Melbourne Sky-High CBD Stay with Daily Breakfast & Guaranteed Room Upgrade

Hyatt Centric Melbourne

If you're looking for modern sophistication in the heart of Australia's tram-filled culture capital, look no further than Hyatt Centric Melbourne. 

Flaunting minimalist design, exceptional dining and a strong sustainability ethos, this ultra-cool oasis is synonymous with Melbourne's iconic attributes – art, design and an unbeatable food scene. 

Perfectly positioned an easy stroll from Marvel Stadium, Southern Cross Station and the bustling Bourke Street Mall – there’s no better base to discover Melbourne’s sweet spots.

Glide up to the 25th-floor conservatory and introduce yourself to stunning views across Melbourne through floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. Unwind in the hotel's relaxing 25-metre lap pool or order room service to your dreamy king bed while you gaze across Port Philip Bay or the stunning city skyline from your high-floor room. When it's time to explore, grab one of the city's best coffees at Allie Lane on site, and head to Southbank's shopping district, stroll through Flinders Lanes graffitied laneways or hop on the City Circle tram and trundle your way past museums, monuments and open green spaces.

Your highlights include:

• Daily breakfast
• Guaranteed room upgrade
• Welcome bottle of wine
• 10% discount when dining from the lunch or dinner menu.

$479 - Valued up to $1,055
Stay two nights from only $479 in a King Bed Room (two adults), valued up to $1,005. For more information phone Luxury Escapes on 1300 88 99 00 or visit luxuryescapes.com. Sale ends 14 August 2023. Valid for travel until 31 March 2024. Blackout dates and surcharges apply.

* Kate Heliotis @ Luxury Escapes - 0412 869 217 - kate.heliotis@luxuryescapes.com

SoftBank Robotics Announces its Partnership with Sushi Machines to Offer Optimal Robotic and AI Solutions for Restaurants in Australia

SoftBank Robotics Australia has today announced its partnership with Sushi Machines, a wholesale distributor in Australia, and will start offering robotic and AI solutions for restaurants in Australia to optimize their business. Under this partnership, Sushi Machines will start offering Gausium’s Tray Delivery Robot “Delivery X1” to their customers as part of their efficient, hygienic and consistent solutions that address ongoing worker shortages in the hospitality industry. Sushi Machines will also exhibit Delivery X1 at their booth(E31) of Food Service Australia, the food service exhibition from April 30 to May 2 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Delivery X1, is a stylishly designed, yet highly functional tray delivery robot produced by one of SoftBank Robotics’ global partners Gausium (alias “Gaussian Robotics”). It leverages technological capabilities from Gausium and can safely transport and deliver large volumes of food and beverages as well as replenishment items on up to four trays. As a market leader in cleaning robots, Gausium’s self-owned SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technology allows Delivery X1 to perform flexibly in complex, dynamic environments and can perceive and create semantic maps of its surroundings. In a restaurant setting, it can detect and avoid people, obstacles, and other objects while serving food, ensuring no disruption to its service or those around it.

Delivery X1 has its easy-to-use features, allowing fast deployment without a QR code for location and user-friendly software with flexible operations methods, scheduling tasks and controlling the robot through an intuitive touch screen or android mobile app. Restaurant owners can expect to use Delivery X1 as a complimentary feature alongside staff, providing support during rush-hours, and assisting in clearing dishes for cleaning. The introduction of robotic technology to support the human workforce can also provide an opportunity for staff to upskill and take on new roles, further improving efficiencies and enhancing customer service to the diners.

Kenichi Yoshida, Chief Business Officer, SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. said, “Our collaboration with Sushi Machines Australia will provide Japanese restaurant technology solutions like tray-delivery robots among other SoftBank Robotics (SBR) solutions which will help transform the food and beverages industry towards a smart savvy efficient restaurant that can reap more sales for the food and beverages operators. We believe technology, robotics and IoT solutions will become more indispensable as technology adapts and grows smarter in the future.”

Stuart Aamodt, Director of Sushi Machines Australia and New Zealand, shared, “With the introduction of SoftBank Robotics’ and Gausium Robotics’ tray delivery robot - Delivery X1 to our product offering, we will endeavor to bring across more efficient solutions to enhance the restaurant service. Our partnership with SoftBank Robotics marked a first for Sushi Machine in Australia to initiate robotics solutions to our customers as we continue to expand our offering.”

