Legendary bluesman Ivan Zar

Performing  Sunday 1st  November 2015 at The Retreat Hotel, 280 Sydney Road, Brunswick between 5 – 7pm.

Delta Bluesman Ivan Zar
Delta Bluesman Ivan Zar.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt in Memphis Street, Ivan Zar migrated to Western Australia with his parents age 13. He was drawn to the Blues at an early age and taught himself to play the harmonica and Delta Blues style guitar. In 1968 he began writing his own songs and formed his first band “King Biscuit Co”. Since then, Ivan has supported many of the international touring acts as either a solo performer or with one of his many subsequent bands.

Noted for his raw and passionate, rhythmic country blues on his trademark Dobro Ivan has traveled extensively throughout the Kimberly  promoting blues and mentoring blues artists.

 

 

Kankawa Nagarra (Olive Knight)
Kankawa Nagarra (Olive Knight)

This coming Sunday Ivan will be joined by a special guest in Kankawa Nagarra (Olive Knight) who is a Walmatjarri elder from the community of Wangkatjungka. Olive and Ivan first meet while Ivan was touring the outback in the 1990’s. In 2010 Olive commissioned Ivan to produce her first album. Not long after Olive was making her Broadway debut with ‘Hugh Jackman, Back to Broadway’, supported by her son, fellow singer Clifton Bieundurry and didgeridoo players’ Paul Boon and Nathan Mundraby.

 

In November and December this year Olive will again be performing with Hugh Jackman in Broadway to Oz on a national tour.

The Westside Watchman

This powerful and informative documentary strips bare the burgeoning problems to do with youth unemployment, street gangs, drug issues and the socio economic gap between the haves and have nots.

Les Twentyman has dedicated over 45 years of his life working in the trenches and caring for street kids. He is one of Melbourne’s and perhaps the world’s most experienced, hands on specialists when it comes to the rescue and care of street kids.

He understands what drives street kids, what they need to survive and what our society resources can do to assist in providing positive, practical solutions.

“It’s about the issues we face today, with homelessness and poverty and unemployment and drugs, but swings into a positive mode with the kids at the basketball centre in Braybrook, and doing some rap and dancing.”

Mr Twentyman said it was important for everyday Melburnians to know how the other half lives.

“Our welfare system is dysfunctional, our jails are full, we’re dealing with drugs and gangs, but people can make a difference,” he said. “

Only by knowing it’s a problem, you have the ability to take the baton and do something.”

HOW YOU CAN ASSIST

If you are in the position to donate money, goods or services please contact 20thMan Foundation on 03 9689 4800 / info@20thman.com.au

http://20thman.com.au

Eugene Hamilton and the Money

‘I’m on fire’ single launch

Live at MEMO Music Hall – 90 Acland Street St Kilda

Saturday 24 October, 2015

Doors open 8pm

Tickets: $18 – $25 @ trybooking or  MEMO Music Hall

Eugene Hamilton (AKA musician David Bowers) and The Money  are releasing their version of Bruce Springsteen’s 1985 hit ‘I’m On Fire’ as performed as if ‘live via satellite from Hawaii’ in 1972.

Other members of the band have played with Cat Empire, Melbourne Ska orchestra, Ross Wilson Band, Vaudeville Smash, Hunters and Collectors, Basement Jaxx, Shirley Bassey, Russell Morris and even Isaac Hayes amongst others.

Martin Lubran – Guitar
Chris Paraha – Bass
Haydn Meggitt – Drums
John McAll – Keys
Tibor Gyapjas – Trumpet
Colin Snape – Keys

This iconic Melbourne band specialises in stealing, dismantling and re-birthing songs from the lucrative ‘used song market’ – smashing genres and eras together boldly and bravely.

Eugene is known as the worlds ‘MOST LIVING MAN’. His rich tenor voice is complemented by a deep understanding of jazz ballet, formal disco technique and primitive fertility rites. Eugene brings great emotional warmth, quality menswear, and loads of cash to the stage with each performance.

‘I’m On Fire’ is the first track to be released from the forthcoming album ‘The Bitter Tooth of Eugene Hamilton’ and is independently released.

The Money will appear as an extended, brassy 10 piece line up together with special guests, the dynamic Wolfgramm Sisters & Mr Barry of Stone Cold Boners fame.

