MELT - LGBT Arts and Culture Festival

More Melt Events

Brisbane Powerhouse

2016

The whole of Melt was so enjoyable. Adam Gardnir put together a busy 11 days that I managed to fit in several shows and some exhibitions at the Powerhouse as well as a couple of visits to QPAC at the same time. The festival involved participation of about 25 friends and I chatted to heaps more who were there to watch, support and enjoy the feast. I made several new friends, drank more than a few Red wines, got heaps of photos, hugs and memories.

"Dangerous Liaisons"

3rd February 2016

Powerhouse Theatre

Melt has got off to a bang up start. Last night the Brisbane Powerhouse was full of people. I was there with a good friend Sante to see the quite brilliant and beautiful gender fluid (borrowed phrase) performance of Dangerous Liaisons presented by Little Ones Theatre.

Christopher Hampton's 1985 play Les liaisons dangereuses, is a theatrical adaptation of the 18th-century French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Full of bawdy innuendo, seduction, ammorality and stunning acting. Pants roles were so well performed, singing was both fun and wonderful. The only jarring note I heard was one Rap sounding overplay music. Probably not Rap but I do not understand these transitory sub genres. There was so much laughter but I could feel people holding back at times because this is a big dialogue piece. Rapid fire words and action and no one wanted to miss one succulent moment. A treacherous feat to work with but a thrill to see the skill and the wonderful characters. Closes on the 5th so hurry.

Directed by Stephen Nicolazzo

Performed by The Little Ones: Alexandra Aldrich, Janine Watson, Brigid Gallacher, Amanda McGregor, Zoe Boesen, Catherine Davies, Anna McCarthy, Tom Dent.

Produced by Jo Porter

"Gaybies"

5th February

Visy Theatre (next Post)

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"Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars"
6th February
Powerhouse Theatre
Third night at the Melt Festival and Michelle Boyd (took photos of me sucking up),Phil, Sante and I went to a big concert of some of Brisbane's best musos playing the entire Ziggy Stardust album and then heaps more of the greatly loved genius David Bowie, This was planned a long time before his surprise departure from this planet and had to be rescheduled from one performance to three which immediately sold out. The enormous band was thrilling, tight and displayed sensational playing Violins, cello, drums, percussion, keyboards, a grand Mouth Organ, electric and acoustic guitars, horns. Just a beautiful and rocking sound from the best of the best. Then there were the vast array of singers who bought individuality to each Bowie Masterpiece. Singers from different styles and backgrounds that created a broad musical palette of rousing interpretations. 

Originality that came together as a whole and a standing ovation. There were some fans who just had to leave their seats and dance in the aisle. Foremost for me was seeing the great Lucinda Shaw whom I adore on stage and love to see off stage as well. What a smart and brilliant singer. James Lees the musical director and percussionist for the event was a treat to finally meet after the show as was keyboards player, the extraordinary Parmis Rose. It wasn't until out in the carpark in the rain I finally got to chat to the amazing actor/performer/singer Sandro Colarelli who put on an enormously rock performance. All musicians and singers were outstanding. Outside I bumped into drummer the lovely Fionn Ellwood who was working off stage last night.

While there for the third night I also caught up with the leading theatre woman Margi Brown Ash, radio and eurovision rep Blair Martin and The Naked Magicians' Christopher Wayne (dressed for this show) who had come off stage after their last performance of Gaybies in another theatre there. I also managed to chat to the other half of The Naked Magicians Mike Tyler who turned out to be a friend of my cousins and family. I was thrilled to once again see the adorable Joel Devereux and we chatted and posed with his portrait of Joe Simons on the walls there. There is also a painting of Joel entered in the same portrait competition. It is all voted on but I noticed the Premiere of Queensland has been there today judging the portraits. I drank several reds and a beer, had a short chat again with Barbara Lowing waved at lovely ALP candidate 'Patrick O'Neill, spoke to dancer Joe Simons and Melt festival director Adam Gardnir yet again, met an arty punk guy I saw on a bus this week and had a thoroughly great time in the place I love the best - a theatre.

ps I borrowed the Ziggy photos from my facebook feed.

