Hope you all had a Great Christmas and Welcome to 2010

Posted: January 11, 2010 in Uncategorized
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We just got back from spending 2 weeks in Sydney and Canberra visiting relatives and seeing some of the attractions. Of course the Camera came with me although it was a bit of a burdon at times. I also had with me my fathers Panasonic FT1 which is their reasonable new Waterproof/ Shockproof camera. Took this out only a few times and was very impressed with it given how rugged it was. Swimming in Sydney harbour taking photos was something different.

The other thing that impressed me was the image stabilisation on the Canon 24-105 / F4L  . In the Australian War museum I was taking photos of STATIC objects ( this is important ) at 1/10 of a sec shutter speed and ISO 1600 No flash and they turned out amazingly sharp. IS certainly makes a HUGE difference as long as the object isnt moving.

Anyone thats enough for now. Need to get my 2010 Calendar up to date for some of the events coming up at this time of the year. Hope you all have a great 2010

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Zombies Invade Adelaide Streets

Posted: October 10, 2009 in Uncategorized
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October 10th saw the Adelaide Zombies rise yet again to terrorise the Streets of Adelaide. Photos do this event Justice more than words.

Check out the full gallery of Zombie photos here

Some samplers from the event

Adelaide Blues Festival

Posted: October 10, 2009 in Adelaide Events
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Yes, I have been a bit slack in updating the blog, but lets get back on track with a few Big events that just hit Adelaide

First up was the annual Adelaide Blues festival – Juke Joint at Queens. This is the second year it has been run and this year extended out over 2 nights  rather than just a single night.

Its a great venue for a show like this with lots of atmosphere. Numbers seemed down on last years 1 day event and I can only put that down to being on a long weekend as the quality of the performers on this years bill was awesome

Friday Night – Cal Williams Junior and Kory Horwood kicked the evening off, followed by Heather Stewart Trio and then Fiona Boyes ( Who I caught at the Guitar Festival last last year ). Mojo Webb was the next act up and after him being pumped up by the MC for the evening – James I was expecting to hear some great Blues and wasnt dissapointed. Definitely the highlight of my Night. It was getting late in the night when the  Jesse Deanne Freeman Trio graced the stage and with my Stamina lacking I stayed for half dozen songs then took off to catch some sleep.

Saturday Night – Met a mate of mine there outside who commented that “This band sounds pretty good ” – walk inside to find the “band” is a Solo musician ( Kirk Special ) who had won the Killing Floor Blues competition. I’m sure we will be seeing more of him in the future. The second act to come on literally blew away the cobwebs in the building. Jackson firebird were a 2 piece “Spiderbait” influenced band. Some interesting percussion sets them apart though with some songs played on a Washboard and Recycling Tub – A very entertaining Duo.  Then there was the Blues vs Hiphop which was a performance designed to show the similarities between the genres and the influence on Blues to modern music. For the most part the excercise worked. Next up we had Mojo Webb back on again – this time with his backing band. Once again a great performance. As an entertainer he certainly knows how to work with the crowd. Final Act for the evening was Dallas Frasca with the long red dreads. I didnt stay right till the end but it was a popular Set with some good crowd interaction.

Lets hope this event continues as this years had a great line up. I do fear though that unless Crowd numbers pick up the future of the event might be in Jeopardy. If you werent there then Why the hell NOT. It was a Great event and well organised, Impressive sound and lighting and the lineup was superb and varied. What more can you ask for ??

Full gallery from the 2 nights is up here

Madness in Town

Posted: April 3, 2009 in Uncategorized
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The English Ska Group that was at its peak in the early 1980s finally made it to Adelaide and played a Gig at the Thebarton Theatre on April  1st 2009.

What a great show. The “Nutty Lads” may have got a bit older and a bit greyer but they still have the energy and punch to put on a memorable show. The Highlights for me were the older songs that I grew up with in my youth on the Radio and on Cassete.

  • House of fun
  • One Step Beyond
  • Baggy Trousers
  • Our house
  • Madness
  • Night boat to Cairo

to name a few. Great show lads and the crowd really appreciated the detour to play Adelaide

Sunday – Womadelaide 2009 photos and review

Posted: April 3, 2009 in Uncategorized
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The final day of Womadelaide and the weather today is superb. Clear blue skys and mild temperatures. Didn’t get down to town bang on midday for the start of the day as the parking situation was pretty bad on Sunday being a sellout and great weather. Ended up parking quite a long way away in North Adelaide and then had a BIG walk with a heavy esky to the entrance. There was even a Queue at the Pulteney St entrance.

