Flying in my gondola

Alaska String Band Written by  Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Saturday, 15 March 2014 07:37 Photo – Rebecca Friedlander  The Brunswick Music Festival, launched by the Brunswick City Council back in 1989, has featured live performances of folk, roots, and blues music, successfully drawing in new and repeat audiences young and old, year after year. The Festival has showcased Australian artists like The Audreys, Mick Thomas and Fiona Boyes, among many, many more. International artists have also been guests of the Festival, among them Andy Irvine, Vin Garbutt, Chris Smither, and the  Alaska String Band , hailing all the way from, as the name implies... Alaska. I had the privilege and pleasure of attending the  Alaska String Band’s  concert at the Mechanic’s Institute last night, and like the rest of the attendees I was completely floored by their performance. Winners of the Fame Awards – Bluegrass Band of the Year, the  Alaska String Band’s  m...

Written by  Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Friday, 07 February 2014 17:26 Los Angeles-based company  Diavolo Dance Theatre , established by director Jacques Heim back in 1992, has come to Melbourne’s Arts Centre, bringing an amazing mix of modern dance movement and breathtaking acrobatic stunts, set on a variety of oversized sculptural structures. Diavolo  is a medley of endless and diverse styles, among them, everyday movement, ballet, contemporary, acrobatics, gymnastics, martial arts, and hip-hop. When first exposed to Diavolo’s performance, one might think the group is executing random and improvised steps, but soon it’s clear that they are manifesting something which is choreographed down to the minutiae. Architecture in Motion , presented as a double bill, showcases architectural aesthetic with two dance pieces set to a stunning contemporary soundtrack, and is inspired by urban design and cityscapes. The dancers, slide down, climb upon and perform daredevi...

With her infectious laugh and a voice to be reckoned with, Jessica Mauboy was a delight to watch and hear. Upon its announcement, The Melbourne Zoo Twilights 2014 program received an enthusiastic response from music lovers of all ages, with three shows immediately selling out even before the season began. Among the three was the Northern Territory’s Jessica Mauboy, whose concert I had the pleasure of attending this past Saturday. A concert at the Zoo? Indeed! Melbourne Zoo Twilights blends music with wildlife exhibits - open exclusively for Zoo Twilights guests - and gourmet delights, all in the glorious setting of Australia’s oldest Zoo. The proceeds help Zoos Victoria fight wildlife extinction, via the They’re Calling on You campaign to help save the Gorillas. Back in November 2014, the Zoo saw the birth of a new baby elephant. Before entertaining the thousands of fans who came to see her, Jessica Mauboy started her day at the wildlife p...

The Pirates of Penzance | The Production Company Written by  Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Saturday, 02 November 2013 07:29 Melbourne has been invaded by pirates. The Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta  The Pirates of Penzance , that is. From the moment the doors open and the seats of Hamer Hall begin to fill, colourfully dressed young men and fair maidens stroll through the isles, interacting with the public as well as each other, whilst a merry bunch of swashbuckling pirates congregates on stage, enticing the observers with what is to come, and that which does come, is great over the top, light and fluffy fun. Though there was little reference to the classic which debuted in 1879, this silly adaptation, mirroring the 1981 Broadway production is one fabulously orchestrated show. From the beautiful costumes, overly dramatic acting (reminiscent of South American soap operas), earth shaking vocals, amazing Orchestra Australia, whimsical set design, spot...

Every Blessed Day (Tutti i Santi Giorni) ‘ Every Blessed Day ’ (Tutti i Santi Giorni), part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2013 , is an intimate albeit left of centre love story, between the highly educated intelligent, generous and soft spoken Guido and the slightly neurotic, ex wild child/singer Antonia.  This unusual Yin-Yang couple, finds a harmonious balance in life, experiencing their everyday events in a unique encapsulated state, weaving through the turmoil and chaos of the rest of the world unfazed and perhaps even perceived as slightly crazy by the people around them.  Guido has the opportunity to work in very economically rewarding jobs both in Italy and abroad, but instead, he is the night clerk at the front desk of a luxury hotel. He enjoys reading his academic books during the quiet hours of the night, which he would not be able to do if he held a “regular” job. Antonia has left behind a tumultuous and erratic singer’s life and the w...

Elixir | Head First Acrobats Written by  Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Friday, 04 October 2013 09:11 The elixir of life is a mythical potion which, when ingested from a specific cup at a precise time, supposedly allows eternal youth to the individual who drinks it. In ancient China, emperors have sought the elixir, Hindu scriptures mention ‘Amrit, the Nectar of Immortality,’ and in 18th century the elixir was on the lips of European nobility who yearned for life extension. It seems the topic of youth and physical stamina has been on humanity’s agenda since the beginning of time, and now in Melbourne, it has resurged via  Elixir , a contemporary circus performance, part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Created and performed by  Thomas Gorham  and  Callan Harris , who play research scientists in a high tech laboratory, conducting trials of a new drug which is sure to invigorate and boost physical endurance in its test subjects. In this case, t...

Alice in Wonderland Written by  Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Friday, 27 September 2013 09:18 Alice in Wonderland , always a favourite among the young and old, the seasoned theatre goers and the wee little ones just being introduced to the fabulous world of ‘pretend.’ This year, Melbourne Fringe offers a lovely adaptation of the Charles Lutwidge Dodgson children’s novel (written under the pseudonym  Lewis Carroll ) playing at The Theatre Husk in Northcote, until the 1st of October. Directed by  James Wardlaw  and starring  Veronica Thomas  and  Philippa Spicer , this version of  Alice premiered at Last Year’s Melbourne Fringe where it was warmly embraced by audiences, and then it had quite a successful run at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival as well. The Husk is a quaint and intimate theatre, a perfect venue for the  Alice  target audience, whose attention tends to wonder easily. The stage is stark but, it had just en...