Sydney FC to face EPL giants Tottenham Hotspur at ANZ Stadium in May

One to watch: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Swansea City in the EPL. Photo: Reuters

By Sebastian Hassett

Barely a day or so after winding up their English Premier League campaign, Tottenham Hotspur look to be on their way to Australia to face Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium on May 30.

Contrary to earlier reports on Monday night, the deal has not been finalised but is still expected to be concluded in the next few days with an announcment scheduled for Friday.

Tottenham's final league match of the EPL campaign will be against Everton on May 24, leaving little room for any celebrations should Spurs be able to claw their way into the top four - to qualify for the Champions League - on the final day of the season. They are currently six points behind fourth-place Manchester United but have a game in hand.

As revealed by Fairfax Media last month, Tottenham were competing with Bayern Munich and Chelsea to play the lucrative friendly.

The NSW government and Destination NSW will be tipping in a sizeable chunk of money to bring Tottenham to Australia but it won't come close to the $3 million spent - and recouped - on bringing Manchester United to Australia in 2013.

However, Spurs are one of the most popular clubs in Australia and their appearance at Homebush should see at least 60,000 fans flock from around the country to view Mauricio Pochettino's team in the flesh. It will also be the first time in 30 years that Tottenham have come to Australia.

The North London club boast some of the biggest names in English football, none bigger than free-scoring wonderboy Harry Kane, with fans also sure to be eager to catch a glimpse of Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembélé, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado, Érik Lamela, Jan Vertonghen and French international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The Western Sydney Wanderers were originally in interested in staging the matches but the clubs' hierarchy apparently decided the players would need a rest considering their sizeable workload this past year.

If Sydney FC make the A-League grand final, scheduled for either May 10 or May 17, they will only have to stay in training for another fortnight. Most A-League clubs continue training even after their seasons have been completed.

The arrival of Tottenham marks the first contest in what will be an unusually active off-season for A-League players, with the Socceroos due to host at least one international match in June and the International Champions Cup, featuring Manchester City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma in July, to be staged at the MCG.

Liverpool are also returning to Australia after two years away, playing against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United. It's thought that other clubs are also trying to lure big-name overseas teams.

Confirmation of the announcement regarding Tottenham's visit was sought from both Football Federation Australia and Sydney FC but the Sky Blues' chief executive Tony Pignata declined to comment.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc/sydney-fc-to-face-epl-giants-tottenham-hotspur-at-anz-stadium-in-may-20150302-13t4lt.html

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 11-2
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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

Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas Day

Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas Day offers punters the perfect preview to some of the world-class racing that will take place at Sydney's tracks over the next six Saturdays.

The day's racing is headlined by the Group 1 AUD600,000 Randwick Guineas, one of the key races of Sydney Autumn Racing, and a major event for top quality young gallopers striving to capture the elusive Triple Crown.

Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas Day favours the Irish on the countdown to St. Patrick's Day - with free entry for Irish passport holders plus a guest!



Racegoers can enjoy the Guinness Green at the Octagonal Lawn with AUD5 tap Guinness, plus an afternoon of entertainment with an Irish folk and cover band.

For more information: www.australianturfclub.com.au

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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Sound of Music Sing-a-long a Crowd Pleaser

Moviegoers get dressed up and into the swing of things for the Sound Of Music singalong at the State Theatre. Photo: Wolter Peeters

It is a favourite moment among fans of The Sound of Music: Maria finally marries the dishy Captain von Trapp, after stealing his affection from the beautiful but conniving baroness.

And at Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music events in Sydney, it is fast becoming an audience favourite too, with one member bringing audience participation to a whole new level.

As Maria makes her way down the long church aisle on screen, Theresa Kompara, decked in her own elaborate tulle and lace wedding dress, slowly walks the aisle of the State Theatre, where hundreds are watching the classic film on the big screen.

Fans of the singalongs look forward to Kompara's performance each year, which usually involves one or two volunteers to hold her train.

"I'm Maria, I come every year," says Kompara, in character at Friday night's screening. "I've come to look for the captain, I think he's upstairs."

Kompara, of Darlinghurst, has been to the singalongs for so many years she no longer watches most of the film. Now she comes for the dress-up competition then heads to a nearby cafe before returning to the theatre for her big moment.

Next month marks 50 years since The Sound of Music hit the screens and Sing-A-Long-A events have helped to bring the classic film to a whole new generation.

It began 17 year ago in London and since then almost 2 million tickets have been sold to 3500 performances globally. Organisers estimate more than 50,000 people have dressed up as nuns.

Nuns far outnumber any other character among those who are dressed up for the Friday night screening. There are girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes and brown paper packages tied up with string among more bizarre offerings, such as the group who have come wearing multicoloured clown wigs and fluro vests with nuclear signs and blueberries attached.

"We're blueberries with hepatitis A," they explain. "You know, because the children lie about eating blueberries in the movie."

Dressed as Maria, host Katrina Retallick judges a dress-up competition and takes the audience through a vocal warm-up. She also explains the contents of a white "fun pack" which each audience member has been given.

"It's full of lots of little goodies like the curtain swatch which we wave and shout "Behind you, behind you" so that Maria will see the curtains and find inspiration for the children's clothes," she says later. "And there's edelweiss, of course, and a party popper for when the captain and Maria kiss."

Retallick says it is no surprise that people come back each year to sing along to the songs, dress up and interact with the movie.

"There are so many elements to this film I think it has everything in it; grand romance, war, cute children and a gorgeous setting in the Austrian Alps. But I think it's Julie Andrews that has held the film over these 50 years, it's her amazing performance."

The crowd thinks so too. Each time Maria appears on screen they cheer.

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