‘Flagship’ Sydney Spectaculars – Page 39

Sydney New Year’s Eve Brings Harbour Bridge To Life

New technology will transform both sides of the Harbour Bridge pylons into giant screens for creative displays for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015.

As well as being the focal point for the world’s favourite fireworks display, this year the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated with full-length projections at each end, showing photos, film clips and creative content from both local artists and residents.

For the first time, there will be projections on the western side of the Bridge pylons as well, meaning great views of the action for everyone around the Harbour.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest annual celebrations in the world, attracting more than one million spectators along the Harbour foreshore,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

“We can’t rest on our laurels if we want to keep our place as the world’s best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, so we are constantly evolving.”

“I’m delighted that communities in both the east and west of the city centre will have a great view this year.”

“These new projections will bring our world-renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge to life, using locally created images to showcase to the world the diverse beauty, talent and colour of our great city.”

Sydney New Year’s Eve has a global audience of one billion viewers. It is Australia’s largest public event and features one of the largest, most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

The City Of Sydney has wanted to project on the western side of the Bridge pylons for some years but until now technical issues made it difficult to achieve. Now new technology will make the impossible a reality.

Both the City and Imagination, the creative company who will produce the images for the projections for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015, are staying tight lipped about the finer details of this year’s events.

“We’re really excited to have even more of the Sydney Harbour Bridge this year as a giant canvas for creativity,” said Imagination’s Director, Heath Campanero.

“The eastern projections will be four times the size of previous years and for the first time ever we can wow the west too.”

“Both Imagination and the City have plenty of other exciting plans for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 but they are staying under wraps until nearer the time.”

As well as showcasing creative content, the pylon projections will also be used as an important public messaging channel for community service announcements, messaging from our Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 charity partner, Habitat For Humanity, and emergency messaging.

Sydney New Year’s Eve has a direct economic impact on New South Wales of more than $133 million.

For more information on Sydney New Year’s Eve, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

Vivid Sydney On Show At International Event

Vivid Sydney is being celebrated as one of the world’s greatest contemporary arts festivals at this year’s Very Fun Park festival in Taiwan.

Presented by the Fubon Art Foundation, Very Fun Park is held in Tapei each year and promotes a museum without walls approach to art. In the festival’s 10th anniversary year, Vivid Sydney is one of ten international festivals with a similar artistic ethos being showcased.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said he was delighted Vivid Sydney is being showcased at this international event.

“Vivid Sydney is firmly established as one of the world’s most renowned festivals and its’ involvement in Very Fun Park reinforces our state’s reputation as the creative industries capital on a global stage” Mr Ayres said.

Vibrant images of the spectacular artworks that transform Sydney into an outdoor gallery of extraordinary lighting projections and sculptures during Vivid Sydney each winter will be on show.

Vivid Sydney is the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, attracting a record 1.7 million attendees in 2015. Owned and managed by the New South Wales Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, the festival is now Australia’s largest event, welcoming visitors from across the globe.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Vivid Sydney’s inclusion in Very Fun Park will give audiences a taste of the festival and encourage people to visit Vivid Sydney in future years, to experience the event for themselves.

“We’re delighted to showcase our spectacular Vivid Sydney festival at Very Fun Park and thank the Fubon Art Foundation for their invitation. There’s nothing like seeing Vivid Sydney transform our harbour city with its colourful creativity and I encourage everyone to join us in Sydney next year when the festival returns from 27 May to 13 June 2016” Ms Chipchase said.

The Vivid Sydney showcase is located in the Songshan Cultural And Creative Park, Taiwan Design Museum – Golden Pin Design Area, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9:30am and 5:30pm until 20 September 2015.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Creatives Spark Into Action For Vivid Sydney 2016

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is reaching out to creative minds from across the globe, inviting them to share their ideas for Vivid Sydney 2016.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, announced Expressions Of Interest (EOI) are now open to creative individuals and organisations seeking to participate in the Vivid Light and Vivid Ideas programs when Vivid Sydney returns from 27 May to 13 June 2016.

“Vivid Sydney presents a remarkable opportunity for artists and creative industry professionals to realise their vision on a grand scale, with a record 1.7 million people attending the festival this year” Mr Ayres said.

“For 18 days during Vivid Sydney, the city becomes a canvas for creative expression, bringing together the best and brightest minds from across the globe to engage in industry forums while transforming the city into an outdoor gallery of extraordinary lighting projections and sculptures.”

“This is an amazing opportunity to be involved in Vivid Sydney. I encourage everyone to register their Expressions Of Interest in working with us to deliver another spectacular festival in 2016” he said.

