Sydney Spectaculars

University Of Sydney Lights The Way For Vivid Sydney

In one week’s time the beautiful historic grounds of the University of Sydney will come alive with spectacular light installations, music performances and public forums during Vivid Path to the Future, a week-long program held as part of Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas.

The University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Michael Spence said, “The University will be transformed into a creative playground that will surprise and ignite the imagination of people and we are delighted to be bringing Vivid Sydney to our local community.”

“A large creative pool of talented staff, students and artist collaborators are behind a revealing program of new ideas and directions in art, technology and music.”

“It will be an immersive event where visitors can see a spectacular light show, listen to live experimental music, or take part in topical talks on society’s key health and social issues that the University’s research is tackling.”

“At the University of Sydney we take our responsibilities as a citizen of the city seriously and this program complements our work supporting the intellectual and creative life of the city. We are proud of our contribution to the cultural landscape of the city, and we hope our staff, students, alumni and local communities take the opportunity to visit and enjoy our campus,” Dr Spence said.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said, “I am pleased that the University of Sydney will be a part of Vivid Sydney for the second time, with an expanded program showcasing light, music and ideas across the campus. Vivid is where art, technology and commerce intersect, and with exceptional academic staff and students across each of these three areas it is only natural that the University plays a big role in this year’s Festival.”

The University of Sydney’s famous Quadrangle will once again become the centrepiece of this year’s Vivid Path to the Future program with three illuminating light shows presented each evening from 25 to 30 May. The iconic façade will be turned into a magnificent canvas featuring artworks created by more than 40 local and international artists.

Among these are several headliner acts, including French visual artist, Joanie Lemercier and UK sound artist, James Ginzburg who will make their Australian debut at Vivid. They are joined by two other large-scale projection artists: New York’s Light Harvest Studios and Sydney’s The Electric Canvas. These leading artists will present their new electrifying works, Blueprint, Simple Creatures and Space that will be shown in three light shows at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm daily (6pm only on 31 May).

A unique collaboration between three University faculties, the Charles Perkins Centre and Eora TAFE promises to be another highlight of the 3D mapping projections in the Quadrangle. Intercellular is a series of short films created by University staff and students across design computing, medicine and music, in partnership with Indigenous staff and students at Eora TAFE. The conceptual films will bridge the idea of light from the galaxies, Indigenous astronomy and the physics of light from cells, in a celebration of the International Year of Light.

The International Year of Light is also the impetus for several public discussions within the University’s Vivid Ideas program. Popular talks will include Enlighten: Our brightest minds reveal how light transforms your life; and The Future of Music: how interactive technologies are changing music experiences; as well as panels tackling some of the big health and social issues such as The Obesity Epidemic: can design help?; and I’m not racist, but…. hosted by television personality Gretel Killeen.

For Vivid Music, the Seymour Centre will host a series of experimental music concerts called New Wave Sound, including Gothic, Music For Double Bass, Senex et Sonet and Bridge: Electroacoustic Review. Additionally, the Seymour Centre will host Musify + Gamify curated by the University’s Ollie Bown and Lian Loke. A showpiece of the event are two concerts of bold experimental music by groundbreaking Australian artists including Ensemble Offspring, Robbie Avenaim and Chris Abrahams, 7Bit Hero, Alon Isar and renowned BAFTA nominated game composer David Kanaga of Dyed and Proteus. They will be complemented by an exhibition in the auditorium inviting ‘gamified’ audience participation in the creation of music.

For the first time, the University of Sydney will present a light walk with installations dotted along the journey from the Quadrangle light show to the gigantic public artwork, the Sea of Hands, and onto several light installations along the promenade of Eastern Avenue.

What: Vivid Path to the Future
When: 25-31 May (Quadrangle Light Show daily at 6pm, 8pm, 10pm from 25-30 May and 6pm only on 31 May; and other events across the day and night. See full program)
Where: The University of Sydney Quadrangle and Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, plus satellite events across Darlington campus and the Seymour Centre.
Full program: vividsydney.com/precinct/university-sydney

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Modulations Announces Third Grace Jones Concert At Carriageworks Exclusive To Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney, Carriageworks, and Modular Music are thrilled to announce that fashion and music icon Grace Jones will perform a third and final concert as part of Vivid Sydney on Tuesday 2 June. With the first two concerts close to selling out, organisers have confirmed the internationally lauded music superstar will perform a third night exclusively for Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, owned and managed by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.

