Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks to be intergalactic: Reg Mombassa

New Year's Eve plans: the event's creative ambassador Reg Mombassa with Sydney's lord mayor Clover Moore. Photo: Ben Rushton

Sydney Harbour Bridge will put on its biggest midnight display yet when more than a billion people cast their eyes to the harbour city on New Year's Eve.

But artist and musician Reg Mombassa, the event's creative ambassador, said its logo of an "all-seeing eye" was not a hint that crowds might see one staring back.

"If I gave the slightest bit of information away I'd be locked up for treason," the Mambo artist and Mental As Anything rocker said.

What was revealed on Monday was news that the much-anticipated bridge effect, thanks to 16 kilometres of rope light, will be twice as big as previous years – stretching 12 storeys high and 72 metres wide.

Mombassa, who confirmed that this New Year's Eve would be his first work in pyrotechnics, said he was reliably informed Sydney's display would stand out.

"Apparently the fireworks, the Sydney fireworks, are actually visible from the closest galactic supercluster, the Virgo Supercluster, which is 65 million light years from earth.

So there will be some insect-faced aliens enjoying the fireworks display, which is nice to know," Mombassa said.

"Unfortunately the pathetic displays from the other cities won't be visible from that distance.”


Also joining the party will be the Sydney Opera House, which will launch more than 1000 fireworks from its sails as it marks its 40th birthday.

It is the first time the world famous building has been incorporated into the fireworks display in more than a decade, using specially developed pyrotechnics that will not damage its exterior.

Sydney's lord mayor Clover Moore said the $6.8 million fireworks display was the city's gift to Sydney.

About 1.5 million people are expected at the harbour and another 1.1 billion will watch a broadcast of the harbourside festivities, Cr Moore said.

“We are marking the 40th anniversary of Sydney Opera House in the best way that Sydney NYE knows how – brilliant, specially-designed fireworks, firing from the world-famous sails," Cr Moore said.

"I expect this year's event to have one of the most creative fireworks displays Sydney has seen.”

Fortunato Foti, now in his 14th year as the director of the fireworks, said this year was again a challenge to create a display bigger than in previous years.

"Inspiration for this year's fireworks display has been taken from Reg Mombassa's work which, as always, is very colourful and unique. It's been a challenge pulling it together, but I think the crowds will be impressed on the night," Mr Foti said.

And revellers will also have the chance to take home more than photos and memories, for $120.

In an Australian first, a collector's coin featuring a coloured hologram depicting the bridge effect, will be available for sale.

The "Shine" Logo by local artist: Reg Mombassa

Biggest Production to Date Heads Down Under as Sydney Festival Countdown Begins.

With just a month to opening night preparations are well underway for Sasha Waltz’s iconic production of Dido and Aeneas, the centerpiece of January’s Sydney Festival. The much applauded, 

spectacular rendering of the oldest love story in English opera famously commences with a prologue that is danced underwater in a giant fish tank to be mounted on the stage of Sydney’s Lyric Theatre (the only stage strong enough to support the show).

The set travels in four 40-foot shipping containers and will arrive on December 29. Once installed at The Star, the 9 metre long aquarium will be filled with a staggering 7,500 litres of (mercifully heated) water. To accommodate the tricky set changes, pumps are used to empty the water quickly from the aquarium after the dancers have finished performing in it.  The tank is then split in two and moved into the wings.

The German director and dancer’s choreographed version of Purcell’s baroque masterpiece is due to be accompanied by one of the world’s leading baroque ensembles, the Academy of Ancient Music Berlin. 

The cast list is headed by mezzo soprano Aurore Ugolin as Queen Dido and British baritone Reuben Willcox as her vacillating lover Aeneas. The cast also includes experienced singers of the likes of British soprano Deborah York as Dido’s confidant Belinda and tenor Fabrice Mantegna in the travesty role of the sorceress.

With flying dancers and a special role for the choreographer’s eight-year-old daughter, this is one of the biggest productions ever to come to an Australian festival and is similar in size to Théâtre du Soleil’s Flood Drummers, which was presented at Sydney Festival 2002.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris is leading the cheers for Waltz’s latest Australian outing and was keen to stress a possible special resonance for Sydneysiders. “Dido & Aeneas by Sasha Waltz will provide the kind of unique and cutting edge cultural experience for which Sydney Festival is renowned,” he said. 