Jolly Yang, President of Overseas Business of Gausium added “Gausium’s products are best in class when it comes to combining navigation with artificial intelligence. Our solutions are developed to streamline efficiencies, save costs and support the workforce to upskill and increase productivity. With a history of achievements in empowering the facilities management industry, we are delighted to step into the food service industry and work with SoftBank Robotics Australia to bring this innovation to Australia.”

*Zeno Group for SoftBank Robotics softbank@zenogroup.com
Sarah Bamber, Zeno Group,  Lim, Lisa lisa.lim@zenogroup.com

Hotel Realm Luxury Winter Packages.

Culinary Escape

Your Culinary Escape includes
– Overnight accommodation in a luxurious Realm Suite
– 3 course prix-fixe menu for two, served in Louis Restaurant with a bottle of Shaw Wine
– Turndown service with Koko Black chocolate night cap
– 24-hour room service
– Complimentary undercover secure parking
– Free unlimited high-speed WiFi
– Digital video on-demand & Chromecast
– Wellness App with in-room workouts
– Access to state-of-the-art gym, spa, sauna & indoor pool
– 8pm sitting only, restaurant reservation is required. Available for Tuesday – Saturday night stays
From $559
BOOK NOW

Parents Retreat

Your Parents Retreat Includes
– Overnight accommodation with an upgrade to a Realm Suite
– 2-course dinner for two delivered to your room including a bottle of wine
– Appelles Apothecary & Lab amenity and welcome chocolates
– À la carte breakfast in restaurant
– Late checkout until 12pm
– Free unlimited high-speed WiFi
– Complimentary undercover secure parking
– Digital video on-demand & Chromecast
– Access to state-of-the-art gym, spa, sauna & indoor pool
From $439*
BOOK NOW

Winter Retreat

Your Winter Retreat package includes
– Overnight accommodation in a Realm Suite
– Mulled wine served in bar
– Barista coffee & croissant for each guest on day of departure
– Ski storage
– 24-hour room service
– Complimentary undercover secure parking
– Free unlimited high-speed WiFi
– Digital video on-demand & Chromecast
– Wellness App with in-room workouts
– Access to state-of-the-art gym, spa, sauna & indoor pool
From $329
BOOK NOW

Realm Romance

Your Realm Romance Package Includes
– Overnight accommodation in a Realm Suite
– Bottle of wine from our curated wine list
– Rose petal turndown services with Koko Black chocolates
– 24-hour room service
– Complimentary undercover secure parking
– Free unlimited high-speed WiFi
– Digital video on-demand & Chromecast
– Wellness App with in-room workouts
– Access to state-of-the-art gym, spa, sauna & indoor pool
From $329
BOOK NOW

The Realm Precinct brings together state-of-the-art fitness facilities and lifestyle amenities for your complete wellbeing. As a guest at Hotel Realm, enjoy free access to the highly acclaimed Evo Health Club. After a long day of work or exploring the city, perhaps enjoy a professional massage, relax at Mudd The Spa or pamper yourself at Kundalini Hair Salon.

HOTEL REALM 

18 National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 Australia
T: +1800 556 740 E: reservations@domahotels.com.au

Re-live Vivid Sydney, naturally

From the kaleidoscopic underworld of Dark Spectrum to the harbourside wonder of the Light Walk, this year’s Vivid Sydney was the highest-performing yet. Welcome to this special edition of ContentED, showcasing and packed with stunning assets from Vivid Sydney 2023, produced by Destination NSW.

Beginning in preview week, the Destination NSW team produced 86 photographic and video shoots over 27 nights. More than 80 crew members worked on content production, and we were lucky enough to shoot from four CBD rooftops, a helicopter, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a high-rise apartment and several drones.

The extensive video and photography assets can be ordered and downloaded on the Destination NSW Content Library through the links below.

