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August cultural stuff

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  I have used the rather poncy title as I am expecting this to cover the usual musical matters and some other lectures and exhibitions. Piano at Melba Hall This was part of the regular Monday concert series.  It would be nice if I could give the name of the guy who gave the recital but they left it off the program, both the paper version and - as far as I can find - online.  A pity as he was rather good. The first work was Beethoven “Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110” with three movements and the second “César Franck “Prélude, Choral et Fugue, FWV 21” which despite the 3 words was played as one movement.  I found it very pleasant music to hear and being in the front row the loudness sufficient to keep me awake in the rather warm venue even though I had taken off my parka. The pianist was very energetic! At some points in the second work I was a little concerned that his hand movements were such that he was going to knock himself out.  It was also the ...
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Middle Brighton

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The catalyst for this outing was a photographic exhibition at the Bayside gallery in the suburb of Brighton, a name which resonated well with us as we lived in the 'burb of the same name in Adelaide for about 30 years (Frances) and 6 years (Martin).  It would also tick off  2 stations in the Melbourne stations project.   We began by walking to Prahran Station which we have walked past many times on our way to the local branch of the Stonnington Library.  This station was opened in 1860 under the name Greville Street.  The wikipedia entry for the station has a few interesting comments: The station connects to the #6 tram route.   There is a second entrance to the station from High St (which is where the tram runs) opened in 2015; There used to be a pedestrian tunnel under the line, replaced by pedestrian gates in 1997. A bus service from the station to Malvern Town Hall didn't last long, being open for only a year before it was shut down due to the...
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A wander North of the Yarra

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 The starting point was only just North of the Yarra!  Frances had a dental appointment in the Manchester Union Building at the intersection of Collins and Swanston Streets so I decided to fill in the time by visiting Hosier and AC/DC Lanes at little to the East.  On arriving at the lower (Flinders St) end of Hosier Lane I found evidence of men at work.  Rather than adding to the art they appeared to be resolving a plumbing situation. I don't recall having seen these works on past visits. The text on the 'notice' - which I didn't read on site - is a QR code link to the Magpie Mammogram Movement: presumably someone called Shelley has been having tests. Usually taggers avoid defacing more intellectual work and I suppose this dweet has avoided the figures; but could still use a bit of education. As always the Lane was well  replete with punters, including at least one walking tour. Crossing Russell St,my first glance at this building made me wonder if the facade ha...
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Mainly Simians

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 Having joined the Zoo we thought t was a good idea to go for a visit mid-week to avoid the hordes of  family funsters.  I commented that there would probably be a lot of school groups, which there were , but they were not a problem with teachers being well in control.   I suggested the Gorillas would be a good starting point.  Before we got to them we passed through the Ring-tailed Lemur enclosure.  This a lovely site as one is actually in the middle of the lemurs.  The tails are very tempting but there are always some staff around to offer advice. The Lemurs don't seem at all fussed by humans: this one was as close as it looks, leading to a stffer rquest to give it a bit more room. Some of their food turns up in paper bags to give them a little mental stimulation to get at it. THey seem to deal with this OK. I managed one shot of a lemur in flight. Next stop was the big blokes (and sheilas).  They also get their food in puzzle-packages and ...
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