Performances on the Quay
23 June - 1 September 2023
On the Forecourt
ExperiencesUsing the Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) as their stage, five contemporary Australian artists will perform in Performances on the Quay, a free entertaining and emotion evoking performance art series.
Performances on the Quay showcases new work from some of Australia’s most dynamic contemporary artists in this free public program which provides audiences with an opportunity to engage in the stimulating medium of performance art. Each artist will perform a piece of work from artistic interpretations of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the climate crisis, and the exhilarating and uniting spirit of street dance.
Performances on the Quay is a free a series of performance art jointly presented by the Sydney Opera House and the MCA.
The next performances in the series features Lauren Brincat from 25 - 27 Aug.
LIVE PERFORMANCE TIMES AND LINE-UP
| Date | Performing Artist | Start Time | Finish Time | Location |
| Friday 23 Jun | Mia Salsjö | 5pm |
6pm followed |
SOH & MCA |
| Friday 21 Jul | Latai Taumoepeau | 5pm | 7pm | SOH |
| Friday 25 Aug | Lauren Brincat | 5.15pm | 6pm | SOH |
| Friday 25 Aug |
Jumaadi Books essential. Register here. |
6.30pm | 7pm |
MCA |
| Saturday 26 Aug | Lauren Brincat | 5pm | 5.45pm | SOH |
| Sunday 27 Aug | Lauren Brincat | 5pm | 5.45pm | SOH |
| Friday 1 Sept | Destructive Steps | 5pm | 8pm | SOH |
Events at the Sydney Opera House will take place on the Forecourt and events at the MCA will take place on the Sculpture Terrace.
Performance on the Quay is a free event for everyone to enjoy.
We highly recommend you register for each event. Due to limited capacity you must register for Mia Salsjö's and Jumaadi's In Conversation to attend.
Wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
Event durations range from 30 minutes - 2 hours.
Age
Suitable for all ages.
Young people under the age of 15 must be accompanied at all times.
In case of bad weather
A decision will be made 48 hours prior to the event whether or not the event will go ahead.
If the event is cancelled due to inclement weather, a message will be added to the website to inform patrons of the cancellation. Those who have registered will also be notified by email.
Also on this page
This project is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Culture Up Late initiative
Discover the line-up
Mia Salsjö’s The Bridge, A Score for Sydney Harbour Bridge (2023), was commissioned for The National 4: Australian Art Now in response to the iconic structure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 'The Bridge' will be performed while you take in the breathtaking views, inviting you to reflect on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge from two unique perspectives.
Beginning on the Opera House's Western Broadwalk at 5pm and continuing at the MCA from 5.45pm, this program brings together an ensemble of 12 brass musicians, inviting you to reflect on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge from two unique perspectives.
The ensemble
Conductor: Scott Kinmont
Trumpets: Brent Grapes, Sophie Spencer, Colin Grisdale, Fletch (Fletcher) Cox
Trombones: Will (William) Kinmont, Andrew Nissen, Nigel Crocker, Pius Choi, Brett Page, Paolo Franks
Tubas: Ed (Edwin) Diefes, Matt Walmsley
Following the performances, gain deeper insight into Mia Salsjö's practice by joining an artist talk at 6.30pm in the MCA Lecture Theatre. Booking required.
Ocean Island Mine is a live work where ancient and everyday ruination becomes visible by shovelling the melting ice. Two people, a 1000kg block of ice, a shovel, and the steady walk from point A to point B. Back and forth, they work the open-cut mines of the past into the future of climate change; excavating the solid white rock into invisibility.
This performance will happen on the Sydney Opera House's Forecourt.
Performers: Latai Taumoepeau and Taliu Aloua
Dancer: Molonai Makalio
Music: Sione Teumohenga
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Sydney Opera House are connected by the water, Warrang. The sea is still a mystery, a new shadow play by celebrated Indonesian visual artist Jumaadi, invites you to contemplate the water and those whose journeys depend on it. Combining the Indonesian art of wayang, a traditional form of puppet theatre, with Javanese folklore, music and song, Jumaadi performs a stunning live show at the MCA for one night only.
Jumaadi will perform at 6.30pm and 8pm.
Booking is required as spots are limited. Find out more here.
Oscillating between sound, performance and choreography, Lauren Brincat's live sculpture, Tutti Presto fff, returns to the iconic Opera House site as a layered, experimental, roving contemporary art project. This polyphonic piece pulses with the sound of temperatures rising! rising! rising! and the burning intensity of the momentary present. In collaboration with composer Alyx Dennison and choreographer Charmene Yep, the sound from six drummers will accompany a silk score dance. From the Opera House Podium to the Forecourt.
Artist: Lauren Brincat
Choreographer: Charmene Yap
Composer: Alyx Dennison
Drummers:
Alyx Dennison
Lindy Morrison OAM
Bonnie Stewart
Holly Conner
Niki Johnson
Hayley Chan
Dancers:
Lauren Brincat
Sarah Jamieson
Allie Grahan
Juliette Barton
Image: Romello Pereira
In their Opera House debut, Destructive Steps present A Celebration of Australia’s Street Dance Community. This popular street dance competition will set the Opera House Forecourt alight with electrifying energy, slick moves and thumping beats. From 5pm on the Opera House Forecourt.
Art is at the heart of a night out in Sydney, with nine cultural organisations opening their doors after dark in 2023 thanks to a new series of Culture Up Late. Culture Up Late supports museums and galleries to open regularly to 9pm, and includes access to world-class exhibitions, live music and DJ sets, film screenings, workshops and talks, complemented with pop-up bars and dining.
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
A ticket is not required for these events, however registrations are highly recommended.
Due to limited capacity you must register for Mia Salsjö's and Jumaadi's In Conversation.
Yes – we encourage everyone to capture this special experience. If you post on social media, please tag #CultureUpLate #CUL2023 to share your photos or video with us.
Performances start promptly at their scheduled time. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before each performance starts.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars at the Opera House. Our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to award-winning fine dining. Find what you’re after, see our restaurants.
The Opera House is currently undertaking critical maintenance works to address water leakage issues affecting the Lower Concourse. These necessary works are required to mitigate long-term water damage to the Opera House building and its structure. These works will not impact your visit, it's business as usual!
A decision will be made 48 hours prior to the event whether or not the event will go ahead. If the event is cancelled due to inclement weather, a message will be added to the website to inform patrons of the cancellation. Those who have registered will be notified by email.
Please make your own way to the MCA via walking or vehicle.
We recommend walking from the Sydney Opera House around Circular Quay to the MCA for Mia Salsjö and Jumaadi's performance which takes approximately 15 minutes.
To get to the MCA via car visitors can be picked up via taxi or private vehicle at the designated area near the Macquarie Street Gatehouse.
To park near the MCA Wilson Parking can be found at 155 George Street (wheelchair accessible) and 35 Pitt Street, as well as the Overseas Passenger Terminal at 130 George Street. For the latest information on traffic conditions, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
For information on mobility parking spaces, see the map on the City of Sydney website.
Plan your visit
Visit
Information for visitors to the Sydney Opera House.
Accessibility
Our goal at the Sydney Opera House is to provide barrier-free access, making the site, building and the experiences they offer accessible to all people.
What’s on
Find events, performances and shows on at the Sydney Opera House.