Eight Days: What's On In Sydney

Sunday March 23

J-pop singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has also been making a splash on the Western music scene for her catchy ditties like Candy Candy and the outlandish fashion sense that has led her to be dubbed Japan's answer to Lady Gaga.

Tonight's gig had to be moved to the larger venue of the Roundhouse to meet demand. 7pm, UNSW Roundhouse, Anzac Parade, Kensington, $70.70, 132 849, ticketek.com.au.


It's the final day for the Indian cultural festival Holi Mahotsav and it's going out in vibrant style with Colours Day. Visitors can buy plates of brightly hued powder to take part in the traditional practice of colour throwing. Sunday, 11am-7pm, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, free, holimahotsav.com.au. 

Monday March 24

Street-art exhibition From the Streets (running until April 27) is displaying some of the most cutting-edge pieces from locally and around the globe. Particularly worth a look is the hyper-vivid and dynamic work of Sydney artist Shannon Crees. 11am-4pm, M Contemporary, 37 Ocean Street, Woollahra, free, mcontemp.com.


Tuesday March 25

Previews have begun for the much-anticipated Strictly Ballroom the Musical (running until June 29). The theatrical production promises to be a dazzling affair with Baz Luhrmann directing stars Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos in the tale of a dancer who flouts convention. 8pm, Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, $50-$120, 1300 795 267, ticketmaster.com.au.


Wednesday March 26

The Audi Festival of German Films (running until April 10) is kicking off with the opening night flick Banklady, based on the true story of West Germany's first female bank robber, Gisela Werler, who caused chaos in the 1960s. Star Nadeshda Brennicke will be a guest of the festival. 6.30pm, Chauvel Cinema, 249 Oxford Street, Paddington, $60, goethe.de/ozfilmfest.

Thursday March 27

Inspired by Nikolai Gogol's play of the same name, The Government Inspector was devised by director Simon Stone and his cast as a last-minute replacement when Belvoir lost the rights to The Philadelphia Story. The comedy-of-errors plot mimics real life as it follows an ensemble of actors given a new play only weeks before opening night. 8pm, Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, $48, 9699 3444, belvoir.com.au. Runs until May 18.

Friday March 28

The CropFest pop-up is setting up a night of culinary masterclasses to create a fruit and vegetable feast while also fighting food waste. Aaron Teece and Richard Robinson, head chefs at Studio Neon, are on board to teach how to best respect the farm-direct produce, with any leftovers going to feed the disadvantaged through OzHarvest. 5.30pm-10pm, St Mary's Cathedral Square, St Marys Road, city, $25, youthfoodmovement.org.au/cropfest.


Saturday March 29

For this year's Earth Hour catch a screening of the documentary It's Lights Out for the Reef at this candle-lit family picnic. There will also be a live performance from Newcastle folk band Benjalu and a candle installation created at Manly Cove. 6pm-9.30pm, Manly Council Chambers Forecourt, 1 Belgrave Street, Manly, free, earthhour.org.au.

Sunday March 30

Feminist festival All About Women will take over Sydney Opera House for a day of discussion and empowerment. International guests include cartoonist Alison Bechdel, author Lucy Siegle and activist Ilwad Elman. 8.30am-9pm, Opera House, from $25, 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com.

Hot spot

Inner-city families should get along to the opening of Jubilee Park, a new playground designed by landscape architect Sue Barnsley with a sandpit, swings and handcrafted cubby house. Lord Mayor Clover Moore will officially launch the space on Saturday with free entertainment and refreshments. Saturday, 11am-1pm, Jubilee Park, corner of Eglinton and Northcote roads, Glebe, free, cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/whatson.

Next week

Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Bernadette Peters is dipping into her vast songbook to perform selections from Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers and Hammerstein. April 2-4, Theatre Royal, 108 King Street, city, $109-$129, 1300 723 038, ticketmaster.com.au.

