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White Lotus star's major announcement

<p dir="ltr">Film and TV icon Jennifer Coolidge is heading to Australia to headline Vivid Sydney 2023 alongside <em>The White Lotus</em>’ writer, director and creator, Mike White.</p> <p dir="ltr">The American actress announced the exciting news on Instagram and TikTok in a short video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hey Australia, it’s Jennifer Coolidge and I just got really exciting news. Mike White and I are coming to Sydney on June 10 – we’ll see you there!” she said.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq_Lm2ku_k8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq_Lm2ku_k8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jennifer Coolidge (@jennifercoolidge)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">White and Coolidge are set to appear at the exclusive<em> In Conversation</em> event at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on June 10, where they'll share insider knowledge of the film and creative industries .</p> <p dir="ltr">“This exclusive event will allow audiences to see behind the curtain on what has become a massive cultural Zeitgeist and hear from two of the hottest figures in the creative industries right now,” said Vivid Sydney festival director Gill Minervini.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Vivid festival director has also said that securing these megastars “cements Vivid Sydney 2023 as the biggest and most culturally relevant program yet”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Vivid will run from Friday, May 26 until Saturday, June 17 with over 300 events.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tickets are now available at Vivid’s <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/mike-white-jennifer-coolidge-in-conversation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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Vivid cops backlash amid national energy crisis

<p dir="ltr">The organisers of Sydney’s Vivid light festival have been the subject of widespread outrage online, as the lights continue to shine amid an ongoing energy crisis.</p> <p dir="ltr">The annual festival returned in late May, with nearly a dozen locations being illuminated every night that are set to power down after this weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, locals have taken to social media to question whether the event should be continuing while businesses and public servants have been urged to reduce power use.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Vivid looking an absolute treat tonight on my arvo walk - let’s see if there’s still power to keep the lights on in a few hours,” one person tweeted.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-efdbf85e-7fff-2e63-a3df-4ff170637b51"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody turn on your heaters because we need to preserve energy but let’s light up the whole city for 2 week,” another wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">If you live in Australia you’re probably hearing a lot about blackouts lately. No power, no where to charge your phone, no hot water… yet they have Sydney’s vivid lights on this winter. Lol</p> <p>— Aussie Freedom Fighter (@truthvsagenda) <a href="https://twitter.com/truthvsagenda/status/1537413429082091525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Sydney, please stop wasting electricity. Turn off the air con. Dim the lights. We’re trying to keep Vivid switched on,” a third added.</p> <p dir="ltr">NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean defended the festival on Thursday, stating that the event put minimal pressure on the system due to its low-energy LED and energy efficient lights.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The New South Wales Government obviously looked at ways that it could minimise the electricity usage among non-critical services in the public service,” Mr Kean said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s not unusual. We do this from time to time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were advised by the Australian energy market operator that we didn’t need to take steps to turn off Vivid.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes after residents in NSW have been asked to turn off dishwashers and find other ways of cutting down their power usage, as Australia’s ageing coal plants - which are the biggest supplier of electricity nationwide - struggle with increased demand due to the onset of winter weather and return of people to offices and businesses. According to The Guardian, a third of the country’s coal capacity has been offline and coal supply has been affected by the recent flooding across NSW and Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Wednesday, Mr Keen said people were being asked to conserve energy as the government looked to “get through tonight and the next couple of days”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Perhaps not using the dishwasher until we go to bed, that would help,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a result of a number of our coal-fired power stations not working when we need them to do so.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What we’re doing is focused on making sure that we get through tonight and the next couple of days.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On Friday, Mr Kean said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) which sets the price of energy for NSW, south-east Queensland, and South Australia had delivered “good news” that the condition of the system was improving.</p> <p dir="ltr">“AEMO have described the energy situation as much healthier and that’s good news,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Generators that were offline have now come back online. We had a generator come online yesterday. That added 600 megawatts to the system that wasn’t there the night before.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another generator is also expected to come online on Saturday, per <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-energy-supply-healthier-as-generators-switch-back-on-20220617-p5auic.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sydney Morning Herald</a></em>, further improving conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b05213d7-7fff-5b8c-9905-e773d25670c2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @vividsydney (Instagram)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Beloved music treasure Marcia Hines to hit the stage

