You’ll be grinning from Pier to Pier
Image: Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Open Day. Image: Jacquie Manning
The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is holding its first ever Open Day and it is going to be a veritable smorgasbord of delights for lovers of theatre, music, dance, song – every form of arts entertainment.
Thanks to a $371 million make-over by the NSW Government, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is now the cultural hub of Sydney, with eight of the city’s most prestigious arts organisations within a violin bow’s throw of each other.
Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs can all be found on the repurposed historic erstwhile industrial docks.
Pier 2 /3 and Wharf 4 /5 will host over 40 free events including talks, workshops, interactive activities, behind-the-scenes tours, and access to performance rehearsals. A special feature of the day will be the Artistic Directors Round Table – a gathering of the artistic directors of all the resident companies who will engage in animated discussion about Australia’s cultural and arts future.
Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Jess Scully will moderate a panel of who’s who of arts: Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; Fraser Corfield, Artistic Director of Australian Theatre for Young People; Stephen Page, Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre; Peter Evans, Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare; Lyn Williams, Artistic Director of Gondwana Choirs; Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company; Brett Weymark, Artistic Director of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs; and Kip Williams, Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company.
A rare opportunity indeed.
Highlights for the day include:
⁃ pop up cafe and cinema with screenings of ACO performances
⁃ interactive kids activities
⁃ precinct- wide treasure hunt
⁃ drama workshops, performance tasters, improv theatre games
⁃ behind-the-scenes peak at rehearsals for big upcoming show
⁃ family and kid’s singing workshops
⁃ sample dance classes featuring ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, jazz and tap
⁃ pilates postural assessment
⁃ sneak peak at dance rehearsals for upcoming show
⁃ guided tours
⁃ participate in a chorus with live musicians in 90 minute singing workshop
⁃ behind-the-scenes peak at theatre sets, costumes, props workshops
⁃ Q&A with Assistant Director about how she approaches a production and working with designers and actors
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company will hold special children’s activities inspired by their first dedicated performance for children: Waru – journey of the small turtle. Kids will be encouraged to create their own turtle sculptures and posters, and learn about the rich culture of the Torres Strait Islands.
Great food and drink offerings will be available too. Enjoy fabulous food by Flying Fish at View by Sydney in a one day only pop up event at Pier 2 /3. Presented especially for Open Day, Archie Rose will host a special gin tasting at the Theatre Bar at the end of the Wharf, and Mr Jones at Sydney Dance Company will offer a Sydney Dance survival lunch box. Local favourites, Bar Cycle and Lotus Dumpling Bar will also have special offering for the day.
