Australia Day 2015 in Sydney

Watch The Wiggles perform at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day

This year Australia Day celebrations run over a long weekend from 24-26 January, 2015. It's a day of fun for all, with the highlight for families being the Summer Playground in Hyde Park. Much of the action takes place on and around Sydney Harbour.

WugulOra marks the start of Australia Day celebrations with the raising of the Aboriginal and Australian flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from 7:30am. Pack a picnic and your sunblock and head to the a spot by the harbour to enjoy all the action. In the evening, Darling Harbour becomes the site of more Australia Day activities.

Enjoy family fun on Australia Day at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, with two free Australia Day concerts featuring performances by The Wiggles and friends, Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew, Sheppard and Russell Morris! Enter the ballot for your chance to bring the family along for free!

Australia Day | Sydney Concerts

Australia Day Concert at the Sydney Opera House - The Wiggles

Bennelong Point

Sydney NSW 2000

January 2015

Australia Day Concert at the Sydney Opera House - Leading Australian Artists

Bennelong Point

Sydney NSW 2000

January 2015

For more information visit www.australiaday.com.au

- See more at: http://celebrateaustraliaday.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/australia-day-2015-in-sydney.html#sthash.yTIppUqy.dpuf

Sydney Festival - Complimentary Yoga with LULULEMON ATHLETICA

LULULEMON ATHLETICA

Summer days are meant to be spent outdoors and this includes your workouts. Throughout Sydney Festival on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 7:15am and Wednesday nights at 6pm, lululemon will bring Sydney Festival-goers a complimentary 1 hour yoga class in Hyde Park. Soak up the sun while you move, breathe, strengthen and stretch - perhaps even get upside down!

Bring your mat, your friends and join us for an all levels yoga experience.

From morning till midnight, it's about feeling alive, show us how you live #thesweatlife on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter @lululemonausnz

Duration: 60mins
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday mornings at 7:15am, Wednesday nights at 6pm
Address: Hyde Park North - Entry near Archibald Fountain
Website: www.lululemon.com.au

Class schedule:

Thursday 8 January (7:15am)
Instructors: Danielle Walker & Liz Holman (Fused to Move)

Friday 9 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Alanna Chan (Yoga Pavillion)

Tuesday 13 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Lara Zilibowitz (BodyMindLife)

Wednesday 14 January (6:00pm - night session)
Instructor: Persia Rutchinski (In Yoga)

Thursday 15 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Thy Nguyen (Hom Yoga)

Friday 16 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Noelle Connolly (BodyMindLife)

Tuesday 20 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Daniel Myers (Power Living)

Wednesday 21 January (6:00pm - night session)
Instructor: Nicole Walsh (In Yoga)

Thursday 22 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Mel McLaughlin (This Is Yoga)

Friday 23 January (7:15am)
Instructor: Adam Whiting (Power Living)

Source: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2015/lululemon-yoga

Tennis | Apia International Sydney 2015

Tennis | Apia International Sydney 2015 

South Wales Open, now known as the Apia International Sydney, is one of the oldest tournaments in the world, dating back to 1885.

The Sydney Cricket ground was the first venue for the New South Wales Open, followed by a location at Double Bay and then White City, which hosted the championships for an amazing 76 years up to and including 1999.

In 2000, the tournament moved to its fourth home, the state-of-the-art Sydney Olympic Park Tennis centre where it is played to this day.

Caroline Wozniacki 2.0

Playing at the WTA Finals in Singapore against Serena Williams in the semifinals, Caroline Wozniacki ripped a forehand down the line and then smacked a crosscourt forehand winner off the short reply.

“She is being so aggressive,” an approving Tracy Austin observed in her commentary, as Wozniacki surged even further ahead in the first set.

“Before she relied just on her defence, her consistency and placement, now she’s hitting with conviction and really pushing her opponents around.

“Honestly, I think she’s playing better (now) than when she was No.1 in the world.”

High praise indeed. And there was merit to the comments – it was hard to remember a time when the Dane had ever played with such attacking flair.

And even though she eventually lost in a third set tiebreak to Williams – the player who went on to win the tournament and cement the year-end No.1 ranking – the week in Singapore had capped a stunning return to form in 2014 for the popular 24-year-old.

“Five months ago didn’t look like I was going to be here, even though I always believed it,” she said of qualifying for the elite eight-player season-ending championship.

“The way I’ve been playing the last five months really brings me some great momentum into next year. Gives me some confidence.”