Editors Picks

A curation of the photography editors’ favourite images, capturing the joy and wonder of key moments from this year’s festival.
VIEW CONTENT

Hero Images

Shots from beautiful, high-vantage locations – the festival’s most iconic spots and Sydney Harbour vistas – in all their glory.
VIEW CONTENT

Video Highlights

See the festival in motion, with footage from every beautifully lit-up scene, across the Light, Music, Food and Ideas pillars.
VIEW CONTENT

Light Highlights

From this year's 8.5km Light Walk from Central Station to Circular Quay to moments from First Light and floating installations, here's our edit of Vivid Light’s best.
VIEW CONTENT

Music Highlights

This year’s Vivid Music program proudly spotlighted First Nations voices, elevating artists and truth-tellers to the world stage. See shots of families enjoying the free music at Tumbalong Park, DJs at The Goods Line, friends enjoying SETTINGS at Universal Sydney and all the best moments in-between.
VIEW CONTENT

Ideas Highlights

This year's Vivid Ideas line-up challenged our ‘natural’ ways of thinking. From the sold-out Ideas talks at Sydney Town Hall to couples engaging with Natural Wonder at the Powerhouse Museum, here are the key moments from Vivid Ideas.
VIEW CONTENT

Food Highlights

Vivid Food, a new pillar for Vivid Sydney 2023, celebrated those who make Sydney’s food scene unique. Explore and download content from the Fire Kitchen, a multi-sensory food experience in a Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon, and more in the album below.
VIEW CONTENT

Social Media

From Central Station’s lit-up façade to moments of the world’s largest ever drone show and the underground lights of Dark Spectrum. See ready-to-use memories from Vivid Sydney 2023 below.
VIEW CONTENT

Cinemagraphs

A curation of five of Vivid Sydney’s most beautiful moments, captured in a 9:16 ratio for 12-second, pseudo-still videos: Dark Spectrum, the Barerarerungar installation at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Inside Out at Customs House, Hive in Jessie Street Gardens and Sonder at Circular Quay.
VIEW CONTENT

Portait Images

Captured in portrait, perfect for social media and campaigns, find everything from a lit-up Sydney Opera House to the Peonies installation at Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Garden, in this album of the city aglow.
VIEW CONTENT

* Destination NSW

DISCOVER THE TOP 5 HIDDEN GEMS OF SAN PEDRO

San Pedro First Thursday Art Walk
Photo: First Thursday Art Walk

With its long history, busy port and easy-going vibe, one could argue that San Pedro itself is a hidden gem in Los Angeles. From its working class neighborhood roots, a thriving local art scene and plenty of curiosities to explore have emerged. The following are a few of the more under-the-radar sites and events to enjoy.

NOTE: Hours and opening dates change frequently. Check individual websites for updated information.

1) FIRST THURSDAYS

398 West 6th St., San Pedro 90731
View Website
San Pedro has a strong, tight-knit business community and a like-minded art scene. This creates the perfect atmosphere for First Thursday, the community art walk that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Throughout the historic Downtown arts area, galleries open their doors to the public with exhibitions and educational events, restaurants and businesses offer First Thursday specials and live entertainment, and residents fill the street, mingling with neighbors. Any business owner along 6th and 7th Streets will mention the Art Walk within a few minutes’ conversation, it’s that big of a deal.
MORE INFO

2) THE ARCADE BUILDING

The Arcade Building | Instagram by @matthasnofriends

479 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731
310-265-1990
View Website
Built in the early 20th century for San Pedro fish merchant Aleck Carresi to reflect the style of his native Naples, this commercial arcade is an architectural landmark in Old Downtown. The building was famously converted from a two-story to a three-story structure by raising the Carresi family’s duplex flats and building the business spaces beneath it. Restored in 1986 to its original aesthetic, the Arcade Building stands out as a piece of retro European flair amid the record and sneaker shops of West 6th with its sharp Italian tile, wrought iron fixtures and bright skylit courtyard. It houses a variety of local businesses such as Philippine Expressions Bookshop.
MORE INFO

3) CABRILLO MARINE AQUARIUM

Moon jellies at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Photo: Yuri Hasegawa

3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro 90731
310-548-7562
View Website
Often overshadowed by the nearby Aquarium of the Pacific, this mid-size aquarium located next to Cabrillo Beach Coastal Park makes up for a lack of huge, cutting-edge tanks with a strong commitment to education. Parents rave about its accessibility for small children - both in size and content - and the enthusiastic and helpful docents. All of the marine life in the aquarium is from Southern California, and their research training program trains lay-people to monitor the health of the coastlines. To add to this feel-good atmosphere, admission is donation-based with a suggested $7 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
MORE INFO