The Tuesday 2 June concert at Carriageworks will follow concerts on Sunday 31 May and Monday 1 June. Tickets to the third concert go on sale today, Monday 18 May at 10am. This will be Jones’ only Australian appearances and her first visit to Sydney since her sell-out shows in 2011. Modulations has been delighted by the enthusiastic response from Sydney audiences as tickets have been in high demand to see the music superstar in this intimate setting for her Sydney-exclusive performances.

Carriageworks Director, Lisa Havilah said, “Grace Jones has a large and loyal following in Australia so we are thrilled to add a third concert to the Modulations program. One of the most influential artists of her generation, Jones is one of the original female music industry pioneers and a true cultural innovator of our time.”

Modulations Creative Director Stephen Pavlovic said Jones is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential music and fashion icons of the 20th century, and her reputation for electric on-stage performances makes this a must-see music event. “Grace Jones at Modulations will be a rare opportunity to experience a true music legend in the intimate and immersive spaces at Carriageworks. A truly iconic singer, songwriter, model, actor and all round enigma. Her live sets are duly renowned as nothing short of incredible, segueing from disco to funk, from pop to punk, all presented within a visual spectacular as stunning as the musical artistry. Grace’s performance promises to be unmissable.”

Modulations returns with an expanded program this year set across two jam-packed weekends promising six days of exclusive music performances, contemporary ideas and innovative food experiences as part of Vivid Sydney.

Vivid Sydney transforms the city into a colourful canvas of light, music and ideas for 18 nights from 22 May to 8 June.

For more information on Vivid Sydney visit www.vividsydney.com

To book tickets for Modulations visit www.carriageworks.com.au

IMPORTANT TICKETING INFORMATION

Tickets to Grace Jones third concert are on sale from 10:00am Monday 18 May. For bookings visit: www.carriageworks.com.au

GRACE JONES CONCERT DETAILS

WHAT: Grace Jones in Concert
WHEN: Sunday 31 May, Monday 1 June, Tuesday 2 June, 8pm
WHERE: Carriageworks, Sydney
TICKETS: $127*

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

One Week To Go! Vivid Sydney Top Picks And Tips

In just one week, the city will sparkle, shimmer and shine even more brightly when the lights go on for Vivid Sydney. Organisers are sharing tips to help visitors make the most of the 18 night festival from 22 May – 8 June.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres said: “Sydney is about to light up our Harbour city and enthral visitors from around Australia and across the world who visit Sydney for this very special annual event.”

Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, will feature more than 60 lighting installations, 70 music performances and 150 Ideas events. The festival will spread from Circular Quay to Walsh Bay and take in Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Central Park, Chatswood and the University of Sydney.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase said: “Vivid Sydney is set to light up the city and visitors’ hearts with some of our most incredible light installation programs yet. With so much to see and do, we offer the following tips to help everyone get the most out of their Vivid Sydney experience.”

With a bigger light festival planned in 2015, here are some of the top picks:

1. See the Harbour illuminated

Be dazzled by a fleet of ferries and boats that will light up different colours which will change as they cruise through the Harbour and beyond. Ferries, jet boats, harbour cruise vessels will take part in the ‘Harbour City Lights’ moving art.

2. Give Dolly a Hug

Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, head to Campbell’s Cove to give a giant crocheted doll a hug. The illuminated Dolly is the perfect Vivid Sydney night light and is sure to be popular with young and old.

3. Re-live your childhood at First Fleet Park

Enjoy tributes to family favourite games at First Fleet Park’s interactive hub. Be the DJ with Beat Dice, a series of drum cubes that light up. Play Duck Duck Goose on the installation of the same name or spot the piggy in the middle at Entitle, a giant illuminated Rocco pig. The young, or young-at-heart can swing the night away on Swing Glow, a glowing swing set.

4. Don’t miss Enchanted Sydney

Be mesmerised by the flora and fauna of Sydney when it’s projected onto one of the city’s oldest sandstone buildings, Customs House, at Enchanted Sydney. The city will hum with gorgeous butterflies and soft mossy flora.

5. Make your way to Martin Place

Head to Martin Place for some refreshments at Transcendence and then get hands-on with ‘a game of drones’. Other installations included in the precinct include the giant Robotanics, Phase Frames, Spectra and Drum Circle.

6. Be wowed in Darling Harbour

Head to Darling Harbour for the Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre to see a spectacular liquid-light show featuring dynamic jets and spirals of water, full-colour lighting, rainbow-coloured lasers and dancing flame effects, all to a soundtrack from Sydney electronic music gurus, the Presets.