I think that Sundays Photos can do the talking whilst I get some well earned rest

And of course some highlights from the whole weekend if you are in a rush

Saturday – Womadelaide 2009 photos and review

Posted: March 28, 2009 in Uncategorized
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Saturday morning the weather was looking a little unsettling. There was forecast of a possible mornign shower but I decided to chance it and lighten the load by leaving my rainjacket at home.

Headed down to Botanic park early, dropped the family off at the gate with the esky/sun shelter, food etc as I was expecting a BIG walk. To my amazement I managed to get a park less than 100 metres from the entrance on Hackney Rd.. WOW

Caught up with the rest of the family just inside the security gate and headed off to a spot behind Stage 1 to set up camp for the day. Now onto the entertainment

First up was Tony Allen on the main stage. Some great percussion ensued and then onto see Paprika Balkanicus who played a lively set that had the crowd up and dancing.

at 2.00pm I headed to the Zoo stage to see the only perfromance of Seckou Keita SKQ. We had the kids with us so we also headed off to catch some stuff in the Kidzone. The licorice Allsorts entertained as did the Amazing drumming monkeys. These guys have been doing exactly the same show for as long as I can remember but the kids and Adults still love it.

Mid afternoon and off for some pychedlic Cambodian Rock with Dengue Fever on Stage 3.   Back to the main stage at 4pm for Dan Sultan who was good but not awe inspiring.

Speed Caravan on Stage 2 at 5pm on the other hand was something else and had the crowd moving. I caught the first half of Geoffrey Gurrumui Yunupingu on stage 1 before heading off to grab a bite to eat before the evening entertainment started.

The Audreys graced Stage 2 at 7pm and put in a solid set, but myself and others Ive spoken to find it harder to get excited about Australian bands that tour quite often. 8pm at night and Dimi Mint Abba got onto the Main stage. An intersting mix of music and it was well received.

9pm and stage 2 had the Australian Dance theatre doing a performance which was a sit down affair for the crowd. Amazing Agility from the performers leaving the crowd mesmerised.

The main act on stage 1 for Saturday night didnt dissapoint with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 pounding out some great Rhythm.

Another tiring long day full of enjoyable experiences for the ears and Eyes and back home to catch some sleep before the final day. Photos from Saturday up here

Friday – Womadelaide 2009 photos and Review

Posted: March 11, 2009 in Uncategorized
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Well Womadelaide is over for another year.

First up let me give thanks to the weather gods who were smiling this year upon Adelaide.  Unlike last year of 42 degree days this year was a Nice and mild mid 20 degrees on all 3 days. A hint of some showers on Saturday morning never really eventuated.

Managed to get a away from work a bit early on Friday to get home pack the camera and head down for the official opening.  After the Aboriginal thanks for the use of their land and some dancing the first of the International Bands kicked off with the Bedouin Jerry Can band .

Next up I caught a rather “strange” collection of artists known as Aaron Choulai, VADA & the Tatana Village Choir. It was a mix of music from many cultures with a very Colourfull Choir wearing predominantly Red/Black costumes. The “Conductor” I guess is the most appropriate word maintained the Choir and played Piano as well.

Back onto the main stage I caught the opening few songs of Natacha Atlas. Whilst she is a renowned vocalist I couldn’t really get inspired as she sat down and sang. Maybe I didnt give it enough time but I left her perfomance and caught the end of the Andi and George band who had the Zoo stage pumping.

Back onto stage 2 for the Australian Dance theatre. These guys and ladies really did a fantastic routine that was pretty amazing to watch. They hurled their bodies around the stage wearing just the essential clothing to prevent being arrested for exposure. It was a sit down show for the audience but an amazing sight. I’d already decided to catch them again the next night.

The main band for the night was Ska Cubano who had a very energtic and Charismatic Front man who strutted around the stage and invoked the audience to sing and dance. The Backing band was great and a very solid performance.

The night was almost over but I decided to catch Sa Dingding from China. Amazing costumes and some haunting singing ( although a few people have indictaed to me that some of it was pretaped and they picked up some mimimg ? ).

That was Friday Night over and time to get home / upload the photos and prepare for the first FULL day at Womad. Photos from Friday up here

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