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Published: June 11th 2007
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Cinema with a view
hard to watch the film Sydney Big Days out
Big Day Out is perhaps the most sought after festival ticket in Sydney and a bit of an Australian institution as it will typically get the best acts and tours round the country. The Sydney fixture it is held in Homebush and was formerly the Olympic village for the 2000 games. Sydney is blessed with many stadiums but this really is an amazing venue everything is build to hold thousands of people and the arenas themselves vary well for size and purpose. The main arena was in one of the stadiums and had two stages so that acts could alternative, the Hot House which is a very steep mini almost amphitheatre and The Boiler Room which is basically a big warehouse.
Before the Big day I was really looking forward to seeing The Killers again with their new album. Other notable act I saw were The Streets, Muse, Crystal Method and as a complete surprise an act called
‘that 1 guy’ who plays an instrument like I’ve never seen before and really got the crowd going. Rather than attach the rather shoddy video I have here is his official one
that1guy_video A couple of acts which
Big Day Out
Killer....s I endured were Tool and Lilly Anne - neither of which I’d really heard before or whish to hear again!
Insane in the Domain
The Domain (a central Sydney park) really comes to life in the summer and is used for numerous events although I only made it to two. I’ve always wanted to get into Opera but my first event Opera in Domain was actually going to be my first. Sitting out on a rug with plenty of cheese, biscuits and various other picnic classics we watched a very dramatic performance of Turandot. Turandot was Puccini last opera and although starting it some four years before his death he never actually completed the third act. This was done by Alfando which has created some controversy in the opera world. For a first experience it is quite a powerful opera and I can really see how people experience such great emotion from opera…… It was also nice that it includes Nessun Dorma.
Australians a very proud about their cinematic accomplishments and would have to agree that they do come up with some very original films. Tropfest is a short film festival where anyone can enter a film
of no more than 7mins and the only constraint on creativity is that it must contain a signature of the festival that year (in 2007 it was a sneeze). It started in the Tropicana Café but has now grown into a event held in 7 cities. In Sydney alone 100,000 people turn out to watch the 16 Finalists on big screens in the Domain. With over 700 entrant a years the competition is really tough making the standard of originality and entertainment really high. Of all the events I’ve been to in Sydney it is probably the most talked of after the event and when you go you can see why as it’s just such a great day out.
An Imaginary life was the winner. It was about an imaginary friend of a boy named Andrew who becomes redundant after Andrew decides not to imagine him anymore. It was mine and most peoples favourite……
Watch it here Moonlighting
When January hits open air cinemas start popping up all over the place. The closest was the Moonlight in Centennial Park where I spent quite a few evenings. Open cinema for me it really doesn’t matter what the film is as
you grab a rug or rent bean bags bring a picnic and wine and then watch a film under the stars and various nocturnal creatures. For 12bucks that’s value for money and only a 10 mins walk away from Paddington that’s convenience!!!!!
Another such Venue is the St Georges Open air theatre which admittedly is a more upmarket affair with a view to match. Just along from Macquarries chair a screen is suspended above the harbour water. To the left of the screen is the city skyline to the right is opera house and bridge…… and yes it is hard to keep your eyes on the film. Unfortunately we hit the one night they had rain and had to sit through the showing in ponchos but being quite warn night anyway it didn’t really spoil too much
Kayaking
Get up early on Sunday and rent a Kayak? Why not!!!! After all this is Sydney. A little walk down to rose bay life jackets on, a quick suggested itinerary and we were off under our own steam in the harbour. Note at this point the rules of the harbour are that smaller vessel should make way for
larger ones - Captain Crosbie better stay away from the aircraft carriers!
From rose bay we headed over to three beaches which although very small could only be accessed by kayak or near by houses. This didn’t really mean they were deserted but there is a certain satisfaction of kayaking to a beach!! The Other main attraction was Strickland house which can be reached from one of the beaches. It was built in 1856 which is about as old as you can get out here and it is a very attractive house with even more attractive views of the harbour.
Slam Volleyball
I went to Slam Volley Ball competition last year and both Rod and I had intended to enter a team this year but alas as usual these things best intensions are not always fulfilled. Slam Volley Ball could be described as a Volley Ball competition but is probably better described as a Fancy Dress competition as no one really seems concerned with winning. It’s held in a few beaches around Australia with the nearest to us being in Coogee. I’m not too sure how to describe it but picture a beach with several volley
ball courts, DJ Blasting out music and everyone in fancy dress which ranges from sailors, wonder women, Village People, Smurfs and this year a team in Borat mankinis….. mmm anyway it’s a really good day out and when you’re bored of watching the event you simply lie on the beach or go for a swim!!!!
Snow Patrol
Just a little reminder to myself that I also got to go to Snow Patrol at the Hordern Pavillion. A great little venue only a 20 mins walk from my house!!!
Wow I really did do a lot last summer
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