Emily Cat 176

 Welcome to books on Wednesday.   This is the book l was going to read,  The book is by Mary  Haverstick. Instead l spent the week reading Robert Galbraith books on my Kindle. Have you ever done that, been ready to read a book  and then something else,  something shiny comes along and the original book is put aside. Do you read a favourite book over and over or a see a film, or TV show again and again? Are you willing to step outside your comfort zone and do, or see, something different.  Taylor Swift is in Australia next month for concerts.  I wonder how many will go to more than one. I have to admit l have seen different performances of the same ballet and musical theatre but not constantly.  There is a production of Chicago coming to Melbourne which I'm thinking of seeing.  The last time l saw a production of this show would be 7 or 8 years ago. Not that I'm having a go at anyone who does like seeing, reading etc the same thing over and over. We're all different and if t

 You're out going about your day when suddenly you hear music, you hear a song that you know, a song you love; a song that makes you smile. You stop and listen. You may want to dance even. Memories cone flooding back, good memories.  Then you keep walking smiling with your mood lifted.  That's what music can do.

  Arts Centre Frankston Arts Centre Daniel Champagne 01/02 7.30pm Tom Burlinson: Now We're Swingin' 02/02 10.30 & 1.30pm artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au Kingston Arts Centre www.kingstonarts.com.au Blues Clubs Hume Blues Club Thursday nights at the Thornbury Bowls Club, free entry humebluesclub.com Birds Basement Richard Clapton 26 & 27/01 The Harmonix Experience 31/01 7.30pm Wendy Matthews 01/02 6pm Cool Change 02/02 6pm birdsbasement.com Way Out West Music Club wowrootsmusic.com Meat Market One of Them Ones by Charlie Josephine 31/01 6.30pm Stuck by Kikki Temple 31/01 8pm Vespertilio by Barry McStay 31/01 9.15pm meatmarket.org.au Jazz Clubs Paris Cat Remember the time 26/01 6pm Cannonball feat. Chantal Mitvalsky 26/01 9pm Craig Smith Quintet plays Billy Joel In a Jazz state of mind 26/01 9.30pm A new take on Disney 27/01 6pm The music of Mobley 27/01 6.30pm George Byrne presents 'Come Away with me, Ladies who Jazz 28/01 6.30pm A musical Tribute : Wes Montgomery 01

A good history book will make you feel that you have been transported back in time and are walking the same dusty streets. A good writer will make you want to keep reading and Diana Preston is a good writer. This was the first of her books l read but l have read others. The Boxer Rebellion happened in 1900, over a century ago but reading this book made me feel like it was happening in the moment. So much has changed and yet nothing has. It is not a pleasant story and there is fault on both sides, but, so much of it is a human story with emotions that do not change. In the same way that Shakespeare's works are still relevant today so are the emotions that are in this book. It is a true story and, let's not forget, that it was 15 years later that the First World War started. That famous phrase by George Santayana kept running through my mind as l was reading: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." I think Diana Preston gives a fair retelling of

  I saw this film on the weekend.  I don't see many films as l'm not keen on most blockbuster type of films, but, l saw this one and thought it would be good. It was. This film is based on a real life story of the USA rowing team winning gold at the 1936 Olympics in Germany. The only thing l knew about these Olympics was about Jesse Owens winning gold. So l was seeing a film about something new to me. George Clooney directed and l think they have faithfully recreated the 1930's look with this film. The acting was good as was the writing. It showed the lives of some of the rowers at a time of great hardship and l think that a large part of the film was character driven, working as a team. The other  real star of this film is the cinematography. As this a film about rowing there are scenes on the water. There is something about rowing. In my favourite novel of last year, Lessons in Chemistry, the main character was also a rower. There is something about rowing and being one w

