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Entertainment
Guide to Entertainment, Events and Nightlife in Sydney

Anyone seeking entertainment in Sydney should note that if it's happening, then it's being advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Music

Classical Music
The Sydney Opera House is more than a landmark, it is a busy cultural centre with five stages, only one of which is dedicated to opera. The House (as the management would like it to be called) is the premier venue for top performances in Sydney - indeed, in all Australia. Dance, opera, classical music, drama, comedy, you name it. Tickets range from free to AUD180 depending on genre, performer and general popularity. Bennelong Point. Tel: +61 (0)2-9250-7777.

The Recital Hall is Sydney's newest classical music venue and offers a range of international music and the best of traditional classical. Tickets are from AUD10 for certain events, but usually around AUD55. Angel Place. Tel: +61 (0)2-8256-2222.

Modern Music
Aussie music has been a fixture on the international pop circuit a while now, and the influence that various Australian musicians have had on the world rock and pop scene is undeniable. From Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan in the early 90s, through Crowded House, Nick Cave, INXS and ACDC, to the reinvented Kylie of the new millennium, Aussie bands and performers have topped the charts in nations all over the world. Aussie music is energetic, intelligent and more acoustic than is often the case in other parts of the world. From the big Aussie and international names in large venues, to loads of smaller bands in seedy and soulful venues.

Centrally located places to head for include the Metro, a great modern venue that holds about 1,200 people. Music on offer tends to be rock and pop from local bands, although the occasional bigger act will call in. 624 George St. Tel: +61 (0)2-9287-2000.

A larger venue and hosting major international acts is the Entertainment Centre a 12,000 capacity concert hall with fantastic sound. Large enough to attract good bands and artistes, it is still small enough to get full, and to offer an intimate enough experience where you don't feel too far from the act. Harbour St, Haymarket. Tel: +61 (0)2-9320-4200.

If your tastes run to jazz then head for Circular Quay and The Basement. Regarded as the best jazz venue in Sydney, it hosts any of the big stars that are in town as well as talented local acts. You can book for dinner as well, which ensures that you'll have a good seat before the place starts filling up of an evening. 29 Reilby Place, Circular Quay. Tel: +61 (0)2-9251-2797.

Theatre

Apart from the continual programme of drama and stage performances at the Opera House, also look out for events at:

The Wharf Theatre (Pier 4, Hickson Rd, The Rocks. Tel: +61 (0)2-9250-1700) is home to the excellent Sydney Theatre Company. This is a venue for a continually high standard of performances of modern Australian drama, only 20 minutes' walk from Circular Quay on a redeveloped wharf near the harbour bridge. Tickets from AUD50.

Opera

The Sydney Opera House (Bennelong Point. Tel: +61 (0)2-9250-7777) is several centuries younger than La Scala but is probably as famous a venue as Milan's venerable opera house. Purists complain about the acoustics in Sydney Opera House's main auditorium but there are few places as memorable to catch a performance - and to be able to say you've seen opera in the Sydney Opera House is something you'll have for the rest of your life. Tickets for popular operas, top performers and premieres are highly priced but worth it for the experience.

Cinema

Sydney boasts an IMAX theatre in Darling Harbour, and Fox Studios (not a theme park, a working studio - tours are available), but where can you actually see a movie? Just about anywhere...

There are several outlets of national cinema chains in Sydney, including Hoyts, one of the most central branches of which is at Broadway Shopping Centre on the corner of Greek & Bay Streets (Tel: +61 (0)2-9211-1911) and Greater Union - there's a branch at 525 George St (Tel: +61 (0)2-9273-7431). Both show all the US, Aussie and UK blockbusters and flops, much like anywhere in the English-speaking world.

Chauvel Cinema (Paddington Town Hall, Oatley Rd / Oxford St. Tel: +61 (0)2-9361-5398) shows local and international arthouse cinema, with main screen and "theatrette". A great venue and hangout for movie enthusiasts.

Sport

Watersports
With the harbour and the permanently gorgeous weather, Sydney is an obvious choice for the watersports lover. Try your hand at sailing (sailing schools are more than happy to show you the ropes for a day) or join the surfing crowd at one of the many beaches. You can even go diving at one of the harbour's great sites, and see the marine animals that share this amazing conurbation with humans.

Spectactor sports
As you may or may not know, Australia is utterly barmy about sports - being a recent Olympic host and winning more prestigious world sporting events than is polite to mention hasn't helped at all. Take in a rugby (Union or League) match, cricket test or one-day game or witness the bizarre spectacle of "Aussie Rules" football (more common in Victoria than NSW to be fair). Football (soccer) is also becoming increasingly popular. Plus, with Sydney having hosted the 2000 Olympics, you have a range of world class venues. The magnificent Stadium Australia is a tourist attraction in its own right.

Apart from the actual event, being around Aussies as they enjoy their sport is entertainment in itself. If you can't get a ticket for a live game, watching it on TV in a Sydney sports bar is pretty raucous as well.

Special Events

January
Since 1976 the Sydney Festival has grown up to become Australia's largest cultural festival. It attracts a wide array of performers in theatre, dance, visual arts, music and opera. Many events are free, including the renowned "Symphony in the Domain", or the ever-popular "Jazz in the Domain". The three-week festival program is launched each October.

Australia Day is celebrated throughout the country and in Sydney in particular there are scores of events to keep everyone amused. Highlights around Sydney Harbour include the Tall Ships Carnival, the Harbour Parade and a fireworks display.

