Aussie dogs go barking mad for a little mutt music

Legendary rocker Lou Reed and artist wife Laurie Anderson will next month bring one of the most bizarre performances to Sydney's Opera House -- a recital for dogs, largely inaudible to human ears.At a press conference on Friday the pair said their programme for Sydney's Vivid LIVE arts festival includes an eclectic mix of heavy guitar music, martial arts and music for dogs.

Over 5,000 naked people braved a chilly morning to join a mass photo shoot at Sydney's Opera House on Monday, putting a nude twist on the Australian landmark.People of all ages, shapes and sizes assembled on the shell-shaped building's steps before dawn for renowned American artist Spencer Tunick, who photographed them with hands raised, lying down and embracing.The event, titled "The Base", drew double the expected turnout and was timed to coincide with Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday.

US talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey sailed a postcard-perfect Sydney Harbour with Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe on Monday as she unveiled an all-star lineup for her Opera House tapings.Winfrey, 56, hit the famous harbour's glittering waters on board the "Eagle Rock" with Crowe, a Sydney local, tailed by a flotilla of some 20 other yachts.Wearing a white cap given to her by Crowe and emblazoned with the logo of his South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team, Winfrey beamed as she sat at the stern of the boat, talking sport with the "Gladiator" star.

US talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey sailed a postcard-perfect Sydney Harbour with Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe on Monday as she unveiled an all-star lineup for her Opera House tapings.Winfrey, 56, hit the famous harbour's glittering waters on board the "Eagle Rock" with Crowe, a Sydney local, tailed by a flotilla of some 20 other yachts.Wearing a white cap given to her by Crowe and emblazoned with the logo of his South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team, Winfrey beamed as she sat at the stern of the boat, talking sport with the "Gladiator" star.

Germany's second city Hamburg is building a dazzling new concert hall intended to rival the Sydney Opera House as a global attraction, but little has gone according to plan.Construction delays, building defects and a price explosion have led even the developers to admit the landmark project has hurtled out of control, with no one able to say what the hall will finally cost or when it will open.

Germany's second city Hamburg is building a dazzling new concert hall intended to rival the Sydney Opera House as a global attraction, but little has gone according to plan.Construction delays, building defects and a price explosion have led even the developers to admit the landmark project has hurtled out of control, with no one able to say what the hall will finally cost or when it will open.

From Freakonimics blog:

Enthusiastic crowds gathered along Sydney Harbour Saturday to watch Australian schoolgirl sailor Jessica Watson become the youngest person to sail around the globe non-stop, solo and without help.Watson, 16, is expected to cross the finish line just ahead of noon (0200 GMT) and will coast her bright pink yacht to the Sydney Opera House to take her first steps on dry land in almost seven months.