The Voice of China Venetian Macao Rock with Stars Countdown Concert and a Spectacular Fireworks Display
(Macao, January 1, 2013) – The Cotai Strip® development was the scene of a New Year’s Eve extravaganza Monday night. The celebrity-filled spectacular featured a special concert from the hit TV show The Voice of China and Hong Kong’s Paul Wong & The Postman at the CotaiArena(tm), and a countdown to a magnificent fireworks display that rung in the New Year.
“The fireworks display and countdown concert cap a very significant year for Sands China with the launch of Sands® Cotai Central, our 6,000-room integrated resort,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. “We are proud to have achieved outstanding performances in 2012, both for our new hotel properties opened this year – Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn – as well as for our well-known brands The Venetian® Macao, Sands® Macao and The Plaza(tm) Macao featuring Four Seasons Hotel, reflecting that our products and services are welcomed by the market. With all hotels at capacity and sold out mega events such as concerts featuring The Voice of China and this past Saturday’s Hacken Lee concert, it has been a crowning end to a royal year of world-class events for Sands China. Our commitment to Macao continues, and we thank our visitors and guests for their support this year as we look forward to welcoming them back to our properties in 2013.”
An incredible pyrotechnic show lit up the night sky Monday and brought 2012 to a close in dazzling style. A sequence of stunning fireworks illuminated Cotai as they launched from Sands China’s Cotai Strip properties: The Venetian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Sands Cotai Central.
A massive crowd of people gathered excitedly at the Cotai Strip development to see the fireworks and to start 2013 with a bang. Winter in Venice’s glittering five-minute display of a 43,000-square-foot (4,000-square-metre) special edition 3D video mapping countdown lit up the façade of The Venetian Macao at 11:55 pm, accompanied by an electrifying soundtrack of music. The dazzling pyrotechnic show that followed contained almost 5,500 individual fireworks reflecting the character and uniqueness of the Cotai Strip properties.
Yang Kun, one of the mentors of The Voice of China, led over 20 talented artists in performing at the countdown concert, which was broadcast live starting at 11:30 pm to large outdoor LED screens within the Winter in Venice lagoon area outside The Venetian Macao and at Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central’s Jaya pool deck. Likewise, the midnight pyrotechnic show was broadcast live to concertgoers inside the CotaiArena. Two famous celebrity guests – CCTV host Cui Yong Yuan and Shanghai stand-up comedian and founder of “Shanghai Style Small Talk” Zhou Li Po – took part in the show and led teams in competing with one another. Artists from The Voice of China included Zou Hongyu, Huang Yi, Mochou “Momo” Wu, Li Weizhen, Li Daimo, Ding Ding, Jin Zhiwen, Ping An, Jin Chi, Sun Jiahuan & Tang Nang, Zhao Lu, Wu Jiali, Hou Zuxin, Zhou Lihu, Ding Shaohua, Da Shan, Huang Yong, Chu Qiao, Wang Yunyi, Huang He, Wang Ke, Cao Yin and others.
The hugely popular concert, which sold out in less than two days, was broadcast from 9 pm on Star China’s three TV channels, Zhejiang Television and six Internet portals – Sohu, QQ, Le TV, IQIYI, Youku and Ku6 – reaching millions of households in China.
The memorable concert featured many of Paul Wong’s biggest hits including “Can’t Bring Me Down,” “Red Black Red Red Black,” “Young and Innocent,” “When Heaven Burns” and “Great Wall.” Concertgoers were also able to take advantage of a special package including an autograph session with Paul Wong, who appeared at Shoppes Cotai Central to sign 100 of his Paul Wong Limited Edition Box Sets. Wong also participated in a hand print ceremony for the Cotai Strip development’s upcoming ‘Avenue of the Stars.’
Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central’s New Year Eve Countdown Party at Jaya pool entertained hundreds of guests starting at 9 pm, with live performances, international DJs, a string quartet, percussion group and a Lady Gaga tribute band as the headline act. The CotaiArena concert and the pyrotechnic show were both broadcast live to the party.
The countdown concert and pyrotechnic show are the climax of Stars of the Cotai Strip, which began on December 3 and has seen more than 30 celebrities at the Cotai Strip properties. The celebrities, including Sammo Hung, Carol “Dodo” Cheng, Chang Chen, Wu Chun, Ekin Cheng, Chilam Cheung, Karena Lam, Grasshopper and Sandrine Pinna, have appeared at numerous star-studded events and activities. Stars of the Cotai Strip included a glittering red carpet and gala dinner, star make-overs, shopping experiences and over MOP 1.2 million in prizes.
Stars of the Cotai Strip demonstrates the commitment of Sands China Ltd. in pursing its goal to develop Macao into one of the region’s leading centres for entertainment. Sands China properties are already known as hotspots for seeing the biggest superstars of every kind – from film and television to sports and music, and this December raised the bar with multiple celebrity appearances and events.
