Emily Cat 176

and what a great present it was.  For 3 years The Melbourne Arts Centre was closed for renovations. 3 years of restricted productions for The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia. 3 long years. Well, it opened again in October and The Australian Ballet were back in there as soon as they could.  My early Christmas present was a ticket to The Nutcracker, my favourite ballet, and we saw in the newly renovated Melbourne Arts Centre. It is so good to have it back.  The production was wonderful. I think Tchaikovsky was a musical genius. I love his music and his ballets. The Nutcracker is the 3rd, and last, ballet that he wrote. Melbourne Orchestra played on Saturday and that music with that wonderful dancing all in our own wonderful Arts Centre. It was such a good performance and a wonderful present from my best friend who l have known since we were in kindergarten. We found somewhere new to have lunch and then saw this show. All in all a wonderful day. The theatre was full an...

Join the club and share what you have been reading.  Today l'm talking about what a read in the month of October. I've read some and dipped in and out books all through the month. My reading is, of course, audiobooks. I get them through 2 library apps (which are free if you are a library member) and Audible. Please join my book club.

What a show  Do you like ballet? I do and have recently seen The Stuttgart Ballet dance The Sleeping Beauty.  This was done in collaboration with Australian Ballet and this is the last time that The Australian Ballet dances at the Regency Theatre. Our new Arts Centre is now open and l can't wait to see it. Watch the video as l have included photos of the Theatre and the wonderful costumes of the dancers. It was such a good show. This is the 2nd ballet that Tchaikovsky wrote. The dancing was good, the costumes so colourful. And, we found a new place to have lunch beforehand. This was the 1st time l've seen The Stuttgart Ballet dance and would love to see them dance again. A really good day.

I saw someone reading a book on a bus  I can't read on any moving transport as it makes me feel sick. I quite often see people reading on buses and trains, but, not me. That's another reason why l listen to audiobooks. As l was looking at the book the title interested me. Strike the Zither was that title. So that got me investigating the book and author. Joan He is an American author from Chinese descent. I'm still looking for the next book to read and l've made my decision.  Descendant of the Crane is the first book by Joan He and that is what l am going to read. Her work is described as Chinese inspired fantasy. Have any of you read any books by Joan He? Leave me a comment if you know this author.

I saw a good show  Frankston Arts Centre is one of the Suburban Arts Centres here in Melbourne.   Like the other Suburban Centres they put on a series of shows they call Morning Melodies. Unlike the other Centres Frankston Arts Centre has an eating area in the Centre. This means that with this program there are always two shows: one at 10.30am and then at 1.30pm. The other Centres only have one performance.  Whenever l go to Frankston Arts Centre l think one day l will actually book to have lunch there before l see a show as l like the 1.30pm performances. I haven't done that yet. So what did l see? The Syncopators. They are a seven piece jazz band and they are so good. I have seen them before and they never disappoint. This performance included songs from the 1920's and 1930's. I love that early jazz. If you would like to hear them there have been some recordings done at Bird's Basement here in Melbourne. Bird's is a jazz club in the CBD. I've been there and it...

I finished 2 books this week.  So now l nothing to read. I'm checking my library apps and nothing looks interesting. Yesterday l had to travel home without anything to listen to. I was not happy. Crime and History is what l read so, if you know of a good book to read let me know.