All posts tagged: interview

May Contain Traces of Reading

Published by

Mitchel E Roberts is not your average stand up comedian. His show, ‘May Contain Traces of Reading, is performed without uttering a single word and it’s back for another season at the Butterfly Club this Jane – June. We spoke to Mitch about what audiences can expect this time around, and what’s next for the young rising star. Mitch, you talk about the concept for this show as ‘coming to you in a golden moment’ – but is there a back story or inspiration behind the idea? The back story to this show is basically that I’ve been having silly ideas since I was 8 years old, and within a couple of weeks, I’d move on to the next grand plan, or huge scale scheme. This idea was different though. For one, I wasn’t actively trying to come up with something. I was just working in a job that didn’t require a lot of brain power or attention, and while my mind was wandering, this show walked into my head, with a fully formed premise. …

INTERVIEW: Hook Turn Orchestra

Published by

Hook Turn Orchestra is an eclectic nine piece ensemble of Melbourne’s most accomplished jazz musicians featuring an exquisite string quartet with members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. We had a chance to have a chat with Remco Keijzer, the Dutch-born jazz saxophonist/arranger and multi-instrumentalists to find out more about the band. So go grab your cuppa and read on! Tell us about you – Hook Turn Orchestra. How did you all meet; what’s the story behind the name; what inspired you; tell us all! Hook Turn Orchestra is collaboration between musicians, which was conceived at St Kilda’s Local Taphouse, a craft beer institute where locals gather to enjoy interesting brews from all over the world. Unlike most grand plans dreamed up at late night gatherings involving fermented beverages, this idea actually came to fruition. Like a well-crafted beer, our orchestra was conceived of three key ingredients; Musical theatre star, Alinta Chidzey (West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hugh Jackman Tour); Violinist/arranger, Roger Young (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) and Dutch-born jazz saxophonist/arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Remco …

Interview: Dream Lover – Hannah Fredericksen

Published by

Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical is a big show with a big score and a big heart. The show includes 34 great hits from the 50s and 60s including Mack The Knife, Beyond the Sea, Splish Splash and the multi-million-seller Dream Lover. We had a chance to have a chat with Hannah Fredericksen, starring as Sandra Dee, to find out more about herself and the show. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into performing? In primary school my Principal gave my Mum a book called ‘Raising Your Spirited Child – A guide for parents whose child is MORE intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent and energetic’. Poor Mum. I think it was clear to my parents very early on that I wouldn’t take a predictable path! I discovered music and theatre throughout school and it was where I found myself and truly thrived. Music came first; piano, guitar, saxophone and singing lessons and theatre followed soon after. I don’t remember the moment when I realised that it was …

Interview: Candy Ng – Melbourne Illustrator

Published by

Candy Ng, a well-known Melbourne based illustrator did our Facebook featured cover. She has published books and done public talks, and continue to influence local artists with her ever-growing creativity. Let’s get to know Candy a little. Tell us a little about yourself and how you’ve got to where you are today, Candy? I grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Melbourne to study Graphic Design; I fell in love with everything Melbourne has to offer (food culture, creative scene and nature) and decided to make Melbourne my second home. I worked as a Graphic Designer for four years before becoming a full time Illustrator. You may say self-discipline and persistence helped me to reach to where I am today. In creative practises, I create and often make mistakes, but failure is a better opportunity for me to get closer to where I want to be. I learned to leave my ego at the door and ask people with expertise for constructive feedback/advice. There were times I felt like I am “not good enough” …

Fiona Tuck, health and wellness expert

Published by

Time to get your spring/summer body back on as the warm days approach. We got a chance to speak with Fiona Tuck, a Nutritional Medicine Practitioner, Skincare Expert, Yoga Teacher and an accredited member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, and also for her to teach us a sneaky spring snack that will not destroy that fit-bod of yours. But first, let Fiona tell you a little more about the health industry and herself. Tell us how you got into the health and wellness industry 25 years ago, Fiona. I have always had a keen passion for health and wellness and after working in banking for a short while I realised I needed to follow my heart and study health and wellness which included three years full time of nutrition, skincare and spa therapies. I have worked in a variety of roles including hands on therapy, skincare, education, nutritional consults and manufacturing. One of my roles as an International Training Manager included lots of travel and after working in Asia and discovering the medicinal benefits …