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‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets’

Rod the therapist (Mitch Ralston), Liz (Kelly Cupo), Audrey (Hester Van Der Vyver), Dad (Paul Dawber), and Emad Liz’s ex-boyfriend (James Ao)
Rod the therapist (Mitch Ralston), Liz (Kelly Cupo), Audrey (Hester Van Der Vyver), Dad (Paul Dawber), and Emad Liz’s ex-boyfriend (James Ao)

Dates: Six performances:  29 Oct. – 7 Nov. 2015
Location: Melba Spiegeltent – 35 Johnston St Collingwood
Tickets: $35 to $55 – group discounts apply
Information & bookingswww.audreypopmusical.com

‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets’ is a new Australian musical set in Melbourne which will have its world premiere at the Melba Spiegeltent in Collingwood on 29 October 2015.

The musical features 14 original songs, eight performers backed by a four piece-band and a choir featuring members of the Grace Notes Singers.

Originally written as a poem by award-winning playwright Gayelene Carbis, (Best Funny Poem at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival), it developed into a play and over the last seven years has transitioned into a musical via a series of moved readings, workshops and audience and industry feedback.

The show is a humorous modern day story that questions love and our expectations with a very funny twist about the potential complications of online dating and family connections.

The story follows lead character Liz O’Sullivan, the girl from Glenhuntly, whose family is obsessed with Hollywood movies and Audrey Hepburn – her father’s ideal woman.  After a relationship breakup Liz is forced into therapy by her over- protective family. Her very handsome therapist Rod bears a striking resemblance to Hollywood heartthrob Rock Hudson – causing Liz to fantasise about what a real man is and why she doesn’t want to commit to marriage with her current partner Len who just wants a simple suburban life.

When Liz’s idol Audrey Hepburn ‘appears’ in Rod’s office offering advice on love, and how to find a real man – Liz completes her journey to self-acceptance. She realises her life is not about ‘What would Audrey do?’ – but the direction in life she needs to choose for herself.

Co-writer and Director Noel Anderson said, “An Australian musical is a rare beast especially one with original music. ‘Priscilla’, ‘Dusty’ and ‘Shout’ were all successful Australian shows but they used well-known pop tunes, they had no original score. Audrey is the real thing, like the classic musicals – ‘The King and I’, ‘Les Miserables’ or Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Follies’… only it’s being created right here in Melbourne, right now.”

“Creating an original musical has to be one of the most challenging projects you can embark upon in the Australian performing arts industry – however we are all very excited to finally see eight years of dedication bring Australia’s newest musical to the stage,” Noel Anderson

Written by Gayelene Carbis based on her original play; co-written and adapted by Noel Anderson, Geoff Main and Cerise De Gelder; Music & Lyrics Geoff Main, additional lyrics by Cerise De Gelder. Produced by Harlequin Ink Pty Ltd.

Hester Van Der Vyver as Audry Hepburn in world premier of  ‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets'
Hester Van Der Vyver as Audry Hepburn in world premier of ‘Audrey Hepburn and I Consider Our Assets’

Director: Noel Anderson

Musical Director: John Grant

Set Design: John Wonnacott

Choreographer: Caroline Hawke

Costumes: Lauren Ritchie

Cast: Kelly Cupo (Liz), Hester Van Der Vyver (Audrey), Paul Dawber (Dad), Nadia Andary (Mum), Mitch Ralston, (Rod the therapist), James AO (Emad the ex-boyfriend), Caroline Hawke (Caroline, Dad’s new wife), Benjamin James (Len the current boyfriend).
Band: The Real Man Band

Choir: Members of the Grace Notes Singers

Dates: Six performances from 29 Oct – 7 Nov.

 
Location: Melba Spiegeltent, 35 Johnston St Collingwood
Tickets: $35 to $55 – group discounts apply
Information & bookings: www.audreypopmusical.com

… a funny, lyrical and probing exploration of one woman’s journey to self-acceptance…

Jarrod Elvin animation King of MickMacks

I caught up with Jarrod Elvin, King of MickMacks at St Kilda’s Leo’s Spagetti Bar in the hope of discovering exactly what kind of alchemy is fuelling this prolific artist’s brand of genius.

Ignited and inspired as a child by the iconic Walt Disney Jarrod Elvin now resides in the magical world of super creativity.

Over his 33 years he has produced an enormous body of work including original art in the form of comic books, stories and elaborate animations for music video clips and movies.  As an animation artist, screen writer, filmmaker and gifted film editor he writes the scripts, hand draws with pen and paper, incorporating state of the art digital colouring processes and wraps it up with clever post production editing to create original, compelling and wondrous worlds.

His work is highly emotionally charged illuminating the light and dark forces that drive the social, psychological and the spiritual nature of humanity, and with every production he employs deep and substantial meaning to bring authenticity and legitimacy to the art.  As a result his online presence has attracted a vast underground fan base.

The next step in this artists development is to write, direct and produce a full length animation movie for the silver screen.

