Sydney’s Senior Superstar spectacular!

DIARY NOTE PHOTO OPP: Wednesday 20 February 2013.

3.30pm, Sydney Town Hall, Southern Function Room.

Senior Superstar founder Pauline Bell and a number of Senior Superstar Sydney hopefuls will be available for interview and photographs.

A seniors’ version of Australian Idol that has been a stage hit in Brisbane, will come to Sydney for the first time next month to showcase the talents of our city’s over-55s.

The City of Sydney is hosting the renowned Senior Superstar Sydney on Saturday 23 March and hopes to unearth 20 of the best performers to mark Seniors Week, 17-24 March, 2013.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Senior Superstar talent show had been a huge success since premiering in Brisbane in 2004.

“Sydney’s over-55s already make a huge contribution to our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is a great opportunity to get up on stage and show off your skills.”

Over-55s can register their interest online at seniorsuperstar.com and 20 acts will be selected by ballot to perform at the free event. But be quick, registration closes on Friday 8 March.

Pauline Bell started Senior Superstar in Brisbane nine years ago and it has since developed into an annual series of auditions, heats and semifinals, which ends with a glittering grand final.

Ms Bell said a diverse range of performers had featured at the event, including a truckie who’d only ever sung in the cab of his vehicle; 99-year-old Oliver Weber who had her first singing lesson at age 83; and an 80-year-old male contestant who dressed as a fairy by wearing his wife’s hosiery and a tablecloth skirt and sang, Nobody Loves a Fairy When They’re 80.

“Sydney has such an enormous population of talented people so I can only begin to imagine how much talent exists in the city’s over-55s community,” Ms Bell said.

“It would be fabulous to see Senior Superstar develop to become an annual series in Sydney and other parts of Australia, because talent really is ageless.”

Ms Bell said one of the stand out performers in Brisbane was Paula Halliwell, 77, who had three hip replacements and was known for her unpredictability. “Paula almost always incorporates budgies in her act,” Ms Bell said.

Senior Superstar Sydney will also include a performance by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir.

Senior Superstar Sydney, free

Saturday 23 March 2013, 1.30pm

Paddington RSL, 220 Oxford Street, Paddington

For more information or to register, visit seniorsuperstar.com

The City of Sydney’s Seniors Week 2013 program

Free Seniors Back on Your Bike course

Monday 18 March

9am-1.30pm

Sydney Park Cycling Centre

Get back in the saddle and take part in cycling course for new and rusty riders. Expert instructors will take riders through a series of skills and drills to promote cycling confidence. Whether you’re a novice or the next Cadel Evans, City staff will be on hand to ensure you have a smooth ride.

Register online at http://bit.ly/seniors-cycling or phone 02 9265 9333.

 

Tuesday 19 March

Secrets to a Long and Happy Life

Glebe Library, free

10.30am-11.30am

Is there a secret to growing old gracefully? Clinical neuropsychologist Nicola Gates, from Brain and Mind Psychology, explains how exercise, a positive attitude and enjoyable relationships can be the secret to a long and happy life.

Bookings essential on 02 9298 3060 or cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/library

 

Tuesday 19 March

Bites After Work: How to Write a Sex Scene

Kings Cross Library, free

6pm-7pm

Get hot and heavy with your pen and paper as local author Linda Jaivin (Confessions of an S&M Virgin and Eat Me) takes you through the fundamentals of writing a saucy sex scene.

Bookings essential on 02 9246 4530 or cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/library

 

Wednesday 20 March

Sweet Harmony

Ultimo Community Centre, free

2pm-4pm

Learn traditional dessert recipes from all over the world. Demonstrations will be presented by ‘grand master’ chefs, followed by tasty samples. Enjoy desserts from China, Spain, Malaysia and other countries. Come along and celebrate cultural diversity with an afternoon full of culture, fun, learning and sweets!

Bookings essential on 02 9426 7823 or cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/whatson

 

Thursday 21 March

Cloudburst film screening

Dendy Opera Quays, $6 (Over 55)/$12

2pm-5.45pm

Don’t miss this Seniors Week screening of the multi-award-winning 2012 film, Cloudburst, starring Oscar-winner Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. Written and directed by Thom Fitzgerald, the film follows two lesbians as they escape from their nursing home and hit the road, Thelma and Louise-style, to travel to Canada where they plan to marry. This special cinema event also includes light refreshments and a Q&A with Louise Wadley.

Bookings essential on 02 9247 3800 (a $1 booking fee applies) or at dendy.com (a $1 booking fee applies) or in person at Dendy Opera Quays box office (9/2 East Circular Quay, Sydney).

 

Friday 22 March

Seniors and Technology Symposium: From Wireless to Wi-Fi

Sydney Town Hall, free

10am-midday

Where does technology fit into your life? Hear from key academics and industry expert in a panel led discussion about seniors and technology from past and current innovations to further trends.

Presented by the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing, the City of Sydney and NSW Seniors Week. Bookings essential on 1800 729 368 or ofainfor@facs.nsw.gov.au

For more information, visit nswseniorsweek.com.au/symposium

 

Friday 22 March

Comedy Debate: Technology is ruining our lives!

Sydney Town Hall, free

1pm-2pm

Did you love the automatic washing machine, but hate trying to program your VCR? Does receiving an email in three minutes beat getting a postcard in three weeks? Whether you’re a Facebook addict or a tech-sceptic, you’ll want to reserve your seat for this fun Town Hall debate pondering whether the digital age is a blessing or curse.

Presented by the City of Sydney, NSW Seniors Week and the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing. Bookings essential on 02 9265 9849 or whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

Saturday 23 March

Senior Superstar

Paddington RSL, free

1.30pm

This over-55s version of Australian Idol proves that age is no barrier when it comes to talent. The City of Sydney invites all singers, musicians, dancers, magicians, comedians, poets, ventriloquists, contortionists and other performers to enter this talent quest to find Sydney’s Senior Superstar.

For more information or to register, visit seniorsuperstar.com or contact 02 9246 7823.

 

Sunday 17-Saturday 23 March

Swim for Seniors Week

Free entry to City of Sydney aquatic centres and swimming pools. Simply present your ID to swim for Seniors Week!

 

Monday 18-Friday 22 March

Introduction to Social Media

Learn all about the different social media websites available so you can connect with your friends, family and the world! Join Facebook and master the basic functions while also maintaining your privacy. This hands-on course requires good mouse, keyboard and computer skills, as well as experience with navigating the internet and an email address.

Monday 18 March, 10.30am-2pm, Customs House Library, 02 9242 8555

Tuesday 19 March, 10.30am-2pm, Waterloo Library, 02 9288 5688

Wednesday 20 March, 9.30am-1pm, Glebe Library, 02 9298 3060

Thursday 21 March, 10.30am-2pm, Ultimo Library, 02 9298 3110

Friday 22 March, 10.30am-2pm, Kings Cross Library, 02 9246 4530

Bookings essential by phone or cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/library

 

For media enquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus phone 0467 803 815 or email jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jonathon Larkin on 0477 310 149 or email jlarkin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au