All posts filed under: arts

Arts Review: All This Living

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As the intro to this piece states, ‘age comes to us all you know,’ we’re reminded of this in the opening act, a recollection of a bathroom encounter, when some young pretty things, applying lipstick in the mirror, label the character, Jay, portrayed beautifully by Camilla Blunden, ‘just an old woman.’ This comment, makes it real for her, and thus launches the rest of the performance where she digs deeply into the phenomenon of getting old, and how over time, older women somehow lose their voice, become invisible, and incorrectly feel they have become a burden to society. As the piece progresses, she attempts to turn these beliefs on their head, re-empowering women, as wise, important, highly visible beings with stories to tell, all the while batting off the inner voices that creep up, and try to convince her otherwise. This show was difficult to follow in parts, as the narrative jumped from whimsical inner thought to thought, from real life to fantasy through paint stores, pots and pans, to magical woods filled with fiery …

Arts Review: Sad Digger Mad Mary

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Digger, a shell-shocked soldier, sent back from the war for reasons which become clearer as the story progresses, lives hermit-style in a gum leaf shanty in the Australian bush with his little mate Bluey (expertly played by a toy dog on a skateboard), trying to escape the war, his personal persecution and memories which haunt him about a man he once loved. Before going into this one-man show, you’d be forgiven for thinking it might just contain some pretty heavy content, but then suddenly, the story takes a colorful, unexpected twist in the way that all fringe theatre productions do. Enter Mary Poppins, a character dreamed up by Digger’s tormented madness, to save him from himself. But a Mary Poppins interpreted as you’ve never seen her before… meaner, nastier, shinier, better, more interesting, hilarious. Through Mary’s tough-love guidance, inter-space and time travel, Digger is able to finally find his true self, and free himself from the shackles imposed by an earlier time, emerging as a strong, proud individual Sad Digger Mad Mary is weird, but …

Free Asia Pop Courtyard

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Be a part of Asia TOPA (Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) this February at the Immigration Museum. Every Friday evenings this February from 5pm – 9pm, the courtyard area will come to life with free Asia Pop, food, drinks and general fun. The event will feature DJ Japandaman and Sihouette d’Amore, The Pink Tiles, K-pop Melbourne dancers, a karaoke lounge and Kung Fu motion installation. The bonus, you can enter all of these exhibitions for free! Definitely a fun way to explore cultures from over 200 countries and be inspired by their stories at the Immigration Museum, and a great alternative to the usual Friday night drinks.             Where: 400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 When: Friday evenings, this February from 5pm – 9pm More information: Check their website.

Midsumma Review: The Happy Prince

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Many are already familiar with the sweet but sad story of Oscar Wilde’s Happy Prince. A beautifully adorned statue stands high over a city, eyes of sapphires, skin of gold leaf and a ruby in his dagger, saddened by the injustice of life as a poor citizen in a Victorian era. A young swallow, bound for the warmer climate to avoid the impending winter chill is separated from his flock and takes temporary shelter within the golden folds of the Prince’s cloak. The two become inseparable companions and over several nights the Prince teaches the Swallow the meaning of true happiness, all the while the two slowly make the ultimate sacrifice, and join each other in eternity through death. Heavy right? Originally penned as a children’s tale, Little Ones Theatre reimagines this classic tale for the adult audience, turning the traditional male roles into strong female characters who take companionship further into the realms of love between two women. The fresh approach to the original story aligns perfectly with the theatre company’s dedication to pushing …

Melbourne Comedy Festival – 2017

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The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is returning in 2017 with a spectacular line up of local and international performers in over 500 shows – running for four, hilariously entertaining weeks. With ticket prices averaging at $28 each, you’ll be able to see all of your favorites, plus maybe try a few new shows to broaden your comedy experience. Larger name Comedy Festival favourite likes Arj Barker, Jason Byrne, Ruby Wax, Jimeoin, Bob Franklin, Cal Wilson, Claire Hooper, Frank Woodley, Judith Lucy and Denise Scott and Rove McManus headline, but for a full experience – we recommend checking out some of the independent shows in and around Melbourne’s smaller venues. For Harry Potter fans, you can watch a performance of ‘Completely Improvised Potter’, or for all the single ladies (or those with a  wicked sense of humor) we recommend ‘Desperettes – A Guide to being a Wingman’ and for some awkward but fun humor try Barry Morgan (remember Barry Morgan from the World of Organs on Spicks and Specks…. check out this sweet medley to refresh …