  Frankston Arts Centre Twist & Shout: A salute of Rock & Roll of the 50's and 60's 21/01/24 2-4.20pm artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au Kingston Arts Centre kingstonarts.com.au The Round Teeny Tiny Stevies 20/01/24 10.30 &1.30pm www.theround.com.au Theatres Fortyfive downstairs The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez 17/01-11/02/24 fortyfivedownstairs.com The Butterfly Club The Big Hoo-Haa 19/01/24 8.30pm Drawing Straws 23/01/24 7.30pm thebutterflyclub.com Regent Theatre Moulin Rouge 20/08-04/02/24 marrinergroup.com.au Southbank Theatre mtc.com.au Athenaeum Theatre Dog Man - The Musical 17/01-28/01/24 An Evening with Tony Hawk - Birdman 22/01/24 8pm athenaeumtheatre.com.au Forum Blackstreet & montell Jordan 26/01/24 7.30pm forummelbourne.com.au The Princess Theatre Groundhog Day the musical 24/01-07/04 www.marinergroup.com.au Comedy Theatre Fantastic Mr Fox 13-01-21/01/24 www.marinergroup.com.au The Drum Theatre - Dandenong Dr Seuss Summer 19/01-31/01/24 drum.greaterdand

 I had never read a Harlan Coben book before. This is a library book. As some of you may know l don't really like owning books. They seem to multiply and then they have to be packed or whatever. If l ever do buy a book l make sure to pass it on when read. I like the idea of a book going from hand to hand.  The first thing to say is that l think this is a very readable book. I know he is a very popular author and that shows in his writing. Having said that l don't think the book really took off before the 7th chapter. This is a book about the past. I especially like these types of mysteries and once l made the decision to sit and read l finished it in an afternoon. The lead character is deeply unlikeable and that would normally put me off. It did in a way. He is very rich and the life he leads is not relatable to me. Despite this l still liked the story and the style of writing. I liked the way the story came together and it was told well. I know that a few of Coben's books

 I went to the Aust Open tennis on Monday.  Along with the great tennis l saw l also the artist in residence, Bobbi Lockyer. Bobbi is a Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru woman based in Port Hedland. Port Hedland is in Northern West Australia which means she wasn't melting in the heat like the rest of us. Me being me l kindly asked Bobbi if l could take her photo and ask about her artwork. Here she is working on a piece that will be used on all the staircases and shirts at next year's tournament. I like Aboriginal artwork. It must take so much patience and skill. If you look at Bobbi's website you will see how skilled an artist she is and l can't wait to see this artwork next year. Thank you Bobbi for taking the time to speak to me. https://www.bobbilockyer.com/

Firstly can l say that l have never been to a show with that many children in the audience.  What a boon their energy was. All the oohs and ahs and excited giggles, including from the adults, myself included. There was a little curly haired tot sitting on my left and l could see her rapt attention at everything that was happening on stage. Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade ( David Williamson) invited children on stage and there is a very old saying never to work with children or animals. Williamson was so good with them and it all added to some laugh out loud moments and joy. I have included a cast list and you can see that the performers came from all around the world, each one of them so talented at their particular craft. It began with Swedish Teeterboarders and then followed with cyclists, contortionists, strong men, jugglers, trapeze acts and more. And then Queenie appeared on stage followed by Peanut. The puppetry was wonderful and this vegetarian is so glad that live elephants are no l

The doors opened and in they came, and kept on coming.  A full house, happy and cheerful crowd. Welcome to a PLOS show. This musical, l am told, is based on a film which was based on a book. I had not read the book or seen the film so it was all new to me. The story is based in the 1960's and l think the set was designed to look like a 60's variety show. The orchestra was on 2 levels and it's a real treat to have a live orchestra playing. What a triumph for PLOS. The constant high standard of their shows means l will see everything they stage. A real stand out is the singing.  Everyone sang so well and this happens with every show. There was a lot of dancing and costume changes. Everyone played their part well with all of them having American accents. The best performance was by Aidan Niarros as Carl Hanratty. He is a Primary School Teacher by day, but what a performance. Jordan Poyser as Frank Abagnale Jr was very good too as was Peter Noble Frank Snr. Emillie Toby as Bren