Barbie At Bondi Beach Having Fun in the Sun as Part of Barbies Australia Tour

Barbie visited Australia  as part of her worldwide search for a new Dreamhouse and was today spotted hanging out at Bondi Beach having a BBQ and getting some rays rexlaxing on the beach.

Barbie having a ‘Barbie’ at Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia

 

Barbie helping the Bondi Rescue Lifeguards keep watch at Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia

View the www.facebook.com/SeeAustralia Facebook page to see more photos of Barbie and her time spend down-under.

Meet Darcy: Easter Show’s Giant Attraction Unveiled

Dancers form part of the show for Darcy’s Quest that was previewd Saturday at Circular Quay. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

A giant copper puppet girl has strutted her stuff at Sydney’s Circular Quay, previewing her performances at the upcoming Royal Easter Show.

Every night of the show, which starts on Thursday, Darcy, a three-storey high puppet operated by five Spanish puppeteers and a 12-metre crane, will perform with monster trucks, stunt bikes and fireworks.
The performance, Darcy’s Quest, tells the story of her dream of a world without animals.

On Saturday the puppet was walked along Circular Quay as a taster for the Easter Show, which runs from Thursday to Wednesday, April 3.

Darcy’s latest appearance was at the London Olympics and she has just travelled 16,000km by ship to Sydney from her home in Barcelona.

Easter Show chief operating officer Michael Collins said Darcy’s Quest had a message of conservation and environmental care.

“The show is obviously very focused on sustainability in our farming sector, as well as in all our efforts to entertain and delight Sydneysiders every year, especially in this, 190 years since the first show,” he said in a statement.

Darcy’s Quest is directed by Di Henry, who has been involved in staging Olympic Games ceremonies, including London.

Sydney and Melbourne Compete Over Musical Theatre Tourism Revenue

Musical theatre is big business in Australia. Significant revenue from international shows has created fierce competition between the New South Wales and Victoria state governments to host the premieres.

Musical theatre is big business in Australia, with international shows a significant source of revenue for both Melbourne and Sydney. Not surprisingly fierce competition has developed between the New South Wales and Victoria state governments to host the premieres.

Theatre Producer Rodney Rigby says regional and interstate tourism to shows accounts for up to 40 percent of ticket sales to some shows such as Jersey Boys, which opened in Melbourne and is opening soon in Perth.

Rigby is premiering an Australian production of the broadway show The Addams Family in Sydney this week: “It’s a great deal to have it here in Australia and opening here in Sydney. The timing when shows open is so complicated. It’s got to do with the availability of theatres, creative teams.”

“Sydney is the home, we are number one for first run musicals in Australia,” says Sandra Chipchase, CEO of Destination NSW, the State government bidy set up to attract major events. “Destination NSW has a very unique strategy to the way we package musicals.”

Victoria is downplaying the rivalry.

“For us, it’s getting the biggest and the best of the available musical productions that are coming to Australia,” says Brendan McClements, CEO of Victoria Major Events Company. “To be perfectly frank, we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about Sydney, for us it’s really how do we work best with the producers in the West End or on Broadway.”

And in the musical tales of two cities, there are plenty.

Melbourne recently host the Australian premiere of the West End’s War Horse, heading to Sydney this week, and it will stage the global premiere of King Kong in May; while Sydney recently premiered Legally Blonde the musical and has secured the world premiere of Baz Lurhman’s Strictly Ballroom, to open in 2014 or 2015.

Next week, the musical Grease will reveal where it will launch in Australia.

Hosting an internationally renowned musical generates around $3 million a month for the State. The two biggest states, almost head to head in revenue, are NSW with $102 million in ticket sales and Victoria at $91 million. That’s in a country that brings in $250 million every year in musical theatre.

Rick Elice, writer of The Addams Family Broadway show, in Australia for the premiere, says “Competition always brings out the best work I think, as long as it’s a healthy competition between Melbourne and Sydney. The real winner is the vast numbers of people who have the opportunity to come and see the theatre.”

Ellen ‘Healthy as a Kookaburra’ and Teasing Sydney Plans

Ellen DeGeneres has fully recovered from the bout of flu that delayed her much-publicised Australian visit due to start last weekend, and postponed to this weekend.

The 55-year-old talk show host is as “healthy as a kookaburra”, in her own words. Does that mean she’s breaking out in laughing fits at inconvenient hours of the early morning?

“I’m feeling much better and I’m ready for my trip this week!” Ellen tweeted to more than 17.6 million followers. “The doctors say I’m healthy as a kookaburra.”

Ellen whipped up more Aussie excitement with her following tweets.

“I’ll be in Australia in three days! And I’ve got big plans for Sydney on Saturday. Don’t miss it,” she wrote a few hours ago. What could these secret plans be, hmm? Any guesses, TheFIX readers?

Of course, given that Ellen’s trip is sponsored by vitamin company Swisse, she managed to throw a plug in for the brand.