Shanghai, the eclectic and lively collection of oddballs provide a crazy musical zapping of tangling brass, cinematic nostalgic moods and cartoon delusions. Purveyors of the film-rock-mutant-metal-jumpcut-cabaret styling that has something for everyone, Shanghai ignite drama, humour, and confuse their audience’s dancing shoes.

Jarrod Elvin's self published comic and short story collect. Click here for purchase.
An array of Jarrod Elvin’s self published comic and short story collect. Click here for purchase of comics, DVD’s and downloads.

Kissed by a Deer- a Tibetan Odyssey by Margi Gibb

photos © Kerrie Pacholli

Author Margi Gibb launching her book Kissed by a Deer - a Tibetan Odyssey at Readings in Hawthorn.
Author Margi Gibb launching her book Kissed by a Deer – a Tibetan Odyssey at Readings in Hawthorn.

Kissed by a Deer – A Tibetan Odyssey by author Margi Gibb is a story about East and West.

It is a passionate quest for the personal and intellectual truth that only comes through lived experience.

Gibb’s story gives us amazing places, and wonderful characters, people we come to love and care about despite their failings. In its pages, wisdom searchingly finds its humble roots in the connections of heart, imagination and mind; in the midst of the act of living.

Emily Humphries reading excerpts of Kissed by a Deer .
Emily Humphries reading from Kissed by a Deer.
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Professor Robert Powers reading from Kissed by a Deer.
Barry Scott from Transit Lounge Publishing with Margi Gibb
Barry Scott from Transit Lounge Publishing with Margi Gibb

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Toorak Village Art Walk

Mon. 19 October – Sun. 15 November 2015

By Faye Depasquale titled 'Sturts Desert Peas'
By Faye Depasquale titled ‘Sturts Desert Peas’

The Toorak Village Traders Association has invited 35 artists to showcase original paintings, drawings and mixed media in the shop windows of Toorak Village businesses.

Toorak Village will become a “Street Gallery” for the 4th year where businesses offer their front windows to artists from all over Australia to display their gorgeous paintings and artworks on easels of all sizes.

Toorak Village is between Wallace Ave and Grange Road, just east of Williams Road; simply catch the No 8 Tram from Federation Square, along Toorak Road to stop no 35. We invite you to visit our Toorak Village in October and November to view this ‘Art Walk’, enjoy the great shopping and take advantage of the warm hospitality of our traders.

The Toorak Village Art Walk presents a variety of original artwork that should delight and intrigue any student or collector of such art works. This is a free event; open 24 hours a day and offering affordable original art for those who simply wish to buy a beautiful work of art. All artwork is for sale and easily purchased from Toorak Village Pharmacy in Toorak Village – all details are in each store. All enquires to Tracey Cammock – 0438 542 713. Email: tracey@toorakvillage.com.au

By Janette Hammill titled 'American Pharaoh'
By Janette Hammill titled ‘American Pharaoh’
By Peter Byron titled 'Close to the Edge'
By Peter Byron titled ‘Close to the Edge’

Grandmaster William Cheung 75 years strong

image by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com

Sifu Dianne Maclaine with Grandmaster William Cheung and husband Sifu Paul Maclaine from Brisbane’s Wing Chun Kung Fu Studio.
Sifu Dianne Maclaine with Grandmaster William Cheung and husband Sifu Paul Maclaine from Brisbane’s Wing Chun Kung Fu Studio.

Iconic martial artist Grandmaster William Cheung celebrated his 75 birthday with his Wing Chun family and friends at the Dragon Boat Restaurant in Melbourne on Friday night.

Sifu, (teacher) as he is known by his students across the globe, delivered a strong message of forgiveness, reconciliation and growth for the future of The Global Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Association that he pioneered from Melbourne HQ back in the early 1970’s.

Family tree academies from across Australia, represented on the night by their leaders joined forces with all the academies from around the world via video to pay homage to their beloved Grandmaster.

With the physicality and vitality of an elite athlete 20 years his junior, Grandmaster William Cheung is also known to be one of the world’s leading Chinese medical doctors.

During his celebratory speech he informed his guests of his next ten year plan to expand his global influence through mainstream educational channels and elite sport to further illuminate, incorporate and unite the healing arts with martial arts.

Grandmaster William Cheung with Melbourne’s former Lord Mayor (2001-2008) John So.
Grandmaster William Cheung with Melbourne’s former Lord Mayor (2001-2008) John So.
Grandmaster William Cheung with his oldest son, elite martial artist Andrew Cheung.
Grandmaster William Cheung with his oldest son, elite martial artist Andrew Cheung.