“The aquatic theme, retelling the ancient and tragic tale of unrequited love involving Dido the Queen of Carthage and the Trojan hero Aeneas, is sure to resonate with Sydney audiences given our own love of the water.”

Dido and Aeneas plays The Lyric Theatre at the Star from January 16-21.

Queensland domestic tourism boom led by NSW visitors

By Jeremy Pierce and Anne Hancock

DURING State of Origin they hate our guts, but our neighbours from NSW can't get enough of the Sunshine State, gifting Queensland a multibillion-dollar tourism bonanza.

New tourism figures released yesterday have revealed Aussie travellers poured $14 billion into the Queensland tourism industry for the year ending September - a billion-dollar boost over the year before.

And our friendly "Mexicans" from across the border are leading the charge, with Sydneysiders alone accounting for almost a third of the state's domestic visitors, according to Tourism Research Australia data.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said NSW travellers who had previously flown overseas may have finally decided to explore the state next door.

"We've had a pretty rough trot in recent years, but these numbers are certainly very encouraging," he said.

"And maybe all the NSW people who have been flying over the top of us for the last couple of years are now taking advantage of what they have seen out the plane window."

Tourism officials from the Gold Coast to the Tropical Far North are celebrating Christmas early, buoyed by their best-ever results.

Nowhere is the picture prettier than on the Gold Coast, which has overcome battered beaches and brawling bikies to remain one of the nation's tourist capitals.

The city welcomed 3.6 million domestic tourists for the year, up 220,000, and Gold Coast Tourism spokesman Ben Pole said that by the end of the month the region should have achieved its best year on record.

"This reaffirms the Gold Coast as Australia's most popular holiday destination and shows that through beach erosion and crime, the attractions of our destination can overcome anything,'' he said.

"The numbers are the best since the GFC and by the time we finish 2013 we expect it to be the best year on record."

Tropical North Queensland has already recorded its best-ever year with 1.7 million visitors, representing a surge of 16 per cent.

Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason said the results proved the region had bounced back from tough times.

"We were on our knees in 2010 but we had the vision to create a strategy for growth," he said.

Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the results delivered an unexpected bonus.

"The Premier was so excited with this news he just planted a big kiss on my cheek," she said.

"It's really showing that the hard work of this government is paying off."

The results, which do not take into account the millions of dollars generated by international visitors, leave Queensland on track to meet the State government target of an industry worth $30 billion by 2020.

Top 5 Queensland destinations

1. Brisbane (5 million)

2. Gold Coast (3.6 million)

3. Sunshine Coast (2.6 million)

4. Southern Queensland Country (1.9 million)

5. Tropical North Queensland (1.7 million)

* Domestic visitor numbers for year ending September 2013

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/queensland-domestic-tourism-boom-led-by-nsw-visitors/story-fnii5v70-1226780962509

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!

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.

Kids Stay FREE at Metro Apartments Darling Harbour

The event will take place on Saturday December 14 at Bradfield Park in Kirribilli. It's organised by the local Church by the Bridge, and co-presented with Anglicare, who will be running a stall and selling candles to raise money for their Christmas appeal.

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.

Sydney Secures Another Mega Incentive from China

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has secured the Pro-Health China Annual Conference 2014, another mega incentive from China, worth an estimated $22.5 million in economic impact (EI) to New South Wales (NSW). 

It also follows the hugely successful Perfect China Leadership Seminar 2013, which was worth close to $21 million and welcomed more than 3,000 delegates to the harbour city in July.  

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said that the growth in the number of incentive events secured for Sydney over recent years is a result of the state’s targeted strategies to attract business from this important market.  

“Over the past decade, we have developed strong relationships in Asia. This has played an important part in the success that Sydney is now enjoying in the region,” Ms Lewis-Smith highlighted.  

“We know that Asia is a relationship-driven market and the long-term strategies we’ve invested in, including being the first Australian bureau to establish an in-market presence in Asia (2004), have enabled us to build networks and trust, and convert business for Sydney. 

We now have representatives in Singapore, China and India (in partnership with Destination NSW), along with Mandarin-speaking staff across key departments in our Sydney office. Together, these strategies are paying dividends!”  

