Category: ARTS & CULTURE

Jonas Kaufmann is back in Sydney to tell the tragic love story of Andrea Chénier

Jonas Kaufmann

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Posted: 23/07/2019

It was back in 2017 when the renowned tenor they call the ‘new Pavarotti’, Jonas Kaufmann graced Sydney’s shores and this year, he’s back again. He took on Parsifal at the Sydney Opera House – a challenge worthy of getting excited about – in a series of three performances of the Wagner work that sold the Joan Sutherland Theatre out. One of the world’s most renowned tenor’s with the voice and smile to prove it, Kaufmann will take on the role of Andrea himself alongside fellow cast members, Eva-Maria Westbroek and Ludovic Tézier, both making their Opera Australia debuts. Kaufmann will take to the stage on Thursday 8 and Sunday 11 August at the Sydney Opera House. See more at the Opera Australia website.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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British Library: Exhibition on our most impressive skill – writing

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Think about it: Where would we be without the ability to write (and read) words? This article wouldn’t exist. You can forget about anything computer-related, in fact. If you’re a holidaymaker, too, good luck navigating anywhere in the world without knowing which road you’re standing on. Oh, and that menu at your favourite restaurant can go out the window; you’ll get what you’re given. Assuming the chef can even cook anything without a recipe to follow. The British Library in London is a huge proponent of writing – duh – and this season until 27 August, has a seriously incredible exhibition in homage to it: Writing: Making Your Mark. For over 2,500 years now, writing and humans’ ability to do so has shaped the world and contributed to every element of it. The earliest examples of semiotics and writing was found in the Mesoamerican region by the Mayans and it’s thought to have recorded dates. From then, it’s been a pretty steep and slow-burning learning curve as symbols, etchings, carvings and engravings made their way across the world on all manner of mediums. Long before paper, there was stone, then clay, then papyrus before the world of paper made its debut in around 206BC and the world started hacking down over 4 billion trees a year for its production. Here’s hoping the next learning curve takes us to more sustainable means. The Writing: Making Your Mark exhibition explores the history of writing in deep details, from early days, right up to the modern, answering questions… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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What is human perfection? Melbourne Uni takes a look with its new art commission

First Commission

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Posted: 22/07/2019

Melbourne University is doing something interesting with art. They’ve given 30 emerging artists the chance to work across three locations, alongside some of the world’s most famous works of art – all without as much as a brief. A challenge? Yes, but one the artists whose own take on creativity and the historical beauty of so many of the pieces they work alongside, have proven great inspiration for the projects they undertook. Called First Commissions, the Uni’s project is purposed to present these 30 unique responses from the artistic troupe. It asked them to reinterpret world-changing historical commissions for the present moment, all of which were pretty broadly reaching; Think, the Titanic to Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, to Michaelangelo’s David, a vision of human perfection. In fact, five of the 30 artists worked with David, working back from the finished product to create pieces that told the story of being a person in the modern day. Through each of their five disciplines, Esther Stewart, Aboriginal Australian visual artist Ashley Perry choreographer and dancer Jack Riley, interactive composer Samuel Kreusler and classical composer Danna Yun, churned out works that did just that. The University of Melbourne was able to launch the project at the statue of David in Florence, from where the exhibition will then make its way to Melbourne, taking place over Open House weekend (27-28 July) in the Martyn Myer Arena on the University of Melbourne Southbank campus. The exhibition will include 30 works responding to the 7 commissions and involve over 100 emerging artists… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Hear Opera Australia’s orchestra director perform at the Sydney Opera Centre

