, hilarious comic juggling percussionist; Joel Salom and his sidekick Eric the Dog!

Event highlights include;

• Yellomundee Family Band: a young Indigenous act performing both traditional and contemporary song and dance.
• Sankha Ridma Dance Ensemble: a Sri Lankan group, with dazzling costumes, rhythmic dance moves and phenomenal drumming.
• The Real Mexico: virtuoso Victor Valdes and his Mariachi group perform traditional Mexican music and dance.
• Strings on Fire: an experience like no other, consisting of tango, violins, circus tricks, music and fire stunts!
• Bukhu: Mongolian musician Bukhu will delight you with his unique throat singing and horse-head fiddle.
• Sydney Cook Island Dance Group: expect exuberant and vibrant hip swinging, arm swaying and log drumming.
• Free dance workshops for all to enjoy, including capoeira, zumba, dance fusion, tango and belly dancing.
• Kite Making workshops for all ages, as well as kite stalls.

Grease is the Word - Grease Starts October 12th Sydney

Starts October 12th at Sydney's Lyric Theatre

GREASE is still the word, as Australian theatre producer John Frost today revealed the cast and tour dates for his new multi-million dollar production of GREASE.

In the lead roles of Danny and Sandy are musical theatre favourite Rob Mills and rising star Gretel Scarlett. Rob Mills made a name for himself in musical theatre performing Fiyero in the Broadway blockbuster Wicked in Melbourne and Sydney for two years, and will join GREASE after starring as Warner Huntington III in the hit musical Legally Blonde in Brisbane and Melbourne. Gretel Scarlett has played support roles in Wicked and Mamma Mia! and is excited to take on her first starring role.

Bert Newton returns to his radio roots to play the role of slick veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine, while Todd McKenney dusts off his dancing shoes to star as Teen Angel, the good-looking, falsetto voiced, Fabian lookalike. The role of All-American, rock-star student at Rydell High, Johnny Casino, has gone to Anthony Callea, returning to the musical theatre stage after success in Rent and Wicked. Rizzo, the leader of the Pink Ladies, will be played by Lucy Maunder (Dr Zhivago, The Threepenny Opera), and Kenickie will be played by Stephen Mahy (Jersey Boys, I Will Survive). The cast also includes Francine Cain (Frenchy), Chris Durling (Doody), Sam Ludeman (Sonny), Duane McGregor (Roger) and Laura Murphy (Jan).

“GREASE is one of my favourite musicals, and with this top draw cast of musical theatre stars I have no doubt it will again be everyone’s favourite party musical,” John Frost said. “I’m thrilled that Rob  Mills will be our Danny, straight from his success in Legally Blonde, and that we have found a new leading lady in Gretel Scarlett. Both Rob and Gretel gave sensational auditions, and our UK creative team knew instantly that they were the ideal Danny and Sandy. And it’s wonderful again to be working with the wonderful Todd McKenney, the talented Anthony Callea and, for our sixth musical together, the irrepressible Bert Newton.

What can I say about this cast – You’re The One That I Want!”

GREASE will open at the Sydney Lyric from October 13, 2013.

GREASE is the Number One Party musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more.

So get ready to dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as “bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again.

You can purchase tickets to Grease in Sydney at Ticket Master

Perth Evolving to be Style Capital Says Josh Goot

PERTH is evolving into Australia's style capital, according to one of the country's hottest designers.

Internationally adored, Sydney-based designer Josh Goot said Perth had a growing fashion culture and a "captive consumer".

"There is a burgeoning domestic market in Perth, as well as tourist dollar that I'm sure is alluring established international brands," Goot, who flies into WA next week to open the new-season runway show for high-end fashion boutique Ricarda, said.

"Perth, like Sydney and Melbourne, has great relevance as an Australian style capital.

"It has a unique and Australian identity, plus great proximity to the rest of the world."

Goot's comment comes as Leederville  one of the metropolitan area's emerging centres of cool  prepares to hold its first fashion festival on Thursday night.

Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan said the event, "Constellations", was a chance for up-and-coming local designers to show their work. Models will replace mannequins in shopfront windows displaying the latest fashions from a selection of WA designers from 5pm.

A fashion runway show will also be held in the Laneway between Funky Bunches and Kailis Restaurant at 7pm.

Among the emerging designers in the festival are Ariana Davis, Stott & Sims, On A Whim, SeaWolf Design, Katherine Young, Emily Murco, Dear Maurice, Chaka Leyla, ARA, Nicole Marrington and Jewel Designs.

The designs will be showcased by models from SCENE Models.

There will also be an after- party upstairs at the Leederville Hotel from 8.30pm-10pm.

When Dad Married Fury – By David Williamson

Featuring – John Wood, David James, Drew Tingwell, Annie Last, Nell Feeney, Tanya Burne and Jan Friedl.

Watch out because here comes the bride…Incongruous brothers Ian and Ben are on their way to Sydney to visit their recently widowed father. Three big surprises are in store when they arrive at his 75th birthday celebrations.

The ‘Old Man’ is worth $100 million. He’s gone and married Fury, an American beauty queen half his age. There is no pre-nup…With his trademark wit and skilful blending of contemporary culture within the ageless framework of family greed, jealousy, love and expectation, Australia’s leading playwright David Williamson delivers another gripping play and his most memorable characters to date.  Is there more to the beautiful Fury than meets the eye? Is Alan the father he thinks he is? Do Ben’s loyalties lie with his wife, his dad or himself? Can Ian contain his greed long enough to get a signature on the right will? And who is to blame for the death of Ben’s father-in-law?  One thing is for certain: everything changed when Dad married Fury.

Check out the Promo Video for When Dad Married Fury

Find Nearby accommodation at Metro Hotel Ipswich International