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Published: Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:00

Written by Greg Letts

Why did they do it? is the question that people ask when discussing the latest of America's all too frequent mass shootings. In a country where the disaffected and mentally unstable have easy access to firearms, is it any surprise that some will aim their sights higher than the common public and instead target the leader of the country?

Who were they? is another common query. Stephen Sondheim's 1991 creation, Assassins, showcases the lives and explores the motives of the USA's successful and failed presidential killers. It is a disturbing juxtaposition considering that modern day America is trending towards suppressing the names of mass shooters to deny them any perceived fame or glory, erasing them from history.

Instead, in Assassins we are treated to 100 minutes of song and dance as the assassins claim that their names will be permanently etched in the American psyche. Perhaps so, but Assassins is far from a celebration of this group, exposing the grudges, derangements and self-serving excuses that led to their tragic actions. Who can say which approach is better?

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Published: Sunday, 17 June 2018 11:02

Written by Greg Letts

Having seen my share of Bond movies over the years (Daniel Craig is quite good, but Sean Connery is still THE Bond in my book), I was looking forward to heading to The Ellington Jazz Club to watch Charlie D. Barkle and Erin Hutchison put their own spin on 007 with their production of Shaken: A James Bond Cabaret.

My partner and I were already familiar with Erin from her time in What Doesn't Kill You [blah blah] Stronger at the Perth Fringe Festival, so we came in expecting to be treated to an evening of sharp wit and fabulous singing, and we were not disappointed.

Billed as a competition between all seven James Bond actors, Shaken is the brainchild of Charlie D. Barkle, and combines trivia, humour, a bit of sketch comedy and of course the theme songs from all your favourite Bond movies.

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Published: Friday, 15 June 2018 07:03

Written by Nita Teoh

From the Director of A Fantastic Woman and Gloria, Sebastián Lelio does it again with his latest movie Disobedience.

In a similar vein to his other movies, he explores the themes of love and sexuality from a woman’s perspective, and instead of Santiago as the locale, the movie Disobedience is set within the orthodox Jewish community of London.

Estranged from her family, New Yorker Roni (Rachel Weisz) returns back home after a long absence to pay respects to her rabbi father who has recently died.

In dealing with her loss, she encounters friends from her past including Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) her father’s proposed successor as the new rabbi, and childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams) who to her surprise is married to Dovid. Her past is reignited when a passionate romance develops with Esti.

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Published: Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:32

Written by Nita Teoh

Cabaret lovers in search of some sizzling hot entertainment will be heading to The Ellington Jazz Club on Beaufort St to get their fix at the Ellington Burlesque and Cabaret Weekend.

The event will run from the 15th to 17th June 2018 and is shaping up to be a fun filled weekend featuring performances by the dynamic duo from The Great Debacle – none other than Carletta the Great and Charlie D Barkle. This time round they will be performing Tease Mania – a creation that has been inspired by Carletta’s time in the US where she spent time at historic music venues and fell in love with the era of the wild 60’s go go scene in Los Angeles.

WA Academy of Performing Arts alumni Charlie D Barkle will also be in action as 007 starring alongside local singer and actress Erin Hutchinson in the James Bond classic “Shaken”.

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Published: Saturday, 30 June 2018 09:31

Written by admin2

King Street Corner Pocket is shaping up to be Perth’s newest and hottest destination this Winter.

Choose you own adventure with over 40 shows, boasting 38 acts at 5 venues in a 3-night celebration of Perth jazz.

Venues in the King Street precinct include His Majesty’s Theatre, Kailis Jewellery, The Intercontinental Hotel, and The Sewing Room.

The Dress Circle Bar, situated corner King and Hay Streets on the first floor of the historic His Majesty’s Theatre, is a plush, licensed venue and one of your destinations for eclectic jazz in July.

Innovative and diverse jazz sounds, from multi-award winning musicians and rising stars of Perth’s jazz scene, will be presented in 30-40 minute sets by the Laura J Quartet, Will Chiew Quintet, WAAPA Jazz - Thom Freeman Quintet, Axolotl, Chris Musitano Quintet, Atlas State, Riffz 2000, Max Wickham Quintet and MFG.

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Published: Saturday, 02 June 2018 07:58

Written by Nita Teoh

What’s on in Perth over this WA Day long weekend?

It's here again - so get your walking shoes on and join a Jane’s Walk.

Inspired by Jane Jacobs, it is a free citizen led walking event that is held around the same time each year in over 190 countries around the world.

Jane Jacobs was a famous urban activist whose book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” challenged traditional urban planners of its time, and highlighted the key concepts of social capital, mixed primary uses, and “eyes on the street” in creating liveable cities.

As Jacobs remarked at the time:

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

This year, there will be 3 awesome citizen led Jane’s Walks around Perth – Northbridge, Victoria Park and Fremantle.

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