01. My last Rising events –
- Sonic Eclipse – hmmm… not sure what I was expecting (actually, it promised a ‘reframing of the marching band’, which I thought sounded ace… but not quite what I had imagined. There were elements that were great (the roaming musicians pre-and-post show, and the section where the percussionists created a wind sequence by slashing big sticks in the air), but overall a bit long (should have taken more snacks).
- Bungal – my festival highlight. The concert was a celebration of Gurrumul‘s music, and combined singing, dance, video footage of North east Arnhem Land, all backed by the Melbourne Symphony. Wonderful stuff.
02. And because I saw Paul Kelly last week at Rising, it’s timely to revisit his duet with Gurrumul. A stunning recording of Amazing Grace.
03. Watching: Sisi S2 (on SBS).
04. Listening: Missing Pages podcast (it’s all about publishing and literary scandals).
05. I go totally mad for particular cookbooks, cooking oodles of things and then letting them languish on the shelf. My cookbook du jour is Donna Hay’s The New Easy (currently on sale at Readings, so get on it) – have made a bunch of recipes, all good, but the stand out has been the sherry roasted leg of lamb.
06. It’s not often that I get really excited about an ARC but I was thrilled to get a copy of Wifedom by Anna Funder.
07. First glance at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2023 program. My to-see list is already long.
08. Edinburgh International Book Festival program – it’s always an amazing lineup (and lots to watch online). I’m probably going to get up at an ungodly hour for Rob Delaney.