West End Art Park

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Stop by for a free event full of vibrant celebration of urban artwork at the West End Art Park. Artist Georgia Hill, Phibs, George Rose and Ken Taylor with transform the old site of the Melbourne Australia Post Mail Centre into a spectacular urban gallery showcasing their aesthetically unique techniques and styles. George Rose will also be hosting exclusive lettering workshops, providing valuable insights for aspiring artist. In addition, live music will be provided by DJ Django on the decks followed by some soothing jazz sets. Local food vans will appease the crowds’ appetite including Gorilla Grill and The Grace Caravan. Audience will also find refuge in the shaded lounge areas where they can create their own urban artwork through interactive art zones, all while sitting back and soaking up the atmosphere. For further information, click here When: 12pm – 4pm Sunday 10th December 16 Where: Trenerry Property’s West End site, 185 Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne

Binge on Musical Theatre

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Inspired by the event of the same name in New York, and launched for the first time in November by founder and Artistic Director Trevor Alexander and the fabulous Dolly Diamond – the first ever Melbourne Musical Theatre Festival will be kicking off in Melbourne this January with a line up set to make everyone fall in love with musical theatre all over again. Priced for a serious musical theatre binge with tickets ranging from only $25-$69 this event, celebrating local performers, writers and producers will feature a classic line-up of well-loved family musical favourites, timeless adult productions and new Australian shows and will run from January 6th through to the 28th making it a fantastic (and super affordable) school holiday activity. Based out of the historic, iconic Athenaeum Theatre in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the festival’s ethos is all about reigniting a passion for the genre in the youth market, but the ranges of shows are not all targeted at the young (and young at heart). Kicking off the festivities, and running for …

Review: Confessions of an Aerobics Instructor

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We were invited along to witness the fitness in a cardio comedy cabaret, which aims to expose group fitness class instructors (which lets face it, we generally put up on pedestals) as …. dare we say it, ‘real people’ with ‘real flaws and weaknesses’ – through a series of confessions made by the star of the show, Joy (aka Joana Simmons). If you are a couch potato of the worst kind, Joy is the aerobics instructor of your nightmares. Joana has incredibly high energy, she’s bright, sparkly and intense to the point that, at first, you are unable to look directly at her as the show kicks off. It’s not until a few minutes into the piece that you settle back into your chair and relax. Just quietly, she’s an excellent motivator…. The beautiful part about this show is that Joana legitimately is an aerobics instructor, having started teaching classes when she was 17. This combined with her comedy background made for a pretty interesting combination cabaret, in a mix and genre we’d never seen before, sometimes dirty, …

Markit@Fedsquare

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Save the date on the 11th of December for Markit@Fedsquare! It is a one-day event with over 100 unique independent designers and makers held at Federation Square. You can buy quirky ceramics  by Yiying Lee,  natural fibre shirts by APOM, or maybe some organic skincare by Ek-ho. So embrace yourself in the land of Australian creators on the 11th of December because you deserve beautifully designed jewellery, fashion, accessories, homewares, prints and more!                       It’s free entry from 10am to 5pm, and many of the stall holders have credit card and Eftpos facilities. However, we do recommend you get some cash withdrawals at the nearby ATM. Markit@Fedsquare will have one lucky draw for one market goer with fabulous prizes to take home on Sunday. Find out how to enter on here. P.S All Day Donuts and Sensory Lab will be joining the event in the Deakin Edge Theatre serving coffee and sweet treats, ALL DAY! Find out which designer will be there on the day on …