Christmas Lights & Christmas Projections 2014

Courtesy of www.lightsofchristmas.com.au

Light of Christmas

A light of Christmas captures and celebrates the festive season of Christmas at St Marys Cathedral, Sydney's oldest and grandest Cathedral. The event is hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, and presented by the Australian Catholic University.

The Lights of Christmas begins each evening with the breathtaking sounds of a live choir performance, and just after dusk the Cathedral becomes a beautiful light show that is so mesmerising, it makes you not want to leave.

The live choir performance begins at 7:30pm and finishes at 8:30pm, do witness this as it is so magical and beautiful as well as the light show of course!

The light show continues on till midnight and is held at the forecourt of St Mary's Cathedral (opposite Hyde Park).

This spectacular free light and sound Christmas show consists of amazing 3D digital projections that illuminate the Cathedral's 75 metre high facade. It is a visual storytelling experience that is accompanied with a soundscape and narrative that resonates with the ideals of the Christmas season of peace, joy and goodwill.

This year's 12 days of Christmas theme as well as a collective Christmas presentation notion of 'service', offering an opportunity to value and honour those who serve the community.

This is truly one Christmas Light event you do not want to miss out on. So gather your family and friends and enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas.

When: 9-25 December: 7:30pm-12am
Phone: 02 8302 3800
Where: St Mary's Cathedral Courtyard, St Mary's Road, Sydney
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.weekendnotes.com/lights-of-christmas/

Town Hall Christmas Projections

Soak up the atmosphere as we illuminate the beautiful sandstone walls of Sydney Town Hall this Christmas. Watch in wonder, as every evening after sunset, the George Street facade of the building springs to life with spectacular light projections - while exciting new digital animation gets everyone into the spirit of the season in Sydney Square.

Head to the City after sunset and watch in wonder as the Town Hall facade springs to life with vivid light projections every evening. New in 2014, digital projections will also feature on buildings at the King Street entrance to Pitt Street Mall, transforming the area into a magical landscape.

When: Thu 27 Nov - Thu 25 Dec 2014
Time: 8:30pm - 1:00am
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.sydneychristmas.com.au/whatson/christmas-projections/

Darling Harbour Christmas

As Christmas fever starts to sprinkle the city with festive magic, so Darling Harbour transforms into a sea of red and white jolly men. Never before will you have seen so many Santas together and so many Santas having a whale of a time on the water, as you will during the free Santa Fest Water Spectacular in late November. But that's not all, because this spectacular event is just the start of 30 days of free Christmas fun in the lead up to the big day.

When: 1 December to 25 December  2014
Where: Darling Harbour, Sydney
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/christmas-in-darling-harbour.aspx

Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks

Certified LEGO builder Ryan McNaught shows off his skills in this exhibition, recreating skyscraping buildings from Australia and Asia

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks is a world premiere exhibition of astonishing LEGO skyscrapers at the Museum of Sydney.

Constructed by Ryan McNaught, one of only 12 LEGO® certified professionals worldwide, this exhibition celebrates tall and extraordinary buildings from Australia and Asia. Some are engineering head-turners while others are technical marvels. 

Some of these eye-popping giants, like the Shanghai Tower, pioneer new ways of living, while others like Singapore's Marina Bay Sands are instant global landmarks. Some are green, others lean. Some are strange and other-worldly, others are breathtakingly beautiful.

With several models standing over 3 metres high, with stunning architectural detail and playful use of colours and textures, each of these LEGO® structures is guaranteed to amaze. They'll also inspire the young and the young-at-heart to create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’

With over 200,000 loose LEGO® bricks on hand, you’ll have more than enough to build your own towering creation and add it to the colourful futuristic metropolis rising steadily in the heart of the exhibition.

“Like the real things, super-tall LEGO® buildings are truly inspirational,” says Mark Goggin, director of Sydney Living Museums, “Not only do Ryan's models prove what's possible with everyday LEGO®bricks, but experiencing so many of them together in a world first line-up, perched together side by side, is nothing short of mind-blowing, even at 1:200 scale.”

