The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 176

Songs of the century A musical history of this century's most memorable songs will make tonight's Carols unforgettable. hat better way to end the millennium than 1 A with a musical summary of the past 100 till years? Trapaga will be rocking around the Christmas tree for a big '50s medley of all those songs that were around when Walt himself was alive. Reminiscent of the crooners of the '50s era and the cool Frank Sinatra period will be Frank Bennett's rendition of Chestnuts Roasting on a Open Fire. Country singer Adam Brand will sing the John Lennon anthem, War is Over (Happy Xmas), a song representative of the peace movement of the '60s. Doug Parkinson will move us into the '70s with Prepare Ye from Godspell and the Beatles' Let it Be.

The '80s has all the cast getting together with special surprise guests (worth the wait) for Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World) and We are the World from the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Rising star of the '90s, Vanessa Amorosi, will sing her own composition, Coming Home for Christmas. The final segment, the future, is represented by the old but enduring Silent Night sung by Maree Johnson, an all-in medley of carols and fireworks to Song of Joy. Bing Crosby's White Christmas, which is the biggest selling Christmas song ever. Also in this segment Belinda Emmett will sing Silver Stars, and the Janice Breen Showgroup will join the teen girl-group, Real Blondes, for Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

The Wiggles have been put in charge of the '40s and, while the group's Toot Toot Chugga Chugga wasn't written in this period, the Janice Breen Showgroup will add the medley from the era of The Andrews Sisters' hits. Lisa McCune and the von Trapp singers from The Sound of Music slot in next to match an interval break in tonight's performance of the show at Star City. Minnie, Mickey and the whole gang led by Monica Each segment of the program of tonight's Carol's in the Domain will represent a decade of this century. Matching each artist performing tonight and keeping the Carols theme has been a challenge, but the program fits together with songs and artists matched to reflect the decades throughout the 1900s. The performers will open with the traditional carols, Come All Ye Faithful and Joy to the World, then Simon Gallaher will sing Jesu Bambino which was written in the early part of this century.

In a salute to the '30s, Ignatius Jones will sing It might take a while to get home, so please be patient and keep your cool. And remember to keep the kids close and make sure they are carrying ID. If you plan ahead, it's sure to be a night to remember. And for your children, one they'll probably want to tell their grandchildren about. For more information call 131 500 or visit www.131500.com.au C5 4 I A Wrferwavs ymmmw Roads and Traffic Road and Tra BBnwBrMBr Vlly nCUl STATE TRANSIT Authority Wee with vou on the water (( (( Xou and J.2 million others.

This year's New Year's Eve party will be the biggest Sydney has ever seen. With more than 1.2 million people expected in the Sydney CBD and Harbour foreshores, everyone will need a transport plan. If you plan your night carefully, you and your family can be part of this historic event and avoid some of the crowds and queues. eave he ear al home. There will be significant road closures, and no street parking in the Sydney CBD and most of PyrmontUltimo from 6pm to 3am.

Public transport is the best option. Plan to take a train, go by bus or catch a ferry. Extra scheduled services will operate on the night, and you can save time by pre-purchasing your $10 CityRail Millennium New Year ticket from train stations and $10 Sydney Buses Limited Edition Millennium Ticket from selected newsagents. Many foreshore areas around the Harbour will also have restricted vehicle access to vantage points. Contact local councils for details.

For the latest information on road closures visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call the RTA oh 132 701. KvoV fears before fcedlime. Plan to arrive early with plenty of time to spare. Why not attend the 4pm Domain concert, stay on for the 9pm fireworks and leave for home before midnight? That way you can enjoy the best of the entertainment and avoid the post-midnight rush. Come early for the special kids' events: Millennium 4 Kids: 4pm 7pm, The Domain.

Entertainment featuring Johnson and Friends, Monica Trapaga and The Wiggles. Harbour of Lights: From 8.30pm to 12.30am around the Harbour foreshores. 18 spectacular lanterns of Sydney Sea Creatures, towering up to three storeys high. Millennium Fireworks: 9pm from the barges off Sydney Cove and Pyrmont, and midnight from the Harbour Bridge and stretching from Gladesville to Vaucluse. For more information call 1900 920 466 or visit www.sydneymillennium.com.au.

Plan patfy nighl. NEW SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT John Bevins NYE00306-2.