Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis
Showing posts with label Bones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bones. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Rock in Robbo - fundraiser for the CTC

Rebecca as manager of the CTC, and Boney as the music
co-ordinator extra-ordinaire, put together the latest fundraiser for the CTC.
It was called "Rock in Robbo". Well the kids and the "middle-muddle aged" people like myself, turned out in some numbers.


As it happened, it was a full moon evening, which added to the atmosphere, of a high-summer evening.
Fruit Bats squabbled in the Cherry Laurel tree adjacent to the School of Arts hall.








The rock music was enthusiastic, but performed by local musicians. Here Brendan was doing a bit of head banging.






The rock music was loud enough for everyone to hear it from outside the hall.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

"Perfect Day"

Last evening, Boney rang to invite Zoe and myself around for a glass of something. When I got there, I discovered that Zoe and Boney had hatched a plot.

Today is my birthday. Last night was the eve of my birthday, and I was not anticipating any celebration then, so I was taken by surprise.

We had a glass, and went on to record Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" - a song which I fell in love with when in Glasgow. I used sing its heavily ironic lyrics when walking about in Glasgow, often with a throbbing headache (the kind one ought really describe as a "hangover"), while getting "Scotch Mist" sprinkles upon my jacket.

"Scotch Mist" is such a fine fog that it can bead up on one's clothes, without one getting wet. Of course, Robertson can produce similar effects on one's clothes.

But in Robbo, the irony of "Perfect Day" is lost, as one really can say:

"Oh It's such a Perfect Day,
I'm glad I spent it with you".....

Zoe sang the main lyrics and we doubled up on the chorus. Bones was on keyboard, Deb on Bass, and BJ helping out on backing vocals. Thanks to Zoe for thinking up the plan, and for keeping me in time (when singing).

I am now the proud owner of a CD of us all playing and singing "Perfect Day".

A nice surprise. A nice idea, Zoe. Thanks. And thanks to Bone for the technical know-how, and the keyboard playing and the encouragement to sing my favourite song - over the years we have known eachother, at the CTC's Music Nights.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Nature and Society - officially launched

Yesterday, at the CTC in Robertson, David Tranter's book - "Nature and Society" was officially launched.


Local poet and author, Arthur Jackson gave an excellent introductory speech. He made the point that the book is simple in its language, but profound in its meanings. It has a message for us all. David Tranter then talked about the process of writing such a book, so different from his more familiar "genre" of scientific reports and articles. Penny Osterhaus, who illustrated the book, spoke of how much she had enjoyed the process of working with David, who had very clear ideas of the types of illustrations he wanted for the various sections of the book.


Anni Heino spoke about the physical design of the book, speaking both for herself and Ian Foster, who as Graphic Designer, was largely responsible for the "look" of the book, and especially its cover photo, as well as the page layout. Anni had the task of translating the ideas into the physical reality of a totally type-se, formatted and illustrated document, still in electronic form, on a CD-ROM, ready to be sent to the printers. Anni will also be helping David again, in the near future, by creating a web site for the book.


Rebecca Price ("B.J."), the Mananger of the CTC thanked the speakers, and then introduced Nick Rheinberger. Nick is a musician, in addition to his day job with ABC Illawarra, as presenter of the Morning Show on 97.3 FM. In his modest way, he claimed to be a children's entertainer, primarily, but he did a fine job of giving us a musical impression of the themes of the book. He included a song by the Celibate Rifles, an event surely sufficiently rare in itself as to be symbolic of an endangered planet. The particular song title I cannot recall, but it did pay homage to the beauty of trees and fishes, with the refrain: "I hope there'll be some left for us". Ever so slightly consumer-centric I thought, but at least addressing the theme of the endangered planet.


The last item Nick played on a "charango". This was suitably symbolic in many ways, as the instrument is a Bolivian musical instrument, traditionally made using the carapace of an Amadillo (see photo) - an endangered South American Anteater.

Nick's own instrument is made from Cedar (I don't know for sure, but it might well be made from the endangered Australian Red Cedar, (Toona ciliata) which was a very popular timber for early Australian colonial cabinet-makers - the reason for its own endangered status today.)


The photo at the top is of a timber-cutter preparing to "harvest" an ancient "Red Cedar" tree. Source: CSIRO, Forestry and Forest Products.


This timber is still popular with Australian craftsmen who specialise in hand-made musical instruments. Nick sang this little song, having coached the audience to sing along with the repeated refrain from the song: "Forever, Forever". A truly suitable refrain - for a musical interpretation of David's book.


"B.J.", thanked everyone for attending, and thanked the Robertson Senior Citizens Association for doing the catering. She then invited us to enjoy some refreshments, and to buy the book ($25 ) and read it, and read it again, and then to pass it on to a friend.


"Nature and Society" will continue to be on sale through the CTC in Robertson.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Our newest Citizen

Robertson has acquired a brand new citizen. Anni took the plunge, metaphorically, today, and joined our band of "Happy Little Vegemites". Congratulations, Anni.



