Ten best things to see, do and taste at Sydney Chinese New Year 2015

From food markets to lantern warriors, the Year of the Sheep is bringing quite a bounty.

Get ready for sensory overload — Chinese New Year is here. Time to fill the streets with fireworks and dancing lions while you alternate between inhaling incredible Asian cuisine and watching feats of strength at the Darling Harbour dragon boat races.

For the Year of the Sheep (a sign of creativity and wisdom), the festival will be connecting you with the best of the Chinese creative world, including large-scale performance art pieces with the Yangjiang art collective and fire-breathing puppet troupes, as well giving you the chance to put yourself in the mix, whether walking through an army of glowing terracotta warriors or doing Tai Chi in the sunshine.

With so much to do and see, here are a few highlights from Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival you shouldn’t miss.

Dragon Boat Races - 28 Feb & 1 March

Where? 201 Sussex Street, Sydney

Fast and furious, wet and wild. No, it’s not an ad for a summer roller-coaster ride; it’s the frantic dash in a 12m-long painted boat known as the Dragon Boat Races. Dating back 2000 years, the race was traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar to encourage rains for prosperity — the dragon, the symbol of water, was the object of worship for the ancient Chinese. Today, it’s a heart-thumping sport boasting crews of roughly 20 rowers. Grab a waterside seat and watch some of Sydney’s best dragon boat teams battle it out in this highly competitive, thrilling sport.

Golden Koala Chinese Film Festival - 18 to 23 Feb

Where? Corner of Greek and Bay Streets

This annual festival will once again showcase a selection of critically acclaimed Chinese movies — including multiple Australian premieres. A black comedy about a reformed gangster who decides to open a kindergarten, Uncle Victory won the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Shanghai Film Festival. Other standouts include Tsang Tsui Shan’s multigenerational documentary Flowing Stories and the critically acclaimed drama Blue Sky Bones (shot by award-winning Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle). Best of all, because the festival is designed to promote Chinese cinema, all the screenings are absolutely free.

Zhang Huan Sydney Buddha - 8 Jan to 15 March

Where? 245 Wilson Street

Zhang Huan’s Sydney Buddha joins the Chinese New Year celebrations at Carriageworks, if only for a limited life. For this highly-anticipated work, two 5 metre-tall Buddha sculptures made of 20 tonnes of incense ash and its aluminium case, face each other. The incense ash is collected from Chinese temples and set to disintegrate slowly within Carriageworks, acting in the same way a Tibetan Buddhist mandala works and making a stunning, complex, time-consuming artwork to be briefly enjoyed and subsequently destroyed, reminding us of the brevity of life.

Lunar Feasts - 13 Feb to 1 March

Where? Din Tai Fung, Chinese Noodle House, Ma G's, Fu Manchu

Flock to the city’s best Asian eateries to experience some of the seriously tasty set menus they will be serving up as part of the annual Chinese New Year Festival. From as little as $20 per person, you can eat your weight in wontons at favourite spots like Din Tai Fung and Chinese Noodle House. The more money you fork out (or should that be chopstick out?), the more decadence you can expect, with the likes of Ms G’s and Fu Manchu offering multicourse delights of sambal octopus, kimchi and an included sweet treat for about $50. Most restaurants have both lunch and dinner options and some menus include an alcoholic beverage as part of the deal.

Chinese New Year Parade 2015 - 22 Feb

Where? George Street, Sydney

In honour of the Year of the Sheep, this year’s Twilight Parade is going to be particularly woolly and adorable. The parade will be filled with spectacular lanterns, floats and dragons and, as always, will begin with the ancient eye dotting ceremony to awaken the spirit of the lion and end with a display of fireworks in Darling Harbour. This year the parade will feature some particularly home-grown treats, including a giant merino, shearers and knitting grannies, while projections will light up the city’s building with the story of Chinese shepherds in Australia and images celebrating the sheep’s characteristics of creativity and kindness.

Lanterns of the Terracotta Warriors - 13 Feb to 22 Feb

Where? Hickson Road, Sydney

Wander through an army of lanterns against the backdrop of the harbour and Opera House as 90 illuminated Terracotta Warriors take over Hickson Road Reserve, the site of Vivid 2014’s giant bunnies. Designed to inspire the same awe as was sparked by the 1974 discovery of the Terracotta Warriors in the tomb of China’s first emperor, these beautiful multicoloured lanterns stand at more than 2 metres tall and are a miracle of fabric and wire, created for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games and here on their first appearance outside of China and the UK.

