Category: Ω And much, much more!

Introducing VCEnglish, ‘your mobile tutor’

A new mobile app for VCE students created by local education specialist

We are very pleased to announce the new VCEnglish iPhone App for Victorian VCE English/EAL students — with an Android version coming soon!

This app has been created by experienced VCE teacher, Victorian English textbook author and English Exam assessor, Anne Mitchell.

Anne says, “I’ve never been in the business of creating apps until now, but I am in the education business and I realised there was a real need for students to have a VCE tutor on hand 24/7 through their mobile devices when I first noticed students were bringing tablets into classes instead of exercise books.

“I’m an old hand at all things VCE and textbooks but the world of apps was new to me. It took a lot longer and was a lot harder than I anticipated, but we really got it right and I’m absolutely thrilled with the final product.

“Every part of the app is a toolkit that everyone can start using right away, learning to study and write more effectively, immediately.

“There’s step by step instructions dealing with every part of the course in plain language. It’s functional, easy to navigate and users can even reach me in person to answer any questions via the vcenglish.com.au website.”

While developed primarily as a tool for VCE students, VCEnglish has also turned out to be a multi-function tool for anyone serious about getting the written English language right. English teachers, journalists, in fact every writer can benefit from the sections about spelling rules, punctuation, grammar and jargon

The iOS app is available from the Apple App Store for $8.49.

To see sample pages, learn more, or purchase visit http://vcenglish.com.au

Find out more about Anne Mitchell and her published works at www.annemitchell.com.au 

Anne’s English Workbook series is available at www.macmillan.com.au

“Sex On Toast are probably the greatest band on earth. They are nine men, and between them they possess all the raw sexual power of Prince, the musical prowess of James Brown and the cheesy goodness of an‘80s game show host. Sex On Toast bring the ruckus.” – themusic.com.au, Inpress Magazine. Kate Kingsmill, writer for The Age. 

SEX ON TOAST DEBUT NEW SINGLE ‘HOLD MY LOVE’ IN THE LEAD UP TO THEIR MELBOURNE ALBUM LAUNCH:

Sex On Toast proudly released their new single, the supasmooth falsetto-laden slow jam “Hold My Love” from their long awaited self-titled nine song debut album recently on Triple RRR with Chris Gill on Get Down. 

Less than 24 Hours after the online release of ‘Hold My Love’, it had received over 1000 bandcamp views, the band received interview requests from blogs in Portugal and placated their worldwide fanbase with it’s soulful downtempo shimmer.

Another decadent music video is expected for release in late March with director Peter Savieri featuring a robbery at an exclusive rooftop soirée filled with sexy socialites. 

The buzz is well and truly underway for their hometown album launch at Northcote Social Club on March 28th and subsequent East Coast tour dates including their debut extravaganza in Sydney at the Vanguard on April 9th.

MELBOURNE LAUNCH:

The band will launch their new album in Melbourne Friday 28 March from 8.30pm Northcote Social Club with John Citizen.

The Cactus Channel, Mandek Penha and DJ Kirkis between sets.  Tickets are $12 on the door, no presales. https://corner.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/2183

JUST ANNOUNCED!  MORE EAST COAST ELECTRIFICATION TOUR DATES:

Sex On Toast are in Canberra Monday 7th April at Phoenix presents The Bootleg Sessions supported by Canberra’s finest good time brass explosion, The Brass Knuckles Brass Band. http://lovethephoenix.com/

The second dose of east-coast electrification will take place on Wednesday 9th April at The Vanguard in Sydney. Joining them are the spaghetti-western, exotica and Piazzolla inflected genius of The Tango Saloon, and the beautiful melodic, jilted backbeats, fat grooves and lush jazz horn arrangements of Beaten Bodies. $12 on the door, $10 presales. http://www.thevanguard.com.au/

And they’ll be playing on Thursday 10th April at the Lass O’ Gowrie, Newcastle. Git funky like it’s your daddy’s birthplace! Joining them are The Duke (of The Main Guy and The Other Guys) and Zackari Watt. http://www.lassogowriehotel.com.au/

BAND INFO:

A nine man explosion of 1980’s pop music, yacht-rock, R’n’B, and synth-funk, Sex On Toast showcase undeniable musical finesse whilst never taking themselves too seriously.

