Li Cuixin is the person that Mao's last dancer the movie is centred on. I had the privilege to meet him last evening and we had a opportunity to talk. Indeed a charming man, who is clearly driven and he is one of the people who meet that has bright eyes, in the sense you just know he has much going on behind that mask.
He is the new artistic director for Queensland Ballet and it is clear from his words that he intends to make the company a standout globally. That's quite an undertaking and it is clear that despite his charm and wit, this is a formidable individual.
In the Dialogues session, Li puts his dancers through their paces. He encourages, cajoles and coaches them - sometimes all at the same time. His goal is perfection and he wants his troupe to aim for nothing less. In one session, he is trying to coach a dancer to pirouette but don't let her weight shift with the spin but stay centred so she can avoid spinning outwards. This is seemingly impossible and she can't get it for the first, second and third tries. It starts to feel awkward and then on the fourth attempt she nails it.......Whoa so interesting to see mastery in formation.
For so many reasons the appointment of Li is a master stroke. He is ambitious and candid and you can only envisage that his drive will as he states 'take Queensland Ballet to the next level'.
Pardon the pun, but this wont be his last dance. I foresee that he will use this platform for bigger and better things.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Best Concert I've ever attended
Barry Gibb performed last evening, but he was not alone as he brought his departed brothers on stage in photo frames and video clips. A Brisbane boy from Redcliffe, his family was in the audience as well as his oldest son and the daughter of Maurice Gibb.
The Mythology Tour was Barry's return to touring since the death of his last surviving younger brother and as he had unveiled a statue of the Bee Gees a few days earlier; it was clear that this was a special concert. A special moment was having Barry narrate his childhood, while old black and white slides were projected; they were pictures from his childhood and the audience familiar with the scenes murmured and buzzed in agreement.
My best ever? Well to start with we had incredible seats; directly in front and I mean inline with his microphone and only eight rows from the stage. Barry despite his age, oozes class and sex appeal.
And there were a number of ladies in the audience, who called out "Barry" as they were his long lost loves; while I'm sure most were wishful thinking, it is not unreasonable that actually there were some old flames in the crowd.
The Bee Gee's are a group that has survived through the 60's, 70's and 80's. There music, like fine wine has aged well and has a fresh but familiar comfortable feel. Did I mention that he can sing, I mean really properly sing and his concerts sound like the CD's and records that I've collected over the years. He is the ultimate professional and it is reflected in the quality of the sound that is lovingly shared with the audience.
The concert playlist was a collection of so many eras of music, going back to his teenage years. It must be so problematic for Barry to know which songs to reject, as he has penned so many great tunes over his career. There were a few songs that tugged the heart strings and brought the audience, including myself back through a time warp. It was indeed a journey through time and my own life, as the Bee Gees and the Beatles have been part of that consciousness as far back as I recall.
What a week of music, I'm feeling very blessed and have shared this experience with my darling wife! As the song goes:
I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again
Yes, this is the best concert that I've ever been to. I've seen quite a number and this one is a standout.
Concert Set List -
The Mythology Tour was Barry's return to touring since the death of his last surviving younger brother and as he had unveiled a statue of the Bee Gees a few days earlier; it was clear that this was a special concert. A special moment was having Barry narrate his childhood, while old black and white slides were projected; they were pictures from his childhood and the audience familiar with the scenes murmured and buzzed in agreement.
My best ever? Well to start with we had incredible seats; directly in front and I mean inline with his microphone and only eight rows from the stage. Barry despite his age, oozes class and sex appeal.
And there were a number of ladies in the audience, who called out "Barry" as they were his long lost loves; while I'm sure most were wishful thinking, it is not unreasonable that actually there were some old flames in the crowd.
The Bee Gee's are a group that has survived through the 60's, 70's and 80's. There music, like fine wine has aged well and has a fresh but familiar comfortable feel. Did I mention that he can sing, I mean really properly sing and his concerts sound like the CD's and records that I've collected over the years. He is the ultimate professional and it is reflected in the quality of the sound that is lovingly shared with the audience.
