Official Opening of The Concourse on September 17

Official Opening of The Concourse on September 17

A wonderful line-up of entertainment is planned to celebrate the Official Opening of Willoughby City Council’s state-of-the-art entertainment and events complex The Concourse on Saturday 17 September 2011.

The Official opening will begin at 5pm with the arrival of the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor, Marie Bashir AC CVO, Willoughby Council Mayor, Pat Reilly, General Manager Nick Tobin, VIPs including The Hon Joe Hockey, The Hon Paul Fletcher, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian, The Hon Anthony Roberts and Jonathan O’Dea.

The official party will be joined by Patrons of The Concourse, The Hon Robert JL Hawke AC, soprano Yvonne Kenny, arts practitioner and author Renée Goossens, author Matthew Reilly and rock singer Angry Anderson. 

A flag raising ceremony including the Willoughby Flag, Aboriginal Flag and Australian Flag will open proceedings as the national anthem is performed by Willoughby City Band and Willoughby Theatre Company as the Governor declares the site officially open.

Invited guests will then move into the Concert Hall for a star-studded evening of entertainment with popular singer David Campbell acting as MC.  David will be joined by Amanda Harrison (Wicked), Christine Anu (The Sapphires), soprano Yvonne Kenny and 11 year old newcomer Chryseth Eclevia.

“The official opening of The Concourse marks the start of a new beginning for Willoughby,” said Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly. “The Concourse is a remarkable facility that will contribute enormously to Sydney. The range of venues will support the arts and performance sectors, the library will offer extensive study and learning resources for all ages, the open space will provide a place to meet and gather, while the outdoor Urban Screen will provide free public entertainment,” he said.

This new entertainment precinct is receiving bookings from all sectors of the performing arts and will be home to independent theatre, comedy, dance, emerging artists, international headliners and local talent.  The first show in the Theatre will be The Boy from Oz from Willoughby Theatre Company and the first show in the Concert Hall will be iconic rocker Richard Clapton with Wendy Matthews.  A full line-up of artists will be announced soon.

See our other coverage

Public opportunity to see The Concourse on September 10

Willoughby Theatre Company's The Boy From Oz - first production in the new theatre.

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