Madama Butterfly for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2014

One of the world’s most spectacular outdoor events, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, will return next year with a modern retelling of Puccini’s tale of love and honour, Madama Butterfly, Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, has announced.

The production will include an enormous full moon, a dynamic moving set and dazzling fireworks bursting against Sydney’s stunning Harbour night vista and will open on 21 March 2014 for an exclusive three-week season, playing nightly on the magnificent stage at Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a key cultural event on the NSW Events Calendar, and the NSW Government is proud to support such events,” Mr Souris said.

“Madama Butterfly is one of opera’s timeless classics, revered by opera enthusiasts the world over. While retaining the grace and beauty of the traditional production, the contemporary styling of this version, with modern costumes and innovative set designs will connect the production with today’s world and attract a new generation to opera.

“Following on from the enormously successful productions of La Traviata in 2012 and Carmen in 2013,Madama Butterfly is a fitting ‘third act’ to Opera Australia’s objective of delivering three seasons of the greatest operas ever written.

“I congratulate Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini who has again assembled a world class creative team and cast for Madama Butterfly, including internationally renowned director Alex Ollé, one of the six artistic directors of La Fura dels Baus, which is one of the most innovative and prestigious theatre companies in the world. He is fresh from a great success directing Aida at the famous Arena in Verona.

“Cast in the lead role as Cio-Cio-San is Japanese soprano Hiromi Omura, who is known as ‘the Butterfly of today’. She returns to Sydney after great success in the title role at Sydney Opera House in 2012. Alternating in the role will be celebrated Korean soprano Hyeseoung Kwon, performing in Opera Australia’s Ring Cycle.

“International tenors Georgy Vasiliev and Andeka Gorrotxategi will make their Australian debuts as they alternate as Pinkerton, the American naval officer who romances Madama Butterfly.

Mr Souris said the forthcoming season of Madama Butterfly would build on the successes of Carmen and La Traviata and would reinforce the fact that Sydney is Australia’s global events city and home of the performing arts.

“Madama Butterfly will attract huge levels of interest, showcasing our creative talent to both local and international audiences and resulting in greater visitations to Sydney.

“Since 2012, it is estimated that Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has attracted more than 11,000 overseas and interstate visitors who came to NSW specifically to see the opera, generating at least $10 million in direct visitor impact to the State.

“Destination NSW expects the economic impact to be worth about $20 million to the NSW economy throughout Madama Butterfly’s season.

“Investing in exclusive events that have such bold vision is a key priority for the NSW Government. Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini said: “La Fura Dels Baus is a creative powerhouse and we are thrilled with the spectacular new production their team is bringing for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s Madama Butterfly.

“We have some superb international singers joining us here in Sydney for what has become the cultural event of the year and we are very appreciative of the support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW in helping us deliver this in 2014. We also thank Dr Haruhisa Handa’s organisation, the International Federation for Arts and Culture, for its generous investment in our vision for an opera event like no other.”

Tickets to Madama Butterfly will go on sale within Opera Australia 2014 Season subscriptions from 23 August, with general public tickets on sale from 23 September. To purchase tickets please visit www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au.

Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley Partners With Village Cinemas Century City Walk

Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley is delighted to announce it has partnered with Village Cinemas Century City Walk to offer event bookers supplementary big-screen conferencing space to hire.

Following the completion of a multi-million dollar refurbishment last year, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley’s partnership with Village Cinemas adds to an already extensive range of conference and event facilities at Novotel.  With an increase in demand for event business within the Glen Waverley area, Novotel leads the way in finding an innovative solution to provide more venue space within its locality.

Village Cinemas Century City, located on the doorstep of the hotel, can hold theatre style set events from 95 up to 445 delegates.  Presenting a selection of meeting room hire and audio visual packages, events held at Village Cinemas Century City have the option to include catering provided by NovotelMelbourne Glen Waverley.

Mario Garrido, General Manager, Sales & Marketing Village Cinemas Australia said “We’re excited to be partnering with Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley.  Over the past 18 months, Village Cinemas has upgraded all cinemas to have digital capabilities making presentations on the big screen easy.  We’re delighted to now be showcasing our new state-of-the-art presentation and sound equipment to even more Event Planners.”

