Womadelaide Sunday

Posted: March 16, 2013 in Adelaide Events
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The weather didn’t cool down on Sunday so we delayed getting down to Botanic park by a few hours arriving just after 2pm.

Caught part of Mia Dysons set on the Stage 3 then headed off to Stage 1 to watch

Alim Qasimov Ensemble which was much more listening music than dancing which is a good thing in the middle of the day with full sun and 35 degree + heat.
Then off to Stage 3 again to watch the start of the set by Psarantonis which was also quite a laid back performance. I couldn’t stay for the whole set as it clashed with another band that was only doing a single performance so off to the Moreton bay stage for Golonka. This grassy area in front of this stage was popular and quite shaded.
Soweto Gospel Choir then took to Stage 1 in the most colourful atire of any of the weekend performers with great singing voices. I stayed for the whole set at the end trying to decide whether to catch Novalima or The Correspondants. Most of the photographers were going to the Correspondants even though it was just 2 guys on stage. I decided I would try and fit in both !!
Novalima first up and their sound was great but the photo ops were limited but a quite cluttered stage so after a few songs I fast walked to Stage 2 and managed to get into the pit area for only about 1 minute before being kicked out ( 3 song rule ). I wish I had been there for the start as photographically the lead singer of the Correspondants was full of movement and excitement. He must have been REALLY hot doing all the dancing he did with the full force of the sun bearing down on him which you get on stage 2 late afternoon.
Back to stage 1 then for Salif Keita whom I have seen at previous Womadelaide evens and he doesn’t disappoint. Next on to Tim Rogers and the Bamboos on Stage 2 with both Tim and the Bamboos being well respected as separate performers but together they worked really well. A definite chemistry at work.
Finally another performer that has been at Womad previously – Jimmy Cliff. I’d like to have the energy and enthusiasm that he does at his age as he twirled around the stage kicking his legs up. There were some things he performed that I didnt like such as his “partidge family” song that he told us was screened as a superbowl commercial and had so many million hits << I didnt care…. I want to hear his songs. The whole family was pretty tired so didn’t stay for the encore which I was told was pretty awesome but we heard quite a bit as we walked back to the car to end Day 3

Womadelaide 2013 Friday and Saturday

Posted: March 10, 2013 in Adelaide Events
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What I really love about Womadelaide is experiencing and being exposed to Music and dance that I otherwise would never have even heard of or seen and this year is no exception.

Midfestival is no time for a full writeup but here is a list of some of the acts Ive so far enjoyed seeing

From Fridays sessions

  • The Alaev Family
  • Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba
I didnt have a chance to stay and see the Cat empire although reports from others said it was a great show they put on.
Saturday – we got there early before the first band even started
An early highlight was

  • Mari Boine who originates from Norway – what a voice. Some really haunting inflections
  • Circolumbia – this was listed as a Mystery Surprise and indeed it was. Performing amazing acrobatic stunts with singing and Drama/tension between the warring gangs made a hugely entertaining show that had everyone on their feet. Do perform with the energy they did in the middle of a hot and humid 35 degree today would have been exhausting
  • Dhafer Youssef – renowned for his Oud playing as well as his voice he didnt dissapoint.
  • Vieux Farka Touré – I felt he started off a bit slow but the pace picked up and I ended up hearing most of his set
  • Antibalas – Listened to these guys whilst having tea
  • Nidi d’Arac – Sparse stage but great night lighting for their set. So many photos of the Violinist whom I thought was key to their sound. Big thumbs up for this one
  • Compagnie Luc Amoros  “Blank Page” – I’d heard good reports from the Friday session so I went prepared to sit down and watch the whole show. Extremely clever and entertaining although a touch heavy at times, but that is their message. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone but if you havent already seen it get early , get a good seat and watch it on Monday evening – just WOW
  • Hugh Masekela – He might be gettiing old but he hasn’t lost it.  Top performance from this South African Trumpet player.
The Full Gallerys for each day can be found here.. CLICK

Nid d’Arac

Hugh Masekela

Who is the tallest Man on Earth

Posted: February 5, 2013 in Adelaide Events
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Womadelaide 2013 see the return of Swedish artist ” The Tallest man on Earth” who also played in Adelaide in 2011 as part of the Womadelaide Earth Festival held in Belair National Park. I loved his set he played then although one couldn’t avoid the discussion after the gig that he was very similar style to Bob Dylan. I’ll let you decide with this small snippet from the show.