Her new year will start at the Apia International Sydney, where, at world No.8, she is one of six top 10 players competing. And she has certainly come a long way since her last visit to Harbour City.

Almost a year ago to the day after celebrating New Years Eve in Sydney, Wozniacki announced her engagement to golfing star Rory McIlory; four months later, the relationship ended. Shortly afterward Wozniacki fell in the opening round of the French Open, her ranking in danger of falling outside the top 20.

Showing admirable courage and resolve, Wozniacki began to rediscover her form on grass at Eastbourne, where she beat Sam Stosur and Sloane Stephens en route to the semifinals. This results was quickly followed by a fourth-round run at Wimbledon.

It set the stage for a stunning North American summer hardcourt season. Arriving in Montreal fresh off the WTA title in Istanbul, she reached the quarterfinals before winning through to the semifinals in Cincinnati, falling at both events in three torrid sets to Williams. She was even better in Flushing Meadows, beating reigning Roland Garros champion Maria Sharapova on the way to her first Grand Slam final in five years.

Beginning with Eastbourne to start the second half of the season and ending with her aforementioned performance in Singapore, Wozniacki’s compiled a magnificent win-loss record of 34-10, including six victories over top 10 opponents.

“I think I can be really proud of how I’ve handled everything this year, how I’ve fought back,” she said.

“I think I’ve proved to myself that I’m a really strong person and that I can keep improving my game. I’m just really happy that I’ve learned so much from this year. It’s been a very, very meaningful year for me and very learningful. Can you say that? (laughter)

“I’m serving well, I’m running well, I’m staying aggressive when I have to, and I make the right decisions at the right moment. And I enjoy playing.”

The former world No.1 will attempt to continue her rich vein of form when she begins her 2015 season at the Apia International, an event at which she will make her seventh appearance and where her best results were quarterfinal finishes in 2009 and 2012.

If her hardcourt form, newfound aggression and on-court confidence are to persist, Wozniacki will be tough to beat.

“I’m really pumped. I’m really excited for (2015),” she said.

“I think the way I’ve been playing lately, I think that’s proof to myself that I can keep improving and playing better and beat anyone who is on the other side of the net.”

Want to see world No.8 Caroline Wozniacki in action at Apia International Sydney 2015? Get your tickets through Ticketek now!

Del Potro confirms Sydney return

Juan Martin del Potro has confirmed that he will begin his 2015 season at Apia International Sydney.

The Argentine, the defending Apia International champion, has not played since February 2014 due to a wrist injury.

He was expected to make his return at the Brisbane International, yet delayed his comeback.

“Hello everyone!!! I wanted to tell you that we decided to travel to play Sydney and the Australian Open,” he tweeted on Wednesday evening (Australian time).

See story

WHERE: Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre

Rod Laver Drive,
Sydney Olympic Park
(off Australia Avenue)

View Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on Google Maps

WHEN: 11 – 17 Jan 2015

http://www.apiainternational.com.au/event-guide

Waterfall Swing at Darling Harbour

Revisit your own childhood glee of flying through space with the added thrill of narrowly missing getting drenched on this giant swing-set

Popping up in Darling Harbour for the enjoyment of the young and not-so-young alike, Waterfall Swing is the ingenious high-tech creation of a team of artists, designers and engineers from New York.

As part of Sydney Festival 2015, this intelligent swing creates a cascading curtain of water that miraculously opens just in time to allow the rider to pass through.

Revisit your own childhood glee of flying through space with the added thrill of narrowly missing getting drenched on this giant swing-set.

DATE: 8-24 January
TIME: 9am – 9pm daily
COST: Free

Part of  Summer School Holidays at Darling Harbour

See Darlingharbour.com for full information

Asian Cup 2015: From Keisuke Honda, Nasser Al-Shamrani and Shinji Kagawa, 10 stars to watch

With the Asian Cup just days away, we’ve heard plenty about Socceroos stars Tim Cahill, Robbie Kruse and Mile Jedinak in Melbourne, but what of their rivals?

The region’s best players have touched down in Australia, ready to aide their nations’ push for Asian supremacy when the tournament kicks off on January 9, 2015.

Here are 10 stars set to shine at the Asian Cup.

Keisuke Honda — Japan

Honda isn’t just Japan’s main man, he’s probably the best player in Asia. At 28, the midfielder is at the peak of his powers and has flourished since moving to Italian giants Serie A. The playmaker’s pedigree is impressive, having played in two World Cups and as a key part of Japan’s 2011-Asian Cup winning team, named the player of the tournament four years ago.

