'Game Of Thrones: The Exhibition' confirms Sydney dates

Now that the fourth blood-soaked season of HBO’s Game Of Thrones has come to a close, fans are no doubt left wondering what to do with themselves until season five. As previously announced, however, those based in Sydney have an extra helping hand in the form of Game Of Thrones: The Exhibition, which has now confirmed its running dates of July 1 to July 5.

Being hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the joint HBO-Google Play production will be open to the public, free of charge, between 10am and 8pm on its operating days. Launch day – Tuesday, July 1 – will have slightly later hours, running from 11am to 10pm.

The exhibition will feature a range of authentic costumes, props, armour and weapons seen on the show, and an Oculus Rift-powered immersive experience that puts users in the boots of some poor sap guarding the frozen, gargantuan Wall, and give attendees the opportunity to get their face snapped while lounging about on the world’s most uncomfortable-looking chair – the Iron Throne.

The announcement comes in conjunction with the release of Game Of Thrones’ fourth season on Google Play today, which includes a slew of exclusive content for Aussie buyers including the featurette A Slave To Grammar: Creating The Valyrian Language, which is a must-watch for anyone who wants to craft insults only other giant nerds will understand. A collected edition of the first three seasons is also available.

Source: http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/06/17/game-of-thrones-the-exhibition-confirms-sydney-dates/

Perth’s Kings Park & Botanic Garden named one of the world’s top 10 best parks

There’s no need to head to New York, Paris or Barcelona - one of the world’s top parks is right here in Perth.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden has been ranked the sixth best in the world, according to the latest rankings from TripAdvisor, based on the opinions of travellers on the international review site.

At No.6, the Perth attraction beat other well-known tourist sites including Park Guell in Barcelona (No.7) and Luxembourg Gardens in Paris (No.10).

The world’s top park was Stanley Park in Vancouver, followed by the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and New York City’s Central Park.

The Perth park’s views and open space have been a consistent hit with TripAdvisor reviewers, being rated a “must-do” for a visit to the WA capital.

“Having travelled widely I have to say that I can’t stay away from Kings Park. Such a beautiful place and the views across the city, particularly at night are simply breathtaking,” wrote SimonHat from Middlesbrough in the UK.

“Perth should be proud of this wonderful place,” wrote PestoKing from Wodonga, Victoria. “You could spend hours here, next time we will.”

WA minister for the environment and heritage Albert Jacob said it was great that tourists were enjoying the garden overlooking inner-city Perth.

“We are thrilled to not only be ranked sixth in the world in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Attractions, but also to read the amazing reviews posted on TripAdvisor by visitors from all over the world every day,” he said.

“Kings Park is a place of inspiration, relaxation, recreation and wonder; something we proudly share with interstate and overseas visitors.”

Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/perths-kings-park-botanic-garden-named-one-of-the-worlds-top-10-best-parks/story-e6frfkp9-1226957455562

Cool Yule: Darling Harbour's 'Icemen' ready to sculpt away

Edward Fraze and Don Harrison Jr, aka the "Icemen", have readied their tools - now all they need is a big ice block. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Darling Harbour has a pair of pocket aces up its sleeve in its attempt to draw families and tourists to the precinct as the mercury dips: two "extreme ice sculptors" from Colorado. 

Armed with chisels and chain saws, "Icemen" Edward Fraze and Don Harrison jnr will give three live sculpting performances from Tuesday night until Friday. 

The pair will have just 30 minutes to transform large slabs of ice, weighing up to 150 kilograms, into winter-theme pieces, and Fraze says audiences can expect a "very high energy, very intense performance".

"As the performance starts, one of us will take one part of the sculpture and the other will take the other part, and we just go to town. We almost race each other," Fraze said. 

The duo "like to improvise along the way", and Fraze hinted that a menagerie of icy polar bears, penguins and other snow-loving creatures would grace the Harbourside Amphitheatre before melting down to a puddle – eventually. 

While Sydney's winter is substantially milder than the Americans are used to, a supply of dry ice and water will slow the melting process. 

