Grease is the Word - Grease Starts October 12th Sydney

Starts October 12th at Sydney's Lyric Theatre

GREASE is still the word, as Australian theatre producer John Frost today revealed the cast and tour dates for his new multi-million dollar production of GREASE.
 
In the lead roles of Danny and Sandy are musical theatre favourite Rob Mills and rising star Gretel Scarlett. Rob Mills made a name for himself in musical theatre performing Fiyero in the Broadway blockbuster Wicked in Melbourne and Sydney for two years, and will join GREASE after starring as Warner Huntington III in the hit musical Legally Blonde in Brisbane and Melbourne. Gretel Scarlett has played support roles in Wicked and Mamma Mia! and is excited to take on her first starring role.
 

Bert Newton returns to his radio roots to play the role of slick veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine, while Todd McKenney dusts off his dancing shoes to star as Teen Angel, the good-looking, falsetto voiced, Fabian lookalike. The role of All-American, rock-star student at Rydell High, Johnny Casino, has gone to Anthony Callea, returning to the musical theatre stage after success in Rent and Wicked. Rizzo, the leader of the Pink Ladies, will be played by Lucy Maunder (Dr Zhivago, The Threepenny Opera), and Kenickie will be played by Stephen Mahy (Jersey Boys, I Will Survive). The cast also includes Francine Cain (Frenchy), Chris Durling (Doody), Sam Ludeman (Sonny), Duane McGregor (Roger) and Laura Murphy (Jan).

“GREASE is one of my favourite musicals, and with this top draw cast of musical theatre stars I have no doubt it will again be everyone’s favourite party musical,” John Frost said. “I’m thrilled that Rob  Mills will be our Danny, straight from his success in Legally Blonde, and that we have found a new leading lady in Gretel Scarlett. Both Rob and Gretel gave sensational auditions, and our UK creative team knew instantly that they were the ideal Danny and Sandy. And it’s wonderful again to be working with the wonderful Todd McKenney, the talented Anthony Callea and, for our sixth musical together, the irrepressible Bert Newton.

What can I say about this cast – You’re The One That I Want!”

GREASE will open at the Sydney Lyric from October 13, 2013.

GREASE is the Number One Party musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more.
 
So get ready to dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as “bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again.

10% Discount on All accommodation bookings at Metro Apartments Darling Harbour. Put in the Promo Code GREASE 

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You can purchase tickets to Grease in Sydney at Ticket Master

Festival of the Winds 2013

Sydney's most colourful spring festival

Sydney's beloved kite flying festival, the Festival of the Winds, returns on Sunday 8th September 2013.


Throughout the day there will be heaps of activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Art displays, flying displays, a full day multicultural entertainment program, roving performers, circus clowns, a real butterfly house, children's rides and inflatables, puppet shows, kite making workshops, food stalls and much more.

 One of the largest kite flying festivals in Australia, the Festival of the Winds attracts both local and international kite-makers, flyers and enthusiasts. International guests this year include flyers Karl Longbottom from England, Peter Clark, Craig Hansen and Debby Hansen from New Zealand and Liu Zhiping from Weifang, China. There will be fabulous delta, free form and fighter kites from the Australian Kite Flyer Society members who will be showcasing their own designs, huge hand-made character kites as well as kite designs from India, Malaysia, China and Japan.

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All festival-goers are invited to fly their own kites alongside the experts; bring along your own kite, purchase one from the kite stalls in park or make your own kite by participating in one of the kite making workshops!

Accompanying the interactive kite activities is an all-day multicultural entertainment program with great music, dance and kid's shows MCed by Sydney's one and only, hilarious comic juggling percussionist; Joel Salom and his sidekick Eric the Dog!

Event highlights include;

• Yellomundee Family Band: a young Indigenous act performing both traditional and contemporary song and dance.




• Sankha Ridma Dance Ensemble: a Sri Lankan group, with dazzling costumes, rhythmic dance moves and phenomenal drumming.



• The Real Mexico: virtuoso Victor Valdes and his Mariachi group perform traditional Mexican music and dance.



• Strings on Fire: an experience like no other, consisting of tango, violins, circus tricks, music and fire stunts!



• Bukhu: Mongolian musician Bukhu will delight you with his unique throat singing and horse-head fiddle.



• Sydney Cook Island Dance Group: expect exuberant and vibrant hip swinging, arm swaying and log drumming.



• Free dance workshops for all to enjoy, including capoeira, zumba, dance fusion, tango and belly dancing.



• Kite Making workshops for all ages, as well as kite stalls.




