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| The past three weeks have been jam-packed full of Festival highlights. We opened with a bang on January 10 with our first Dawn Chorus and Festival First Night, and saved some of the best till last with the final Dawn Chorus at Bondi Beach on January 31.
We asked Sydney Festival staff for their favourite 'Festival moment', here are some of their responses:
| .. Watching the glow of hundreds of headlights weave down the hill to Balmoral Beach at 4:30am in a silent pilgrimage toDawn Chorus. The satisfaction of seeing the thousands of people gathered to listen to the gentle and beautiful voices as the tide came in, the sun lifted its head and the birds woke up for another day was a soul-nourishing moment.
Seeing people queuing up to play pianos while they were being installed for Play Me, I’m Yours!
Watching The Domain fill up like a time-lapse camera moment during Festival First Night and being amazed how happy everyone was.
Hearing a capacity crowd singing “What might have been lost” during Bon Iver’s set at City Recital Hall. Acoustically and spine-tinglingly amazing.
Seeing over one hundred eager children beating away on African drums inside The Famous Spiegeltent during a Kids in the Garden workshop. Thunderously load, chaotic and joyous.
Watching Grace Jones’ audience explode with applause when she appeared in a bejewelled, mirrored Bowler hat to sing Love is the Drug. Then looking up at the ceiling of the Enmore Theatre as it was transformed to a swirling, whirling blizzard of green reflecting laser lights.
Watching Reggie Watts and Camille do an impromptu beat box jam on stage together at Beck’s Festival Bar – a truly unforgettable Festival moment.
Standing on the top level of the 5 storey high scaffolding stage in Martin Place on Festival First Night watching the hugely mixed audience do ‘The Sydney’ simultaneously. Brilliant.
Dancing in the Bosco Theater to the sounds of gypsy three-piece band Kaloome at the first Samsung Mobile Secret Show.
A toy falling off its bed mid-performance in Fluff and a very little audience member getting up to put it back.
Glen Hansard opening his set to a full house at Sydney Opera House, unplugged, with a broken guitar and no microphone, and absolutely knocking everyone for six with his compelling passion and talent.
Having to leave Lipsynch after the first hour (just too dang busy!). A wrenching moment filled with pride for the quality of the work we do.
Watching St. Vincent in The Famous Spiegeltent at dusk and wishing I could be as cool as her.
Holding my breath with a whole room of people as the dark literally wrapped around us during the first few minutes ofThe Tell-Tale Heart.
“I’m a sexy robot!” - No Dice. Best line in a theatre show EVER.
Seeing the queue of hundreds of people outside Samsung Mobile Festival Garden at midnight to see Matthew Herbert’s Secret DJ set and thinking… I guess we got the word out!
Listening to a couple of thousand feet softly tapping away in unison to Masters of Tradition in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
Seeing people kiss at the Play Me, I’m Yours pianos ... me being one of them!
Standing backstage at The Domain during Grace Jones’ set as her paper confetti cannon made it snow for at least a minute. It was magic.
The stillness of the crowd as The Bays blasted their sensational score to Run Lola Run under the stars at Darling Harbour.
Watching my god daughter's face light up and hearing her squeal with delight when she first saw the set of Fluff. Then, listening to 100 kids making frog and chicken noises during the show!
Sunset on Cockatoo Island on the beautiful Barracks Stage of All Tomorrow’s Parties, surrounded by friends and listening to James Blood Ulmer.
Sitting in Samsung Mobile Festival Garden with some of the actors from Gate Theatre, enjoying a drink and their company as well as the whole buzzy atmosphere of the Festival.
The intimacy of fingers on a stranger’s face and feeling theirs on mine during The Smile Off Your Face.
Experiencing Lypsynch with my 10 year old daughter, who was meant to be my excuse to leave early as I was very sleep deprived. The production was so enthralling and the marathon of a show so well devised that we both sat transfixed for 9 hours, sharing this very special show with a theatre full of fellow travellers. Eloquent, inspiring and deeply affecting.
Watching Enter the Dragon with thousands of other fans at Darling Harbour as Karsh Kale provided the soundtrack. Everytime Bruce Lee won a fight the crowd would go crazy. We were all cheering him on. It was really fun and kind of exhilarating.
Being so thankful for Wendy Houstoun’s bravery in letting us laugh out loud about contemporary dance during her show Desert Island Dances.
Bon Iver, Spiegeltent, a beer, sunset… Need I say more?
After such a huge month it has to be said the final day was a bit of a highlight – bit like a plane touching down and the shaky walk to the baggage carousel as we all return to normality.
To read the rest of the Sydney Festival staff highlights, head to our blog here.
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