"APPALLING BEHAVIOUR" 
10th February
Turbine Studio
The Turbine Studio at The BRISBANE POWERHOUSE is a remarkable intimate venue with gorgeous old brick walls and an arch or two. Just the venue for a very bohemian performance piece. It has the perfect atmosphere and I felt a new vibe. Thomas Markiewicz was quite spellbinding in this theatre piece that is one huge poetic monologue. Full of shades of the characters he tells of from being a homeless bisexual existing in love and loneliness on the fringes and the streets of Paris. The longings, the hope, the disappointment, the adventures and most of all the need for love. It is one hell of a script by Stephen House who I met. He wrote from his own times in Paris and as an actor he has also performed it himself all over the country over a 100 times. The reinterpretation as a cross dresser is new to this production and was carried off so brilliantly by the somewhat younger Tom Markiewicz. On or more precisely to the side of the space was musician Silvan Rus adding beautiful, emotional and pointed guitar accompaniment to the performance. I sat just in front of Zoe Tuffin who was producer and Shane Pike who was the director. This couple have created Wax Lyrical Productions which got off to an amazing start with a sensational 'Carrie' a few weeks ago and now another startlingly good production of 'Appalling Behaviour'

Part of the Adam Gardnir's Melt Festival (yes I saw him again) the building was again full of friends out being entertained and supporting great theatre. I have friends in different rooms/theatres. Dan Venz was with us in the Turbine Studio and Tom Oliver, Kimberly Hodgson and Chris Kel Lett were there watching Joe Simons who I see on Saturday night. Before and after the shows I had such great times with all the above, drank red wine, took photos, discussed at length what can be done to see how performers can actually earn some money, increasing audiences, pride in the sensational talent we have, staying here to build, approaching politicians to grill them on their support for the arts, the shortage of venues and the high cost of hiring a venue which ends up leaving those who give up their time and energy to learn a role, rehearse and then come out every night and some afternoons to provide it to the people in this and other cities for nothing or next to nothing. There are three levels of government and all have a responsibility towards the arts and in Brisbane they seem to own most of the venues. Unfortunately the entertainment in them is more often than not a gift of charity to us on behalf of the artists. Constantly importing expensive shows does little for supporting local talent. So many succumb and decide to move to get the roles. We train them so we should bloody well try and keep them and pay them with respect and money.

Actor-Producer-Writer-Director-Musician-Me

"First Things First"

13th February

Visy Theatre

Well it is almost Melted, the carnival will be over today and I had a wonderful time. My final show last night was Joe Simons joyous celebration of first times, the excitement, generally, of the first time for everything before it becomes ordinary . 'First Things First' Joe is an actor, a sublime and agile dancer, he speaks with physical theatre, he can tell a tale, he can engage every member of the audience and address them by name he is charming, he is funny and he is just sexily splendid to watch as he dances, prances, shakes, leaps and twists all over the stage. Sadly it is now over so you missed it if you did not go this week. I ran into the charming Joe every night I was there but missed my usual photo op. Next time.

 This is Joe in one of my favourite photos that I have loved a long time before we became friends.

Joseph Simons as King Louis XIV as The Sun King
by amazing photographer Joel Devereux which was in the portrait competition at the Melt Festival

Boy & Girl

17th and 21 st January 2015
Oscar Theatre Company

Powerhouse Theatre

Last night we went to this awesome show. Like a huge broadway show there were 35 people on stage. Singers, dancers, aerialists, cheeky bits of flesh, cabaret at its best and an audience who cheered yelled and applauded for almost 2 hours. It began before it began when the sensational and thoroughly gorgeous dancer Tyrel Dulvarie tapped me on the shoulder to say hello. I also ran into him after the show and complimented him on being outstanding yet again. I have seen him on stage before. Then we were treated to some amazing voices, some gorgeous dancing and some raunchy cross gender comedy and pathos. I managed to also meet the wonderful talented Rune Nydal after the show and sent my profound congratulations to another fb friend Dan Venz who was still backstage between the two shows last night. I have seen Dan on stage so often this year and also in the audience.