Lunar Markets - 12 to 22 Feb

Where? Pirrama Road

For 11 nights the Pyrmont Bay Park will transform itself into a pop-up food festival of Asian cuisine, with over 20 food stalls ranging from Night Noodle Market regulars like Fat Noodle and Hoy Pinoy to the new Japanese rock ‘n’ roll themed Daniel San out of Manly. We highly recommend a taste of Bar Pho’s newly trademarked ‘phumplings’, a miraculous cross breed of Vietnamese pho and dumplings that you might not have caught at the Sydney Festival Village due to them selling out every single night.

Tai Chi Classes - Saturdays in Feb

Where? Chinese Garden of Friendship: 1 Exhibition Place

In a festival full of buzzing crowds and street vendors, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is offering a more calming experience as it hosts $6 Saturday morning Tai Chi classes. Conducted by Fiona Maiyin Thockloth from the Inner Peace & Wellbeing Centre, the lessons take an hour out of your weekend and promote mental clarity in the beautiful garden surrounds. It’s a popular class, so make sure you get there 15 minutes early to sign up.

Lunar Streets - 14 Feb

Where? Dixon Street, Chinatown

For the first time, Chinatown, Thaitown and Koreatown are joining forces for Lunar Streets. Graze like a sheep (it’s their year) down Sussex, Campbell and Pitt Streets from dusk till late on Saturday, February 14. There’ll be long alfresco tables set up for the occasion, so you can commune with friends new and old while chowing down on your dim sum/noodles/curry/sashimi/some glorious mix of the four. Performances by roving entertainers and a mix of Asian pop hits courtesy of PopAsia top off the night, a new high on Sydney’s Chinese New Year calendar.

Twilight Garden Party - 14 Feb

Where? Chinese Garden of Friendship: 1 Exhibition Place

For one very special night the renowned Yangjiang art collective will be taking over the Chinese Garden of Friendship. With DJs throughout the evening and food and drinks by the Grasshopper Eating House, the Yangjiang group will be putting you at the centre of their art with calligraphy, face-painting and intimate performance pieces. In their trademark After Dinner Calligraphy, they will use food scraps from the event to create a large-scale work, and the night will finish with the artists feeding guests an array of tea designed to spark a shift in your physical and spiritual perceptions.


Source: http://concreteplayground.com/sydney/best_of/the-ten-best-things-to-see-do-and-taste-at-sydney-chinese-new-year-2015/

March into Merivale - a festival of the senses 2015

2014 March into Merivale launch party

Back for its seventh year, March into Merivale brings together food, wine, adventure and surprise for a total of 50 events over five weeks. While past years have focussed solely on food and drink, this year’s festival aims to create a holistic Merivale experience, beyond just what’s on your plate – or in your glass. Think detox yoga sessions, pastry master classes and dining with off-duty chefs. “This year, we’ve upped the ante to deliver a jam-packed five week festival of the senses,” says Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes. “I cannot wait.”

There’s plenty to do all week, with a different event offered every day. But if you can only make it to one this year, make it the Launch Party. It’s the crème de la crème of the festival, with over 20 featured venues, including Ms.G’s, Papi Chulo and Coogee Pavilion, set to take over ivy for one unmissable night.

Excitement is also building for the inaugural Coogee Foreshore Festival, set at Merivale’s newest venue, Coogee Pavilion. With a big focus on the local community, Merivale is gathering some of its biggest and best venues for a seaside celebration that will spill out onto the promenade. In the same way Coogee Pavilion prides itself on being accessible to all, games, market stalls and roaming entertainment will ensure there’s something for everyone at the Coogee Foreshore Festival.

If planning ahead isn’t your thing, book you and your friends in for a three-course Mystery Dinner. Running Monday to Saturday every week of the festival, adventurous diners won’t know which Merivale restaurant they’re going to until the morning of. But with venues including est. and Mr Wong on the cards, it’s bound to be a good surprise.

With all these events plus many more, you’re sure to find something that whets your appetite. In past years events have regularly sold out, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.

