Last night Nicole, Belinda and I headed to a show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. After Friday night drinks with my new work colleagues at The Apartment (I am working somewhere that places a credit card on the bar for these type of get togethers - I have arrived!!), I hot-footed it down to the RMIT Capitol Theatre to see Tim Minchin.
Much raved about by sisters' and friends alike, and after seeing him on Spicks And Specks, I was quite looking forward to it. And after a couple of beers, I was very much looking forward to laughing out loud for a bit! Hee hee!
Mr Minchin wandered onto stage barefoot, and opened with a mime musical set, playing drums, bass, and then the electric guitar. Done so convincingly, with a band playing somewhere behind the scenes for him. His opening song was a piss take on sad upper class people struggling to find good material - very funny. The show was titled So F**king Rock, with a catching, hilarious musical comedy song to go with it.
He also played Canvas Bags, among others, which I had heard about before going to the show - musical comedy with a message - Gold!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Anzac Dawn Service
Very early morning on Wednesday, Kelly, Jessie and I got up before the sun, and made our way to the Anzac Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Rugged up against the early morning cold, we drove over to the Lygon Street tram line, and joined the hoards of people crammed onto the first tram of the day. We were surprised, as everyone seems to be each year Anzac Day is marked, by the number of people, and especially the number of people our age (range, as Kelly points out!!) going along to the service, giving up their sleep on a public holiday, and the general camaraderie feeling about the journey in.
Our tram got us to the Shrine end of St Kilda Road just as the preliminary stuff was wrapping up over the load speaker, and just in time for the start of the service. This year there were passages read from high school students, along with the haunting and meaningful Last Post, and the beautiful words said at every service...
I cannot believe it has been two years now since we were at the 90th anniversary service at Gallipoli. The Melbourne service was quite reminiscent of that time two years ago, with the temperature and the range of people within the crowd. The solemn reverence of the service was the same. I think this is something I will aim to do at least every couple of years. Such an important and patriotic part of being an Australian.
After a yummy and much needed warm breakfast at The Corner Store, we headed home for a nap, before joining Melissa and Clinton, Dianna, and Watty for a BBQ in the backyard with the footy on the tv. Such a true blue Aussie day!
Rugged up against the early morning cold, we drove over to the Lygon Street tram line, and joined the hoards of people crammed onto the first tram of the day. We were surprised, as everyone seems to be each year Anzac Day is marked, by the number of people, and especially the number of people our age (range, as Kelly points out!!) going along to the service, giving up their sleep on a public holiday, and the general camaraderie feeling about the journey in.Our tram got us to the Shrine end of St Kilda Road just as the preliminary stuff was wrapping up over the load speaker, and just in time for the start of the service. This year there were passages read from high school students, along with the haunting and meaningful Last Post, and the beautiful words said at every service...
They shall not grow old
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the evening
we will remember them
I cannot believe it has been two years now since we were at the 90th anniversary service at Gallipoli. The Melbourne service was quite reminiscent of that time two years ago, with the temperature and the range of people within the crowd. The solemn reverence of the service was the same. I think this is something I will aim to do at least every couple of years. Such an important and patriotic part of being an Australian.
After a yummy and much needed warm breakfast at The Corner Store, we headed home for a nap, before joining Melissa and Clinton, Dianna, and Watty for a BBQ in the backyard with the footy on the tv. Such a true blue Aussie day!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
John Mayer
Last night Katie came down to Melbourne, and we went to see John Mayer in concert.
Jessie, Katie and I had pizza and red wine at a unnamed, but very cool bar in Nicholson Street, before making our way to the Vodafone Arena.
Ben Kweller was the support act, and was very good. He had most of the crowd's attention, which is rare for support acts that I have seen. The Arena had filled up to listen to him. We enjoyed the chance to celebrity spot during his set, after several sightings of footballers and the like at previous concerts. We thought we had picked out a group of lads...
Coming out on stage with jeans, jacket and guitar on, John Mayer started his set, with a mixture of tracks from his most recent album, and those from his previous. He commented on No Such Thing as 'not the best song in the world, but it's alright!' He played Why Georgia, Waiting For The World To Change, and Bigger Than Body, among others.
Jacket off and playing in just the white t-shirt and jeans, from where we were it was hard to see what he actually looks like. I never recognise him when he is plastered over magazine pages. He turned into a preppy American lad, who can sing, and can play!
He played 3 x 5 first on the encore, after a request from fans up the front with a banner, and ended with Gravity, which he introduced as the best song he has written.
Jessie, Katie and I had pizza and red wine at a unnamed, but very cool bar in Nicholson Street, before making our way to the Vodafone Arena. Ben Kweller was the support act, and was very good. He had most of the crowd's attention, which is rare for support acts that I have seen. The Arena had filled up to listen to him. We enjoyed the chance to celebrity spot during his set, after several sightings of footballers and the like at previous concerts. We thought we had picked out a group of lads...
