Rock, Burlesque, Live Jazz Swing, Blues & Moonshine at The Post

review by Thomas Barker 

images by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com

Last Saturday night I was treated to an invite away from my usual dinner in with my pet cat, and encouraged along to The Post Hotel, on the corner of St Kilda Road and Inkerman Street, St Kilda. I wasn’t told much about what the evening was to bring, but decided that a chicken parma and chips was going to be better than toast. I was pleasantly surprised by the gyoza side dish too.

Dinner and a show what a treat!

The downstairs bar has a traditional feel, like stepping into a late 19th century establishment, I was a little surprised when I wasn’t approached by anyone named Ischariot or Sherlock. After the timely service of our reasonably priced food, we were politely asked to head upstairs to enjoy the show.

PC & The Devious 3 © pationpics;com
Mr. PC & The Devious 3

Walking into the upstairs section was no disappointment, the art-nouveau and art-deco interior, complete with period mirrors and Persian rugs couldn’t have felt more opulent. Complete with a vodka bar hidden in one corner with a large bowl of moonshine punch to whet the whistle. The night had a theme to match the bar and pleasantly, practically all the attendees managed to dress for the occasion. ‘1940’s Gangsta’ was the dress code, and the red suspenders, black ties and short rimmed hats were everywhere.

Burlyrock's Ferri Maya © pationpics.com
Burlyrock’s Ferri Maya

The Band line up was to be something that fulfilled all expectations, experienced musicians playing original tunes and period covers such as Chuck Berry, but sadly no Gizzy Gilspy. Who I may add, had he walked into the room, would have been indistinguishable from the crowd.

Mr. PC & The Devious 3 were the first band, and set the tone of the night with their smooth and enchanting melodies; filled with quick breaks and clean licks. The two piece kit, double base, 6-string and trumpet set the walls to dancing.

After the first band we were treated to a exotic burlesque show featuring Ferri Maya from Burlyrock, a petite black swan who kept the juices flowing.

The dense cigarette fog of the balcony was as enchanting as the interior, and it felt as though one was looking out into the Laneways of White Chapel. The Montgomery Brothers took the stage as the  second band of the night, delivering us all the mail, and it read ‘rock the post’ these three played a fantastic set with a more classic stage line-up for us to groove to.

The Montgomery Brothers © pationpics.com
The Montgomery Brothers

I would like to add at this point the acoustics throughout this five room, two bar,  plus a smoking balcony old school entertainment space was GREAT.

One more burlesque show to reset the stage and introduce the final band in CC Feels.  Being far more pop-rock they truly set the scene for a final band of the night, with people beginning to hold hands and fall into one another as they erred on the side of romantic melodies. With solid rolls and a strong baseline they rocked us into the evening close.

We look forward to when The Post rocks again.

CC Feels

The Post

Cnr St Kilda Road & Interman Street, St Kilda

SONG FOR A WEARY THROAT review

Review Marian Webb

Ryan New, Danielle von der Borch, Harriet Devlin Image Paul Dunn
Ryan New, Danielle von der Borch, Harriet Devlin Image by Paul Dunn

SONG FOR A WEARY THROAT at the Fairfax Studio takes pride of place at the Melbourne International Arts Festival after its much-acclaimed premier at Theatreworks last year.  Directed by Kate Sulan, Rawcus Ensemble – fifteen performers with and without disability – join the Invenio Singers in a profoundly moving work of theatre.

Set in an abandoned dance-hall littered with disused carpet rolls, a destroyed cinema pew, dust and other detritus, the action begins as a performer chalks the first lines of Dante’s Inferno on a disappearing blackboard before brilliant light, loud noise, then darkness simulate a cataclysm that breaks down consensus narrative structure. The ensemble performs wordlessly, forming tableaux, shifting the furniture and reforming into choric dance routines and dramatic interpersonal events that slide from one to another like a mind rebuilding itself after disaster.

Prue Stevenson, Joshua Lynzaat Image -Sarah Walker
Prue Stevenson, Joshua Lynzaat Image by Sarah Walker

Aided by the Fairfax Studio’s superb acoustics, the accompanying soundtrack by Jethro Woodward and Gian Slater ranges through a low drone of scratched vinyl to explosion, rhythmic dance and sublime harmony. The Invenio Singers add their clear-voiced, wordless songs, at one point making a melody using only breath into hand-held mics. The performers each bring unique qualities to the ensemble, dressed in mostly casual attire that links everyday personality to stage persona.

Harriet Devlin, Ryan New, Rachel Edward, Mike McEvoy, Paul Mately, Michael Buxton, Danielle von der Borch-Image Paul Dunn
Harriet Devlin, Ryan New, Rachel Edward, Mike McEvoy, Paul Mately, Michael Buxton, Danielle von der Borch image by Paul Dunn

SONG FOR A WEARY THROAT is theatre liberated from text, broken into its elements and reconstituted into a stunning, immersive experience. Don’t miss it.

Created by the Rawcus ensemble of performers with and without disability

10 – 12 October | 7:30pm
13 October | 2:00pm & 7:30pm
14 October | 5:00pm
Duration: 65 minutes (without interval)
Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
Book at artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

proudly supported by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

produced by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com

 

 

 

 

Melbourne International Arts Festival and Arts Centre Melbourne presents

Song for a Weary Throat

Created by the Rawcus ensemble of performers with and without disability

10 – 12 October | 7:30pm
13 October | 2:00pm & 7:30pm
14 October | 5:00pm
Duration: 65 minutes (without interval)
Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
Book at artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

Cast: Leisa Prowd, Ryan New and Paul Mately
Cast: Leisa Prowd, Ryan New and Paul Mately

Fifteen bodies surface in the wake of a disaster. When all is lost, what keeps them afloat?