Planning events and conferences at Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley has recently become easier thanks to the launch of  the hotel’s new website (www.novotelglenwaverley.com.au) which offers an interactive 3D floor plan module, complete with 7 visual set up options including trade show booth design.

Renowned as the premier business and leisure destination in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the Conference Centre at Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley offers 7 multi-purpose meeting rooms, catering for up to 29 2x2 trade show booths, 250 people theatre style or 300 people for a cocktail party.  Taking advantage of the hotel’s multiple meeting and event spaces, 150 onsite car parks, together with Village Cinemas Century City Walk meeting space, means that Novotel can now comfortably cater for up to 445 people, theatre style.

Hotel General Manager, Andrew Maynard said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Village Cinemas Century City Walk here in Glen Waverley.  Over the past three years, we’ve seen a considerable increase in demand for business events outside of the Melbourne CBD.  This partnership now provides increased meeting capacity for event planners, especially those requiring both theatre seating and trade display, whilst our Novotel and Ibis Hotels provide capacity for up to 355 accommodation rooms.”

With new big-screen conferencing space including the capacity to hold events with up to 445 delegates, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley makes for the ideal venue choice in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley is offering the following weekend conference rates starting from $95.00 room only at Ibis Melbourne Glen Waverley and from $135.00 at Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, valid until 31 December 2013.  To make a booking call 03 8561 2345 or email H2068-SB02@accor.com

Productivity Expert Juliet Funt to Speak at Luxury Travel Exchange International

Juliet Funt, humorist, speaker, author and daughter of the late Allen Funt, creator and host of the TV show Candid Camera from the 1940s to 1980s, will be the motivational keynote speaker at Questex Hospitality + Travel's annual Luxury Travel Exchange International (LTX) event Sept. 10-12 at The Venetian^® Las Vegas.

Juliet Funt

Funt, a nationally recognized expert in coping with the "Age of Overload," will discuss her WhiteSpace® concept designed to help audiences become more engaged and more creative despite their too-busy, over-committed lives. WhiteSpace is scheduled time with no predetermined agenda or plan -- "open, uncommitted time during which thoughts can be fluid, flexible and free-form and during which strategic thinking occurs, creativity soars and focus returns."

Marilyn McHugh, vice president of global events for Questex Hospitality + Travel, said Funt is a high-impact, high-energy, speaker who uses humor "to help people shift the way they think about daily pressures so they can prioritize their time, reclaim their passion for work and reach their goals.

"As part of our commitment to delivering dynamic educational content, we are proud to present our audiences with inspiring speakers like Juliet to engage attendees on topics relevant to both their personal and business development," McHugh said.

Funt is the founder and owner of WhiteSpace Inc., a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and employees flip the norms of business in order to reclaim their creativity, productivity and engage people.

Using thought-provoking content and immediately actionable tools, Funt's deeper mission is to show organizations how WhiteSpace can change the negative patterns and behaviors that prevent them from achieving optimum results. Her clients include a number of Fortune 100 companies including American Express, P&G, Costco and Pepsi and span a wide array of industries including financial services, technology and manufacturing as well as the military.

LTX, which is expected to draw more than 1,000 professional travel advisors and 350 luxury travel suppliers this year, combines appointments, networking opportunities and tracked and accredited educational programming with a traditional trade show experience. For the latest event information, visit LTXInternational.com.

Relax at the airport – in Finavia's rocking chairs

Most people are familiar with the soothing effect of a rocking chair. At the airports in Vaasa, Turku, Oulu and Kittilä, Finavia has now introduced rocking chairs where passengers can relax before boarding their flights. In autumn, a unique resting area will be launched at Helsinki Airport.

“Airport gate areas are places where all of our customers spend at least some time, and sometimes longer, before boarding their flights. We were thinking about ways in which to make that time more comfortable and to offer passengers a little me time at the airport,” says Johanna Metsälä, Customer Experience Manager at Finavia.

At four of Finavia's provincial airports, the answer was a row of rocking chairs.

“We decided to test the response to traditional rocking chairs,” Metsälä says. “The experiment with these rockers will continue to the end of the year. Based on customer feedback, we will then decide if we will keep them.”

