Category: ARTS & CULTURE

Adults-Only circus show Rouge set to make Sydney even hotter this summer

Rouge 28. Photog Alison Catseye Productions 1

Sydney’s Spiegeltent has a sizzling new show starting soon and this one certainly isn’t for kids, in fact we probably wouldn’t take our mum either. Rouge is part circus, part bordello, set to stun your sensibilities with acrobatics, tasteful skin and pulsating sensuality. Already awarded, including Best Circus at 2020 Adelaide Fringe, a star turn at 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and critical acclaim from across the globe, Rouge is now setting up in Sydney for a saucy run from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 17 December. Director Elena Kirschbaum says, “Rouge loves to break conventions and smash gender stereotypes,so it’s much, much more than simply sexy circus. It’s delightfully subversive, highly inclusive and has quite a few surprises.” Tickets to Rouge at the Spiegeltent are on sale now, right here.

Unmissable Ramses Exhibition at Australian Museum set to break records

Ramses 2A2A7638 hi res scaled

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs has come to the Australian Museum in Sydney and it’s already broken records, and is on track to break more. Featuring 182 exquisite and rare artefacts from Ancient Egypt, with the most precious being the coffin of Ramses the Second (AKA Ramses the Great), which has never been displayed anywhere in the world outside of Egypt and Paris. Record breaking on it’s own for Sydney to house such a prestigious cultural exhibition, the ticket sales are also on set to impress. Over 100,000 pre-sale tickets have been sold as people flock to see this once in a lifetime showing. With treasures spanning over 3000 years of Egyptian history, the grandeur of the Ramses Era is on full display and showcases perfectly why the Pharaoh behind famous world wonders like Abu Simbel, was able to inspire such awe. “Ramses the Great was a phenomenon, ” Director and CEO, Australian Museum, Kim McKay AO explains of the ruler who lived to over 90 years of age and ruled for 67 of those, “He was a beloved father, incomparable warrior, and prolific builder whose legacy is both political and cultural. Responsible for countless temples, pyramids and statues, the first ever Peace Treaty, and an enormous, influential family, the stories of Ramses have been retold through generations”. Besides the sarcophagus of Ramses ii, there are many other breathtaking pieces to behold. Alabaster amphoras with their handles intact, the priceless golden masks of Amenemope, the exquisite carved sarcophagi of Sennedjem, the extraordinary necklace… Read More

Sydney Dance Company Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of New Breed

Sydney Dance COmpany

Sydney Dance Company, in collaboration with Carriageworks and supported by Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation, is thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of its highly-anticipated New Breed programme. As we look forward to the world premiere of the commissioned works from four dynamic Australian dance makers at Carriageworks from December 6-16, 2023, we can’t help but reflect on the significant impact of this initiative. New Breed 2023 provides an unparalleled opportunity for Australian choreographers to create a newly commissioned piece with Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. Since its inception in 2014, New Breed has propelled 35 emerging artists to showcase their fresh ideas and raw talent on a world stage, solidifying its reputation as Australia’s premier platform for emerging choreographers. This year’s innovative programme will feature works from Beau Dean Riley Smith, Eliza Cooper, Riley Fitzgerald, and Tra Mi Dinh. Smith, an award-winning dancer, choreographer and actor, will present his work gubba, an exploration of Australia’s frontier wars and the violent history of colonial Australia. Cooper’s work critiques the reality she sees around her, using the iconic Spaghetti Western film genre as a lens. Fitzgerald’s Everyb0dy’s g0t a b0mb draws inspiration from the music festival Woodstock ‘99, while Dinh’s piece illuminates the moments between day and night, capturing the transformation of light across the sky in real time. Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, shared his excitement about the upcoming works: “Over the last ten years, New Breed has been instrumental in supporting the early careers of some of Australia’s most exciting emerging dancemakers…. Read More

Salote Tawale: I remember you – A Major Solo Exhibition at Carriageworks

Art Carriageworks

Carriageworks, Sydney, is excited to reveal the first major solo exhibition by Sydney-based Australian-Fijian artist Salote Tawale. Titled I remember you, the exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, 17 November 2023, and will be on display until Sunday, 28 January 2024. Tawale’s expansive exhibition explores the concept of memory through various mediums such as installation, painting, sculpture, and an intriguing component of karaoke. It is curated across two spaces within Carriageworks, and each space offers a unique exploration of how memory shapes identity. Bay 21 hosts Tawale’s interpretation of Carriageworks’ architecture, transformed into a ‘memory bank’. This immersive environment includes artworks like hanging masks, plywood cut-outs of people and plants, and a unique installation of the artist’s Fijian family home. The gallery also features a karaoke booth, inviting visitors to engage through song. This intriguing installation of partially formed memories, with missing panels and fading flowers, reflects the unpredictability and fallibility of memory. In the Public Space, a stunning 14-meter long bamboo raft titled No Location (2021) is anchored, originally presented at the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This piece, based on a childhood memory of a traditional Fijian watercraft, reinterprets the process of making a raft, symbolising Tawale’s experience of displacement. I remember you draws from Tawale’s personal experience as part of the Pacific diaspora in Australia. It embodies her exploration of the relationship between the individual and the collective, materialising memories into tangible forms. The exhibition is accompanied by a variety of public programs, including art-making workshops,… Read More