• Official website and tickets: www.marchintomerivale.com.au
• Full event schedule PDF: http://marchintomerivale.com.au/assets/files/MarchintoMerivale_2015_calendar.pdf
• View full event schedule image: see below

Interview with Dan Hong, Exec chef of Mr Wong:

We chat to Executive Chef Dan Hong about food, hangovers and his top picks for the festival.

M: What do you have in store for the Ms.G’s and Mr Wong stalls at the Launch Party?
DH: We’re making really delicious, tasty dishes that are perfect for standing up at a party – we want each dish to explode with flavour in your mouth. Our menu for the launch is really reflective of the food we serve in our restaurants, so there are some of our signature dishes on there. For Ms.G’s we have the lamb ribs and for Mr Wong the lamb cutlets because they’re just so popular, but there’ll be new things to try as well.

M: Which Launch Party stalls will you be heading to first?
DH: I’ll definitely be going straight for Papi Chulo. I think they’re doing their hot smoked wings… They’re like the best wings in Sydney. I’m also excited to see what Danielle Alvarez has in store [for the Paddington Arms stall]. And Jordan Toft [at Coogee Pavilion] too.

M: What March into Merivale event are you most looking forward to?
DH: I’m really looking forward to my event [At Home with Dan Hong] where I get to cook for 22 people. I’m excited to meet and chat with all the guests. I’ll be keeping it really fun, putting all the food on the table so everybody can just help themselves.

M: We’re pretty excited for the Hangover’s Delight! brunch at Ms.G’s. What’s your fail-safe hangover cure? 
DH: I’d probably go down to Bankstown and smash down a bowl of pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup.

M: Where do you get your cooking inspiration from?
DH: I get inspiration from everywhere really – from travelling overseas, eating something off the street or going to another restaurant. I could be inspired by something I eat in a Chinatown food court, or just by an ingredient itself. I actually just came back from New Zealand where I ate loads of fresh local seafood, and I’m already thinking about how I can use it.


March into Merivale full event schedule: http://marchintomerivale.com.au/assets/files/MarchintoMerivale_2015_calendar.pdf

23 February to 29 March 2015

Lukey Luke to perform at Sydney Dragway for round 2

In the lead up to round 2 of the InsureMyRide Australian enduro-x nationals news is that renowned stunt rider Lukey Luke will make three performances at the Sydney enduro-x
Sydney Dragway – Eastern Creek – Saturday Night 28th February 2015.

Promotor of the enduro-x series, Dave Robbins announced today, “We are pleased to announce that world renowned stunt rider Lukey Luke will make 3 guest appearances on the centre dragstrip for the Sydney enduro-x.

With the enduro-x track built around the centre dragstrip it lends itself perfectly for Lukey to put on a show.

We are mixing road and dirt bike entertainment at the Enduro-x. Something that isn’t seen all that often. I have seen Lukey’s show before, you’re bound to get a kick out of it no matter what discipline of riding you’re into. Who doesn’t like a burnout?”

USA Husqvarna rider Mike Brown remains the rider to challenge the 2015 enduro-x crown.

The expected challenges will come from Toby Price, Peter Boyle, Josh Green, Daniel Sanders, Tye Simmonds, Tom McCormack, Mitch Harper and Lachlan Stanford who all showed at times they had the pace to run with the American.

Dave Robbins advised that organisation for the Sydney event is going well with the Saturday night racing concept being popular with the fans.

The added entertainment of Lukey Luke and his stunts will ensure a great night of entertainment at the world class Sydney Dragway facilities.

Sydney Mardi Gras 2015: Our Top Picks

As the city’s annual LGBTQI celebration gets underway, we scan a bumper program and discover there’s something for Mardi Gras fans of all tastes.

Party
It’s the festival centrepiece and the guest list for the 2015 Sydney Mardi Gras parade and party (7 March) is as shimmering and shiny as a disco ball. Singer Dannii Minogue will share top billing with Nick Jonas, while Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, Jessica Mauboy and Courtney Act will also join in the fun. Those keen to get the party started will enjoy the all-ages fun of Fair Day (22 February) and the spectacular Harbour party (28 February).

Film
This year’s Mardi Gras film festival (19 February – 5 March) features bona fide classics like Oscar winning Brokeback Mountain, cult hit The Set and Switzerland’s 2015 Oscar entry The Circle; festival darlings like Castanha , Kuma Hina and Lilting; and documentaries like Do I Sound Gay, Stories of our Lives and Queens and Cowboys. One of the highlights is sure to be the first Sri Lankan LGBTQI feature film Frangipani.

