Say ‘Konichiwa’ to the Japanese Festival!

Say ‘Konichiwa’ to the Japanese Festival!

We’ve been to Nepal, Malaysia, Brazil and Myanmar, we’ve even celebrated Christmas in Poland, and now our Culture Beats festival program is heading to the Land of the Rising Sun, with the Japanese Festival (or ‘Matsuri’) on 13 December!

Celebrating an ancient culture and a modern society, the Japanese Festival will bring the nation’s best food, drink and entertainment right to the heart of Sydney in Tumbalong Park.
Eat, Drink

Indulge in delicious, fresh Japanese delicacies with food stalls from some of Sydney’s finest. Colotakoinvite you to enjoy their trademark takoyaki (fried octopus served with tempura, pickled ginger and green onions), ebiyaki (prawn), or kaniyaki (crab, with the claw attached!). Momiji is serving up the noodle dish yakisoba straight off the teppan, and skewered fishcakes. 

Sushi Samurai will have crispy karaage (fried chicken), gyoza and okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) plus icy cold kakigori (shaved ice with syrup and condensed milk), perfect for a sunny summer Saturday! At Big Crunch Sushi you’ll have the choice of sushi rolls, uramaki and ‘sushi munch’ boxes in a variety of flavour options like teriyaki chicken, tuna, spicy tuna, salmon or vegetarian. Bao Dao Taiwainese Kitchen are dishing up Asian-style pancakes, and Kiyamachi Tei have okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and karaage.

At Thanks Foods you’ll find okonomiyaki, yakisoba, Japanese curry rice and karaage, while Thanks Martwill be selling Ramune (Japanese lemonade), Japanese ice popsicles, rice crackers, sticky rice with soy flour and brown sugar syrup, and rice balls. Sydney Okinawan Club is offering up Okinawa soba (an authentic noodle dish specific to the Okinawa prefecture), udon, Okinawa curry, rice ball, and ramune. As a special treat, every customer at their stall will go home with a small but very precious gift – Okinawa star sand. 

Tall Grass Cane Juice return to Tumablong Park to sweeten and refresh, and Maryu will be serving up Ebisen (a crunchy, shrimp-flavoured snack food) and onions rings, as well as selling drinks like ocha (green tea) and ramune, plus souvenirs like slippers, handheld fans (tradition manual fans and modern electric fans) and beauty products like hand cream and face cream!
Be Merry

Onstage, we’ve got some incredible performances in store, from traditional music and dance to modern performance; from sushi-making demonstrations to karaoke and sumo wrestling! The Anime Sydneyband, a collective of university anime clubs from across Sydney, will be doing covers of well known anime songs for local fans. 

Yo-yo wizard Wayne X will show why he is the best in the business, Shiho Sparkle Hooper will show off her special hula-hoop dance routines, and Master Sushi Chef Hideo Dekura will show how it’s done in a demonstration presented by Kikkoman. Singer Makoto Tanaka will perform a blend of Japanese folk songs and western classics, calligraphy artist Renclub will give a unique performance, and local cosplayers will give an insight into the subculture with a cosplay show. 

The Australian Sumo Federation will delight with displays from a sport that is both athletic and performative, dance group Team ACE will amaze, and the Live DAM Karaoke system from Japan is back for another year to thrill the audience and pit competitors (will you be one?) against each other.

And that’s just the start of it! All this and so much more will be on offer this weekend at the Japanese Festival. Don’t miss out!

EVENT DETAILS:
Japanese Festival
Tumbalong Park
10am – 7:30pm, 13 December
Full program and getting here

Sydney to host World Congress of Accountants 2018

Sydney has again outshone its competitors, winning the right to host 5,000 leading accounting professionals at the next World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) in 2018, an event worth $18 million to New South Wales (NSW).

Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the NSW Government and a powerful contingent of Australian representatives supported the bid led by Alex Malley from CPA Australia, and Lee White from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, who together represent 200,000 business, finance and accounting professionals.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Troy Grant revealed the win was announced at the 2014 World Congress in Rome recently.

“This is the latest high-profile international event to be secured for the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). It’s one of 18 international business events locked in for Sydney and NSW, representing a combined estimated economic impact of close to $150 million,” said Mr Grant.

“Sydney is recognised globally as an international finance hub and business centre. It’s home to Australia’s strongest corporate, finance and professional services sectors - 16 of the 25 top accounting firms call our Harbour City home. In fact, more than 45 per cent (by revenue) of the top 500 companies in Australia are located in NSW,” Mr Grant said.  