Ryan McNaught agrees, “it's by far the biggest building job I've ever faced and certainly the most fun. My head's still spinning.”

SNAP & SHARE TO WIN

Get creative in the exhibition for your chance to win a workshop with Ryan McNaught, a LEGO®Certified Professional. Simply snap a pic of you and you LEGO® bricks masterpeice while you're at the exhibition and share via your favourite social network with the tag #SLMtowers for a chance to win this hands-on workshop for you and five friends.

Terms & Conditions apply.

BECOME A MEMBER AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS

As a Sydney Living Museums Member you'll enjoy exclusive membership benefits, including priority access, behind-the-scene events, discounts, advanced ticket sales to select events and much more.

Special Member benefits for 'Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® bricks' are:
Special Members price of only $5 - save $10
Access to pre-sale tickets on 19 November – book the session you want
Special Members ONLY preview day 12 December – be the first to see the exhibition

View Source to Book this Event Now

Shows Australia: 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) Australia Show To

Hot on the heels of selling out two shows at London's iconic Wembley Arena, the chart-topping Sydney boys are heading out on the road to play their first-ever headline Australian arena shows, touring in support of their recently released self-titled #1 smash hit debut album - not bad for four teenagers from the Western suburbs of Sydney. 

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) – Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton, started the month with an incredible five songs in the top 50 of the ARIA single chart: double platinum debut and worldwide iTunes #1 She Looks So Perfect, UK #2 Don't Stop, Amnesia, Kiss Me Kiss Me and Everything I Didn't Say. The lyric video for their upcoming single, Amnesia, has already had more than 5.7 million views.

5SOS are a worldwide success with more than 92 million views on YouTube, more than five million fans on Facebook, a combined 15-million-plus Twitter followers and more than 1.75 million followers on Instagram.

Australia Tour Dates:

Allphones Arena, Sydney NSW  Sat 20 Jun
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD  Tue 23 Jun
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC  Thu 25 Jun
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA  Sat 27 Jun
Perth Arena, WA   Mon 29 Jun

Ideal Show Accommodation | Metro Hotels

About 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer)

Formed in Sydney in 2011, the band consists of Luke Hemmings (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Clifford (guitar, vocals), Calum Hood (bass guitar, vocals) and Ashton Irwin (drums, vocals). The group were originally YouTube celebrities, posting videos of themselves covering songs from various artists in 2011. 

From there, they gained a small following in 2012 after posting a series of cover versions of popular songs ontoYouTube, then rose to international fame when One Direction invited them on their Take Me Home Tour.

Jessica Mauboy Celebrates Launch of free Australia Day Concerts at Sydney Opera House

The iconic Opera House will serve as the picturesque location for Australia Day celebrations in 2015.

To amp up the atmosphere, two free concerts will be held on January 26 with approximately 7,000 free tickets available to the public via ballot.

Popular children's group The Wiggles will be one of the main acts on the festive day, with another concert consisting of favourite Aussie performers, including Jessica, Justice Crew and Geronimo hit makers, Sheppard.

Actress Jessica has already performed at the Opera House and has fond memories of the venue.

'It was of course where the Australian Idol Grand Final took place in November 2006 and it was on the steps of the Sydney Opera House that I performed my first Number One single Burn,' the former reality TV star recalled.

'To be invited back to this amazing Australian landmark to perform is a wonderful opportunity.' 

Justice Crew also have an interesting link with the location, having previously busked outside the famed structure.

'One of our first career highlights was to actually be invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as Janet Jackson’s opening act,' the group revealed.

'To be at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day is a real magic moment and we will rise to the occasion with our performance!

Jessica is no stranger to public performances, having recently put on an energetic show at the ARIA music awards last month.

Putting her powerful voice to good use, the musician took to the stage in a strapless blue jumpsuit covered in sequins.

