Easter

So this Easter it was a combination of the pagan pleasures in life, not so cultural - that thing namd the Easter show and then off for retail therapy at the newly opened level in Broadway.

We managed to see the circus performances of Hoopla at Darling Harbour. It was crazy in the workshop type area where you could juggle, if you had any idea how to...?, walk on stilts, do a mini tightrope and try the hula hoop. Try not to knock anyone else over.

Favourite thing voted by my 7 year old was learning the hula hoop.

The rain managed to put a dampner on the performances, but one can understand the risks involved with all that rigging and height.

Such a combination of things to see and do at the Easter show, from music to grand parades and wondering if anyone is really all that fussed about any of them. They are more just activities to do as one passes through the rows of show bags, fairy floss and dagwood dogs.

Next week we are going for high art with a performance by the Song Company at St Marys Crypt.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Lights out and who is home?

Well for some reason my husband told me we had to turn the power off at the mains, but I thought that sounded a bit far fetched, fridge off? resetting all those power grids etc, what chaos in the city if power went down to the fuse box level.

However we did turn off all our lights and from our home in Glebe looking around our neighbourhood couldn't see anyone else who had done the same.

We were heartened however to see the images on the news, as obviously the lights did go out in the City, we just couldn't see them!

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Music and comedy

A mixed bag of performances this week from the Exotica - what a fantastic band with Matthew Ottignon and Dave Symes, through to Eric Bibby blues performer, great voice, through to a one man show of Star Wars the Trilogy which was a bit of a laugh, just as well as it was part of the Cracker comedy Festival.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Swan Lake

So fantastic to see a production that has improved with age. Having seen Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake in its first incarnation when it was really quite ground breaking, after a number of years on the road, it is still just as riveting.

Whilst I will admit to being a huge Adam Cooper fan, and I reckon he is still my all time favourite male swan (Sylive Guilleme being my number one in the role), the production had a vitality and freshness which definitely withstands the test of time.

Loved the Prince Simon Williams, it is such a pleasure to see completed hand gestures and a fluidity and grace in a male dancer.

www.ceressolutions.com.au

From in house fashion parades to Digeridoos

So this week was the inaugural paid performance for the opening of the new Performance Space featuring Martin Del Amos. The Carriageworks is remarkably intimate considering it's huge proportions, it was great to see it in action.

The funny thing, is wandering around town with my daughter we caught a fashion show at Myers. Personally I thought it was pretty tame, but she thought it was fantastic - which is good that a 7 year old isn't a cynic.

We ended up in Darling Harbour for the Capeira festival. Fun, but I would have liked to have seen the "masters" in action.

Then the highlight of the day was an amazing show at the Outback Centre in Darling Harbour by a didg player Jeremy Donovan. He is awesome as an educator. If you get a chance go and see him he performs there quite a lot. He also has an amazing website http://www.jeremydonovan.com.au - worth a look.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Alcina, Tango Masculino

So it was a mixed bag this week from Tango Masculino, which promised something from the imagery but failed to deliver on the acting front.

Through to the wonderfully over the top stage setting of Alcina, the latest production by Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House. Saturday night was a good night where it all came together. I managed to be entertained all the way through the 4 hours! which is a good sign.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Jazz

So what is it about jazz that it thrives in grungy smoky spaces. What is it that the audience likes to stand packed, so that its hard to see, hot and sweaty.

Jazzgroove is powering along with Dub Scouts and Triosk last week, so much so that we had to move the door out to the corridor. www.jazzgroove.com

Aaah, is their a market for jazz from people who like some comforts in life?

Joanne
www.ceressolutions.com.au