AusLeisure

Hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to celebrate Sydney Festival 2014 between 9th and 26th January.

Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner said the NSW Government was investing more than $5 million to ensure the success of the 2014 Festival, which will also showcase a range of new and existing works from around the world.

The acting Premier explained "the Sydney Festival is an important part of Sydney's major events calendar, attracting interstate and overseas tourists and injecting tens of millions of dollars into the State's economy.

Minister Stoner said the NSW Government's investment included an exciting program of events in Western Sydney, with the public encouraged to embrace what will be a major cultural celebration.

He added "Last year the Sydney Festival attracted more than 500,000 people with more than 120,000 tickets sold to paid events, including more than 33,000 people who attended events in Western Sydney. In 2012, it injected almost $57 million into our economy.

"We expect the same level of enthusiasm for this year's Sydney Festival, which is bringing an exciting calendar of events that will offer something for people of all ages and with different tastes.

"Sydney Festival 2014 will enliven our city with a unique program of world-class arts and cultural activities and will provide a boon for our economy and in particular hotels, restaurants and the retail sector."

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts George Souris said Sydney Festival 2014 will reach more than half a million people during its run in January, through both ticketed as well as free events.

Minister Souris stated "tThe 2014 program features 370 performances and 100 events, performed by more than 700 artists in about 30 of the city's finest venues and outdoor locations, including the Sydney Opera House, Seymour Centre, Carriageworks and Parramatta's Riverside Theatres.

"The fun will get underway tomorrow evening with a range of performances across the city.

"Out west, Sydney Festival Parramatta will kick off on Friday (10th January) from 6-11pm with the Parramatta Opening Party 'POP 2014', a vibrant open-air street celebration around the Riverside Theatres offering music, street theatre and great food, including the chance to see some of the Festival's top acts for free.

"Parramatta River in Parramatta Park will host Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's 15-metre high yellow Rubber Duck from Friday (10th January) to Sunday 19th January, which is sure to be a family drawcard.

"Kaldor Public Arts Project will grace Parramatta Town Hall with three works by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Roman Ondák, to be presented over two weeks from Friday (10th January) to 24th January.

"There will be highlights right across the city for people to enjoy, including Summer Sounds in The Domain, a free outdoor concert on Saturday (11th January) from 8pm, which will feature disco queen Chaka Khan and music spanning the 70s to today, and is expected to attract up to 60,000 people.

"NSW Government funding has also been provided to some of the State's leading arts companies which will be presenting works at the Sydney Festival 2014, celebrating our investment in our creative economy.

"The NSW Government is supporting Sydney Festival through Arts NSW and Destination NSW with the NSW Government facility Carriageworks also a key venue partner."

For more information and to book tickets for Sydney Festival 2014 visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au

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