Monday, November 2, 2015

Cruisin' into silly season

If you're working or living in the Newcastle city and surrounds I've got a great idea for a November Hump Day .... Wednesday 18th Nov ....from 6-9 ...I'm doing a cruisy duo with the oh-so-fabulous Master guitarist Steve Cowley. 
What a great way to wind down after a mid-week working day, chill out with a couple of drinks, enjoy some delicious food, and kick back to some fabulous music...someone else does the dishes and you can groove home for an early night of peaceful slumber.

We're doing an evening of "through the cracks" - some songs that I DIDN'T get to play this year [oh, well ok ...and a couple of favourites that I didn't get to play enough!]  Some rare pieces, and plenty of Originals [cos I've been so busy playing covers this year that I haven't played my own music since - FOREVER!] ... and some delicious instrumentals from Steve - cos he doesn't get to play his favourite pieces much either!

So, if you've been to any of my shows at The Dungeon this year, you're likely to have seen/heard Steve playing and undoubtedly have been blown away by one of Newcastle's best kept secrets.   shhhhhh ...if the rest of the country finds out I may never get to play with him again!  I don't often get the chance to duo with Steve so this is a rare treat - you AND I - are going to enjoy.

We're playing at the new FogHorn Brewhouse at 218 King Street Newcastle ....there's no cover charge, the beer I'm told is amazing and so much variety, the food is getting the thumbs-up all 'round ... and you KNOW the music is going to be just up your street!  Again, its Wednesday 18th November at 6pm
Join us, why don't you?  No reason to say no. 


Monday, October 12, 2015

Roundup Time

Well, this month sees the end of my Theme shows for the year ...and wow, what a year it's been!  I begin production for my new Theatre work at the beginning of November and that's going to be an intense focus until the show opens in March.  {you can get a sneak preview here: Shhhhhh!}
with Steve Cowley and Dave Pudney at The Dungeon

There have been more highs and very few lows during 2015.  It's been such a joy working with the amazing musicians that have joined me onstage this year.  And haven't we tripped down some lanes remembering some great music!
If you missed some of the shows, you might get a chance to see a couple of them next year thanks to one or two great supportive venues.  Speaking of which, I'm truly appreciative of those venues who support quality live music AND look after their musicians too as increasingly, venues are getting greedier at the expense of their entertainers.

And one of the fascinating things that have raised my curiosity this year is watching people at a live gig peruse the CD's and replace them.  I watch them reading the jacket - looking for a familiar track perhaps?  Something that they know.  Indie songwriters rarely record covers of other songs - what's the point?  There's a full article about this on my website ...if you'd like to read more click on the link here: Try the Jacket for Size
So if you've been part of the audience this year .....THANK YOU for coming along to support independent local music and I look forward to sharing some new musical journeys and experiences in the next year.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Living Legends

Following the success of the *Patsy Cline  *Andrews Sisters *Diva Fever shows, here is the next theme show coming up in October - at the Dungeon plus a season at The Buttai Barn.   I'm thoroughly enjoying re-acquainting myself with these amazing women and their songs from the 70's.

These were the women who created the soundtrack to our live/s ....who created the anthems that we're still singing today, 40years later.  Women like the indomitable Carole King and Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon .... and anthems like I am Woman and You've Got a Friend and Both Sides Now

The songs are historic ....the stories are fascinating...... and the women?  Well, they're still touring, performing and rocking our world!

Sunday 11th Oct 2.30pm 

Tickets for the Dungeon show are available online
now at
Living Legends

Oct 19,21,22 11am
Bookings for the Buttai Barn shows can be made by phoning 4930 3153
morning tea/lunch/show packages are just $41pp

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Women All-Stars

March and April it seems, have shaped up as 

a Tribute to the girls!  

We'll be celebrating the life and the music of the wonderful Patsy Cline when CRAZY returns for it's 4th season.   Patsy died young - just aged 30 - but the legacy she left behind is quite extraordinary.  Audiences that have already seen the show last year have given it a huge [double] thumbs up!  That's happening on 23+25 March at The Buttai Barn 11am ... 
Tix $41 include morning tea and lunch.  BOOKINGS:  4930 3153
... AND 19th April at the Blackbird Artisan Bakery, East Maitland 6pm ...
Tix $50  including gourmet supper. - prepaid tickets just $40.  BOOKINGS: Carolyn on 0408 305 445

Then in April and May we'll be paying tribute to the fabulous female hitmakers of the 1950s with the 50s Diva Fever  show.  You'll hear stories - and a bit of goss' - and songs that made the top of the charts during a decade when male singers/bands were "flavour of the decade".  These women had to be outstanding to top the blokes ....they were and they DID!   Some of the women we'll be celebrating are:  Peggy Lee, Julie London, Doris Day, Connie Francis, Eartha Kitt, Nina Simone, Judy Garland, Jo Stafford .....and more!  You'll hear songs like Fever, Secret Love, Cry Me a River, Lipstick on your Collar ...and many more.
26th April at The Dungeon, Adamstown ....Tix $25 at the door or $20 online here: www.ticketebo.com.au/50sdiva
11, 12, 13 May at The Buttai Barn 11am ... 
Tix $41 include morning tea and lunch.  BOOKINGS:  4930 3153

