Life is a cabaret

I don’t remember exactly when I first saw the movie “Cabaret”, but it must have been when I was in my early teens (late 1970s). As a young “soon-to-be” gay boy living in a country town, it was life-changing.

I’ll never forget the scene when it was revealed Brian Roberts “liked men”. It was such an affirming scene for me at such a young age. I then went on to develop a huge crush on the actor playing the role, Michael York.… Read the rest “Life is a cabaret”

Capsis at The Wharf

“I’m not sure I’d like to spend an evening over a few bottles of wine with him”, I joked to my friend, as we chatted over dinner, having seen Paul Capsis perform earlier in the night.. The musical universe he occupies is very sad. That said, I LOVE sad tunes, the melancholy, and so I’m probably just as sad in my musical tastes, and probably just as sad as someone to spend their time with.

We’ve both seen him perform a number of times previously, and have a personal connection through his manager.… Read the rest “Capsis at The Wharf”

Live Shows Again

“It’s almost back to normal, though they say it will be 2025 before it’s really back to normal”, my next-door neighbour commented as we spoke today.

We often chat in the stairwell, or the common area, or outside the garbage room. She works in designing fabrics and furnishings for the hotel industry, and will often spread fabric out on the floor outside my apartment. 

When COVID hit, she was instantly out of work for several months, as was her partner, but they seem to be going okay now.… Read the rest “Live Shows Again”

Matthew Mitcham

“Do you think he’s actually written the book himself?”, a colleague asked me the other day when I told her I’d been reading the Matthew Mitcham autobiography, “Twists & Turns”. “Oh yeah, absolutely”, I said. In some ways, reading the story of Matthew Mitcham was like reading a fairly lengthy blogpost. As well as the moments of informality and candid honesty, there were also moments when I felt he was trying to make sense of his own life.… Read the rest “Matthew Mitcham”

Tim Draxl sings Chet Baker

As soon as I saw it advertised, I booked tickets straight away. It was an evening at one of my favourite cabaret bars in Sydney – Bar Me – featuring one of my favourite cabaret singers – Tim Draxl – doing the works of one of my favourite jazz musicians – Chet Baker – so how could I go wrong?

Colin, Grant and I had seen Tim Draxl perform and talk about the works of Chet Baker in August last year.… Read the rest “Tim Draxl sings Chet Baker”