India’s Narendra Modi to Star at Sydney’s Allphones Arena

Since becoming prime minister, Narendra Modi has performed in New York’s storied Madison Square Garden and played drums on stage in Japan.

His next big-ticket venue: Sydney’s Allphones Arena this November.

Mr. Modi will address what is expected to be a sell-out crowd at the 21,000-seat venue in Australia’s financial and commercial capital on Nov. 17 during his four-day trip to the country for the G20 summit in Brisbane.

Organizers say it will eclipse the prime minister’s biggest gig so far, when he spoke to a crowd of 18,000 people, mostly Indian-Americans, at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 28.

“This will be bigger and better,” said Balesh Singh Dhankhar one of the organizers of the reception for Mr. Modi. The Allphones Arena, built for the 2000 Olympics, “has more grandeur” than Madison Square Garden, he added.

The stadium in Manhattan is famous for hosting some of the biggest names in entertainment, like the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and “The Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The Allphone Arena also hosts musical acts and boxing matches. In the same month as Mr. Modi’s visit, The Rolling Stones and Katy Perry will play the arena and an Ultimate Fighting Championship event will take place there. 

Australia is home to around 350,000 people who were born in India, according to the latest census data from 2011. 

That was a 90% increase on the number recorded in the census in 2006, but a tenth the size of the Indian-American community in the United States.

After Mr. Modi’s speech in New York, people in Australia began asking when he would come here, said Mr. Dhankhar, a spokesman for the Indian Australian Community Foundation that is helping put on the event that was conceived only three weeks ago.

Some 14,000 people have registered in the first two and a half days of registration, according to the organizers. It will be broadcast live on Indian television channels.

“We invited Mr. Modi and said the Indian diaspora in Australia is very eager to see him,” Mr. Dhankhar added.

Tickets for the Sydney event are free and the show will start around 5.30p.m., but further details of the spectacle are under wraps right now, Mr. Dhankhar said. 

“There are a number of cultural and exciting events before the speech that would be a surprise for the audience in India and Australia. These will be wider and more surprising that at Madison Square Gardens.”

Club Swizzle | Sydney Opera House January 2014

Leave your coat and your hang-ups at the door and let the hardest working middle-aged man in show business lead you to your table.

The scent of last night’s revelry hangs in the air, hinting at what’s to come. Oh, if only you knew. This is Club Swizzle, and tonight, like every night, will be unlike any other.

After three sell-out seasons of La Soiree at the Sydney Opera House, and a rampaging run around the world, its creators return this summer with a brand new show. Loose, raw and glorious, Club Swizzle is a night of demented entertainment where the crazy gets kicked up a notch.

In the depths of the Opera House Studio, the most depraved and devious souls in show business gather around a bar where legends are made. It’s a melee of obscene cabaret, outrageous acrobatics and infectious revelry, all backed by a band with a repertoire as big as their bar tab.

Hanging onto the reigns of the chaos is Murray Hill; the man who “puts the ‘king’ back in f#*king funny”. Direct from New York, Mr Showbiz himself will corral this rollicking bevy of entertainers and keep things (only just) this side of decent.

With no stage, no rules and no regrets, there’s no place quite like it. So order yourself something stiff and get ready to dive into the deep end of debauchery at Club Swizzle.

The doors open early so come and join us for a cheeky drink at the bar pre-show .

Note: Drinks packages will be available for sale in late November.

Club Swizzle is being performed from 09 January 2015 to 15th February 2015

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New Gladstone Shopping Centre Open for Business

IN BUSINESS: Developer Geoff Bonney, long-time resident Betty Mergard, and Foodworks owners Peter Kinder and Michelle Irvine cut the ribbon.

BETTY Mergard officially opened the new Agnes Water Central shopping centre on Saturday.

Twelve hundred square metres has been developed to create a much-needed full line supermarket for the town.

And while grocery shopping enters a new era in Agnes Water, it's the interactive floor that has everyone celebrating.

Developer Geoff Bonney said the structure would be highly beneficial to the community.

