Hit the streets of Sydney this winter
In its fifth year, Vivid’s lights are still burning bright, and judging by the crowds flocking to Circular Quay over the weekend this year’s display is a must-see.
Vivid Sydney runs until 10 June so if you’ve got the time, split up your visit over several nights and discover the different inner city regions lit up in all their glory. On my Sunday night visit I focused on Sydney Harbour but Darling Harbour and North Sydney are also in on the act.
Explore the laneways of Sydney’s Rocks and Walsh Bay and you’ll be spoilt for your efforts, there are light installations dotted throughout. Warm up with a pint or two in one of the many heritage pubs along the way and you’ll have a merry ol’ time.
Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront from the MCA to the Opera House, making sure to have a play with the many interactive installations along the way. A great spot to take in all the scenery is Opera Bar, relax with a cocktail in hand as you listen to the live band and watch the iconic sails light up.
But don’t be fooled by all the pretty lights, under the surface Vivid is much more; there’s live music, talks and networking events that are well worth checking out.
One of the must-see events this year is the Heritage Orchestra (UK) at the Opera House. I was lucky enough to see them perform the music from Ridley Scott’s 1980’s cult classic Blade Runner. Forget any preconceptions you may have of an orchestral performance at the Opera House, this performance was AMAZING!
The imagery perfectly set the mood: picture a wet metropolis at night, dark moody streets, cold sky-risers towering above and car lights flashing past – it was Sydney!
The stand-outs for me were the gritty sexy alto sax we all know and love from the movie and the percussion team – who knew the simple typewriter could be a musical instrument.
Check out some clips from the performance below:
What a steady hand you have Angela!