4) THE CORNER STORE

The Corner Store | Instagram by @signmonger

1118 W 37th St, San Pedro 90731
310-832-2424
For a local eatery as treasured as this, The Corner Store is still surprisingly untouched by its notoriety. The building has stood as a market and deli since 1947, but it was in 2006 that owner and unofficial “mayor” of San Pedro, Peggy Lindquist and her husband Bruce took charge. Since then, the store has become a destination for pastries and conversation, along with a drink from its famous collection of dozens of craft sodas. The stretch of West 37th street where this unassuming storefront stands has a suburban feel - one imagines a quaint store within, not a speciality market and deli serving up top-notch sandwiches along with wine, San Pedro merchandise, and the “best coffee in town” according to multiple sources.
MORE INFO

Guitar Safari | Instagram by @rubywag_design

5) GUITAR SAFARI

424 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731
310-547-9355
View Website
Proprietor Dirk Vandenberg fixes guitars and amps. He has a collection of gorgeous vintage instruments as well as vinyl you may not know even existed. But he can also tell you about the L.A. punk scene in the 1980s because he was right in the middle of it, fixing guitars and contributing to albums. More than an independent guitar shop - though that is something special in the era of big box retail - Guitar Safari has a history and an atmosphere that stays with you. Vandenberg has had a guitar shop in San Pedro off and on for decades, and its current iteration on West 6th Street is a great example of that unique San Pedran friendly quirk. Make sure to call before showing up, as the hours tend to vary.
MORE INFO

* Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, 633 West 5th Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA info@discoverlosangeles.com

Tokyo‘s dynamic Dances and Festivals bounce back after Four Years

This year, for the first time in four years, the Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori returns in all its glory. Catch the action in Koenji, Suginami City, just six minutes by train from Shinjuku Station. 

The “Awa Odori” (Awa Dance), originally a local performance art of Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku, has become one of Japan’s most important festivals.

Awaodori is the traditional dance of Tokushima with a history that spans over 400 years. Today, Awaodori is enjoyed throughout Japan with local festivals adopting the name and preserving the culture.

There are two main types of dance - the "men's dance" (which many females participate in too) that is deeply bent at the waist and low to the ground, and then, the "ladies dance" which is done on raised geta sandals wearing braided hats. Fundamentally, the dance is simple, you only need to raise your hands and lead with the same hand and foot as you move forward. Despite its simple nature, teams, known as "ren" create and develop their own unique performances. One aspect of Awaodori's charm is the rich variety and dazzling performances that have grown from this simple dance.

Tokyo's Koenji Awaodori first began in 1957 as a festival to revitalize the small shopping streets throughout the town. Over the years the festival has grown and now over 10,000 dancers and over a 1,000,000 spectators come making it the festival that represents the charms of Tokyo's summer. The Koenji Awaodori is held every year on the last weekend of August.

Additionally, the Awaodori teams within Koenji (members of the Koenji Awaodori Group) conduct media appearances, participate in a variety of events, foreign relations parties, and more keeping the joy of the Awaodori season year-round.

Through these efforts, the tradition born in Tokushima has grown to represent the culture progression of Japan. We of the Tokyo Koenji Awaodori will be a tool that not only represents the pride of people, local and regional, but also one that connects regions, connects peoples, and fosters and nurtures bonds that go beyond country. We will bear this responsibility with great care.

Surrounding the JR Koenji station and the Metro Shin Koenji station 8 dance areas erupt in unison.
Flutes, shamisen, chimes, large and small taiko fill the air with enchanting rhythms as the charm of Awaodori consumes the town of Koenji.

Moved by the roar of the passionate crowds, over 10,000 dancers will flow through the town of Koenji across the 8 routes that form the shape of a giant “8”.

Festival Rules

• Follow the instructions of staff and security personnel at all times.
• Smoking is prohibited at the Koenji Awaodori and the local area. Please use the designated smoking areas located around the festival.
• Please enjoy the festival without inhibiting the local stores and their ability to conduct business.
• Placing plastic sheets or other items to secure space on the road is prohibited.
• During the festival, do not enter the dance areas.
• Please take all garbage with you - a clean festival is everyone's responsibility.