Jun Yi Ma

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Posted: 19/07/2019

If there was ever anyone to play a violin in precisely the way a violin is meant to be played, it’s Jun Yi Ma, Opera Australia’s orchestra director. In the production that is Under an Azure Sky in the Joan Sutherland Studio, Jun Yi Ma will recite the piece on 26 August from 7pm. The studio is known for its rich, acoustic walls and intimate setting, which Opera Australia will harness to continue its series of intimate recitals with a Mediterranean influenced performance. Pianist and Chorus Master Siro Battaglin will accompany Jun Yi Ma as they perform Under an Azure Sky as a small, but poignant ensemble that includes Ravel’s ethereal Introduction and Allergro, and Turnia’s Las musas de Andalucí along with further accompaniment from members of the Opera Australia Orchestra. Find the Joan Sutherland Studio at The Opera Centre, 480 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. See more at the Opera Australia website. Tickets from $65 + 8.50 transaction fee.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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Buckingham Palace opens for summer: See how Queen Victoria made it what it is

Buckingham Palace State Room

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Buckingham Palace wasn’t always what it is today. And a lot of what made it so comes right down to the woman responsible; Queen Victoria. She was the first to use the Palace as a residence, the first to redo the inside, the first to throw three balls within its walls and made it so much more than a symbol of English monarchy. And now this summer from 20 July, the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are opening to give you an inside look into the royal era that was filled with music, dancing and entertaining that characterised the Queen’s reign. It’s all a part of marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and the exhibition Queen Victoria’s Palace tells the story of how the young monarch brought the Palace to life, transforming an empty royal residence into the most glittering court in Europe. She was only 18 when she became Queen and started turning things around, the tale of which the exhibition tells in great, visually sumptuous detail. You’ll tour the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, formed by Queen Victoria to host foreign dignitaries, throw parties and follow the pomp and ceremony of English Monarchy, developing trends and traditions that are still followed today. Ever wondered why the Royal family steps out on the balcony for public appearances? You’ll find out. Ever wondered whose idea it was to build the big east-facing balcony in the first place? Well, you’ll learn that, too. Ever wondered how many rooms-on-rooms-on-rooms there are in the inner western wing of Buckingham Palace… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Gauguin’s portraits are coming to the National Gallery London

Gaugin

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Updated: 18/07/2019

Paul Gauguin’s first-ever exhibition devoted to his portraits (1848–1903) will open at the National Gallery this October. On until 26 January 2019, the exhibition will show how the French artist, famous for his paintings of French Polynesia, revolutionised the art of the portrait. Gauguin was rarely interested in exploring his portrait sitters’ social standing, personality, or family background, which had been among the main reasons for painting portraits in the past.  The exhibition’s made up of sculptures in ceramics, wood paintings, drawings and more, even showing how Gauguin created a range of personifications including his self-image as Jesus Christ. Together with his use of intense colour and his interest in non-Western subject matter, his approach had a far-reaching influence on artists throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries including Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Gauguin Portraits will show how the artist – inspired by his time spent in Brittany, France and French Polynesia from the mid-1880s to the end of his life in 1903 – became fascinated by societies that to him seemed close to nature. With their folk-tale heritage and spirituality, these communities appeared to him to be far removed from the industrialisation of Paris. See the exhibition at the National Gallery in London from October to 26 January 2019. See more at the Gallery’s website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE

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Cut Copy and London’s Somerset House Summer Series takes over the West End

Somerset House Cut Copy

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Posted: 18/07/2019

Across eleven nights of open-air gigs, Somerset House Summer Series with American Express will be pumping out music, food and drinks and good vibes, while the sun’s in the sky and everyone’s mood is high. The Series is all about bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere to the very heart of London with a programme of pioneering musicians across a range of genres For example, on Friday 19 July, Melbourne band Cut Copy will take to the stage right in the middle of Somerset House, serving up some of the band’s latest work, an entirely new flavour all their own. “Shaking off some of the Balearic and acid house leanings heard on older releases, their new tracks favour Afrobeat textures, dubby rhythm sections and sweeping disco synths with an upbeat, effervescent tone that reflects their Melbourne origins,” says Somerset House. Summer Series gives music fans a live experience unlike any other, with the rare chance to see critically acclaimed artists plus some of the best up and coming performers in a spectacular yet intimate setting. Before Cut Copy, London was looking at the likes of Nao, Sons of Kemet, Jacob Banks and Rosalia + Badgirl$. See the full line-up here. The series ends on 21 July, so get in quickly, or sign up to Somerset House’s newsletter for when they do it again.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, MUSIC

