West Side Story: cooling with a Jet

Tuesday 7 September 2010, 10:42 AM
By The Team | Posted in Events

West Side Story is playing in Melbourne until early October. This musical was ahead of its time when it first opened in New York in the 1950s, and it’s still considered a ground-breaking and extraordinary show. The songs, the dancing, the subject matter – it’s all as moving now as it was half a century ago.

Here’s what Rohan Browne has to say about the show, our city – and his fighting prowess.

Rohan, congratulations on your role as Riff, leader of the Jets, in Melbourne’s West Side Story. What is it about this musical that makes it so popular?

What the original creative team brought to the fore is something that will stand the test of time. It was originally set in New York, but it could be anywhere.

In every city of every country there are issues with violence, race, societal differences and creed. West Side Story lends itself to these different problems and everyone, at any time, can relate. 

As a born and bred Melbourne boy you must be stoked to play such a big role in your home town.

Of course I’m stoked! I mean, this role is such an incredible character and I am thrilled to be able to do this around Australia – and especially in Melbourne.

Check out what Rohan’s castmates have to say about Melbourne in our exclusive video.

Do you have any favourite hidden bars or cafes that you take your international cast members to while they’re in town?

The hard part about Melbourne is keeping up. Everywhere you turn there are new, exciting and funky places to go to. One of my favourite bars is The Golden Monkey down Hardware Lane. The Emerald Peacock is a great place to hang out, The European and Supper Club are both reliable and trusty friends. And Self Preservation makes a mean coffee.
 
(Spoiler alert) Your character features only in the first half of the musical. If you could sneak out for a while during the second half, where might we find you?

A hospital? I don’t know if you know what happens to my character but it’s pretty messy. There is blood loss. For recovery I’d need something with some iron in it, perhaps a Guinness at 3 Below. Then, if they were still in with a chance I’d maybe go and cheer on the mighty Dees [Melbourne Demons].
 
Though not sung by you in the production, one of the most-loved songs in West Side Story is America. Can you change the words of the first verse to reflect the Melbourne you love?

Melbourne
You lovely city…
City of coffee snobbery
Always the trams clattering and slowing
Always the eclectic bar scene growing
And the MCG buzzing
And the Yarra flowing…

West Side Story is playing at the Regent Theatre now.  Tickets are selling fast.

Hot Spots: three steps to fashionable music success

Monday 6 September 2010, 4:31 PM
By The Team | Posted in Events

What’s that weird look on your face? We saw it. You were squinting! Without getting ahead of ourselves, it seems safe to suggest that spring is actually here. And we have exactly two things on our minds right now.

First, the memory of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week  still looms large in our wardrobes. Second, we’re rather excited about today’s launch of the first ever Melbourne Music program. We’ve decided to combine these obsessions to bring you a fashion-focused guide to the Melbourne Music program.

The Bedroom Philosopher: dressing for the 86 tram.

Having just finished his Songs From The 86 Tram national album tour, Justin Heazlewood (aka the Bedroom Philosopher) is getting ready to play some sets on ‘actual trams’ during Melbourne Music as part of the Live On The Tracks series. How should you dress for the shows?

Based on the YouTube hit ‘Northcote (So Hungover)’, filmed on the 86 (Bourke Street) tram, we guess he’d tell you to wear something that’s ‘all about anger and fashion.’ Be careful in those skinny pants, though. Justin had to go to hospital the other day.

‘It’s these new jeans man. I just couldn’t get my wallet out.’

Fashion forward buskers 

Working in Melbourne’s great outdoors adds a degree of difficulty to any task - especially when it comes to your outfit. How do buskers decide what wear? How do they choose between a plastic poncho or head-to-toe silver paint?

Melbourne’s buskers will come together during Melbourne Music to battle it out for the title of Best Busker in the Street Change concert at City Square. For once they’ll have a covered stage, so they can leave the poncho at home. 

We’re not sure who will be entering this event, but, just in case, we would like to nominate  jazz busker group Milestones for the ‘Melbourne’s Best Reservoir Dogs Look-Alike’ Street Change award.

Serge Gainsbourg style tips

Screening at ACMI for Melbourne Music, Je t’aime: The Filmic Lives of Gainsbourg and Birkin is a series of films celebrating the work of French music icon Serge Gainsbourg – and his famous love. The late Frenchman was a brooding pin-up for classic elegance in men’s fashion, and the tailored leather jacket was one of his wardrobe staples.

For the Gainsbourg look, we recommend a visit to Swedish fashion house and creative collective Acne, based in Melbourne’s GPO. 

Visit www.melbmusic.com to view the full Melbourne Music program.

Melbourne, we dare you

Friday 27 August 2010, 9:08 AM
By The Team | Posted in Things

Tired of the grind? Try a little reckless risk-taking – we find it does wonders for the complexion.

We’re not suggesting you do anything that could land your mugshot in MX and your butt in the back of a divvy van – there’s no need to take things that far! In Melbourne you can stick your neck out in the name of fun without disturbing the peace (too much).

Think you’re up to the challenge? Go ahead, Melbourne: we dare you!

Laughter is good for the Spleen

You know, you really are a hoot. Every great comedian has to start somewhere, so why not kick off your career at Spleen’s open mic Mondays? Comedy@Spleen  always includes established acts, so you won’t be cracking jokes just for the bartender and that kanoodling couple in the corner. There’ll be a real audience, and real laughs.

Tai Chi cadets

Too scared to join the zen, hip, seventy-plus super-grans who do perfect Tai Chi in the park? Hone your Tai Chi chops – and entertain a few passing commuters – at Fed Square on Tuesday mornings.  Before you know it, you’ll be grasping the sparrow’s tail and repulsing the monkey with the best of ‘em!

Public piano, please

We don’t care if you wagged every one of those expensive piano classes your parents paid for: we want to hear you tickle the ivories. Wow the crowds with your public piano performance on Wednesdays at Fed Square. Bring a few friends for a guaranteed standing ovation … and break a leg!

Trigger-happy snappers

Secretly fancy yourself as a photographer? Join a Loop photography night walk . Snap happily – with arty advice – while you stroll the most scenic corners of our fine city. Then it’s back to the bar, where, with a stiff drink, you can watch your work screened on the wall for all to see.

80s countdown on ice

Admit it: you can’t ice skate, and you know every word to Footloose. Sounds like you’re the ideal candidate for the 80s countdown on Icehouse’s mega-rink this Friday. Mix a bunch of uncoordinated mates, the Safety Dance and some razor-sharp skate blades for the ultimate in hair-raising hilarity. Don’t forget your leg warmers!

 If, after all this, the daredevil in you is still hungry for adrenalin, these coming events might help you get your thrills:

The St George Melbourne Marathon – but remember to put some training in – or choose a length that’s going to see you finish better in a better state than this distance event’s namesake.

Thrill the World invites Melbourne – and the world – to dance to Thriller in a city-wide flash mob on Saturday 23 October.  

What daring antics have you been up to recently?