Barflys at the Brunswick

When I was young, the Brunswick Hotel was the type of bar that mum warned me never to go in.  It was dark and dingy and there was always a couple of wizened alcohol soaked barflys propping up the bar.  There would be one bloke who was know as  Boggs or Sparra or Froggy or Ferret or some other such name, though noone quite knew where this name came from or even what his actual name was. He had his own stool at the end of the bar from whence he would moan about how young folk today have it so easy and how terrible it was that they  they sit on the one drink all afternoon whilst in the meantime he would put away innumerable 6 ounce beers or cans of Cascade Blue. 

Recently, though, the Brunswick has been upgraded and become a more modern affair, a favourite of the after work crowd but still maintaining its down to earth character through sandstone walls and a heavy stream of backpackers making their way to their lodgings upstairs.  The Blonde and I thought that we would have a quiet Australia Day Eve bevvy and catch a few tunes.  Jon Warwarek was due to play and we thought that he might be worth checking out.

The Blonde and I were reminiscing about some of the old Hobart pub, Hope and Anchor, the Crest, Red Lion, and of course The Doghouse and musing how these type of bars don't really seem to exist anymore.  I wondered aloud about where the old barflys go to drink these day.  The Blonde pointed out that we may now be the old codgers in the divey bar that you parents warn you about.  Probably best not to think too much about it.  Fortunately, Jon Warwarek started his first set and our minds were set to other things.



If you start your set with Otis Redding's Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, things are looking pretty good.  Jon also did a great version of Paul Kelly's Dumb Things. Dark and bluesy as the composer intended.  The Blonde's favourite was an Oasis song of which I was not familiar.  In response to my lack of recognition, and much to my amusement, The Blonde nonchalantly stated "It was a B side." These 5 little words served to remind me how old we are, I doubt whether too many other of the bright young things in the bar even knew what a B side was.  Maybe we really are a couple of old barflys.

Bonamy Cider is on tap at the Brunswick so I thought that I would give it a try. It is clear and fresh but really just your standard cider. It's nothing special, nothing terrible. It lacks the appley depth and character of a real top quality cider but quite refreshing on a hot day.  I guess that it is hard to match up to my favourite, Willie Smith cider.

From Bonamy's website

Bonamy's was developed by winemaker Simon Henderson, using a blend incorporating local and seasonal fruit.  The use of whole pressed Tasmanian Apples and white wine yeast results in a mild, dry bite on the palate which rounds out the fullness and provide a beautiful balanced cider.

Hope & JJ Cale

On the eve of the Trump inauguration I sat in Franklin Square in Hobart on a drizzly but warmish Friday evening.  It had been a long week of work and an afternoon of soul sapping meetings.  I was eating satay from the Thai Street Cafe food van and drinking Charles Oates Apple Spirit distilled from Willie Smith's cider listening to duo Halfway to Forth.  That day in Melbourne five people were killed by some lunatic in a car hellbent on destruction and it seemed easier to give up hope that we could ever live in a world full of joy.   But tonight listening to the rootsy "Halfway to Forth" and consuming good food and drink, a man smiled at me as he walked past and a little girl danced on the stairs.   When people got up to dance to a song which featured a kazoo solo I knew that there were places where the hope for something new, something simple, something wonderful still thrived. There's nothing like a little JJ Cale to bring you back.

If you get the opportunity to hear Halfway to Forth then make the effort.  I bought their CD and it is fantastic.  I recommend to anyone who likes simple bluesy folk music that you go to their website and purchase it.

From Halfway to Forth website

Halfway to Forth are brother Dan & Kyle Lizotte.  Their music is honest and rootsy, with folk, country and blues shades.  These boys attend both schools, Old and New, and stick to writing what they know.  You'll hear more than a little foot stompin', banjo pluckin' and bottle neck slidin'.

 

I drank the Charles Oates Apple Spirit in a cocktail with freshly pressed new season granny smith and bitter toffee.  It was marvellous.  The apple juice was pressed while I waited and the cocktail was perfect for the occasion.

From Charles Oates Distillery Facebook page

Charles Oates was a contradiction, a convict turned respected business man and upstanding member of the community.  Perhaps most of all he is best remember for his pioneering nature and it is in ode to this we have made a Tasmanian version of the amazing French beverage of Calvados

Distilling Willie Smith's cider with our Tasmanian built Charentais alembic still that is still used today to produce Calvados in Normandy.  The sill was first developed in the early 16th Century in the Cognac region of France.

