ANYTHING BUT HUMAN: music

Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Brecon Charles Walsh

In memory of my long time friend Brecon Charles Walsh who passed away late last year. Photo I took of him at Federation Square in 2010.

Monday, January 9, 2017

DEBORAH CONWAY, WILLY ZYGIER, SAL KIMBER

I'd been feeling rather confined during the heatwave. Sure, I could get out in the mornings and go to the gymnasium and do a little shopping, but then, because of the radiant heat and temperatures souring above 30C degrees I was trapped inside. It might have been intolerable except that the test cricket was absorbing and although Australia won 3/0, it may have been due to Pakistan's pathetic fielding. Anyway, yesterday I thought it was going to be more of the same, but the cool change occurred around 12.30 and I headed off to the Victoria Gardens shopping centre to check out some post Christmas sales. When I came out of the centre I crossed the road determined to walk along that small walk bridge that traverses the Yarra. It didn't happen due to my balance issues and my slight fear of heights. It's still one of my challenges for the year. I felt at least that I'd achieved something when I took a photo of this wonderful example of urban inscription on a wall near a large empty block in Victoria Street. You will notice the iconic Skipping Girl sign in the distance.

I'd planned to go and see Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier who were performing for Sunset Sounds a free City of Stonnington music event and so I took a tram down Chapel Street to High Street, Prahran and then walked the four blocks up to Victoria Park. I was a little disappointed that instead of 6pm, Deborah and Willy were scheduled to begin their performance at 7.30, meaning that I'd be travelling home after dark. However both she and Willy were in the audience and I took a couple of candid photographs of Willy playing his guitar and one of Deborah, Willy (and friend?).

Although I couldn't stay for Deborah and Willy's performance I did hear half a dozen songs from Sal Kimber and The Rollin' Wheel. Sal's music takes listeners on a journey through country, fold, rock and pop. I could tell by the lyrics of her songs that she is greatly moved by people in country Victoria.

She was wonderful and sang with such passion. I took a couple of photographs of her singing, but my favourite is the one I took of her hydrating before she began.

It was a lovely atmosphere in the park. Hundreds of people sitting in what looked like an amphitheatre in the amply shaded park, which was built in 1887. I had never been there before and was amazed that such a beautiful oasis was tucked away in an otherwise built up area.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Kong Chew Chinese Opera Association at the Collingwood Town Hall

This afternoon I had the pleasure of accompanying Leonie Osowski to see the Kong Chew Chinese Opera Association perform a diverse program at the Collingwood Town Hall. The afternoon was arranged to raise funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation and it was obvious that those present were most generous in their contributions. I have to admit that my western ears although having previously heard Chinese music and opera took a little time to attune to the rather shrill sounds, happily much of what I heard, both orchestral and from the singers was harmonious and interesting. I should also say that Leonie and I were amongst the few anglos in the audience and all the Chinese people we met were so gracious. Here's a few photographs I took of the event.

I love the subtle watercolor like backdrop on the stage, the Pagoda and the intricate wood decorations which framed the stage. I found it all aesthetically pleasing.

Friday, September 28, 2012

GRINSPOON at Federation Square today

Grinspoon: Federation Square, Melbourne. Photo: Julie Clarke 2012

I woke at 5am this morning so took myself off to see Lismore band, Grinspoon perform at Federation Square at around 8.30 am. They were there for the SUNRISE Morning Show. I managed to take a few photographs before a loud clap of thunder and bolt of lightning sent the 150 or so audience members, including myself scampering up the hill under cover.

Grinspoon. Photo: Julie Clarke 2012


Grinspoon on large Fed Square screen. Photo: Julie Clarke 2012

Since it was still raining after the performance finished I went into ACMI to see the Ian Burns installation In The Telling, which I thought was amazing. It's absolutely free and worth while seeing if you are in Melbourne. Then I went to the Kino Cinema to see Arbitrage, which although not the greatest film I've ever seen was quite entertaining. In my opinion, although it raised some interesting issues about wealthy businessmen and their not so ethical behavior it didn't really go far enough towards attempting to address those issues. Most of the other people in Melbourne today were there to see the Grand Final procession, but it was an absolutely horrible day weather wise and those who were dressed in their team colors - hats and scarves were, I think grateful that they had dressed for what can only be called a wintery Melbourne day. I'm glad I'm home, and was thankful that I managed to escape the football crowd.