The Early Period: early 1960ies

To revitalize the local town, in 1957 the first Koenji Awaodori was held. However, shortly after, the festival faced and survived numerous crisis.

Developmental Period: the 1970ies

Initially, the festival was only held within the local shopping street, however, it quickly grew and encompassed more local shopping districts. By the 1960ies, the course grew to the Koenji station north exit and then, by 1969, with the completion of the Koenji station the festival grew into the larger roads surrounding it. This moved the festival beyond the small streets it was born in, and out into the wide roads of the town - not only was the festival larger, but so too did the performances grow, and with this, so too did Koenji's ability to attract more fans from the neighboring communities.
At the same time, many new Awaodori teams were established and within Tokyo many new Awaodori festivals emerged. Our Koenji Awaodori teams participated in these new festivals too and the culture grew. At the same time, new technologies allowed for better communication with Tokushima resulting in Awaodori teams fostering new relationships and often becoming respected peers who shared techniques.

Fulfilling Period: the 1990ies

In 1991 the IAAF World Championships in Athletics was help in Tokyo and over 300 Koenji Awaodori dancers performed and their performance was broadcasted throughout the world. Additionally, through Awaodori, new opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and ambassadorial activities became frequent and the charm of the regional culture grew.

2000ies

With Awaodori, through TV and other media, opportunities for culture continue to grow year by year.
Each year in January, at Tokyo Dome, over 250 Koenji Awaodori performers participate in the Hometown Festival Tokyo and opportunities to participate in large scale events continues to grow.

• In 2013, the Koenji Awaodori Group was asked by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to join the Lunar New Year International Parade.
• In 2014, the Koenji Awaodori Group was asked by the Macau Government Tourism Office to join the Lunar New Year Parade.
• In 2015, to commemorate the conclusion of the cultural agreement between Suginami Ward and the Taiwan National Drama Academy, Awaodori performances were held in Taipei.

*Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tokyo Tourism Representative, Tourism Garden Pty Ltd

LGBTQ+ celebrations across Spain

Spain is proud to be one of the world’s most LGBTQ+ friendly communities. It is ranked seven out of 203 countries on the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index and seven out of 197 countries of the LGBT Equality Index.

www.asherfergusson.com/lgbtq-travel-safety/ www.equaldex.com/equality-index

Hundreds of Pride events that take place across Spain during Pride Month each June with Ibiza Pride a highlight. www.ibizagaypride.eu/en/

There are also major LGTBQ+ celebrations and festivals held annually beyond June.

The Madrid Pride

The Madrid Pride takes place in early July forging equality and higher media visibility for LGBTQ+ families and, with over two million visitors, is one of the largest European Prides and transforms the city into a celebration of diversity. www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/europe-most-important-pridecelebrated-madrid/ 

Barcelona Pride 

Barcelona Pride takes place annually (3 to 16 July in 2023) with the main parade taking place towards the end of the celebrations. With over 250,000 annual attendees, Barcelona Pride is one of the most popular LGBTQ+ events in the Mediterranean. www.pridebarcelona.org/en/ 

Torremolinos 

Torremolinos, an international gay hotspot on the Costa del Sol, holds the Wonder Gay Festival at the end of the July for ‘young queer people and allies looking to party to DJs at all-night festivals’. The town also holds Torremolinos Gay Pride at the end of May. Mallorca’s ELLA International Lesbian Festival, now in its 8th edition, takes place from 25 August 25 to 2 September 2023. www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/gay-pride-madrid-ibiza-sitges/ 

Benidorm Gay Pride 

Benidorm Gay Pride, a week-long celebration of LGBTQ+ festivities from 4 to 10 September 2023, started in 2011 with only a few thousand attendees but is now a popular and international event. www.benidormpride.com/en/ 

 www.spain.info 

 Jessica Cochrane at Jess@wearelotus.co.uk

Yen Bai has 5 paragliding destinations

Recently, the Department of War, the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army has just granted the Vietnam Sports Tourism Joint Stock Company a new paragliding point in Yen Bai province.

Specifically: Yen Bai's new paragliding point is in Phinh Ho commune, Tram Tau district; Coordinates 21031'58.3”N 104033'09.2”E; maximum flight altitude 1,300 m; operating radius is not more than 10,000 m.