7. Jump on the train and head out to new precincts of Chatswood and Central Park

Whether you love street art projections and silent discos at Central Park, or if you are more inclined to be drawn into the story of Norbet and the Nautilus at Chatswood, the new Vivid Sydney precincts this year will buzz with light installations and much more!

Vivid Sydney 2015 Tips

1. Go early in the week and early in the night!

Vivid Sydney is on for 18 days, so there’s plenty of time to see it all. Monday to Wednesday is less busy than weekends so those who want to stroll leisurely through Vivid Sydney should take advantage of these quieter periods by visiting on weeknights. Special tip for families – start your experience at Martin Place and Central Park where lights turn on at 5:30pm nightly, before the rest of the festival lights up at 6:00pm.

2. Leave the car at home

Plan your trip at www.vividsydney.com/transport, leave the car at home and catch public transport to and from the event.

3. Download the free Vivid Sydney smartphone app

Follow the Vivid Trail of your favourite sportsperson, media personality or photographer, and see what installations are near you with Near Me technology with the Vivid Sydney app. Available now to be downloaded at iTunes and Google Play, the app is sure to enhance your Vivid Sydney experience.

4. Take your camera and get social with #vividsydney

If you’re feeling social and sharing photos online, don’t forget to tag #vividsydney. Selfie lovers should also head to You Are Here on the Light Walk to get a snap with the iconic Sydney Opera House as the backdrop.

5. There’s no need to rush

Take your time. Vivid Sydney is open for 18 nights so you can plan to visit more than one precinct or return to a much loved installation.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. Visit www.vividsydney.com for more information.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Save The Rings!

It lit up Sydney when the city was at it’s brightest – the 2000 Olympics. For over 14 years, the iconic ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect, which was switched off in the most dramatic fashion during the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular (see video), has been sitting in a shed nearly 200 kilometres south of Sydney in Goulburn and now it is for auction on eBay for $10,000 minimum – but would this iconic and historic piece of lighting be preserved?

Over the years, there have been proposals to permanently place it in Goulburn as a tourist attraction along the town’s bypass whilst some have also proposed it to be locate at Sydney Olympic Park but none of these have happened. It is apparently in good structural condition but the ropelight no longer works – an upgrade of the ropelight could see it become LED with colours – something the Bridge Effect did not have in 2000 (it was just plain yellow back then). The Bridge Effect could also be programmed to form different patterns and sequences or made interactive too.

It still has potential but with little time left, it is highly likely the ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect might disappear forever again…for real this time unless someone buys it with intent to preserve it. It has heaps of sporting, cultural, historical and engineering significance and is something the public could enjoy to see for decades. It was switched on for the first time on September 14 2000 when the Olympic Torch Relay arrived at the Sydney Opera House and the Olympic Flame was exchanged between the torches of Pat Rafter and Olivia-Newton John. It then stay lit until October 1 2000 when it featured in the world record breaking finale of the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular which saw the Olympic Rings ‘explode’ into the night sky. A year later, a section of the ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect appeared in a local Goulburn parade and has not been seen in use since.

Only 1 Bridge Effect has been placed permanently for the public to view – ‘Fanfare‘ (or colloquially known as the ‘disco ball’) from Sydney NYE2004 – ‘Reflections On Australiana’ is currently being installed in Christchurch, New Zealand as part of a SCAPE Public Art project after being donated by the City Of Sydney. The designer of that Bridge Effect, Neil Dawson, is from Christchurch.

Given the significance of the ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect and the fact that it is still intact (very rare), it deserves a permanent home so we have set up below a petition to hopefully ensure the ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect’s survival. Share it on social media – there is very little time!

The description on eBay reads ‘The Rings are massive, in good condition and under cover they could be used for igloo type buildings. Located in Goulburn NSW. Transport can be arranged’. Bidding closes at 10:18pm AEST 13 May 2015. Hopefully the ‘Olympic Rings’ Bridge Effect has a bright future…

#savetherings

Sign our petition as a way to show your support:

‘Olympics Rings’ Bridge Effect Fast Facts

Each ring consists of 4 or 5 separate sections
7 semi-trailers are required to transport it (Each semi-trailer holding 3 sections)
1st time 40 tonnes of metal structure was hung off the Sydney Harbour Bridge
8.5 kilometres of iridescent ropelight
Face of each ring is 2.1 metres in width/1.8 metres deep
Each ring contains 20 ropelight strands
300,000 globes in the ropelight overall
Ring diameter is 25 metres
Spans 78 metres
Powered by 200 amp power supply
Designed and built by Kermac Welding and Engineering
Lit /electrified by The Wilken Group
Lit on the Sydney Harbour Bridge between 14 September and 1 October 2000 for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

‘Aida’ Spectacular An Overwhelming Success For Opera Australia

Opera Australia’s 2015 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (HOSH) production has been declared an overwhelming success for the company, firmly cementing its’ place on Sydney’s annual cultural calendar as an iconic, ‘must-see’ signature event.

