Vivid Sydney has never been more enticing than it is this year with an outstanding line-up of events, including an expanded program of food events that will almost certainly live up to this year’s festival theme, Dream.
Highlight of the Food program is a series of three dinners curated by Nigella Lawson, held in the recently opened pedestrian tunnel, Muru Giligu, in Martin Place. Offering an unforgettable dining setting — an immersive fusion of art, light, live music and flavour — Muru Giligu means “Path of Light”.
Lawson, who loves Sydney and says there can never be too many fairy lights, says curating the menu for the June 6-8 dinners, is “simply a dream come true”. Clearly, it’s a dream come true for many Aussies too because the three dinners have already sold out and for many people will have to remain just that – a dream.
Fire Kitchen a festival favourite
Still, there are plenty of other events to whet the appetite, from enjoying the best of the world’s flame-cooked street food at Fire Kitchen, to native food dinners, A World With No Waste dinners, and Carriageworks’ legendary Night Market.
Honouring fire and spice, Vivid Fire Kitchen returns to The Goods Line as a festival favourite. Enjoy live demonstrations and an array of fire-cooked cuisine from the world’s best pitmasters, chefs and barbecue legends. Access is free. Adjacent Maryanne Street will transform into Spice Lounge, a place to spend time around the fire and take it all in.
Vivid Food will also activate in Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter, including exclusive gig and food trails from institutions such as Golden Age Cinema, Hollywood Hotel, and The Soda Factory as well as unmissable street parties.
Both Spice Lounge and Hollywood Quarter events are thanks to Transport for NSW Open Streets Program.
Other culinary events include the Vivid Chef Series, which will once again see the world’s most innovative chefs collaborate with Sydney’s revered dining intuitions. Tickets will go on sale soon for the chefs’ dinners, to be held from May 23 to June 14.
On May 27, Luke Mangan will collaborate with BridgeClimb for an intimate dinner for just 20 people at a communal table in the south-east pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
On June 13 & 14, Danielle Alvarez will craft the menu for Dance of Dreams at the Sydney Opera House, with each dish enhanced by live contemporary dance, ethereal music and visual storytelling.
One event not to be missed is Tyrrell’s: A Journey Through History, to be held on May 29 in one of Sydney’s most historic landmarks, NSW Parliament House. Hosted by fourth-generation winemaker Bruce Tyrrell, it will include a five-course menu paired with Tyrrell’s flagship Vat 1 Semillon and Vat 9 Shiraz.
In addition to the Vivid Food program, Sydney is packed with great bars and restaurants for quick bites or a full degustation. As the city gets very busy during Vivid, reservations are recommended if you are planning a sit-down dinner.
If you’re hungry for more
Held over 23 nights from Friday, 23 May to Saturday, 14 June, Vivid Sydney transforms the city with light installations, music, ideas and food. At 6pm every night, light installations and projections spring to life across the CBD, from Circular Quay to the Goods Line.
The entire 8-kilometre Vivid Light Walk is free for everyone to enjoy. New buildings and landmarks that feature this year include Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo and Challis House in Martin Place. Also making a return is the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place.
The Vivid Music program offers a diverse range of exclusive concerts, free gigs and a late-night Supper Club.
The Ideas program will explore the theme of Dream through live performances, walking tours, panel discussions, immersive dance pieces and other thought-provoking experiences.
More information: www.vividsydney.com
Photos courtesy of Destination NSW.