He can be Seen in Botanic park at Womadelaide 2013 on the Friday evening

 

Womadelaide just over a month away

Posted: January 25, 2013 in Uncategorized
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A couple of Local artists whom I like are performing at Womad this year and I have in the past captured some of their live performances

First up is Tim Rogers and the Bamboos  who are performing  together on this occasion. Should be an awesome combo

And of course lets not forget Aussie Hip Hop band The Herd

Have you got your tickets Yet ?

If you are an Internode customer you have probably got an email with details about discounted tickets so make the most of it. It is interesting that this year Group ticket prices are for 6 or more people. In the past it was 10 people before you could get a Group discount

 

 

 

Adelaide Fringe just around the Corner

Posted: January 25, 2013 in Uncategorized
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A good way to start the Frineg off is opening night Street Parade. Mark 15th February in the calendar. Last years was pretty awesome and packed crowds made for some great Photos.

Check out the photos from last year 2012 to see what the Street party is all about and plan to get their early to secure a good view

The Crowd in 2012

Once the Street party is over browse the program and get out there and get entertained. A Full searchable program is available from the Fringe website

Haley Renee fashion photography workshop

Posted: January 1, 2013 in Uncategorized
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I’ve known Haley for a few years now and occasionally were at the same venue shooting bands for different publications. She’s moved on to a different Genre of photography – fashion and with the experience she has gained over the last few years has been working towards running workshops to pass on that knowledge.

When the first workshop was announced, Haley was asking around for someone to create a promo video for future workshops. All footage was captured during the one day workshop on a Canon 5Dmk2 DSLR

Hope you like it and feel free to leave a comment.

Michael

 

GoPro Hero3 Black Testing

Posted: December 29, 2012 in Uncategorized
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I’ve been keeping an eye on these for a few years now and whilst the Hero 2 was very tempting I held off to see what was on the horizon. Late in 2012 the Hero3 BLACK was announced. Apart from the weatherproofing the 2 things that stood out for me was the ability to shoot video at Full HD 1080 but at double the frame rate ( 50fps –  Frames per second,  ( PAL ) whch for America and their NTSC TV system is 60fps ). This is double the normal Telecast frame rate so you can drop down to half speed and it will looks good with no dropped frames.

The BLACK version also does 100 fps or 120 fps in NTSC settings but only at a 720p Semi Full HD resolution but running at  ONE QUARTER SPEED.

Here is some of the footage I took

GoPro 3 Black Testing.

Awesome Customer service from RODE

Posted: December 19, 2012 in Uncategorized
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What a contrast to the abysmal customer service from KOGAN.

Earlier in the year RODE who make awesome Microphones  ( and are Australian company )  had a competition and with a massive amount of goodwill decided that  ALL participants,  even those that didn’t win the major prize would receive a RODE video Mic Pro. They indicated that it would take up to 8 weeks to ship them out and around the 8 week time I got an email explaining that they had been delayed but they should be here soon – hopefully before Christmas.

The pleasant suprise today was the not only the delivery of the Video Mic Pro but they Also supplied a DEADCAT which is an accessory to act as a windshield for recording outdoors. …AWESOME

Great customer service

Great customer service

Brickbats to KOGAN

Posted: December 19, 2012 in Uncategorized
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First up the Brickbat of the week goes to KOGAN

Last week they advertised GoPro3 Blacks. The price was excellent and their website said ” In stock”.

Placed an order and got a confirmation email saying payment was successfull. I got a further email stating that expected shipping would be on the 21st December at which point I would receive tracking notification. I was excited when I saw an email from Kogan today which quickly turned to ANGER.

Moral of the Story : If Kogan says something is IN STOCK it may not be and it will take them 5 days to realise and then slowly refund your money which they took straight away.

Kogan you SUCK

Womadelaide 2013 March 8th -11th

Posted: December 3, 2012 in Uncategorized
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What are YOU up to March 2013 in Adelaide.

The full lineup is now out- Check it out -CLICK here.   it’s pretty awesome.

Returning to Womad is Jimmy Cliff. It was quite a few years back since I last saw Jimmy cliff at Womadelaide where he played the final night audience with the rain hammering down on the crowd and then the rain cleared.

Hugh Masekela is a Big name musician who as far as I know hasn’t played a Womad before but he has graced the stage with the like of Paul Simon

A few fun local bands are also in the mix. The Cat Empire return yet again to the Womad stage with their infectious dance tracks. A pleasant addition and one that I’ve been saying for a few years would suit the Womad crowd is  The Herd, one of my favourite bands/conglomerations to come out of AUS in the last 3 years. A great example of Aussie Hip hop with lyrics that mean something.

Like any Womad years there are a lot of Acts I still need to read up on and listen to samples of their work, but hopefully I’ve wet your appetite to take a look at who’s playing and then write the dates in your calendar

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