images & text by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com

Opening night of PUFFS at the Alex Theatre was a roaring success with a full house of Potter enthusiasts and a red carpet soiree that attracted Melbourne’s stalwart theatre buffs.

Among the many dignitaries to attend where Master printmaker and sculptor Adrian Spurr who currently has works in the piano room of The Alex Theatre for the duration of the PUFFS session, as well as artist Tommy Langra who has been exhibiting his works at Punchinello Pop-Up at 33 Fitzroy St, St Kilda.

Artist's Tommy Langra, Susan Popov & Adrian Spurr image by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com — **Artist’s Tommy Langra, Susan Popov & Adrian Spurr**

Host Alex Vass with resident artist Adrian Spurr — **Heidi Victoria, Alex Theatre Aleks Vass with resident artist Adrian Spurr**

Artist Emily Jane Pappas with local identity Freddie Warschauer image by Kerrie Pacholli © pationpics.com — **Artist Emily Jane Pappas with local identity Freddie Warschauer**

**Shooters Jim Lee, Matt Doller & the man with the moves Sam Tabone**

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PUFFS at The Alex Theatre

02/06/2018 Kerrie Pacholli

Review by Tommy Langra , photos by Ben Fon

The magical world of laughter, this encapsulating play reiterates to us never to judge a book by its cover. A cover, a first appearance leads us to believe that PUFFS is a sole comedic look at the now notorious Hogwarts, less known boarding house Huffle Puff. Mark Cox’s ingenious play actually offers viewers a reflection of growing up in the 80s and 90s.

How magical is Hogwarts and the Gen Y obsession when those slightly older kids remember a time of X Men, Batman, and the late 90s existential Crisisio that affected anyone aged 14+.

Feel free to laugh along with jokes about now partly forgotten movies such as Free Willy and Rambo 2. For those who missed the scent of Teen Spirit from the likes of Butter Beer there are obviously plenty of references to the Potter books themselves, and even the ultimate cosmic evil, Daleks!

For theatre junkies the play was fast paced and tight knit and happily the cast took us back to our high school years. Adding to the sense of the plays timeline. With a brief quip about the age of the main character.

Make sure you don’t rush out of the Alex Theatre before admiring the prop lined walls with humorous spells gone wrong and hessian cobwebs. Sign of the kind of all encompassing event, a real magical romp.

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Pop-Up Art Gallery in the middle of Fitzroy Street St Kilda

31/05/2018 Kerrie Pacholli

Known as Punchinello Pop-Up this extraordinary gallery will remain open till Sunday 3 June from 12 – 7.30pm.

Photographs Michael Kluge, text Kerrie Pacholli

With 23 empty shops along Fitzroy Street St Kilda waiting to be rented, there has been much debate in state and local government, as well as among property developers and on the streets, as to why Fitzroy Street; from Grey Street down to the beach has become a tumble-weed zone.

Mobile artist Tommy Langra working at his draughtsman buggy

Inspired by the May St Kilda Art Crawl and with assistance from owners of 33 Fitzroy Street, Jenny Li and husband Rob Semple, GRID ART SPACE (GAS) organized a group of local artists to join forces. The result is an outstanding high-end pop-up art gallery in the middle of this neglected zone, to show what can be done with talent and teamwork.

Adrian Spurr. The second manifestation of Zeus, 'The Pariah', Sandstone, Steel table and Chariot wheels, 2018. — **Adrian Spurr. The second manifestation of Zeus, ‘The Pariah’, Sandstone, Steel table and Chariot wheels, 2018.**

This is the second time GRID ART SPACE in association with St Kilda Art Crawl hosted a pop-up art gallery in that space. GAS is a collaboration between Shakespeare Grove artist Adrian Spurr and producer / publicist Kerrie Pacholli with the aim to fill empty spaces with art and culture to bring about growth.

Hedron Resurrection by Cal the Stoner image © Michael Kluge

With encouraging sales on both occasions, the organizers received much praise from delighted visitors with encouragement to keep it open. But this of course can only happen with the community support of both local and state government.

With the debate still open most would agree that this collaborative artistic and cultural inclusion added much needed prestige to an otherwise depressed local economy.

Ceramics by Salvatori Lolicato image © Michael Kluge

Exhibiting artists include: Master printmaker and sculptor Adrian Spurr, ceramicist Salvatori Lolicato, photographer Michael Kluge, painters’ Tommy Langra and Marko Maglaic.

**Images of Port Phillip by Michael Kluge**

Punchinello Pop-Up presented by Grid Art Space

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GAS EXHIBITIONS – FITZROY STREET, ST KILDA 25, 26 & 27 MAY

23/05/2018 Kerrie Pacholli

During this St Kilda Art Crawl May 25, 26 & 27 starting from 10am GAS will be working in collaboration to showcase the works of sculptures, painters, photographers, filmmakers and local businesses in Fitzroy Street. Artists include:

The Alex Theatre – Level 1/ 135 Ftzroy Stree, St Kilda an exhibition by Sculptor Adrian Spurr and Stonemason Calthestoner

At Punchinello Pop-Up – 33 Fitzroy Street St Kilda – Master printmaker & sculptor Adrian Spurr, Stonemason Calthestoner, Salvatori Lolicato with ceramics. Photographer Michael Kluge, painter & poet Tommy Langra and painter & curator Marko Maglaic.

The Linden Tree – 11 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda – exhibits by Emily Humphries and Calthestoner

St Luja – 9 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda a pop-up poetry event featuring Marian Webb, Hamish Danks Brown, Yoram Symons & singer Lisa Wood

HQ Gallery and Bar – 7 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda – A collective Aboriginal exhibition featuring Pop Indigineous artist Dino Damiani

For more details on the Crawl go to Map Download

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St Kilda Art Crawl Map to follow

19/05/2018 Kerrie Pacholli

Click here for :

St Kilda Art Crawl PDF May map for viewing on small device

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Cal the Stoner, art in stone

19/05/2018 Kerrie Pacholli

For a live viewing of Calthestoner’s work he will be exhibiting at the Alex Theatre, Punchinello Pop-Up, 33 Fitzroy Street St Kilda, The Linden Tree – 11 Fitzroy Street, and HQ Gallery – 7 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda during the May St Kilda Art Crawl 25, 26 & 27 . Map download

**Planet Zil, sandstone sculpture of Calthestoner**

Australian sculptor and artisan stonemason

I explore changes in natural stone, through placement in different environments.

I begin sculpting when I discover specific veins of sandstone. A large portion of my work is Grampians sandstone, sourced in Victoria.

The weight and logistics of larger scale works, led me to begin ‘portable’ sculptures. The first portable, Stone River #6, weighs 800 kilos. The early works are from the Stone River series.

My expanding body of sculpture now includes; the geometric series, Planets of Galaxy Z and the Hedron series.

I instinctually follow the natural lines and features of individual pieces of stone to create them as new forms.

Based in St Kilda, I travel far and wide, installing and exhibiting my work.

Cal the Stoner INC