Category: ARTS & CULTURE

A night of music and dance: West Side Story returns to Sydney Harbour in 2024!

Opera Australia West Side Story HOSH dance

Posted: 18/09/2023

Hold onto your seats, Sydney! Opera Australia (OA) has just announced that the sensational musical West Side Story will be making a triumphant return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. And that’s not all – OA is thrilled to renew its partnerships with Dr Haruhisa Handa’s International Foundation for Arts and Culture and Destination NSW, ensuring a spectacular season for all to enjoy. If you missed out on the electrifying production of West Side Story when it first hit the stage in 2019, now is your chance to experience this larger-than-life extravaganza. The show received thunderous applause and became the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production to date, drawing record-breaking crowds and selling over 65,000 tickets. Prepare to be captivated by the monumental stage, vibrant costumes, and an exceptional cast of singers and dancers as they once again grace the iconic Mrs Macquaries Point. With unmatched views of Sydney’s famous skyline and a breathtaking nightly fireworks display, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour offers an unrivaled theatrical experience that will leave you in awe. Directed by the brilliant Francesca Zambello, West Side Story transports the energy and grit of New York City right to Sydney Harbour. The iconic songs and mesmerizing dance numbers will have you on the edge of your seat, bringing the magic of this musical masterpiece to life. And let’s not forget Jerome Robbins’ famed choreography, which will once again set the over-water stage ablaze. Fiona Allan, CEO of Opera Australia, expressed her excitement about the continued… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, MUSIC, OPERA, SYDNEY

Tags: Best theatre Sydney, hosh, Opera House, sydney guide, sydney theatre, West SIde Story on stage, West Side Story Sydney, what's on sydney

The Sydney Fringe Festival: A Celebration of Independent Arts

Front row the Marvellous Elephant Man adelaide fringe 2023 © IMAGE CONSTRUCTION 242

by James Banham

Posted: 01/09/2023

Sydney is about to burst with colour and creativity as the Sydney Fringe Festival, the city’s largest independent arts festival, gets underway this week. With a staggering array of over 400 events spread across 12 festival hubs, the city will be taken over by a dynamic program until the 30th of September. The festival kicks off with Fringe Ignite on the 2nd of September, featuring an electrifying lineup headlined by the iconic Rogue Traders, along with live performances by The Great West, False London, MUNGMUNG, PEPTALK and DJ Victoria Anthony. Spanning theatre, music, comedy, visual art, film, musical theatre, dance, circus, street festivals, literature and poetry, the Sydney Fringe Festival is set to deliver an unforgettable offering of art and entertainment. The Spiegeltent Festival Garden is set to transform the Entertainment Quarter from the 31st of August to the 1st of October, with its centerpiece being the much-anticipated comedy, The Marvelous Elephant Man the Musical. The Sideshow will activate The Rocks with intimate shows of comedy, theatre, music, and immersive performance. The Sydney Fringe Cabaret Club returns with a program of fabulous cabaret shows, featuring Australian cabaret legend Naomi Eyers’ show GlamourPussy & The Hip Replacements. The festival’s first-ever Dance Hub will be hosted at the Neilson Studio at Sydney Dance Company from 14 – 16 September, while the Music Hub will transform the basement of the Marrickville Town Hall into a cosy listening haven across the month. The lineup includes Billie McCarthy, Green Mohair Suits, The Versace Boys x Gimme Gimme, Godriguez, and Bower…. Read More

Category: CITIES, ART, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Fringe Festival, sydney, Sydney Fringe, Sydney Fringe Festival, what to do in sydney, What's on in Sydney

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Unveils Exciting 2024 Season

by James Banham

Posted: 23/08/2023

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has recently announced its highly anticipated 2024 Season, a diverse and dynamic program of live concert series set to take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall and Melbourne Recital Hall. The upcoming season promises to captivate audiences with theatrical performances and innovative interpretations of the best of Baroque music. One of the highlights of the 2024 Season is the inclusion of renowned international guest artists who will be making their Australian debut alongside the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. French harpsichordist Justin Taylor, Japanese soprano Yukie Sato, and Italian fortepianist Francesco Corti are among the talented musicians set to grace the stage and add an extra layer of brilliance to the performances. Paul Dyer, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, stating, “Our 2024 season continues the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s bold mission to excite, to honour, to reinvent and to reignite the energy of early music.” He further emphasized the range of musical experiences the audience can expect, from the harmonious voices of a full orchestra to the intimate performances of next-generation soloists. Co-Founder and Managing Director Bruce Applebaum also shared his enthusiasm, inviting both loyal fans and newcomers to join the orchestra on this exciting journey. He encouraged audiences to be ready to be engaged, uplifted, moved, and renewed, suggesting that the 2024 season would challenge preconceptions and reward curiosity. The season kicks off with “Notre-Dame,” a moving tribute to the iconic cathedral’s enduring spirit as a hub of musical innovation. This concert… Read More

