MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM

To celebrate the opening of the exhibition CONNECTIONS Brazil-Australia on 25 November 2011, Customs House Square embraced a Music in the Museum event, the first time this event has been held in Australia! The evening saw João Carlos Assis Brasil, Paulo Pedrassoli and Karla Bach perform the music of Villa-Lobos and Gonzada.

For more information click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

ROYALTY AT CUSTOMS HOUSE

Customs House was graced by royalty for the launch of the exhibition Curating Cities: Sydney-Copenhagen on 20 November 2011! Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik officially opened the exhibition which focuses on the use of creative strategies to meet the challenges of making eco-sustainable urban environments.

For more information click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

EMERGENCY SHELTER EXHIBITION LAUNCH

The Emergency Shelter Exhibition featuring on Customs House Square forecourt as well as inside the venue was launched on 1 September 2011. A large audience gathered to celebrate the shelter designs created and inspire donations for Japan.

For more information click here.

Image: Customs House Management

XML 2011 Global Media Ideas Reception

X Media Lab held their Global Media Ideas reception at Customs House atrium on 9 June 2011. Global Media Ideas is an annual X Media Lab international summit at Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid Sydney.

Image: Peter Murphy

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2011 LAUNCH

The public unveiling of the 2011 Sydney Film Festival program was held at Customs House on 11 May. Festival Director Clare Stewart showcased the diverse range of films to be screened in June 2011. The Sydney Film Festival will screen feature films, documentaries, short films and animations across the city at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street and Dendy Opera Quays from 9 to 18 June. For more information visit www.sff.org.au.

Image: Sydney Film Festival

FASHION PARADE AT CUSTOMS HOUSE

Westfield staged the nation’s biggest ever fashion runway show for the launch of Westfield online at Customs House Square on 13 April 2011. Style commentator Melissa Hoyer hosted the fashion extravaganza that saw 100 models star on the runway showcasing the latest autumn and winter trends.

Image: Customs House Management

SYMPHONY PERFORMANCES

As part of YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011 events, members of the international orchestra performed at Customs House Square over the week of 14-18 March 2011, leading up to the finale at Sydney Opera House.

For more information click here.

Image: Customs House Management

RACE AROUND CUSTOMS HOUSE!

Mattell launched their new Hot Wheels with an amazing 3D projection event at Customs House on 10 March 2011. The surprised spectators watched in awe as race cars sped around and through the venue! To view the projection click here.

Image: CarsGuide

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE FUNDRAISER

As part of Art Month 2011, 15 leading artists went out of their comfort zone to help raise funds for youth organisation Midnight Basketball. The fundraiser was held on 3 March and included artists such as Lionel Bawden, Del Kathryn Barton, and Ah Xian, with the exhibition at Customs House continuing until 17 March.

For more information click here.

Image: Customs House Management

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

A celebration of Chinese New Year 2011 - Year of the Rabbit - was held at Customs House Square on Monday 7 February, with dancing performances full of Hubei local flavor such as from Wudang Kongfu on Customs House Square, and the Eye of the Dream video installation and Hubei photography exhibition inside the venue.

Image: Peter Murphy

SNOW FLAKES AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

A winter wonderland was created at Customs House Square on Friday 17 December 2010, as part of a promotional event, wishing the lucky passers-by a happy Christmas particularly many wide-eyed kids! 100% Environmentally-friendly generated snowflakes were used for the event.

Image: Customs House Management

GONE BANANAS

A stack of bananas found it's way to Customs House Square on Wednesday 1 December. The 5 meter tall 'Banana Hoard' was reunited with Donkey Kong at the square as part of the launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns game on Wii. People were given the chance to play the new game on the big screen while enjoying banana snacks!

Image: Customs House Management

NAGOYA DAY 2010

On 4 November Customs House celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Nagoya Day in Sydney. Throughout the day Japanese Samurai performances and calligraphy performances took place amongst the activities of the day.

To view a calligraphy demonstration from the day click here.

Image: Marco Bok

SYDNEY ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2010

Customs House was one of the main venues for the Sydney Architecture Festival 2010 in October. Customs House Square was once again the meeting point for architectural tours of the city, as well as displaying Ch4 Competition 2010 installations and a LEGO DUPLO kids area. Indoors, Customs House featured exhibitions The Shape of Things To Come, Open Agenda, and From Form to Formless.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

NIDA & LEGS ON THE WALL PERFORMANCE

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Legs on The Wall presented an unique theatre production featuring NIDA graduating students at Customs House Square forecourt from 21-24 August 2010 - The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other, by Peter Handke. This special event created a fantastic atmosphere at the square and attracted many curious passers-by!

Image: Olivia Martin-McGuire

KELLY ROWLAND AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

US singer Kelly Rowland greeted fans at the Optus Love Lounge on Customs House Square on 22 July 2010. Surrounded by smart phones and bean bags, Kelly met fans one by one in the lounge and spoke to Nova FM for Optus as part of their iPhone4 launch promotion.

To view Kelly's appearance click here.

Image: Zimbio

SEA CHANGE 2030+ COMPETITION

The winners of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Sea Change 2030+ competition were announced on 22 July 2010 at Customs House. The Jury felt that there were three outstanding submissions that covered different aspects of local, regional and global responses to climate change and adaptation to sea level rise. Competition and winner details can be found here.

Image: AILA

PRETTY IN PINK

A fundraising event for Lort Smith Animal Hospital - Put Your Best Paw Forward - was held at Customs House Square on Sunday 4 July 2010. The fun day helped raise money for the hospital by holding a dog fashion show and other activities throughout the afternoon.

