Sydney Coliseum at West HQ: REVIEW

I consider myself a well rounded, cultured up Sydney gal, having been to many theatrical opening nights, plays staged on actual creaking floor boards, Sydney Opera House red carpets, comedy theatres in the Inner West and West, both Powerhouses, umpteen concerts in every stadium in Sydney, and other states too, and my favourite experience of all: operas including a very special night with my mamma watching 'Cavelleria Rusticana' at said Opera House, which any self respecting Sicilian must go see!

So, when it was announced that Sydney's western suburbs was getting its own cultural and arts hub, I was beyond excited. Ask any 'westie' and they will tell you: we are so fine with the travel to the city, and beyond. But we also kind of prefer if something was just down the road for us, so we could cab it, drive it, bus it, walk it even, and we arrive at our event with plenty of time to enjoy a meal and a drink, and just relax before the performance. And it's not just about the proximity - it's about truly feeling like you belong to a community, like something is yours to enjoy, and show off, and invite others to your neck of the woods, proudly saying: this my hub. This is where I go.

Ah, Sydney Coliseum at Theatre at West HQ.

What a welcome addition to my cultural education, and that of my 12 year old twins. It's now the place I want to take them for a theatrical play, a concert, some downtime.

Josie's Juice was thrilled to be a part of the opening week celebrations at the the new Sydney Coliseum Theatre which opened only a few days ago, seeing the inimitable, divine, supremely talented Tina Arena in concert.

We've seen Tina before in various venues (and have fortunate to interview Tina several times over the years for this blog, for a Jetstar magazine cover story, for magazines I edited) but this... this was something special.

The new venue, the excitement around that, the lovely comfy seating, the acoustics, and... Tina.

It was a next level kinda night. And it'll be one of many to come over the decades.

What a real privilege to be a part of something so big, to be able to say: "yes, I was there."

And after two nights of Tina, the woman who has charted at #1 in both Australia and France, and has gained recognition for her lifelong contribution to the arts, and was recently inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and received an Order of Australia Medal, the opening program continues!

(See my pic from the night here, and catch more photos and my Insta profile and Insta stories here: @josiesjuicejournalist

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Such a pleasure to attend the sensational opening week performance at @sydneycoliseum at @west_hq with the one and only @tinaarena - what an honour to tell the grandkids one day that I was part of such an historical event! #westhq is a must see entertainment, cultural, arts and food hub for all of Sydney, though I’m particularly proud it’s so close to my home. #josiesjuiceblog #review going live shortly!

A post shared by Josie Gagliano (@josiesjuicejournalist) on Dec 15, 2019 at 1:31pm PST

Earlier this year, West HQ Chief Executive Officer Richard Errington announced that the grand dame of world theatre, Dame Edna Everage, has been forced out of retirement by the demands of her adoring possums, and will bring her housewife megastar power to the Sydney Coliseum Theatre’s Opening Program with the Tony Award winning star announcing two performances of 'Dame Edna My Gorgeous Life' this Wednesday 18 December and Thursday 19 December.

Paul Dainty AM, President and CEO of TEG DAINTY, said he was delighted to announce Dame Edna would join the opening program of the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. “Dame Edna Everage is one of Australia’s greatest ever exports, an iconic performer, artist and star of stage and screen," Mr Dainty said. 

"Dame Edna has toured the world since the mid 1950s and we are thrilled to join the celebrations opening Sydney’s next great theatre with “Dame Edna My Gorgeous Life”.

Then: ARIA award winning John Butler will also perform on Friday 20 December in the line-up of all Australian performers appearing in the opening week celebrations of the landmark new theatre. During the inaugural year of programming Sydney Coliseum Theatre will also welcome Australia’s leading arts companies to its programming, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus by Circa, the Australian Ballet’s family favourite “Storytime Ballet”, multi-award winning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bangarra Dance Theatre, the iconic Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia
Choirs, Sydney Youth Orchestras and in early 2021, the internationally acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s CEO Emma Dunch had also announced earlier this year that the highly lauded orchestra would present an exclusive collaboration with much loved swing-king and television star David Campbell over two special performances, and these took place to great review on Thursday 12 December and Friday 13 December, and a major multi-year performing partnership with the Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

Of the move to the West, Dunch said “Greater Western Sydney is the future of our city. The establishment of this amazing venue is testament to the extraordinary growth that is happening in the region. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has been performing in Western Sydney for over 20 years, and I am delighted to be taking this next step to bring the best of orchestral music to audiences at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ.”