This weekend just gone I also had the opportunity to consume a Pagan Cherry Cider.  It was rather nice, somewhat like a beefed up blackcurrant juice.  Highly recommended.  It was great with my scotch fillet with pepper sauce.

From Pagan Cider website

Uniquely Tasmanian, our Cerise is a purely Pagan innovation: a bewitching blend of rich dark cherry juice (from plump cherries grown in the orchard beside the cellar door) and dry apple cider.

A lush blend of 40% cherry juice and 60% dry apple cider, with a spicy perfumed nose and claret/burgundy hues.  The palate hums with dark cherries and plums with rich Christmas fruit cake notes.

Sunday Sesh...

Sunday Sesh (session) - The act of getting together on a Sunday to socialise and drink likely large amounts of alcohol.

This seems to be right up my alley.

My selection for last Sunday was the Food Truck Market at Red Square at the Hobart Brewing Company site at Macquarie Point.  The brewery is situated in a large shed excellent range of local beer, cider and spirits and a collection of Hobart's best food trucks and local producers providing quality food and produce are situated in a square outside.  Available is an assortment of street snacks such as loaded fries, flammkuchen (German pizza), kimchi and icecream.  The square is full of old pallets for seats.  With plenty of safe places for young kids to run around.

In the main, patrons seem to be those in their late 20s and early 30s, mostly with young families, who haven't quite given up on their misspent youth.  The typical conversation to be heard went something like this, "I went to a Sunday sesh with Bae and it was totes awks when he tried to take a selfie".   WTF?   Excuse my grumpy old women moment but is there any reason why the new fashion in speaking is to not finish your words?

I procured a basic steak sandwich for $6 which was quite tasty.  To wash it down I thought that I would give the Harbour Master Tasmanian Ale a try.  The excellent staff let me know that it was a golden ale with a strong malt influence.  And malty it was - quite tasty.  It was pretty good with the steak and onion.

The best part of the day was the entertainment - Billy Whitton and the Swingin' Hepcats featuring Jamie Taylor.  Very smooth blues, jazz and a bit of funk.  Jamie Taylor is a brilliant singer.  She usually sings with her own group Lazer Baby.  I am looking forward to hearing them in a couple of weeks at the End of the Earth Music Festival at Lake Pedder.

I hope to be back at the brewery to try a few of their other brews.  I will probably give their Friday night events a go they seem to be more my style.  I don't think the Sunday Sesh for me but just to be sure though I think that I might give it a second chance.



From Hobart Brewing Company website
Harbour Master is a uniquely Tasmanian Ale that blends three distinct hop varieties grown right here in the Derwent Valley.  This copper ale is tightly balanced and highly sessionable.
Brewer's comments:  "With this beer we wanted to showcase some of Tassie's finest hops.  While there are now many great examples of American pales, as well as English, German and Belgian-style beers, there hasn't been a distinct Tasmanian style.  We created Harbour Master as a beer that we imagined to be a distinctive Tasmanian Ale.

Dazza's Moonshine

Last weekend I journeyed to Bruny Island.  I spent the weekend with one of my best buddies, Tezza, and her husband, Dazza, and their two kids.  Tezza and I go way back.  We flatted together whilst at Uni and have had many adventures (and misadventures) together.  We have sworn each other to secrecy on any story that includes portaloos, divvy vans, bar pickup strategy or cocktails with more that one straw!!!  Needless to say that we are old time drinking buddies.

A slumber party with Tezza and Dazza requires a special drink so, in preparation, I took myself down to Brooke Street Pier in Hobart to visit the McHenry Distillery outlet.  The trickiest part was trying to decide which of their wonderful products to select.  The lovely man let me try their new Summer Gin.  It was goood.  A bit full-on to be drinking straight but would go brilliantly with ginger ale and lemon grass or lots of ice and some soda water.  I finally selected the McHenry Navy Strength Gin as my weekend drink of choice - go hard or go home I say.

