The third Urban Mesh Workhouse runs through the weekend, providing an opportunity for Melbourne’s youth to explore their creativiy with some of Melbourne’s well known artists.

This month’s Urban Mesh Workhouse is all about the “Urban Forest”. The big name stars include: Animator – Isobel Knowles, Film – Marion Singer, Performance – Ben Cittadini, Jazz Musician – Eugene Ball. Under the guidance of these experienced artists the budding local talent of the city will be encouraged to artistically express themselves in any way they know how.

Best of all, it’s free. As long as you are between the ages of 13 and 20 you can attend at no cost at all and if you can’t make this round then don’t worry, Urban Mesh Workhouse happens at the same place every month until September.

The final masterpieces evolving from the Urban Mesh Workshops will be exhibited in September as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival at the Urban Mesh Manifestation.

The Urban Mesh Workshops run at Signal, behind Flinders Street Station on Northbank.

Friday, June 3: 6pm-9pm

Saturday, June 4: 11am-4pm

Sunday, June 5: 11am-4pm

For all the details head to the Signal website.

Now I know country is not the most popular of genres in a city like Melbourne, that can sometimes be a bit too hip for its own good.  But Wagons are a true testament to Melbourne’s ability to field some of the the most unique and musically impressive bands in the world.

The truth is, country rock got a bad rap as a style only suited to elderly gentleman from Texas who spend their time rocking back and forth in a rocking chair on their balcony while they nurse their shotgun and whistle through missing teeth.  Rumble, Shake & Tumble takes all the undervalued strengths of the country genre from straightforward yet effective lyrics to simple and solid chord progressions and rhythm lines.  Some stellar guitar solos and expertly crafted mastering effects, thanks to producer Cornel Wilczeck, take the album to the next level and ensures it belongs in the here and now of the 21st century.

The clear highlight, as is the case for all of the Wagons’ five releases, is the deep, gritty vocals of Henry Wagons.  Such a round and confident tone can draw even the most stubborn listener into a song.  As long as Henry is at the front of the stage the Wagons are sure to be a must see Melbourne act.

A lot of pressure is always put on the sophmore album of a band that has had as much success with their debut as Trial Kennedy have enjoyed. Nothing adds to the stress like losing your record label, your bass player and sending your front-man off for heart surgery. But Living Undesigned sees Trial Kennedy harnessing the rougher emotions to effect a darker and harder sound.

Many die-hard fans have been waiting three years for Trial Kennedy to release their second album and many has lost all hope as the band ooked closed to ruined on several occasions.  Although Living Undesigned is not as pop and hook focused as New Manic Art, the first release from Trial Kennedy, it still delivers some catchy vocals supported by hearty and firm guitar riffs and percussion.

Tim Morrison maintains his unique and versatile vocal style and Richard Buxton’s bass fits in smoothly, albeit with a strong personal musical drive.  Despite a long dormant period Trial Kennedy is back with a strong statement and a refreshingly hard and edgy sound.

Here is the clip of the new single from Living Undesigned – Best of Tomorrow

Staples has flown Conrad all the way from the USA to tour the country and take on the Australian public.  Melbourne gets its chance on Friday, May 20, when the world champion will be at Fed Square at high noon to take on all challengers.

So start planning your killer moves, perfect your strategy and warm up those fingers to rock off like you never have before.  Word is there might be a few free staples goodies flying around too.

1st Place: Michelle AimeeOesch - King

Picture This, the annual Brunswick Street Gallery photography competition, is full of a diverse and captivating collection of images supplied by photographers throughout the city.  In its 4th year, Picture This is just one of 4 competitions, each with a $10,000 prize pool and focusing on a different medium, that the gallery runs.

Acquisition Award: Donna Stevens - Untitled 1

The competitions give everyone the opportunity to have their works displayed to the public and for amateurs to have their work sit side-by-side pieces created by some of Melbourne’s better known artists.  Previous winners of Picture This have gone on to further build on their photography careers:

2010 winner: Sean O’Carroll – was a finalist in the National Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra this year. He is currently having his first solo exhibition for 2011 at the Australian Centre for Photography (ending on April 26).

2009 Winner: Paul Philipson – Had a 2010 solo show at C3 contemporary Art space in Melbourne  - which was also reviewed in the Sunday Age in march last year.

2008 Winner: Tatjana Plitt – in 2010 exhibited at the New York Chelsea Museum of Art and at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery.

The extensive range of styles and concepts displayed in this year’s finalists exhibition of Picture This is largely due to the open-minded and forward thinking of the Brunswick Street Gallery curators.  One such curator, Tessa Yee, says,

2nd Place: Isaac Panaretos - People, John Curtain Hotel, Melbourne

“This year there was a lot of portrait photographs, which always stand out because of the emotions that the human face can portray in a simple snapshot…artists are also experimenting a lot more with conceptual subjects, and photographs are often more contrived and staged, as well as digitally enhanced. This is not a negative trend at all, and in fact, these photographs are often the most interesting because they make clever comments and references to the real world, and require an in-depth thought process from the set-up of the shot to the presentation of the final image. Perhaps these kinds of images are a reflection of photography becoming more and more emphasized as a ‘fine-art’ artistic practice.”

