Stunning Programme Of Events Fuels Olympic Fever

The thousands of kiwis crossing the Tasman for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will be entertained wherever they turn with a stunning programme of events.

The line up includes rock bands, symphony orchestras, theatre groups, fireworks and, of course, the Olympic Arts Festival.

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival opened last month with an extraordinary programme of performing and visual arts which will take place all around the harbour city until the end of the Games. This spectacular festival is featuring more than 3000 of the world's best performers, artists and musicians and includes everything from dance to visual arts, film and opera.

The electric atmosphere in Sydney will be given a extra boost on September 14 when six Olympic Live sites will begin to offer a huge array of free live performances and video entertainment headlined by a number of well known Australian bands.

International success Savage Garden is the headline act for the massive October 1 public concert in the Domain - one of six live Olympic sites across the city. The closing ceremony will end at 10pm and will finish with fireworks over Sydney Harbour.

The Millennium celebrations proved that Sydney-siders know how to put on a fireworks display and they are set to wow the world once again. The closing ceremony fireworks will be set to music and will link the Olympic Stadium with the city and Sydney Harbour. Ten regional sites will have giant video screens set up so the public can join in the celebrations.

For further information about the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival or the programme of free events in Sydney please visit www.australia.com

?more Olympic live sites featuring free concerts and performances are located at:

Martin Place - Club theme Acts include Jimmy Little, Julie Anthony and Bob Downe

Circular Quay - Contemporary circus theme Acts include Rock n' Roll Circus and Legs on the Wall

Pyrmont Bay Park - Performance theatre theme Acts include Stalker Theatre Company and internationally renowned Strange Fruit.

Belmore Park, near Central Station - J-gigs theme Acts include Triple J supported emerging bands. Plus jazz acts like Monsieur Camembert and Ten Part Invention.

Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour - World music theme Acts include Afiga and Sonora Galaxia.

The Domain - Centre Stage acts Acts include Yothu Yindi, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Troy Cassar-Daly and a special children's concert.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Michael Yates Regional Director ? New Zealand/South Pacific Australian Tourist Commission Phone (09) 379 9594

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