Easy chairs and sleeping spots for passengers at Helsinki Airport

Even at Helsinki Airport, Finavia works continuously to improve the passenger experience. Together with Vantaa Innovation Institute, Finavia is currently building a new rest area for passengers at the airport.

The rest area provides three different options for resting and relaxation. 

Passengers can choose between different kinds of easy chairs, and a separate, closed space with sleeping spots; the first of these will be introduced in early September.

“The rest area is an excellent addition to the services at Helsinki Airport, especially for transit passengers. It will be a coherent and peaceful zone for relaxation while waiting for your flight,” says Vice President Marko Tikkanen from Finavia.

Located next to Gate 31, the rest area will first be launched as a pilot project, and passengers are requested to submit feedback to develop the new service. The style is of Finnish nature and design, created by six Finnish SMEs, which, for the first time, combine their products and services into a well-functioning package.

Passengers are welcome to submit feedback on both the rest area and the rocking chairs via Finavia's website, on Facebook www.facebook.com/finavia or www.facebook.com/helsinkiairport or on Twitter @FinaviaOyj and @HelsinkiAirport.

Finavia endeavours to make Helsinki Airport a superbly comfortable and attractive airport and thereby strengthen the airport's position as Northern Europe's leading transit airport.

In spring 2013, Helsinki Airport received the title of Best Airport in Northern Europe in the World Airport Awards. Moreover, the airport did very well in the Airport Service Quality survey, which measures air passenger satisfaction: according to the results Helsinki Airport had improved its services in almost all of the themes included in the survey. The positive trend seems to continue this year.

Singaporean in the running to become Changi’s next millionaire after cosmetics purchase at Changi Airport

The second lucky shopper at Changi Airport to emerge as the next finalist for its annual ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ 2013 Grand Draw is a merchandising manager from Singapore, Ms Giam Hui Geok.

Ms Giam, 47, was on her way home from a business trip to China, where upon her arrival on a
Tiger Airways flight from Guangzhou on 29 June, picked out some gifts for her family before
heading home. She purchased S$313 worth of SKII products from the Perfumes and Cosmetics
store at Terminal 2’s arrival hall, which was her golden ticket to becoming the second finalist for the
‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Grand Draw, which will be held in early 2014.

Giam Hui Geok

Organised by Changi Airport Group (CAG), ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ is Singapore’s largest retail promotion in terms of prize-money, which has since made three lucky shoppers at Changi Airport overnight millionaires with its grand prize of S$1 million. Past winners consist of two Singaporeans
and an Australian.

Ms Giam’s work as a merchandising manager in a furniture and lifestyle company requires her to travel frequently. This year alone, she has visited Changi Airport more than 10 times for her business trips.

“Changi Airport is the pride of Singapore! Shopping here is very convenient and comfortable. There are more retail options here as compared to other airports around the region. Prices of products at Changi are also lower than those downtown and at local shopping centres in neighbouring countries, like Thailand and Hong Kong”, said Ms Giam.

Last month, CAG announced its first finalist for its ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ 2013 Grand Draw –
Russian engineer, Mr Valeriy Val’Chun.

Bangkok Airways - the first foreign carrier to Nay Pyi Taw

Bangkok Airways, has recently announced its latest expansion to Myanmar by offering non-stop flights from Bangkok to Nay Pyi Taw, the capital city of The Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Commencing on 30 September 2013, the airline will be the first scheduled foreign air carrier to service this route and the only Thai airline that serves all three main cities of Myanmar.

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Bangkok Airways’ President said, “It has long been our plan to cover the three key cities of Myanmar by the end of this September. The first city was Yangon where Bangkok Airways has been offering 3 daily flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) and soon to be 4 flights per day starting from 27 October 2013. Secondly, Mandalay service will commence on 15 September 2013 offering 4 non-stop flights per week. Lastly, the capital city of Myanmar – Nay Pyi Taw, from 30 September 2013 with 3 non-stop flights per week.”