"We had a basic design but we sat down with the architect and tailored it to what the locals need," he said.

"There was only a convenience store previously but this new development has really opened up opportunities.

"The bigger centre means it will increase employment rates too."

The facilities the centre features are state-of-the-art, with only four like it in Australia.

A revolutionary refrigeration and air conditioning unit behind the scenes and 5m interactive floor is what has locals so excited.

Iconic local Betty Mergard said she'd seen nothing like it in her 75 years.

"It's got the wow factor," she said. "The moving flooring and post office layout is just amazing."

The Mergard family's long term tourist industry input made her the perfect candidate to cut the official ribbon.

"I was really representing the community and their future enjoyment of the facility," she said.

Betty's daughter Desley O'Grady said it was fantastic for the area, "especially for holiday makers who will have more of a range for shopping".

"We've been coming here for over 70 years, and it's a big moment for us," she said.

Backpacker Tamara Volk said the food looked pretty good.

"It's not too expensive so it's great for us," she said. "The interactive floor will be good for the kids."

While Mark Mergard said it would "help the growth of the area".

Joel O'Grady said it was nice and neat and not cluttered.

"The interactive floor is fantastic."

Currently Foodworks and the post office are operational.

Wonderful World of Model Railways on Show at Ipswich this Weekend at the Queensland Model Railway Show

The captivating world of model railways will come alive at Ipswich this weekend at the Queensland Model Railway Show.

The Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich will host the event on October 18-19 with railway modellers, demonstrators, and traders set to showcase their passion to thousands of visitors.

Museum director Andrew Moritz said the event would offer a fun filled family day out.

“We love putting on this show and seeing the appreciation in the eyes of adults and children, even if you’re ‘not into trains’, it’s hard not to stop and stare at the layouts,” Mr Moritz said.

“You can see that many hours have been spent putting together layouts and models, and modellers are happy to discuss their exhibit and much loved passion.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire miniature trains from different Australian states, America and the United Kingdom.

There will also be plenty of offer for kids with a construction station, kids craft and indoor Nippers Railway playground.

Mr Moritz said visitors can also enjoy a mini steam train ride thanks to Grandchester Live Model Steam.

Additional charges apply and visitors must wear closed in shoes.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and allow at least three hours for all activities.

Museum entry price includes all exhibits- family ticket $59, adult $20, concession $17, child $11.50 and children under three years free.

The Workshops Rail Museum is at North St, North Ipswich.

For information call 3432 5100 or visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au

New Dining Retailers Confirmed for Westfield Miranda

A number of restaurants and cafes have been confirmed as part of Scentre Group’s $475 million re-development of Westfield Miranda in Sydney’s south. 

The new indoor/alfresco dining space, which is scheduled to open in November, will include the likes of dumpling chain Din Tai Fung, Mexican restaurant Mejico and dessert destination Gelato Messina.

Other venues will include:

• Luxe
• Kazbah
• Oliver Brown
• Kelly’s Bar and Grill
• Charm Kitchen
• Georgie Porgie
• The Italian Kitchen Miranda

Another six restaurants are set to open their doors on the complex’s rooftop in 2015.

The new dining precinct is designed around a 25-metre tall fig tree, and it includes a water feature and greenery throughout.

The first stage of the re-development will open on 16 October with the official unveiling of the centre’s new fresh food market on level one.

It includes market-inspired stalls from 18 speciality suppliers and a demonstration kitchen with live cooking demonstrations.

New retailers include:

• Pane Vinno Proscuitteria
• Pryde Meats
• Costi’s
• Miranda Chicken
• Sourdough Bakery

"The farmer’s market-style fresh food precinct will offer shoppers the most comprehensive selection of fresh and exotic foods in Sydney’s south with the convenience of a 90 minute express parking area," said Kate Holsgrove, Scentre Group's regional manager.

“In redeveloping Westfield Miranda we have considered the culture, lifestyles and aspirations of our shoppers to create an inviting fresh food market that the Shire will love.