Now, Anni, can you please resume Blogging? You have had too long off, playing musical word games with those talented young people in Canberra.

*****

I have been rushing around like a headless chook, myself, so I missed posting a blog entry yesterday. sorry.


Personally I blame Boney and BJ, who took me with them to Bowral last night to hear Boney play drums (and do backing vocals - a cute "doo-whop" sound) along with Nick Rheinberger and vocalist Kerry-Ann. They were doing a "gig" at "Coffee Culture" in Bowral. Nick is the presenter of the Breakfast Show on ABC Illawarra (97.3 FM), but their web site has not yet caught up on his change of shift.


A fine night was had by all - most enjoyable.


And I even took a couple of cuttings of a very fine Jasmine plant growing in KerryAnn's garden - and put them in a pot straight away, late last night!


This morning I went to Sydney with Derek as a shuffle driver, to bring back a vehicle for him. I forget how I dislike Sydney - I was out of the car for less than 15 minues, and could not wait to escape the humidity, the smell, the noise, the crowded roads, and the low-flying aircraft. I think I can almost qualify as a hermit crab, scurrying back across the beach, looking for a shell to crawl into.

I returned to Mittagong, and after buying some lunch went and sat on top of the little hill at the lookout point on the side of Mt Alexandra. You could not see much, because it was still misty. But I happily sucked in the fresh, moist air, and breathed a sigh of relief. I was back in the Southern Highlands. This lookout is sign-posted from the main street in Mittagong, but it involves driving up a narrow bitumen track, half way up the hill. It was very quiet there, as usual. So I had no problem - there were no other vehicles. 15 minutes of peace and tranquility counterbalanced several hours of traffic, and noise.

One of these days, I shall persuade Jim to take me on a proper bushwalk around some of the famous tracks in that area, behind Mittagong.



Friday, December 16, 2005

We are the Champions of the World

A fine night of Karoake was had by the punters at the Robbo Pub on Friday evening. Please do not think this is a classy event. It isn't!


The usual suspects sang the usual selection of songs. "Girls just wanna have fun" (Cindy Lauper) was a big favourite, both with the girls on the dance floor, and the boys cheering from the bar. "Bone" raised the bar considerably, with a fine rendition of Bob Dylan's "Rolling Stone". BJ sang Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog".
(See photo of Bone & BJ from another occasion).
Martin, Angie and Nic (visitors from Germany, Darwin and Perth respectively) gave a fine rendition of an AC-DC number.


Quote of the night, however, goes to the Robertson Soccer Club boys who had been celebrating their Christmas party. They got to sing the last song, and chose Queen's "We are the Champions". In the midst of enthusiastic choruses of "We are the champions, We are the champions, We are the champions.... of the world" we heard the cry go up" World Cup: here we come".


After tonight's training session by the Robertson Soccer Club, at the Robbo Pub (the Robertson Inn), the Brazilians, the Italians, and the Germans must be quaking in their boots.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Music Night at the CTC

Every Thursday evening, the musicians of Robertson (well, maybe not all of them, but...) descend upon the Community Technology Centre at Robertson.

"Bone", (photo at left) is the resident pianist, as well as sometime drummer and exponent of the "Blues Harp" ("mouth organ" to the rest of us). A number of other people turn up - different people from week to week. But there are a few regulars. Dave is a guitarist, and vocalist, as are both James, (photo at left) and Niall. Royce brings his drum kit, and also has developed his own Piano routine, when everybody else joins in and does their bit to make it a complete performance. Greg has developed his own act, singing "Wonderful World" in the style of Satchmo. Ritch brings his drums for a bit of hand drumming, and singing. BJ is a regular vocalist (although we missed her last night). Nobody does "My Canary has circles under his eyes" like BJ does. Aniek has been coming along a bit recently, and last night she had stint on the piano, as well as singing. Stu also brought his guitar along last night. The guy in the blue tennis hat, who occasionally sings back-up vocals, is me. Monica and Taz are regulars too. Other occasional visitors and performers are Pip, John H, John G, Steve and Celeste, and Lucy. Apologies to any people I may have missed out on.

Kate
is in charge of the orders for Pizzas, (from "Pizzas in the Mist", of course). Last night I had a Robertson Supreme, but the Meatlovers, and the BBQ Chicken are regular favourites with the crowd, as is the Potato Pizza.

Watching Bone, or Aniek or Royce playing the piano, I am constantly bewildered how their hands know where to go, which notes to hit (and NOT to hit). How do they do that? I assume there is a kinetic memory system which tells their fingers where to go. But Bone is also beating time with his feet, and often plays the Blues Harp at the same time. The world is full of amazing people. It is just that I find their talents quite bewildering. I have a hard time keeping the beat with one of those little shell-rattle things. I feel like one of those people who is challenged by walking and chewing gum at the same time.


I love going along to Thursday Music Nights at the CTC. It is open to anyone to come, listen, & join in (or just eat pizza). We are a friendly mob!

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