There were so many outstanding performers like the awesome voice of Josh R H Daveta. It is a must see and the standard and breadth of this show is a cultural highlight so soon in the year. Sexy, Talented, Pro Equality, just plain brilliant and did I mention sexy and fleshy as hell.

 I wanted to go again before it finished so I did. When I returned to see it a second time I was besieged at my table by so many from the cast and also the director came to say hello. I ended up making friends with eleven cast members and have continued to see them so often on stage and attending heaps of theatrical events all year. Some are setting off to Europe and America to further their careers, some have joined top companies and all are so talented and gorgeous. It was quite a collection of top talents.

Some I met were the stunning dancer Tyrel Dulvarie, musical Dan Venz, Rune Nydal, personality plus Josh R H Daveta, Jack Carter, Christopher Joseph, Ethan Dean , golden voiced Garret Rueben Lyon yet another rising star, and the super ball of fun that is Adwan Dickson, super singer Ellen Reed and the physique himself Zachary Denman.

 This is just too too sexy for words. Ellen's soaring voice and bare bums.

Click this link below for the brilliant finale with full cast.

Finale Video

Ancient Rites

Society is built largely on what we share in common and often this is expressed in the rituals that link our beliefs, power structures and interactions. Often a standard procedure or custom eases the way to easier understanding. There are usually reasons, like showing that you are unarmed by the simple practice of shaking hands, that are lost in the misty past and the complex rituals like a coronation are so steeped in ancient symbolism that few understand the meaning of the words, the implements or the movements .

My photo Madama Butterfly

It is possible however that ancient rites are not always worthy of respect. Cultures can be wrong and are not all to be preserved with some unfounded reverence. We must use reason to find out what to keep and what to change, but this logic, I guess, requires the acceptance of a considered first principle of undeniable truth. For me that first principle is 'Life is Precious'. All civilisations and generations develop, but I find many will patronisingly assume we today are smarter. No we are not. They had the same brain capacity, the same ability to love and display empathy. To me, most of the perceived crimes of the past are just as now, no more than the will and greed of the powerful. Little changes and utopia is still a dream.
There are several categories of ritual and rites. The ones I love are those with colour, pomp, ceremony, music and grandeur. I love a Royal wedding or a coronation, even a Papal event if it has great music and great costumes. They may not be necessarily essential to the happiness of the world, but generally no one gets slaughtered, the masses can cheer and wave and smile. However there are also darker rites, sexy rites, deathly rites. If there is a human expression there is probably a ritual involved somewhere. We live by following signpost. It is just that we have to decide which ones to take direction from.
Rituals, Rites, Ceremonies, Initiations.

The author Yukio Mishima portraying the ancient ritual Suppuku for a film, but later he ended his life this way and was simultaneously beheaded by his lover to complete the sacrifice. 
There is a difference between taking your own life voluntarily and taking that of another. A personal decision belongs to that person alone, but one can not make that decision about another.

Abraham about to stick a blade into Isaac is one of the more disturbing stories from that 2700 year old book, written by some patriarchal old men. So a god of love tells a bloodthirsty adulterer to go and kill his son. I have never understood this one. Obedience to the supposed word of God is one thing, but murder is another. Sounds like "I was just following orders" which didn't work at the Nuremberg trials and doesn't work for me. Didn't he have a brain to figure out this is just wrong. Note that although I mentioned it I am not objecting to his adultery only his murderous behaviour, because to me, sexuality is a wonderful part of nature, but violence is misshapen desire or action without disciplined conscious thought. This is a topic I have discussed a lot of late.