Their outrageous live show features tight vocal harmonies, talk-box synthesizers, drum-machines and choreographed dance moves.  They’re consistently engaging an ever expanding audience of both chin-stroking musicians and teenage revellers. 

Through word of mouth alone, Sex On Toast quickly become a cult favourite in Melbourne, regularly packing out local venues. The band has hosted several residencies at The Toff In Town, The Empress and The Evelyn Hotel, including a highly successful residency with the Vaudeville Smash in January 2013, and a sell-out residency in September 2012. 

The band has featured at the Bedroom Philosopher’s “High School Assembly” Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2012),  ‘An Evening With Sex On Toast’ at the Adelaide Fringe (2012), Junction Festival Launceston (2012), and every year at The Village at Falls Festival since 2009 including both Marion Bay and Lorne festivals. In 2013 Sex On Toast performed at the Apollo Bay Music Festival and on ‘What Is Jazz?’ talk show for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Current members and alumni of Sex On Toast can also be seen in a wide array of groups such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Saskwatch, True Live, Vaudeville Smash, James Morrison’s band and The Australian Art Orchestra.

They have shared bills with internationally acclaimed comedian Neil Hamburger (USA), The Barons Of Tang, Hiatus Kaiyote, Vaudeville Smash, Laneous And The Family Yah and The Bedroom Philosopher. 

Friday 28^th March will see the release of Sex On Toast’s debut album, an opus of raw emotion, tumultuous sexuality and party jams, recorded at Sing Sing studios and mixed in stereo, for her pleasure.

2014 LINE UP:

Angus E. Leslie- guitar, vocals, keyboards

James Bowers- keys, talkbox, vocals

Marty Hicks-keys, keytar

Zak Pidd- vocals, percussion

Gareth Thomson- drums, production

Benjamin Harrison- trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, guitar

Johnny Bassoon- sax, bassoon, vocals

Louis King- guitar, vocals

Marty Holoubek – bass guitar

‘‘Hold My Love’ is available on iTunes from Monday, 17th February.

Visit Sex On Toast here:

Website: https://www.sexontoastmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sexytoastmusic

Bandcamp: https://sexontoast.bandcamp.com

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sexontoast

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SexonToastable

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SexyToasty

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sexontoastmusic

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please visit The Age online to check out the brand new video from Charles Jenkins and The Zhivagos for ‘7 Creeks (The Crossdresser Steve Hart)’ starring Georgia Fields, and members of The Cactus Channel, Henry Jenkins, Lewis Coleman, Darvid Thor and Hudson Whitlock.

With Charles Jenkins, David Andrew Milne, Davey Lane, Art Star, Matty Vehl, Greg Field and Douglas Lee Robertson. Blink and you’ll miss ’em cameos provided by Mick Thomas, Alison Ferrier, Christopher Keogh, Karen Conrad, Deborah Taylor, Lewlewlew Manchu, Rose and Mia Coleman, John Harley, Cookie Baker, Emma Black and Nyssa.

Filmed and directed by Jo Meares, assisted and edited by Santana Rudge. Costumes provided by Sean Dennis.

Filmed on location at the Yarra Hotel Abbotsford, The Retreat Hotel, Merri Creek and The No 19 Tram.

No horses were harmed in the making of this video.

GALAXY NOW.  A SARA THORN PROJECT 1983-2014

The Galaxy Now project brings to life the fashion/art crossover work of  Sara Thorn and Bruce Slorach produced in Melbourne from 1983-1994.

Their labels Sara Thorn, Abyss Studio, Galaxy emporium, Funkessentials were synonymous with fashion as culture, textile, print, pattern as a form of communication.

The Galaxy Now project looks at what is the legacy of this work now. How can it have a conversation with the present?