Next month
Arch funnyman Julian Clary will pack his case full of double entendres for the Sydney Comedy Festival. His show Position Vacant: Apply Within has him on the hunt for a suitable husband. April 22, State Theatre, 49 Market Street, city, $69.90, 136 100, sydneycomedyfest.com.au.

Out of your comfort zone

It's the return of Meat Free Week from March 24 to 30. Give up the steaks, sausages and seafood for seven days to raise funds for charities including Bowel Cancer Australia, The Australian Conservation Foundation and Voiceless. See meatfreeweek.org to learn more and get meat-free recipes from Simon Bryant and Bill Granger.

The Sydney Comedy Festival is back in 2015 for it's 11th annual festival!

The 11th annual Sydney Comedy Festival has unleashed its 2015 program, revealing the biggest year yet for the event with more spectacular and diverse shows than ever before.

From 20 April to 17 May 2015 Sydney Comedy Festival will take over venues across the city to showcase over 180 shows to more than 115,000 comedy fans! Comedians from across the globe and all over Australia will descend on this great city of ours to have you bent over in laughter during 4 huge weeks.

Bursting at the seams, the 2015 program provides something for every comedy lover with over 180 hilarious shows including stand-up, musical, sketch, improv, gala events, children’s shows, showcases and much more.

Back by popular demand this year will be a plethora of international comic superstars including Jim Jefferies, Ross Noble (UK), Stephen K Amos (UK), Noel Fielding (UK), The Topp Twins (NZ), Wil Sylvince (USA), Cal Wilson (NZ), Paul Foot (UK), Jimeoin (UK), Deanne Smith (CAN), Daniel Sloss (UK), Jeff Green (UK), Tony Woods (US), Josie Long (UK), Daniel Kitson (UK), Craig Hill (UK) and Angelo Tsarouchas (CAN).

In 2015 there will be no shortage of international performers making their debut at the Festival including: Greg Behrendt (US), Jen Kirkman (US), Adrienne Truscott (US), Dave Anthony (US), Mike Wilmont (CAN), Luisa Omielan’s What Woud Beyonce Do? (UK), Ari Shaffir (US), One Man Breaking Bad (US) and Harith Iskander (MLY).

With tickets already in demand, local comedy legends that should not be missed include: Akmal, Effie, Ronny Chieng, Em Rusciano, Joel Creasey, Tom Gleeson, Fiona O’Loughlin, Lawrence Leung, Alex Williamson, Sam Simmons, Dave Thornton, Sammy J & Randy, Neel Kolhatkar, Frenchy, Lawrence Mooney, Steen Raskopoulos, Tom Ballard, Tahir, Tommy Little, Superwog, Susie Youssef, Michael Workman, Matt Okine, Rhys Nicholson, Nick Cody and Nazeem Hussain.

Bringing the laughs in more unexpected ways will be a number of unconventionally side-splitting shows including Denis Carnahan’s Rugby League The Musical, The Comedy Spelling Bee, The Naked Magicians, Erotic Fan Fiction, Theatresports World Cup and more.

Adding further excitement, the eagerly anticipated staged show, Thrilling
Adventure Hour (USA), will be set in the style of old-time radio performed live with a line-up of special Hollywood guests; while the Festival’s annual Secret Show, where the location and line-up are kept under-wraps, will return for 2015 in a fabulous and unexpected new location.

The 11th Annual Sydney Comedy Festival, April 20 - May 17. To view the full program and purchases tickets, head to www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au or www.sydneycomedyfestival.com.au

Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=SYDCOMGV15

Source: http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/entertainment/the-sydney-comedy-festival-raises-the-curtain-on-its-2015-program-16974.html

The Black Keys 2015 Australian Tour

The Black Keys return to Australia off the back of their successful 8th full-length album Turn Blue.

