FIRST REVEAL

 

11months ...and we're at the 'pointy end' ....that means, production is about to start ...  if you care to pop on over to the website, you'll find a new post there pre-empting the 'official' announcements - it's the EARLY BIRD peek just for you!    Here's the link;   Maureen's Website   and hint:  Subscribe please, it costs nothing and there's another post coming quickly to give you more information about the album itself.

This has been such a fabulous project to work on that the curators and I agreed it was worth a documentary in its own right.  So we've been steadily compiling that over the past few months and it will be posted up to one of my Youtube channels before the official launch of the album.

The project itself emerges in 3 stages;   1.  the music is exposed in December    2. the larger exhibition arrives at the Timeless Textiles Gallery in Newcastle in January, where you will be able to listen to each track that inspired the artwork you're viewing.   3. The reduced exhibition comes home to The Hunter Wetlands gallery space in April and will be celebrated accordingly.

If you're in Newcastle on Sunday December 10th, around 2pm, you're invited to come along to the album launch at the Wetlands itself - this will be a part fundraiser for the Centre and the only cost will be their regular entry fee [$7.50 adults/$5 senior+concession.

Back to the 40s

Save the date - May 31st is the opening of Series 3 of The Wireless Chronicles -  Armed and Languorous.  Opening at the Royal Exchange Salon Theatre (ReX) in Bolton Street for an 8pm start.

The Wireless Chronicles is an evening at the wireless - a Live Radio Play interspersed with the music and stories of the decade.  There are 4 in the series - set in the 20s, the 30s, the 40s and the 50s.  The show is delivered in the setting of a radio station with OUR audience forming the live-in-studio radio audience.  The shows are an evening (or sometimes an afternoon) of pure entertainment with plenty of laughs.

In Series 3, our Radio Play has a change of name to the Devious Digit of Destiny.  Our characters are gathered for the announcement of the end of the war, reflecting on how they survived those tough years, and - in the case of our bumbling gangsters - how they turned a quid, illegally of course! We've said goodbye to Hank the Yank Tank, and to Maurice, Enzo, and Dazza.  Now wait til you meet the incomers - oh my!  Our bent bunch will be playing both sides of the fence and in some pretty dicey buildings, like; parliament house; the Duck for Cover Club; and a dubious pie shop.  

 The 1940s had some beautiful music and some fascinating stories to share.  Be part of the fun over the May/June weekend.
3 shows:   May 31st 8pm + June 2nd 5pm at the Rex theatre  +
 June 1st 2pm at the Dungeon.
Email for bookings:  bookings@maureen.com.au
GO TO THE WIRELESS CHRONICALS  PAGE FOR A REHEARSAL MINI-CLIP

Journey's End

Gosh it's hard to believe that another year is almost gone!
And this one has gone the way of many others - too full and too fast! Now it's a scramble to complete all the projects that went on my list in January.  So maybe I'd better hold off on the highlights for another 6 weeks.

I'm pleased to report that JOURNEY was well and truly christened last month and you are now able to purchase a released copy.  You may even get to hear it on your local community radio station soon thanks to the AMRAP distribution program.  I've had some wonderful feedback on the album so I know you're going to enjoy it.

I have just one final show to do for the year - a theme show for the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club on December 1, titled "5 precious gifts"  and there is just ONE SHOW ONLY.  I'll be accompanied by one of my most favourite-ist musicians, Gary Roberts - a good bloke to start and finish the year with!


I'll save the rest of the news for the final post - stay safe and well over the silly season

A Rare Bird

Conformity is not a flavour that I am on speaking terms with.

Although there have been many times in my life where I've had to "toe the line" ,  mostly I find a way to rebel against the chains.

Don't put me in a box....or expect me to do/say what you think I should.  Cos I'm compelled then  to shake people and things out of their complacency.  I have an urge to encourage others to use their "thinking bits" and see life and issues from different perspectives.

Some people might call this "contrary".... like  "oh she's such a contrary bitch!" ....or  "opinionated" .... like  "oh she's too bloody opinionated for her own damned good" .....
I say ....... BRING IT ON!
I'm a songwriter  -  it's all grist to the mill!

Here's a rare opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs ....
Sunday 17th  @ The Dungeon  2pm  
 Tix at the door

Still breathing!

