Avenue Q

Really enjoyed this show and I have to say that Trekkie Monster and the Bad Idea Bears were my favourite characters.

If you have ever watched Sesame Street, this show if full of funny adult references, and has some poignant and definitely wind up moments.

Its only on in Sydney for another week http://avenueqthemusical.com.au and then it tours around Australia. But I reckon its definitely worth seeing.

Info on the show from the website. I know this blurb sounds like I am being paid, but I am not and was surprised that the people I mentioned the show to, knew hardly anything about it.

"I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for AVENUE Q to finally get to Australia," said creator, Robert Lopez. "Not just because I've never been and I've always wanted to die in a Great White shark attack, but because I've always suspected that Aussies would really love AVENUE Q!"

AVENUE Q, written by Jeff Whitty, with music by Robert Lopez and lyrics by Jeff Marx, first debuted in 2002 with an off-Broadway run. The show went on to beat favourite WICKED to win three of the top Tony Awards in 2004: Best Musical, Best Original Score of a Musical and Best Book of a Musical.

Joanne
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Hugh Masakela

Saw this concert at the Opera House.

I think I was in a different reality to some other people at the concert. Music was fine, what you would expect from an internationally renowned artist.

Indeed the Hemispheres series at the Opera House is fantastic, showcasing some truly amazing artists.

However, for me, this concert didn't do it for me. I actually found it a bit annoying that Masekala chastised the audience for being stuff shirts in ties and not getting down, then proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes doing his mine shaft number about death - not exactly stuff to get you dancing in the aisles.

I guess it doesn't really matter when the audience is eating out of your hand because you are a legend.

And what was the dialogue about being born in Nottinghamshire, the bad fake English accent and the story about then being washed down the river to South Africa? On what level was that entertaining or amusing? I so didn't get it.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Electrofringe and Sound Summit

Was only there for Thursday and Friday, but for those interested in new ideas, stuff off the beaten track and emerging talents This is not art in Newcastle is a good option this weekend.

There are the music elements of Electrofringe and Sound summit - good for tips on the music industry and showcasing some fantastic artists.

If you can't make it you can always listen to good old New Music Australia on Classic FM. Julian and Stephen are doing a fantastic job again.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Music at the House

We wandered down to music at the House, @ Government House. A great concept, but the wind was so bitterly cold. The Indian summer had come to an end.

However we did manage to hear Unkle Ho and Bridezilla, do some artwork and visit the House, before we became too cold to function and had to head off.

Such a beautiful landscape, vista and house.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Government funding of music

Whilst sitting at the Musica Viva performance, it got me thinking? The ensemble was fine, nothing to blow your socks off, but competent enough. Although I am sure there are Australian ensemble's who could also have done the repertoire justice.

However, I noticed that in the repertoire, only one piece was by an Australian composer. This genre of classical music and others as performed by the Symphony Orchestras and Opera Companies don't do very much to promote Australian composers. There is often a token, one piece by an Australian, but rarely more. The domain of presenting new works seems to lie with relatively newer and more adventurous ensembles, who receive crumbs of funding if any at all.

Which led me to my next thought. Why is public money funding the touring of international classical musicians around Australia when Australian artists find it so hard to tour in their own country? Let alone why are we paying for their travel to Australia, when so many local artists struggle to gain recognition overseas because of the high cost of entry into the international market ie airfares.

Yes, I can understand that the highest quality world performance can be a revelation, and strongly support opportunities to see the best in the world. However, is this Government funded cultural acceptance and support of the cultural cringe whereby we have to import musicians for a whole annual program? I can't think of any other genre that gets public money to bring in overseas artists to this extent.

Then there is also the issue of why isn't there even a support band, or ensemble, similar to the scenario found in most other musical genres. So that at least if an Australian artist isn't featured, they do have a performance opportunity and potential to be seen and grow their own audiences?

Anyway, I don't particularly want to "beat up" on an organisation, but am just curious as to why a funding body such as the Australia Council, who strongly proclaims their support of new Australian works, spends most of their funding on Companies (in the musical genre) who don't appear to be doing this. Perhaps I am missing something?

Joanne
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Daruma Japanese Restaurant - cheap eats

Daruma
Level 1, (Prince Centre)
8 Quay Street
Haymarket NSW Sydney

T: 92812889

We just went for Bento boxes and as far as value for money is concerned I am totally sold on this one.

We paid $25.80 for two people for the Sushi Bento box at $12 and the Sashimi/udon box at $10 plus we had one drink. This also included all you could eat Miso soup and rice.

The sushi and sashimi were fresh. The boxes were varied, mine had seaweed, Arrans had fried tofu.

Ambience is lots of space and light.

You help youself to the Miso soup.

As far as I am concerned a total winner, even more so when you look at the price.

For some strange reason this is quay street, I have no idea when it was ever near a quay, it is closer to Paddy's Market, the back of the ABC building and UTS.

More cheap eats can be found at Cheap Eats Food Trek

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Kanye mashup with Obama

Funny mashup with Kanye and Obama



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au