CEO of BESydney, Lyn Lewis-Smith said, “The last time Australia hosted this highly sought-after congress was 1972 in Sydney. To have it return to our shores some 40 years later is testament to the strength of our professional services industry and global reputation.”

“The majority of events already secured for ICC Sydney sit within the professional services sector and will play an important role in providing opportunities for global collaboration, trade and investment,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

ICC Sydney CEO and AEG Ogden Group Director of Convention Centres, Geoff Donaghy said he was pleased the group’s global experience could provide an added degree of confidence when attracting events for ICC Sydney.

“Having successfully hosted the World Congress of Accountants in Kuala Lumpur in 2010, it is an honour to again be entrusted with this prestigious event. In 2018, we look forward to hosting a uniquely Sydney experience for Congress delegates in what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting convention venues to come to market.

“The NSW Government’s decision to invest in infrastructure across the city is certainly underlining Sydney as the destination of choice for international business event decision makers,” Mr Donaghy said.

The NSW Government has committed to significant investment in Sydney’s financial sector, including the A$6 billion development at Barangaroo to create a world-class base for international banks, financial and professional services companies. This major development was a key selling point in the bidding process, as were the brand new conference facilities, and will ensure Sydney continues to be one of the best places in the world to meet.

The quadrennial World Congress of Accountants aims to foster global unity and collegiality among professional accountants. Previous congresses have been held in Rome (2014), Kuala Lumpur (2010), Istanbul (2006), Hong Kong (2002), Paris (1997) and Washington DC (1992).

Source: http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/news/australia/23545-sydney-to-host-world-congress-of-accountants-2018

Sydney City Food Walks - Gourmet Guide On Places To Eat In Sydney

Sydney Opera House aerial view

by Laura Hunt

Sydney has an abundance of great cafes, multicultural cuisines, restaurants, bakeries, bars and markets, and with the city's temperate climate and sunshine filled days, one of the best ways to discover these gourmet delights is by foot. Sydney-siders are proud of and passionate about their food offerings, which are varied, fresh and modern. So put on some comfortable shoes and get ready to eat, because we are off and racing on a foodie adventure around this beautiful harbour city!

Sydney Fish Markets, James Horan, Destination NSW

Start your day early at the Sydney Fish Markets

Okay, 6:30am may be an early start but we promise it's the best time of day to experience the buzzing atmosphere of the Sydney Fish Markets. At this time of morning you can join an apron clad guide on a behind-the-scenes tour, where you'll be expertly escorted around the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere. Witness a crazy, yet somehow super-efficient auction, were 20,000kg of seafood is sold every hour, and watch as more than 100 species of fish are unloaded fresh from the trawlers... all ready for purchase that day.

Sydney Fish Markets, James Horan, Destination NSW

Stop for a dose of Caffeine

After your early start to the day you are probably desperately in need of a coffee by now! A visit to Gumption, located on the ground floor of the stately Strand Arcade, is just what the doctor ordered. Gumption's coffee roasters really know their stuff, and are right on trend with the coffee bean-related nerdery that is popping up throughout Sydney’s CBD. From the roaster to the cupping table, this coffee has a bold flavor which will definitely kickstart your morning. Tip: While you're waiting for your coffee order don't forget to look up and take in the beauty of The Strand's stained glass windows and historic architectural features that date back to 1891.

The Strand Arcade, Sydney, NSW

You'll now be hungry for Breakfast in the Park

Your next stop is breakfast and maybe a second round of coffee (well, you did wake up extra early, so why not!). Leave the Strand Arcade via Pitt Street Mall, and head south to Market Street, then left and up to the café set in the sandstone building backing onto St James Station. Soak up the sunshine as you sit outside watching the locals play on the giant chess board located in front of the café. With magnificent views of St Mary’s Cathedral and leafy Hyde Park in dappled light, this is the perfect place to enjoy a big, healthy cooked breakfast.

