By Travis Johnson
Nicole Lizée with the Australian Arts Orchestra: Sex, Lynch and Videogames – An Exploration of 90s Screen Culture
Montreal composer and turntable exponent Nicole Lizée teams with the Australian Art Orchestra, led by the trumpet-wielding Peter Knight, to present an evening of artful responses to ’80s and ’90s screen culture. A multi-part program, highlights include the solo piano and video work David Lynch Études, which delves deep into the mysteries of the Black Lodge, video game homage 8 Bit Urbex, and outre karaoke mash-up Karappo Okesutura.
When: January 19, 2017
Where: City Recital Hall
Circus on Screen: The Show of Shows
A stunning visual archive of the last century and a half’s circus performers, cabaret acts, vaudeville and fairground attractions, freak shows, variety performances, music hall and seaside entertainers, this is an incredible wealth of insight and detail that will enthrall anyone with even a passing interest in the big top. What’s more it features an original score by Sigur Ros.
When: January 13 and 21, 2017.
Where: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The legendary dark rock outfit return for two shows during the festival. In a career spanning five decades now, Nick Cave has remained an important and visionary figure in Australian arts no matter the medium, be it music, visual arts, or the written word, and now it’s your chance to see him with his iconic international ensemble live.
When: January 20 and 21, 2017
Where: ICC Sydney Theatre
Ladies in Black
Described as the most toe-tapping local musical since Priscilla, Ladies in Black is adapted by music legend Tim Finn and Carolyn Burns from the novel of the same name by Madeleine St. John. Set in a 1950s Sydney Department Store, it follows the fortunes of a trio of sales assistants, including dreamer, Lisa. Simon Phillips (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, First Wives Club) directs Kate Cole, Carita Farrer Spencer, Bobby Fox, Natalie Gamsu, Tamlyn Henderson, Madeleine Jones, Kathryn Mcintyre, Sarah Morrison, Trisha Noble, Ellen Simpson and Greg Stone in the lavish, Broadway-style production.
When: January 3 -22, 2017
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Tower of Song: Celebrating the Music of Leonard Cohen
Acclaimed singer and avowed Cohen fan Mikelangelo will lead us through a selection of the late poet’s best works, including his last album, You Want it Darker. He’ll be joined by a host of Australian music luminaries, including The Church’s Steve Kilbey, Jack Ladder, Holiday Sidewinder, Broads and more, plus a choir put together by Christina Mimmocchi.
When: January 14, 2017
Where: Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent
Let’s Dance
A celebration of the life and work of the late, great David Bowie, hosted by Otto & Astrid. See Australia’s Starman, Jeff Duff, perform Bowie’s hits with the Let’s Dance House Band, with added entertainment from NAISDA, who provided the original dancers for the Let’s Dance music video.
When: January 10, 2017
Where: Village Stage, Hyde Park North
The Sydney Festival runs from January 7 – 29 at countless venues throughout the city and environs. For info and tickets, head to the official site.