<p dir="ltr">Former <em>Australian Idol</em> judge Marcia Hines is set to hit the stage to perform music which shaped her into the woman she is today.</p> <p dir="ltr">The beloved musical treasure will “bare her soul” at St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney alongside a 12-member choir and live band in an intimate and exalting live concert.</p> <p dir="ltr">The concert will be held on two nights - June 9 and 10 - during Sydney’s fantastic light show, Vivid. </p> <p dir="ltr">Marcia is excited to share a part of her soul during her upbringing in America as a black child.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The word that comes to mind is joy. And I often listen to a lot of the Baptist Church music that comes out of America – it's praise, it's joy and it's so nice to listen to. I personally find it uplifting," she told <a href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/marcia-hines-vivid-sydney-festival-gospel-music-live-performance-concert-exclusive-interview/95b86f1c-cb26-4462-946a-1a55351a0c7d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">"It's a new venture for me doing the gospel music. I was brought up in church, like most black kids in America, and it was a very large part of my upbringing." </p> <p dir="ltr">The singer has her blind aunt Florence James to thank, who she accompanied every Sunday to the church from the mere age of 10. </p> <p dir="ltr">The four churches they frequented were in Boston’s inner city, which aunt Florence led the choirs for and congregations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Through aunt Florence’s guidance, Maricia was able to travel to Australia where she became a sensation. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Luckily, when the opportunity came to come to Australia, [Australian producer] Harry M. Miller kind of took me under his wing and got me to do Jesus Christ Superstar. So I was the first black Mary Magdalene in the world to do the role," she told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I had this incredible influx of good people around me. I travelled and performed around the world with an incredibly big band and things like that. I've had success in Europe, which has been fantastic. But basically, when you've got work, you stay where you are."</p> <p dir="ltr">Marcia’s rise to popularity saw her become a judge on the popular talent show <em>Australian Idol</em> for a total of seven years from 2003.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was also inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007 and she received the Order of Australia in 2009.</p> <p dir="ltr">Click <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/event/music/the-gospel-according-to-marcia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to purchase tickets to see Marcia Hines live. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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“The biggest and brightest yet”: Vivid returns to Sydney

<p dir="ltr">The iconic festival of lights is returning to Sydney after two years, in what event organisers have said will be a “fresh experience” for visitors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Vivid Sydney is expected to return from Friday, May 27, bringing with it 47 installations and projections that will be scattered around the Sydney CBD, as well as a continuous 8-kilometre-long Light Walk from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-224c77ed-7fff-3ab9-a8e1-9b21a6537afd"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, Stuart Ayres, the Minister for Tourism and Sport, said the program would deliver joy and discovery to the CBD, plus even more reasons for visitors to descend on Sydney.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The installation, ‘Future Natives’, will see 200 species of birds line the long Light Walk from the Opera House to Central Station. Image: Chris Daniel/Vivid</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“The 2022 program will be the biggest and brightest yet, with many festival-firsts, providing even more reasons for Sydneysiders and visitors from around the country - and all over the world - to immerse themselves in our city at its creative best,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Must-see installations from this year’s program include:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>For Sydney With Love</em>, a projection of work by Sydney artist Ken Done’s 80-year love story with the city on Custom House; </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Earth Deities</em>, a multi-limbed avatar built by Western Sydney artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran featuring animated fire and electricity and placed in The Rocks;</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Convergence</em>, an immersive journey through the disused Goods Line railway at Central Station that will be the largest scale laser installation in the festival’s history;</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Future Natives</em>, a way-finding sculpture installation spread across the Light Walk featuring a flock of 200 Sydney bird species, built by Sydney artist Chris Daniel.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-34767a2f-7fff-6dca-2e38-f39fe6777511"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>'For Sydney With Love' will be splashed across Sydney's Custom House as part of the festivities. Image: Spinifex Group/Vivid</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Writing for the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/insiders-guide-to-vivid-sydney-2022/P3GV2TFKWYQC6CYGAAM5KG27EY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>, Festival Director Gill Minervini said Vivid would be the perfect time for New Zealanders to visit, and it would be the best time to explore beyond the tourist hotspots and be immersed in the city “at its creative best”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Boasted as the largest scale laser installation the festival has hosted, ‘Convergence’ is a light and sound show bound to engage all the senses. Image: Mandylight/Vivid</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, I find most visitors don’t know about the city’s great neighbourhood villages - where you’ll find all the locals relaxing,” she suggested, adding that she recommended visitors also pick up some great local wine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Paddington, Newtown, Balmain, Parramatta, Cronulla all possess their own unique character and celebrate the essence of what makes Sydney authentically unique: its people, places and heart.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b49d3f1-7fff-a447-6a85-d3502aae3342"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Jessica Maurer &amp; Kane Sullivan/Vivid</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Top 3 restaurants with the most spectacular views of Vivid 2019