Food and Fashion Markets in Sydney

No matter where you're staying in Sydney, take time to visit one of the city's lively markets.

Head to The Rocks to enjoy a colourful market scene in the area’s quaint cobblestone laneways. Sample a wide range of Australian-made gourmet produce at The Rocks Foodies Market held every Friday.  Numerous food stalls will delight your tastebuds with everything from Turkish gozleme to barbequed salmon, and gourmet sausages to mini cupcakes. The Rocks Markets are held every Saturday and Sunday and feature more than 200 stalls. Discover emerging designers of fashion and accessories, locally-produced homewares, and original photography, art and crafts.

The city's biggest produce market is the Sydney Markets, incorporating the Sydney Growers Market, Sydney Flower Market and Sydney Produce Market which is located at Flemington. With a history that reaches back as far as 1788, these markets have something for everyone, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Close to Sydney Olympic Park, the Sydney Markets at Flemington are easily accessed by bus, train, or car.

Paddy's Markets at Haymarket is another great option, located near Chinatown. Open from Thursday to Sunday every week, these colourful markets are only a short stroll from Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a funky inner-city market showcasing Sydney's artistic side, Glebe Markets, Rozelle Weekend Markets, and Paddington Markets offer handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, second hand books, records, shoes, furniture and more. Open every Saturday, these markets are perfect for anyone with a creative streak.

And if you're staying near Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, the Bondi Markets are held every Sunday in the beachfront grounds of Bondi Beach Public School. Not only will you find arts, crafts, jewellery, homewares, furniture and clothes galore, but this is the place to discover Australia's hottest new designers. Come and enjoy the friendly seaside atmosphere all while enjoying a delicious sausage sizzle at one of Sydney's most beautiful locations.

Outside the city, there are Farmers' Markets being held regularly around country NSW. Sample the locally-grown produce and delights such as wine, cheese and honey from the areas around Mudgee, Orange, Dubbo, and Wagga Wagga, all while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery. 

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Tourism Set to Cash In On Big Summer For International Sport

An unprecedented summer of international sport is set to boost Canberra's tourist numbers after a major decline in business stays and spending in the past year.

With seven Asian Cup football games including a quarter final, three cricket World Cup games and an extra one day International in November, Canberra's tourism boss expected locals to be joined by a mass of regional and international visitors for the sporting feast.

VisitCanberra director Ian Hill said it would be the strongest summer of sport the city had enjoyed. 

"Two absolutely world class events, and I certainly know tickets for those cricket World Cup games have been selling really well."

The National Visitor Survey released last month showed visitor nights were down 790,000 in the domestic business sector for the year to June, a drop of 37.5 per cent. Overall domestic nights were down 16.4 per cent and expenditure down 11.4 per cent, or $14 million. 

International visitor nights also fell 12 per cent, or 570,000 nights, in the same period, with expenditure down 6 per cent.

Mr Hill said the tourism authority was working closely with hoteliers and organisations elsewhere to help them package and promote events.  

"One of those [Asian Cup] games is a China [vs] Korea game; China don't play in Sydney and there's a big group of Chinese background people who live in Sydney, so we're working with some of the multicultural media in Sydney," he said. 

The tourism chief said the key to maximising the windfall for Canberra was ensuring visitors saw other attractions  during their stay, and a rejuvenated cultural and hotel scene would help.

"Places like Braddon are important, Lonsdale Street Roasters is an important place, New Acton, and with new hotels like Hotel Hotel, Peppers has just rebranded, we've seen QT do a fit out at Rydges, the Kurrajong is about to reopen after being refitted – a great location for visitors in the Parliamentary Triangle. I think visitors are seeing a new side of Canberra," Mr Hill said. 

Mr Hill said stories on last week's OECD finding that Canberra was the world's best city to live in,  trumpeted in the New York Times and elsewhere, helped spread the word. 

The Australian Hotels Association ACT recently told ABC TV that occupancy rates were at about 65 per cent, down from the same time last year, but investment was strong, with another 500-600 hotel rooms available by mid-next year.