Metro St James, Sydney, NSW

Hyde Park, Sydney, NSW

Stop to take in the Superb City Views

After a leisurely breakfast, take a stroll through the extensive food hall at David Jones which offers a range of enticing produce including seafood, fresh pasta, cheeses and even individual chocolate-dipped strawberries. In the same shopping complex is Westfield's Centrepoint Tower. Take a lift up to the highest point in Sydney for a bird’s eye view of the beautiful city, which helps to put its size and numerous suburbs into perspective. The viewing platform here has vistas that stretch as far as the Blue Mountains on a clear day.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Ethan Rohloff, Destination NSW 

David Jones Food Hall, Sydney, NSW

Spend some time walking off your breakfast, and maybe those chocolate-dipped strawberries from David Jones, as you stroll through Hyde Park. Its from here that you reach the next spot to explore; the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens. This 30 hectare oasis is located in the heart of the Sydney CBD and is wrapped around historic Farm Cove and Sydney Harbour. Established in 1816, these picturesque gardens have different landscapes and exhibitions around every corner, not to mention incredible views of the city. From here you can look straight across to the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from vantage points such as Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.

Stop for a lunchtime break, you've earned it

Botanic Restaurant, Sydney, NSW

If you're starting to feel peckish you won’t need to go far as your lunchtime spot is located within the tranquility of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Restaurant boasts delicious food and is a great place to relax as you dine outdoors on a wisteria-draped verandah with spectacular views of the parklands and beyond. Here you can choose a fine dining option in the restaurant upstairs, which has an acclaimed menu featuring quality Australian produce in a seasonally changing menu. Or, if you're looking for something a little more low key, make your way downstairs to the café. Here you'll be able to pick up a takeaway picnic box and choose your very own spot in the extensive gardens for a leisurely lunch.

Now for an indulgent High Tea

The Tea Room QVB, Sydney, NSW

After lunch, follow signs through the garden to The Art Gallery of New South Wales, where you'll find a fascinating Indigenous gallery as well as rooms filled with the works of famous Australian painters including Brett Whiteley and Sir Arthur Streeton. Here, casual dining is available in the downstairs restaurant with views over the harbour foreshore and Circular Quay. Continue walking along Art Gallery Road past ‘The Domain,’ to St Mary's Cathedral - Sydney's largest - and across the road to Hyde Park. Cross the park towards the city and head a couple of blocks west to the beautifully appointed Queen Victoria Building, where you can take an afternoon break in the famous Tea Room. Located in what was once the original Grand Ballroom of the landmark building, the Tea Room offers a full high tea that's complete with fresh scones, gourmet jams and clotted cream.  

Brush up on Sydney's history in The Rocks

The Rocks, Sydney, NSW

If you're still feeling energetic take a 20 minute walk down George Street towards Circular Quay and The Rocks area, where you can get a sense of Sydney's past by exploring cobbled laneways, cozy cafés and the oldest pubs in the country. In this historic precinct you'll be able to learn more about this strip of land that European settlers chose to step ashore on in 1788, essentially making The Rocks the birthplace of modern Sydney. As it’s getting late in the day, you may as well sample one of the many hand crafted beers on offer in the local pubs, which have been created in boutique Australian breweries.

Finish it all off with a well deserved sunset drink 

Opera Bar, Sydney, NSW

A sundowner drink is a must at the Opera Bar, where you can have a glass of Australian sparkling wine accompanied by a fabulous view of Sydney's iconic landmarks - the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. As the sun sets and you say cheers to a great day, you'll be hard pressed to find a better photo opportunity! If you can make some room after a day of indulging, there are plenty of tempting bar snacks on offer. And let's face it, you've been walking all day long whilst eating your way around Sydney's restaurants and cafes so it's all pretty much guilt-free, well that's what we'll believe anyway!

Source: http://restaurant.australia.com/explore/new-south-wales/Experiences/food-by-foot-sydney-.html?cid=social_20140924_20937834

October Long Weekend Labour Day

October Long Weekend in Sydney

Labour Day in NSW (Monday, 6th October) is celebrated on the first Monday of October. Make the most of the spring weather unwinding on Sydney's beaches or taking in stunning habour vistas on a coastal walk through one of Sydney's beautiful national parks.

The October long weekend offers a great opportunity to explore Sydney in springtime.

Take in stunning views of Sydney Harbour onboard a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. Relax on Manly Beach as you listen to the smooth sounds of Manly Jazz across the weekend with outstanding local and international musicians performing by the water.

Just a short walk from Manly, North Head lookout offers a spectacular panorama of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. It's also a great location to spot whales at this time year. Other excellent whale-watching vantage points can be found in national parks across Sydney including Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Kamay Botany Bay National Park and the heritage-listed Royal National Park.