Music
The world’s best DJs and party people flood into Sydney for Mardi Gras, starting with a Day For Night (20 February) dance party at Carriageworks. Jake Shears will perform his first solo show ever with Shears Unsheared (5 March) at the Beresford, comedian-slash-actress-slash-singer Sandra Bernhard takes over the Enmore (6 March) and the one and only Rufus Wainwright will command the State Theatre (9 March). Those after something a little different may enjoy a performance of 17th century songs, sonnets and scenes by actor/counter-tenor Glenn McKenzie in Evensong (26 to 28 February).

Theatre
All the world’s a stage – or least it will seem so during Mardi Gras. Performer Nick Coyle has created the gayest one-man show with Blue Wizard for Belvoir (19 February to 15 March), UK actor Garry Roost brings his acclaimed play Pope Head (24 February to 26 March) about the life and times of artist Francis Bacon to Sydney, before touring it to Melbourne and Brisbane, the lives of children raised with same-sex parents are explored in Gaybies at Darlinghurst Theatre (6 February to 8 March) and the boy-leaves-boy-meets-girl drama of Cock lands at the Old Fitz (5 February to 6 March). Fresh from her victory on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, the queen of queens Bianca Del Rio will perform her comedy special at Sydney theatre (27 February), while out of towners need not feel left out: Penrith’s Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre will have their very own Mini Gras for Western Sydney.

Talks
The festival is about more than sequins and short shorts, with a full schedule of thought-provoking talks. All day event Queer Thinking (21 February) at the Seymour Centre discusses LGBTQI in 2015, followed by a conversation between actress/musician Calpernia Addams and trans-activist and musician Paige Phoenix as Gender Trailblazers. Headliners Chaz Bono and Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor OAM will also take to the Seymour Centre stage to discuss being Gender Trailblazers (26 February), erotic readings takes centre stage at Femme Slut (24 February) at Gasoline Pony while Inside / Out - Talking It Out (28 February) will feature an evening of conversation around living with HIV.

Sport
Think Mardi Gras, think … sport? There are fun runs like the Rainbow run (21 February), the little black dress run (1 March) and Frontrunners fun run (7 March). There’s a volleyball tournament (21/2), a Bentstix hockey tournament (1 March) and ten pin bowling tournament (2 March). And for those keen to get out of town, there are cycling events dubbed Love on two Wheels (22 to 28 February), a Wentworth Falls bushwalk (3 March) and a Jenolan Caves bushwalk (4 March).

For further information, visit: www.mardigras.org.au

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/2015/feb/20/sydney-mardi-gras-2015-top-picks

Backstreet Boys in Sydney with Special Guests

It’s time to clear your schedule for May – Backstreet’s back and they’re bringing Kevin! 

One of the most successful groups of all time - BACKSTREET BOYS - are bringing their ‘In A World Like This Tour’ to Australia this autumn.

After reuniting with original member Kevin Richardson in 2013, all five original members recorded a new album, In A World Like This, filmed a revealing documentary ‘Show ‘Em What You're Made Of’, while embarking on a sold out tour across Europe and North America to rapt crowds celebrating 20 years making music… and now it’s Australia’s turn!

“This last year and a half of touring with my bandmates again couldn't have been any better, but I'm so excited to finally get back to Australia and play for our Aussie fans. It wouldn't feel complete without spending time in one of our favorite places!" - Kevin Richardson

Tickets will go on sale at midday on Monday February 23.

Telstra Thanks is bringing an exciting 48-hour pre-sale just for Telstra customers from 10am Wednesday February 18 until 10am Friday February 20. For more information and to register, visit: telstra.com/music

My Live Nation members can also be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale beginning next Friday, February 20 at 3pm. For complete tour and ticketing details, visit: www.livenation.com.au

VIP Packages, including Meet & Greets, are also available at:www.backstreetboys.com

Last spotted on our shores in 2012 as a four-piece, this time all of the boys are back live onstage, doing what they do best, entertaining the fans with smash hit after smash hit including ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’, ‘Incomplete’, ‘I Want It That Way’ and ‘Larger Than Life’.

Backstreet’s documentary, ‘Show ‘Em What You're Made Of’, is appearing as a limited release in cinemas across the world, debuting in the US last month and slated for an Australian release from March 28. Watch the trailer here.