February
The Dixon Street area in Chinatown is adorned with gold and red decorations for the Chinese New Year celebrations. There is a whole host of Chinese themed events taking place throughout the city, including Chinese New Year Race Day at Royal Randick, the Chinese New Year Parade and Dragon Boat Races in Darling Harbour. This is also a great time to savour some delicious oriental delicacies.

Heralded as 'The World's Greatest Gay and Lesbian Celebration', the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an extravaganza of music, visual arts, exhibitions and comedy throughout the month of February. There is a choice of entertainment for everyone, including a sports festival and the Mardi Gras Film Festival. The festivities culminate in the famous Mardi Gras Parade and the wonderfully debauched Mardi Gras Party providing the perfect climax to the month.

Along the coast near Bondi the city holds its annual Sea Theatre Festival. It's an open-air blow-out of theatre and dance and usually attracts good numbers of spectators enjoying the sun and sea air as much as watching the artists. Midday to sunset. Admission: free.

March
Enjoy harbour-side celebrations during the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival. Admire several hundred boats displayed at the wharves of Darling Harbour as well as craft stalls, films, lectures, boat rides and food stalls.

The biggest Irish celebration in Australia takes pace in Sydney on St Patrick's Day. Join the hundreds and thousands of people who will be celebrating with live music, family entertainment, dancing displays, food and craft stalls and the famous St Patrick's Day Parade. After the parade follow the throngs to the Domain for a traditional Irish Concert.

April
The Royal Easter Show is in the best traditions of Australian country fairs, and this is the largest of the lot. The massive Sydney showground is the venue for "the greatest show on earth" with attractions and displays held among massive marquees offering arts, crafts and local produce for sale.

For a taste of Thailand in Sydney, visit the popular Thai Songkran Festival, held at Tumbalong Park and Darling Harbour. Every year you can experience a bit of Thai culture watching religious ceremonies, cultural performances and exhibitions or visit some of the numerous stalls selling crafts and food.

May
The Biennale of Sydney is, as the name suggests, held every two years and is part of the Sydney calendar every even numbered year. Sydney's largest Contemporary Arts Festival, it takes place in art galleries and museums around the city and provides the opportunity to see the work of innovative international artists as well as home grown Australian talent. Admission: free for most exhibitions.

The Cycling World Cup will be held in Sydney until 2009 at the Dunc Gray Velodrome for 3 days in May.

Sydney Writers Festival is a week-long celebration of Australian and international writing. As well as providing the opportunity to see readings of literature across all genres from science fiction and fantasy to poetry, there is a chance to meet writers and take part in workshops, debates and competitions.

June
The Australian International Music Festival arrives in Sydney in June for a week of music. Jazz bands, brass bands, choirs and orchestras from around the world perform at a number of venues across Sydney including the Opera House.

The Sydney Film Festival is held in June each year and attracts young and established film makers from all over Australia and the world. The State Theatre on Market St is at the centre of proceedings.

The Feast of Sydney is a food lover's dream. Over two weeks Sydney's cuisine is celebrated with special events, offers and tastings at restaurants around the city. The world's longest buffet is a highlight when you can sample food from over a hundred of the city's restaurants.

July
For coffee lovers, The Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival is an ideal opportunity to sample a wide range of coffees from around the world while enjoying street entertainment and various other activities.

Naidoc Week (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' survival and culture. Aboriginal cultural, sports, arts and musical events take place throughout the city.

August
The popular Sun Herald City to Surf race attracts thousands of athletes to Sydney every year. Competitors run 14km across hilly terrain from the corner of Park and College Streets through the city to Bondi Beach. Tel: 1800-555-514 (within Australia) for further information.

September
Held at the beginning of September, the Festival of the Winds is Australia's largest kite festival, attracting crowds of over 50,000 to Bondi Beach each year. There are a number of competitions open to the public as well as food stalls and family entertainment.

October
Sydney's Carnivale is the nation's largest multicultural event with parades and performances from worldwide troupes, including many from the home of carnival - South America. You're guaranteed colour and amusement in three weeks of events.

If you are a motoring enthusiast then don't miss the Sydney Motor Show, which is ranked as one of the most important motor shows in the world. Over 500 cars will be on display at the Exhibition Centre over the ten days of the exhibition.

Over 8000 athletes take part every year in the Flora Sydney Marathon and The Sunday Telegraph 10km Bridge Run, that takes runners over the Harbour Bridge to the Olympic Park or Fox Studios. The races are also open to wheelchair athletes with racing wheelchairs.

November
The Japanese Matsuri Festival is held at the beginning of the month and kicks off on the Friday night with an impressive fireworks display. The following day starts with a parade from Sydney Town Hall to Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour where a Japanese cultural festival including food and craft stalls continues throughout the day.

On the last day of November don't miss the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and concert.

December
Get yourself in the festive spirit with Carols in the Domain. This traditional carol concert with special guests, children's entertainment and fireworks is broadcast live to the nation the weekend before Christmas Day and is especially popular with families.

Make your way down to Nielsen Park at 13h00 on Boxing Day to watch the start of the much celebrated Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

One of the world's top destinations for seeing in the New Year, Sydney really excels in throwing a party. The Harbour is the place to be as thousands of fireworks light up the skies above the water. Crowds throng Darling Harbour and all along Circular Quay to cheer in the New Year.

 

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