JUNE ROUND UP

Looking back I guess June was busy, yet it didn't feel that way at the time.

I started the month with much laughter seeing The Trip to Italy at The Towers with A. This is the second trip with Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan. I loved the first trip, and this one, set in Italy was as good, if not better and certainly equally as funny. Rob and Steve (as potted versions of themselves) travel through Italy staying at lovely places and eating incredible food. The food and the scenery was outstanding, but really it is their friendship, and slight rivalry that makes the film. Jokes, one-upmanship and loads of impersonations had us laughing so much we were crying and snorting (well, ok, that was just me!). If you haven't seen this, you really are missing out of something!

Work has been busy with the lead up to School Holidays and Naidoc Week and planning activities. We have been going out into the community and talking to schools and had our monthly movie night, this time, Priscilla. The 500 Words Writing Group I facilitate is growing, welcoming new members each time. The stories I wrote about this month are: Taking a wrong turn in Rome, My last day with my Pop, and how I felt when Lost ended.

I saw a lot of concerts this month: Tim Freedman, Wagons, and Lloyd Cole (where I was lucky enough to 'work' for and meet him) at the fabulous Lizotte's.

I also took my parents to see The Glenn Miller Orchestra at The Civic Theatre.

I spent time with family and friends to celebrate birthdays, farewells and just to catch up at The Olive Tree Markets, Talulah, The Landing, The Royal Inn, Graze, and The Grain Store.

And of course got up to my usual reading, watching and listening.

And I caught a couple of films at the Sydney Travelling Film Festival with J.

The first film was Rock the Casbah, a drama set in Morocco about a family reuniting to bury their father, Omar Sheriff. His presence looms large over the three days they are together and after the initial mourning, personalities and secrets are unveiled. This was shot in the most stunning locations, not least the amazing family home. The large cast was superb, and whilst the plot was dramatic, there was plenty of light humour scattered through. 

The second film was Richard Linklater's Boyhood. There are not enough superlatives to describe this magnificent film. Masterpiece does seem to be the best description. A coming of age film, shot in such a unique and original way, it defies categorisation. Linklater cast a young boy of 5 and filmed Boyhood over 12 years waiting for him to age and indeed come of age. This was such a leap of faith on his behalf, it could have been a disaster, but it wasn't. With Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as his divorced parents, and Linklater's own daughter, you watch these people evolve over 12 years. And it is pure magic. The film clocks in at almost 3 hours and I could have sat there for double the time. This is simply a film to be seen, it has been garnering rave reviews and it should. Arquette and Hawke are brilliant and believable and simply stunning in this. But it is Ellar Coltrane, who is the star. His portrayal of a version of himself from 5 to 17 is nothing short of a miracle, from a cute kid to an awkward tween to an almost Ethan Hawke lookalike teen, he simply shines. Without Coltrane this movie simply would not be, and what an extraordinary performance it is. I cannot recommend this film highly enough, it is one of the best films I have seen in a long time.

And nature put on a fabulous show as always.

Sunset on Beaumont Street

Kookie at Greenpoint

Rainbow over Lake Macquarie 

Sunrise over the cemetery, Blacksmiths

Sunrise over Swansea, no filter (never use filters)

Looks can be deceiving, bitterly cold at Greenpoint

WAGONS

I first came across Henry Wagons on Rockwiz some years back. He was great, irreverent, witty, and charming. His music a blend of bluesy, country, rock that grabbed you. So when we found out he was playing Lizotte's with his band Wagons, A, L, & I were there. I had the new album and really loved it. but I was not prepared for what a great gig it would be.

From the moment he took the stage we were in the palm of his sweaty hand. He embodied every note that came out of him, moving like a powerful beast to the rhythm of the music, inhabiting the stage with such a primal presence I found myself moving physically closer as the night wore on...well as close as leaning over the table I was sitting at would let me.

In fact his stance on stage reminded a little of Nick Cave.

But he was more accessible than Cave, talking with great humour between songs and just providing us with a genuine show on top of the music. His band were tight and loud, and best of all, they all looked like they were having the best time on stage.

He talked about his influences, Elvis, Springsteen, Willie Nelson...including his fabulous tribute song to Willie, which we all joined him on at the encore. Wiiiilllllleeeee!!!!!!

As he belted Willie out and encouraged us to join in, he came into the audience and jumped atop the table next to us, a grinding, sweaty, hunk of musical agility. The audience cheered and sang, we were with him and the band every inch of the way.

And then it was over, we left riled up, thrilled for the experience and a little sad it was over.

Wagons, and indeed Henry himself, are a band that defies description, suffice to say, you must go and see them live now!!!!