The Performance To Come

Friends, Chocolate Fest is one week away, so get on the site and have a look at what will be on offer. It's not too late to enter into one of the many competitions running.

http://www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au/

I've entered the competition Where's The Talent? The performance will take place at the Latrobe Bowls Club, Victor Street, Latrobe, Tasmania on Sunday, 7 July from 11.00 am. Total prize pool - $550.
The Audience admission is free, so come and hear me play!

This is a sneak peak at what I did today, in preparation for my performance.
Watch this space to find out how I do next week. I hope to upload a video of my performance!

Serenading Devonport

This interesting script was left on my windscreen after two hours spent bringing music to the streets of Devonport! 

It was a surprisingly nice day, making up for last week, and my casual performance was punctuated by the surprise appearance of several old College friends. Who are of course, my chief suspects for leaving the card. Let the investigation begin!

Comment of the day

"99 percent of the world is rubbish, but God loves you."

Medieval Magic

Here are some of my choice photos from a shoot taken a couple of weeks ago, on an overcast and very chilly day at the Don Heads, Devonport Tasmania. 

Thankfully the rain held off until we finished our shoot! 

ten minutes later and it was pouring down.

 Many thanks to my amazing man for capturing the magic.

Photographer Remo Megarrity.

Inspiring Music

Thought I would share this with you all as it is such a beautiful clip. I find this incredibly inspiring! if anyone knows how I can purchase one of these amazing instruments, please let me know by commenting below. I believe they're known as Hang Drums.
Thanks in advance.

An Icy Drive

Another day, and another icy drive to Launceston with my harp Mardi.

My performance was again a little affected by the numbing weather. 

Sitting outside the Myer building in the cold this time with the beautiful sunshine taunting me from the opposite side of the mall. Many people suggested I should snub the law makers and cross over to play in the warmth. However I persisted for near on three hours, and was rewarded by the grateful public. 

One individual I met last week when he bought me a coffee, and whom I have aptly named The Coffee Man, once again appeared with a cappuccino in hand and later returned to generously give me a cd of French harpist Arianna Savall, so nice of him to share his great taste in music with me! 

At knock off time I was replaced by the amazing Matthew Dame, an incredibly skilled musician who was very helpful and inspiring! so click on the link below and have a look folks! We need to support our Tasmanian performers.

Matthew Dames Music FaceBook Page

Comment of the Day

provided by The Coffee Man

"I'm absolutely incredible, I bring a tear to my own eye." 

Surprise Party

Saturday the 15th has come and gone, and my first booking with it. I am glad to say that all went well (despite the blisters from my latest busking session) and I had a great time serenading the party. 
The owners of the venue, This Cafe, on George Street Launceston were especially accommodating and welcoming. The cafe was small enough that my music could be heard by everyone over the banter, talk and clatter of dinner, and many commented on how beautiful and relaxing it was. During the evening I was the target of many violent and disconcerting camera flashes, perhaps even on equal footing with the cake! 

Violin Birthday Cake

The highlight of the evening would have to be the logistics of cutting the masterpiece of a cake, and the joke that followed about broken G strings, which I was asked to replace! 

Everyone was out to have a good time and even though I was just the hired entertainment, I felt comfortable spending a night in the company of such friendly strangers, and almost privileged to have been given a glimpse into the lives of these people. 

It is a strange sensation, almost a high, leaving the reasonably private affair of celebrating a birthday, and knowing that you will likely never see those people again, but that you will feature in the photos and memories of that night.

I hope I made a small impact on their lives, by helping to make their special day just that bit more so. I can only explain the feeling as one of satisfaction and gratitude.

As I left the party amidst more appreciative comments, I resisted the great urge to announce that 

"My work here is done!"

Chilled Music

Bitterly cold in Launceston today, 10 degrees with 35 to 50 km/h winds sweeping right through the mall! Carrying the music on it, and making the strings of the harp hum.
I played for three hours and with led fingers, yet managed to top my PB there for the year so far. Obviously people pitied my shaking hands and jolty music! Someone even bought a coffe to warm me up.

Generosity from complete strangers must be one of the most touching experiences.
You could put my love of street performance down to the joy of being able to see such good in people, strangers, by the small acts of kindness they show.
Being a street performer, I get to see some aspects of human nature overlooked by society, and they are not all good! but days like these restore my faith in people.

Comment of the Day

 "If I still did Weed, your music would trip me out!"

(Sometimes, it's hard to know how to reply.)

Enchanting Launceston

 

My second day of busking in Launceston thankfully was fine, and the people were out and about

despite the phantom forecast of rain.

I was located in the Quadrant mall for the first time, a much nicer setting than outside the stark Myer building. However I did miss the security of having a wall to my back. 

It was a wonderful day, much improved by the weather! with many kind comments and generous donations. I scored my first booking! for a surprise party on the weekend which I am now practicing madly for!

All in all it was well worth my while making the hour drive to and from Sheffield. The day was topped off with a fun photo shoot in the Princes Park, thanks to mum for making the time.

I will be making my way to Launceston with my harp on a weekly basis! 

So keep your eyes and ears open!

Comment of the day

"That's just for the effort of carrying the mighty thing into town!"