West HQ CEO Richard Errington said at the time: “Today’s announcements of these world class opening acts, and the partnerships we have established with the cream of Australia’s arts and entertainment industry, are just the beginning of a long-term plan to bring the very best artistic and entertainment content to Greater Sydney. Our diverse program of contemporary and classical performances is a direct response to the audience demand in the region, and we can’t wait to roll out further amazing shows to audiences of Greater and Western Sydney and beyond. It’s been a privilege developing these exciting partnerships with the leaders in Australia’s arts and entertainment industries, all of whom are embracing our new venue with open arms.”

Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ Executive Director, Craig McMaster added “The support of the Australian performing arts industry has been nothing short of extraordinary and on behalf of the team at West HQ we’d like to extend our thanks to all who have so enthusiastically embraced this exciting new venue. We look forward to further developing and expanding those relationships with all our current and future content partners.”

We've saved the best until last:

At the official Grand Opening on Saturday December 21, the performance by world renowned Keith Urban hits West HQ!

At time of this blog going live, the Saturday and Sunday 22 December shows are sold out, with the Monday December 23 show on sale with tickets still available. See THIS LINK for tickets.

For information and waitlist:

www.sydneycoliseum.com.au

And join the conversation here: @sydneycoliseum

West HQ is located at 55 Sherbrooke Street, Rooty Hill

Phone: 02 9851 5912

MORE ABOUT SYDNEY COLISEUM THEATRE, WEST HQ

Sydney Coliseum Theatre is owned and operated by West HQ Limited, which also owns the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre, one 55 Fitness, Sydney West Sports Medicine, Rooty Hill RSL, Novotel Sydney, West HQ, Zone Bowling.

Breathtakingly beautiful and technically brilliant, Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ is Sydney’s new home of great musicals, live music, drama, dance, comedy and family entertainment.

With a 2000 seat capacity in seated 'theatre mode' and 2200 in 'concert mode', the theatre features a sophisticated retractable seating system which means that conversion from a seated conference during the day to an energy filled concert at night can be achieved in just an hour.

With 84 fly lines and a stage measuring 14.7 in depth, the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ is comparable to the great theatres of Sydney and the world.

From December 2019 Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ will welcome a huge line up of diverse entertainment from live popular and rock artists, through to Symphony, Ballet, contemporary and indigenous dance, Broadway musicals and theatre.

West HQ as a destination currently welcomes an annual visitation of approximately 3.6 million and in the next 3 years will welcome a 5 star Pullman Hotel which will provide premium accommodation in the heart of Greater Sydney.

Eileen Kramer: Viral Video - 'The Early Ones' #InspiringEileen

Eileen Kramer, what a treasure. And now… she's gone viral!

Photo: Simon Cunich

I have had the privilege of working with Eileen on her 'Inspiring Eileen' campaign, currently underway, in line with her new production 'The Early Ones'.

Eileen has had a 75-year career as writer, dancer, painter, costume designer and choreographer - she is 100, and not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, the Australian-born Eileen is about to stage her first production in Australia, after living in the USA for the last 40 years. Eileen says she came back to Australia at the age of 99 because she "missed the kookaburras". As a centenarian, Eileen is most likely the longest living working choreographer and dancer in Australia, if not the world.

And now, she is staging 'The Early Ones' on Friday March 13 (at 8pm), and Saturday March 14 (2pm and 8pm), at The Independent Theatre, 269 Miller Street, North Sydney.