Make the most of Sydney's springtime weather and explore the city's many vibrant outdoor weekend markets. Unearth vintage goods and discover up-and-coming designers at Bondi Markets, Glebe Markets, Rozelle Weekend Markets and Paddington Markets.

Immerse yourself in Sydney's arts and culture scene and catch the closing weekend of Strictly Ballroom the Musical on stage at the Capitol Theatre.

Source: http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/public-holidays/october-long-weekend-labour-day/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social


Coming to Sydney for the long weekend?

Book one of Metro's Sydney hotels or apartments - conveniently located close to public transport, restaurants and major attractions:

• Metro Hotel Sydney Central
• Metro Hotel on Pitt
• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
• Aspire Hotel Sydney

Sydney Fashion Shows: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival, Vogue Fashion’s Night Out

Some 10,000 guests and 50 designers will see out the most fashion-focussed September in recent memory.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney (MBFFS) will cap a month-long fashion celebration in the city when it runs from September 24 - 27.

MBFFS will follow Vogue Fashion’s Night Out and The City’s Fashion in the Villages weekend event earlier in September.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the consumer-driven event promotes Australia’s fashion, retail and tourism sectors in Sydney, while stimulating economic activity for many local businesses.

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney is all about showcasing Sydney as the fashion hub of Australia and promoting the wonderful talents of Australian designers,” she said.

“It generates excitement and a buzz for fashion followers and drives consumers eager to view spring and summer styles and fashion-related businesses into the CBD and our villages.

“We know that industry-led events supported by government encourage increased foot traffic in key shopping precincts, which is good for business.

“The Sydney is Fashion initiative has grown significantly to develop a wider audience reach and increased participation by retailers.”

Leading designers including Alex Perry, Camilla, Dion Lee and We Are Handsome will showcase their collections on the runway at Town Hall.

The parades will coincide with their new looks are landing in store.

Event organiser IMG Fashion confirmed demand for show packages had been stronger than ever this year.

IMG Fashion director of brand and strategy Elle Turner said this extended to premium seating.

“Our front row experience is almost sold out,” she said.

“Sydney has long been home to Australia’s biggest designers and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney celebrates all that is unique and exciting about Australian fashion in a runway extravaganza that excites and entertains.”
 
Supporting local fashion designers and business is part of The City of Sydney’s Retail Action Plan.

For more: www.sydneyisfashion.com.au

Source: http://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/sydney-s-big-september

Sydney's Largest Floating Venue Hosts Major Events

Pavilion in Darling Harbour is well and truly open for business. Dockside Group’s newest venue has hosted an elite caliber of events in the first few weeks of opening.

With a capacity of up to 1440 guests seated and 2000 standing, Sydney’s newest venue has seen a diverse mix of important ‘first’ events commencing with the gateway to the Sydney International Boat Show, a private function produced by leading Australian Event Stylist & Designer Phillip Carr, the Sydney launch of Mercedes Benz’s next-generation C-Class Series, the Project Futures Stella Fella Charity Black Tie Ball and The Australian Beauty Awards.

Dockside Group Managing Director, Christopher Drivas, said Dockside Pavilion will add a great deal of value to the Darling Harbour precinct.

“We’ve had a great response from our clients and we’re tracking well with strong bookings to date. In particular, many of our corporate clients have secured the venue for multiple year event bookings.

“We want people to be wowed by the magnitude of this venue and understand that it’s a spectacular blank canvas which can be used for virtually any type of event,” said Mr Drivas.

The Pavilion structure was designed by Warwick Bell from Fabric Structure Systems in Auckland, who famously created The Cloud for the New Zealand Rugby World Cup.

The Dockside Pavilion is a temporary venue owned and operated by Dockside Group and will remain in Darling Harbour until the completion of the new International Convention Centre. For more information about Dockside Group visit www.docksidegroup.com.au

Source: http://www.impactpub.com.au/micebtn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16985:sydneys-largest-floating-venue-hosts-major-events&catid=16:mice-news&Itemid=49

ISBI 2014 Pre-Congress Workshop Sydney

Theme: Caring for the Burn-Injured Patient – Beyond 48 Hours
Date: Sunday 12 October 2014
Location: Sydney Hilton (Room to be confirmed)
Time: 0900 – 1700
Fee: Registration is free and open to all members of the Burn Care Team (lunch and breaks provided)

Course Description

The course aims to provide fundamentals of burn care beyond the first 48 hours from injury and is intended for those who care for burn-injured patients in developing countries.

