MEDIA INFORMATION ATE14 IMM Sydney unveils a grand line-up of exciting events for 2014 and 2015 Following a year which saw New South Wales (NSW) win a World Festival & Event City Award from The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), another spellbinding season of cultural, artistic and sporting spectacles is planned for 2014 and beyond. The NSW events calendar, developed by Destination NSW, outlines an outstanding selection of world- class experiences guaranteed to keep Sydney top of mind for visitors. Vivid Sydney sees the harbour city shine bigger and brighter Vivid Sydney, owned and managed by Destination NSW, is the southern hemisphere’s biggest annual celebration of light, music and ideas. The 2014 program is set to be another blockbuster year with the largest program of light, music and ideas in the event’s six year history. Staged from 23 May to 9 June 2014, Vivid is Australia’s major winter festival and a signature event on the Sydney and NSW events calendar. It was awarded Australian Event of the Year and Best Tourism Event at the 2013 Australian Event Awards. Vivid Sydney is also a major contributor to the NSW economy. In 2013, more than 800,000 visitors from around Australia and overseas visited over 18 days and nights, and over 7,000 packages were sold in China, generating more than $20 million. With exciting lighting installations in new locations, an expanded musical line-up and 300 speakers at 200 creative events, this year’s Vivid will be the biggest and best. Vivid Light This year for the first time, a new CBD precinct - Martin Place - will dazzle audiences with a variety of new installations featuring a number of impressive technical innovations. Sydney Harbour is a new precinct itself in 2014 with “Harbour Lights”, as vessels and ferries light up for the first time. Darling Harbour will again put on spectacular water shows spanning two thirds of Cockle Bay, doubling the size of last year’s performance. French company Top: Vivd Sydney. Aquatique Show International, is back to impress with water shows drawing upon Middle: Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.Credit Graeme Gillmer; Destination NSW. Bottom: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. water jets, fountains and laser displays to paint a Sydney’s annual celebration of innovation, creativity creative canvas of beauty and movement on the and community, Vivid Ideas has become a globally- water. recognised platform for the best and brightest creative minds from Australia and overseas to The Sydney Harbour Bridge will once again be connect, collaborate and create. This year’s Vivid covered in a striking colour palette by visitors while Ideas will include 15 signature events and 12 the facades of Customs House and the Museum of keynote talks showcasing the best creative talent in Contemporary Art Australia will also be bathed in the market. light through collaborations with local and international artists. More than 50 light installations New programming for Vivid Ideas by Jess Scully, will impress visitors along the Vivid Light Walk. Vivid Ideas Festival Director, includes an ‘In Conversation’ series which brings together creative The lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails is a minds to explore the motivations, challenges and much loved 3D-mapped projection spectacle. This learnings that underpin their careers, and a new year’s design is by award-winning creative agency, series of master classes, in-depth workshops for 59 Productions. small groups to collaborate with Vivid Ideas keynote speakers. Mini Conferences will provide insights Vivid Music into innovation in the creative industries, while an ‘Awards Season’ features more than five award Music fans will again be spoilt for choice with an ceremonies celebrating the best of the creative expanded Vivid Music program with cool new industries in Australia. venues around the city and more than 80 shows and plenty of different styles of music. These New events for Sydney in 2014 and include the Sydney Opera House (with Vivid LIVE), 2015 Modulations at Carriageworks, The Argyle, The Basement, Seymour Centre, Home nightclub, Spice Strictly Ballroom The Musical: The inspiring story Cellar and The University of Sydney. of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart has opened at the Contemporary, cutting-edge and influential acts will Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star. Featuring the once again grace the stages of Sydney Opera original creative team behind the film, Baz House from 23 May to 1 June during Vivid LIVE. Luhrmann, and set and costume designer This year’s line-up features world-renowned Catherine Martin, the musical features original performers such as indie-rock band Pixies and Ms classics from the film, including Love is in the Air, Lauryn Hill, as well as Sydney Opera House Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, and Time After Time, debutants St. Vincent and Anna Calvi. Stand by for as well as new compositions. exciting performances by disco legend Giorgio Moroder in his Australian debut, James Vincent 2014 Australian Badminton Open: From 