She performed her latest hit Can I Get a Moment, which has achieved gold sales in just over a month.

Despite her star status, Ms Mauboy failed to take out any awards after being nominated for Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Video. 

Although she didn't walk away with a trophy this year, Jessica took out Best Female Artist last year and Highest Selling Single for Running Back in 2009.

Jessica Mauboy Celebrates Launch of free Australia Day Concerts at Sydney Opera House

The iconic Opera House will serve as the picturesque location for Australia Day celebrations in 2015.

To amp up the atmosphere, two free concerts will be held on January 26 with approximately 7,000 free tickets available to the public via ballot.

Popular children's group The Wiggles will be one of the main acts on the festive day, with another concert consisting of favourite Aussie performers, including Jessica, Justice Crew and Geronimo hit makers, Sheppard.

Actress Jessica has already performed at the Opera House and has fond memories of the venue.

'It was of course where the Australian Idol Grand Final took place in November 2006 and it was on the steps of the Sydney Opera House that I performed my first Number One single Burn,' the former reality TV star recalled.

'To be invited back to this amazing Australian landmark to perform is a wonderful opportunity.' 

Justice Crew also have an interesting link with the location, having previously busked outside the famed structure.

'One of our first career highlights was to actually be invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as Janet Jackson’s opening act,' the group revealed.

'To be at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day is a real magic moment and we will rise to the occasion with our performance!

Jessica is no stranger to public performances, having recently put on an energetic show at the ARIA music awards last month.

Putting her powerful voice to good use, the musician took to the stage in a strapless blue jumpsuit covered in sequins.

She performed her latest hit Can I Get a Moment, which has achieved gold sales in just over a month.

Despite her star status, Ms Mauboy failed to take out any awards after being nominated for Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Video. 

Although she didn't walk away with a trophy this year, Jessica took out Best Female Artist last year and Highest Selling Single for Running Back in 2009.

Baila Brazil 2015 - Sydney Opera House

EXPERIENCE THE HEAT OF BRAZIL THIS SUMMER!

From the creators of the sell-out, smash hit 2010 sensation Balé de Rua, the bigger and brighter Baila Brazil will burst onto the Sydney Opera House stage this summer.

With a pulsating mix of African dance, hip-hop, samba and capoeira, temperatures are set to soar for this dance and live music spectacular.

As colourful as the streets from where they hail, the cast of eighteen dancers and musicians deliver a high-energy celebration of life, love and the Brazilian way.

Combining live music, breathtaking body movements, dance, dynamic percussion and songs from the soul of Afro Brazil, Baila Brazil has a contagious, exhilarating energy and rhythm that will have people dancing in the aisles.



Balé de Rua was a sell-out in Paris, a triumph in Edinburgh and a hit in London, and now will make its highly anticipated return to Sydney.

Travel to the heart of Brazil with a perfect night ‘away’ at the Sydney Opera House.

The Balnaves Foundation Open House Program provides $5 tickets for low income and disadvantaged communities. More information and bookings here.

Where: Sydney Opera House - Concert Hall
When: Performances from 9 Jan 2015 - 18 Jan 2015
Tickets: Opera House online tickets - http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/baila_brazil.aspx?utm_source=SydneyOperaHouse&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fb2&utm_campaign=baila

PERFORMANCE DATES

JANUARY

1. Fri 09 Jan 15 7:00pm
2. Sat 10 Jan 15 2:00pm
3. Sat 10 Jan 15 7:00pm
4. Sun 11 Jan 15 7:00pm
5. Mon 12 Jan 15 7:00pm
6. Wed 14 Jan 15 7:00pm
7. Thu 15 Jan 15 7:00pm
8. Fri 16 Jan 15 7:00pm
9. Sat 17 Jan 15 2:00pm
10. Sat 17 Jan 15 7:00pm
11. Sun 18 Jan 15 7:00pm

REVIEWS

Balé de Rua Reviews

“…stunning ... If only I’d had a sixth star at my disposal” The Scotsman, UK

“Bursting with energy and carnival spirit” Time Out

“…festive, colourful, vigorous, moving and authentic.” Figaroscope, France

“...a freewheeling mix of rhythm, high spirits and serious intent…a joy to behold.” The Guardian, UK

Say ‘Konichiwa’ to the Japanese Festival!

