CALENDAR GIRLS - Review

 Reviewed by Marie Su

From the 11th October until the 19th October, The Zenith Theatre, Chatswood hosts The Epicentre Theatre Company in their latest production of “Calendar Girls”. The Epicentre Theatre Company is donating $2 from every ticket sale to the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation because cancer is the cause which inspires this play.

Director Belinda Clark has directed this production of “Calendar Girls” with humour, wit and charm. The characters came across as warm, genuine and engaging. They supported each other through hardship and made a difference to each other and their community. The trigger for creating the calendar was the death caused by leukaemia suffered by one of the female character’s husbands. Based on a true story, this production of women from Northern England who tastefully stripped off and allowed photographs to be taken of them to make a fundraising calendar, is well known in the film version. To perform this play in the flesh, so to speak, must have been a challenge for the mature women of the cast and crew.

Each character faces their own personal demons and growths through their experience. The play is an ensemble piece and they are all to be commended equally. This rendition works because each cast member is valuable in their own right and the performances hinge inextricably on each other and their personal interactions. On a production note, the company made very good use of props and lighting which helped me connect with the human story presented.

Judging by the audience’ reaction on opening night, the happy vibe and the sheer enjoyment emanating from the theatre, shows that “Calendar Girls” at the Zenith is a production not to be missed. It is not just about a good cause, it’s an exceptionally good show. I’d recommend bringing an extra $15 for the artistically produced and presented “Calendar Girls” calendar.

NOMAD has arrived

NOMAD has arrived – a cellar door in the city where you come to learn about what is new in Australian wine and taste the best of Australian produce.

Occupying a stunning turn-of-the century warehouse at 16 Foster Street on the fringe of Surry Hills, Nomad will provide a platform for boutique Australian wine producers from regions not previously known for wine, such as Orange, Mudgee and Canberra, and who are now taking on the big boys from the Hunter and Barossa Valleys.

After returning from their sojourns into wine country Al Yazbek (formerly of Toko) and his partner Rebecca Littlemore would come back to the city wishing for just a little bit more of that cellar door vibe. “Why hasn’t anyone opened a cellar door in the city?” they thought. And with that Nomad was born.

Al and Rebecca had always coveted the Spence & Lyda site, just around the corner from Longrain. With its stunning ironwood columns and beams and soaring ceilings, they knew they had found the right site for their city cellar door.

Complementing the bones of the original building Al and Rebecca, working with architect Annie Snell, have pulled together a palette consisting of concrete, steel and more concrete that is evocative of a foundry. Among these beautiful elements sit a purpose built room that is home to Nomad’s house made cheese and charcuterie.

Situated at the heart of Nomad is the kitchen. Chef Nathan Sasi has recently returned from working at Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant Dinner, voted the world’s ninth best restaurant. Sasi’s CV also lists the likes of Moro, also in London, and locally at Sean’s Panaroma and est. Nathan asked for a wood-fired oven and Al and Rebecca were happy to oblige, building him an oven large enough to slow cook a whole lamb or pig, as well as our own Nomad sourdough. Nathan is one happy chef.

“A revival of old world techniques such as pickling, curing, smoking, drying, fermenting, cheese making and whole animal butchering where nothing is wasted” best sums up Sasi’s ethos. “Seasonal produce is the best produce, and if you can source it direct from the producer, farmer or fisherman then more’s the better” says Sasi, who’s menu of share dishes will be garnished with flavours, spices and cooking techniques native to the Mediterranean.

Working alongside Al, Rebecca and Nathan is Master of Wine Rob Geddes. One of only 18 Masters of Wine in the country, Geddes started his career amongst the vineyards of the Clare Valley in the 1970’s and is arguably one of Australia’s pre-eminent wine communicators. Geddes will be Nomad’s MW-in- residence and what he doesn’t know about wine isn’t worth knowing!

The wines on Nomad inaugural list where chosen because they are simply the best of Australia’s boutique vineyards. "Nomad's wine list comprises wines that have been ‘grown rather made’ to show aromatic complexity and flavour detail reflecting their origins and retaining food friendliness. These wines
are medium to full bodied with natural acid, moderate alcohol and are food friendly", notes Geddes of his collaborative list with Rebecca and Mike Watt, Nomad’s restaurant manager.

Nomad is located at 16 Foster St, Surry Hills and will be open for lunch Monday to Friday, dinner Monday to Saturday and will take bookings for both, via the Nomad website – www.restaurantnomad.com.au

The New Music Network is calling for proposals for the 2014 New Music Mini Series

Deadline for Submissions: 30 November 2013

The New Music Mini Series is a five-part series of concert events that promote (or comprise performances by) artists and ensembles of ‘the next generation’ within contemporary art music practice. This includes individuals and/or ensembles that are starting out in their performing careers and/or artists or ensembles creating new projects. The series is held alongside the annual New Music Network Concert Series.

Proposals for the Series are welcome from interested individuals or ensembles wishing to present a concert event. Genres considered for the series include: composed, electronic, and/or improvisatorial musics. Proposals will only be accepted for events held in Australia.

Additional Proposal: In 2014, the New Music Network has received funding from APRA to present a concert event that focusses on new Australian compositions. The successful proposal will be presented as a concert event with a program that contains Australian compositions registered with APRA and should include newly composed works.

The New Music Mini Series was launched in 2005, for emerging creators targeting newly formed groups or solo artists and/or new projects. The series is curated each year by two selected Artistic Directors nominated annually by the New Music Network Executive Committee. Benefits of the project include profile building, marketing and audience development support and the critical context of presenting alongside more established member groups in an annual program. The decision of the Artistic Directors is final. The selected participates will be announced in February 2014.

Proposals should include:

1. One page submission with a proposed program featuring new Australian and/or contemporary repertoire

2. Group or individual biography

3. Support material including reviews, CD, MP3 files, etc.

4. Technical rider

5. Proposed venue [please identify at least two venues]

6. Proposed date [please identify at least two different dates]


The New Music Mini Series provides:

1. Performance Fee of $800 (+ GST if registered)

2. Contribution to venue hire

3. A small advertising budget

4. Marketing and PR support

5. Listing in the annual NMN marketing collateral


Send your submissions to the New Music Network Manager by 30 November 2013.
Email: nmn@newmusicnetwork.com.au
Post: Philippa Horn, New Music Network, PO Box A661, Sydney South NSW 1235
If you require further information please contact NMN on ph:0411 606 077