La Femme Boheme - Review

Review originally posted at www.suzygoessee.com
Venue: The Spice Cellar (Sydney NSW), Wed evenings
Performers: Mariesa Mae, Penelope Morgan, Olly Stanton, Antigone Foster (guest)
Image by Matt Waugh

Theatre review (of Feb 26, 2014 show)
La Femme Boheme are two stunning burlesque performers, Mariesa Mae and Penelope Morgan. Their residency at The Spice Cellar begins at 8pm every Wednesday night, showcasing a series of numbers, solo and partnered, designed to fascinate and allure. Also present at tonight’s performance were pianist Olly Stanton and guest singer Antigone Foster, providing further entertainment to complement the stars.

The femmes’ show is raunchy but also elegant. It appeals to audiences of all sexual persuasions, as their work is not only about providing titillation. There is humour peppered throughout the evening, with a resulting experience that is cheerily light-hearted. There is a sweet fairy tale, a funny monologue about Mae’s early discovery of the art form in primary school, and a sequence involving multi-coloured balloons worn like bananas on Josephine Baker.

The women are a perfect visual match. They are virtually identical in height and shape, but they are also entirely distinct in personality and styles. Morgan is coy, while Mae is assertive. The yin-yang dynamic gives the show a lovely balance, but Morgan does stand out with a little more polish and confidence. Her sequence in a glorious mirrored bath tub is a show stealer, and truly breathtaking.

Most of the music is pre-recorded, but Stanton and Foster’s live performances add good variety to the evening. The grand piano in The Spice Cellar sounds and looks fabulous, and Stanton playing cabaret and burlesque classics on it certainly elevates the tone of the proceedings. Foster’s vocals are strong and idiosyncratic, giving excellent counterpoint to the headliners, especially in more familiar fare like “Cry Me A River” and “Hey Big Spender”.

At the core of their show is a commitment to creating images of beauty. It is an interesting and rare balance that La Femme Boheme explore, one that does not alienate any adult; man or woman, gay or straight. Desire exists in many forms, and the ladies allow us to relate to them in different ways. Are they goddesses, kittens, heroines, or clowns? The choice is yours, but the performance is best consumed with an open mind.
www.thespicecellar.com.au
www.lafemmeboheme.com.au

Jazz Degustation & The Cellar Jazz Jam at The Spice Cellar - Review

Reviewed by Jasmine Crittenden

The Spice Cellar’s Thursday night degustation is not just about food. It’s a comprehensive sensory experience: eclectic décor evocative of an underground bar more likely to be found in Berlin than Martin Place; jazz (both DJ-spun and live); warm, knowledgeable service; and five courses matched with five beverages, delivered at a invitingly languid pace.

DJ Murat Killic and promoters Warren Faulkner and Rebecca Alder established the Spice Cellar back in 2011, bringing a sophisticated yet idiosyncratic aesthetic to the 58 Elizabeth Street basement that the Wine Banq used to call home. Larger-than-life street art Bansky-ifies the walls; leafy indoor plants curl around mirrors; commodious vintage chairs gather in twos and threes; a book shelf holds a collection of well-leafed second-hand titles; lamp shades in warm colours create an intimate feel.

The music programme consists mainly of the latest and greatest in contemporary electronica, but on Thursdays, jazz holds the fort. DJ Andy Webb begins proceedings at 7pm, with bassist Phil Stack (of Thirsty Merc fame) arriving at 10pm to host a jam session.

A Salerno Sunrise cocktail – a lovely burst of blood orange liqueur, brought to life with prosecco – kick starts the degustation. It’s the accompaniment to chorizo bruschetta – light, French style bread topped with Persian fetta, romesco sauce and onion relish. The rush of rich flavours is a suitable marriage to the cocktail and sets up an exciting beginning to the journey, though a little less relish might have enabled a finer balance.

Second up is a glass of Dr Polkington’s Miracle Cider – a refreshing contrast, by way of its dryness – delivered with the finest dish of the evening – zucchini, haloumi and almond fritters with lemon yoghurt. The zing of the latter sets off perfectly the irresistible moorishness of the former.

With the third course, the ‘spice’ factor enters the mix. A glass of Cervoles Colors Blanc (macabeo and chardonnay) from Lleida, Spain, accompanies scallops wrapped in prosciutto on a lemongrass sauce that ends with a delightfully surprising kick. With its melon and pear aromas, full palate and lingering finish, the wine is an invigorating match. However, the prosciutto has a tendency to overwhelm the scallops, which may have benefitted from a more delicate handling.

The spicy flavours continue in the fourth dish, this time with a nod to Thai influences. Braised beef short rib with lime and chilli nahm jim dressing and sides of roasted vegetables are accompanied by another glass of Cervoles Colors, this time the Red (tempranillo, garnacha, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah). It’s a joyous combination – both hearty and interesting.

Course five rounds the degustation off with a cheese platter and a rum espresso martini. By now, the live jazz is in swing, with various local and travelling musicians lining up to play and, more often than not, surprise guest artists. The week before, James Morrison dropped down, and played to a packed out crowd.

The verdict? At just $55, the Spice Cellar’s Thursday night degustation is terrific value. It’s a relaxing yet stimulating journey that takes the diner on some exciting twists and turns, reflective of what good jazz is all about.

The Spice Cellar

The Spice Cellar is a new lounge bar and club located in the basement level of the heritage Overseas Union Bank building located at 58 Elizabeth St  in downtown Sydney.                 

 Taking over the Wine Banc's old sunken cellar, the venue is ensconced 20 feet below street level in the trusty cocoon like surrounds of a bank basement. It realises a vision to deliver something wholly unique, yet distinctly international to Sydney's nightlife. Inspired by bars in New York and nightclubs in                  Berlin, the Spice Cellar is what you get when you cross the visions of a DJ, an event producer, a mixologist and restaurateur.                 

Murat Kilicis an international DJ, music producer who has been active in the entertainment industry for over 10yrs. He has successfully released music on various labels and regularly tours Europe, in particular Berlin, where he sights a large part of his inspiration for creating this venue.                 

His intimate connection with the city, in particular its arts culture, the music scene and of course the bars/clubs are considered to be the top destinations in the world.                 

Co-­‐owner Warren Faulkner is an event producer who has created prestigious events for the last 8 years such   as earth Hour & Rosemount Fashion week.                 

                   

 Together they have set  their sights on creating a unique and refined lounge bar and club (true to their name)  that combines European wines & spice infused  cocktails with underground cutting edge music in the distinct ambience  of a lounge room, somewhere you can be uninhibited and express yourself surrounded by like-­‐minded people.                 

                   

With Julien Serna (The Fern, Porteno, Hemmishere) designing the cocktail list, you can be assured of a blistering standard when it comes to your palate.

The Spice Cellar will bring all kinds of people on an international scale together for the same reason: their love of quality music and a discerning palate.

The venue will operate as a cocktail lounge Wednesday – Friday from 4 pm – midnight, and the club will operate Saturday 10pm til 10 am .

From the street you would hardly know it is there, but then that is why it is underground literally. Low ceilings and acoustic walls combined with a squeaky clean sound system, this venue will make it’s mark on Sydney this spring.

Officially opening October long weekend with an event that could last all weekend.