24 to 29 McMorrow, as well as many more. June, more than 300 champion badminton players from more than 30 countries will meet in Sydney to Brand new event Modulations at Carriageworks (6- challenge the Australian National Squad. See the 9 June), curated by Stephen Pavlovic, welcomes world's top players show off their racquet sport headliners Pet Shop Boys plus the additions of skills; some shuttle smashes have been recorded in experimental musicians Liars, iconic Sydney excess of 300 km an hour. restaurateurs Porteño, and artists from LA indie label Wild Records. The Lion King, 2014: Disney’s landmark musical event premiered its Australian season in Sydney, Vivid Ideas opening at the Capitol Theatre in December 2013. Brilliantly re-imagined by acclaimed director, Julie With a growing demand for Vivid Ideas, this year Taymor, the film is transformed into a powerful will see the largest ever Vivid Ideas line-up of theatrical experience which has won 70 major creative leaders and emerging talent, across more international theatre awards. This spectacular than 200 events, spanning 14 creative industries. production set against the Serengeti Plains in east- central Africa entertains with stunning colours, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: The superstars of effects and music. international cricket play at the SCG from 27 February to 26 March 2015. This is a rare Tyrannosaurs: Meet the family that’s exclusive to opportunity to see Australia play Sri Lanka, and the Australian Museum in Sydney until 27 July South Africa play the West Indies in Australia. 2014.The first exhibition in the world to shine a light on this legendary dinosaur family showcases a Netball World Cup 2015: See the world’s best dramatic array of fossils and casts of tyrannosaur teams compete at Sydney Olympic Park from 7-16 specimens including never-before-seen specimens August 2015. from China. The exhibition is designed to provide a snapshot of dinosaur life and show how this group Matilda, The Musical, 2015: The Royal became the world’s top predators. Shakespeare Company’s stage musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, Matilda, will make its Juventus v A League All Stars: Italy’s Serie A Australian premiere at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre in champions, Juventus, is bringing their football skills 2015. Having already wowed audiences in New to Sydney, in a must-see friendly match against York and London, the show features music and Australia's A-League All Stars. The hotly- lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and anticipated game will see the most successful composer, Tim Minchin. Italian football club in history take on the best of the A-League at ANZ Stadium on 10 August. The A- Best of annual Sydney events League All Stars will once again be represented by players and coaching staff selected by football fans. Vivid Sydney, 23 May-9 June 2014: A celebration of light, music and ideas includes a mesmerising Bledisloe Cup Rugby Union: A ten-year deal free public exhibition of outdoor lighting sculptures; secured for Sydney will see at least one Bledisloe a cutting-edge contemporary music program and Cup match played here each year until 2021. In the spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera 2014, the Bledisloe Cup Festival runs from 11-16 House and harbour foreshore. One of the signature August, culminating with the Bledisloe Cup test events in the NSW events calendar, Vivid Sydney is match on 16 August at ANZ Stadium. owned and managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government. Bingham Cup: More than 25 competitive teams and thousands of players, supporters and visitors 19th Biennale of Sydney, 21 March-9 June 2014: are expected to visit Sydney to participate in the You Imagine What You Desire. Under the artistic Bingham Cup. Australia's first-ever, gay rugby direction of Juliana Engberg, the Biennale is on team, the Sydney Convicts, will host the show at five venues across Sydney, including the tournament, defending their 2012 Gay Rugby World Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artspace, Championship title against interstate and Carriageworks, Cockatoo Island and the Museum international rivals. of Contemporary Art Australia. A program of talks, forums, guided tours and family days are all free to Sydney 500 V8 Supercar series: The streets of the public. Held every two years, the next Biennale Sydney Olympic Park will buzz from 5-7 December will be held in 2016. 2014 during the season’s nail-biting grand finale. Ford, Holden, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz AMG and Sydney Film Festival, 4-15 June 2014: The 61st Volvo go head-to-head for the championship Sydney Film Festival showcases the best in cinema showdown. from across Australia and around the globe. More than 190 films screen from over 50 countries in an 2015 AFC Asian Cup: Australia’s biggest-ever inspiring collection of features, documentaries, soccer tournament features the Socceroos playing short films, retrospectives, restorations, animations the 16 top teams in Asia in Sydney and Newcastle and more.