The Famous Spiegeltent, weaving its magic. (preview)

It is no secret that I love a night out. Or that Melbourne plays a big part in that love. Sometimes music, a friend and a beautiful voice is what is needed to cut through a long week. That’s where the Spiegeltent and Lior come in.

It is a poorly kept secret that I have yearned to go to the Spiegeltent as it settles itself outside Arts Centre Melbourne each year. Tonight I’m finally getting that chance.

On the first day of Autumn I can breathe out a little as Lior, together with Gian Slater and her vocal ensemble Invenio wash away the working week.

The last time I saw Lior was at a three day festival. It was hot, I had been serving wine to a full spectrum of festival goers in a small tent. I had timed a break to see Lior on the main stage. The beauty of working on a wine stall was I had access to wine, no waiting. The down side, what would appear to be the worlds dirtiest feet. I’ll take a short wait for a glass of wine and the beauty of the Spiegeltent over a festival these days.

The Spiegeltent is weaving its magic at the Arts Centre Melbourne now through to April 21. There are a range of events, including a programme for children and families. I am wondering if I can convince Hubby he needs to come to Jazz High Tea with me. Although I think he would rather see Chef and Sushi Master Shaun Presland in his show Sushi Ragamuffin. Also on the food front, the Macaron Luau, with tips on how to cook perfect macarons, tasting delicious sweets while The Ukeladies croon with Hawaiian inspired tunes. Katie Noonan is another favourite of mine, and her Love Song Circus, exploring the incredible stories of the first female convicts in Australia looks set to be a wonderful performance.

I for one can’t wait. I am hoping The Spiegeltent will weave a spell over my Friday night, and am more than a little happy this time round as I listen to Lior the only wine I have to think about is the one I will be sipping.

The Famous Spiegeltent is on now through to April 21. For a full range of what’s on visit here, and follow along on Facebook.

Disclaimer: I worked with 360 Immerse for the Arts Centre and am duly compensated for my time. 

Images used with permission.

Tags: Arts Centre Melbourne, Lior, Melbourne, The Famous Spiegeltent

Away from the humdrum

If you were in Melbourne on Wednesday night, you would have seen a city alive with summer. People walking, milling, sitting. Sharing time with friends, family, or alone.

You may have passed a mother and her son. He just about to pass her in height. Walking across St Kilda Road, shooting the breeze, in search of food fit to satve off the constant hunger only a teen child can muster. You may have seen a kid and his first taste of Lord of the Fries, of which, I am told, there is no going back.

There is something special about spending time one on one with a child. As they get older and naturally begin to move away from the constant want of parental and family company it is good to get away from home and the confines of the did you do, are you sure, have you got…

Away from the humdrum of home, tensions seem to loosen and side by side in the car, the street, the theatre, real conversations can be had.

That is the way it was when I took The Blue Eyed Boy to LEO at the Arts Centre Melbourne. He had the pick of three shows to see, and this was his choice. The more intimate space of the Fairfax Studio was perfect for this one man performance. A fringe festival-like show that starts out with some laughs and makes a decent into darker territory. All the better for older children and adults.

The performance delights, engages and challenges perceptions as you watch both the performer and a screen that films his every move. As well as the cleverness and physicality of the performance, there is a depth of character and emotion I was not sure would be there before the show began. That was, for me, what made the performance. Not so much that my perception was challenged, but my emotional response as music, image and Leo himself changed from happy go lucky to an altogethr darker place. And, that he found his way out of that place.

Leo is recommended for children aged ten plus, and although there were younger children in the audience, I do think the promoters got the age right for this performance. The louder music and darker side to the show, which is what really drew me in, is not aimed at younger audience members. For younger theatre goers wanting something a little out of the ordinary Oh Suivant! May be more the show to see.

For my lovely, growing teen and his rather proud mother, this was the perfect show, and the beginning of a great evening in the city we call home. Leo is on now through to January 27th. Tickets can be purchased here.

Disclaimer: I worked with 360 Immerse for the Arts Centre and am duly compensated for my time. I was not expected to write a review of Leo. I did though want to write about my time with my son, and the performance we saw. Just as I would have if not collaborating with an agency.

Tags: Arts Centre Melbourne, Leo, Melbourne, Review, Summer Season, The Blue Eyed Boy

Flash Friday Giveaway with Heart – The Key of Sea

There are some things that I just will not say no to. Some things speak to my heart more than others. This is why I am breaking my own blogging rule, posting about an event and having a giveaway while another one is still running. Let’s call it a Flash Friday Giveaway with Heart shall we?

In just one weeks time, on Friday December 14th two of my most loved things will come together for one night at Hamer Hall in Melbourne. Great music and a lot of heart and soul.

The Key of Sea, brings some of Australia’s finest (and some of my own favourite) musicians together with Australian-based musicians from refugee/asylum seeker backgrounds. Collaboration, music and voice.  Read more…

Tags: Arts Centre Melbourne, giveaway, Melbourne, Summer Season, The Key of Sea, Tickets

Scaffolded memories and the new Hamer Hall (& a giveaway)

I have childhood memories of excitedly going into Melbourne city for events. The ballet once, a circus, an orchestra, even the museum, housed in its former building where I marvelled at Phar Lap in his glass tomb. Excursions to the city with family and friends were something I relished.