Then in another gross religious tale God himself decides to kill all the first born sons in Egypt at Passover. He seems to have spent a considerable time smiting those he created with fire and brimstone, floods, enslavement etc.. Indoctrination says 'He loves us all', but who needs 'love' as told in these stories. Once again I repeat myself by saying it all sounds like the vindictive imagination and distorted words of some men in a position of power who want to keep it that way.

Even more distressing is that these bloodthirsty tales are set as some sort of religiously pious example for us, whereas most will decry the Aztec human sacrifices or any other cultural and religious ceremony that requires that a god be appeased by the horrific death of a man, woman or child. I am not mollified by the fact that often they had to drug them before killing them. This is supposed to be merciful perhaps, but it is also a crime in itself. The taking away of someone's will and then life.

For good measure the crucifying of Jesus Christ is said to be that of the Almighty God willingly sacrificing his son for our good. 

What is it with all this religious killing of sons? 

How bloody insecure are these monstrous gods. As I said, it is more likely and to me logical, that a bunch of nasty old men created these stories to keep people in order and themselves in control.

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The world of ancient literature, fable, myths or history abounds with ritual that are not popular today. Some are too bloody, some are too sexy and and no doubt much of society frowns on such ceremonies because it is simply someone else's ritual and not their own. Xenophobia is alive and always lived comfortably in man's mind. It generally depends on where you were born, what if any religion you adhere to and what your cultural leaders dictate. It often is no more than what you are told to accept by a profit seeking, power obsessed, ill educated and amoral media run by a megalomaniac with a god complex and enough money to buy the power he or she desires.

Theseus & the Minotaur from MTK PROD 
In Greek ancient times as with the Egyptians it was religious rites that grew to create dance and the comedy and drama of theatre and the symbolism used for worship evolved into the transmission of beliefs, history and then stories. It is the image and sound of ritual that excites our imagination, sparks wonder and sinks into our soul. 
The Phallus
Just some random references relating to ritual and not a definitive discussion.
This below is an extract from my very first post on Theatre in 2010.
"Comedy on the other hand draws it’s name from the procession of revellers that accompanied the phallus in Dionysiac festivals and reflected the banter that was exchanged amongst them and also with the spectators. ‘komos’ means procession of revellers and the Greek for comedy is ‘komoidia’ or komos singing, i.e. of phallic songs. So comedy essentially means, in a crude modern idiom, ‘dick jokes’. The comic slaves also wore an accentuated padded phallus."

ARRETOS KURA - Butoh Performance from Dario Sajeva 
This video exemplifies some stylised rites and customs, the Symposium, achievement, family, sport, war and for me above all - beauty.

Museum of Cycladic Art - Everyday life in Ancient Greece 
Rites of Passage
As in ancient societies the rites of passage from boy to man, entry into a faith, progress to a society or group often involves even today an obsession with nudity and the symbol of maleness, the penis.

 Circumcision was practised by the Egyptians for entry into the class of scribe, the priesthood and for boys of class. This rite to manhood was practised way before a covenant with a Jewish god was written about. A ceremony sometimes performed on hundreds at a time was borrowed by other societies and also had health implication in the day and perhaps for aesthetics for some as well.

This is from my Father's WWII photographs when he was stationed in the north.

 Australian indigenous manhood initiation had a bunch of men throwing boys around and also making incision or paint marks in their naked flesh.

If one believes what one sees, in the States it seems to be a requirement that reaching higher education involves a lot of sexual display and supposed humiliation or hazing. The penis is always a symbol of achieving some rank or power. This is also prevalent in most military institutions around the globe. Although unconvincingly tut tutted by the media and the commanders, a soldier likes nothing better than displaying his manhood to his comrades or seeing the penis of his fellow soldiers or team mates. It is however an insult to my brain that people are often more horrified, scandalised or embarrassed by the sight of a penis than a bloodied corpse. What is more likely to create an indignant, vocal outcry, male genitals or a shattered body. Ever watch the news at dinner time??? The much touted 'moral majority' are immune to death, but horrified by sex. A parade (ritual again) of men with guns (killing weapons) is cheered but men kissing will often evoke anger, naked men in public will evoke derision and probably arrest. By all means stick a knife in someone for entertainment but god forbid you stick a penis in someone without shame. To me there is a misguided idea that still persists that inserting a penis is a display of dominance. Is it not simply a joining of body and hopefully soul? Aggression is dominance, inflicting pain is evil, deprivation of liberty is horrendous so examine the rituals of our society, the roots of their evolution and the relevance to a good life. Make some decisions.