The free Extreme Ice Show is part of Darling Harbour's Cool Yule festival, which runs for four weeks until July 13. Other activities include a snow pit, an open-air ice-skating rink, a 25-metre inflatable snow slide, firework displays and a frozen forest installation. 

Strictly Ballroom the Musical to blitz Melbourne

PREPARE to bask in the glow of one of the world’s biggest disco balls.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical is coming to Melbourne and will open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in January.

The glitzy stage version of Baz Luhrmann’s feel-good film will transfer from Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, where the world premiere in April evoked an instant standing ovation.

The date for Melbourne’s opening night is yet to be confirmed, but it will likely be mid-January before the show runs for a limited season.

Producer Carmen Pavlovic, of Global Creatures, said she hoped the show would follow the well-worn musical path of a national tour and then a stint in Asia.

Opening night of “Strictly Ballroom the Musical” in Sydney. Picture: James Morgan Source: Supplied

“There’s no doubt audiences are loving the show. It feels like a rock concert most nights I go in,” Pavlovic said. “I think the comment we’re most hearing is that it makes you feel good and just really puts a smile on your face.”

The stage show unites Strictly Ballroom’s original creative team, with Luhrmann as director and his Academy Award-winning wife Catherine Martin the creative brains behind the dazzling sets and costumes.

Two previously little-known performers, Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos, lead of cast of 43 which includes Bob Baines, Drew Forsythe, Natalie Gamsu and Robert Grubb.

The musical’s Sydney opening received mixed reviews from critics, some of whom praised the visual spectacle but were less impressed with the show’s emotional engagement.

Pavlovic — whose company also brought us King Kong and How to Train Your Dragon: Live Spectacular — said Strictly Ballroom got off to a solid start.

“I thought the reviews overall were good. They were mixed in some ways; some of that’s fair, some of it we’re working on as we go along,” she said.

“But that’s all part and parcel of creating a new show. It’s a very dynamic process. You have to remember that we’re creating new work here, unlike a lot of shows that come from the West End or Broadway, have been mounted several times and have all their kinks ironed out.”

Strictly Ballroom combines Broadway dazzle and kitch Aussie fun to tell the inspiring story of a champion dancer who breaks the rules to follow his heart.

There is no doubting the show’s eye-popping design, which extends to bright, sparkly covers on all the chairs in the theatre.
“The idea of Catherine’s design is that it really draws the audience into the performance and that ethos will be carried over into Melbourne,” Pavlovic said.

“Something the show does very well is invite the audience in and permit them to really feel part of it. I think that invitation is extended to audiences from the minute they step into the auditorium, right through to the end of show when the last people to take a bow at the end of the night are the audience.”

Tickets for the Melbourne season will go on sale on July 21 from Ticketek.

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/strictly-ballroom-the-musical-to-blitz-melbourne/story-fni0fcgk-1226955888143


Coming to Melbourne for Strictly Ballroom the Musical?

Book your next stay at Metro Apartments on Bank Place: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/victoria/metro-apartments-on-bank-place

These serviced boutique apartments in the Mebourne CBD are located within easy reach to public transport.

It is just a walk out the front door to a large variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops and is in walking distance to Melbourne's famous Bourke Street Mall, the Southgate complex, Crown Casino and Southbank Promenade. Major Sporting venues including Etihad Stadium, the MCG and the Rod Laver Arena are just a short tram ride away.

Stop by reception and our friendly staff will be glad to give you tram and shuttle information to get you to the South Melbourne Market, Bridge Road Richmond, Chapel Street South Yarra, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium, Imax Theatre and Melbourne Museum, The Arts Centre, Old Melbourne Goal, Immigration Museum and many more cultural and entertainment attractions in the city.

NSW Government announces $7.2 million to transform the Australian Museum

The Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Troy Grant MP today announced $7.2 million for the transformation of the Australian Museum.