Your trip to Turkey: Ephesus Experience Museum is a journey through time

Ephesus museum

Nestled within the sacred grounds of Selçuk, Turkey, the Ephesus Experience Museum transports you back in time to the thriving city of Ephesus. Designed by the renowned ATELIER BRÜCKNER, the museum curates an immersive experience that transcends the conventional museum visit, encapsulating the sights, sounds, and even smells of Ephesus of antiquity. Sprawled across a significant 2400 square metres, the museum is designed to cater to a staggering 2200 visitors per day, offering an enticing mix of history, culture, and tradition. Its striking architecture represents an astounding visual spectacle, further enhanced by state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. Here, history unfolds in three distinct chapters, each narrated by a storyteller and complimented by a harmonious soundscape and large-scale 360-degree projections. As you step into the first room, you embark on an odyssey that takes you back to the origins of the city. The prophecies of the Oracle of Delphi, the foundation of the city by Athenian prince Androclos, and the influence of the city’s patron goddess, Artemis, are brought to life. In the second room, you are transported to the city at the height of its glory. From the Arcadian Way to the terraced houses, you bear witness to the city’s rise under Roman rule and the advent of Christianity, with St Paul’s teachings and the construction of the Basilica of St John. The final room is a vivid tribute to Artemis. Providing an immersive, multisensory experience, it majestically brings the goddess to life through intricate light and sound effects, coupled with life-size representations and monolithic screens. The… Read More

New York City Ballet takes a grand leap into Sadler’s Wells debut

Screenshot 20231114 190815

A wave of excitement is set to ripple through the heart of London as the celebrated New York City Ballet (NYCB) prepares to make its much-anticipated Sadler’s Wells debut in March 2024. This grand event will feature the UK premieres of works by an array of esteemed choreographers, including Kyle Abraham, Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, and a classic piece by the legendary George Balanchine. The NYCB, a titan of the dance world, is renowned for its contemporary style, speed, and musicality. Currently basking in the glow of its 75th anniversary, the company was founded in 1948 by the visionary choreographer George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein. This marks a triumphant return to London, a city they haven’t graced with their presence since 2008. Justin Peck’s masterpiece, Rotunda, is set to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of movement and music. A commissioned score from American composer Nico Muhly provides a rich backdrop to the performance of an ensemble of 12 dancers. As NYCB’s Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor, Peck has created more than 20 works for NYCB, with recent projects outside of NYCB including Illinois, a new stage adaptation of Sufjan Stevens’ album, and the choreography for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of West Side Story in 2022. Balanchine’s Duo Concertant, a riveting performance for two dancers and two onstage musicians, is set to the music of Igor Stravinsky. This piece was initially created for NYCB’s legendary Stravinsky Festival in 1972. Balanchine, widely regarded as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century,… Read More

All about Miss Saigon in Melbourne – see it now

9. The Australian production of Miss Saigon Photo by Daniel Boud

Melbourne theatre-goers are in for an absolute treat as Cameron Mackintosh’s latest production of the award-winning musical, Miss Saigon, graces the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre for a fleeting 7-week stint. The return of this heart-wrenching tale comes after a resoundingly successful Sydney season, and a 16-year hiatus since Miss Saigon last enthralled Melbourne audiences on the very same stage. Boasting a resplendent full 24-piece orchestra and an exceptional cast of 42 representing the length and breadth of the Asia-Pacific, this is a revival that is bound to take your breath away. Leading the standout Australian ensemble with aplomb is the internationally acclaimed Seann Miley Moore, who brings an electrifying performance in the role of The Engineer. Fresh-faced talent Abigail Adriano and Nigel Huckle as Chris make a formidable pair and, together with a supporting cast that includes the likes of Kerrie Anne Greenland, Nick Afoa, and Kimberley Hodgson, infuse new life into this timeless classic. Miss Saigon is a tale of love, loss, and resilience in the backdrop of war, and is set to a captivating score by Boublil and Schönberg that includes classics such as ‘The Heat is On in Saigon’ and ‘The American Dream.’ Since its premiere, this epic production has garnered an impressive 70 major theatre awards and has been performed in 15 languages across 350 cities worldwide. The reception to this rendition has been nothing short of ecstatic, with The Daily Telegraph calling it “thrilling,” and The Daily Mail dubbing it “the greatest musical of all time.” Don’t miss out… Read More