Now in its’ fourth year, Aida was on track to break all box office records even before Opening Night, having sold more tickets at that point than the entire 2014 season.

With HOSH’s reputation as a world-class production growing each year, Sydneysiders, interstate and international visitors flocked to the event like never before. The result was more than 55,000 seats sold, representing a box office increase of 45%.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said “I congratulate Opera Australia on another hugely successful season of this only-in-Sydney event, HOSH.”

“This year, nearly 20,000 tickets were sold to people outside of Sydney – an increase of around 75 per cent on last year – contributing significantly to the NSW visitor economy. The NSW Government is very proud to be partnering with Opera Australia until at least 2017 through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW to bring this event to Sydney Harbour,” he said.

Opera Australia’s Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini, said he is thrilled to see his vision reach such a pinnacle both creatively and commercially.

“It’s been so incredibly satisfying to witness the enthusiasm and the critical acclaim this spectacular production has generated. Each year, it manages to exceed our expectations. And extending the season in 2015 allowed us to welcome more people to experience this unforgettable performance in one of the most beautiful settings in the world,” said Terracini.

“I must congratulate director, Gale Edwards, and her creative team including set and costume designer, Mark Thompson, who together delivered a most memorable stage design, giving us an extraordinary addition to the stunning Sydney skyline with our Queen Nefertiti sculpture.”

“And to all the magnificent singers, musicians, dancers and actors from Australia and around the world, heartfelt thanks for embracing HOSH and delivering us such amazing and memorable performances,” he said.

The event’s major benefactor Dr Haruhisa Handa attended a performance of HOSH for the first time in its four-year history, along with special guests Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Mrs Abbott.

“It has been incredibly satisfying to see a performance for the first time. To see first-hand how much work has gone into it, the costumes, the set, the dining areas. And to see so many people coming to enjoy such a wonderful production with some of the finest singers and musicians in the world on this magnificent stage with this incredible backdrop. I am so proud and I congratulate Lyndon Terracini and his amazing team,” said Dr Handa.

The rise in attendance figures for the fourth year in a row shows Opera Australia’s mission to present opera to a broader audience is clearly working, with initial figures indicating that 47% of the audience were seeing an Opera Australia event for the first time.

All aspects of this year’s HOSH experience received great reviews. In particular, the hospitality options have evolved over the years to become a highlight of the event. For Aida the Moroccan themed décor and Fresh Catering’s deliciously inspired menus garnered praise across the board, matched perfectly by Tyrrell’s Wines. The Platinum Club was again a huge success, this year introducing a buffet option alongside fine dining.

Aida was acclaimed by critics as the most spectacular HOSH production to date and has been filmed for cinema, TV and DVD release. It will be released in Australian cinemas in August with a worldwide release scheduled in September (details www.cinemalive.com).

Details of Opera Australia’s 2016 season, including HOSH will be announced in August this year.

Media Release: Opera Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons Light Up To Honour Fallen ANZACs

Shown projected on the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge: MILSON, Capt. Stewart. 4th Bn. Australian Inf. Mentioned in Despatches. Killed in action 6th/8th Aug., 1915. Age 28. Gallipoli 7. Lone Pine Cemetery. Son of Arthur James and E. May Milson, of Walaya, Milson’s Point, New South Wales. Native of Queensland. Image: Roads & Maritime Services

Cancelled for today – 21 April 2015

Due to the unsafe and potentially damaging weather conditions, the projections on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons have been cancelled for today, 21 April 2015.

It is hoped for the program to continue as planned tomorrow, 22 April, at 6pm

To honour the fallen ANZACs for the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, Roads and Maritime Services will showcase a series of poignant images from World War I onto the eastern face of the north and south pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Selected from the archives of the Australian War Memorial and the State Library of NSW, the images help tell the ANZAC story.

Sydneysiders have a unique opportunity to be a part of this special commemoration and pay their respects. Viewing areas will include the Sydney Opera House, Mrs Macquaries’ Point, Dawes Point Park and Bradfield Park in North Sydney.