Sara Thorn looks back at her work in the spirit of timeless self expression through film, exhibition, pop up shop , collaborations with
a new generation of creative’s connecting Melbourne’s sub cultures
and creativity.

Exhibition

The exhibition/pop up Galaxy Now at Fort Delta Gallery is part of the Virgin Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program. On for 4 days during Virgin Melbourne Fashion Festival from Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 March at Fort Delta.

The opening Wed March 12, 6- 9 pm offers prizes for the best Abyss/Galaxy outfits.The film Galaxy Now will be previewed during the exhibition.

The Exhibition will be partly pop up shop selling original archival clothing and accessories from 1984 -1993 offered for the first time in over 20 years, and showcase original photographs by photographers such as Kate Gollings, Poly Borland and Andrew Lehman, art work and ephemera juxtaposed to recent
photos and film shot through the
eyes of a new generation of contemporary artists, new music
& a preview of recent fashion pieces created in the inspiration of how Sara worked under the Sara Thorn Project with new prints.

Film

The film Galaxy Now, a collaboration between Thorn and Sally Tabart sets about capturing the spirit of Melbourne in the early 80’s where fashion, art & escaping into club land was a way of life, how has this changed? Part original footage with new experimental film, interviews by punters, academics and personalities, the film like the exhibition will fuse the present with the past capturing creativity, pattern and interactions with the clothing and energy. The Soundtrack will feature the music of Oscar Key Sung, and footage by Willow Darling. The film will run throughout the exhibition.

See the teaser for a preview of film.

To be involved in creating this happening, check out the rewards on our event funding page here: http://www.pozible.com/project/177693

Links

Home

http://www.facebook.com/galaxynow

http://willowdarling.com/GALAXY
Part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival – Http://www.vamff.com.au/events/culturalprogram/cultural-program-events/pop-ups/galaxy-now-a-sara-thorn-projec/

Maverick music theatre makers the Present Tense Ensemble re-imagine five legendary albums as part of The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1, a monthly residency at Ruby’s Music Room featuring:

Eternal Nightcap by The Whitlams on Wednesday 19 February at 6.30pm

with Zoy Frangos (Les Miserables) Zoe McDonald (FOMO) and Yesse Spence (Delectable Shelter)

Like a Prayer by Madonna on Wednesday 19 March at 6.30pm,

with Anna Boulic (Chants Des Catacombes) and Mark Leahy (The Twoks)

Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf on Wednesday 16 April at 6.30pm

with Amy Lehpamer (Rock of Ages / Dirty Rotten Scoundrels/ Margaret Fulton: Queen of The Dessert)

Josh Price (M+M / Menagerie) and Quyen Le (the Good China).

Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen  on Wednesday 23 July at 6.30pm

with Laura Burzacott (Chants Des Catacombes/ Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert)

and Jack Howard (Hunters & Collectors)

Tapestry by Carol King on Wednesday 27 August at 6.30pm)

with the best recent graduates of the Ballarat Arts Academy

Curated and arranged by Nate Gilkes and Bryce Ives (the unconventional theatre directors behind Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert, Chants Des Catacombes and FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out) Major Bruce will feature the hallmarks of their Present Tense ensemble: glorious vocal arrangements and impulsive live performances led by Nate Gilkes, sitting at a sensational Steinway piano.

“Most of our contemporaries are dealing with the works of Shakespeare, Beckett or Churchill. We’re more interested in Madonna, Meatloaf and Bruce Springsteen. This monthly residency gets us out of the theatre; as we jam, make music and reflect on the poetry that inherently exists in popular music,” says Bryce Ives.

“We’re excited about the intimacy offered within Ruby’s Music Room, it will give the audience the opportunity to be up close and personal with the lyrics and music of some of our greatest rock and pop artists,” says Nate Gilkes.