Say ‘Konichiwa’ to the Japanese Festival!

We’ve been to Nepal, Malaysia, Brazil and Myanmar, we’ve even celebrated Christmas in Poland, and now our Culture Beats festival program is heading to the Land of the Rising Sun, with the Japanese Festival (or ‘Matsuri’) on 13 December!

Celebrating an ancient culture and a modern society, the Japanese Festival will bring the nation’s best food, drink and entertainment right to the heart of Sydney in Tumbalong Park.
Eat, Drink

Indulge in delicious, fresh Japanese delicacies with food stalls from some of Sydney’s finest. Colotakoinvite you to enjoy their trademark takoyaki (fried octopus served with tempura, pickled ginger and green onions), ebiyaki (prawn), or kaniyaki (crab, with the claw attached!). Momiji is serving up the noodle dish yakisoba straight off the teppan, and skewered fishcakes. 

Sushi Samurai will have crispy karaage (fried chicken), gyoza and okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) plus icy cold kakigori (shaved ice with syrup and condensed milk), perfect for a sunny summer Saturday! At Big Crunch Sushi you’ll have the choice of sushi rolls, uramaki and ‘sushi munch’ boxes in a variety of flavour options like teriyaki chicken, tuna, spicy tuna, salmon or vegetarian. Bao Dao Taiwainese Kitchen are dishing up Asian-style pancakes, and Kiyamachi Tei have okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and karaage.

At Thanks Foods you’ll find okonomiyaki, yakisoba, Japanese curry rice and karaage, while Thanks Martwill be selling Ramune (Japanese lemonade), Japanese ice popsicles, rice crackers, sticky rice with soy flour and brown sugar syrup, and rice balls. Sydney Okinawan Club is offering up Okinawa soba (an authentic noodle dish specific to the Okinawa prefecture), udon, Okinawa curry, rice ball, and ramune. As a special treat, every customer at their stall will go home with a small but very precious gift – Okinawa star sand. 

Tall Grass Cane Juice return to Tumablong Park to sweeten and refresh, and Maryu will be serving up Ebisen (a crunchy, shrimp-flavoured snack food) and onions rings, as well as selling drinks like ocha (green tea) and ramune, plus souvenirs like slippers, handheld fans (tradition manual fans and modern electric fans) and beauty products like hand cream and face cream!
Be Merry

Onstage, we’ve got some incredible performances in store, from traditional music and dance to modern performance; from sushi-making demonstrations to karaoke and sumo wrestling! The Anime Sydneyband, a collective of university anime clubs from across Sydney, will be doing covers of well known anime songs for local fans. 

Yo-yo wizard Wayne X will show why he is the best in the business, Shiho Sparkle Hooper will show off her special hula-hoop dance routines, and Master Sushi Chef Hideo Dekura will show how it’s done in a demonstration presented by Kikkoman. Singer Makoto Tanaka will perform a blend of Japanese folk songs and western classics, calligraphy artist Renclub will give a unique performance, and local cosplayers will give an insight into the subculture with a cosplay show. 

The Australian Sumo Federation will delight with displays from a sport that is both athletic and performative, dance group Team ACE will amaze, and the Live DAM Karaoke system from Japan is back for another year to thrill the audience and pit competitors (will you be one?) against each other.

And that’s just the start of it! All this and so much more will be on offer this weekend at the Japanese Festival. Don’t miss out!

EVENT DETAILS:
Japanese Festival
Tumbalong Park
10am – 7:30pm, 13 December
Full program and getting here