Sydney Festival Announces New 10 Day Program

 Sydney Festival today announced the line-up for a new 10 day festival, Sydney Festival Parramatta, running from January 13 to 22, 2012. 

 Sydney Festival today announced the line-up for a new 10 day festival, Sydney Festival Parramatta, running from January 13 to 22, 2012.    The Sydney Festival, which will be running in Sydney from January 7-29 has been branching out to include Parramatta in it’s programming since 2003. Lord Mayor of Parramatte Cr Lorraine Wearne is thrilled that the city will have it’s own dedicated program of events during the Sydney Festival. “Over the past two years, Parramatta has shown it is capable of attracting and hosting major events that have brought many communities together and showcased the diversity of our region.” Cr Wearne added that with a thriving dining culture, one of the busiest performing arts centres in Sydney and with plenty of parklands and open spaces, Parramatta is a great option for major events and festivals. “One of the great things about this Festival is that it will feature many of our local artists from the Parramatta Artists Studios and the Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), which will only encourage more local creativity and expression throughout Western Sydney,” Cr Wearne said.  Geoff Lee MP, Member for Parramatta said “The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to attracting major events to Western Sydney and this expansion delivers on that promise and showcases some of the best that Parramatta has to offer.           
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Western Sydney families to attend and enjoy Festival events in their region”, said Geoff Lee MP, Member for Parramatta.
“To be able to enjoy a concert or stage performance without having to travel into the city will be great for families and seniors. It will also be a boost for the Western Sydney economy as visitors eat, drink and maybe do a spot of shopping.”        The Festival includes an exceptional line-up of local and international theatre, music and film in Riverside Theatres, while the Festival’s newest venue, The Idolize Spiegeltent in Prince Alfred Park, will feature a wondrous mix of music, cabaret and maybe more than a little mayhem. Also included in the program is a series of free events, with the Parra Opening Party taking over the streets on January 14; and a concert under the stars with Dan Sultan, Busby Marou and special guest Kasey Chambers at the Old King’s School site on January 21, as well as activities popping up all over the CBD. Parra Opening Party will feature dance performances in crowded shopping areas, art installations literally growing out of empty shop spaces, free films, plus the chance to get involved in workshops and art-making with local artists including Parramatta Artist Studios.  For 2012, the Festival received $500,000 in supplementary funding from the State Government, matched by an increased commitment by Parramatta City Council, enabling the Festival to significantly expand its program in Parramatta as the focus of its activities in Western Sydney.