The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1

Ruby’s Music Room: 132 Lt. Lonsdale Street Melbourne

Tickets: $25 on the door, or $20 online

www.rubysmusicroom.com

Melbourne dancer Arna Singleton aka Robotgirl has won the opportunity to dance with Madonna at the Grand Opening of Hard Candy Fitness Toronto in Canada next week!

Hard Candy Fitness, founded by Madonna, is new to Sydney Australia and for the past month they’ve been on the search for talented dancers with great personalities to fly to Canada and dance with Madonna.

Last Friday, 31^st January was audition day. A bunch of very excited, hopeful dancers and fans rushed through their doors. Dancers were taught  the ‘Addicted To Sweat’ routine, which is Madonna’s very own class, based off her weekly workout regime and is exclusively offered at Hard Candy Fitness.  They went through in groups and finally got down to the top 20, then top 3 involving 3 rounds of dance offs!

Judges included;

– Chantel Curmi  (Currently in Beyonce‘s Film Clip and tours with Jessica Mauboy and Ricki Lee).

– Samson Smith (Part of the Justice Crew, nominated for 2 ARIA awards and recently toured with Ke$sha and Pitbull).

– Joelle Hadjia (Top 5 finalist of X-Factor, Series 5).

And our girl Arna was the lucky winner!

“I can’t believe I was chosen!  Madonna is my idol and I have been a fan since the age of 5.  This is seriously a dream come true for me and I am thrilled,” Arna said.

No overnight success story, Arna’s recent credits include head choreographer for ‘Fame – the Ultimate High School Musical’ FOX8 TV commercial, featured dancer for Jay Jay’s 3D dance in store and online campaign, choreographer to Honey Singh’s music video ‘Bring Me Back’ and a T20 Big Bash League – Melbourne Redbacks dancer. Her other appearances include; Lipton Tea 2010 nationwide TV commercial, The Footy Show Players Revue segment (Ch. 9), The Today Show (Ch. 9), The 7pm Project (Ch. 10), Good Friday Appeal Variety Concert (Ch. 7), Australia’s Got Talent (Ch. 7), Big Day Out and music video clips, Double Dutch – CC Martini and Shouldn’t Let Him Out – Polo Club.

She also represented Australia at the world class ‘Body Rock’ competition in San Diego (USA) in 2009. and is well known in the street dance community as an event organiser and advocator for the scene. Through her event work she has successfully run the hip hop extravaganza at the Arts Centre known as Our Backyard for 6 successive years, Step Off! (an urban dance crew competition) for 9 years, Push It! Hip Hop Arena at Push Over Festival for 9 years and multiple programs providing young people with free access to gain further opportunities to perform, produce music, gain skill development and professional exposure to become the next generation of hip hop artists.

Arna is off this Sunday with Hard Candy Sydney’s Lead ATS (‘Addicted To Sweat’) Instructor, Alissa Hall.and will be training and practising with winners from all over the world all day on the day prior to the red carpet event.

This is also the first time that the dance class with Madonna has been open to the public.

Pictures & footage from the auditions that can be viewed at – dancewithmadonna.com & on Hard Candy Fitness AU’s facebook page.

Check out dancewithmadonna.com & hardcandyfitness.com.au for more details.

Bendigo’s inaugural Recycled Roots Festival is thrilled to announce a fantastic lineup including  headliner Justin Johnson (USA), Jarrod Shaw, Kim Volkman and Stackhouse!

Recycled Roots Festival is a celebration of the art and ingenuity of home made and hand made instruments including recycled, recovered and repurposed items, cigar boxes, hubcaps, kitchen drawers, suitcases and more.

Jamie Mcpherson, Captain Tricko and Blind Kiwi are also on the bill and there will be builders stalls, live music, workshops, open stage, community jams and more from midday ’til late.

April 19  – Recycled Roots Revolution  – Bendigo  

March 7-10 – Port Fairy Folk Festival – VIC

http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/

More info: http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/?page_id=5284

March 21-23 – Deloraine Stringfest – TAS

https://www.facebook.com/DeloraineStringfestTasmania

April 19 – Recycled Roots Revolution  – Bendigo