From McHenry Distillery Facebook Page

Travelling to Tezza and Dazza's Apollo Bay property confirmed to me that we really do live in the best place in the whole wide world.  Tasmania is so beautiful and it is easy, as a local, to forget how special it is.  Bruny Island is the nature-loving gourmand's delight - sand, surf, farmland, bush, sand dunes, plenty of local fauna and flora then there is a distillery, a chocolate maker, cheese maker, winery and the list of goodies goes on.  But for me, on this trip, the best thing was good times with good friends.

We tried the Navy Strength Gin straight - wow enough to knock your socks off.  Then we made martinis - stirred not shaken.  Shaken is for wimps who like their drinks watered down by ice chips, Mr Bond.  Again it really packed a punch or more likely this was my dodgy martini making.  It was perfectly lovely, however, with some tonic and lemon juice.  I reckon that it would have been even better with some sugar syrup.  New cocktail* - Tom Collins meets McHenry Navy Strength Gin.....  Captain Tom Collins!  We were staring to get a little silly.

"Would you like to try my Cranberry Vodka?" says Dazza.

Now I have been asked many silly and redundant questions in my time but I can only assume that Dazza's judgement was impaired by all the gin.  Of course I bloody want to taste your vodka.  It was great too.  If he ever starts up a legal distillery then this delightful spirit will be a permanent inclusion in my home bar.

The next evening after a day of snorkelling and relaxing we went to the Bruny Hotel, colloquially known as the Alonnah Pub, for a meal. The customer service was high quality and extra friendly - getting a drink was a little slow but that was because the staff took the time to talk to each customer as if they were a friend - decent food and a place for kids to play.  The only thing lacking was a singer/guitar player in the corner to make this a top-notch venue.  I took the opportunity to try the Bruny Island Cider.  It was pretty good - nice and light but, for me, lacked the full-bodied appleness of Willie Smith.

Due to illness I was unable to get to the Cygnet Folk Festival to check out a few more acts but with MONA FOMA on the horizon. I have a few activities lined up for the next week or so.  Watch this space.

From BIC Facebook site
Bruny Island Cider is vintaged exclusively from bio-dynamic apples grown in Australia's southern-most orchard, fermented and aged for 12 months in barrel.

From McHenry Distillery Website
McHenry Distillery is Australia's southern-most whisky distillery and with its family heritage makes it the southernmost family run distillery in the world.  Its southern location takes advantage of the cool-moist-maritime environment, giving the maturing spirit the right conditions to make the most of its time in the wooden barrels.  The property also has its own abundant pure spring water which becomes the heart of the developing spirit.

Captain Tom Collins Recipe

• 3 parts McHenry Navy Strength Gin
• 2 parts lemon juice
• 1 part sugar syrup
• 6 parts soda water

Every Hero Needs a Loyal Sidekick

When I was a kid my favourite books were the adventures of girl detective, Trixie Belden.  Beatrix "Trixie" Belden was a brave, adventurous and impulsive girl who spent her days solving mysteries. Her faithful sidekick, Madeleine G. "Honey" Wheeler, was sweet, tactful, intelligent, athletic and beautiful.  I, of course, always identified with Trixie.   But who, in my quest for arts patronage, will be my Honey?

In fiction, sidekicks serve a range of purposes; an alternate point of view, complementary skills and/or knowledge to the hero, comic relief or the straight man.  It is usually someone the audience can relate to more readily than the distant hero (Holmes & Watson).  The Sidekick often keeps the hero from harm whilst, on the other hand, exposing them thoroughly to the audience (Kirk & Spock). At first look the Sidekick can often seem to be the bumbling fool in comparison to the sophisticated hero only to reveal that it is indeed the hero who is the idiot (Wallace & Gromit).  The Sidekick is unfailingly loyal and is usually the more likeable character than the hero (Blackadder & Baldrick). The side kick is the confidante and often the conscience of the hero.

So who is Honey to my Trixie, Samwise to my Frodo, Penny to my Inspector Gadget, Agent 99 to my Maxwell Smart - who else but The Blonde.

The Blonde and I have been friends since before we were teenagers when we met at school.  I had recently moved into the district and was asked by the enrolling teacher did I know anyone and was there a particular class that I would like to be in?  I knew no-one and the teacher decided that he would put me in the same class as his daughter - good decision TP.  The Blonde and I have been friends ever since.  There have of course been years that have gone by without us seeing each other as we forged our way in the world but recently we have spent many a night in a dark bar pretending that we are young again and dancing like lunatics until the early hours.