Interview with the Danish artist – Tine Bech

Published by

Light / Play is the first installation in the new QV Laneway Series: a seasonal program of ongoing interactive outdoor events, festivals and activations in the QV Square and surrounding laneways. The celebration of light and play heralds the end of winter, with events and installations until Sunday 10 September 2017. We were given the chance to meet Tine Bech, the artist behind the program and got to know her a little bit better. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? I am an artist and researcher. I am Danish, but I now live and work in London. I create interactive and playable projects where the human experiences are at the centre. Despite living in an age which seems to offer unlimited forms of media communication, we still fundamentally crave a human connection, to find expression in a community and in dialogue. I am interested in how this can be achieved through play, through the creation of a particular environment, and by recognising and exploring the ways that technology has informed our …

Interview – Daragh Kan

Published by

Hightail bar, the new go to spot for an after work drinks, catch up with old mates or maybe just for a casual lunch. The décor of the bar is so elegant, yet quirky. The drinks are delicious and the food is unbeatable. Everything you need and want in one place, all you need to do is bring along your friends and have 100 Orders app ready to go. Let Daragh Kan, one of the owners of Hightail Bar tell you a little bit more about the venue and himself. Tell us Daragh, what was your team’s main inspiration behind this extravagant Hightail Bar and what makes it different? We wanted to create an escape for people in the surrounding areas and that’s where the concept of building a watering hole came from. With so many office workers in the area, having a bit of an oasis for them to take a break from work seemed like a smart idea. For Hightail Bar first timers, what is the best way to experience it? With a …

After Hours with Eau De Vie

Published by

We chatted to Greg Sanderson, owner of one our favourite speakeasy bars, Eau de Vie for the inside scoop on the world of cocktails and the Melbourne bar scene.   You’ve been in the industry for several years now and have also won the 2012 Australian Bartender of the Year Award. In your opinion what makes a good bartender? A great bartender first and foremost must be a fantastic host. Receiving service from a professional bartender should feel like you have been invited into their home and you are being taken care of like a friend. Sure an in-depth knowledge of spirits, cocktails and everything they are serving is important but a truly great bartender will know exactly when to pull out those facts and not force them upon their guests. As well as being an impeccable host they must move with grace and purpose, entertain but know how to leave a conversation gracefully to keep working, must be clean and organised, and always be willing to learn new things.   Eau De Vie is one …

Interview with Jessica Alice, Program manager of MWF

Published by

Each year, MWF bring together writers from around Program Manager of MWF the world to celebrate literature, to explore ideas and to inspire readers. We got a chance to have a chat with the Program Manager, Jessica Alice this year and she is ready to tell you all about literacy! 1. Tell us about your journey from being a writer to Program Manager at Melbourne Writer’s Festival 2017? It’s a little convoluted! Right out of high school I hit the slam poetry scene pretty hard, performing in pubs and theatres and at festivals. I became the poetry editor for several publications – notably, a feminist punk journal called Scum. I wrote an honours thesis on feminist poetry, and after university I used my writing skills to land jobs in arts marketing. I directed the National Young Writers Festival and felt really at home programing events, and after deciding marketing wasn’t my thing, I made the move to MWF, where it’s literature and creativity on a massive scale. 2. How did you celebrate after you were …

The stars of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017

Published by

For fans of the fun, frivolity and straight out pure talent enjoyment that comes with quality cabaret, this years’ Melbourne Cabaret Festival, now in its eighth year promises to be one that fans of the genre will love. We recently caught up with one of our besties, the fabulous Dolly Diamond, who is this year’s Artistic Director, Jon Jackson from “Queen of Broadway – The Ethel Merman Story” and Danielle O’Malley, star of “You’re my world – the Cilla Black Story” But first, darling Dolly: Dolly, how did you feel when you were appointed artistic director of the 2017 Melbourne Cabaret Festival? When they first mentioned (it) I think a little bit of wee left me… (It happens) and normally I jump in where angels fear to tread, but this time I actually took a bit of time to think about it. I wanted to be sure I could commit to it and do a good job… but once I said yes I was thrilled. How are you going to make your mark on this …