FROM 5PM  - KIDS FIRST 

5pm KIDS FIRST: Kids get the first go at dancing The Sydney!
5 – 6pm KIDS FIRST: Music is Magic concert with MC and ABC 702 breakfast presenter Adam Spencer. Songs by Australia’s young songwriters with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Youth Choir and guest soloists including Felicity Urquhart.

MUSIC IS MAGIC



To celebrate the nurturing of our budding songwriters, Sydney Festival again brings together some of our finest young singers and musicians.

Led by the much-loved Maestro George Ellis, and with MC Adam Spencer, the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Australian Youth Choir, Music is Magic presents some of the highlight entries in the 2008 Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be in the audience for this inspiring concert from our upcoming musicians, singers and songwriters, featuring special guest singers Elana Stone, Felicity Urquhart, Brian Campeau and Laura Jean.

Music is Magic is also part of the Festival Kids at Parramatta series. For more events in the series, click here.

CATCH THE KIDS DOING 'THE SYDNEY'!

You thought the Time Warp was big, or even Nutbush City Limits – wait until you see The Sydney! Sydney Festival brings you this specially choreographed dance by Garry Stewart from Australian Dance Theatre.  Just after sunset our special guest dance instructors will take to the stages and teach everyone how to do The Sydney - we want all of Sydney to help transform the CBD into a mass dance floor! 

The Sydney is short, easy to learn, and lots of fun and we’ll be teaching kids and their families the dance in Hyde Park throughout the afternoon. Practise your moves, then at 5pm join in a special kids’ rehearsal at the Hyde Park Fountain Stage.

For all the Kids First activities in Hyde Park click here.


FROM 7PM

From 7pm - Balkan beats and a gypsy inspired mix of samba, reggae, rock, jazz and electro to keep the crowd jumping, hosted by Mikelangelo
7pm: Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen
7.45pm: Java
9.30pm: The Gypsy Queens and Kings

Mikelangelo & the Black Sea Gentlemen



Enthralling and visceral, you will waltz, tango, and polka your way through this show bristling with humour, pathos and beauty. Internationally acclaimed and immaculately dressed, Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen perform an intoxicating Kabaret Noir, which is both highly memorable and pure good fun.

Java



Direct from France to Sydney, Java is a high-energy show filled with brimming personalities and manic dancing tunes. A mixture of hip hop, Brazillian Samba, reggae, rock, jazz and electro, Java’s unique take on urban music blends all these with circus spirit and manic humour.

Java is also performing as part of the Beck's Festival Bar series. For more events in this series precinct, click here.

The Gypsy Queens  & Kings



The Gypsy Queens & Kings deliver an intoxicating celebration of Gypsy songs, roaring Balkan funky blends with flamenco guitar and accordion.  This collection of the greats of Gypsy music greats’ wit, groove, ferocious technique and ability to deliver fresh new sounds inspires everyone to get up and dance.

As well as the pumping beats of the brass section, the concert features great vocalists who are heroes in their own countries.

The Gypsy Queens and Kings are also playing as part of the Festival at the Domain series. For more events in this series, click here.

TO VIEW THE FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT ECARD, Click here.