Image: Customs House Management

X MEDIA LAB 2010 LAUNCH

The 2010 Global Media Ideas international digital media summit was launched by XMediaLab at the Red Room, Customs House, on 17 June 2010. Never before in Sydney has such a stellar gathering of international digital media luminaries been assembled in one place.

Image: XMediaLab

GENERATION ONE EVENT

As part of the GenerationOne campaign, a free special event was held at Customs House Square forecourt. Light projections moved over the building façade embracing the themes of the campaign on 22 May 2010, creating a spectacular vision at the original site of the Eora people. GenerationOne is a movement towards eliminating Indigenous Australians' poverty and disadvantage.

Image: Inspire Events

STEPHEN WILTSHIRE AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

Internationally acclaimed autistic savant Stephen Wiltshire visited Sydney during the month of April to create a drawing of the city live at Customs House. With an amazing photographic memory, Wiltshire's work is truly inspirational!

For more information, please click here.

Image: Customs House Management

ART MONTH SYDNEY 2010 LAUNCH

The latest new arts festival launched it's first year at Customs House in March 2010 - Art Month Sydney is a new month-long festival that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the city's thriving visual arts scene.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Art Month Sydney

CUSTOMS HOUSE CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR 2010

Customs House celebrated Chinese New Year 2010, the year of the tiger, with two magnificent Digital Origami Tigers on the forecourt welcoming visitors to the venue! The vibrant lantern sculptures illuminated at night to a glowing red!

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

FERRERO FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

To launch the Christmas festive season in 2009, Ferrero Rocher hosted an artistic light installation at Customs House for Sydney-siders over two weeks in December.

To view the installation, please click here.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

X MEDIA LAB 2009 LAUNCH

XMediaLab launched their Sydney 2009 Global Media Cultures event at the Red Room, Customs House, on 26 November 2009. Global Media Cultures conference and 'lab' is said to be the must attend digital media and creative industries event of 2009.

Image: Peter Murphy

SYDNEY ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2009

The third annual Sydney Architecture Festival was held on 5 October 2009 - World Architecture Day and Habitat Day. Highlights included architectural tours and talks, activities at Sydney Opera House, the Ultra_FAB installation, the Australian Architecture Association exhibition, and the kids lego building.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Customs House Management

Ultra_FAB PAVILION AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

The University of Sydney's UltraFAB Pavilion was enjoyed by the general public during the Sydney Architecture Festival period over September & October 2009.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

ROSEMOUNT SYDNEY FASHION FESTIVAL 2009

TIME magazine celebrated 50 years of publishing in the South Pacific region, with a compelling photographic exhibition at Quay Bar, Customs House. The general public was invited to step back in time and behind the lens of some of the world’s best photographers, as part of the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival during August 2009.

For more information, please click here.

Image: TIME Magazine

RUSSELL JAMES BOOK LAUNCH

International photographer Russell James launched his retrospective photography book 'Russell James' in Australasia at Customs House Square in Sydney on 6 July 2009. Sex & The City's Kristin Davis was amongst the celebrity guests. An exhibition gallery of photographs from the new book featured on Customs House Square forecourt on 7 & 8 July 2009.

For more information, please click here.

Image: courtesy of Zing

BUNUEL TRIBUTE LAUNCH

The Spanish Film Festival's Bunuel tribute at Customs House was officially opened on 28 April 2009 by David Stratton, ABC At The Movies co-host and film critic for The Australian. It was attended by honored guests such as Enrique Sarda-Valls, Australian Consul-General of Spain, and Javier Espada, Curator of Centro Bunuel de Calanda who travelled from Spain to be part of the event. These exhibitions are one of the highlights in the Customs House exhibition program in 2009.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

QUADRUPLE LAUNCH AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

On 10 December 2008, Customs House launched four new exhibitions - Green Void installation by LAVA, Invisibility by Carol Barroso, Emergency Architects Australia and Global Studio exhibitions - which was held through three levels of the venue! The night was a grande success with Brazilian dancers and drummers setting the atmosphere, and a spectacular lighting show projected onto the heritage building.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

SYDNEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER

In 2008, the Trees for Children sculptures, the Sydney Children’s Hospital's annual fundraising program, was exhibited at Customs House Square on 19-30 November. The fundraising auction night was held on 20 November at Ground Level, Customs House, hosted by members of The Chasers team and attended by some of the inspirations for the artwork including Hi5.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation

PARKOUR RUNNING AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

On 13 & 14 November 2008, an interactive launch event for new video game Mirror's Edge took place at Customs Square which featured the latest international craze, Parkour running.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

SYDNEY ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2008

On 6 October 2008, Customs House hosted Sydney Architecture Festival 2008 events as part of World Architecture Day at Customs House Square, Levels G, 1 and 2. The events and interactive activities on the day created a bustling environment at Customs House.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

UNDERWATER FASHION SHOOT AT CUSTOMS HOUSE!

On 10 September 2008, Customs House played host to an underwater fashion shoot at Customs House Square as part of the 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty 2008 program of events. Underwater models included Nikki Phillips and Kerri-Anne Kennerley!

For more information, please click here.

Image: ACP Magazines

A QUAY MOMENT

On 3 September 2008, Customs House came alive at Quay Bar's Cointreau cocktail night - A Quay Moment! The event was held at Quay Bar and the Red Room, Customs House. Fire dancers and stilt walkers were among the entertainers on the night!

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008

Customs House celebrates Chinese New Year 2008, the year of the rat, with beautiful flower displays on Customs House Square, two stunning photographic and video exhibitions and a mesmerizing red cube installation in the Customs House Atrium.

For more information, please click here.

Image: Peter Murphy