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vivid Sydney attracts millions of visitors each year to check out the amazing light displays scattered all throughout Sydney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As there are a fair amount of people all trying to see the same thing, it’s safe to say that crowds can be attracted to the lights.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, with a bit of planning ahead, you’re able to beat the crowds and enjoy a lovely meal at the same time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a few restaurants that have ideal views of the best spots of Sydney.</span></p> <p><strong>1. Aqua Dining, Milson’s Point</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This restaurant boasts authentic Italian food and offers a gorgeous view right near the iconic Harbour Bridge. This places you in the ideal spot to see the lights hit the bridge instead of being amongst the crowds. This is perfect for those looking to experience a high-end Vivid dining experience.</span></p> <p><strong>2. Hacienda, Circular Quay</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This restaurant offers breathtaking views and offers a bar menu full to the brim with flavoursome Latin American dishes. Some of the food you can get includes tuna ceviche and flathead tortilla. With dishes starting from $14, this is an ideal night out for those on a budget who still want to see the amazing lights Vivid has on offer.</span></p> <p><strong>3. ARIA, Circular Quay</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This restaurant is for those who have a refined palette and a bit more to spend. It’s so close to the Sydney Opera House you can taste it, and it boasts a menu curated with celebrity chef Matt Moran’s finest. It also offers the best views of the Sydney Harbour to boot. What more could you want? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, if the crowds don’t seem too bad, there’s some spectacular lights to see. With lights showing for three weeks from the 24</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of May to the 15</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of June, there’s plenty of time to see and enjoy the light show Sydney puts on every year.</span></p>

Domestic Travel

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Bringing Sydney’s Vivid Festival to the visually-impaired

<p>Vivid might be Sydney’s time to shine, but it’s not only those of us lucky enough to have decent vision who get to enjoy the sights and sounds of this incredible festival of light – the visually-impaired can experience it, too.</p> <p>The festival has enlisted the help of commentator Emma Bedford, who two nights ago took a group of 50 visually-impaired visitors around the city, describing the exhibits to them in great detail. “Behind these pink, bent over tentacles that could reach all the way to the top but they flop forward, the sails are a greenish-blue,” she narrated.</p> <p>It might not sound like much, but for the attendees, it’s the difference between immersing themselves in the city’s most colourful festival and missing out. “I’m very short sighted and have no night sight,” festivalgoer Jaci Armstrong told <a href="http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-13/vivid-sydney-brings-light-festival-to-blind-people/8613170" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">the ABC</span></strong></a>. “But I can occasionally see a little bit of colour."</p> <p>“Without the audio description and the detail that’s provided I wouldn’t be able to tell what’s happening on the sails, and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the experience of Vivid as others can.”</p> <p>But Vivid isn’t all about the lights. Most exhibits feature strong audio components, and some have even included tactile elements. In fact, the visually-impaired attendees were even given models and tiles from the iconic Sydney Opera House to pass around and get a feel (literally) for the structure.</p> <p>“When we started doing this and passing around the models of the Opera House, people were for the first time saying, ‘Now I know what the Opera House feels like,’” explained the venue’s Accessibility Manager, Jenny Spinak. “It’s really about everyone coming together, feeling part of the community and accessing the arts which otherwise they wouldn't be able to do.”</p> <p>Have you been to this year’s Vivid yet? It runs until June 17, so get in quick if you can!</p>

Art

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The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s winter festival returns

<p>The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s winter program "What’s On" has returned and it is set to include family activities including theatre shows, free talks, tours, arts and craft and Vivid Sydney Festival "Garden of Light". Here is what you can do at the winter festival.</p> <p><strong>1. <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">VIVID Sydney Festival</span></a></strong></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 26 May – 17 June from 5-11pm</p> <p>The spectacular Garden of Lights is returning for its second year and visitors can also enjoy a pop-up Bar and Eatery which features Nel Restaurant.</p> <p><strong>2. <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/whatson/Twilight-Walk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Winter Twilight Walk</span></a></strong></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 5 June from 4:45 pm</p> <p>This Twilight Walk allows you to visit the many garden vistas after the Garden Gates that are closed to the general public. The walk ends at the start of Vivid Light Walk in the Gardens.</p> <p><strong>3. <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/About-Us/Major-Projects/The-Calyx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">All About Flowers at The Calyx</span></a></strong></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 20 May – 30 July from 10am – 4pm</p> <p>This event is a free winter floral display at the Southern Hemisphere’s largest interior green wall. The entry is free.</p> <p><strong>4. <a href="http://run2cure.org.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Run2Cure</span></a></strong></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 4 June from 7am – 1pm</p> <p>Run2Cure is a charity event in the Domain whose funds will go to finding more effective and less harmful treatments for Neuroblastoma patients. Neuroblastoma is the number one cause of cancer deaths in children under the age of 5 years old. Run2Cure is hoping to raise $150,000 for research at this event.</p> <p><strong>5. <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/What-s-On/Behind-the-Scenes-Glasshouse-Tour-(1)" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Behind the Scenes Glasshouse Tour</span></a></strong></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 21 June, 19 July, 16 August at 9:45am</p> <p>This tour gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look into the new tropical display house Latitude 23. Dr Dale Dixon who is the Curator Manager of the Royal Botanic Garden will show you the home for exotic flower species.</p> <p><strong>6.</strong> <a href="https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/ghostly-garden" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ghostly Garden tours</strong></span></a></p> <p><strong>When:</strong> 30 June, 12 and 28 July, 11 and 25 August at sunset</p> <p>This spooky tour will give you a twilight adventure through the Royal Botanic Gardens in a spine-tingling storytelling event.</p> <p>Will you be visiting the winter festival? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Domestic Travel