The Blonde is funny, loyal and smart.  She is very attractive, somewhat quirky and socially brave - I know no one else can wear crocs and socks and get away with it.  These traits are a great asset for meeting new people when hanging out at live music venues (bars).  She never takes herself too seriously and loves a quiet drink and a laugh.  The perfect Sidekick!

Tally Room

Live Arts Events

1. Patron Saints - Duke of Wellington Hotel
2. Sneans Guy - Republic
3. Diamond Duck - The Homestead
4. Billy Whitton and the Swingin' Hepcats - Hobart Brewing Company
5. Halfway to Forth - Street Eats @ Franko
6. Jon Warwarek - The Brunswick Hotel
7. Mumbo Gumbo - Street Eats @ Franko
8. Bridget Pross - Republic
9. Billy Whitton and the Swingin' Hepcats - End of the Earth Music Festival
10. Pete Cornelius Band - EOTEMF
11. Skate Wounds - EOTEMF
12. Ben Salter - EOTEMF
13. The Mornings - EOTEMF
14. MT Blues - EOTEMF
15. Annia Baron - EOTEMF
16. Allan Gogoll - EOTEMF
17. Stu Harcourt - EOTEMF
18. Michael and Karly - EOTEMF
19. Tim and Scott - EOTEMF
20. Seth Henderson - EOTEMF
21. Lazer Baby - EOTEMF
22. EWAH and the Vision of Paradise - EOTEMF
23. Jethro Pickett - EOTEMF
24. Jed Appleton Band - EOTEMF
25. Guthrie - EOTEMF
26. Belle Miners - Republic
27. Tim and Scott - Republic
28. True Grit out of Tamworth - Spring Bay Hotel
29. Shakespeare in the Gardens - Merry Wives of Windsor - RTBG
30. Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart - PFFF
31. Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission - PFFF
32. The Wilson Pickers - PFFF
33. Vince Jones Astral Weeks - PFFF
34. Lior - PFFF
35. Don Walker - PFFF
36. Jemma and the Clifton Hillbillies - PFFF
37. Paul Kelly - PFFF
38. Kutcher Edwards - PFFF
39. Melody Pool - PFFF
40. The Dead Maggies - PFFF
41. "These are the Days" - Mick Thomas - Book Launch - PFFF
42. Cooper Lower - The Stump
43. Jimi Hocking - Big Sunday Singout - PFFF
44. Marlon Williams - PFFF
45. The Waifs - PFFF
46. 8 Foot Felix - PFFF
47. Bazzookas - PFFF
48. Yirrmal - PFFF
49. Folk Uke & Dog Trumpet - PFFF
50. Ange Boxall Trio - Wrest Point Casino
51. Icehouse - Wrest Point Casino
52. Catch Club - Onyx Bar
53. Ben Salter & Sime Nugent - Neika
54. Emma - Warm up for Waifs - The Odeon
55. The Waifs - The Odeon
56. The Wilson Pickers - The Spiegeltent
57. Lior - Spiegeltent
58. Legally Blinde - Grape
59. Tennyson King - MONA
60. Yirrmal - MONA
61. Andrew Marshall - MONA
62. The Singles Bar -Wrest Point Casino
63. Matt Edmonds - Wrest Point Casino
64. Lonely Bay - Willie Smith's Apple Shed
65. Yirrmal - Willie Smith's Apple Shed
66. Young Hurricanes - Republic
67. Maddy Jane - Republic
68. Polish Club - Republic
69. Hannah May - Republic
70. Daniel Champagne - Republic
71. The Pointy End of Something Different - Brisbane Hotel
72. Pandemonium featuring Mick Thomas and Ayleen O'Hanlon - Old Hobart Gaol
73. Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission - The Grand Poobah
74. Boil Up - Republic
75. Ben Salter - T-Bone Brewery
76. The Stragglers - Willie Smith's Apple Shed
77. The Dominic Francis Grief Ensemble - Willie Smith Apple Shed
78. Buried Country - Dark Mofo - The Odeon
79. Dewayne Everettsmith - Dark Mofo Midwinter Feast - Princes Wharf 1
80. Indigenous Trio - DMMWF - PW1
81. Busker - Hunter Street
82. Ancient Rain, Paul Kelly - Dark Mofo - Federation Concert Hall
83. O Reely - DMMWF - PW1
84. Crooked Fiddle Band - DMMWF - PW1
85. The Shenzo Gregorio Trio - DMMWF - PW1
86. Django's Tiger - DMMWF - PW1
87. Punk Band - Brisbane Hotel
88. Nowyourefucked - The Brissy
89. Cashman - The Brissy
90. Night Birds - The Brissy
91. Clowns - The Brissy
92. Cigany Weaver - DMMWF - PW1
93. The Stragglers - The Homestead
94. Fox 'n' Firkin - The Homestead
95. The Dead Maggies - The Homestead
96. Ben Salter - T-Bone Brewery
97. The Ramshackle Army - Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest
