The time has come, I think, to talk about disclosures. I have been blogging for just over six years now, mostly on literature but also, occasionally, on other cultural experiences - including the Griffyn Ensemble. The thing is that Canberra is a small place and we who move around it start to get to know each other. This … Continue reading The Griffyns take us north – way north
Australian arts and culture
I spent Anzac with the Griffyns
While other Aussies were attending dawn services, or watching almost 24/7 ANZAC broadcasts on the box, this ANZAC Day, Mr Gums and I chose to remember it by going to the Griffyn Ensemble's The Dirty Red Digger concert, which was devised by their musical director Michael Sollis. Even more audacious than usual, Sollis managed to create a thoughtful show … Continue reading I spent Anzac with the Griffyns
The Griffyns go to China with Gough
... figuratively speaking, of course! The Griffyn Ensemble commenced their 2015 season in fine style, with guest artist, Chinese pipa player, Professor Zhang Hongyan. As always, the concert had a theme, evident from its title, Whitlam in China (and the development of friendly relations between our two countries). It was a tightly performed, well conceived and thoroughly … Continue reading The Griffyns go to China with Gough
The Griffyns end the year on, hmm, a macabre note
Only the Griffyn Ensemble could put together a concert that included Arvo Pärt and Bob Dylan, that started with eerie sounds from a tape and ended with mysterious knockings and bumpings from who knows where to the strains of Silent Night. Intrigued? Then read on ... This year the Griffyns' theme has been Fairy Stories - loosely … Continue reading The Griffyns end the year on, hmm, a macabre note
Art meets Literature at In the Flesh
I'm pushing it really with my heading, as for many the literary aspect of the National Portrait Gallery's In the Flesh exhibition would be a passingly noticed sideline, but for me it added significantly to my enjoyment. It helped of course that I found the following in the first room: It is not time or opportunity … Continue reading Art meets Literature at In the Flesh
Murray Bail, Arthur Boyd, Art and Landscape
Last year, I attended the National Library of Australia's two-day seminar, Writing the Australian Landscape, and wrote three posts about it, here, here and again here! In the first post, I wrote about Murray Bail's somewhat provocative keynote speech. What I didn't mention in my post was Bail's reference to Arthur Boyd's painting, titled "Interior with … Continue reading Murray Bail, Arthur Boyd, Art and Landscape
The Griffyns are on fire
Preshow setting up And now for something completely different. If Griffyn Ensemble's last concert, Do you believe? (my review), kept us on our intellectual toes from go to whoa, their third concert* of 2014, House on Fire, had our toes-a-tapping and feet-a-walking in a program that owed more to folk traditions than classical. Collaborating this time with … Continue reading The Griffyns are on fire
The Griffyns ask Do you believe?
I've said it before and I'll probably say it again, the Griffyns are a tricksy lot. Their second program for 2014 was titled The Three Futurists and was aligned with National Science Week. The theme was "Do you believe" - but we quickly realised that it wasn't only do you believe in something, though that was … Continue reading The Griffyns ask Do you believe?
Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Patyegarang
This year is Bangarra Dance Theatre's 25th anniversary. For those of you who don't know, Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Indigenous Australian contemporary dance company that was established - obviously - in 1989. Its artistic director since 1991 has been Stephen Page. His brother, David Page, does the music. These are two very talented brothers … Continue reading Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Patyegarang
Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords
While Hobartians are enjoying a full-on festival - Dark Mofo - to celebrate the Winter Solstice, we here in the national capital have had our little celebration. Or, at least, Mr Gums and I attended one. There might be others going on that I know nothing about. Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords was, … Continue reading Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords
Whispering Gums 