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2017 is the year to visit Vivid Sydney

<p>The countdown to Vivid Sydney is well and truly on. Over 23 nights, from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June, the Harbour City will feature 90 installations and projections from 180 Australian and international artists. Here are five reasons 2017 is the year to see the world’s largest celebration of light, music and ideas.</p> <p><strong>1. Expanded line-up</strong></p> <p>2017 is going to be the biggest Vivid Sydney we’ve even seen we more than 400 Vivid Music events, 260 Vivid Ideas sessions and 370 speakers from 12 countries across 67 venues. If there’s ever been a year to experience Vivid, this is the one!</p> <p><strong>2. New precinct</strong></p> <p>After last year’s success, Vivid Sydney 2017 is bringing its festival to Barangaroo (South) for the first time, expanding the offering to seven precincts which will feature breathtaking brilliance of over 90 installations and projections.</p> <p><strong>3. Festival buzz</strong></p> <p>Vivid Sydney has become more and more popular each year and the 2017 iteration is expected to be its biggest one yet. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall says, “Vivid Sydney’s biggest-ever program follows last year’s record-breaking festival, which saw more than 2.31 million attendees, including more than 184,000 overnight domestic and international visitors.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/208110900" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. The best of the Harbour City</strong></p> <p>Vivid Sydney truly is an opportunity to see the Harbour City at its brightest and most beautiful, and the city is buzzing in anticipation. As Mr Marshall says, “As we countdown to opening night, preparations are in their final stages, with special effects being tested, kilometres of cable and fibre optics being rolled out, thousands of lights ready to be installed and Vivid themed-menus being finessed by Sydney’s top chefs and restaurateurs.”</p> <p><strong>5. Once in a lifetime displays</strong></p> <p>As you can see when you scroll through the gallery above, Vivid Sydney is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Harbour City transformed as you never have before. As Mr Marshall says, “Now is the perfect time for visitors to start planning their trip, and the best way to experience Vivid Sydney is to explore several precincts over different nights to take in all the lights and the sights.”</p> <p><em>Vivid Sydney takes place over 23 nights, from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June. For more information or to plan your own trip, <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>click here</strong></span></a>. </em></p>

International Travel

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Best photos from Sydney Vivid Festival opening weekend

<p>Thousands of Sydneysiders braved the cold over the weekend to see the Harbour City transformed as part of the city’s spectacular Vivid Festival.</p> <p>With a program spanning 23 days between May 27 and June 18, Vivid Sydney is one of the world’s largest festivals of light, music and ideas. Last year Vivid featured more than 80 displays, with a turnout of more than 1.7 million visitors.</p> <p>Festival creative director Ignatius Jones told <em>News.com.au</em>, “We invite light artists from around the world — old and young, famous and unknown, students and professors, and crazy combinations of both — to submit their artwork to us through a global expression of interest.”</p> <p>“The result is that each year Vivid Sydney is new and current, representing what’s hot and happening in that wonderful place where art meets technology and changes our lives.”</p> <p>In case you didn’t make it out to the festival, we’ve put together a collection of the best photos in the gallery above. Which one’s your favourite?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Dameyon Bonson</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/cat-meets-dogs-at-dog-show/" target="_blank">Watch this friendly cat meet 50 dogs at a dog show</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/prince-george-president-barack-obama-photos/" target="_blank">The story behind Prince George’s presidential photos</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/lifeguard-helps-wheelchair-bound-veteran-surf/" target="_blank">Lifeguard helps make wheelchair-bound army vet's dream come true</a></strong></em></span></p>

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