Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour | Opera Australia | Aida

A setting like this demands a spectacular opera, so prepare for a performance of huge proportions. A royal love triangle, a war, and the famous 'Triumphal March' with Egyptians en masse will light up the waters of Sydney's magnificent harbour.

HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

In Aida, Verdi masterfully puts the intimate affairs of the heart against the grandeur of the universe: where kingdoms rise and fall and the sands of time grind onwards.

What grander setting could there be for such an opera than Sydney Harbour itself: awash with the light of the city and the Sydney Opera House silhouetted against the setting sun?

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has become a huge part of the cultural landscape, combining all of the things Sydney does best: world-class opera, fine dining, sunsets and spectacle on the harbour's edge.

It's a monumental undertaking, with a team of more than 700 people involved in the project before a single note is heard over the harbour.

Aida is the biggest opera we've ever performed on the opera stage. But amid all of the spectacle, the famous 'Triumphal March', battle scenes and ancient temples, there's an emotional heart.

Long after the fireworks have faded from the sky and Amneris sings her quiet, concluding prayer, you'll see the true mastery of this opera: it is at once an historic epic and an utterly relatable human tragedy


THE STORY

A rebellion is brewing on Egypt’s borders, and for both the oppressor and the oppressed, loves and loyalties are about to be tested.

Egypt needs a hero to lead their army, and the High Priest has chosen Radamès. Egypt’s fortunes will turn on his sword, but Radamès has a higher purpose. Through victory in battle, he hopes to win the hand of the beautiful slave girl Aida – handmaiden to the princess Amneris, and secretly, an Ethiopian princess.

Aida is torn between her love for the Egyptian hero and her despair for the country he must march against – her homeland.

And the Princess Amneris, who also desires Radamès, is beginning to have suspicions that her hero might prefer her slave…

As Radamès returns to Egypt in triumph, Aida is greeted with a terrible sight – her father, the King of Ethiopia, is among the slaves.

Just when all seems lost, the King of Egypt deals another blow: promising the triumphant Radamès his daughter Amneris’ hand.

On the banks of the Nile, the lovers arrange to meet one last time.

But the conquered Ethiopian King has a plan to save his country. Aida has to make a devastating choice.

In the darkness, the King’s plan, Aida’s conflicted heart and Radamès’ steadfast love collide in a devastating finale.

VENUE LOCATION AND EVENT DATE

OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR, FLEET STEPS,
MRS MACQUARIES POINTMARCH
27 – APRIL 26, 2015

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Jeffrey Tambor joins Sydney's Spectrum Now festival line-up

Richard Roxburgh and Tim Ross at the Spectrum Now launch at Carriageworks. Photo: Nick Moir

Richard Roxburgh has always said that Sydney's newest arts festival, Spectrum Now, would be one of surprises. And at the official launch of the festival at Carriageworks Wednesday night, Roxburgh delivered on his promise.

As glasses clinked and speeches were made – by creative director Roxburgh himself, as well as Andrew McEvoy, Fairfax Media's Managing Director of Life Media and Events – it was revealed that Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor, who won a Golden Globe Award this year for his role as a family patriarch transitioning to become a woman, was joining the festival line-up.

Tambor – who has starred in some of TV's most acclaimed comedies, including Arrested Development and The Larry Sanders Show – will sit down with Roxburgh for a Q&A event this March. 

"I'm a huge admirer of Jeffrey's work," says Roxburgh, "and as an actor whose career has spanned some truly incredible film, theatre, and TV – from heading up the Bluth family to playing a transgender family-man in Transparent! I'm really looking forward to picking his brains about that amazing life."

Tambor is joined at Spectrum Now by US actor and filmmaker Chris Rock (who will speak after a screening of his latest film, Top Five, in a special satellite festival event this Thursday), Britain's Alan Rickman (who will present his newest film as director, A Little Chaos, at two showings) and local arts stars such as painter Del Kathryn Barton, musician Bertie Blackman, comedian Tim Ross, Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, and Shaun Gladwell.