Course Format

Morning didactic sessions will provide the fundamental principles of burn care across the continuum of care for the multidisciplinary burn team.  Topics include nursing, rehabilitation, respiratory care, pain management, and nutrition.

Afternoon hands-on sessions will provide opportunities to demonstrate and practice splinting, patient positioning, dressing application, and mobility/exercise.  Participants may choose to attend any or all of these sessions.

Course Content:  The course is in the developmental stage and we welcome any suggestions for content that you feel should be included. Please contact Gretchen Carrougher (carrough@uw.edu); Michael Serghiou (mserghiou@shrinenet.org) or Elisabeth Greenfield (lizals@tgti.net).

Didactic Sessions:

1. Burn wound assessment across the care continuum
   a)  Assessment for size (extent) and depth of injury
   b)  Wound assessments: healing, donor sites, infection, contractures
2. Basic wound care principles and techniques
   a)  Wound healing processes
   b)  Excision and autografting
   c)  Basic wound care
   d)  Infection control practices
3. Scar  contracture prevention
4. Pain and anxiety management
5. Nutrition
6. Respiratory system
7. Scar management (pressure therapy, inserts, massage, modalities)
8. Patient and family education

Hands-on Sessions:

1. Practice assessment for TBSA calculations using Rule of Nines and Palmar method
2. Demonstrate correct positioning techniques for the recumbent and sitting patient to prevent  scar contracture formation, improve lung function, decrease dependent edema formation
3. Demonstrate and discuss splint fabrication  techniques in developing countries utilizing locally available materials
4. Demonstrate and discuss various pressure therapy techniques in developing countries (use of country available resources in maximizing scar management)
5. Discuss case studies (demonstrates application of learned knowledge)

View the Official ISBI 2014 Website

Metro Hotel on Pitt offers nearby Conference and Event Accommodation on Pitt St Sydney 

Sydney Conventions and Exhibits

Sydney has many major national and international conventions and exhibits taking place annually and as special events, Sydney has excellent convention and exhibition venues and hotels to accommodation large events, two major event venues are the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC) and the Sydney Exhibition Centre on Glebe Island.

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC)

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC)

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is now closed to make way for a major redevelopment of the venue, due for completion in late 2016.

Sydney’s Darling Harbour is undergoing a major urban transformation and will become the home of a new state-of-the-art fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. This 20-hectare development will be Australia’s largest convention and exhibition facility. For further information on the development, please go to www.iccsydney.com

Major Exhibition’s and Conventions are now instead being hosted at the Sydney Convention Centre on Glebe Island.

Sydney Exhibition Centre (Glebe Island)

Sydney Exhibition Centre

Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island is the new home for Sydney’s major trade and consumer exhibitions during the development of the world class Sydney international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour.

Now open, Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island is a high-quality venue specifically constructed for Sydney’s exhibitions and tradeshows on the city’s beautiful harbour foreshore.

Over at Darling Harbour, the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), which includes a convention and exhibition centre plus a theatre, is scheduled to open in late 2016. For the latest updates on this exciting transformation project visit Darling Harbour Live.

See the original Post http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/aspire-hotel-sydney/nearby-attractions/sydney-conventions-exhibitions/

International Jewellery Fair 2014 - Sydney

The Sydney International Jewellery Fair moves into its 23rd year with a fresh new look and a fabulous new home.

We are excited about the fair being held at Sydney’ s newest, premier CBD location for exhibitions and events, Sydney Exhibition Cent re @ Glebe Island. 

And getting to the fair is as easy as ever with complimentary, dedicated transport options available.

Located on Sydney’s magnificent harbour foreshore near the ANZAC Bridge, this fresh new venue will offer contemporary pop-up eating spaces, captivating views of Sydney’s harbour and icons, and scheduled special event transport on show days.

Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island will be just minutes from all the excitement and attractions of Darling Harbour. Catch a theatre performance, dine by the water, visit the aquarium or stay in your favourite harbourside hotel after the show!

FOR VISITORS

Explore, compare and purchase the latest products and services, all under one roof. See the hottest trends, network with peers, stay ahead of the competition.

FOR EXHIBITORS

The largest qualified audience of Australia’s Jewellery retailers, all in one place and at one time. Meet your market face to face and increase sales.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

The Fair is exclusively open to trade buyers of jewellery products, purchasing in trade volumes. All visitors must meet minimum registration criteria and we recommend pre-registering to visit the Fair. Click here for more information on visitor registration.