As the song goes "There's life in the Old Broad Yet"...and that was certainly the case for this month's themed concert:   CRAZY:The Life and Music of Patsy Cline!    Now in it's 7th Season the show attracted a near-full house at The Dungeon last weekend. Nice to see it still getting support.
 If you missed it, there are 2 more shows at The Buttai Barn 16/17 May -
lunch/show package only [$45pp]  -
bookings to the Barn on 0249 303 153

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Coming up next is another themed concert that has already been drawing lots of interest. This is the songs and stories of 3 extraordinary women who shaped a generation -

 Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon. 

They had plenty to say and said it through their music,  driving  a revolution of feminism into the 70's and providing a soundtrack to our lives.For anyone who grew up in this era, this is your life in music.  Younger generations are still discovering the magic of this music and it's relevance in their own lives.

ONE SHOW only - on Sunday May 21st at The Dungeon, Adamstown 2pm start
Tickets are available online at www.ticketebo.com.au/maureen
Be quick, this one could book out early!

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch! 
The new theatre production WALLYCOM is now underway.  This is a parody of the Telecommunications industry - the industry that we all love to hate!  The necessary evil in our existence in a modern world.  There's a great Cast on board for this one - and quite a few new faces - plus some new songs that just may tickle your funny bone.

The show will open on June 28 and details will be made available in the next few weeks.

Jumping in to 2017

It's going to be a BIG and BUSY year ahead with many new projects on the drawing board.

Thanks to all who managed to get along to Speakeasy over the holiday break ....I know you enjoyed it .....and so did WE!  It was a hoot to do.  So much so that we're going to proceed to Version II later in the year.  Stay tuned for that one.

In the meantime - check out the program for 2017:
 

Soup's up

As I'm head down-tail up getting ready for this year's SOUP! event, I'm reflecting on the fact that this is the tenth year of the annual winter event.
Where the heck did that decade go?!?!?
And I'm thinking of all the people that have participated in SOUP! over the years .... some have gone on to bigger and better, some have plateau'd, and some have faded into obscurity.  Bit like the rest of life really.
And how adventurous we were with SOUP! in some years - especially when we moved from the Teralba hall into the quaint and charming ReX theatre in Bolton Street.  How tiny is that stage?!  Yet we managed to get dance troupe's, circus performers, theatre sets, and full bands accommodated for some zany nights. 
The city logistics have forced a move to The Dungeon this year and who knows what the next 10 years [if there IS another decade of life left in SOUP!] will bring to the event.  But omigosh.... 'the
little event that could' has certainly grown legs!  And it's walking through it's community - as a true community music event should.
VIVA LA SOUP!

{check the SOUP! page on this blog for details}

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.

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

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. 

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  

 

Paint my world Pink!

Golly gosh!  There's so many musical initiatives happening round here lately that it's hard even for ME to keep up with it all.  Some of the highlights though, over the last month have been;

• Finished recording the new album and decided on a title.  Dollars are so tight though that I've had to opt for doing my own album artwork rather than hire the person I wanted to do it for me.  I've also had to defer getting the first run done until I've got a few more shekels in the bank!  sigh!  the life of an impoverished muso - always new challenges!
• the Women Upfront concert last Saturday night - which was also a fundraiser for Heart Magazine Heart Magazine - was a winner!  It was just great to see so many women performers up there putting their work forward.  It was a great turnout ...and wonder of wonders, I had so many helpers that everything just ran like clockwork.  No stress for me!!  Did a few songs of the new album and got great response [and that's always satisfying]
• and the new chorus group that I'm coaching - Found - also found their voices on Saturday night and put in a "pearler" of a performance.  There's so much work that goes into pulling such a group together but it is SO satisfying.  And they're a great bunch of people - weekly rehearsals are always a hoot.

So in the next issue, I want to share more with you about the new album ....some of the songs and the stories .... and test out the cover piccie!  So stand by - you might win a copy of the new recording.

In the meantime, it's head down tail up working on the next projects - the Multifaith Concert which I'm organising in Newcastle for Mattara next week;  the Folk In Broke festival is only a matter of weeks away - see more at Folk in Broke festival; the next Savoy Supper Club is going to be just a top night - check the blog in the next few days for new info on that -  Savoy Supper Club ;  as well as 2 new shows coming up at the Royal Exchange theatre in December "Krackers"  - check it out at Royal Exchange Salon Theatre Newcastle  .  Gee I might even catch up on some sleep after Christmas!

ciao bella!