The Australian Museum, the nation’s oldest and one of the most important scientific research, educational and cultural institutions, will receive $4.7 million over two years to complete a Master Plan to develop the current museum site. The New Australian Museum Master Plan will include new spaces dedicated to education and learning, a large temporary exhibition space to host international blockbuster exhibitions as well as a dedicated gallery to display the Museum’s internationally significant Pacific collection.

A further $2.5 million has also been granted to implement Stage 1 of the New Australian Museum which will significantly improve the visitor experience and accessibility. The planned works in Stage 1 include a new entrance on William Street, a new gallery space highlighting biodiversity, as well as a new rooftop brasserie with spectacular views over the city to the harbour.

Mr Grant said, “The NSW State Government recognises the importance of the Australian Museum to the city, the state and the nation and is funding these important works and future planning to ensure the Australian Museum can deliver a world-class visitor experience to the people of NSW and to interstate and international tourists.”

Kim McKay AO, CEO and Director of the Australian Museum said, “We are excited to receive this funding from the NSW Government which will allow us to immediately begin transforming the museum. The visitor experience will be markedly improved by moving the main entrance to William Street. Our permanent gallery space will be added to for the first time in over 30 years with the creation of 632 m2 of exhibition space on biodiversity featuring more than 400 animals.

“This is our first step in a visionary long-term Master Plan for the entire Australian Museum site. The planning funds will allow us to develop detailed plans over the next two years. I’m also delighted we can make immediate changes to transform the visitor experience – with a new gallery, new entrance, improved visitor circulation and new rooftop brasserie,” Ms McKay said.

Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/media/Museum-transformation

Ipswich Cup Attracts Interstate and International Starters

IT is Ipswich's turn in the spotlight of the Queensland Racing Winter Carnival as the time-honoured Ipswich Cup is contested on Saturday.

The meeting, which has long held a reputation as much more than a race meeting, will again attract thousands of patrons, including 12,000 'pre-sold' revellers joining in the celebration.

The last-minute scramble for in-field marquee tickets is underway as the grandstand side marquees and individual in-field marquees have been sold out for some time.

But it is expected that in-field Corona marquee tickets will be sold until Saturday.

A healthy 160 nominations were received for the program and these include a good number of interstate and international gallopers.

Nominations received for the Ipswich Cup alone feature runners from Victoria in Peter Moody's Full of Spirit, Pat Carey's Angola, David Brideoak and David Feek's High Aims, and Michael Moroney's Garud.

Sydneysider Gerald Ryan has nominated Ironstein, there is a South Australian in John Hyam's Stella Lante, and there are two New Zealanders in Toowoomba Cup winner Military Move, and last year's unlucky Ipswich Cup second placegetter High Kin who is trained by Stewart McKinnon.

Bryan Guy won the Ipswich Cup last year with Anagold and this year he has Dienekes and Noisy Ocean nominated for the big race.

Top Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote has nominated Sam's Town and Volkhere and Group 1-winning Tony Gollan is targeting the Cup with Brave Ali.

Top Sydney trainers Chris Waller with Masthead and Joseph Pride with Sir Berus spearhead the nominations for the Eyeliner Stakes with a strong field looking to collect Ipswich's famous sprint race.

Saturday spoils shared

AT Eagle Farm last Saturday, there were three Group 1 races and the spoils were shared across the east coast of Australia.

Queensland's biggest race, the Stradbroke Handicap, carried $1 million for the winner.

This prizemoney was kept in the Sunshine State as the Natalie McCall-trained River Lad from the Sunshine Coast prevailed over fellow Queenslander Temple of Boom and exciting Sydney three- year-old filly Srikandi.

In the JJ Atkins for two-year- olds, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad just got home over a fellow Sydneysider in the Chris Waller-trained Brazen Beau.

Brazen Beau headed the winner at the 200 metre mark, with Tony Gollan's Queensland-trained Looks Like the Cat in third.

The quinella of the Queensland Derby went to Victoria as the Henry Dwyer-trained Sonntag defeated Troy Corsten's Pinstripe Lad. Sydneysider Vilanova gave Chris Waller another Group 1 placegetter by running third.