The Fair welcomes the following visitors:

Jewellery retailer
Department store buyer
Watch or clock retailer
Jewellers
Duty free retailer
Jewellery manufacturer
Jewellery designer
Gemmologist
Watch maker/repairer
Gift store retailer with jewellery stock
Gift retailer with jewellery stock
Fashion retailer with jewellery stock
Student (in a jewellery related course)

LOCATION

Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island

Click here for Visitor Registration Information

Taste Festival Sydney 2014 and NSW Food & Wine Festival

Food lovers, it’s that time of year again! The NSW Food & Wine Festival is starting this week and we can’t wait for all mouth-watering food and wine events lined up in this year’s program.

Running for one month from the 21st of February to the 21st of March, the festival is bigger than ever, with something for everyone.

The festival celebrates NSW’s finest produce, wine and wine regions, featuring growers, winemakers, artisan food producers, chefs, restaurants, sommeliers and bars across Sydney and regional NSW. Events include sparkling brunches and high teas, snacks and street food, dinners, classes and more.

One of the festivals biggest events, Sydney Cellar Door, will take place on February 21st to 23rd in Hyde Park South. As well as the famous wine tastings, Sydney Cellar Door will feature food stalls including Bar Pho, Nomad, Salt Meets Cheese and Gelato Messina.

Live music will fill the park as locals and travellers dine together amongst the greenery.

RESCU Recommends: the popular Tour the Regions Dinners. These special event dinners feature set menus prepared by the finest chefs and sommeliers in NSW, with a focus on local produce. The dinners will take place at restaurants around Sydney.

For more on NSW Food & Wine Festival visit: nswfoodandwine.com.au

Taste of Sydney

Taste of Sydney is the city’s biggest event during NSW Food & Wine Festival. The 6th annual Taste of Sydney will take place on Thursday the 13th to Sunday the 16th of March in the gorgeous Centennial Parklands.

Aside from the opportunity to taste delicious food and wine, the event will offer an array of interactive features from the Lurpak Cookery School to a Food & Beverage Matching Masterclass
.
RESCU Recommends: Sensology’s ‘The Art of Cocktail Making’. In this class, expert mixologists shake things up with simple step-by-step demonstrations on creating and serving some of the world’s most iconic cocktails. Prepare to be a hostess with the mostest at your next party.

For more on Taste of Sydney visit: tasteofsydney.com.au 

Events Choosing Sydney Despite Convention Centre Closure

Sydney, Australia is hitting the publicity trail with positive stories on the city despite not having a convention centre.

“Sydney expects 2014 to be a strong year for business events with close to 53,000 delegates spending more than 230,000 days in the city and delivering an economic impact (EI) of close to A$200 million to the New South Wales (NSW) economy.”

Lyn Lewis-Smith, ceo BESydney said: “New South Wales welcomes around 50 per cent of the 890,000 international business visitors to Australia each year. And of these total arrivals, conference and convention arrivals account for about 20 per cent of visitors."

“This year, Sydney is open for business even though we won’t have a convention centre for the next three years. The pipeline of secured events is strong and we are still seeing bid wins for short term Asian business that will continue to grow the event pool. The benefits from all of these meetings, incentives and conferences will be great.

“You only have to look at the events of all sizes that we are hosting this year - from 18,000 people to just a few hundred - to see that our venues are continuing to accommodate conferences, meetings and incentives in Sydney’s usual, exceptional manner.

"--Some 2014 highlight events secured by BESydney include: The 105th Rotary International Convention for 18,000 delegates with an EI of almost A$64 million; Pro-Health China Annual Conference for 4,500 delegates with an EI of A$22 million; International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Parks Congress for 3,000 delegates with an EI of A$24 million and the LG Group Long Service Staff Reward for 1,400 delegates with an EI of A$7 million.

“Rotary is one of the world’s largest annual international business events and will inject close to A$64 million into the local economy during the four official convention days in June, making it one of the largest business events ever mounted in Australia,” said Lewis-Smith.

View Source

Chinese New Year Australia: The Horse Kicks Off Creative Spirits in 2014

Some say the Chinese zodiac animals derive from an ancient tale of Buddha holding a race and asking all the animals to participate. The first twelve were given a place in the calendar. Well cities across Australia are racing to get their programs in place for the beginning of this year’s Lunar Calendar on 31 January, and ensuing 15 days of celebration to follow.