98. The Dead Maggies - HVMF - Willie Smiths Apple Shed.
99. Wassail and Fire Dancers - HVMF
100. The Scrims - HVMF
101. The Rants - The Republic
102. Jegaan Singh Faye - The Modern, Honolulu
103. Mike Piranha - The Modern, Honolulu
104. Jeremy Cheng - The Modern, Honolulu
105. Hawaiian Cruise Island Entertainment
106. James Blunt - Las Vegas
107. Ed Sheeran - Las Vegas
108. The Who - Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
109. Jazz (Pascuale Grasso and Mr Clarence) - Django, The Roxy, New York
110. Jazz (Claffy, Dave and Rodney) - Django, The Roxy, New York
111. Jazz Jam - Django, The Roxy, New York
112. King Lear - Shakespeare's Globe, London
113. Busker - Leicester Square, London
114. Rolling Drones - Crieff Highland Gathering
115. Japan Ground Self-Defence Band - CHG
116. Various Scottish Pipe and Drum Bands - CHG
117. Dave Peterson- Black Watch Cruise
118. Sam Harris - BWC
119. Jack - BWC
120. Alice - BWC
121. Ralph - BWC
122. Greenlandic Folk Music - Tasiilaq
123. Jack - BWC
124. Staple Hill Duo - BWC
125. King of String, Andy Eastwood - BWC
126. Classical Concert - BWC
127. Fiona Hanlon - Lakeview Inn, Ambleside
128. Rikette Genesis - Gladstone Arms, London
129. Boudicca - Shakespeare's Globe, London
130. Dambro - The Scottish Pub, Copenhagen
131. Callum - The Scottish Pub, Copenhagen
132. Gubbrora Blues Band, Stampen, Stockholm
133. Jam Band, Boot Hill Bar, Helsinki
134. Young Band, Boot Hill Bar, Helsinki
135. Croon
136. 120Y - The Republic
137. The Singles Bar - Prince of Wales Hotel
138. Fox 'n' Firkin - Irish Murphy's
139. Tarik Stoneman - TBone Brewery
140. Tim Rozemulder with Jarrod Hunter - TBone Brewery
141. Moonlight Cabaret - The Sepulchre
142. Patron Saints - The Sepulchre
143. Bootleg Gin Sluggers
144. Hobart Funk Collective - The Homestead
145. Chris Wilson - The Republic
146. Chupacabra - The Winston
147. Letters from Earth - Brookfield House
148. Presidential Suite - Cascade Gardens
149. Jezabels - Derwent Entertainment Centre
150. Midnight Oil - Derwent Entertainment Centre
151. Van Walker - Willie Smith Apple Shed
152. Tristan Bird - Willie Smith Apple Shed
153. Singles Bar - Orford Bowls Club
154. Montz Matsumoto - Republic
155. A. Swayze and the Ghosts - Brisbane Hotel
156. The Stems - The Brisbane Hotel
157. Clover Hitch - Willie Smith Apple Shed
158. Incorrigible Optimist Gareth Evans Book Launch - Fullers Book Shop
159. Chris Coleman - TBone Brewery
160. Chupacabra - The Homestead
161. The Dead Maggies - The Homestead
162. The Mouldy Lovers - The Homestead
163. All The Weathers - MONA
164. David Blumberg and the Maraby Band - MONA
165. Ben Salter & Band - MONA
166. The Dead Maggies - Republic
167. Glen Matlock - Republic
168. Dallas Crane - Wrest Point Casino
169. Cold Chisel - Wrest Point Casino
170. CC Thornley and Alexander Frank - Homestead
171. Lloyd Spiegel - Republic
172. African Percussion Night - Waratah Hotel
173. Emma & Tash - The Sepulchre
174. The East Pointers - The Sepulchre
175. Karly Fisher - Brunswick Hotel
176. Tim Rozemulder - Republic
177. Tim Rozemulder - TBone Brewery
178. Australian Made - Republic
179. Ben Salter - Republic
180. Spiral Stairs - Republic
181. Dylan Eynon - The Musiq Garden
182. Ajax Cocktail Party - The Musiq Garden
183. Carols at John Turnbull - John Turnbull Oval
184. Baker Boys Band - The Prince of Wales
185. Tennyson King - Republic 
186. Chris Coleman - TBone Brewery
187. Bridget Pross - TBone Brewery
188. Lagoon Hill Zydeco - The Homestead
189. Scruffy skater boy - Republic
190. Seth Henderson - Republic
191. Jed Appleton Band - Republic
192. Triangles in Heat - Republic
193. Montz Matsumoto - Republic
194. Babylon Howl - The Brisbane
195. Tim & Scott - Post Street Social
196. The Bad Dad Orchestra - The Taste of Tasmania
197. 4 Letter Fish - Republic
198. Nothin' but a Glam Time - Irish Murphy's
199. Jonathan Warwarek - TBone Brewery
200. Boil Up - Republic 

