Fringe Recovery

I said I would share with you my thoughts on the shows I went to see as part of the Fringe this year. It was great to get to go see a few shows, rather than just performing and following Morgan around to his shows.

This year was a bit surprising, mostly due to the unseasonably wet and cold weather. So bad that the parade on opening night was cancelled... and severe storm warnings issued for most of the state! It was rescheduled but I for one didn't get to it. By the sounds of things, it was a bit of a flop.

Cantina

It's rare that the most promoted Fringe show is actually the best. (so promoted there was an advert on the Virgin in flight magazine when I went to Perth earlier this year.) But the highlight for me was definitely Cantina, in the Spiegel Tent. So good in fact that I went to see it twice! Its so hard to categorise the performance, but it was kinda like hanging out in the wee hours of the morning in a Berlin nightclub frequented but acrobats and exhibitionists in 1935. And it seems the reason it was so good may well be the extraordinary production company behind it.


Strut & Fret have been behind such shows as the Kransky Sisters, the Happy Sideshow and the Secret Death of Salvador Dali, with current works include the Tom Tom crew and pyrophone.

Their work is amazing and diverse, working with the artists and venues more than trying to create to a production company bi-line.

Next up was the beautiful and inspiring Amanda Palmer. Once again in the Spiegel Tent, the only thing that this show suffered for was being too short. One hour is just enough time for her to really get going, but luckily she continued the show in the Garden after, with the assistance of Jason Webley.

Sometimes its hard being a mum, I really wanted to go see her the next night too and follow her to Tuxedo Cat for the Ninja gig. But its just not possible at the mo. Can't do everything I guess but the next time I pay money to see AFP will be somewhere like the Gov again, where she can give a 2 1/2 hour show.

Lastly was the Harry James Angus Band. That's Harry from The Cat Empire and man was it smokin! Lots of old school jazz and blues, post war tunes. My favourite by far was 'Just a Gigolo'. 3 of the members of the band were guys Harry has been playing music with since high school. The Cat Empire are back in Adelaide in April.

Busy, busy... busy,busy!

It has been a long time between posts but this post should make up for it! On Saturday a few friends and I hosted a fashion parade, with more than a few differences called Tribal Fibres: a percussive catwalk. The models were tribal belly dancers from the South Australian tribal belly dance community. The Clothing was work by Hellena Post - hand dyed, spun and crocheted creations,
and work by the Lizard Queen - one of a kind clothing and wings made from second hand and recycled fabric and clothing,and my jewellery. And we had live musicians consisting of Grasshopper with Dylan and Kira playing flutes and Rowan on Saxophone. We had a splendid night with lots of sales, a packed house, lovely food and so much fun! Thank you everyone who contributed to making this night special.

You can find many more photo's of the event at the Tribal Fibres facebook page.

And tonight I will be having a stall at the Free Fringe Family Frivolities event at the Hahndorf Academy, from 6:30 till 9 pm. I hope to see you there as it will be quite an event - stalls, food, music!

I'm with the band :)

So, a few months ago I mentioned the band my partner-in-crime is in with a few friends. I have finally remembered I was suppose to post a link of them drumming (my bad).
They go by the name of Grasshopper and have a LOT of gigs during the Adelaide Fringe Festival, so look out for them! That or go hunting for them around Rundle Street on a Friday or possibly Saturday night, they often go busking but rarely all three of them.


This is their facebook group, where you can get info on who they are, what they do and where to find them next.
love.