2014 is the Year of the Horse or, more specifically, the Wood Green Horse, being that wood is the element of spring and verdant growth. According to folklore, the Year of the Horse will be one full of energy and excitement, following the horse’s freedom and speedy success – think more racecourse than Trojan horse.  So why not join the take a chance at your luck and join fun. 

We have surveyed the course and come up with our Horse Highlights for this year’s Lunar festivities:

Sydney

Sydney’s Chinese New Year festivities have become renowned, and in more recent years have been conscious to expand their program to other Asian communities that equally celebrate the Lunar calendar: Korean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesia and Filipino Chinese, and Singaporean.

It's a rich pool of cultural creativity and exchange, one that curator Catherine Croll picks up on in her exhibition Crossing Boundaries, the city’s key cultural event, which will be presented at Sydney Town Hall (22 January–9 February, 12-8pm daily).

Croll curated the most successful Snake Snake Snake for last year’s festival, setting the bar for a diverse exploration across Asian Australian contemporary art. Just look at the bounce between Hu Ming’s painting Safety & Peace in Four Seasons (pictured top),used for the festival’s marketing, to Greg Leong’s satire, The Asian Century (pictured below). It is a star-studded list of artists and punters will not be disappointed.

Greg Leong's work in Crossing Boundaries at City of Sydney Town Hall

Croll has included daily floor talks and artist forums, as well as a dedicated children’s program featuring Festival Ambassador William Yang’s Australia Now, on loan from QAGOMA, and Pamela See’s Horsing Around.

On the edges of Sydney’s Chinatown is 4A, the Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Its greatly anticipated project Beijing Silvermine is a highlight of this Chinese New Year. Since 2009 Beijing based French collector Thomas Sauvin has amassed, edited and archived more than half a million photographic negatives destined for destruction in a recycling plant on the edge of Beijing where they’d been sent to be melted for their silver nitrate content. This salvaged ‘silvermine’ gives witness to modern China from the perspective of its citizens who have captured ordinary and extraordinary moments in everyday life.  

4A presents Up Late for CNY Festival market nights with curator talks on 24 and 25 January, 6-9pm. The gallery also offers Chinese language tours of the exhibition on 18 January and 15 February. 4A is located on 181 Hay Street. The exhibition continues until 22 February.

Other exhibitions to catch as part of Sydney’s celebrations:

• Private foundation and gallery of contemporary Chinese art, White Rabbit in Sydney’s Chippendale, wraps up the closing days of its exhibition Serve the People, curated by Edmond Capon. Taking the infamous slogan of the 1966–76 Cultural Revolution, the exhibition’s last day is Sunday 2 February. Why not join the gallery’s educator Phyl Rowlinson for a free tour at 11am and 2pm daily.
• Nancy Ma’s Woman Horse opens for CNY at Hong Kong House at 80 Druitt Street in the CBD(25 January – 2 February), and then moves to the gallery of respected Chinese dealer Simon Chan, Art Atrium in Bellevue Hill, opening 4 February.
• Artists from the Australia China Art Gallery present eleven stunning artworks at Customs House at Circular Quay (20 January – 21 February).
• Craft NSW has curated Art & The Horse – A Craft Exhibition on All Things Equine at their Rocks headquarters, 104 George Street (28 January – 16 February).
• The Art Gallery of New South Wales presents the significant collection of Chinese ceramics, stone and bronze sculptures, textiles and paintings: Connoisseur and Philanthropist: 30 Years of the Sternberg Collection (31 January – 30 April), a must see!
• Contemporary rice paper works by Lilian Lai in Australia Through Chinese Windows at Culture at Work Accelerator Gallery at 6 Scott Street, Pyrmont opens Saturday 1 February at 2.30pm followed by talk by Dr Richard Wu at 3pm, titled ‘Between Likeness and Un-likeness’ from a quotation by Qi Baishi (1864–1957) held at the neighbouring Culture at Work Collider Project Space.

And there is plenty traditional CNY activities: The hub for Sydney’s Festival is Belmore Park with markets, food and performance. The Festival Launch will be held there on 24 January, with further highlights the Twilight Parade on 2 February, Dragon boat raceson the weekend of 8-9 February at Darling Harbour and my personal favourite, aChinese history bike tour picking up where the Nimrod landed in Sydney Harbour in 1848.