Viewers will be able to follow the story of each image by visiting the Roads and Maritime Services website on hand-held devices as the images appear on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

The projections will run in 15 minute intervals from 6pm to Midnight between 21st & 27th April 2015 except for the 24th April when it will run all night from 6pm until 6am on 25th April.

Telling The Story: About The Images

The images will feature 6 ANZAC-related themes:

Call to War
Journey
Gallipoli
Portraits of ANZACs
Support
Commemoration

Each image will be supported by information on the Roads and Maritime Services website, providing information for viewers on the history and background of each image.

The Symbolism Of The Poppy Animation

Every projection series will feature a 2 minute animation of poppies ‘falling’ from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

By the end of the week’s projections, more than 62,000 poppies will have ‘fallen’ from the pylons, representing each of the 62,000 fallen Australians in World War I.

Additional Information

The project is being funded by Roads and Maritime Services & administered by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Source: Centenary of Anzac commemorations – News & Events – About – Roads and Maritime Services

Vivid Sydney 2015: Biggest Ever Program Announced

Expansion into city suburbs Chatswood and Central Park

Over 60 Lighting Installations and Projections

Expanded Music Program and Australian exclusives including The Hoodoo Gurus and Daniel Johns

Award-winning, Australian-first global speakers at Vivid Ideas

Vivid Sydney is set to shine even more brightly in 2015 when the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas delivers its biggest program yet. For 18 nights, from 22 May – 8 June, Vivid Sydney will again transform the city and harbour.The 2015 program includes expansion into new city precincts Chatswood and Central Park, its biggest ever music program including Australian exclusives such as The Hoodoo Gurus at the Powerhouse Museum and Daniel Johns’ international solo debut at the Sydney Opera House, and heavy-hitting speakers at Vivid Ideas.

Vivid Sydney, now in its seventh year, is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said: “Vivid Sydney is an incredible public event that has seen amazing growth, attracting a record 1.43 million attendees in 2014. It’s the largest festival of its kind in the world, and with our biggest program yet, there’s even more to love about Vivid Sydney this year.

“While the heart of Vivid Light is still beating strongly in and around Circular Quay, Vivid Sydney is spreading even further into the city suburbs, with Central Park and Chatswood joining the program this year,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Favourite locations Circular Quay, Walsh Bay, Martin Place, and Darling Harbour are back with over 60 light installations and projections with even more opportunity for visitors to get hands on, more water theatre shows – this time with lasers and fire – and new and expanded programming at Pyrmont & The Star and the University of Sydney. The sandstone canvases of Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) will also return with spectacular new 3D projections.

“With all eyes on the Sydney Opera House, Lighting Of The Sails will once again take its place as the centrepiece of the amazing light spectacular during Vivid Sydney, with Universal Everything promising awe-inspiring projections that will reimagine the architecture as a living mural, with a diverse series of vibrant, hand-drawn sequences.

“Vivid Music will introduce its most expansive program yet, featuring more shows and venues and an impressive line-up of local and international talent,” she said.

The Hoodoo Gurus will perform an exclusive one-off show at the Powerhouse Museum and a new line up of cutting edge, innovative performances will be held across the city at new venues Goodgod Small Club, Oxford Art Factory and Freda’s, with the Seymour Centre, The Basement, The Argyle and Barrio Cellar part of the line-up again in 2015.

Part of the Vivid Music program, Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House features a 10-night run of exclusive Sydney-only performances and for the first time will also include two large scale outdoor events, internal light projections and an event for kids and families. Features include four exclusive performances from Morrissey, Daniel Johns in his international solo debut, Sufjan Stevens in his only Australian performances and FCX – 10 Years of Future Classics featuring Flume and Flight Facilities. With a line-up of heavy-hitting speakers, Vivid Ideas introduces The Game Changers, a new talk series this year headlined by three global influencers: multi Emmy-winning writer Matthew Weiner, series creator and executive producer of Mad Men and former executive producer and writer on The Sopranos; Grammy-winning designer Stefan Sagmeister, whose clients include the Rolling Stones, Lou Reed and the Guggenheim Museum; and entrepreneur and publisher Tyler Brûlé, founder of the world-famous magazines Wallpaper and Monocle.

“With such an amazing festival planned, Destination NSW will continue to work with the travel industry to encourage visitation to Sydney from across Australia and the globe for this incredible event. We aim to build on the results from last year when more than 20,000 international visitors travelled to Sydney on dedicated Vivid Sydney travel packages,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Vivid Sydney will also work with event partners, land owners and a new accessibility specialist to build on the positive initiatives undertaken last year.