Plans are also in the pipeline for a couple of great shows during the cooler months including the ever popular SOUP! concert - mark August 1st in your diary NOW. 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Green to Go

Fabulous response to the Andrews Sisters show which finished a week ago.  No encore season for this one.  However, there are 3 encore seasons coming up ....Beginning with
  • TO BE SHORE TO SHORE - the annual Irish celebration - Sunday 15th March 3pm
     To Be Shore To Shore celebrates Irish culture and character with a variety of Song, Tunes, Poetry and spoken Word.  Past audiences have agreed that this is a thoughtful celebration, always good for a few laughs, and a pleasant alternative to the typical raucous pub-style ‘knees-up’ often associated with St Pat’s day.


     Included in the show is Maureen’s highly acclaimed “Borderless” presentation – an account of female Irish settlement in Australia and how it shaped Australian culture and society. The presentation contains plenty of little-known facts, stories, and anecdotes interspersed with original songs –   It has received wide acclaim at a number of festivals, events, folk clubs, and dedicated concerts.

     But whether you have Irish ancestry or not, Borderless is a fascinating look into Australia’s past and present.

Guest musicians are Gary Roberts and Peter Smith – both well-known in the local folk community.  Guest artists include:  Celtic chorus group Heart of Erin;  young up-and-coming fiddler Manon: with poetry and readings from Louise Costello and Roslyn McDonald.

at The Dungeon, 608 Glebe Road, Adamstown.  Tickets are $23 at the door or discounted tickets ($18) are available online at www.ticketebo.com.au/irish . Tickets include Light refreshments  
  • CRAZY:  The life and music of PATSY CLINE

 This show is having it's fourth Season this year - last year, over 500 people at The Buttai Barn gave it a resounding 'thumbs up'.  Another encore run at the barn on 23 + 25 March {Tix $41 include morning tea and lunch.  BOOKINGS:  4930 3153} ..... PLUS 
....a boutique show on April 19th at the Blackbird Artisan Bakery, in the old Maitland Gaol, East Maitland 6pm {Tix $50  including gourmet supper. - prepaid tickets just $40.  BOOKINGS: Carolyn on 0408 305 445}  

  • 50's DIVA FEVER  ..... 

the music and stories of the female hitmakers through the 50's - such as Peggy Lee, Debbie Reynolds, Connie Francis, and many many more  - audiences who saw this show last year just loved it!  You will too.  At the Buttai Barn 11, 12, 13 May details same as above.......PLUS......April 26 The Dungeon Adamstown Tix $25 at the door or $20 for prepaid  



 

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

A Quarter to Shine

Happy New Year!
I usually hit the ground running at the start of a new year .....this year I've hit the ground - but can't say I'm running yet.  Still recovering from a very big 2014.  Nevertheless, there are some great projects in the pipeline and happening in the first quarter {I'll think about the next quarter another day!}
Coming Up:
  • Tribute to the Andrews Sisters  with Anousha Victoire and Su Morley, sharing the music and the stories of the trio - the most popular girl band in the first half of the 20th Century, reknowned for their incredibly tight harmonies.  No big band behind us though, we're concentrating on the vocals primarily with pared-back instrumentals.   At:  The Buttai Barn {bookings (02) 4930-3153} 25th + 26th February 11am  Tickets $40 incl morning tea and lunch ...     AND  The Dungeon Sun 1st March, 3pm Tickets $25 at the door/$20 online tickets
  • To Be Shore to Shore on the [almost] eve of St Patricks Day, here is a taste of Ireland in  typical irish craic with a selection of songs, tunes, story, and poetry.  Featuring the BORDERLESS presentation - an account of female Irish Settlement into Australia told in story and original song.  Plus guest artists:  Heart of Erin[Celtic Chorus], young up-and-coming fiddler Manon,  and additional musicians, poet to be confirmed  At:  The Dungeon, Adamstown  Sun 15th March 3pm  Tickets $23 at the door/ $18 online tickets
  • 50's Diva Fever  a nostalgic look at the female vocalists of the 1950's - an era where boy-bands and male singers were 'flavour of the decade', and female artists had to be stand-outs to top the charts.  They were, and they did! You'll hear the songs and stories from artists such as Julie London, Eartha Kitt, Peggy Lee, Etta James, Connie Francis, Blossom Dearie and many more.   Featuring Maureen O'Brien with the support of Robbie Long on guitar and Dave Pudney on Double Bass.   At:  The Dungeon, Adamstown  Sun 26th April 2.30pm  Tickets $25 at the door/ $20 online tickets .... AND  The Buttai Barn 11, 12, 13 May 11am  Tickets $40 incl morning tea and lunch  {bookings direct only (02) 4930-3153}