The festival, which officially kicks off on Wednesday March 11, will be centred on the Spectrum Playground in the Domain, a free outdoor festival hub with live music, art shows, arts markets, a cinema, a 'Nosh Pit' featuring food from some of Sydney's best restaurants and, Roxburgh assures us, more surprises.

Guests at the launch were given a taste of what was to come at the three-week festival, with Tim Ross hosting ('Rosso' will indulge his passion for architecture with a comedy show that takes place in Harry Seidler's North Shore penthouse) and Bertie Blackman performing.

For Spectrum Now, Blackman – the daughter of painters Charles Blackman and Genevieve de Couvreur – has created a playlist of songs to accompany you on your next tour through the Art Gallery of NSW.

Louise Schwartzkoff, editor of The Sydney Morning Herald's Saturday Spectrum section, said the launch was the culmination of months of hard work bringing her pages to life. "The festival is such a fantastic extension of what we do in Spectrum every week," she said. "We love offering readers an insight into Sydney's cultural life, and this is an opportunity to take that to a whole new level."


SPECTRUM NOW HIGHLIGHTS

The Spectrum Playground

Music on the Spectrum Stage, movies in a pop-up Golden Age Cinema, an Arts Market and Nosh Pit for foodies. The Domain, March 11-22, Mon-Wed 5pm-10.30pm; Thu, Fri 5pm-late; Saturday 12pm-late; Sunday 12pm-9pm.

Marie's Crisis

It's the Broadway piano bar known for wild, boozy nights of legs-on-the-piano showtune singing, and it's coming to Sydney, pop-up style. QT Parlour Lane Roasters, March 19-28 (get in early – limited capacity).

Orfeo Ed Euridice

Silvia Colloca: actress, cookbook author… and opera singer. Shannon Murphy directs Colloca in her return to opera in a show that will unfold throughout the Art Gallery of NSW and feature food and wine. Art Gallery of NSW, March 14-29.

The Full Spectrum

A series of talks on love and collaboration (with Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton), the art of the critic and cultural crushes (with Stephanie Alexander, Ben Quilty and Peter FitzSimons). Walsh Bay, March 22-27.

The Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now presented by ANZ runs March 11-29
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UFC Melbourne to be a Regular Event, Debut at Etihad Still up in the Air

In November, the UFC are bringing their first pay-per-view blockbuster to Australia since 2011, but there's no certainty that it will be inside Melbourne's 55,000 seat Etihad Stadium.

"We haven't made the final decision as to whether or not our event on November the 15th will be at Etihad Stadium, or at a venue like Rod Laver Arena, because we don't really know who's going to be on the card." Tom Wright, the UFC's Director of Operations for Australia told MMA Kanvas. 

"We haven't made the final decision as to whether or not our event on November the 15th will be at Etihad Stadium, or at a venue like Rod Laver Arena"

The big wigs at the Nevada-based promotion are well aware that they only get one chance to make a first impression, so Wright is still confident that they can bring a landmark event to "the sporting capital of the world." 




"I'd love to see a couple of championship fights and go to Etihad," Wright revealed 

"I rely on the best matchmakers in the business - Joe Silva and Sean Shelby, and obviously they make those calls though." 

MMA Kanvas has since contacted Etihad Stadium, who confirmed that there are currently no eventsscheduled on November 15th, the day UFC plans to make the Melbourne premiere. 

That's not to say that the UFC don't have a placeholder on the venue, but officially - nothing is "booked". 

"The great thing about Melbourne is there are some fabulous venues here. Rod Laver Arena is a fabulous venue, Hisense Arena is nice too. There are many, many different opportunities for us." Wright added.




Wright, the former commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL), has been making regular trips to Australia for a number of years. 

During those visits, he has serves as the de facto figurehead of the promotion in Australia, and landed the unenviable task of trying to sway the opinion of stubborn politicians as to the "cage ban" and its application to MMA in Victoria.

When Labor Sports Minister John Eren made the official announcement of the cage ban being overturned this morning he was admittedly "thrilled". 

"We have been working on this for a long time," he added "And we've always felt that when you provide facts and statistics and argue from a basis of objectivity that it was a question of when, not if, this day would come." 