For all the details of the exhibition, images from some of the finalists and info on how to enter the other competitions of Brunswick Street Gallery head to their website.

Secret Wars Melbourne started with a few die hard street art fans crawling out of hidden laneways to enjoy a well-deserved beer at 1000 Pound Bend as live art was made in front of them. And then shit got serious…

The Secret Wars Grand Final was far from an underground event. In fact, the big show was completely sold out with hundreds (literally) of fans being turned away at the door. Scale and Ken Taylor lived up to the hype and produced some of the best work of the competition, showing why Melbourne deservedly holds a reputation for having some of the best and most innovative street art, and indeed street artists, in the world.

With the venue packed out to capacity, the bar overrun with demand and an electric atmosphere, there was more noise and crowd enthusiasm at the Grand Final than in any previous match. Ken opened by writing the line “What’s wrong with this picture?” and the stage was set. The regular calls for crowd approval saw the people’s choice – through the people’s voice – swing from artist to artist throughout the night.

Ultimately, with both artists clearly extremely skilled, the match would come down to the concept. Ken Taylor produced a giant alien fly, zapping his opponent to oblivion. Scale invoked Street Fighter in his street art and showed Ryu KO’ing Ken (Taylor) with a classic “ha-dou-ken” fireball.

Scale’s video game throw back earnt him the favour of both judges as well as the crowd’s vocal vote, albeit by the skin of his teeth, crowning him the winner of the inaugural Secret Wars Melbourne.

With the success of the first Secret Wars Melbourne competition there is no doubt that repeat events aren’t too far around the corner.  And it looks like from now on tickets are going to be too hot to handle.

All photography copyright Olivia Blackburn Photography.

Everything you would expect from a world class comedy headliner.  Musical harmonica gags, chastisement of Mother Nature, a literal view of the ‘bucket list’ and a violent aversion towards Neapolitan ice-cream.  Arj Barker’s Eleven is sure to be a highlight of this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Once stand-up routines start to extend longer than a ten minute spot, the jokes and scripted lines become less important than the presence and personality of the comic themselves.  All the greatest comedians are as well known for their appearance and demeanour as their favourite jokes.  What Arj proves on this tour, if nothing else, is that he has truly established his persona and position as one of the world’s best and most famous present day comics.

You might think that gags over Aussie ‘mateship’ and general recreational drug-use have been a little over used by touring comics in the last decade, but Arj is just such a loveable, stoically American easy-goer that you flat out believe every emotion he goes through on stage. I was completely drawn into the somewhat unorthodox mind and world of a stand-up comic.

If you liked Arj on one of the countless panel shows that jump on and off the television or in his accurate characterisation of himself in Flight of the Conchords, you won’t be disappointed by his live show.  It’s certainly not the cheapest in the MICF program but it is well worth the money for any real fans.  Get in quick too, if anyone is going to sell out this year it will be this guy.

For more information head to the MICF website.

For more Laneway MICF reviews click here.

Almost 400 comedians have made their way to Melbourne to be a part of the festival and thousands of audience members have already secured their tickets.  Suffice to say the list of shows is enormous.  Don’t waste your time critiquing every promo clip and studying every bio because Laneway has done all the work for you.  We are hitting up all our top picks as early as we can so we can tell you exactly what to expect, what to see and what to avoid.

Watch this space for a constantly updated guide that will make sure you get the most laugh for your buck.

Reviews:

The Hayloft Project – Delectable Shelter

The comedy festival isn’t all about one man shows and stand up. In fact full productions which highlight the art of stagecraft and expert acting can be even more amusing than 90 minute of dirty jokes and shouting.  Read More…

Dash & D’Bree – Take It

The sassy, bogan, celebrity wannabes ooze colourful energy throughout their dynamic, well thought out video appearances and my hopes for the live show were equally frenetic.  Read More…

Charlie Pickering – Rodeo, Burqa, Circumcision

I had this comedian labelled as one of the least funny, more serious types – I’ll happily eat my judgement wielding, stereotype hampering words though, because ‘Rodeo, Burqa, Circumcision’ is a show delivered with a heck of a lot of natural humour. Read More…

Arj Barker – Eleven

Everything you would expect from a world class comedy headliner.  Musical harmonica gags, chastisement of Mother Nature, a literal view of the ‘bucket list’ and a violent aversion towards Neapolitan ice-cream. Read More…

The Comedy Zone

The show takes place in the decaying Old Council Chambers, with plaster and paint peeling from the walls. However, once the show is underway, it’s quick to forget about the slightly odd setting for this performance. Read more…