The Vivid Light EOI invites lighting artists, designers, students and manufacturers from around the world to illuminate, interpret and transform Sydney’s urban spaces and provide ground-breaking, sustainable and interactive light creations around The Rocks, Circular Quay, Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, the CBD and surrounds.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Expressions Of Interest are also being sought from individuals, businesses, industry associations and institutions to submit events for inclusion in the Vivid Ideas program.

“Vivid Ideas provides a platform for thought-leadership in the creative sector, bringing together the conversations, conventions and big announcements for the industry. This year more than 70,000 people attended Vivid Ideas and I encourage everyone to share their ideas and join in the conversation at our world-renowned festival” Ms Chipchase said.

Expressions Of Interest to participate in the 2016 Vivid Light and Vivid Ideas programs close at midnight AEST on Wednesday the 23rd of September 2015. For more information, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney Wins International Award

Vivid Sydney has been recognised as a world leading event, taking out one of the top honours at the 2015 Pacific Asia Travel Association Grand and Gold Awards.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said Vivid Sydney won the Gold Award in the Marketing – State Government Destination category, recognising state or city tourism organisations.

“This is great news for New South Wales (NSW) and this win highlights how important the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is for our great state,” Mr Ayres said.

“The win reinforces the professionalism of Destination NSW’s marketing promotional activities and the success of how they work with partners to develop travel packages and other activities to increase awareness of and visitation to Vivid Sydney.”

“The popularity of Vivid Sydney continues to increase with 1.7 million people visiting the festival this year on the back of this campaign. This included the sale of over 26,000 international Vivid Sydney travel packages with more than 11,000 packages sold to China.”

The Pacific Asia Travel Association Awards recognise exceptional achievement in a range of activities in the Asia-Pacific travel industry. There were 269 entries from 83 travel and tourism organisations and individuals across the world in this year’s awards.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Vivid Sydney continues to receive international recognition.

“Vivid Sydney is a huge cross city collaboration of private enterprise and government agencies. It is testament to the great teamwork and innovation at Destination NSW channelled through our overseas offices and our marketing, communications, industry partnerships and event development divisions that our work has been internationally recognised,” Ms Chipchase said.

Vivid Sydney was awarded Best Tourism Event in both 2014 and 2013 at the Australian Event Awards, the prestigious national awards for the Australian events industry.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Sydney’s Big Event Puts Charity In The Spotlight

The City of Sydney will partner with a major charity for its’ biggest 2015/2016 event to raise awareness and funds for work to reduce housing poverty.

The official charity partner is: Habitat for Humanity Australia (Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015)

The partnership will provide the charity with a range of opportunities to promote their cause through activities such as media broadcasts, merchandise sales, donation collections, social media, and entertainment at the event.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s affiliation with the charity would encourage the huge number of visitors to the event to reflect on the broader needs of the community while enjoying the celebrations.

“The City hosts some of Australia’s most successful events, and we want to make the most of the enormous publicity they create to let people know about the incredible work of our charity partners,” the Lord Mayor said.

“More than 1.6 million people attend this event and almost a billion people are reached through the media, providing a great opportunity to remind everyone about this worthy cause.”

“The City strongly supports the work of Habitat for Humanity Australia and we’re very proud to join forces with them for our biggest event over the next 6 months.”

One of the world’s leading providers of safe and affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity, will partner with the City for its’ Sydney New Year’s Eve celebration. The partnership will provide the charity with a platform to engage Sydneysiders to take action combating housing poverty across the Asia-Pacific region.

For the last 11 years, Sydney New Year’s Eve has supported 8 charities and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a variety of causes.

These include organisations dedicated to helping alleviate poverty, treating and preventing blindness, environmental conservation and humanitarian engineering.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

One Week To Go Until Lights Off

VIVID SYDNEY ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO PLAN FOR WEEKDAY VISIT AHEAD OF LONG WEEKEND

With just one week to go until lights off at midnight Monday June 8th, visitors are being encouraged to visit Vivid Sydney early in the week and ahead of the final weekend.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said: “With only eight nights to go of Vivid Sydney, people who haven’t yet experienced the festival or want to come back for another look should plan their visit early this week.”

“Weeknights are a great time to take in the Vivid Light Walk not only around Circular Quay and The Rocks, but also into Walsh Bay and Martin Place and our newest precincts at Central Park and Chatswood.”

“If you haven’t caught the sensational Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre at Darling Harbour there are shows every half an hour, with special fireworks shows at 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday.”

“With road closures in place during Vivid, visitors should leave the car at home and catch public transport,” he said.