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Wind Festival Accomodation  
• Art exhibition: Curated by Michael Richards from Kite Magic, this free aerial art exhibition features a cross-section of kites of all shapes, sizes and colours from many different cultures. There will also be a special display celebrating 35 years of the Festival of the Winds. This exhibition will be hosted at Bondi Pavilion Gallery for two weeks: from 27th August to 8th September, 2013.


There will also be multicultural food stalls to explore; sample food and drink from all over the world including Turkey, Germany, Peru, Mexico, China, Nepal, Lebanon and France.

It is sure to be a great day out for the whole family! For more information on the Festival of the Winds 2013 event, please visit the Waverley Council website and view the complete 2013 festival program (with handy map) here.

Taiwan Festival Sydney 2013

September is heating up to be a busy, exciting month chock-a-block full of free events and festivals around Sydney. So, whilst you are out and about, why not pop into Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour to immerse yourself in the great smells and sounds of Taiwanese culture?

We all know Sydney is great at hosting festivals but the best ones are those which remind us of what a remarkable, multicultural city we live in.

Traditional live performances and food (Image from Facebook)

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What is this Taiwan you speak of?
Taiwan is an island located 180km off the south-eastern coast of mainland China, inhabited by a population of roughly 23 million. Taipei is the political capital and Mandarin and Hokkien are the main languages spoken. Taiwanese culture is a blend of traditional Chinese culture and Japanese culture, with increasingly Western influences too.

Taiwan Festival 2013 The Taiwan Day Festival was held for the first time in 2011 and attracted a crowd of over 25,000. This year, the Day Festival returns on Sunday, 8th September with more delectable food stalls, more exciting live events and folk art and more activities for the whole family in Tumbalong Park.

But this year, just to give you a sampler, the Day Festival will also be preluded by a Taiwanese night market on the Saturday night. Mimicking the famous night markets of Taiwan, attendees can expect a multitude of stalls serving delectable culinary delights from Taiwanese cuisine as well as live music and performances to enhance the atmosphere.
Below is a quick run-down of traditional Taiwanese food and performances to look out for at the festival.

Image from official Facebook page

Culinary delights
Be sure to start off with the delicious dim sims, ranging from irresistible prawn dumplings to pork buns. Follow with some entrees, such as braised and sliced beef loins or deep fried pork ribs, with a side of pickled vegetable salads. If that still doesn't fill you up, go for a plate of fried noodles or wonton noodle soup. Wash it all down with Taiwan's most famous contribution, which has caused the popularity of stores such as Chatime and Easyway - the pearl milk tea, also adorably known as 'bubble tea'!

For those feeling extra adventurous, see if you can handle the 'stinky tofu' dish. If you haven't guessed already, it is tofu with an unpleasant odour... and I'll leave the rest for you to find out for yourself. Just keep in mind - it was once a dish consumed only by the royal family!

Live performances
Don't miss the live performances by the Takao Run Band, who will dazzle you with their fascinating blend of contemporary pop and elements of traditional Taiwanese music as well as their spectacular, quirky costumes. Also look out for the famous glove puppet performance, which will take guests on an adventure of fantasy and kung fu.

Glove puppets (Image from official website)

Bits and pieces
The Taiwanese Night Market will be on Saturday, 7 September from 3pm-9pm.
The Day Festival will be on Sunday, 8 September from 10am-6pm.
Entry is free.

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Fine Food Expo Darling Harbour

Fine Food Australia is the largest and most important food and hospitality event in Australasia.  Annually welcoming over 24,000 professional buyers, Fine Food has further cemented itself as the primary platform for US exporters to promote their products to key buyers from Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.


Why should you exhibit at Fine Food Australia?
1. Since the implementation of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2005, U.S. exports of food products have more than doubled and are now valued at over $1 billion
2. Over 85% of products on Australian supermarket shelves are imported, made from imported ingredients, or produced locally by foreign owned companies
3. 15 USA Pavilion exhibitors at Fine Food 2012 reported 12-month projected sales at $9.4 million

• Dates:
  September 9-12, 2013
• Location:
  Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia Sydney Exhibition & Convention Centre
• Frequency:
  Annual (alternating between Sydney & Melbourne)
• Exhibit Profile:
  Food and beverage products
• Visitor Profile:
  Professionals from the retail, foodservice and hospitality industries
• Previous Show:
  September 10-13, 2012
• No. of Visitors:
  24,278 - Comprising of professional people from the retail, foodservice and hospitality industries
• No. of Exhibitors:
  Approximately 1,000 - Comprising of manufacturers and distributors of food, drink and equipment from
  
  

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