A common thread in all these city adventures was building site scaffolding. Sometimes the walking through it is a clearer memory than the end destination. The city always had some building going under repairs, construction or remodelling. For the child me there was something thrilling about walking under the scaffolds. Boarded building sites plastered in posters, overhead planks with light seeping through, metal poles echoing the clanging sounds of the city. I wanted to stop, look, read the posters. Yet people always walked through in a matter of fact way. Seemingly unaware of the metal and ply encasing them.

I would run my hand along the poster wallpapered ply. Wrap my small hand around the cool metal at pedestrian crossings. Secretly breathe a sigh of relief when we were out from under them; my imagination fuelled with thoughts of being crushed in a grisly death under collapsing steel and wood.

Perhaps it was wondering what was under wraps that I loved about a scaffold covered building. More than likely it was wanting to see what was behind the boards. The delight at finding a crack in the covering offering up a slice of the goings on was what I wanted. A stolen glimpse into what was for a girl of four or five an unknown world.

I still get a thrill walking through city scaffolding. It brings with it a glance back to my child self and a sense of excitement my city offered then and now.

For the past two years Hamer Hall in the heart of Melbourne has been undergoing some serious refurbishment. I have watched on in curiosity and with a sense of excitement. The small child in me wanting to walk under scaffolding. The older me wanting to know what the end results would be. Just last weekend I peered through the scaffolding to the new foyer, lit up and almost ready for action. It is now all but finished and next week the wraps come off, marking the grand opening of a refurbished Hamer Hall and new entertainment precinct. With bars, restaurants and public spaces.

Opening celebrations begin with concerts at Hammer Hall Thursday 26th and Friday 27th July and continue with a variety of free events over the weekend when Hamer Hall, Theatres Building, Sidney Myer Music Bowl and surrounding public spaces host a series of celebrations. Free events for the whole family include roving musicians, public art spaces, dance, exhibitions, and light shows across Arts Centre buildings in the evenings. A full line up of opening weekend events can be found here, with more detailed information here.

As part of the opening season at Hamer Hall there are a series of exclusive concerts and performances over the coming months. Not only will I be heading to the free public opening weekend events with the family, I will also be attending one of The Czech Philharmonic concerts. Performing Sunday 26th and Monday 27th of August The Czech Philharmonic are world renowned. Thanks to 360 Immerse PR I also have a double pass to give away to the Monday concert.

Here are the details: The giveaway is for a double pass to the MONDAY 27th AUGUST performance of the The Czech Philharmonic.

The concert is being held at Hamer Hall in Melbourne.

Concert begins at 8pm

If you love classical music, have wanted to learn more or experience something new, this is the night for you.

To be in the running, make sure you’re a facebook follower then leave a comment below telling me about some of your early childhood memories of seeing a show, going to a museum, movie, circus etc. Please don’t comment for the giveaway on facebook – they don’t like that sort of thing, and I’ll need to delete the comment. (I didn’t make the facebook rules, but I am trying to follow them.)

Entires close on Wednesday the 1st of August at 8pm. Comments on this post will then be close.

Winner will be announced on Thursday 2nd of August on the blog and be notified by email.

Double pass winner will have until Sunday the 5th August to contact me via reply email before tickets are redrawn.

Disclaimer: I received a double pass to the Czech Philharmonic from 360 Immerse

Images used with permission

*comments on this post are now closed. Winner announced Thursday 2nd August.

And the winner (chosen by the Hubby) was Shelley. Congratulations.

Tags: Arts Centre Melbourne, Czech Philharmonic, Hamer Hall, Hamer Hall Grand Opening

Making memories, ballet and the Green Eyed Girl.

In a little over a week I’m heading to the ballet with The Green Eyed Girl. I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to take the kids places now that don’t involve men in primary coloured skivvies or giant mice in tutus.

I’m one of a hand full of bloggers invited to attend the opening night of this ballet at the Arts Centre here in Melbourne. The Peony Pavilion will be performed by the National Ballet of China with the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra. It has a short season from March 15th to 18th. Matinees will be on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th as well as nightly performances.

The images and clips I have seen of the ballet promise a visually stunning evening for all who attend. The last time I took the Green Eyed Girl to the ballet she was still a few weeks off being born. Although by the way she wiggled, stretched and kicked, I think she enjoyed it.

When we moved to Melbourne from Hobart going to more live performances was high on our list of reasons to relocate. While we have been to a number of events over the five years we have been here, ballet has just not happened yet. All that will change next week, and I am thrilled to be going. Being able to share the experience with my daughter will make it all the more sweet.  As a child one of my lasting memories is of attending various ballets. I am hoping that this will be a lasting memory for my daughter and me together.

Have you ever been to the ballet as a child, or as an adult? What lasting memories from childhood do you have and what ones would you like to create with your children now?

The Arts Centre presents 

disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, however I have received two tickets to the opening night of the ballet. 

Tags: Arts Centre Melbourne, National Ballet of China, National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra, peony pavilion