An additional 3,500 public transport services have been provided throughout the festival. Visit www.vividsydney.com for more information.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Martin Place Cenotaph Lit During Vivid Sydney

The Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place is once again being lit every night during Vivid Sydney as a mark of respect to Australia’s past and present servicemen and servicewomen.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said the lighting was supported by the NSW Returned & Services League (RSL) of Australia and symbolises the different branches of the armed services and the various theatres in which they have served.

“The Cenotaph is Martin Place’s most recognised feature and the very location where thousands of Sydney’s soldiers enlisted into the Australian Armed Forces for World War I. It is fitting in the Centenary of ANZAC that the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas embraces it as an important part of its program,” Mr Ayres said.

“The lighting is reminiscent of the various environments in which our soldiers have fought, from the poppy fields of Europe, to the deserts of the Middle East and the jungles of Asia.”

“Taking viewers on a journey from the break of dawn to the final sunset bugle call, the lighting of the Cenotaph ensures the monument remains a place for quiet reflection and remembrance during Vivid Sydney,” Mr Ayres added.

Rod White AM RFD, State President of the RSL’s NSW branch said the lighting is an important tribute.

“Following last year’s respectful treatment of the Martin Place Cenotaph for Vivid Sydney, the RSL was supportive of the monument being lit again this year,” Mr White said.

“We are delighted with this year’s projections, and feel it does justice to the importance of the Cenotaph and the dedication of the many servicemen and servicewomen whom it honours.”

The Cenotaph will be lit with the evocative Vivid Sydney projections from 6pm to midnight until 8 June.

Media Release: Minister for Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport – Stuart Ayres MP

Sydney Lights Up For Tottenham Hotspur FC

Sydney lit up when legendary English football club Tottenham Hotspur FC took a climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was specially illuminated in blue and white lights and with projections of Spurs players on the iconic structure’s sandstone pylons, to celebrate the team’s arrival into the harbour city Thursday morning.

The full squad took time out to see the harbour bathed in colour and light for Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. As they enjoyed a special BridgeClimb, the players could be seen from below making their way across what is affectionately known as ‘the coathanger’ thanks to their special illuminated vests.

Tottenham Hotspur Players At The Summit Of The Sydney Harbour Bridge Photograph: Destination NSW — Tottenham Hotspur Players At The Summit Of The Sydney Harbour Bridge
Photograph: Destination NSW

To also welcome the legendary football club to Sydney, the western pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were lit up for the first time ever. Shades of blue and white and images of Spurs’ captain and goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris; Spurs’ striker, Harry Kane; and Spurs’ midfielder Christian Eriksen were projected onto the western pylons.

'Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur' Christian Eriksen Projection Photograph: Destination NSW — ‘Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur’ Christian Eriksen Projection
Photograph: Destination NSW

'Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur' During Vivid Sydney 2015 Photograph: Eliot Cohen- Zeitgeist Photography — ‘Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur’ During Vivid Sydney 2015
Photograph: Eliot Cohen- Zeitgeist Photography

On making their way down from the Bridge, Harry Kane took the opportunity to grab a ‘selfie’ with their projections behind them on the Bridge pylons.

Harry Kane In Front Of 'Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur' Harry Kane Projection Photograph: Destination NSW — Harry Kane In Front Of ‘Sydney Welcomes Tottenham Hotspur’ Harry Kane Projection
Photograph: Destination NSW

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane said “Sydney is a great city and it’s been amazing so far since we got here this morning. I’ve managed to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It looks like a great city and I’m really enjoying my time here. I’ll definitely be coming back on a holiday one day and telling all my mates to come along as well.”

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said “It’s my first time in Sydney and I’m really enjoying my time. We are all really excited to discover this nice city.”

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres, said “Tottenham Hotspur has been a football institution for over 130 years, and we are delighted to have secured their only Australian game for Sydney through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. This visit will showcase Sydney to a global audience and attract visitors from all around Australia and the world.”

“While in Sydney, Tottenham will also have the chance to check out more of Sydney’s attractions including visiting Vivid Sydney, and a day sailing on our spectacular Sydney Harbour. We look forward to showing them why our beautiful city is the number one Australian destination for international visitors,” Mr Ayres said.

Tottenham Hotspur FC is in Sydney ahead of its friendly match against Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 30 May, 2015.

Tickets are still available to this hotly-anticipated match with the renowned Brits and is set to be a once in a lifetime game to see.

For more information on Sydney, go to www.sydney.com. The full Vivid Sydney program and ticketing information is available at www.vividsydney.com.

Tickets to the Tottenham Hotspur vs Sydney FC game can be purchased through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au.