Eileen’s extraordinary lifelong love affair with dance is evident with this production, her history and grace is something to behold, to revere, and be recorded. To that end, in 2014 she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts Health Institute for whom she is now an official ambassador. This upcoming production of Eileen's will ensure that her legacy will live forever, for generations of dancers to come.

So, how has Eileen 'gone viral'?

Photo: ABC News 

After ABC News ran a wonderful story - by Antonette Collins - on Eileen and since an ABC new site Australia Plus posted it on their Facebook page, it has been viewed over 2.2 million times, at a rate of 10,000 views every 15 minutes.

You can watch that by clicking on the word 'post' below:

Post by Australia Plus.

The shares, the likes, the comments, the love… it's all there, from every corner of the globe.

What we now want for Eileen is to help translate that social media love into actual funds for her crowdfunding campaign, set up by Arts Health Institute, on the Pozible site.

See that link here: http://www.pozible.com/project/190787

With less than one week to go, Eileen is almost than half way there.

Not only will the funds go towards helping stage 'The Early Ones', any additional funds will be given directly to Eileen to help give her a better life.

At age 100, Eileen Kramer is the absolute embodiment of what living a beautifully long life looks like, and this national treasure is set to showcase the beauty of positive ageing for an eager audience, including the dance and arts world, in this all new production titled ‘The Early Ones’ – an original work she has created and choreographed, her first Australian production. 

In February, Eileen was invited to Bundanon (the famed gift from Arthur Boyd, a 1100 hectare bush land property in Kangaroo Valley NSW), for their Arts in Residence program. Over one week, the spirited Eileen worked with rehearsal director, Julia Cotton, some of Australia's most talented dancers, and composer Nicolas Lyon, who is writing the original music for ‘The Early Ones’, which will explore human evolution, influenced by four metaphorical characters.

Photo: Simon Cunich

The Pozible goal is $26,000, which will go towards the modest fees for the nine dancers, their costumes, the musicians and the music composition, the theatre hire and the technical and support crew.

The Arts Health Institute has supported the initial set up of the work while at Bundanon, and now a campaign around profiling Eileen has evolved and subsequently a call out to help fund this dream, which will see the work that has been developed performed on stage. Beyond ticket sales, any extra funds covering the cost for her production will support Eileen to improve her quality of life. Eileen lives quite an independent life, but rather than living day to day, it would be extraordinary if the love and care felt for Eileen can be translated into financial support to ensure she has what she needs to keep creating as long as she can.

This is a rare opportunity to see Eileen's work and the influence of the legendary Gertrud Bodenwieser. And so, not only is this an important work of historical significance, but supporting it will help realise Eileen's dream.

Sydney-born Eileen, now age 100, is truly a national treasure. She studied at the Conservatorium of Music, where she immersed herself in piano, the theory of music, and singing, with visions of becoming an opera singer. Soon after introduced to the Vienna-borne Bodenwieser Modern Dance Company, Eileen immediately began to study dance under the close guidance of Madame Gertrud Bodenwieser herself, and the Viennese dancers, touring with Bodenwieser for a decade.

The significance of Gertrud Bodenwieser on the Australian dance world cannot be underestimated: in introducing her style of modern dance it spawned the beginnings of Australia’s contemporary dance scene, changing the Australian dance landscape.

Eileen then contracted a kind of ‘walkabout fever’, and followed her heart to India, where she explored and remained for three years, later moving to London and Paris where she spent four years, before settling in West Virginia, United States, collaborating to create original works.

See www.artshealthinstitute.org.au for more on the Inspiring Eileen campaign, and see http://www.pozible.com/project/190787 for more information on the Pozible crowdfunding for Eileen, as well as clips of her work being created.

You can see more of Eileen - and what Arts Health Institute do - on their YouTube page here.

Want to know more Arts Health Institute?