As part of the Turn Blue World Tour, the band will perform in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. They will also headline Bluesfest Byron Bay and will be the first artists to play at the inaugural Rolling Green events, from A Day On The Green promoter Roundhouse Entertainment, at wineries in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and the Hunter Valley NSW.

The tour celebrates the duo’s success with Turn Blue, which debuted on both the Billboard 200 and ARIA Charts at Number 1 and is the band’s highest charting album to date internationally. The album debuted in Top 5 and Top 10 charts worldwide with the first single “Fever” sitting at the top of radio lists. Their latest single “Gotta Get Away” can currently be heard on the airwaves.

The album was produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. Turn Blue follows the critically and commercially acclaimed album El Camino which is now certified double platinum in Australia. El Camino spawned the huge hits “Lonely Boy” and “Gold On The Ceiling” and also saw the band take home three Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.

Date: Friday, 10 April 2015

Start time: 8:00pm

Where: Qantas Credit Union Arena

Address: 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000

Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BLACKKEY15&v=MCO

Source: www.qantascreditunionarena.com.au/Events/Events%20Detail/The_Black_Keys.aspx

Les Miserables at Capitol Theatre Sydney | Arrives Next Week!

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in March 2015.

The new production features glorious modernised staging, orchestrations and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. It has been praised by critics, fans and new audiences, breaking box office records internationally and inspiring filmmakers to make the outstandingly successful movie which went on to win 3 Oscar’s®, 3 Golden Globes® and 4 BAFTAs.

Playing the iconic role of Jean Valjean is established actor and musical theatre star Simon Gleeson. NIDA-trained Hayden Tee will play Valjean’s lifelong antagonist Javert while starring as Fantine is Patrice Tipoki. Playing Madame Thénardier is Lara Mulcahy and joining her in the role of Monsieur Thénardier is Australian theatre and cabaret favourite, Trevor Ashley. 



Recent WAAPA graduates Kerrie Anne Greenland and Emily Langridge play Eponineand Cosette respectively. Chris Durling takes on the role of the passionate student leader of the revolution, Enjolras and Euan Doidge plays Marius the love struck revolutionary.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century revolutionary France, LES MISÉRABLES is a much loved blockbuster musical which has been seen by over 65 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the most popular musicals of all time. 



Having won more than 100 major awards around the world it has been hailed as the most stirring, moving musical ever. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, it is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Stars”, “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”, “One Day More”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, “Master of the House” and many more.

This new production of LES MISÉRABLES made a triumphant return to Broadway earlier this year.

“Refreshing, rethought and every bit as epic.” Chicago Tribune
“A sizzling Les Mis for the 21st century ...” The Huffington Post

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering an ideal Capitol Theatre Show Accommodation Hot Deal

View more information about this show at Capitol Theatre

Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria to Meet in Sydney for Cunard Line Anniversary

Two Queens - Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 and her younger sister Queen Victoria - will for the first time on Thursday spend the day together in Sydney.

A fireworks display will mark the occasion at 9.15pm, as Queen Mary 2 leaves Circular Quay and sails past Queen Victoria anchored at Athol Buoy near Taronga Zoo.

To celebrate the rendezvous and its 175th anniversary year, Cunard is also launching a photographic exhibition on the boardwalk at the Opera House.

Captured by Sydney photographer James Morgan, who has snapped Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth around the globe, the OneSevenFive exhibition will provide an insight into life onboard.

Featuring 71 images displayed on two-metre-high panels, the collection's final two images - from Thursday's rendezvous - will be installed on Friday morning. The exhibition will remain in place for 175 hours, until Thursday, March 19.

"I think everyone in this city would remember the three very special royal rendezvous of other Cunard ships on our harbour over recent years," said Ann Sherry, chief executive of Carnival Australia, which represents Cunard in Australia. "This Thursday will be no different as Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria make history with their first ever joint visit to Sydney."