Media Release: Destination NSW

Jude Bolton And Lynette Carroll-Bolton Share Their Ultimate Vivid Sydney Date Night

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, Vivid Sydney, is in full swing and romantics are making the most of the loved-up atmosphere including retired Sydney Swans player Jude Bolton and his wife, popular media personality Lynette Carroll-Bolton, who have created their own Vivid Sydney date night trail featuring their festival highlights.

Jude and Lynette shared an illuminated cocktail and seafood platter at Opera Bar while taking in the stunning projections on the Sydney Opera House sails, before strolling along the Light Walk to see some of Vivid Sydney’s most romantic installations.

Lynette said: “We love heading into Vivid Sydney every year. Each year the lights get even more and more spectacular! Now that we have two little ones we have to make specific plans for date night and walking around Vivid is the perfect way to spend the night.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said: “It’s great to see people out and about enjoying their unique version of Vivid Sydney, including couples like Jude and Lynette, who are inspiring others to enjoy a Vivid Sydney date through their own Vivid Trail.”

“Vivid Sydney attracted more than 1.43 million attendees in 2014. With visitors coming to Sydney from right across the world for the event again this year, there’s no doubt our city will hold a special place in even more couples’ hearts.”

Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer of Destination NSW, which owns and manages Vivid Sydney, said: “People both young and old have professed their love against the backdrop of Vivid Sydney’s colourful canvas. This year will be no different with loving installations such as Heart of the City, which pulses with the rhythm of your heartbeat, and Clouds, which features 100 floating orbs, among the attractions perfect for enjoying on a romantic evening stroll.”

“The Vivid Sydney app, which can be downloaded for free now from iTunes and Google Play, can help you design your own perfect date night, or lead you along the itinerary curated by our star couple Jude Bolton and Lynette Carroll-Bolton,” she said.

Jude and Lynette’s top Vivid Sydney date night tips, which you can find on their Vivid Trail, include:

Sydney Opera House: Start your date night with an illuminated Vivid cocktail and a fresh seafood tasting plate overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD at Opera Bar.
Heart of the City: Start the Vivid Light Walk with Heart of the City where the installation pulses according to the rhythm of your heartbeat. Sit side by side with your sweetheart and share what’s in your heart.
Cloud: Continue your Vivid Light Walk around Circular Quay being sure to hold hands as you walk under Cloud, an array of 100 orbs hanging overhead creating stunning and memorable effects.
Enchanted Sydney: Pause for a while outside beautiful Customs House in Circular Quay and soak up Enchanted Sydney, where free-flowing images of Sydney’s flora and fauna are projected onto the façade of this iconic building.
Affinity: Affinity is a representation of the human brain, where light and sound connect people using hundreds of intersecting neurons. Be connected to your significant other in a unique way with each new interaction creating dazzling light displays as the brain changes its physical structure into more dynamic pathways.
Threads: Create a new connection with your beau at Threads, an interactive installation inviting visitors to use two tablets and draw a line, with threads of light and sound created to signify the connection and relationship between one another.
You Are Here: Create the perfect long lasting memory and snap yourselves together at the You Are Here arrow, with the Sydney Opera House as the perfect backdrop.
Vivid Sydney GameZone at Pyrmont & The Star: Walk through the spectacle of Pyrmont’s Harbourside precinct and try out a range of interactive games together. When you’re done, indulge at BLACK by ezard at The Star for an irresistible Vivid dessert tasting platter with matching dessert wines.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The largest event of its kind in the world, Vivid Sydney runs until Monday 8 June. For more information on Vivid Sydney, including Vivid Trails, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney Off To A Shining Start

The opening weekend of Vivid Sydney has seen more than a quarter of a million people take in the bright lights of the harbour city as the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas got underway.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said the festival’s crowd numbers for opening weekend were up on last year despite wet weather early on.

“Just six years ago, Vivid Sydney welcomed 225,000 people throughout the festival’s entire duration, while this year, almost 280,000 spectators came to experience opening weekend alone,” Mr Ayres said.

“Vivid Sydney is fantastic for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and food vendors, with opening weekend survey results showing 73% of visitors purchased food or drinks whilst enjoying the festival.”

“With another two weeks of Vivid Sydney to go and mild weather forecast for much of next week, we expect to welcome many more visitors to one of Australia’s favourite events,” Mr Ayres concluded.

Those attending Vivid Sydney are encouraged to take advantage of the extra trains, buses and ferries which will run throughout the festival.

Owned and managed by Destination NSW, more than 1.43 million attendees visited Vivid Sydney in 2014, 30,000 of which were visiting from overseas.

Vivid Sydney continues each night from 6pm until midnight until Monday 8 June.

Media Release: Stuart Ayres MP – Minister for Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport