Tastes from around the world

In a world of escalating tensions it is heartening to experience the power of music with its ability to evoke feelings of harmony, joy and sadness.

In Sydney we are fortunate to have many opportunities to see and hear arts from around the globe.

This week I have been fortunate enough to hear the haunting voice of Ismail Fadhil, with his compelling Iraqui rhythms. In bleak times one values an opportunity to dance, to be free in mind and absorbed with music.

For some reason the middle East is at the forefront of my experiences this week. Omar Raruk Tekbilek, Hossam Ramzy and Synergy were performing at the Enmore Theatre. A fantastic fusion of cultures, creating music of our times.

From New Zealand was a dance performance of Black Milk, a pastiche of ideas, dwelling on death, with touches of humour.

Then there were the simple pleasures of sharing a meal with friends returning to Switzerland at a Belgian beer cafe.


Joanne

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Children's Theatre

With school holidays nearly at an end I feel as though I have been in a frantic whirlwind of "activities" and have attended a swag of "shows" for children. The list is extensive from Antartic clay modelling, junior disco, circus and art, Velveteen Rabbit, Disney on Ice, Angela and Penny show, craft, Mimi on stilts at the Art Gallery, not to mention a couple of trips to the movies and numerous visits to the parks, where the joy of swinging has recently been discovered. Looking at the list makes me wonder that we even had time to draw breath

Interestingly when I asked my daughter what was her favourite she said the drumming workshop, which was a free event at the local library. So it's good to know that some of the best entertainment doesn't have to cost anything. This added to her second favourite and the thing she wants to do everyday - go to the park to swing is rather refreshing.

For me the best thing about the park and the activities at the library are that there is no merchandise for sale.

Joanne
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pick of the Week

So it was a busy week with children's activites and here is the review.

Velveteen Rabbit - I could have easily gone to sleep during this one, there was nothing that really drew me in or grabbed my attention. However my daughter liked it, mainly because of the cute furry puppets.

Disney on Ice - as expected, a Disney extravaganza, all singing, skating, dancing, fireworks and magic castle. Entertaining and I guess you could include the merchandise as another drawcard for the kids. Though a nightmare of merchandising gone wild, does anyone else think that $15 for fairy floss with mouse ears is expensive or $22 for a program with a fake rose?

Angela and Penny show - quite fun, kind of like grumpy old women do a kid's show. Extremely interactive, with lots of movement for the kids. Though I think we adults appreciated the humour more.

Mimi indigenous child's tour of Art Gallery of New South Wales - I defintely enjoyed this more than she did. Though it did raise the question of what is a "bikkie bin", for those non-Australians the answer is biscuit tin.


www.ceressolutions.com.au

Musical beats

Lots of music this week from improvised music @ Jazzgroove which specialises in young jazz based ensembles in a small funky pub in Surry Hills. Audience for some reason mainly male, intent on the music, but still relaxed. With a crowd of 80 people in an intimate, full house. Playing to an often traditional jazz form of solo following solo. Really the only thing missing was the smoke filled room. Then there was the names of the bands Willow Nielson or the opening band the Vampires .

This made me wonder about the different styles and accepted traditions of audience goers at performances. With the classical music gig of the Sydney Omega Ensemble being much more formal in all aspects from presentation, to imposing venue, to the form where you usually don't applaud until the end of the piece. Same audience size, but really, except for what looked like the ensemble's friends, mostly the older set - your traditional classical music goer.

C0ntrast this to the crossover blues/classical/fusion of Fourplay @ the Metro in a more pop/rock atmosphere. Or to the amazing percussion and mix of world music performed by Circle of Rhythm.

My pick of the week was Circle of Rhythm and Fourplay.


www.ceressolutions.com.au