Thus, up to now, Yen Bai has a total of 5 paragliding areas. These are: Khau Pha pass area, Cao Pha commune, Mu Cang Chai district; Nghia An Commune, Nghia Lo Commune, Nghia Lo Town; Tu Le commune, Van Chan district and the new paragliding point in Phinh Ho commune, Tram Tau district.

The license to add a paragliding point in Phinh Ho commune will help visitors have more interesting experiences when traveling locally. Estimated price for paragliding is 2 million VND/person/time.

*Independence flexible
Yen Bai Newspaper - baoyenbai.com.vn
Key word: #Yen Bai, #Yen Bai tourism, #parasailing,

Meet 84 Kumamons at Kumamon Park!

Kumamon Port Yatsushiro is a port of call for international cruise ships, and a gateway to sea exploration. 

There, you can find a total of 84 Kumamon statues scattered around a Kumamon-themed park! 

Spot Kumamon of various sizes, expressions, and poses around the park's Japanese garden, bamboo grove, and multi-purpose lawn square. 

It is a great place to relax, take photos, and hang out with Kumamon!

Explore Kumamoto
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kyushu/kumamoto/

Find out more about Kumamon Park here
https://kumamoto.guide/en/season/detail/88

#JNTOSG #visitJP_gofurther #Nature #VisitJapan #Visitjapansg #Japantrip #Japantravel #Explorejapan #Traveljapan #Kumamoto

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

Facebook Visit Japan Now: https://www.facebook.com/visitjapan2010
Facebook: Australia https://www.facebook.com/VisitJapanAU/
Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/
Website: https://www.japan.go.jp/japan/visit

Premiere of new Australian play TIM

Jeanette Cronin and Ben Goss
Photo credit Branco Gaica

TIM a novel written by Australian icon Colleen McCullough and adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Tim McGarry, premiered at Glen Street Theatre on 28 July 2023. The play then tours to Wyong, Newcastle, Nowra, Penrith, Wollongong, Queanbeyan and Parramatta until 2 September.

Colleen McCullough is regarded as one of Australia’s most successful novelists, best known for her second novel The Thorn Birds and for her Masters of Rome series, a fictionalised account of Rome in the age of Julius Caesar. She remains one of Australia’s highest selling authors with over 80 million books sold worldwide, 30 million of which are for TIM, and translated into 30 plus languages. She penned TIM in 1974. First entitled Not the Full Quid, this beautiful work has spawned two movies, the first starring a very young Mel Gibson.

Her character Tim is a beautiful 25 - year-old labourer, with a mild intellectual disability. He has grown up in a small but loving working-class family who have tried to shelter him from the cruelness of the world but is often the brunt of ridicule by those around him, particularly his uncharitable work mates. Mary is a successful mid-50’s business executive with a belief she can live a happy and comfortable solitary existence without friendship or love. Drawn to each other from their first meeting, Mary hires Tim as a gardener. But as the two enjoy a growing friendship, suspicion arises in the minds of those who wish to protect Tim about Mary’s motivations. What began as a chance meeting between them, soon develops into a lifechanging relationship for both.

Whilst Tim’s disability is never labelled in the play, it is a constant, underlying theme, embedded in a story that explores the importance of embracing differences, opening oneself to the fullness of life and the opportunities it has to offer. Filled with notions of love, loss and acceptance, and set in the modern day, this seminal Australian story has been sensitively adapted for the stage by playwright Tim McGarry.

TIM features a stellar cast including Ben Goss, in the title role, a young man with a disability and recent graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. Joining Ben on stage is Valerie Bader, Akkshey Caplash, Jeanette Cronin, Andrew McFarlane and Julia Robertson.

TIM is directed by Darren Yap, with Set Design by James Browne, Costume Design Lucy M Scott, Lighting Ben Hughes, Composer Max Lambert and Sound Design Zac Saric.

TIM is Produced by Christine Dunstan, Christine Dunstan Productions.

Bookings and tour information http://www.christinedunstan.com.au/tim/

• Glen Street Theatre, Belrose 28 – 30 July
• Art House, Wyong 2 August
• Civic Theatre, Newcastle 4 August
• Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra 9 & 10 August
• The Joan, Penrith 11 & 12 August
• Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong 16 – 19 August
• The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre 25 & 26 August
• Riverside Theatre, Parramatta 31 August – 2 September