I have read this over several times while editing and it is more than apparent that there is a bitter tone here and there. Yes it is true that frustration with media, religious, political and bigoted morality distresses me. I do not understand how people think in such ways. 
Just be nice to each other.

Fabulous/Glamorous Videos

I Do Mean Fabulous, Sexy, Arty and Beautiful!!
Ray Raz
Israeli director, photographer and DJ.

The Videos of Roy Raz https://vimeo.com/royraz
The Irrepressibles
Ten Member Orchestral Ensemble. They also have videos by Roy Raz

The Irrepressibles Videos  http://www.youtube.com/user/TheIrrepressibles

The Irrepressibles on Wiki

The Irrepressibles on Facebook
Kazaky
Once again a stunning visual video from the boys from the Ukraine.

gif from http://brokensilhouettes.tumblr.com

Kazaky on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/kazakyofficial
Fashion
Andrew Christian

http://www.andrewchristian.com/

The Uncensored Videos - http://www.andrewchristian.com/socialvideos/tagme/
Almost Naked Blog http://www.andrewchristianblog.com/
Anuik Studio

https://vimeo.com/anuik
Dance
Tuomo Railo

Glims & Gloms dance company Videos
The beautiful work of Hernan Gimenez Betancourt

Hernan Gimenez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 6, 1964. He studied music, fine arts, architecture, graphic design, photography, contemporary dance and ballet. Professionally he worked as a designer for ballet, graphic and photographer.

http://www.artmajeur.com/hernangimenez/

Dornbracht - Transforming Water 360 degree from The Brainstormclub on Vimeo.

The Olympic Games past, 2012 and future.

Well there will be and is so much about the Olympics on the internet that my token entries are not really required, however I thought I might start adding bits that appeal to me. I am not a great sporting person and in fact apart from a 4 yearly interest in the more aesthetic aspects of the competition I tend to avoid sport altogether. My personal career in sport involved being forced to participate when I was in school. I did win a swimming and running race once as I recall although I do have memories of stopping dead on the field when I noticed I was in front of all the other runners. I hated to stand out. I was also made a football team captain once, but my memory of that is the coach yelling at me "You're the captain, Tell them what to do!" to which stood still mid field, folded my arms and yelled back "I will not!". Then there was cricket and fielding I once picked up the ball threw it and it landed fifteen feet behind me. However there are some lovely and charming athletes worth noticing.
The beautiful gay Australian diving super champion
 Matthew Mitcham.
Born in 1988 here in Brisbane, my hometown. A local boy made good. Also he is to be commended for being the only openly gay winner at the 2008 games. In his final dive for the gold medal he scored 112.10 including 4 perfect 10's to receive the highest single dive score in Olympic history. He was also the first Australian to win that gold in 84 years.

Matthew Mitcham on Facebook

Cute British champion diver Tom Daley knows he is sexy.

Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia
It was made as Nazi propaganda, but it is a huge masterpiece of cinema. 
The DVD is available and is stunning to watch.

A brief Olympic history taken from various sources.

Olympians photographed

Gregor Tait                              Grant Hacket                              Ian Thorpe 

Apolo Anton Ohno                            Evan Lysacek                               Phillips Idowu

Gymnast Stephen Gaudette was heading for the Olympics, but diverted to adult movies.

QEII the star of the show

For The Future
American Johnny Weir going for Winter Olympics 2014

My page on Ancient Sports including the Olympics