“A new sustainability partnership with The Banksia Foundation will also further develop Vivid Sydney’s sustainability agenda which includes recycling assets, environmental waste management practises and improved energy efficiency,” she said.

Vivid Sydney welcomes the return of Intel, a world-leader in computing technology, as event partner for the fifth consecutive year. 2015 Supporters include Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, City of Sydney, Sydney Opera house, The Star, Canon, Indeed, 32 Hundred Lighting, Oracle and TDC.

Some of the highlights of Vivid Sydney 2015 program:

Where	What	When
Sydney Opera House	Design collective Universal Everything will be Lighting the Sails with spectacular projections.	Nightly from 6pm
Customs House	Enchanted Sydney by Spinifex, a continually evolving and blossoming world with free-flowing images of Sydney’s flora and fauna.	Nightly from 6pm
MCA (sandstone original building)	Mechanised Colour Assemblage by Danny Rose and Rebecca Baumann transforms the MCA into a series of sound and colour machines.	Nightly from 6pm
Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay	Harbour Lights returns with boats lit up, floating on the Harbour in a symphony of colour, Paint the Town allows visitors to illuminate the city’s skyscrapers, plus more than 60 light installations adorn the harbour foreshore.	Nightly from 6pm
Martin Place	The daytime centre of the city is illuminated at night with installations including Transcendence, an impressive towering structure featuring mesmerising projection mapping, code-driven light shows and divine fare from Sydney’s hippest purveyors of food and beverage.	Nightly from 6pm
Darling Harbour	Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre presented by Oracle-Liquid is a choreographed audio visual symphony featuring fountain jets and spirals, colour lighting, rainbow lasers and dancing flames.	Nightly from 6pm
Central Park	STREETS AHEAD featuring projections from contemporary artists Reko Rennie and Beastman onto the heritage Carlton & United Brewery façade, plus Silent Discos every Friday and Saturday.	Nightly from 6pm
University Of Sydney	Vivid Path to the Future, a week long program of light, music and ideas with spectacular 3D mapped projections and a light walk.	25-31 May
Pyrmont & The Star	Vivid Sydney Game Zone, a buzzing multisensory entertainment precinct with interactive installations at Pyrmont Bay Park and Sky Terrace at The Star.	Nightly from 6pm
Chatswood	Aquatic Wonderland, a mesmerising water world featuring giant sea creatures and an animated aquarium, culminating in a beautifully-illustrated 3D animation set over the façade of The Concourse.	Nightly from 6pm to 11pm
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House	Morrissey, Daniel Johns, Sufjan Stevens and FCX – 10 Years of Future Classic featuring Flume and Flight Facilities.	22 May to 8 June
Vivid Music	Hoodoo Gurus at Powerhouse Museum, Modulations at Carriageworks, the Seymour Centre and new venues Oxford Art Factory, Freda’s and Goodgod Small Club.	22 May to 8 June
Vivid Ideas	The Game Changers talk series with Matthew Weiner, Stefan Sagmeister and Tyler Brûlé, plus the Vivid Ideas Exchange sessions at the MCA.	22 May to 8 June

For more information on Vivid Sydney, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Live Projection On The Sails

Audiences across the world will be able to watch the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the 1st time projected live in concert onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House in a grand salute to Vienna, the world capital of classical music.

Visions Of Vienna, presented by the Vienna Tourist Board, is a multimedia event that will be live-streamed online. It is set to celebrate the importance of music to both cities – Vienna and Sydney – while presenting Vienna’s rich culture of acoustic and visual art.

Footage of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra players performing a classic Viennese program inside the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall will be projected live onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House, with the grand towering figures of the musicians transforming the cultural icon’s western exterior into a moving artwork.

The footage will be accompanied by stunning Viennese imagery inspired by the capital’s striking architecture, the Art Nouveau movement and the works of Austrian secessionist painter Gustav Klimt.

Audiences across the world will be able to view the spectacle unfolding on the sails in a live stream online, filmed from West Circular Quay.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Rory Jeffes said the event would be a chance for the world to see an orchestra like never before and learn more about the ‘City of Music’.

“We’re immensely proud to be joining the Vienna Tourist Board in what will be a celebration of classical music, Viennese art and multimedia excellence,” Mr Jeffes said. “As the world tunes in to watch our players live in action for the 1st time on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, we will be saluting Vienna and it’s contribution to our art form, and giving a friendly wave to our musical counterparts at the many institutions in the Austrian capital.”