Check out City of Sydney’s fantastic festival website for details. Most events are free.

Melbourne

There will be celebrations over 7 days at various venues showcasing over 50 performances, 25 stalls, lion dances, dragon dances and lots of fire crackers. Not only does Melbourne’s Chinese Precinct of Little Bourke Street come alive, but you can join the crowds at Federation Square to welcome in the Year of the Horse with a program curated for the Big Screen counting down the year (31 January).

Activities continue in the square on the 1st with the dynamic and flamboyant lion troupe Hong de Lion, performances by Melbourne’s Chinese Choir, mass Tai Chi and drop-in exhibition Mah Jong games.

Millennium Dragon in Melbourne's streets for CNY

The City’s New Year Parade will head down Little Bourke Street on Sunday 2 February, with the world’s largest professional Chinese Dragon – the Millennium Dragon – parading the streets in a day-long celebration (10am–10pm). 

The Chinese Museum will throw open its door for free that day, a perfect opportunity to catch its exhibition Literati: Re-presentations of Chinese literature and language through art. Artists Marynes Avila, Nicholas Chin, Jane Creenaune and Denise Keele-Bedford draw inspiration from recurring motifs in Chinese literature and the ideographic nature of the Chinese language.

The Chinese Museum is located at 22 Cohen Place (off Little Bourke St between Exhibition and Russell Streets), and is open from 10am-5pm.

Across the city, there are a range of local events that speak about community and celebration:

• Sunday 26 January (9am – 9pm): Buckingham Avenue, Springvale, Melbourne’s largest Asian shopping precinct becomes festival centre.
• 30 January (8pm): The Quang Buddhist Temple in Braybrook offers a unique festival of traditional chants and vegetarian food, as the spiritual heart of the new year’s festivities. (18 Burke Street Braybrook)
• Weekend 1-2 February: Box Hill is transformed by as the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse (ABAW) leads their lunar festival with Choi Sun (Chinese God of Fortune) Parade, Buddha display, SBS broadcasting, food, lions and the mandatory firecrackers. Why not join their Midnight Countdown!
• Sunday 9 February (11am-8pm): Head to the Kingsway for Glen Waverley Chinese Lantern Festival.

Brisbane

In Brisbane Fortitude Valley’s Chinatown Mall again comes alive for three days of non-stop musical performances, firecrackers, cooking, Tai Chi, drumming and markets. Head there to bring in the new year on Friday, 31 January (5-10pm).

The city’s celebrations in the mall are just one element of the BrisAsia Festival which runs from 31 January through 1 March. Highlights of the festival include:

• Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth at QAGOMA
• Pop-Up Encounters: Brisbane’s streets will be enlivened with 3D art illusions as part of BrisAsia Festival, with locations directed by social media.
• Friday night laneways – Hot Shanghai Nights (1-9 February): Wander down Burnett Lane with its lanterns and music and traditional fan dances – you might be mistaken you in 1940s Shanghai.
• Musical performances at the Clem Jones City Hall throughout BrisAsia with an appropriately Asian tone.
• Bands in Parks (2 February, 2-4pm): Brisbane Symphonic Band for a program of Asian inspired music arranged for concert band. See local Taiko drum collective Toko-Ton for a set of high energy Japanese percussion
• Art Bites: everything from contemporary jewellery, lantern making and origami workshops throughout the festival

Be sure to check out the BrisAsia Festival program for times and locations.

And if you don’t want to head out and join the festivities then why not welcome the good spirits into the coming year at home. Here are a few tips from the experts:

1. Place mandarins in bowls throughout the house. Mandarins with their leaves still intact are the fruits of happiness for the New Year, but remember to keep their numbers even as uneven numbers bring unhappiness.

2. Wear new clothes on the first day of the New Year – it sets the tone for the year to come.

3. Celebrate New Year with a family dinner. Traditional dishes include uncut noodle, a symbol of longevity, and fish and chicken, both symbols of prosperity.

4. Or take to the skies with a kite, a popular New Year tradition in Korea.

5. Refrain from uttering words relating to misfortune, such as ‘death’, ‘broken’, ‘killing’, and ‘illness’ as this may bring bad luck for the year to come.

6. Make sure your pantry is well stocked with rice at New Year to ensure prosperity and abundance in the year ahead.

The Year of the Horse is from 31 January and ending 18 February 2015.