The Arts Health Institute brings the arts and healthcare together to change worlds. A non- profit organisation, they work to improve lives through the integration of the arts into all aspects of health and age care environments. The Arts Health Institute has health professionals and artists working side be side to improve healthcare delivery. The Arts Health Institute delivers life-changing programs across Australia and across an ever-growing array of demographics and health conditions. Taking its inspiration and creative guidance from renowned Australian performer and mime Jean-Paul Bell, the Institute works to carry on his legacy of artistic engagement through its landmark programs. Always at the forefront of artistic innovation, they work with a number of research institutes to ensure their work is evidence-based. The Arts Health Institute is a thought leader in the field, offering consultancy services, education and their yearly Play Up Convention, where ideas around health and arts are challenged and explored by internationally renowned presenters and artists. The Arts Health Institute is a hub for creative ideas in healthcare and through their unique membership system; they connect a world of professional practitioners around an arts hub. The Arts Health Institute is passionate about the arts and their effect on healthcare. Their credo: through the arts we live healthier happier lives.

Sydney Film Festival at Casula Powerhouse: Opening Night - 'The Theory of Everything'

Liverpool Council and one of the world’s longest running film festivals - Sydney Film Festival - today announce a brand new partnership. The pairing will see some of the world’s top cinema screened at Casula Powerhouse in Liverpool in a state of the art D-Cinema theatre.

The once a month event titled Sydney Film Festival at Casula Powerhouse delivers the best in new and classic films on the global cinema circuit to Sydney’s south west. Expect a lively, challenging, significant and cheeky serving of film. We are IN!

Liverpool’s Mayor Ned Mannoun says he is proud of his Council's investment in making cutting edge cinema readily available and accessible to the growing Liverpool community.

“This partnership with Sydney Film Festival, a well-established and celebrated cultural event, shows just how big the appetite for film and the arts is here in Liverpool. Film and the Arts have always thrived here, but a marquee event such as this is a coup for our rapidly growing city,” he said.

Films will start at 7.30pm, opening Friday 6 February with the much-talked about, just-released movie 'The Theory of Everything', by Academy Award winner James Marsh. The film is a biopic on the world’s favourite theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and his ex-wife Jane Wilde Hawking.

Here is the fantastic trailer:



Western Sydney audiences can catch this hot contender for four Golden Globes and three Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards on the opening night for just $25, including canapés. The film tackles the couple’s often difficult relationship, Stephen’s academic success, and his diagnosis with motor-neuron disease. Tickets can be purchased through the Casula Powerhouse website.

Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley says he is very happy about expanding a taste of the Festival to western Sydney. “Scouring the globe for the best of the best of new cinema across documentary and feature films, and bringing it back to Sydney audiences, is such an exciting challenge. This partnership gives us greater scope to bring the Festival to even more Sydneysiders,” he said.

2013 saw the first collaboration between Liverpool City Council and Sydney Film Festival with a series of five Sydney Film Festival films screened at Casula Powerhouse. The love story bloomed in 2014 after an 80 thousand dollar investment by the Liverpool Council in a state of the art DCP system, guaranteeing films from across the world could be fully experienced at Casula Powerhouse.

Casula Powerhouse Director, Kiersten Fishburn said, “I am delighted Sydney Film Festival and Casula Powerhouse are officially going steady.”

“We’re the only venue in Western Sydney screening such cutting edge cinema once a month, which is exciting. We are sure this will help to build and satiate growing western Sydney film lovers, and assist in developing a thriving screen culture in the local area.”

Opening night will see patrons treated to a full premier style experience, with drinks and canapés to be served after the conclusion of the film. Catering for the rest of the program will be provided by Casula Powerhouse’s own Bellbird Café. 

What: Sydney Film Festival at Casula Powerhouse


Where: Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Road Casula NSW 2170


When: Screenings begin at 7:30pm on:
Friday 6 February - The Theory of Everything, Tickets $25 including canapés

Friday 6 March - Film to be announced


Saturday 2 May - Film to be announced


Friday 5 June - Film to be announced


Friday 3 July - Film to be announced


Saturday 1 August - Film to be announced


Friday 4 September - Film to be announced


Friday 2 October - Film to be announced


Friday 6 November - Film to be announced


Prices: The Theory of Everything including canapés: Adult: $25, Concession: $20 All other screenings: Adult $15, Concession $13, Child (under 16yrs) $10. Pre-movie Dinner: $17 

For tickets and further information see: www.casulapowerhouse.com/booknow/ Stay up to date through: facebook.com/SydneyFilmFestivalatCasulaPowerhouse 


More about the Sydney Film Festival

Sydney Film Festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animations across the city at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, the Art Gallery of NSW, Casual Powerhouse, Blacktown Dive In, and the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne. The Festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals. For more information visit www.sff.org.au.