Vienna Tourist Board Managing Director Norbert Kettner said the event would be a unique meeting of world-class music and world-class architecture: “It’s hard to imagine anything more impressive than a successful fusion of 2 different artistic disciplines at the very highest level – like we have managed in this case with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing the kind of classical masterpieces that Vienna is so famous for and the unique architecture of the Sydney Opera House.”

Visions Of Vienna will begin at approximately 8:30pm AEDT and feature the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing the 2nd half of Greatest Hits From Vienna, a concert in the spirit of the traditional Viennese New Year’s Day concert. Greatest Hits From Vienna will be led by Vienna-based conductor Ola Rudner and feature Viennese soprano Elisabeth Flechl as soloist in a program of classics, operetta and dance musical favourites by great composers such as Johann Strauss II, Lehar, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven.

The Vienna Tourist Board invites the public to view Visions Of Vienna from it’s public event area at Campbells Cove in The Rocks. More information can be found at: visions.vienna.info.

Audiences across the world can watch the live stream of the event at: www.sydneysymphony.com and visions.vienna.info.

#VisionsOfVienna

VISIONS OF VIENNA – Campbells Cove – 8:30pm Wednesday the 4th of February 2015 AEDT

FRANCESCO SUPPÉ-DEMELLI Overture to ‘Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna’
JOHANN STRAUSS II Overture to ‘The Bat’
JOHANN STRAUSS II Sounds From Home
JOHANN STRAUSS II Artist’s Life
JOHANN STRAUSS II Egyptian March
JOHANN STRAUSS II Greetings, My Lovely Little Nest
JOSEF STRAUSS Without A Care!
JOHANN STRAUSS II By the Beautiful Blue Danube

Ola Rudner – Conductor, Elisabeth Flechl – Soprano

GREATEST HITS FROM VIENNA – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall – 8pm Wednesday the 4th of February 2015 AEDT

FRANZ SCHUBERT Overture to ‘Rosamunde, Princess of Cyprus‘
JOHANNES MOZART That Ungrateful Soul Betrayed Me
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN ‘The Creatures of Prometheus’ Finale
FRANZ LEHAR Love, Thou Heaven On Earth
JOHANNES BRAHMS The Hungarian Dances: No. 4 – In F Minor (F♯ Minor For Orchestra): Little Supported – Lively
FRANCESCO SUPPÉ-DEMELLI Overture to ‘Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna’
JOHANN STRAUSS II Overture to ‘The Bat’
JOHANN STRAUSS II Sounds From Home
JOHANN STRAUSS II Artist’s Life
JOHANN STRAUSS II Egyptian March
JOHANN STRAUSS II Greetings, My Lovely Little Nest
JOSEF STRAUSS Without A Care!
JOHANN STRAUSS II By the Beautiful Blue Danube

Ola Rudner – Conductor, Elisabeth Flechl – Soprano

Bookings through the Sydney Symphony Orchestra box office on 8215 4600 (9am–5pm Monday to Friday) or select your own seat at: www.sydneysymphony.com

4 Million Australians Watch New Year’s Eve Celebrations On ABC TV

ABC and ABC News 24 reached 4 million viewers in metro and regional markets across its New Year’s Eve 2014 coverage from 8:30pm last night, up from 3.7 million last year.

In Sydney, more than 1 in 4 tuned into ABC TV during the coverage.

Program Audiences:

The combined metro and regional audience for ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve: Welcome (20:30-20:55) was 782,000 on ABC.
The combined metro and regional audience for ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve: 9pm Family Fireworks (20:55-21:10) was 1.4 million on ABC and ABC News 24.
The combined metro and regional audience for ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve: Party (21:10-23:55) was 1 million on ABC.
The combined metro and regional audience for ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks (23:55-00:22) was 2 million on ABC and ABC News 24.

Metro Audiences

Last night, ABC was the leading channel in the metro markets with a 5 city prime-time share of 19.7%.
ABC TV’s New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks was the No.1 program of the night with a 5 city audience of 1.4 million followed by the 9pm Family Fireworks with an audience of 1 million.
In Sydney, ABC also achieved a share of 27.9%.

Justin Holdforth, ABC Head of Sport and Events says: “The Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks are an iconic and much loved event. I’m delighted that the ABC was again able to deliver a spectacular night of family entertainment to audiences across Australia”.