Mr. Puttipong continues, “We consider this to be a major milestone for us as not only will this make Bangkok Airways the first scheduled foreign airline to fly to Nay Pyi Taw, but it also makes us the only Thai airline that serves all three main cities of Myanmar. We anticipate that the majority of our passengers on the direct Bangkok – Nay Pyi Taw flights will be businessmen and government officials. The other two routes will most likely be mainly tourists. We are confident that with our strong reputation of offering a boutique flying experience for our passengers, Bangkok Airways will become a leading player in this market."

Bangkok Airways will offer 3 non-stop flights per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Nay Pyi Taw with 70-seater ATR72 aircraft.

The outbound flight PG721 will depart Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) at 17.00hrs and arrive Nay Pyi Taw Airport at 19.00hrs. The inbound flight PG722 will depart Nay Pyi Taw Airport at 19.30hrs and arrive Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) at 22.30hrs. All of Bangkok (The local time in Myanmar is 30 minutes behind Thailand).

Moreover, all Bangkok Airways flights offer a convenient and smooth transit at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for passengers from Korea, Japan and Europe to connect to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.

All passengers of Bangkok Airways can enjoy a boutique lounge at Suvarnabhumi where passengers can treat themselves to a multitude of free snacks and various choices of hot or cold drinks, free Wi-Fi Internet access. There’s also a kid’s corner located within the lounge area that will satisfy the needs of young children. For Bangkok Airways’ business class - the Blue Ribbon Club or for any passengers with FlyerBonus Premier Membership can enjoy extra treats at the Blue Ribbon Club Lounge that offers more services such as hot meals, a personal shower room, a massage parlor, as well as a nice and quiet personal library room, which can also be used as a personal meeting room.

For more information and reservation, please contact www.bangkokair.com or Call Center Tel. 1771 (24 hr – services) or contact Bangkok Travel Club for package tour in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at Tel: 02 265 8966 or visit website www.bangkoktravelclub.co.th

Bringing Harmony To Chinatown's Heart

Thousands of Chinatown pedestrians will soon have more space to walk and brilliant new artworks, thanks to a City of Sydney plan for a new public plaza.

The second stage of the City of Sydney's Chinatown Public Domain Plan will create a gateway of dramatic circular shade sculptures suspended above Thomas Street, with a 'moongate' of splashed bronze in the pavement, iconic 'scholar' rocks and unique stone seating.

Award-winning artist Lindy Lee will provide unique public art and visitors will benefit from a soothing green canopy of newly planted trees, widened footpaths and new street lights.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the transformation of Thomas Street would bring more people to Chinatown.

"We want to make Chinatown an even more attractive, enjoyable and interesting place for the many thousands of people who walk through our city every day," the Lord Mayor said.

"Our plans for Thomas Street will create more space for pedestrians in the heart of Chinatown and give people a reason to stop, take a moment out of their busy day and enjoy the area.

"When we consulted local residents and businesses earlier this year about the proposal, more than 95 per cent supported the work."

The improvements will be accompanied by traffic changes in the area to give pedestrians priority, including making Thomas Street a 10km/h shared zone with timed closures between Ultimo Road and Thomas Lane.

"The City's plans for the upgrade of Thomas Street will continue to reinforce Sydney's Chinatown as one of the best in the world," the President of the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce, Brad Chan, said.

"The focus on improving pedestrian movements around the area and reinvigorating the public domain are exciting developments for an already vibrant precinct. I look forward to seeing the benefits of the upgrade extend into surrounding businesses and strengthening the local economy in Haymarket."

Landscape architect Jane Irwin and architect Philip Thalis have worked with Chinese-Australian artist Lindy Lee and a team of designers - including a feng shui expert - over the past 12 months to develop the plans.

The Chinatown Public Domain Plan was launched in 2010 after comprehensive community consultation. It proposes a suite of improvements to support the rich local program of events, cultural experiences and public life on Chinatown's streets.

The first stage of works was completed in early 2012. These included a $5 million makeover of three laneways in the heart of Haymarket - Little Hay Street, Factory Street and Kimber Lane - as well as the transformation of a disused pagoda at the northern end of Dixon Street Mall into a new information kiosk.

The City is now developing detailed design plans for the Thomas Street transformation, with construction set to begin in mid-2014.

For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Keeley Irvin.

Phone 0448 005 718 or email kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au