Set in an abandoned dance hall that echoes with haunting airs, Song for a Weary Throat is a breathtaking work of physical and vocal wonder premiering at Arts Centre Melbourne from 10 to 14 October as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Driven by a surging current of emotion, it travels from the aftermath of a terrible loss – trauma, heartbreak, failure – through the moments that offer some promise of hope, real or illusory.

Vignettes by turns devastating and buoyant slide into one another, all glistening within an ethereal soundscape created live by critically-acclaimed contemporary vocalists Invenio Singers. Though wordless, the unforgettable images forged live on stage speak volumes.

Directed by Kate Sulan, with design by Emily Barrie, lighting by Richard Vabre and sound design by Jethro Woodward, Song for a Weary Throat has received three Green Room Awards for Production, Ensemble and Music Composition and Sound Design since its 2017 premiere. Now it returns in its full glory.

Created by the Rawcus ensemble of performers with and without disability the company has won numerous awards from past productions including Catalogue, Small Odysseys, Another Lament, The Heart is Another Dark Forest, Hunger and Not Dead Yet.

Invenio Singers was formed in March 2010 by singer/composer Gian Slater. It is an innovative ensemble of improvising and contemporary singers, experimenting with the typical vocal group choral form through conceptual composition, extended vocal technique, fluid improvising, choreographed movement and inventive performance.

Thomas Barker presenting ‘Queen of the South’

Multicultural Suburbia Exegesis

I first met Thomas Barker during the second St Kilda Arts Alive art crawl in May 2018. I’ve also interviewed him for a newspaper article that I write. I have discovered that Thomas is a committed artist who has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and how to use that knowledge for the betterment of the Planet.  I managed to catch up with Tom during the third art crawl in September 2018 and this is what he has to say.

Thomas Barker (Tommy Langra) exhibiting at 33 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda during May 2018 Art Crawl.
Thomas Barker (Tommy Langra) exhibiting at 33 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda during May 2018 Art Crawl image by Michael Kluge

…Standard Australian suburban housing has underrepresented the influx of recent migrants to Australia since the relaxing of the immigration policy in the 1970’s. Single separate dwelling represents a large portion of residential housing within Australia. There is no physical evidence that builders make any considerable effort to design for these ‘minority’ groups. High rise construction has proven an inadequate alternative. This research hopes to glean; aesthetic, planning, and social hierarchy lessons evident within the vernacular of major recent migrant groups, then to identify plausible design outcomes for Melbourne suburbia if the origin-vernacular of these groups had been used to inspire the urban landscape. This research will take a selection of recent migrant cultures, explore their traditional dwellings, urban fabric, and propose an appropriate vernacular.

By Thomas Barker

 

St Kilda Arts Alive Sept. 2018

Supported by Creative Victoria the St Kilda Arts Community launched their third art crawl this September with a special event at St Kilda’s iconic Palais Theatre.

MC Tony Bolton and comedien Nikki Osborne hosted the fun filled evening with Bernadene Voss the Mayor of the City of Port Phillip as keynote speaker.

The Mayor was joined by Cr Ogy Simic and Cr Marcus Pearl in celebrating and endorsing the official launch of St Kilda Arts Alive Sept 2018 Art Crawl.

The view of the St Kilda art scene over the weekend was more intimate than in previous art crawls with most of the activities happening within the established art galleries, where art enthusiasts met and engaged with the artists and their art through organized walking tours.

Currently with 23 empty shops, the sunset side of Fitzroy Street was light on in participation. However Tolarno Restaurant hosted a beautiful exhibition by national treasure Mirka Mora, St Luja, an extraordinary Pop-Up Poetry event presented by Grid Art Space titled Tribute to Women featuring five amazing poets and musicians in Marian Webb, Rowena Molloy, Belle Phoenix, Lisa Wood and Annemarie Bowman. The Pelican featured an outstanding photographic exhibition by St Kilda based visual artist Alan Cotton as well as kicking off their Jazz afternoons on Sundays. The Paris end of Fitzroy Street had Textured Life by Kate Drinnan open the doors to the public along with the Alex Theatre featuring among other artists sculptor Adrian Spur and theatrical productions over the weekend.

The  Novotel curated a very impressive exhibition with artist in residence Justine Kuran,

A stage was erected in Acland Street Mall showcasing entertainment over the weekend. Planetary Healing Artists presented a multi cultural celebration for the International Day of Peace on Friday. On Saturday night the arts community commandeered the stage where Carol Ann Gill’s Pantomime Productions presented a teaser from The Frog Prince. On Sunday various spoken word along with local and visiting performing artists graced the stage throughout the day.

The Acland Street precinct had special events at Memo Music Hall, Made in Earth, Empower, Toot, Art Yarramunua, Readings, Abby Road, Comedy at Big Mouth and an exhibition by Salik Silverstein at Leroys.

Barkly Street, St Kilda Road and Carlisle Streets precincts shined bright this crawl with 106art, the Storehouse, 4Diverse, Body Gallery, Space2b, Maureen Williams, Ilanel and Design Studio going all out to put on top exhibitions.

The Post Pop-Up Gallery situated upstairs presented by Grid Art Space featured the works of seven local artists in Dino Damiani, Robert Scholten, Rainbow Clarke, Salik Silverstein, Salvatori Lolicato, Calthestoner and Remen Blake Hambly.

As Policy values the positive influence of art and culture as a fertile way to energize St Kilda, State and local government’s are keen to support the creative endeavors of organizations like the St Kilda Arts Community, a non-for profit managed by a small and dedicated team of volunteers.

Text & images by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com