APRIL ROUND UP

April was huge, busy, crazy, amazing, and everything else. 

My mental health has been spot on, black dog at bay, but my physical health has been something else! I've always had issues with my right knee, I fell over a lot as a kid, I have always been clumsy. And it was playing up more than usual, and rather than going to my Osteo, I kept on going on as I was busy and this pushed nearly every other muscle out of whack. So mid month, finally finding some free time, I hobbled along to my Osteo and let him weave his magic. I'm getting there!

I took some leave early April, and had a blast, with a while range of fun.

First up I attended the always fabulous Newcastle Writers Festival, and you can read all about it here. What a busy but wonderful few days it was.

The Monday after the festival I headed for a mini break in Sydney. I'm more a Melbourne gal, but I don't mind time in Sydney. I stayed at the lovely Hyde Park Inn. 

During my time I walked a lot, took pics, did some shopping, ate some lovely meals. But the reason I was there was to see the sublime Patti Smith at The State Theatre and to catch up with family and see the Andy Warhol exhibit at NSW Art Gallery. What a blast it was, and a nice little break.

I was home in time for a quiet period of reflection, reading and writing, and time with family to celebrate Easter.

Linda and I headed to Lizotte's to see Bob Evans, which was great.

The family also celebrated my sister's birthday at the Maryville pub, excellent meal and service, highly recommend.

And then I was back down to Sydney to see Patti Smith again, this time a spoken word concert at the Sydney Opera House with Athena, and it was glorious.

Continuing with family celebrations, Mum and Dad took me to lunch at the Sunnyside Tavern, where we had a great meal.

Jayne and I had a meal at Foghorn before catching up with Linda and others at The Towers for French Friday. The film shown was Monsieur Chocolat, based on a true story about a black clown at the turn of the century. Funny and melancholy, this was a mostly dramatic film, despite the clowning around.

I started and finsihed the month with out lovely Bibliotweeps Bookclub, reading Jasper Jones and Goodwood.

As always plenty of reading, watching, and listening.

And some pics.

BOB EVANS AND AMY VEE

I've always enjoyed Bob Evans , especially his first two albums, Suburban Kid and Suburban Songbook. 

Bob is actually Kevin Mitchell (frontman of Jebadiah, also great). Bob is more folksy, a little quirky, and is just him and a guitar.

He tours regularly, and I often think I should see him, but never have until this opportunity came up.

Aside: the reason for the opportunity was a little unpleasant, so I will try and keep it brief. When L and I saw Martha Wainwright at Lizottes, we had the most awful experience there in terms of service. They had seated other people in our allocated seats, which is a mistake, but it was how poorly they handled that mistake and how dreadfully we were treated which made up upset. So, I wrote an email of complaint. I don't like to do such things (I am a manager and have received such things, and they sting), but I keep it nice and just really hoped no one else would have such a terrible experience. 

I love Lizottes, and have been a firm supporter and promoter of them from Day 1. It feels like home to me, so I knew this experience was not normal...but still!
Lizottes contacted me and offered us tickets and dinner to any show we liked, something I did not expect, so we chose Bob. I'd like to say they redeemed themselves, but unfortunately we experience poor service again, not as bad as our previous experience, but poor nonetheless. I do not know what is happening at my favourite place, but it is sad. The food and music are still supreme, but I hope they sort out their service very soon!

Urgh, enough of that, I hate being negative!

I read a great article about Kevin/Bob before the concert. He said he is very much upset about the female/male balance, or rather imbalance, in the music industry, especially at festivals etc. So he will only accept females as his supporting performers at gigs.

And this meant we had the lovely and talented Amy Vee on first. What a delight she is, sweet and humble, and what a voice. Just Amy and a guitar and she had the audience in the palm of her hand!

And then Bob came on, with his trademark fairy lights around his guitar, a smile on his face, a joke ever at the ready. He has really perfected what I call the perfect troubadour feel. Guitar, voice, great stories, great musicality, and humour. A lot try and a lot fail, but he nails it. You hear this in his albums, but even more so live.

His voice is stunning, better live than recorded. He was humble and lovely, messing up a song, he just went with it and made it funnier. He took some requests, and mostly played older stuff which made me happy. But all the songs, whether they were old familiars or new ones, were great, listenable, and enjoyable.

Bob is a born performer, with stories behind the songs, stories of his life at home and on the road, and stories of fellow musicians.

Despite the poor service and a bizarre moment towards the end, {when this 'woman' squeezed her way right up to the front, only to ask him to play a cover of You're the Voice by John Farkham!?! She was wearing a fitted mottled denim dress, so I guess that explains it all. He declined, looking a little exasperated. Most in the audience looked a little gobsmacked.} the night was a delight.

Great music, food, and company.