“I’ve got my Swisse energy tablets for the plane. This time I won’t get the flu when I flew,” she wrote. Let’s hope no rumours emerge claiming she faked her illness to promote Swisse. Ellen would never do that!

Ellen has plans to meet her fans in Sydney and Melbourne. More details on her visit will be announced soon.

We’re so excited! Hope the flight goes well for her and wife Portia de Rossi.

In the meantime, check out Ellen’s recent attempts at being an honorary Australian in these vids:

NSW Smoking Ban Smokers Like It

YESTERDAY’S introduction of strict outdoor smoking bans in NSW drew few objections on the Border; even smokers believe the tougher laws are a good idea.

It is now illegal to smoke in many outdoor public areas, including train stations, bus stops and sporting facilities.

Those who ignore the bans risk a $550 fine.

A smoker for more than 15 years, Duncan Cooper, of Albury was concerned about the harm passive smoke could do to children.

“I get passive smoke from my own cigarette when I’m not smoking it,” he said.
“For people’s health it will be a good thing.”

But he didn’t agree with the amount of the fine.

“Who has that amount of money these days?” he said.

Shane Vale said smoking away from people was common courtesy, NSW now made it law.
“It’s fair enough,” he said.

“I can understand that non-smokers don’t like to smell cigarette smoke, especially with kids around, but it’s not an illegal product … it is a bit frustrating.”

The new laws are designed to protect people, particularly children, from passive smoke.
Eight-year-old Lily Ryan-McCormack is glad.

“Sometimes the smoke makes me have a bit of a headache,” she said.

“I smell it, and it smells really gross.”

The Asthma Foundation NSW yesterday applauded the NSW government’s decision, which will also see smoking banned from outdoor areas at venues where food is consumed from 2015.

“According to the most recent NSW government statistics, smoking-related illness accounts for about 5200 deaths and 44,000 hospitalisations per year in NSW and costs about $8 billion annually,”
Asthma Foundation NSW chief executive Michele Goldman said.

“Tobacco smoke is a key trigger for a potentially fatal asthma attack and is associated with higher rates of asthma.

“Children who live in homes where parents smoke are three times more likely to have asthma than children living in non-smoking homes.”

Unstoppable Kylie Comes Home and Embraces Sydney

IF we were just counting down Kylie Minogue’s greatest hits it would probably take all New Year’s night. 

There’s her 25 years in the music industry, the odd concert or two for the Queen’s Jubilee, an Abbey Road Sessions album and a starring role in French indie film Holy Motors. So “coming home” to play host and creative ambassador for Sydney’s NYE party will be the sparkling finish to 2012 this unstoppable diva deserves.

Charged with hitting the button on the fireworks, Minogue says the spectacular is the perfect end to a personal year of highs.

“It’s been a huge year for me and the finish line is New Year’s Eve and I will definitely be trying to find a moment in the madness to really appreciate everything I’ve done this year and what an amazing year it’s been to share with fans,” she said.

The 44-year-old has vowed to take the “embrace” theme literally, planning a midnight hug with model boyfriend Andre Velencoso, who has flown in to share in the festivities.

She has posted several photos on Twitter since arriving in Sydney on Friday, including a visit to Bondi’s Icebergs. She said she has been spruiking her role since agreeing to the gig.

“Honestly, I’ve been so excited about coming home since I first signed up for the project which was a year ago, so here I am, and now it’s a reality and it’s so exciting,” she said.

Channel 9′s coverage, from the Lord Mayor’s party at the Sydney Opera House, starts at 8.30pm (family fireworks) and includes 11.30pm (midnight countdown) with performances by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Darren Percival.

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YouTube to Live Stream Sydney Opera House Events

The Sydney Opera House will live stream 20 performances over a two-year period straight to YouTube, thanks to a new partnership.

Over 1.4 million people pass through the doors of the Opera House each year. Billions of video streams are served via YouTube, so the partnership promises a global reach for performances. Shows will be streamed on their own dedicated channel, though the list of performances has yet to be announced; expect the first live-streamed show to be announced in early 2013.

This is not the first time that the global icon has teamed up with Google’s video site. In 2011, the YouTube Symphony Orchestra called for auditions from across the globe to perform live on-stage at the Opera House. Earlier this year, as part of the Vivid Live festival, a performance by the Temper Trap was streamed straight to YouTube simultaneously during the performance.

Floating Heliport for Sydney Harbour Approved

Newcastle Helicopters has gained government approval to operate a Floating Heliport in Sydney Harbour from early next month.

Answering the growing need for helicopter based services in the Sydney CBD area, James Guest and Mitchell Campbell, Directors of Newcastle Helicopters, have developed the concept of a powered flat top vessel based on central Sydney Harbour, complete with two helipad sites and deck space to manage passenger operations.

Helicopter services with such close proximity to the Sydney CBD area have not been available since the 1980s, when the Darling Harbour Heliport was closed due to redevelopment of the site.

A central heliport is essential for Sydney to be regarded as a truly international city, such as New York or London, as it provides means to showcase the world-renowned Harbour and CBD as a hub for tourism and business.