His speed, close control, vision, finishing (he has 28 goals in 65 national team appearances) and passing ability makes him a nightmare for defences, while the blonde-haired wizard is also a dead-ball wizard. An excitement machine, expect Honda to purr for the tournament favourites.

Japan’s classy midfield double act of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa. Source: Getty Images

Shinji Kagawa — Japan

Such is the class of the Japan squad, we felt it pertinent to include two members of the Samurai Blue, Shinji Kagawa just edging out Bundesliga rival and Japan’s all-time leading goalscorer Shinji Okazaki of FSV Mainz 05. Kawaga’s club form at present reflects that of struggling Borussia Dortmund, but the Asian Cup gives the 25-year-old the perfect stage to display his immense talents. 

He’s yet to find the back of the net under Japan coach Javier Aguirre, but having been moved back to his ideal central role after a fruitless spell on the left, you’d expect that to change when Japan’s defence kicks off against minnows Palestine on January 12 in Newcastle.

Nasser Al-Shamrani — Saudi Arabia

An attempted headbutt and spit at Matthew Spiranovic in the Asian Champions League final in November followed by last week’s altercation with a fan in Geelong have ensured Al-Shamrani will be the Asian Cup’s pantomime villain. His fiery nature means he’s never far from the action, but the Saudi Arabia striker is quite the player, his 10 ACL goals for Al Hilal helping him win the AFC’s player of the year award. It will be interesting to see and hear the welcome fans give him in Brisbane for the Saudis’ opener against China.

Son Heung-min — Korea Republic

A teammate of Robbie Kruse at Bayer Leverkusen, South Korean winger Son Heung-min is a genuine star and has flourished since moving from Hamburger SV. His five goals and two assists in 16 Bundesliga games this season have attracted interest from England, with Manchester United and Tottenham among his admirers. At just 22, Heung-min has a long career ahead of him, and if the South Koreans are going to upset Australia in Group A and go deep into the tournament, the winger will have to be at his best.

Ashkan Dejagah — Iran

Dejagah during the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

Iran attacker Dejagh played for Germany at youth level, was part of Wolfsburg’s 2008-09 Bundesliga-winning team and played in the Premier League with Fulham. In 2011 he pledged his allegiance to Iran, scoring twice on debut against Qatar in a World Cup qualifier. 

Now plying his trade for Al-Arabi in the Qatar Stars League (who paid Fulham a reported $12m to sign him), the lightning-fast attacker has the talent to wreak havoc on Group C rivals Japan, Iraq and Palestine if they give him too much space and time on the ball.

Khalfan Ibrahim — Qatar

Dubbed the ‘Maradona of Qatar’, and for good reason, Khalfan Ibrahim has a penchant for the spectacular. The Al Sadd winger was named Asian Player of the Year in 2006, aged just 18, and while his career ascent has somewhat levelled, the 26-year-old is still a deadly proposition. Ibrahim scored goals for fun (15 in 21 games) in the 2008-09 Qatar Stars League and won the Asian Champions League in 2011.

Reza Ghoochannejhad — Iran

Ghoochannejhad, nicknamed Gucci, scored Iran’s sole goal at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and will lead the line for his country at the Asian Cup. The Charlton striker boasts a great strike rate for country (11 goals in 19 matches). Ghoochannejhad was a talented violinist as a child and will be hoping to strike a chord at the Asian Cup.

Omar Abdulrahman — United Arab Emirates

Another of Asia’s genuine superstars, the only doubt over Abdulrahman is his fitness, because if he is on song during the Asian Cup, look out. The 23-year-old Al Ain attacker trialled with Manchester City in 2012, with only work permit issues scuppering his move to England. There are question marks over his condition, having not played since the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup in November, but the big-haired attacker is a big game player and the UAE will be looking to him to help get them through a wide open Group C against Iran, Qatar and Bahrain.

Ali Al Habsi — Oman

Oman goalkeeper and skipper Al Habsi only arrived in Australia on Sunday, meaning he won’t have much time with the team before their Asian Cup kicks off against Korea Republic in Canberra, the city the Red Warriors have based themselves in. There’s plenty of experience in Oman’s squad, and Al Habsi is no different, having played 92 times of the national team, been to three Asian Cups and representing Wigan in the Premier League. The Socceroos attackers will have to be on their game when they face Al Habsi on January 13 at Stadium Australia, the 33-year-old has showed before he’s tough to get past.