Wright, along with many others, have fought long and hard to unlock Melbourne as an option for UFC events. Now they expect Victoria to become a regular stopping point on the company's growing schedule of events. 

"There are certain cities around the world that can handle a regular (event), and we think Melbourne is one. Not too dissimilar to Sydney. We've been coming since 2010 and we've been to Sydney four times and I feel that Melbourne is a world-class city and it's the kind of city we'd love to have as a regular fixture." 

While this is a fantastic day for Wright and his team at the UFC, the war still isn't over yet. Western Australia is still in the dark, and is now the only state that disallows mixed martial arts bouts inside a cage. 

For Wright, it means he has to put on the figurative boxing gloves back on and return to battle, but he's optimistic that Victoria changing their tune will speed up the process of overturning the final cage ban in Australia. 

"With Victoria seeing the light, if I can use that term, and becoming more enlightened about fighters safety and fighter equality, we'll use those points to argue that W.A should follow suit." 

"I think on my next trip down here I will make it over to W.A. We will continue to put forward out arguments of ensuring there's a safe environment for our athletes to compete in, and a fair environment." 

The UFC will first head to Adelaide on May 10, with Wright shooting down rumours that the promotion will also host an event in Sydney in 2015. 

"I haven't heard of that rumour, so I can confirm it isn't true." 



See more at: http://melbournecbdhotels.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/ufc-melbourne-to-be-regular-event-debut.html#sthash.UckkfKRr.dpuf

Japan Festival Returns to Perth

The annual Japan Festival of Perth returns this weekend!

The Japan Festival of Perth is a free event which celebrates the long history of friendship between Australian and Japanese people.

This year, the Festival will be held on Saturday 7 March from 12:30pm-8:00pm in Forest Place, Perth.

Click here to view the program!

There will also be heaps of Japanese food, craft and goods stalls for you to visit including Japanese souvenirs, anime and cosplay goods and a chance to try origami and even a shateki darts game!

Yummy Japanese food that will be available at the Festival include: udon, yaki-soba and ramen noodles, takoyaki (octopus balls), kaki-gori (shaved ice with sugar syrup), okonomi-yaki (Japanese pancake) and of course, sushi!

There are significant Japanese nationals working and studying in Western Australia and also some are living on a permanent basis raising their Australian families.

The numbers are growing, reflecting the long history of friendship between the two nations.

The Japan Festival Association in Perth Inc. (“JFAP”) was established in 2013 as a non-profit organisation with an aim to raise the overall Japanese profile in WA.

As part of its activities JFAP reached out to these communities to look for ways to become more closely involved with and to contribute to this beautiful multi-cultural society.

The idea of Japanese “MATSURI” (meaning “festival” in Japanese) was launched as an opportunity to realise this dream under the name of the Japan Festival Event.

Click here for more information on the Festival! View the video below from last year's Festival!

The matsuri is a free event with lots of fun for kids and families as well as adults, offering a great opportunity for the Perth community to experience one of the most important cultures of Japan.

Nomanslanding Darling Harbour - Centenary Of Anzac Sydney

Together we journey across the water, to face ourselves and our past.

Join us for Nomanslanding; a free interactive and reflective experience to commemorate the Centenary of ANZAC.

At the centre of this world-first event is a breathtaking installation that will be floating on Cockle Bay. Traverse the pontoon bridges and be taken on a poetic journey of a soldier’s experience during wartime: confrontation and conflict, fighting and falling, time slows and life speeds past – no man’s land.

Created by five international artists and initiated by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Nomanslanding will make its debut at Darling Harbour this April, and later in the year travel to the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and the Ruhrtrienniale in Germany.

Nomanslanding Installation
Cockle Bay
11am – 7pm
Thu 2 Apr – Sun 3 May
FREE

Nomanslanding Public Program 
Various Locations
Thu 2 Apr – Sun 3 May

Nomanslanding is just one of many unique events proudly presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority each year, which attract millions of visitors and provide an important contribution to the NSW economy.

