SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2021

It may look a little different, but Wesley Enoch’s fifth and final program for one of the largest arts festivals in Australia has forged forward commissioning 130 events, 100% Australian made featuring al fresco experiences celebrating the outdoors and local productions.

From the CBD to the west, Sydney Festival will take over the city yet again in January celebrating art, music, theatre, comedy and cultural events across three weeks between January 6 – 26 to reinvigorate arts and cultural experiences across 21 days. Adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines, including capacity limits and social-distancing regulations, the festival’s programming has called on the best established and up-and-coming talents to showcase the city’s culture.

Highlights of the newly announced program include a pop-up stage at Barangaroo; the telling of Evonne Goolagong’s life story, which will see Sydney Town Hall transformed into a tennis court; an installation of large floating bees around Vaucluse House called Hive Mind; an homage to musical legend George Michael starring Paul Mac; and the return of the festival’s Blak Out program, promoting and uplifting First Nations voices and storytelling throughout the festival.

The Barangaroo pop-up titled ‘The Headland’, will see a 32-metre-wide stage, larger than both the Capitol and Sydney Lyric, constructed in front of Sydney Harbour. The stage will operate over 16 nights, playing host to performers and musicians such as the Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney Symphony and Paul Mac, all for just $25 a ticket. The Headland stage will play host to The Pulse, an astonishing new work by Australia’s finest circus company Gravity & Other Myths which brings together 30 acrobats and a 30-strong choir into a shimmering mass spectacular; Bangarra Dance Theatre will present Spirit: A Retrospective 2021 – a powerful collection of dance stories taken from the company’s 30-year repertoire; while electro-pop icon Paul Mac and a choir of Sydney’s finest singers will pay homage to musical legend George Michael in the celebratory The Rise and Fall of Saint George.

Another program stand out is ‘Allowed and Local’ to bring live music back. Taking to smaller stages across the city, including The Lansdowne, Factory Theatre and The Vanguard, will be a whole bunch of Australian favourites including Christine Anu, Urthboy, E^ST, Alice Ivy and Emily Wurramara. The festivals ‘Australian Made’ program will manifest across the city working towards ‘normal’ from a year that has been hallmarked by uncertainty.

If you’re looking for free and for the family, “Sydney Symphony Under the Stars” will return to Parramatta Park heralding the famous cannons of the 18th and 19th centuries. Meanwhile, Wiradjuri dancer Jo Clancy will share some cheeky, insightful stories about caring for country in “Under the Madhan”. With puppetry, song and movement in the mix, it’s set to be a favourite for all the family.

Parramatta Park will also host the roving and organic dance project “In Situ”. Created by Western Sydney’s Dance Makers Collective, and in cultural consultation with Darug elders Peta Strachan and Julie Webb, audiences will observe First Nations stories brought to life by Wakka Wakka/Kombumerri woman Katina Olsen and Wiradjuri woman Emily Flannery.

Find more information about events, tickets and Sydney Festival prices HERE

Find more information about Sydney Festival’s Covid safe procedures HERE