The Occasion
The days go by, just as days go by. We cheer the imminent arrival of Spring and the prospect of fine weather to greet us, as the frenzy of the AFL/NRL football fiesta comes to a climax in Melbourne and Sydney.
Set against an historic backdrop – and with recent tragic events in Nepal (for which we are doing a victim relief fundraiser – see below), the arrival of the Hebrew year 5757, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Towers disaster, the huge success and reinvention of Homer’s Odyssey, the Neil Diamond biopic on our shores, the controversial England/Pakistan cricket series – (when will see the beloved Imran Khan again?), the oncoming state elections here and mid-terms in the USA, and so much more Middle East and Eastern European tumult – certainly an appropriate time for ordinary heroes to step forward.
Status Quo
Our four groups are certainly rising to the call with gritted teeth, huge camaraderie, steely resolve and infectious joy. We continue our development of the script and the musical score for our new musical as well as carrying on with our hugely enjoyable rehearsals. Congratulations to our youngsters /preschoolers at Aurora; to our predominantly Chinese women over in Hawthorn doing their Tongji bit; our troupe of Warriors in Elizabeth Street; and our core Sokol group at the former Czech club in North Melbourne.
Nancy & Sokol
Bravo and plaudits go to Melbourne‘s busiest choreographer, Nancy Yang. Not only is she bizi-bizi with umpteen amazing community projects, but she is script writing, directing and choreographing our (mainly ladies) Tongji group on Saturday in Hawthorn. She added further credits to her already full palette of extra extraordinary achievements by conducting the most joyful and innovative movement session with our Sokol group last Monday – with great aplomb, talent and mirth she set the movements for our Trinity of pieces Alba, Cathy Freeman, and Dad‘s. Bravo Nancy -we salute you!
Special Award and Birthday
Hieugh congratulations to our soccer member Marion for being nominated for a major musical award this week and congratulations to our youngest member Anita who turns 18 this week. Both are much loved group members, from our wonderful blind and low vision contingent who brings so much creativity and humanity to the group.
Tamil Bridge
Whilst not being fully content with a contingent of 80+ performers in our show, we are seeking to extend our band of minstrels on stage, our musical ensemble with a couple of musicians recruited from a fantastic concert I was humbled and privileged to be a part of last Saturday. This led by Karthik Kumar and celebrated the joy of Tamil music. The concert featured 15 Tamil musicians and 5 Tamil singers. I had a great honour of sitting at the grand piano and performing two medleys ‘unplugged’ , with these beautiful people. We are hopeful to augment our musical forces on stage with a tabla player and the flautist from this musical event.
Welcome Jess, Tickets, Romy
As things move rapidly forward and the expectation and tension is ratcheted up with October 25, the day of our performance, only seemingly round the corner, we welcome to the full company the Young musical supremo and Maestro Jess Newman. Ticketing and Press releases have begun in earnest and again we thank the diligence and creative IT work being led from the front by Darcy and Co. at Karen Kim‘s Hello Music.
And a huge callout to the tireless and peerless Romy Geermans, violinist extraordinaire who is in regular attendance -at all our rehearsals and brings so much joy with her wonderful playing.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, so that’s all get up and about and spread the word! Ordinary Heroes has its world premiere with two shows at 2 pm and 4 pm on Sunday, October 25th. Let’s rock the house, share the love and keep building those musical bridges. 🎵🎵🎶🎶🎵
–
Warren