Ms Lewis-Smith added that Sydney’s success could also be attributed to its ability to deliver real returns for companies that chose to reward their high achievers with a trip to the harbour city.  

“Incentives create a performance culture within companies, motivating staff to achieve results for a chance to be rewarded with an overseas trip. Sydney is an aspirational destination and  it certainly inspires teams to achieve!   

“Perfect China reports that it saw a 20% increase in sales following the company’s announcement that the 2013 incentive would be held in Sydney." 

Pro-Health China President, Mr Jason Li said that he looked forward to working with BESydney over the next year to ensure his high-achievers enjoyed a rewarding and authentic Australian experience in Sydney.  

“Sydney is a dynamic city with many attractions that will give our distributors quite a unique travel experience. This is not only an incentive trip, but also a heart-to-heart interaction between Pro- Health and Sydney. Our delegates will be eager to learn the attractions, culture, and everything there is to experience in this metropolitan city,” said Mr Li.

“With help from Business Event Sydney, we are confident that the government  and city will render tremendous support to our group to ensure our distributors return home with unforgettable memories of Sydney in 2014!”    

Last financial year, BESydney secured 33 Asian corporate incentive events worth an estimated $57 million in EI. This represents over 50% of revenue secured by BESydney during 2012/13.  There is no doubt that Asia continues to become an increasingly important market for Sydney.  

In the first quarter of the new financial year, the bureau has already secured six Asian incentive events. Five of these events (see list below) will take place in Sydney by the end of December, reflecting the short-lead nature of the Asian incentive market.   

• ACE Life Indonesian Incentive: 29–31 July  2013, with 73 delegates and an estimated EI of $ 219,000 
• Estee Lauder China Incentive: 23–26 August 2013, with 152 delegates and an estimated EI of $606,000 
• Confidential incentive from India: 4–7 September 2013, with 174 delegates and an estimated EI of $695,000 
• Great Eastern Singapore Bancassurance Incentive: 27–30 September  2013, with 130 delegates and an estimated EI of $519,00 
• MCIS Zurich Insurance Malaysia: 19–23 September 2013, with  152 delegates and an estimated EI of $758,000 
• Joymain China Top Distributor Incentive Trip 2015: 3–8 March 2015, with 700 delegates and estimated EI of $2.8 million.

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

Australian Graduates Fashion Week 2013

Graduates will showcase between 8-12 garments on the runway to be judged by a panel of high profile guests from national and international fashion designers, photographers, editors and industry professionals. 

The panel will select the finalists, runner up and the winner who will receive $20,000 in cash and prizes to kick start their fashion career.

Events:

Preview Installation Dec 5-10 at M2 Gallery 4/450 Elizabeth St, Sydney (Free Event, open daily 12pm-6pm)

Graduates Showcase Pier 2/3 13 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay (Tickets throughTicketek)

Events:
Preview Installation Dec 5-10 at M2 Gallery 4/450 Elizabeth St, Sydney (Free Event, open daily 12pm-6pm)

Graduates Showcase Dec 14 at Pier 2/3 13 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay (Tickets through Ticketek)

WHERE:

Pier 2, Walsh Bay, 13 Hickson Rd Sydney 2000 Venue details

COST:

Adult (14+): $32.85
Children/Concession (U14, Valid Concession Card): $17.85

Purchase tickets here)

WEBSITE:

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=AGFW13

MORE INFO:

Australian Graduates Fashion Week
132 849

HOW TO GET TO THIS EVENT:

Call 131 500 or visitwww.131500.com.au

Important Milestone for Sydney International Convention Centre

Artists Impression of the New Sydney convention Centre

Development of the AUD$1 billion International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) at Darling Harbour this week moved a step closer following the achievement of another important milestone.

The Australian Stock Exchange has been advised that financial close had been reached with Infrastructure NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the NSW Government’s project to revitalise the 20 hectare site.

ICC Sydney will be operated by AEG Ogden, the leading venue management company in the Asia Pacific region and will feature a convention facility capable of holding four fully separated concurrent events of over 12,000 delegates and total exhibition capacity of 40,000 square metres.

Site preparation works will commence this month followed by demolition works in February 2014. Sydney ICC is due for completion due in December 2016.