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Free gay exhibition for London Pride: Kiss My Genders

Art London 4

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Posted: 05/07/2019

Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery is offering free admission to all visitors for its latest exhibition, Kiss My Genders from 11am – 7pm on Saturday 6 July.  The new exhibition Kiss My Genders is all about celebrating more than 30 international artists whose work explores and engages with gender identity. Spanning the past 50 years, Kiss My Genders brings together over 100 artworks by different generations of artists from around the world. Employing a wide range of approaches, these artists share an interest in articulating and engaging with gender fluidity, as well as with non-binary, trans and intersex identities. If acceptance, joy and tolerance are your thing, then this exhibition is for you. Give it a shot at the Southbank Centre and see more at the website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Autumn literature season at London’s Southbank stars Louis Theroux, Nadiya Hussain and more

Louis Theroux

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Posted: 25/06/2019

Southbank in London, right along the Thames is where the city’s cultural centre really shines. From the National Theatre, to the Southbank Centre and the current Underbelly Festival that’s on right near The London Eye, there’s a lot to choose from; and now, thanks to the Southbank Centre, there’s even more. They’ve just announced their most jam-packed literature season to date with more than 35 events taking place from September to December 2019 across its three auditoriums: the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room as well as in its National Poetry Library, Hayward Gallery and foyer spaces. It’s a whole season of non-fiction talks and discussions with leading writers and thinkers on topics from atheism to parenting to talking to strangers. It’ll also come with a raft of activities by leading authors who’ll talk about all things fiction, TV faces and comedians, reflecting on their careers with the launch of new books, live readings, panel discussions and new creative writing and poetry courses. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to: Talks and in conversation events with leading writers and thinkers including psychotherapist Philippa Perry, science writer Richard Dawkins, cartoonist Randall Munroe, writer Will Self and journalist Malcolm Gladwell Appearances from TV personalities including documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux, Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski and The Great British Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain who launch new books Comedians Richard Ayoade, in conversation with Adam Buxton, Sara Pascoe and Lenny Henry discussing new books whilst Hannah Gadsby brings her live show Douglas to Royal Festival Hall London exclusive appearances from award-winning fiction writers Malorie Blackman, Etgar… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Movies on the beach in London: Fulham Beach Club Cinema opens

Fulham Beach Club cinema

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Posted: 24/06/2019

Think bottomless popcorn, prosecco and a little ‘beach’ action, right in the middle of London: the Beach Club Cinema is here. Fulham Beach is being turned into a full cinematic experience, complete with al fresco set-up, to host weekly film nights, taking place every Tuesday throughout summer.  Complete with spectacular views over the London skyline, the Beach Club Cinema also comes with comfy deckchairs with blankets to keep the evening chill away, as well as the usual sound quality, food and quality movies you’d expect of a night at the cinema.  Each screening starts at 7:30pm, and is limited to 50 tickets. From award-winning movies, to cult classics and weepy rom-coms, the schedule features: the best damn romantic motion picture to grace the big screen, The Notebook; Cameron Diaz’s breakout role in There’s Something About Mary; leather pants and slicked back hair galore in Grease; 80s iconic film Dirty Dancing; and early noughties favourite featuring babyface Leo Dicaprio, The Beach, plus many more.  See more about tickets and get your own here, or here’s the info you need to know: Price: £15 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn£30 for entry, film, seat, glass of prosecco, bottomless popcorn and a pizza£45 for two people with entry, film, seat, bottomless popcorn, pizza to share and glass of prosecco eachUnder 10 yrs: £10 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn and soft drinks for under 10’s Schedule: 18th June The Notebook25th June There?s Something About Mary 2nd July Grease9th July Dirty Dancing 16th July The Beach 23rd July A… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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