St Mary's Cathedral Christmas Lights

St Mary's Cathedral will be turned inside out with projections of stained glass windows and the nativity, usually seen in the church's interior, projected onto the sandstone structure's 75-metre southern facade in the annual Christmas light show.

This year's theme is inspired by a number of cultures, creative director at AGB events Anthony Bastic said. ''We're celebrating … how light is used to celebrate Christmas around the world,'' he said.

 '

'It's a really nice way to celebrate this traditional story and then we're juxtaposing that with the spirit of Christmas.''

Music and animations tell a story of Santa, who creeps into a child's dream and brings toys to life. Planes string tinsel, toy cannons shoot brightly coloured baubles and toy soldiers march past to help decorate the Christmas tree.

The rich hues are illuminated by 12 projectors shining 26,000 lumens of light onto the cathedral.

''They use the very latest in digital technology so the machines they have are extremely bright … it's almost like daylight you're putting onto the building,'' Mr Bastic said. The light display will run daily from 8.30pm to midnight until it closes on Christmas Day.

Birds of Tokyo - Live in Gladstone, QLD

One Night Only - Birds of Tokyo perfrom in Gladstone, QLD

Nationally acclaimed, multi-platinum rock band, Birds of Tokyo take to the new Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre Event Stage on Thursday February 6 2014 for CQ’s epic concert event, ONENIGHTONLY.

Support on the night by special guests – Mackay’s Chasing the Jeffery, Brisbane’s Barefoot Alley and Gladstone’s favourite band, being reformed for just this show, Epidemic Over.

You’re in for five hours of Australia’s best contemporary rock with full concert sound and lighting.

TIME: 6.30pm – Doors open 6.00pm
TICKETS: $85


*NB – All ages event – 18+ patrons will be issued a wristband to ensure bar service

Book This Event

Darling Harbour all set to float pontoon designed by fabric architect

By David Wheeldon

A new floating pontoon venue has been approved for Darling Harbour, Sydney, designed by fabric architect Warwick Bell from Fabric Structure Systems.

Named Dockside Pavilion, the contemporary, fabric-draped structure will be located on an anchored floating pontoon, where it will serve as a substitute venue for events while the Sydney Convention Centre is being redeveloped.

The pavilion is a partnership between Dockside Group, the Darling Harbour Alliance and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

The designers behind the pavilion are internationally recognised, including for Louis Vuitton's 150th Anniversary Trunk, a suitcase shaped venue which has toured various cities worldwide, and for The Cloud in Auckland, which featured prominently during the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Christopher Drivas, managing director, Dockside Group said the Dockside Pavilion will play an important part in attracting locals and tourists to visit the Darling Harbour area during the redevelopments.

“With capabilities to host numerous and diverse events, including conferences, business events, charity gala events, festivals and public events, the Dockside Pavilion will offer event organisers an exciting new option,” Drivas said.

He added: “We felt it was important for us as long-term tenants of Darling Harbour to support the industry and the businesses around us during this time of transition. We are looking forward to hosting many exciting and wonderful experiences.”

Source: http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/darling-harbour-all-set-to-float-pontoon-designed

Lion King crowns Sydney capital of theater

SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua)-- Opening this weekend to packed houses and civic excitement, the Lion King stage production has seemingly completed Sydney's ascension as the Asia-Pacific's capital of the stage musical.

Sydney's usually dour Taxis are painted as giant Simba Lions; children are dragging about lion soft-toys and even the local government has been keen to bathe in the warm glow of popularity that the latest in a string of international productions has created in Sydney.

The locally created production of one of the world's most popular stage musicals, The Lion King, opened its Australian exclusive run this week at Sydney's Capitol Theater, seemingly crowning Sydney as a major live performance capital of the world.

A thrilled State Minister for Tourism, Events and the Arts, George Souris, told Xinhua that the show would out perform even the most successful shows to have toured through Sydney in the last years -- and that includes world-beaters like Wicked and Phantom of the Opera.

"Fans of this phenomenally successful musical, from Sydney and across Australia, have welcomed The Lion King with open arms, resulting in record breaking ticket sales," he said.

The Minister's office anticipates that the Australian production entirely exclusive to Sydney - will generate about half a million ticket sales, with around 50,000 interstate and international patrons traveling to Sydney to see the show.

The State's tourism and events unit, Destination NSW, told Xinhua that the number of visitors alone means an injection of 28 million Australian dollars into the state economy.

The Disney organization anticipates that the cumulative economic impact to NSW will be about 100 million Australian dollars confirmation that the stage musical sector is booming and only likely to grow in the coming months.

That bodes well for the launch of the musical adaptation of one of Australia's most loved and iconic films Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, which will hit the stage here next year.

The build-up to Strictly Ballroom's long-awaited arrival has reached fever pitch after delays have pushed back the opening night because of Luhrmann's constant tweaking of his Hollywood blockbuster The Great Gatsby; and an already packed stage calendar with the two Kings -- the King Kong musical in Melbourne, and Sydney's Lion King taking precedence.