The concert playlist was a collection of so many eras of music, going back to his teenage years. It must be so problematic for Barry to know which songs to reject, as he has penned so many great tunes over his career. There were a few songs that tugged the heart strings and brought the audience, including myself back through a time warp. It was indeed a journey through time and my own life, as the Bee Gees and the Beatles have been part of that consciousness as far back as I recall.
What a week of music, I'm feeling very blessed and have shared this experience with my darling wife! As the song goes:
I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again
Yes, this is the best concert that I've ever been to. I've seen quite a number and this one is a standout.
Concert Set List -
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
-
(Little Willie John cover + Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Stephen Gibb)
-
(The Beatles cover)
-
(Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Duet performed with Beth Cohen)
-
(Duet performed with Beth … more)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Samantha Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(written by Bee Gees for Celine Dion)
- Encore:
-
(Bee Gees song)
Friday, February 8, 2013
My old record collection (Beatles to the Bee Gees)
When I was young I had this great record collection, remember in Darwin there was no TV and as a result social events gravitated towards music. I do recall that listening to the Radio was a common pastime and everyone had there favourites.
My record collection from the 60's included the The Beatles, Bee Gees and other now classic acts. These were what was called LP (Long Play) and there was a 'learnt' art to check the needle and ensure that this was in working order before trying to place this as smoothly as possible onto the moving turntable.
It is now poignant that this week, we go to see Ringo Starr (one of two surviving Beatles members) and later this week Barry Gibb (the only brother still alive).
Ringo is famous for being Thomas the Tank Engine as well as being the drummer for the most famous band in the world. He had a successful solo career, but also was the lead singer for a number of Beatles songs:
Please Please Me - Boys
With the Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man
Beatles for Sale - Honey Don't
Help - Act Naturally
Rubber Soul - What Goes On
Revolver - Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's - With a Little Help from My Friends
The Beatles (white album) - Don't Pass Me By, Good Night
Abbey Road - Octopus's garden
Barry Gibb, where do you start? He was the lead singer for one of my favorite all time groups, a talented song writer who has an incredible track record of collaboration with other stars.
Undoubtedly Barry is the more talented Ringo, there is really no argument there. In terms of pure longevity the Bee Gees as a group spanned from 1960's through the 80's and interestingly their careers came after the Beatles.
One of the interesting facts is that they decided to move from Brisbane, Australia back to the UK and then struggled to get any attention. At that stage the Beatles had disbanded and there was a trend away from bands; despite this they have had an incredible career.
Some words on the Beatles to Bee Gees week later.....
My record collection from the 60's included the The Beatles, Bee Gees and other now classic acts. These were what was called LP (Long Play) and there was a 'learnt' art to check the needle and ensure that this was in working order before trying to place this as smoothly as possible onto the moving turntable.
It is now poignant that this week, we go to see Ringo Starr (one of two surviving Beatles members) and later this week Barry Gibb (the only brother still alive).
Ringo is famous for being Thomas the Tank Engine as well as being the drummer for the most famous band in the world. He had a successful solo career, but also was the lead singer for a number of Beatles songs:
Please Please Me - Boys
With the Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man
Beatles for Sale - Honey Don't
Help - Act Naturally
Rubber Soul - What Goes On
Revolver - Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's - With a Little Help from My Friends
The Beatles (white album) - Don't Pass Me By, Good Night
Abbey Road - Octopus's garden
Barry Gibb, where do you start? He was the lead singer for one of my favorite all time groups, a talented song writer who has an incredible track record of collaboration with other stars.
Undoubtedly Barry is the more talented Ringo, there is really no argument there. In terms of pure longevity the Bee Gees as a group spanned from 1960's through the 80's and interestingly their careers came after the Beatles.
One of the interesting facts is that they decided to move from Brisbane, Australia back to the UK and then struggled to get any attention. At that stage the Beatles had disbanded and there was a trend away from bands; despite this they have had an incredible career.
Some words on the Beatles to Bee Gees week later.....
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