Server Djeparov (Uzbekistan)

A two-time Asian player of the year (2008 and 2011) Uzbekistan forward Djeparov has been skipper of the side since 2011 and scored twice at the White Wolves’ semi-final finish at the last Asian Cup. Now at Korean side Seongnam FC, Djeparov’s country will look to their skipper to provide the goals in another wide open group featuring the Uzbeks, Saudi Arabia, Korea DPR and China.

View Source Article for Video Clips of these Star Players

Romantic Things To Do in Sydney

Looking for somewhere romantic to take that special someone? Offering fantastic waterfront dining, picturesque picnic spots, outdoor cinemas and a diverse calendar of events, Sydney is home to many places that can set the mood for a romantic day or night out.

Get planning your next date night, or celebrate a milestone with a loved one with one of these romantic things to do in Sydney.

Outdoor cinemas

For a fancier affair than a visit to the local cinema, catch a flick in the evening air at one of Sydney’s outdoor cinemas this summer. Enjoy one of the many new releases or cult classics scheduled, or watch a special preview screening. Choose from a stunning Sydney Harbour backdrop at the St George Open Air Cinema, or relax on Bondi Beach at Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinemas Bondi.

Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinemas Bondi

Picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

With stunning views of Sydney Harbour and many shady trees to spread a picnic blanket under, the Royal Botanic Garden is an idyllic and central spot for a romantic breakfast, lunch or early dinner. Once you’ve finished picnicking, take a stroll around the extensive grounds and explore its many themed and manicured gardens.

Picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Blacktown Skyline Drive In

For a cinematic experience with a hint of nostalgia, spend the evening at the Blacktown Skyline Drive In and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car. Stock the car with your own food or dine on American-style food and refreshing beverages at the cinema’s 1950s-themed diner.

Image credit: Peter Dobson and Blacktown Skyline Drive In Cinema

Dinner by the harbour

Set the scene for a romantic night out with dinner at one of Sydney’s many harbourside restaurants and cafés. Time your date to see the sun set over Sydney Harbour. Popular dining locations with spectacular waterfront views include Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, with plenty of acclaimed restaurants, bars and cafes perfect for dinner and a nightcap.

Dining beside Sydney Harbour at Opera Kitchen

Night visit to the Sydney Observatory

Gaze up at the stars and explore the night sky alongside your partner during an evening visit to the Sydney Observatory. A tour after dark gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the universe, discover ancient Indigenous astronomy, and trace planets and galaxies through the observatory’s telescopes.

Stargazing at the Sydney Observatory

‘Roar and Snore’ at Taronga Zoo

Experience a date with a difference with Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore program. Come face-to-face with some of Taronga’s furry, feathered and scaly creatures during behind the scenes tours in one of Sydney’s most enchanting date itineraries. Spend the night within the zoo grounds in a safari tent and wake up to the sounds of the zoo’s resident birds and animals as you watch the sun rise over Sydney Harbour.

‘Roar and Snore’ at Taronga Zoo

See a theatre production or musical

Experience world-class theatre and musicals in Sydney. With local and international acts performing as part of a varied year-round program, there are plenty of shows to choose from for a romantic night out. Stellar performances to look forward to this season include Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, on now at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until February, and Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 27 March – 26 April 2015. This year’s Hand Opera on Sydney Harbour program features Verdi’s dramatic Aida, an epic story of a royal love triangle set in Egypt at the time of the pharaohs.

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage

Limbo | Dirty and Dangerous Circus Cabaret - Sydney Festival 2015

Limbo | Dirty and Dangerous Circus Cabaret - Sydney Festival 2015

After a sellout season at Sydney Festival 2014, the ultimate other-worldly party, staged somewhere between heaven and hell, returns to the Festival Village once more with circus that’s wild, wicked and out of this world.

“An irresistible cocktail of circus skills, live music and sexy humour”

Time Out (UK)

LIMBO is dirty and dangerous circus cabaret, whisking audiences into a sinister netherworld of jaw-dropping contortion, gut-churning aerial acrobatics, nail-biting stunts and staggering illusions.

Set to Sxip Shirey's thrilling live score of brass, electronics, hip-hop and club beats, LIMBO is poised to set Sydney on fire again.

Event Duration: 70 mins, no interval

Event Preview: 7 January at 7.30pm 

Event Dates: 8–25 January 

8 January at 5.15pm & 9.45pm 
Tues–Sun at 9.45pm 
Sat at 5.15pm & 9.45pm 

No performance on Mondays

View the official Sydney Festival Site

#sydneyfestival #sydfest #sydfest2015