Nomanslanding is a free interactive and reflective experience that will commemorate the Centenary of ANZAC, 1 April to 31 May, 2015.

At the centre of this world-first event is a breathtaking installation that will be floating on Cockle Bay.

HOW THE IDEA WAS DEVELOPED…

In January of 2014 three curators came together; SHFA creative producer Michael Cohen, Katja Aßmann and Lorenzo Mele. They invited European and Australian artists to Bundanon, to collaborate in a laboratory environment with experts from urban planning, social geography, maritime archaeology and marine engineering fields. It was here that the idea for Nomanslanding was born.

Created by five international artists (Robyn Backen, Andre Dekker, Graham Eatough, Nigel Helyer and Jennifer Turpin) and initiated by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Nomanslanding will make its debut at Darling Harbour this April, and later in the year travel to the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and the Ruhrtrienniale in Germany.


HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Discover Darling Harbour’s history from pre-European settlement and a time of great industry to the big personality you meet today. More info


PYRMONT BRIDGE

The amazing story of Darling Harbour’s Pyrmont Bridge. More info

Madonna to tour Australia for the first time in 23 years

It has been almost a quarter of a century since her last performance on Australian soil - now, at the age of 56, Madonna is set to return as part of her Rebel Heart tour.

Billboard has confirmed that the Living for Love star will visit Asia and Australia in early 2016. She is touring to promote her 13th studio album, which will be released this week through Interscope Records.

The last time Madonna played to Australian audiences was in 1993, when her Girlie Show: Live Down Under tour rocked crowds at the Sydney Cricket Ground in what became an HBO special broadcast on television.

Madonna will kick off her tour in North America, with 25-30 shows, starting in Miami in August. She will then head home to Britain and Europe for a further 25-30 shows beginning in November through to late December.

Dates have not be established for the Australian leg of the tour, however a statement on Madonna's website says they will be announced soon.

"Madonna continues to be one of the most successful touring artists in history - her shows are legendary and we are thrilled to have her going back on tour," Arthur Fogel, the president of Global Touring and chairman of Global Music, said.

As to her touring Australia, Fogel told Billboard that it was "kind of bizarre when you think about it, that a superstar like that hasn't been to a pretty regular touring area for [almost] 25 years."

Madonna has garnered a reputation as one of the most successful live performers. Her 2008/2009 Sticky & Sweet tour is the highest grossing tour of all time for a solo artist.

She was recently in the news after she tumbled down a staircase during a live performance at the Brit Awards in London following a wardrobe malfunction.

Source: www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/madonna-to-tour-australia-for-the-first-time-in-23-years-20150302-13t5s5.html

Madonna touring Sydney, Australia in 2016

Counting Crows Add Brisbane Show To 2015 Australian Tour

American rockers Counting Crows have blessed their Aussie fans, with a Brisbane show now part of the group’s 2015 Australian headline tour, which is taking place around their Bluesfest 2015 appearances. The one-off Brisbane concert is slated to take place on Sunday, 12th April.

Having just wrapped up a US tour, Counting Crows are ready to return down under with their renowned live shows. The tour will see performances of hits from the band’s 20-plus years in the business, including Mr. Jones, Accidentally In Love, Big Yellow Taxi and Colourblind.

Counting Crows last performed headline shows in Australia in 2013, around their last Bluesfest appearance. This time around, the group will also be showing off material from their latest full-length release, Somewhere Under Wonderland. The album, which was released in September last year, marked the band’s first new material since 2007.

Counting Crows’ 2015 Australian Tour

Fan Club pre-sale available from midday Thursday, 19th February until 9am Friday, 20th February.
My Live Nation & Ticket agent pre-sales available from midday Friday, 20th February until 5pm Sunday, 22nd February.

Tickets for all other shows are available now:

Saturday, 4th April 2015
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets: Live Nation

Sunday, 5th April 2015
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Live Nation

Tuesday, 7th April 2015
Concert Hall, Perth
Tickets: Live Nation

Thursday, 9th April 2015
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Live Nation

Sunday, 12th April 2015 – NEW SHOW
The Tivoli, Brisbane
Tickets: Live Nation

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