Pacific Dawn naming - First ever sound and light ship spectacular at Circular Quay

**Ally** · 11-02-2007, 07:35 AM

An unforgettable light and sound show will be projected across Sydney’s Circular Quay onto the hull of Australia’s first superliner as P&O Cruises celebrates the naming of Pacific Dawn next week.

The spectacular light and sound show will start at 8.30pm on Thursday November 8 and will be the largest light projection on a ship ever undertaken in Australia.

The extravaganza, best viewed from East Circular Quay, will be powered by eight 250kg film projectors creating a massive display stretching 200 metres wide and 25 metres high.

The “son et lumière” public celebration will be a highlight of the Pacific Dawn naming event, which is being coordinated by event maestro David Grant, who has masterminded the hottest parties and hospitality for seven Olympics including next year’s 2008 Games in Beijing.

The show will feature a celebration theme, with Aboriginal artworks, mesmerising motifs from the South Pacific, nautical imagery and sea creatures from above and below the ocean dancing across the ship, set to a dynamic music score commissioned especially for the show.

Immediately before the spectacular, Olympic gold medal winner Cathy Freeman will christen the 70,000-ton Pacific Dawn in a traditional champagne-bottle breaking ceremony on the superliner’s top deck, watched by more than 600 VIPs and celebrities.

Following the show, celebrated singer Christine Anu will perform on the ship’s pool deck, with her voice set to carry across the Quay.

Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the event would celebrate Pacific Dawn’s arrival in her home city of Sydney and symbolise the company’s bright future.

“We are a company that has reshaped itself and is firmly focussed on the future,” Ms Sherry said.

“The arrival of the Pacific Dawn and the celebrations are a fitting symbol to herald the exciting times ahead for the company and our passengers.”

As P&O Cruises’ first superliner, Pacific Dawn will carry up to 2050 passengers and offers two swimming pools, five evening dining areas, nine bars and lounges, a three-storey atrium lobby, a two-storey show lounge, fitness centre and dedicated children’s facilities. Her inaugural cruise departs November 9 for the South Pacific.

The projection show has been created by Sydney company, The Electric Canvas, responsible for the world’s largest projection project at the Asia Games in Qatar, as well as “son et lumière” shows around the globe, including an award-winning display for Louis Vuitton’s 150th birthday in New York and shows at the Sydney Olympic Games and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Local boutique music and sound production company, Supersonic, which has written music scores for TV, cinema and theatre worldwide, has composed the music for the event.

The Pacific Dawn light and sound spectacular will be at 8.30pm on Thursday November 8. The best vantage point is the East Circular Quay promenade and the Sydney Opera House precinct.

Sydneysiders wanting to see the show should use public transport as CBD parking around Circular Quay is extremely limited and there will be no parking in the Sydney Opera House Carpark for this event.