Mister Brisbane: On the move
Fest quest. Hitting the Heights. Local Voices. Bond's back. Open art.
As we slowly and cautiously move out of virus lockdown mode, a lot of questions remain unanswered. One of them is tackled in this Australian Financial Review article on the future of arts festivals. At the time of writing, the status of the 2020 Brisbane Festival, due to be held in September, is unclear. Its website states: “Due to the rapidly changing environment that we now find ourselves in, and in consideration of current and ongoing restrictions, we are refining and revising this year’s Brisbane Festival program.” If it does happen, I imagine there will be few, if any, international acts. Even if international travel restrictions are lifted before September, it’s unreasonable and impractical to keep artists and their crews on hold until the last minute just in case. Even Australian acts may decide that it’s too costly to remain in limbo and opt either to accept other work (if available) or cancel altogether.
Some festival organisers are looking at solutions that involve extended physical distancing, but the problem arises of how to make that financially viable. Even if theatres and other venues are allowed to open, the currently proposed capacity of 100 people means performances become exclusive, which is surely counter to the festival ethos. It pains me to suggest this, but if a festival — especially one funded from the public purse — can’t be for everyone, shouldn’t it be cancelled? Or is there another answer?
ANOTHER WUTHER
Heathcliff, it’s me, I’m Cathy
I’ve come home, I’m so cold
Let me in through your window
The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, one of the key social events for many Brisbaneites, looks like it’s going ahead, according to an announcement on its Facebook page. But, because of the Covid-19 situation, it will be a little different. The announcement says: “We’re organising details for 11 July at present — and will be hosting some dance tutorials online in the coming weeks. Due to restrictions, this year’s Wuther will take on a new format!” Maybe they have the elusive solution other event organisers are desperately seeking.
BATTLE STATIONS
After the much-promoted “cheating scandal” and format change, Channel 9’s The Voice is going into “Battles” mode on Sunday, June 21, with a bunch of Queensland hopefuls in contention early in the week. They include 15-year-old Maddy Thomas (pictured below) from Roma; Xy Latu from Brisbane; Sila Robson from the Gold Coast; Charlie McFarlane, a 22-year-old Scot who used to be in a One Direction tribute band but now lives in Brisbane; and American-born Angela Fabian, also from Brisbane whose aim is “to prove life begins at 50”.
GO TO THE GALLERY
The Queensland Art Gallery is now open. That means you are welcome to go see the entire collection, along with the Mavis Ngallametta: Show Me the Way to Go Home retrospective, and Errant Objects’ on the QAG Watermall, including Ai Weiwei’s light installation, Boomerang 2006. The QAG Cafe is open for takeaway and limited seating, with seated patrons asked to provide contact details in line with Covid contact-tracing requirements. While GOMA won’t fully reopen until August 7, its store is open from 10am-4pm daily, with the Bistro Pop-Up Providore open 10am-2pm.
‘LOST’ MEMORIES
The story of William Callaghan, the boy who was found last week after two days lost in the bush, reminded one fan of this newsletter of Little Boy Lost, a Johnny Ashcroft song based on the successful 1960 search for four-year-old farm boy Steven Walls. The song had incredible success, including achieving gold record status in Australia (where it was the first 45rpm single to do so) and New Zealand. It also became the first (and perhaps only) song to be withdrawn from radio airplay by its own performer. Ashcroft thought it insensitive to allow the song to continue airing after a Sydney schoolboy, Graeme Thorne, was kidnapped and subsequently murdered.
ADOPTION ACTION
Australians wanting to adopt face a lot of “bureaucratic BS”, according to Aussie actor-director Deborra-lee Furness. She’s passionate about the issue of adoption and foster parenting and will be helming an episode of Neighbours about it. She tells Hit 105’s Matt, Abby and Stav about that (and a few other things) here.
BAD HABITS
I’ve been reading about how many people have used the enforced isolation of the past few months to get their act together in terms of health and fitness. Good on you if you’re among them, but I’m sorry to report that it’s been quite the opposite for me. I’ve done very little exercise, I’ve been snacking too often, and I’ve indulged in some small-time gambling (only a few dollars here and there on the Lotto and some slow horses part-owned by relatives). What’s everybody else been up to? Has hunkering down been good or bad for your health? And what are you most looking forward to doing now the restriction are being relaxed? Call me crazy, but I’m seriously thinking of booking a cruise for late this year or early next.
MORE MOORE
What do you do when you record a Game of Thrones podcast and there’s no more GoT to podcast about? If you’re Natalie Bochenski and Stuart Layt, you turn your attention to the James Bond film franchise. You can find Raven Bond here on Soundcloud, and there’s supplemental reading on the Bond films on Bochenski’s website here. You may notice that I’ve used a picture from 1973’s Live and Let Die, starring Roger Moore, who is my favourite James Bond. I love the cheesy films of that era and the fact that, while he’s dashing and the films are full of derring-do, Moore always looks like he’s in on the joke. After all, how “secret” can a secret agent be when everybody knows his name? The more recent 007s, especially the incumbent Daniel Craig, are too straight and serious for my liking. Who’s your favourite? And why?
MEANWHILE …
QPAC is taking bookings for performances in November and beyond. Check out the list of events. The website also has links to streaming arts events.
It must have been the plug I gave them last week … the Caravan Industry Association of Australia notes in a new media release that cabin occupancy in Queensland is up 33 per cent. As Kim noted on Facebook: “I don’t get camping. The thrill of sleeping among bugs and using the great out doors as a public convenience is lost on me. But I’d definitely use a caravan as a mobile hotel room to see this big brown land.”
Toombul entertainment venues Holey Moley Golf Club, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, B Lucky & Sons and Strike Bowling have reopened.
And finally, for a bit of fun, here — thanks to Emily on Facebook for pointing it out — is a Medieval version of Radioheads’ Creep.