The 2000-guest Queen Victoria will berth in Sydney about 5.30am on Wednesday, spending the day at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. At about 3.30am the following morning, the 90,000-tonne ship will move from Circular Quay to Athol Buoy to make way for her "big sister", Queen Mary 2, which is scheduled to sail through the heads at 3.45am on Thursday morning.

Still the largest ship to visit Australia, the 151,400-tonne Queen Mary 2 is expected to berth at the Overseas Passenger Terminal about 4.45am on Thursday.

The Sydney visit of the 2600-guest ship comes two months into her 113-night world voyage.

Wednesday March 11

· 4.30am – Queen Victoria sails into Sydney Harbour.

· 5.30am – Queen Victoria berths at Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay.

Thursday March 12

· 3.30am – Queen Victoria sails from the Overseas Passenger Terminal to berth at Athol Buoy.

· 3.45am – Queen Mary 2 enters Sydney Harbour.

· 4.45am – Queen Mary 2 berths at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

· Noon – OneSevenFive photo exhibition of Cunard's Three Queens on Sydney Opera House's Western Boardwalk opens to public.

· 9pm – Queen Mary 2 departs Overseas Passenger Terminal en route to Milford Sound, New Zealand.

· 9.15pm – Fireworks as Queen Mary 2 sails past Queen Victoria at Athol Buoy.

· 11pm – Queen Victoria sails from Athol Buoy en route to Akaroa, New Zealand.

Previous Cunard Royal Rendezvous in Sydney

· February 20, 2007 – Sydney was brought to a standstill for the city's first official Cunard Royal Rendezvous when Queen Mary 2 made her maiden visit to Australia, meeting with QE2 in Sydney Harbour.

· February 24, 2008 – The newly launched Queen Victoria made her first visit to Sydney for a Royal Rendezvous with QE2, which was making her final call to the city before she retired from the Cunard fleet.

· February 22-23, 2011 – Queen Mary 2 and the newly launched Queen Elizabeth visited Sydney for the city's third Royal Rendezvous.

Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert Spectacular | Sydney Melbourne

The Glenn Miller Orchestra returns by overwhelming popular demand for this concert spectacular, to honour the year of the ANZAC Centenary.

Featuring America’s finest musicians together with the Moonlight Serenade Singers and The Broadway Swing Dancers, the concert will pay tribute to the spirit of ANZAC including a special feature of music and songs from the years of the Great War.

All the famous Glenn Miller classics will be performed by the Orchestra playing the original music arrangements; timeless icons of American culture such as Chattanooga Choo Choo, A String Of Pearls, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug and the greatest Miller hit of all time, In The Mood.

Remembering the Centenary of Anzac

It is fitting that the Glenn Miller Orchestra is returning in 2015, the year of the Centenary of Anzac.

Major Glenn Miller served in the United States Army Air Force from 1942 until his untimely death on December 15th 1944 when he was travelling to entertain US troops in France; his aircraft disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel.

Glenn Miller recorded many memorable hots from the 1914 to 1918 period which the orchestra will perform in tribute to the ANZACS.

‘My Buddy’ – ‘Over There’ – ‘Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag’ – ‘If You Were The Only Girl In The World’ and many more.

THE UNFORGETTABLE MUSIC OF THE 1940’S FROM THE GOLDEN ERA OF SWING

“An evening of nostalgia…unforgettable music; an absolutely brilliant concert”
– The Australian Stage

Show Venues and Dates:

May 31st, 2015 WIN Entertainment Centre, NSW 2PM Glenn Miller Orchestra

June 20th, 2015 State Theatre, Sydney, NSW 2PM Glenn Miller Orchestra

June 20th, 2015 State Theatre, Sydney, NSW 7.30PM Glenn Miller Orchestra

Friday June 05, 2015 Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall 7.30PM Glenn Miller Orchestra

Saturday June 13, 2015 Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall 2.30PM Glenn Miller Orchestra

Find out more and purchase tickets to this event at Ticket Master

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

Find Out More at Source Article