Top 10 programs – 5 City Metro

Rank	Program	Channel	Audience	Share %
1	New Year’s Eve: Midnight Fireworks	ABC	1,372,000	53.2
2	New Year’s Eve: Family Fireworks	ABC	1,007,000	29.4
3	Nine News	9	889,000	27.5
4	Nine News 6:30	9	834,000	25.8
5	New Year’s Eve: Party	ABC	768,000	26.8
6	Seven News	7	702,000	21.8
7	A Current Affair	9	636,000	19.5
8	Seven News/Today Tonight	7	604,000	18.7
9	New Year’s Eve: Welcome	ABC	567,000	17.9
10	ABC News-Ev	ABC	545,000	16.8

Source: OzTAM & RegionalTAM overnight data. Reach is based on 5 minutes consecutive viewing.

Sydney Lights Up The World

A brilliant light bulb illuminated Sydney Harbour last night as huge crowds gathered around the foreshore to welcome in 2015, while millions more watched around the world.

Celebrating the International Year of Light, the 12-storey-high Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect was the centrepiece of the Midnight Fireworks display – one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - 9pm Family Fireworks Photograph: Jennifer Polixenni Brankin - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – 9pm Family Fireworks
Photograph: Jennifer Polixenni Brankin – First Light Photography

The light bulb design, which remained top-secret until midnight, followed an animated image of the New Holland Seahorse, which appeared on the Bridge during the 9PM Family Fireworks.

The New Holland Seahorse – commonly known as the Sydney Seahorse – is native to Sydney Harbour.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - 'New Holland Seahorse' Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect Photograph: David Clare - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – ‘New Holland Seahorse’ Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect
Photograph: David Clare – First Light Photography

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney’s world-famous fireworks displays provided the perfect welcome to the New Year.

“Sydney is known as the New Year’s Eve Capital of the World and last night’s celebrations were no exception,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Spectacular images from the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays have already been shared around the world – on television, online and via social media – shining a spotlight on our magnificent harbour and inspiring audiences worldwide to visit Sydney.”

“Our New Year’s Eve celebrations have allowed us to showcase our fantastic city to the rest of the world, reinforcing that Sydney is and always will be a welcoming, inclusive, harmonious and multicultural community.”

Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Producer Aneurin Coffey, Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson and Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti discussing fireworks at White Bay. Photograph: City Of Sydney — Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Producer Aneurin Coffey, Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson and Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti discussing fireworks at White Bay.
Photograph: City Of Sydney

Master pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti of Foti International Fireworks was responsible for the fireworks displays for the 14th consecutive year.

The displays used approximately 7 tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - Midnight Fireworks Photograph: Karl Bayer - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – Midnight Fireworks
Photograph: Karl Bayer – First Light Photography

The Lord Mayor praised the City of Sydney crews who worked throughout the night to ensure Sydney was sparkling this morning.

“With huge crowds gathering around the harbour foreshore and at vantage points across Sydney, the clean-up of New Year’s Eve is an enormous task,” the Lord Mayor said.

“A fantastic team of 350 City staff worked tirelessly throughout the night, collecting between 48-50 tonnes of waste.”

“Within hours, our staff had transformed the City’s streets and parks, clearing truckloads of rubbish to reveal a pristine setting in time for sunrise.”

The $290,000 clean-up operation involved the use of 60 trucks, sweepers and compactors and 600 mobile garbage bins to support the City’s 720 street litter bins, which were filled with plastic bottles, food containers and food scraps.

90% of the waste collected will be recycled courtesy of SITA Australia.

Crowds at the Campbell's Cove Vantage Point for Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' Photograph: Yie Sandison - First Light Photography — Crowds at the Campbell’s Cove Vantage Point for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’
Photograph: Yie Sandison – First Light Photography

The Lord Mayor also thanked everyone who made the event possible, including the City’s Sydney New Year’s Eve team and Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson.

“After more than 15 months of planning, it was wonderful to see Sydney at its best last night, as the 1st major global city in the world to ring in 2015,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Thank you to everyone who worked throughout the year – and all those who dedicated their time last night – to ensure the celebrations ran smoothly.”

“Sydneysiders have gone through a period of trauma and mourning over the past weeks, and last night we all spared a thought for the families of the Martin Place siege victims.”

Crowds at the West Circular Quay Vantage Point for Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' Photograph: Yie Sandison - First Light Photography — Crowds at the West Circular Quay Vantage Point for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’
Photograph: Yie Sandison – First Light Photography

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ acknowledges the support of Leadership Partner – Telstra, Charity Partner – Engineers Without Borders Australia & NSW Government agencies and landholders including the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Sydney Opera House Trust.