Simon Brodie – Fitzroyalty: The Guide to Building a Bridge

I went along to Fitzroyalty thinking it was the dude who writes the wonderful Fitzroyalty blog. I was wrong. And Simon Brodie made sure everyone knew he wasn’t the blogger and that the blogger didn’t own the word Fitzroyalty. My mistake. Read more…

Eddie Perfect – Misanthropology

Eddie Perfect is ridiculously intelligent, massively ballsy and absolutely hilarious. He’s one of those performers who have that wonderfully real sense of what entertainment is about. Read more…

Michael Chamberlin – Things I Haven’t Done

Things I Haven’t Done is occasionally dark, but by taking comedy to its borders, Chamberlin could be crowned this year’s fringe king. Read More…

Kitty Flanagan – Charming and Alarming

There’s nothing really new about Kitty Flanagan’s 2010 show Charming and Alarming, which is back for a handful of performances this year, because there needn’t be. Read More…

Die Roten Punkte – Kunst Rock

Musical comedy has had a surge of success over the past few years. So, it is little surprise to see that Die Roten Punkte’s faux-German take on the ever so eccentric Jack and Meg White has packed out The Hi-Fi. Read More…

Andrew Maxwell

I’m not sure if it was the cross between Steven Fry and Chris Lily looks that won me over or his call for any woman in the audience who has never licked a set of balls to stand up. Read More…

Marc Maron

Marc adheres to a style of self loathing, lonely melancholy comedy that may not have you jumping out of your seat with laughter but is entertaining nevertheless. His style may not be to everyone’s taste, but he’s worth the money. Read More…

“The range of genres that we tackle is pretty unique.  A combination of folk, acoustic, roots, world and indigenous music… shows that don’t get a lot of big exposure or promotion, being a long way from pop music or what is played on commercial radio.  We are kind of out on our own if you like.”

Nano Stern

The Brunswick Music Festival, running from March 16 to March 27, is a festival with a difference.  Melbourne is the ideal setting for an event that caters to a very specific set of listeners but offers some world class performances for those who are willing to step out of the streamlined commercial straightjacket that mainstream radio and television has become.

Festival director John McAuslan has grown with the festival, “I was involved in it from the very beginning, not in any kind of organisational way but as a musician. I played first in ’89, and then I got involved as a volunteer. I wasn’t engaged with the music festival as a director until about ’96.”

Much like the festival director, the fans and patrons of the Brunswick Music Festival are long time lovers of the genres the festival supports.  International, award winning superstars share the stage with local and upcoming talents.  This broad spectrum is bound to bring out some favourites, even in the festival director.

“I love all the artists on the program.  Particularly, Tim O’Brian, who’s an American multi-instrumentalist.  He’s somebody who’s been around for many years, he’s been nominated for Grammy’s and he’s actually won a Grammy way back when.  He’s just one of these talented guys who can play anything and has this lovely sort of understated way of singing.”

Frank Yamma

For newcomers, Brunswick Music Festival is all about experiencing music that we are rarely exposed to, even in a relatively multicultural city such as Melbourne.  International music has a chance to be promoted and showcased in a way that only a festival can offer.

“A band form Chile, Nano Stern band, is another really interesting band.  A kind of Latin/Folk with a real contemporary edge.  Tony McManus is a Scot who lives in Canada now; he’s regarded as probably the best Celtic acoustic guitar player in the world.  And Martin Simpson’s an English acoustic player, very highly rated in the guitar world.”

You may not recognise all the names on the Brunswick Music Festival bill so the best way to choose your poison is to trawl through the program online and pick out a show or two that speaks to you.  Don’t be fooled by a seeming lack of fame, many of the artists are well known in smaller circles and tickets can certainly sell out.

For the program, dates and more info check out the Brunswick Music Festival website.

The Spiegel Tent allows the thrills and theatrics of the circus arts to occupy a setting that encapsulates the exotic and erotic. Cantina capitalises on this atmosphere and offers a stunning show of physical feats, performed by a troop with just enough character and personality to keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Cantina, the circus-cabaret, was produced by Strut & Fret Productions, a company dedicated to ‘catch-your-breath’ style events, performers and venues. I can certainly vouch for a lot of gasping and cringing as the members of Cantina Company threw themselves across the tiny central stage. Catapulting summersaults, walking on broken glass, tightrope theatrics, high-up head-spinning and contortionist crafts were all on display in a night that ran smoothly from start to finish.

The crowd was packed in very tightly, sold out shows in Brisbane as well as the general popularity of the Spiegel Tent ensured a hefty turnout. My only disappointments were a bit of a delay in the starting time while everyone was squished into their seats and a very unfortunately placed pillar that blocked my view of some of the acts performed on a platform separate to the main stage. This even blocked out the only occurrence of full-frontal male nudity of the show!

Overall, Cantina is a well rehearsed, well produced and extremely well performed production that is very deserving of its rave reviews and large audiences. If you want to see Cantina I strongly advise you book your tickets ASAP as this is an event that will surely sell out.

For more details visit the Spiegel website.

Check out the clip below for a sneak-peak of what Cantina has to offer: