Viva, viva………………..
Sydneysiders keen to party in the streets can head to Wollongong in October when the beachside city’s biggest festival, Viva La Gong, takes over the city.
Viva La Gong will see a bevy of local and international artists, dancers, singers and acts turn Wollongong’s streets and parks into a giant seaside carnival from Friday October 5 to Sunday October 7, 2007.
Coordinator, Wollongong City Council, has announced that locals and visitors should expect the unexpected with the festival’s ‘Jack-in-the-box’ theme setting the tone for events in Crown St Mall, Civic Plaza, Market Place, Lang Park and Stuart Park.
“The idea behind ‘Viva’ is to bring art and entertainment out into the streets of Wollongong for everyone to enjoy, creating a colourful street theatre experience that reflects the history and diversity of Wollongong,” said Wollongong Lord Mayor, Cr Alex Darling.
Outdoor music, circus, drumming and dance acts will vie with food stalls and fairground attractions for the attention of visitors and if the weather is warm, a rest on the nearby beach or dip in the ocean could also be on the cards.
The festival will crash into life on Friday October 5 with a drumming spectacular by the Japan Australian Taiko Drumming Fusion group. Other highlights include a huge dance-in-the-streets fiesta on Saturday night, October 6, and a ‘Viva by the Sea’ music and dance carnival for the whole family on Sunday October 7.
Wollongong is less than 90 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, with visitors encouraged to bypass the freeway and head to Wollongong through Royal National Park, across the spectacular over-the-ocean Sea Cliff Bridge and along the many uncrowded beaches that line the new Grand Pacific Drive touring route between Sydney and the South Coast.
And unlike Sydney, there are no parking meters or huge crowds at any of Wollongong’s 17 patrolled beaches!
For a full program of Viva La Gong events, visit www.vivalagongfestival.org or call Tourism Wollongong toll-free on 1800 240 737 or visit www.tourismwollongong.com
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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