Casula Powerhouse
Located on the bank of the Georges River, the Casula Powerhouse is a multi-disciplinary arts centre. Showcasing 6 galleries, featuring a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Casula Powerhouse is a premier art space in Sydney’s south-west. Boasting a 321 seat theatre, Casula Powerhouse plays host to a range of theatre and cinematic productions each year. The Casula Powerhouse’s Bellbird Café will be serving meals from 6.00pm.

Liverpool City Council
Located in Sydney’s south west; Liverpool City Council governs 42 suburbs with a range of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They are dedicated to supporting the community by providing high levels of facilities and resources, to establish Liverpool as “the vibrant regional city of opportunity, prosperity and diversity” 

The Theory of Everything

Directed by Academy Award winning director James Marsh, The Theory of Everything details the life and romance of acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking and his first wife Jane Wilde Hawking. Critically acclaimed and hotly tipped for a range of different awards, The Theory of Everything is a must see feature of this year’s cinematic lineup.

It's unmissable - be there, and support this fantastic initiative.

Lancôme: Kerrie Hess Illustrations Collaboration - PHOTOS

Lancôme has just announced the collaboration with internationally acclaimed Australian Fashion Illustrator, Kerrie Hess.

The partnership with Kerrie Hess Illustrations was a perfect choice for Lancôme because of the synonymous French elegance and beauty of Kerrie’s artist approach.

“Working with Lancôme Paris is a perfect fit for me. I adore Paris (my former home) and have always admired Lancôme’s branding and history. And as the most iconic Parisian beauty brand, collaborating with Lancôme has been an amazing project of capturing French style, Lancôme beauty of the city of lights in watercolour," says Kerrie.

And so, in celebration of 'Lancôme’s 80 years of French Beauty', Kerrie Hess has designed customised illustrations exclusively for Lancôme.

In 2015, Lancôme will launch a series of Grandiôse makeup sets and limited edition cosmetic bags, all showcasing Kerrie’s incredible illustrations.

WINGED EYE LOOK SET $89

On counter date: 25 January, 2015.

The winged eye look is one of the biggest makeup trends of the season and creates an instant lift to the eyes for a femme fatale seductive gaze.
Set includes: Liner Plume Black Grandiôse Mascara

Step 1: Draw a diagonal line from the outer corner of the eye towards the brow to map out your starting point for your wing. Place a dot in the middle of the eye close to the lashes.
Step 2: Draw a line creating a triangle from the top of the diagonal line to meet the dot in the middle of the eye.
Step 3: Using small strokes fill in the triangle with the tip of the liner. Continue the application on the inner corner of the eye and join the lines together. 
Step 4: Split the eye into three zones: outer third, middle and inner third.
Step 5: Start on the outer third and apply Grandiôse in a zig zag motion from the root of the lash to the tip.

Eau Micellaire Makeup Remover 50ml

CLEAN DEFINITION EYE LOOK SET $89

On counter date: 25 January, 2015.

The clean definition eyeliner look is elegant and classic, accentuating the natural shape of the eye. The look is easy to wear and is perfect for during the day or at work.

Set includes: Artliner 24H Black Grandiôse Mascara, Eau Micellaire Makeup Remover 50ml

Step 1: Using the tip of the liner, make a small mark at the outer corner of the eye to determine where the liner will finish
Step 2: Start at the outer third of the eye using small strokes along the lash line
Step 3: Following the same application move to the inner corner of the eye and join the lines
togetherStep 4: Split the eye into three zones: outer third, middle and inner third. Start on the outer third and apply Grandiôse in a zig zag motion from the root of the lash to the tip


SMOKEY EYE LOOK SET $89

On counter date: 25 January, 2015

The Smokey eye look is seductive and mysterious, perfect for special occasions or evenings out.