The flexibility of a powered, mobile Heliport allows it to be centrally located, utilising the amenity of the Harbour without the need for a fixed, land-based structure.

Passengers will access the Floating Heliport by existing Harbour water taxi services and other commercial operators.

Director of Newcastle Helicopters, James Guest has been working closely with the relevant governing bodies, including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Roads and Maritime Services and Sydney Ports to ensure the operation is conducted in accordance with all safety and operational guidelines.

“The heliport will operate from agreed locations remote from shipping channels and residential areas, and will be made available to pre-approved helicopter operators during agreed operating hours of 7am to dusk.

Helicopter flight paths will conform to existing routes and follow established procedures in the Sydney Harbour airspace,” Mr. Guest said.

The Floating Heliport will offer swift transfers from Mascot airport ideal for the time poor businessperson and centrally located Sydney residents, and scenic flights over Sydney Harbour convenient to tourists staying close to the CBD, and those visiting with limited schedules on cruise ships.

Flights further afield will be offered to enable passengers to explore the neighbouring regions of Sydney with ease. The Hunter Valley wine region, Port Stephens, Blue

Mountains and the South, Central and North Coasts are all within an hour’s flight away from the Sydney Harbour Floating Heliport.

The assets of the floating heliport extend beyond the benefits to Sydney tourism and convenience of air transport to the CBD; it will provide closer CBD access for emergency services, and opens up many business opportunities for other air and water operators. It also offers significant opportunities for commercial pilots of Newcastle Helicopter’s flying school to further their career in a world-class operation such as the Sydney Harbour Floating Heliport.

By mid-2013, the Sydney Harbour Floating Heliport will be a purpose-built vessel with meeting rooms, aircraft storage and re-fuelling facilities.

Flights, packages and gift vouchers will be available online early next month. The inaugural flights and bookings will be first offered to those who register online at www.newcastlehelicopters.com.au.  Registrations are now open.

(Source: Travmedia.com 21/11/12)

Thai Water Festival – Sydney’s Largest Water Festival

The Loy Krathong Thai Festival is Sydney’s largest water festival.

Held in Parramatta, in conjunction with the Thai Consulate General, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai Australia Association, this annual cultural event attracts more than 12,000 people from all around New South Wales.

A family friendly event, the Loy Krathong Thai Festival is a celebration of Thai traditions and culture.

The festival is centred around the launching of krathong rafts on Parramatta River at sunset. These hand-made, lotus-shaped receptacles, traditionally made of banana leaves, are filled with food, flowers, coins, incense sticks and candles and are placed on the banks of the river. Together, the floating krathong rafts will light up Parramatta River and create a stunning waterscape.

All are welcome to participate in this tradition and can make a wish or prayer as they launch their krathong raft.

In the lead up to the main event at sunset, the Parramatta foreshore will be bustling with activity in the late afternoon.

There will be a wide range of live entertainment featuring local and Thai performers, including traditional drumming and cultural performances and dances. There will also be Muay Thai Boxing demonstrations and roving entertainment, as well as traditional food stalls selling a range of Thai and Asian delights. Other highlights include a singing competition*, traditional Thai massages, amusement rides, free face painting, a range of interactive craft workshops and a spectacular waterfall and fireworks display.

All are welcomed to attend this major cultural event.

It will be held from 5pm at Parramatta River, between Wilde Avenue and Elizabeth St Footbridge, on Saturday 24th November 2012.

For any event enquiries please call Parramatta City Council on 8839 3311 or email events@parracity.nsw.gov.au.

For more information on this event, please visit Discover Parramatta.

*Learn the words to the traditional Loy Krathong song below for a chance to win a trip to Thailand!

A Sydney Town Hall Christmas

Decorations and Illuminations in Sydney’s CBD

The City of Sydney knows how to put on a good show, and this year’s Christmas decorations are no exception. There will be tinsel and lights everywhere.

Christmas Trees and Decorations

As well as the giant Christmas tree in Martin Place, there will be smaller (but no less beautiful) trees at various key locations throughout the city including Customs House Square, St Mary’s Cathedral Forecourt, Taylor Square, Hyde Park North, Kings Cross, Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Square. The CBD will be alight with thousands of twinkling LED lights, ribbons and baubles.

The city’s adjoining villages haven’t been forgotten either – there will be decorations on Erskineville Road, Redfern Street, Crown Street, Darlinghurst Road and Glebe Point Road. There will also be lights at Shannon Reserve in Surry Hills, Turruwul Park in Rosebery and Redfern Park. I’m starting to feel festive just thinking about it.

Sydney Town Hall Projections

Not to be left out of the festive happenings, Sydney Town Hall will host a live projection show every evening from Thursday 29 November until Christmas Day. The projections will be beamed on to the facade of this majestic old building, and cast pretty coloured shadows on it’s surroundings. Definitely one for the Christmas photo album, so don’t forget to pack your camera, and get snap happy.