Outcry over protest result

RACING Queensland and the Ipswich Turf Club received an unusual number of complaints from the public in relation to a protest result last Wednesday at Ipswich.

The race was the seventh of the day and across the line, Bryan Guy-trained and Janette Johnson-ridden Grapevine had a winning margin of a nose over the Gillian Heinrich-trained and Tim Bell-ridden Set Afire.

There was clear interference in the home straight.

While it may have appeared initially on television replays that this was caused by the winner laying out, RQ stewards found that the second horse had caused the winner to lay out after bumping its hind quarter, causing the winner to twist outwards.

Guy was happy with the result as it gave him a double for the day after Magic Cassius' win earlier in the day.

Gillian Heinrich had to be content with an earlier win by Walkin' Tall. That helped to push both she, on the trainer's premiership, and Tim Bell, on the jockey's premiership, each three wins clear with a month and a half of the season remaining.

Farewell Wayne Wilson

THE condolences of all committee, staff and members at the Ipswich Turf Club go out to the family of the great man, and great race caller Wayne Wilson.

Wayne was a terrific supporter of the ITC and of all industry stakeholders.

He will be sorely missed.

Swich On revive Calcutta

AS part of the festivities in the week leading up to Ipswich Cup Day, local charitable association Swich On is conducting a calcutta night.

This is on Thursday night at the North Ipswich Reserve.

It has been a decade or two since a calcutta night was held on the Ipswich Cup and all credit to the local association for reigniting this entertaining and potentially profitable evening.

The pool is promising to be around $10,000, giving the lucky buyer of the Ipswich Cup winner a handsome dividend.

The guest speakers include Group 1-winning trainer Tony Gollan and scallywag from the south Allan "Robbo" Robinson, who is famed for Footy Show appearances as well as an impressive set of statistics from his riding career.

Tickets may be booked at SwichOn.com.au.

Jason Derulo Tatoos Tour Sydney

Australian songstress RICKI-LEE is thrilled to be joining superstar JASON DERULO when he returns down under for his ‘Tattoos’ national tour kicking off in less than two weeks time.

Talented pop star JASON DERULO, makes his triumphant return to Australia for a national tour starting April and ending in May 2014. Derulo will perform at the QANTAS Credit Union Arena on May 5.

‘Tattoos’, the album celebrates one of pop’s thrilling comeback stories. ‘Tattoos’ is lead by the double-platinum smash ‘The Other Side’, whose official video has already notched more than 28 million YouTube views, and current top five hit ‘Talk Dirty’ which debuted at #1 on the ARIA singles chart and #2 on the Australian Airplay chart.

Armed with numerous multi-platinum hits, incredible dance moves and great vocal ability, Jason wowed audiences during his 2009 sold-out Australian tour and was set to conquer again with his Future History World Tour in 2012, before a serious accident during tour rehearsals lead to the cancellation of the tour.

Despite his forced hiatus during 2012, the 2011 Pop Songwriter of the Year has amassed impressive sales of more than 15 million tracks in the US and 25 million worldwide, including massive top 10 hits: ‘Whatcha Say’, ‘In My Head’ and ‘Ridin’ Solo’ from his ARIA #4 self-titled debut album plus ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home’, ‘It Girl’, ‘Breathing’ and ‘Fight for You’ from the top 10 album ‘Future History’.

Jason Derulo is back at the top of his game, with an incredible new album, new hit singles and an insatiable desire to thrill his fans with a memorable live show.  He is excited and looking forward to an unbelievable touring experience with his great Australian fans.

DATES/TIME

Mon 05 May 2014

Ticketed Start 7:30pm
Support Act: 7:30pm-7:45pm Fresh
Interval: 7:45pm-7:55pm
Support Act: 7:55pm-8:35pm Ricki Lee & Titanium
Interval: 8:35pm-9:05pm  
Main Act: 9:05pm-10:20pm JASON DERULO
Finish: 10:20pm

Find out more on the Qantas Credit Union Arena Official Website