Coming out on stage with jeans, jacket and guitar on, John Mayer started his set, with a mixture of tracks from his most recent album, and those from his previous. He commented on No Such Thing as 'not the best song in the world, but it's alright!' He played Why Georgia, Waiting For The World To Change, and Bigger Than Body, among others.
Jacket off and playing in just the white t-shirt and jeans, from where we were it was hard to see what he actually looks like. I never recognise him when he is plastered over magazine pages. He turned into a preppy American lad, who can sing, and can play!He played 3 x 5 first on the encore, after a request from fans up the front with a banner, and ended with Gravity, which he introduced as the best song he has written.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
John Butler in the Square
On Thursday night, after a much anticipated countdown to the long Easter weekend, I walking down from work to Federation Square. I met Noodles there, and we were joined by Kelly, just in time for the beginning of the John Butler Trio's free set.
A free concert to promote his new album, John Butler packed out the open section of Fed Square, from people who had been there for hours to get a spot, to the after work crowd popping in before heading off elsewhere.
Starting with Zebra, and then launching into the new album, he was funky and chatty with the audience in between songs. Vika and Linda Bull were on stage for a few songs, with their backing vocals contributing to the new ablbum also. Many songs from the set were recogisable, and he certainly pleased the crowd.
A free concert to promote his new album, John Butler packed out the open section of Fed Square, from people who had been there for hours to get a spot, to the after work crowd popping in before heading off elsewhere. Starting with Zebra, and then launching into the new album, he was funky and chatty with the audience in between songs. Vika and Linda Bull were on stage for a few songs, with their backing vocals contributing to the new ablbum also. Many songs from the set were recogisable, and he certainly pleased the crowd.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Stones
Last night Katie, Jessie, Kelly and I headed to the East Brunswick Club to see Angus and Julia Stone.
After a pub meal in the front of the pub ($10 parma, can’t go wrong!!), we headed into the band room where the support act was playing. The lad playing first was such a contrast to the main act – very interesting choice. Heavier and louder than the Stones.
Angus and Julia come onto the stage, and started their set. And were so cute, and so good. A brother and sister combination, they each sing their own songs, with the other providing backing vocals. She is so cute, has such a delicate and strong voice all at the same time, and plays the piano, trumpet, and guitar.
Both seemed shy and nervous at the beginning, but eventually Julia got chatty with the crowd. Very cute, her personality bubbled over the microphone, and gave introductions to her songs.
Their set, with encore, was very cute, and they sounded as great as their EP suggests. Raw and strong. Most of the crowd knew several of their songs, which is always a good sign. An upcoming Aussie talent, who did not disappoint live.
After a pub meal in the front of the pub ($10 parma, can’t go wrong!!), we headed into the band room where the support act was playing. The lad playing first was such a contrast to the main act – very interesting choice. Heavier and louder than the Stones.
Angus and Julia come onto the stage, and started their set. And were so cute, and so good. A brother and sister combination, they each sing their own songs, with the other providing backing vocals. She is so cute, has such a delicate and strong voice all at the same time, and plays the piano, trumpet, and guitar. Both seemed shy and nervous at the beginning, but eventually Julia got chatty with the crowd. Very cute, her personality bubbled over the microphone, and gave introductions to her songs.
Their set, with encore, was very cute, and they sounded as great as their EP suggests. Raw and strong. Most of the crowd knew several of their songs, which is always a good sign. An upcoming Aussie talent, who did not disappoint live.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Footy and BookCrossing
Last night in the hunt to find somewhere to watch the opening Hawthorn match of the season, Jenny and I headed into the city. Only on Foxtel this week, the quest to find somewhere to view the game was harder than it sounded.
Eventually finding the match on screens at the Turf Bar in the city, we settled in at the bar for dinner, a bottle of wine a piece (one per half between us, I mean!), and an eventual loss to open the season. Not surprising, and it's early days! Catching up and chatting about all that is going on in our worlds was all good. We eventually made our way to Carlton and coffee and cake at Brunetti's, before calling it a night.
Today I have rejoined the ranks of the regulars for our Melbourne BookCrossing meet ups. A brunch meet up today, at Kaleidoscope Cafe, was a chance to have breakfast, catch up with the old gang, and swap some books.
Eventually finding the match on screens at the Turf Bar in the city, we settled in at the bar for dinner, a bottle of wine a piece (one per half between us, I mean!), and an eventual loss to open the season. Not surprising, and it's early days! Catching up and chatting about all that is going on in our worlds was all good. We eventually made our way to Carlton and coffee and cake at Brunetti's, before calling it a night.
Today I have rejoined the ranks of the regulars for our Melbourne BookCrossing meet ups. A brunch meet up today, at Kaleidoscope Cafe, was a chance to have breakfast, catch up with the old gang, and swap some books.
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