RSS Feed
January 6th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda On a grand scale, Festival First Night aims to ignite the centre of Sydney in readiness for three weeks of music, theatre and dance.
Organisers hope to put wide grins on the faces of every visitor to the Sydney Festival curtain-raiser.
“What we’re after is the bliss factor,” says Sydney Festival director Lindy Hulme.
“When you have so many people in the city moving around you want them to all have smiles on their faces.”
The estimated 200,000 fans heading to Sydney Festival’s free concert on Saturday will be welcomed by three headliners of diverse musical backgrounds.
Indigenous singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu will kick off the evening’s entertainment on the Domain, before Megan Washington picks up the pace with her high energy pop.
The international pull comes in the form of globe-trotting party starter Manu Chao, who’s excited at the prospect of his first Australian gig.
“The world is big and I’m maybe too lazy,” the French singer joked when probed over his absence.
“For a long time we wanted to come and now it’s a really nice opportunity for me to be invited to play the free show.”
Other draws on the opening day will include an eight-hour set from knighted British DJ Norman Jay, direct from the iconic Good Times bus.
Jamaican dance hall legends The Jolly Boys will undoubtedly delight the crowds with their laid-back reggae and quirky covers.
And kids are in for a treat with a program of children’s music led by Australian songstress Holly Throsby and toddler bopper Caspar Babypants.
The day is intended to set the scene for hundreds of shows, plays and productions running until January 29, with musical highlights including PJ Harvey, Lambchop and Beth Orton.
As the sun sets over the opening day’s celebrations, Sydney Festival will show its darker side with the dramatic theatre piece, As The World Tipped, being held on College Street.
Described as a climate change disaster tale, its powerful mix of aerial performance and film shouldn’t detract too far from the good-time vibe.
“There’s a message of hope at the end,” says Hume.
“It throws it back to the audience to say change is in your hands.”
Earlier on Friday, police said an extra 360 officers would flood into central Sydney on Saturday to curb boozy violence during the opening night of the Sydney Festival.
Police will patrol buses and trains, as well as the dozens of streets closed to traffic to make way for the annual event.
Superintendent Craig Sheridan said there were only minimal arrests during the opening night last year but warned any misbehaviour would be dealt with swiftly.
Alcohol brought into the Festival First Night will be confiscated by police, Supt Sheridan warned.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell urged festival-goers to behave responsibly.
“We don’t want it marred. We don’t want it spoiled any more than we want any other week spoiled by people who think it’s acceptable to fill themselves full of grog and get out there and interrupt and interfere with people,” he told reporters.
Views: 0
Posted in 
Tags: 
