Emily Cat 176

  I wouldn't normally see this type of show.  I saw it listed on the website several weeks ago and it didn't peak my interest so l wasn't planning on seeing it. But, l was kindly gifted the tickets so l thought why not. The concert was in aide of The Blue Ribbon Foundation. This is an Australian Foundation that is dedicated to police members who have died in the line of duty. 175 members have died with 30 being murdered.  Now l knew none of this before the show started. I was told it would be The Australian Navy Band playing. Imagine my delight when 6 pipers walked on stage. I love bagpipes and it was The Victorian Police Pipe Band which began the proceedings. It wasn't the full pipe band but l do love bagpipes. There is something special about seeing a full pipe band marching in their regalia. Kilts, boots, bagpipes and drums . What a sight. Did l tell you l loved bagpipes, or maybe it's my Scottish blood showing. The Pipe Band was followed by The Australian Navy B

Two Sopranos, one Tenor, a Baritone and guest pianist.  Pot-Pourri The show was titled From Figaro to Phantom and that is what they sang. Four soaring voices, pitch perfect and every note hit. When l hear someone sing well l don't concentrate on the style, l marvel at the beauty of that voice.  Tania de Jong, Rebecca Bode, Jonathan Morton and Jon Bode. There was a fill in pianist the day l saw this and l apologise for not knowing her name. It was her good playing that allowed the voices to soar. Tania de Jong and Rebecca Bode sang this beautiful aria and l can't help thinking what a shame it is that this is in an airline commercial. Take a listen to Delibes Lakme - Duo des Fluers and hear the beauty of those voices. This performance was a feature of The Morning Melodies. Every suburban Arts Centre stages these during the year, even The Arts Centre in the CBD. There are two performances. One at 10.30 and one at 1.30. I go to the 1.30 performances. I saw this one at Frankston Art

   Arts Centres Arts Centre Melbourne  MSO Mornings: Brunch and Dvorak 11am 17/11 Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill 7.30pm 17/11-23/11 La Cage aux Follies 7.30pm 17/11-19/11 The Boite at The Channel 2pm 18/11 My therapist ghosted me - live 8.45pm Chopin and the Mendelssohns 2.30pm 19/11-20/11 It Might As Well Be Spring 6.30pm 20/11 Mahler 9 7.30pm 22/11 Mozart's Final Symphonies 7.30pm 23/11 www.artscentremelbourne.com Frankston Arts Centre Lachie Gill : Write it out Tour 8pm 18/11 Frankston Arts Centre Season 2024 Launch 6.30pm 21/11 Rebecca Abbey Exhibition Opening Event 6pm 23/11 artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au Kingston Arts Centre This Artful Life 6pm 1/11-2/12 kingstonarts.com.au The Round Zoy Frangos - Variations 11am 22/11 Blues Clubs Bird's Basement Ella Hooper 6pm 17/11 The Harmonix Experience 7.30pm 22/11 Jack Jones 6pm 23/11 www.birdsbasement.com Hume Blues Club - Thornbury Blues Gig Guide every Thursday night. humebluesclub.com.au  Music Clubs Prince Bandroo

So this wasn't what l was expecting. I don't think l read the blurb properly. I was expecting a play about the life of the first female bullfighter. Now, being a vegetarian l don't like bullfighting but thought that seeing the life of a female fighter in such a male dominated field would be interesting. Instead l saw everything flamenco. Flamenco dancing, flamenco guitars and flamenco singing. In fact the performance was in Spanish. The costumes were beautiful as were the combs wore in their hair. Long ruffled trains and shawls. It's interesting dancing and the canastas were flying. The three guitarists performed well as did the singer. This performance was by a Flamenco school. I got talking to the people around me, as l always do, and met friends of the performers who told me of the school. So not what l was expecting but an interesting afternoon all the same. www.spanishflamencomelbourne.com

  I know not everyone likes reading on a Kindle but, if you are like me and don't drive, they are much better to use than this when travelling. On Saturday l travelled into the Regent Theatre to see Moulin Rouge. I went in by train, and I took my Kindle as it is much lighter to carry.  The book l am reading is Tilt by Chris Hammer. I went to a talk he gave a few weeks ago( read my post if you're interested). Now, l will tell you something else about me; l use hearing aides. My hearing is bad and l've been using hearing aides for a long time. The first time l wore them l could hear what people were saying behind me. I don't want to hear other conversations so don't wear them on public transport. So picture it on Saturday. I'm on the train. People are all around me. There's a horse race on and people are pouring onto the train. I take out my Kindle and begin to read. Tilt is a mystery set in country NSW. I grew up in country Victoria and know the setting, atmo

  On Saturday my friend and l went to see Moulin Rouge in the iconic Regent Theatre. This beautiful old theatre is owned by the Marriner Group which owns several other CBD Theates. The Theatre is also home to The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia for the next 3 years come April 2024. I hope some of you can see a show here; it's a gorgeous theatre. This was my first time seeing this show and l haven't seen the film either.  What can l say. It was loud, colourful and full of energy. The stand out performers were James Bryers as the Duke and Bert Labonte as Toulouse-Lautrec. Simon Burke gave a good performance as Harold Zidler and Des Flanagan was good as Christian. Alinta Chidzey as Satine has a good voice, but, l hate to say it, l think she may have had an off day. There are so many other songs in this production and l don't think many of them suited her voice. She is a good singer but l wasn't keen on  her performance. I would definitely see her in other productions

/ www.https:/victorianstateballet.org.au/ https://melbourneopera.com/