Selling more than 130 million albums worldwide, Backstreet Boys have been dominating the music scene for two decades. True entertainers, masters of some of the greatest pop songs ever recorded, their concerts are not to be missed!

EVENT TIME: SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015, 8:00PM

Presented by: Live Nation

Tickets On Sale: Mon 23 Feb 2015

Allphones Arena Sydney

Related Links:

www.backstreetboys.com
www.livenation.com.au

2015 Chinese New Year Twilight Parade - Sydney

The Sheep is a much-loved animal – and what’s not to love? They’re gentle, calm and soft, they feature in our nursery rhymes and they were also the backbone of Australia’s early farming success, and continue to be today.

Join us on a discovery of all things Sheep during this year’s spectacular Twilight Parade, with magical lanterns, floats and projections lighting up our city streets and buildings in a woolly celebration of this special creature.

As dusk descends there’s plenty of sheepish pre-parade entertainment for everyone, and then our story begins against the backdrop of magical illuminations on our city buildings.

Opening at the time of the goldrush with Chinese immigrants leaving the gold fields to work as shepherds, we move into a celebration of each of the Sheep’s special characteristics. Wise, dependable, creative, kind, calm and clever: you will see spectacular floats that weave a story around each of these attributes. There’s giant merinos, shearers and Bo Peeps, knitting grannies, and more sheep than you could possibly count, as the parade weaves its way to Darling Harbour for a closing fireworks display to thrill the entire flock.

With local and international communities that celebrate the Lunar New Year taking part in this much-loved event, this year’s Twilight Parade will be a great night out!

Time: 8:00pm - 11:55pm
Location: Sydney Town Hall George Street (from Sydney Town Hall to Chinatown followed by fireworks at Cockle Bay Darling Harbour)
Price: Free ($66 Limited VIP seating available)

Source: www.sydneychinesenewyear.com/festival-program/chinese-new-year-twilight-parade/

Melbourne Metro Rail Project funding 'fast-tracked'

The proposed Melbourne Metro Rail Project is being fast-tracked, with the Victorian Government bringing forward $40 million in planning money.

A further $260 million will also be allocated in the May state budget, while a new authority will be established to oversee planning works.

With major construction expected to start in 2018, Premier Daniel Andrews said it was estimated the project would be operational by 2026.

"If we can do better on those timelines of course we will," Mr Andrews said.

"The sooner you start the sooner you'll finish.

"We should be much further advanced on this project because it ought not to have sat in mothballs for the last four years."

The metro project includes five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain, connected by nine kilometres of underground rail tunnels.

The previous coalition government favoured an alternative project, known as Melbourne Rail, which was to run along a different route and have a station at Montague-Fishermen's Bend.

It was also critical of Labor's plans to run the tunnel underneath busy Swanston Street, claiming it would create significant disruption.

Former premier Denis Napthine even compared the disruption to Swanston Street to the Berlin Wall.

Mr Andrews said the exact impact to Swanston Street was still unknown.

"Swanston Street is one route, there's talk about alternative routes," he said.

"I'm not a transport engineer.

"I think the best thing to do is to give the resources needed to the experts to get on and do this properly."

'A system like New York, London': Public Transport Victoria

Mr Andrews said metro rail would give Melbourne a world-class public transport system.

"This is effectively a second city loop," he said.

"It's a train system where no timetable is needed."

It is expected the project will allow 20,000 more passengers to travel on the city's rail network during peak hour.

The total cost of the project has been estimated between $9-11 billion.

The head of Public Transport Victoria, Ian Dobbs, said the early release of the funds meant vital preliminary work could begin.

"It allows us to get on with the job of delivering what I think will become an iconic project in terms of this city," Mr Dobbs said.

"Melbourne will develop a railway, a metro style system that will be similar to Paris, London and New York."

Mr Andrews said he was hopeful the Commonwealth would help fund the project, despite Prime Minister Tony Abbott saying he would not fund metropolitan rail.

"We are prepared to invest a third, we think the private sector will be a willing partner and they may be able to commit up to a third," he said.

"That leaves one third and we're not going to give up on a federal government doing the right thing, partnering with us to deliver what I think is one of the most significant infrastructure projects our city and state has ever seen.

"This remains Infrastructure Australia's number one infrastructure project for our state."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-16/victorian-government-fast-tracks-funding-for-melbourne-metro/6116042