When Strictly Ballroom was released, it gained 13 Australian Film Institute (AFI) nominations, winning eight categories.

The Lion King by comparison is an international blockbuster and the highest-grossing stage show in the world, with more than 70 million people having enjoyed the musical since its Broadway premiere in 1997.

The highly-regarded live show is the winner of more than 70 major international awards including, six Tony Awards in 1998 and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

Sydney's Lion King is the 22nd production worldwide and the 10th production running concurrently, the highest number in the show's history.

Certainly, this is one of the biggest productions ever to open in Sydney and the capacity of these events to drive tourism, create jobs and grow the local economy is never missed by decision makers.

Now in its 16th year, The Lion King continues to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.

Since its Broadway premiere on Nov. 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been watched by more than 68 million people and, cumulatively, run a mind-boggling 96 years.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/entertainment/2013-12/14/c_132967855.htm

Bruce Springsteen Live in Concert - AllPhones Arena, Sydney

After delivering in March 2013 what many critics and fans declared the ‘greatest rock and roll show on earth,’ Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced they are headed back to Sydney in 2014 for their most extensive tour of our shores to date.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band brought the Wrecking Ball tour to Sydney earlier this year on their first tour Down Under in more than a decade, performing three hour plus shows.

Said Springsteen’s long-time manager and producer, Jon Landau:

“Our shows in Australia earlier this year were among the very best and most satisfying of our whole 128 show tour. 

The crowds were tremendous, the fans as warm, friendly, and welcoming as we could ever hope for, and the quality of the performances, as virtually every reviewer commented, were spectacularly high."

WITH SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS:

- HUNTERS & COLLECTORS REFORM FOR SPECIAL MELBOURNE ONLY SHOW
- JIMMY BARNES - AUCKLAND ONLY
- DAN SULTAN - MELBOURNE & HUNTER VALLEY ONLY

When: Wednesday 19th February 2014

Where: Allphones Arena, sydney

Pricing:

Front Standing – General Admission: $227.90
A Reserve: $227.90
B Reserve: $196.00
C Reserve: $129.40
D Reserve: $99.70

Tickets Onsale Now!

Metro Hotel on Pitt is currently running an accommodation compeition - the prize is Tickets to see Bruce Springsteen in Concert in Sydney

Carols Under the Bridge 2013

An authentic carols event beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge

One of Sydney's biggest and fastest growing Christmas events, Carols under the Bridge (that's the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in case you were wondering) is a relaxed carols event that's all about the festive season. There's no celebrity host, no showbiz singers, just music, food, activities for the kids, and 4000 fellow revellers.

Two concerts will be taking place over the course of the day. The first will start at 5.00pm, with performances from Dave Halls Band, who are a seven-piece jazz band. While they are playing, there will be face-painting and games for the kids.

Children are encouraged to attend the event

At 7.30pm the more traditional Christmas carols concert will begin. It will run until 9.00 and everyone is encouraged to sing along to classic carols like Silent Night, The First Noël and O Holy Night. Free songbooks can be collected as you arrive.

Throughout the evening there will be food stalls selling all sorts of beverages, snacks and meals on the Milsons Point side of the event. You may also choose to get something to eat at one of the local cafes and restaurants.

If you're thinking of attending this year's Carols Under the Bridge, public transport is the recommended way of getting there, as the thousands of people who are expected to attend should make your chance of finding a place to park your car pretty slim.

Tyrannosaurs Exhibition - Australian Museum Sydney

Tyrannosaurs' is the first exhibition in the world to shine a light on this legendary dinosaur family. If you thought you knew tyrannosaurs, guess again. 

While the most famous member of this family was the mighty T-Rex, tyrannosaurs come in all shape and sizes, including Guanlong, the 'Crown Dragon' and the diminutive Dilong, the 'emperor dragon', with a skeleton that is only 1m long. 

With fossil specimens from China and North America that have never been seen in Australia and stunning life sized skeletons and models, Tyrannosaurs tells the story of this celebrated dinosaur family in a completely new way. Using cutting edge technology, 

Tyrannosaurs is the first exhibition in Australia to feature augmented reality, and hands on and multimedia experiences that will engage and excite children and adults alike. 

Tyrannosaurs tells the story of this celebrated dinosaur family in a completely new way. Using 'cutting-edge' technology, augmented reality, hands-on and multimedia experiences that will engage and excite children and adults alike.

Don't be late. Book now! Exclusive to Sydney for a limited time at the Australian Museum! Stay and see packages from $86*per person per night
From prices based on twin share midweek ticket   at 3-star property. Prices cannot be guaranteed.

Exhibition from: Sunday 23 November 2013 - Sunday 27 July 2014
Block out day applies for Christmas Day.

Don't be late. Book now! Exclusive to Sydney for a limited time at the Australian Museum!

For more information: tyrannosaurs.com.au

Where:

Australian Museum

6 College StreetSydney, 

NSW  2000 

tyrannosaurs.com.au 

Phone: (02) 9320 6000