Set includes: Le Crayon Khôl Black Grandiôse Mascara, Eau Micellaire Makeup Remover 50ml

Step 1: Draw a bold line along the lashes and another line in the outer socket of the eye.

Step 2: Using a blending brush, blend the liner from the lash line up into the socket of the eye using a half moon shape action.
Step 3: Apply a small amount of Effacernes concealer to brighten the inner corner of the eye. 
Step 4: Retrace the lash line to further intensify the lashes.
Step 5: Split the eye into three zones: outer third, middle and inner third. Start on the outer third and apply Grandiôse in a zig zag motion from the root of the lash to the tip.

More about Kerrie:

Kerrie Hess is an Australian fashion illustrator, regarded internationally for her illustrations, most showcased in her former hometown of Paris.

Kerrie started out professionally as an artist with her first commissions with VOGUE
Australia and Topshop’s Arcadia Group at the age of 19 while living in London. (Following
studying Graphic Design at Griffith University in Brisbane).

The move to full time illustration followed with Kerrie illustrating fashion windows in the US for Neiman Marcus Department Store at just twenty; commissions for Christian Louboutin and NET-A-PORTER, Harvey Nichols and Laduree Paris followed, as well as authoring and illustrating her first style book ‘Shoestring Chic’. Billboards and window's in Paris for Printemps Department Store followed in 2013, one in central Paris being thirteen meters wide.

Kerrie has also illustrated a capsule collection of textiles for Kate Spade New York and and for fashion house CHANEL. Kerrie has recently illustrated the recent 15th Anniversary cover of Harper’s Bazaar for Collette Dinnigan and the global ‘Paper Dolls’ project for Louis Vuitton Paris. Applauded internationally and at home, Kerrie has just been recognised as a winner at the Illustrators Australia Awards 2013 as well as an Artist award at the Cannes Design Festival in France in 2012. Kerrie is the first Australian Artist to hold a solo exhibition in Paris at Le Meurice Hotel Paris in Salvador Dali's former art and music ballroom 'The Salon Pampadour', in Jan 2014. Kerrie is also the only Australian artist to be asked to illustrate the prestigious 3 meter high window's of Harrods Department Store in London, which were on display for two months in 2014.

Kerrie Hess has been a full time Artist/illustrator for 18 years. She has lived in London, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Paris.

Kerrie now lives in Brisbane with her son Marcel since returning from France. www.kerriehess.com

Lancôme stockist number: 1300 651 991 | Website: www.lancome.com.au 

Nicole Trunfio, Steven Chee: Nude PHOTOS

I came across this recent photo shoot several weeks ago and was blown away.

It features Australian model Nicole Trunfio and is shot by Steven Chee.

I recall seeing Nicole for the first time when her very first shoot came across the Cream magazine desk in the early 2000s.

The brunette beauty intrigued me: she was all long limbs, natural beauty, lithe and stunning. Her name suggested she was of Italian heritage, and she hailed from Perth, my editor's hometown. I was in.

Plus, we knew Steven Chee's work was exceptional and for him to do what was essentially a test shoot for Nicole, asking us to consider it for publishing was basically saying: look at this woman, she has something. Something big.

And she did, does, and continues to be big. And up until recently, quite literally: Nicole just gave birth to her first child, with her partner Gary, and she comes off the back of a successful turn as co-judge on Australia's 'The Face', a model search show.

And so, back to these truly breathtaking photos. One of the most beautiful photo shoots I have ever seen. The styling, the lighting, the props, and of course… Nicole. Just wow.

Nicole is captured lounging in fashion from Chanel, Saint Laurent, Agent Provocateur, Christian Louboutin and more, with lingerie to die for. The result? Well… have a look for yourself. (All photos by Steven Chee, via 'Treats!').