Category: CITIES, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, SYDNEY

Tags: brandenburg orchestra, Orchestra, Sydney orchestra

Affordable Art Fair Returns to Australia’s Cultural Capital

by James Banham

Posted: 21/08/2023

Mark your calendars for the much-awaited return of the Affordable Art Fair, the world’s largest art fair organiser, to Australia’s cultural capital. From Thursday, 31 August to Sunday, 3 September 2023, the fair will take over the world-heritage-listed and recently restored Royal Exhibition Building with a program set to surprise and delight art lovers. Over the course of four days, visitors can explore the vast collections of original works from more than 50 of Australia’s top boutique galleries. Moreover, they will be treated to live painting sessions, interactive workshops, and vibrant installations. The fair provides a unique opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to engage directly with featured artists and gallery owners. Each piece of contemporary art on display is priced under $10,000, making art ownership accessible to all. Featuring thousands of never-before-seen pieces, this year’s gallery line-up boasts some of Australia’s best regional, suburban and city galleries, with 22 making their Fair debut. Returning favourites include Salt Contemporary, Bluethumb, Tits & Co, Antoinette Ferwerda Gallery, and JUMBLED. First-time exhibitors under the Royal Exhibition Building dome include Outre Gallery, Martine Gallery, Ubu Deco, and Jackson Pensa Price Collective, among others. Adding to the line-up is one of the longest-running Aboriginal-owned galleries, Warlukurlangu Artists. Based in the Northern Territory, they will present a series of works, with 100% of sales going back to the organisation. Georgia Huestis, the Fair’s newly appointed Melbourne Director, expressed her delight at the return of the fair, promising a dynamic four-day event filled with show-stopping installations and thousands of works from… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, MELBOURNE

Tags: Affordable Art Fair, Art Melbourne, Buy art Melbourne, Cheap art Melbourne, Where to buy art

Sydney Fringe Festival is back: here’s what’s on

Front row the Marvellous Elephant Man adelaide fringe 2023 © IMAGE CONSTRUCTION 254 1

by James Banham

Posted: 21/08/2023

The Sydney Fringe Festival, the largest independent arts festival in the city, has revealed its spectacular lineup for 2023. The festival, which spans the entire month of September, will feature over 400 events and 12 festival hubs throughout the city. Notable highlights include a special performance by iconic Australian band Rogue Traders for Fringe Ignite, along with a vast array of local and international shows presented across the Made in Sydney and the Touring Hub segments. For the first time, the Sydney Dance Company will host the inaugural Fringe Dance Hub, while the pioneering micro-festival LIMITLESS returns to celebrate the creativity of d/Deaf and disabled artists. The festival kicks off on 2nd September with Fringe Ignite in The Rocks, a free street party featuring the best of Fringe comedy, cabaret, music, dance and more. The streets will come alive with artists performing amidst the historic cobblestone laneways and sandstone buildings, with the Rogue Traders headlining the event at the Argyle mainstage. The Sydney Fringe Cabaret Club will also return with a month-long program of fabulous cabaret shows at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel. This includes a performance by legendary Australian cabaret performer Naomi Eyers, alongside unforgettable nights of glamour and empowerment with drag royalty Hannah Conda, Charisma Belle, and Carmen Geddit. The festival will also spotlight numerous First Nations artists presenting works throughout the festival, as well as a special FEAST event hosted by Chinese-Australian writer, comedian, and food enthusiast Jennifer Wong at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre. The Made in Sydney program from 5 – 9… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, SYDNEY