What to see at London’s Sadler’s Wells: INK by Dimitris Papaioannou

Stage dance INK

Buckle up for an extraordinary visual journey as Greek director, choreographer, and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou makes a triumphant return to Sadler’s Wells Theatre. From Wednesday 28 February to Saturday 2 March 2024, be prepared to be mesmerised by the UK premiere of INK. Following the immense success of his sold-out and Olivier-nominated productions, The Great Tamer and Transverse Orientation, Papaioannou once again pushes the boundaries of hyper-visual dance theatre in this captivating new production. Papaioannou is renowned for his mastery in creating breathtaking visual spectacles, and INK is no exception. Set in an enigmatic water world, this spellbinding performance transforms a duet into a duel, driven by mythical primal forces. It’s a gripping battle between old and young, father and son, civilization and wasteland, stewardship and inheritance, and even eroticism and torture. Joining Papaioannou on stage is the talented dancer and collaborator Šuka Horn. With science fiction and horror as its filters, INK will immerse you in a world filled with hundreds of liters of water, a golden wheat field, and even an octopus. In 2018, Papaioannou became the first choreographer to create a new evening-length work for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch since the legendary Pina Bausch’s passing in 2009. He also gained international acclaim for conceiving and directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Rooted in painting and visual art, Papaioannou’s productions blur the lines between theatre, experimental choreography, and live performance. Expressing his excitement about INK’s UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells, Dimitris Papaioannou said, “I’m thrilled… Read More

Luna Park Sydney Unveils Dream Circus: A Mesmerizing Immersive Experience

Dream Circus

Prepare to be awestruck and captivated as Luna Park Sydney, the iconic amusement park, embarks on an ambitious transformation. The $15 million reimagination project kicks off with the unveiling of Sydney’s Immersive Big Top, home to the spectacular Dream Circus launching on December 22nd, 2023. This grand multi-generational spectacle is set to mesmerise over 50,000 people throughout the summer. Luna Park’s Dream Circus is not your ordinary circus experience. It is a world-first immersive attraction that will take guests on a narrative journey, introduce them to lovable characters, and immerse them in a sensory spectacle like never before. Created by a team of specialist creatives and technicians in Sydney, including the talented Artists in Motion, TDC, and Auditoria, this unique experience promises to leave visitors spellbound. The venue for this extraordinary adventure is Sydney’s Immersive Big Top, a state-of-the-art 3,000sqm multi-purpose entertainment space equipped with cutting-edge technology. With Barco projection technology, spatially mapped audio systems, hologram technology, motion-activated LED screens, and the latest in lighting technology, the Immersive Big Top offers a 360-degree visual and audio immersion across its vast surface area of more than 3,500sqm. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Luna Park’s Immersive Big Top will also serve as a state-of-the-art training facility for future technologists in Sydney. The advanced environment will provide a unique skill development opportunity, offering a vocational pathway into the rapidly growing immersive experience industry. “We are proud to create one of the most technically advanced environments in the country,” says John Hughes, CEO of Luna Park Sydney. “The… Read More

Celebrate the National Gallery bicentenary this year

People gathered around front door of National Gallery Trafalgar Square

As the National Gallery prepares to celebrate its bicentenary, art enthusiasts across the UK are set to be treated to an extraordinary range of exhibitions, events, and interactive experiences. Titled “National Treasures,” the commemorative programme will see twelve of the National Gallery’s most cherished paintings journey to museums and galleries in each region of England, and each nation of the UK. The programme, generously supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation and other donors, promises to engage local communities in a celebration of art and heritage. Digital content will also be readily available on Bloomberg Connects, ensuring that these treasures can be appreciated by a global audience. From Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire” centring a major exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, to Monet’s “The Water Lily Pond” inspiring a contemporary commission at York Art Gallery, each masterpiece will serve as a catalyst for exploration and learning. The projects vary widely in theme and approach; the Leicester Museum and Gallery, for instance, will utilise Renoir’s “Umbrellas” to create a digital installation that will transport viewers to the bustling streets of 1880s Paris. The programme also seeks to engage young audiences, as evidenced by Brighton Museum and Art Gallery’s innovative project. Utilising Rembrandt’s “Self Portrait,” local 13–16-year-olds will be invited to contemplate their future selves, culminating in a compelling photography display. Meanwhile, the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham will showcase a contemporary response to Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Self Portrait as St Catherine of Alexandria,” demonstrating the ongoing influence of these historical works. In an exciting addition to the… Read More