The 50th anniversary of Sydney Festival approaches, with a diverse, city-wide programme honouring five decades of cultural transformation looking to the next generation of artistic innovation.
In January, Sydney will become a playground of imagination, with bold theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and immersive experiences taking over historic venues, pop-up spaces, and unexpected corners of the city.
Next year’s programme is a celebration of how we gather, learn, play, and pass on stories. Whether it’s Virginia Gay’s mother-daughter roller derby comedy ‘Mama Does Derby’, or ‘Dear Son’, a moving exchange of letters between First Nations fathers and sons. . . Or intergenerational jam sessions led by Lonnie Holley. . . Sydney Festival uses culture as a catalyst for connection.
The First Nations-led Blak Out programme also returns, with Jacob Nash delivering his final programme as Creative Artist In Residence. There’s Lucy Simpson’s sculptures at Barangaroo Reserve, the annual ‘Vigil’ ceremony, and more, honouring the fullness of Blak identity.
At the heart is ‘Held’, a series of commissioned sculptural works on Barrangaroo’s Stargazer’s Lawn, by Yuwaalaraay Wirringgaa woman Lucy Simpson, honouring earth and fire, sky and sea Country.
Then, acclaimed choreographer Joel Bray invites audiences into a dance ritual on Sydney Harbour – ‘Garabari’, transforming the Northern Broadwalk of Sydney Opera House into a massive, open-air dance floor.
Class is in session too, as Summer School – Sydney Festival’s expansive programme of talks, performances and experiences, dives deeper into the ideas pushing through this year’s programme. Audiences, thinkers, artists and communities are invited to listen, question and create. . . In galleries, pools, funeral homes and alleys.
“Inspired by the complexity of our global city, this edition brings leading international and Australian artists whose performances will resonate with everyone,” Festival Director Kris Nelson says of his first Sydney Festival programme. “In honour of our 50th, it's a festival full of intergenerational experiences too. Over the next four years, my vision is to create festivals that transform us – shaping not just the shows we present, but how Sydneysiders experience art, and inspiring us to imagine the future of this great city together.”
‘LACRIMA’, a crowning achievement of contemporary theatre, unveils the hidden human stories stitched into the world’s most celebrated gown. ‘Nowhere’ is an intricate, playful solo show by actor and activist Khalid Abdalla, from UK producing company Fuel, taking audiences on a journey into Abdalla’s history, set against a cartography of seismic world events.
Sydney Symphony Under The Stars will hit up a new location: Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour. The 50th anniversary edition promises an unforgettable evening of music and community, honouring Sydney Festival’s long legacy.
Loveable London party band Hot Chip will return to Sydney Opera House, for two unforgettable nights of euphoric, indie-dance brilliance as they celebrate 25 years together.
Reuben Kaye returns, bigger and better than ever in ‘enGORGEd’, for one night only. The fiery, filthy and fabulous comedian will bare all, with no topic off limits.
Following sold-out runs at Joe’s Pub and Soho Theatre, New York cabaret trailblazer Salty Brine heads our way for the first time, bringing a new chapter of his cult-hit series ‘Living Record Collection’ to Wharf 1. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again (The Smiths Show)’ melds The Smiths’ 1981 album ‘The Queen Is Dead’, Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, and his own lived experience.
In the realm of live music, audiences can look forward to the likes of Lonnie Holley, Kankawa Nagarra, Yasmina Sadiki, Enji, Milan Ring, Paris Paloma, DJ Habibeats, Tenzin Choegyal, and more.
There’s also plenty of opera, and immersive/visual arts to see. ‘Opera for the Dead 祭歌’ by guzheng virtuoso Mindy Meng Wang and experimental sound designer Monica Lim is a powerful, multi-sensory journey through grief, remembrance and transformation. . . While ‘Garage Party’ opens the doors to Blacktown Arts Centre for a two-day backyard celebration of community, creativity, and Pasifika pride.
“The Sydney Festival is clearly not getting shy about its 50th birthday!” Minister for the Arts, Music and Night-time Economy, The Hon. John Graham says.
“Right as Sydney hits the peak of summer, this amazing programme will create big colourful nights, where anything feels possible. I’m particularly excited about the big opening night event on Hickson Road. Part movie set, part Argentinian street celebration – I honestly don’t know how it will unfold, but I’ll definitely be there to find out!”
Check out the full programme.
Sydney Festival is on from 8-25 January.