Tags: Sydney Fringe, Sydney Fringe Festival, sydney whats on

New festival in Melbourne: say ‘hello’ to Now or Never

Now or Never Berthing Place Earthing Space Theatre of Thunder

by James Banham

Posted: 19/08/2023

Introducing the “Now or Never” festival, a groundbreaking artistic event set to light up Melbourne with large-scale outdoor sculptural installations and projections, a 360° pop-up dome cinema and a menagerie of performances at the intersection of creativity and technology. If you were around in Melbourne almost a decade ago, you might remember White Night Melbourne? It was a city-wide music, art and sound festival that meant retailers and bars were open all night in the CBD. Think that, but for 2023. Running until the 2 September, the event will showcase the talents of over 300 local and international artists, composers, innovators, and change makers, with a line-up featuring 18 Australian premieres and 20 exclusive festival commissions. Anticipation is high, with more than 200,000 visitors expected to attend venues across the city during the 17-day festival. With over 70 innovative music performances, immersive digital art installations and thought-provoking daytime talks, the inaugural “Now or Never” program promises a journey into the convergence of art, ideas, sound, and technology, addressing the pressing questions of our future in light of the present moment. Program highlights include a 1.2-kilometre Art Trail in Docklands curated by Experimenta, immersive films in the Neversphere, a pop-up dome in the Melbourne Museum forecourt, and the return of large-scale live music to the historic Royal Exhibition Building for the first time in 20 years. The festival will also showcase an exclusive world premiere of a new composition, a multi-sensory dining experience in the Neversphere, and a series of talks and panels exploring the creativity… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, MELBOURNE

Tags: Art guide Melbourne, Arts Melbourne, Melbourne guide, Now or Never festival, whats on melbourne

World’s greatest tenor Jonas Kaufmann returns to Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 16/07/2023

Renowned as the “world’s greatest living tenor,” Jonas Kaufmann, is set to dazzle audiences with an ensemble of globally acclaimed opera singers in two exclusive performances of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. These performances, scheduled for August 9 and 12, are part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the iconic Sydney Opera House. In what is a significant achievement for Opera Australia, the celebrated German tenor will be making his role debut as Enzo Grimaldo. This marks his first performance in Sydney since 2019. Accompanying Kaufmann in this grand spectacle is the Spanish soprano sensation, Saioa Hernández, who will be making her debut at the Sydney Opera House. She’ll be performing in the eponymous role of Gioconda. Hernández, winner of the Best Soprano of the Year at the 2021 Oscar della Lirica competition by the Spanish Opera National Association, has been lauded as ‘the diva of our century’ by the legendary Montserrat Caballé. Adding to the pool of talent is Australia’s very own Deborah Humble, the successful mezzo-soprano, who will be pausing her international assignments to perform with Opera Australia after a decade. Joining them will be the esteemed French baritone Ludovic Tézier, who will be reuniting with Kaufmann to play the role of Barnaba, the vengeful; Agnieszka Rehlis, the Polish mezzo-soprano currently making her Australian debut in Aida, will play Laura Badoero; and bass Vitalij Kowaljow from Ukraine will play Alvise Badoero, returning after his lauded performance in OA’s 2021 production of Ernani. Guiding the Opera Australia Orchestra and Chorus will be the eminent conductor Pinchas… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, FEATURES, OPERA

Tags: Jonas Kaufman, opera australia, sydney opera, World's greatest tenor

Love Spanish dance? Try the Flamenco Festival at Sadler’s Wells

by James Banham

Posted: 13/07/2023

vibrant and passionate art of flamenco is currently taking centre stage at the iconic Sadler’s Wells theatre in London. The Flamenco Festival 2023, running from 15 July to 29 July, brings together a showcase of the world’s greatest flamenco talent in an electrifying celebration of this timeless Spanish tradition. The festival features an impressive line-up of international artists, including renowned dancer and choreographer, Maria Pages, who presents her latest work, “An Ode to Time”. This captivating performance is a reflection on the human experience of time and the inevitable passage of life, with flamenco music and dance expertly woven into the fabric of this deeply moving piece. Other highlights of the festival include the Gala Flamenca, featuring an all-male cast of contemporary flamenco mavericks, Manuel Linan and Alfonso Losa, whose high-energy performances showcase the evolution of this dynamic art form. But flamenco isn’t just about the performers – it’s an immersive cultural experience that embraces the soul of Spain and its people. From the ringing sound of guitar strings to the raw, impassioned wail of the cantaor (singer), the spirit of flamenco is infectious and impossible to resist. As well as the performances, the festival offers a range of workshops where participants can learn and explore the choreographic style of flamenco in greater depth. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to experience the passion and energy of the dance first-hand, under the guidance of experienced instructors. With its thrilling rhythms, intricate footwork, and emotive storytelling, flamenco is an art form that captivates and enchants audiences… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, DANCE, FEATURES, LONDON

Tags: FLamenco, Flamenco Festival Sadler's Wells, Sadler's Well London, What to see London