AEG Ogden’s Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said the new venue, featuring waterfront facilities in a prime CBD location in Australia’s leading city, was destined to become one of the most exciting major convention and exhibition facilities in the world.

“Even at this preliminary stage, it is attracting significant interest and strong demand worldwide.

“Business Events Sydney has confirmed that five international events have been secured for the venue and there are a further 60 expressions of interest from national association events as well as major exhibitions.

“In addition, by utilising AEG Ogden’s international operational and marketing experience and global venue network, we plan on taking business events through this venue to a new level,” he said.

Mr. Donaghy, who has also assumed the role as Chief Executive Officer for ICC Sydney said the next step was to establish the pre-opening office and commence recruiting the senior management team in early 2014

Sydney Cricket Ground to Host $13 Million US Baseball Curtain-raiser

Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers / Pic: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images/AFP Source: The Daily Telegraph

US Major League Baseball is coming to Sydney, with the opening series of next season - between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks - to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground next March.

In a $13 million coup for the state government, the opening series of the MLB will be held at the SCG on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23 - the first time a competitive US baseball fixture will be held in Australia and only the sixth time one has been staged outside America.

The games have been described as the biggest internationally recognised event in this country since the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and come exactly 100 years after the Chicago White Sox played against NSW at the SCG.

"Sydney will host the first two games for the opening series of 2014 Major League Baseball at the Sydney Cricket Ground," Premier Barry O'Farrell said.

"The opening series will feature the LA Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks playing the first two games of the season.

"This is a significant win for Sydney and again delivers on my election commitment to bring major events to NSW. It's estimated the matches will deliver a $13 million benefit for the local economy, as well as attract visitors from interstate and overseas."

NSW will be showcased to an estimated global TV household audience of up to 168 million, including 75 million in the US.

Ironically - or perhaps fortuitously for sports fans who like to see a bit of biff - the Dodgers and Diamondbacks had a huge brawl in their game yesterday, with the entire squads of both teams running across the field to fight each other.

A similar spectacle can't be predicted next year but the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will be in Sydney for six days, when they will play the two games and open the doors to their training sessions.

Sports Minister Graham Annesley said the event would "generate more than 10,000 international and interstate visitor nights to Sydney, which will help us reach our goal to double overnight tourism expenditure in NSW by 2020".

"Sydney has a history of hosting significant baseball games at the SCG, with the Chicago White Sox playing against a combined NSW team in 1914," he said.

"The SCG will be transformed into an MLB field, with the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher's mound, dugouts and additional grandstand."

Sydney Cricket Ground to Host $13 Million US Baseball Curtain-raiser

Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers / Pic: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images/AFP Source: The Daily Telegraph

US Major League Baseball is coming to Sydney, with the opening series of next season - between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks - to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground next March.

In a $13 million coup for the state government, the opening series of the MLB will be held at the SCG on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23 - the first time a competitive US baseball fixture will be held in Australia and only the sixth time one has been staged outside America.

The games have been described as the biggest internationally recognised event in this country since the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and come exactly 100 years after the Chicago White Sox played against NSW at the SCG.

"Sydney will host the first two games for the opening series of 2014 Major League Baseball at the Sydney Cricket Ground," Premier Barry O'Farrell said.

"The opening series will feature the LA Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks playing the first two games of the season.

"This is a significant win for Sydney and again delivers on my election commitment to bring major events to NSW. It's estimated the matches will deliver a $13 million benefit for the local economy, as well as attract visitors from interstate and overseas."

NSW will be showcased to an estimated global TV household audience of up to 168 million, including 75 million in the US.

Ironically - or perhaps fortuitously for sports fans who like to see a bit of biff - the Dodgers and Diamondbacks had a huge brawl in their game yesterday, with the entire squads of both teams running across the field to fight each other.

A similar spectacle can't be predicted next year but the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will be in Sydney for six days, when they will play the two games and open the doors to their training sessions.

Sports Minister Graham Annesley said the event would "generate more than 10,000 international and interstate visitor nights to Sydney, which will help us reach our goal to double overnight tourism expenditure in NSW by 2020".

"Sydney has a history of hosting significant baseball games at the SCG, with the Chicago White Sox playing against a combined NSW team in 1914," he said.

"The SCG will be transformed into an MLB field, with the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher's mound, dugouts and additional grandstand."