Sydney International Rowing Regatta 2015

The Sydney International Rowing Regatta is Australia's largest rowing event. The seven day event will be held from Monday 23 – Sunday 29 March 2015 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. It will comprise of the following competitions:

• Australian Open Rowing Championships
• Australian Open Schools Rowing Championships
• King’s and Queen’s Cup Interstate Regatta

Australia’s best rowers will be on show in Sydney including our very own Kim Crow – 2012 London Olympic Games silver and bronze medallist and 2013 World Champion and 2013 AIS athlete of the year, Josh Dunkley-Smith – 2012 London Olympic Games silver medallist, Will Lockwood – 2012 London Olympic Games silver medallist and Kathryn Ross – 2013 Para-Rowing World Champion and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games silver medallist.

Event Details:

Gates Open: 7:00am

Parking is free.

Daily Race Schedule available here

JUNIOR: 12 years and under free.

www.rowingaustralia.com.au
www.rowingdownunder.org

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

South Africa vs West Indies | ICC Cricket World Cup

Gayle Returning to Form in time for the Match against South Africa

Returning to Australia after 23 years, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will witness the best players in the world coming together, to create heroic performances and magical memories for friends and family as they battle for cricket's ultimate prize.

South Africa Squad for World Cup 2015

AB de Villiers(Captain), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock(Wicketkeeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn

West Indies Squad for World Cup 2015

Jason Holder(Captain), Marlon Samuels, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin(Wicketkeeper), Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor

Watch Live

The nineteenth match of the ICC World Cup 2015 will be played between two of the best cricket teams of modern times, South Africa and West Indies. 

The match will be played at Sydney Cricket Ground, in the city of Sydney, Australia. With its 48,000 seating capacity, Sydney Cricket Ground is expected to host one of the very best and crowded matches in ICC 2015 World Cup.

As an interesting fact about the ground, Sydney Cricket Ground hosts cricket matches, as well as other sporting events like Australian rules football, rugby league football and rugby union matches.

Of the 14 teams that are participating in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, namely Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland qualified through WCL Championship, while United Arab Emirates and Scotland qualified through World Cup Qualifier. The remaining 10 teams are full members.

Don't miss South Africa taking on the West Indies at the SCG.

For more information Click Here

Event Details:

Sydney Cricket Ground 

Moore Park Rd 

Moore Park 

NSW 2021 

Date 

Fri 27 Feb 2015 at 2:30pm

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/

Matilda The Musical | Lyric Theatre

“ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, A SHOW COMES OUT BLAZING AND RESTORES YOUR FAITH IN BROADWAY. MATILDA THE MUSICAL IS THAT SHOW.” - New York Post

Matilda The Musical is the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
 
Winner of 50 major international awards, including 12 for Best Musical, Matilda continues to delight audiences of all ages both in London and on Broadway before arriving at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from July 2015.

‘EASILY THE STANDOUT MUSICAL OF THE DECADE’ - Sunday Times, (UK)

Get Tickets for Matilda at Ticketek

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