Must See: Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

darlinghurst theatre company natasha pierre and the great comet 1812

by Danielle Kirk

Posted: 09/07/2023

If you’re a fan of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 will deliver on the most scandalous aspects in one epic 2-hour musical extravaganza. Darlinghurst Theatre Company is presenting the Australian debut of award-winning electro-pop opera, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 written by composer and lyricist Dave Malloy from July 9 to August 20 at their Eternity Playhouse. Directed by Dean Drieberg, led musically by Musical Director Claire Healy and moves by Choreographer Brendan Yeates, draws on an eclectic mix of musical styles including folk, indie-rock, electro-pop and techno, making it one of the most unique and form-defying musicals ever seen on Broadway, where it was critically acclaimed… and now we’re lucky enough to have it in Sydney! The story follows the young and spontaneous Natasha as she awaits the return of Andrey, her beloved fiancé on the front lines. One dizzying night at the Opera, in a city exploding with hedonism and opulent excess, Natasha falls passionately in love with the dashing, roguish, (and already married) Anatole. To solve her love conundrum, she turns to her lonely friend Pierre (in the middle of an existential crisis) who makes it his mission to extricate her from risk of ruin and in doing so, renew his own soul. The impressive cast bringing this reimagined story to life is Grace Driscoll as Nastasha. Grace hails from the Gold Coast and is a proud biracial woman with a pastiche for shows with long titles. Grace’s professional credits include Shirley… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, MUSIC, SYDNEY

Tags: darlinghurst, darlinghurst theatre company, natasha pierre and the great comet of 1812, theatre

Pride Month: unveiling a new chapter, Pride Action North

by James Banham

Posted: 30/06/2023

In alignment with the closing of Pride Month, we are excited to announce a major rebranding of Northumberland Pride, a leading LGBTQIA+ charity. To better reflect our expanded services and broader geographical reach, we are now Pride Action North. Founded in 2017, Northumberland Pride started as a volunteer-driven initiative to organize an annual celebration for the local community. Since then, it has grown exponentially, now employing eight dedicated staff members to cater to the increased demand for specialized support and advocacy. Our services extend to various critical areas such as youth work, domestic violence, hate crime, and mental health and wellbeing. The transformation to Pride Action North is not just a name change, but a comprehensive brand makeover that includes a new mission statement, values, and soon, a revamped website. Darren Irvine-Duffy, the charity’s chair, shared, “From our humble beginnings as a local pride event organizer, we’ve evolved into an organization that provides holistic support and meaningful services. Our aim is to ensure every member of our growing community feels accepted and safe.” The rebranding represents a significant milestone in our history. Under the banner of Pride Action North, we are enthusiastic about expanding our presence and support throughout the North. As our name suggests, we are committed to action, striving to make the region a safer, more inclusive, and accepting place for everyone, particularly members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our rebranding process involved extensive engagement with service users, stakeholders, and staff through focus groups. The outcome is a reflection of their valuable insights and… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LONDON

Tags: london, Pride in London, Pride Month, World Pride

ARTS & CULTURE

breakdance head spin pexels pixabay 159273

Experience break dancing like never before this MAy

24/04/2024

By James Banham

Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More

Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

24/04/2024

By James Banham

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

Lauren Brincat When Do I Breathe 2024. Performer Jasmin Lancaster. Photographer Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist

Public performance in Randwick Sydney by artist Lauren Brincat

22/04/2024

By James Banham

This week, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct will experience an exceptional infusion of art and community spirit through a public performance by the celebrated multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brincat. Scheduled for one-night only, on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Brincat’s performance marks the launch of the new Laneway Art Program. This initiative, commissioned by the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct and supported by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, seeks to enhance perceptions of safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people navigating the streets and laneways of the Precinct. Brincat, along with Rochelle Haley, another leading Australian artist, has been entrusted with the mission to improve night-time connectivity and comfort within the precinct through performance-based and site-specific artwork. Both artists have engaged directly with health workers in the area to shape their projects, aiming to make the public spaces more welcoming and to strengthen the sense of community, safety, and inclusiveness across the site. The artwork, titled When do I breathe?, is an ambitious collaboration with sound artist Evelyn Ida Morris, UNSW Choral Director Sonia Maddock, and choreographer Charmene Yap. It invites the public to actively participate in shaping new paths across the precinct, offering a unique experience that encompasses three activation sites within the UNSW Kensington and the hospital precinct. The performance, beginning at 5:00 pm on the UNSW Scientia Lawn, is a reflection on the interconnectedness of local communities, especially those separated by differing work shifts and daily rhythms. Aiming to reclaim public space through collective action, When do I breathe? presents an… Read More

Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired

22/04/2024

By James Banham

On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.