Concert Etiquette?

Last night I attended a "Science in the Pub" event at the Republic Bar and Cafe.  It may be difficult to believe but occasionally I put aside going to the pub for more intellectual pursuits.  Being able to do both at the same time is really the height of sophistication, I reckon, human progress at its best.  This was the first time I had attended on of these events and it was excellent.  I got to hear three eminently qualified speakers talk about teaching, science and maths teaching in particular.  Inspirational.  I heartily recommend attending if you get the opportunity.

Science in the Pub Website

Never to let an opportunity to enhance my "patron of the arts" status go by, after the event I headed downstairs to catch some live music.  Pete Hawkes (Vic) and Shane Lestideau (NSW) were due to perform.  A quality night of stringed music with a scottish baroque influence was on the cards.  It had the potential to be a real winner.

The scheduled starting time came and went.  Not unusual - it is one of my pet hates, musicians not starting at the advertised time so I will drink more at the bar.  As if I need any help with that one.  I started to become concerned when only one microphone was set up - maybe more an acoustic work? The death knell was the appearance of  a middle-aged snoozer in jeans, suit jacket and a pink Floyd T-Shirt.  I couldn't see his feet but there was every chance that he was a sneans (sneakers and jeans) guy. This dubious apparel choice is universally a bad sign.  He started a basic sound check, it was not looking promising for my night of stringed elegance.

Now, when someone announces to the audience that they only got the call up to play 20 minutes ago you should probably give up on a musically enriching evening right there and then.  It may mean a pleasant journey to an unexpected land of musical bliss but mostly not.  He started with a well known and popular tune and he was OK.  Decent singing and passable guitar playing (only the occasional wrong chord) and if I was there on a Saturday night with a bunch of friends then it would have been more than passable background entertainment as we discussed important things like which apples make the best cider, the demise of the apostrophe or why no-one ever says 'Reykjavik' in a song*. This not being the case, I decided to head across the road to The Homestead where Diamond Duck (NSW) were playing.

Is there such a thing as "concert leaving" etiquette?  There were only about 15 people in the room so how does one slip out without being rude.  He had made the effort to leave his home were he was presumably enjoying a good night enjoying a overprice boutique beer and watching 'Alaska-The Last Frontier' on the box with his labradoodle.  In the end I opted for hanging around for half a dozen songs to show my appreciation of his efforts and then ducked out the back way whilst pretending to go to the loo.  Just to complete the rouse I left half a pint of my beloved Willie Smith cider on the table to give the illusion that I would return.  Well done I thought.

I walked into The Homestead to the sound of some fine guitar playing and some exquisite harmonised yodelling.  Ah, this is what I was after for evening entertainment.  I grabbed a drink from the wonderfully friendly girl behind the bar and found a dark corner to settle back and appreciate the act.  Now yodelling is not everyone's cup of tea but this was fantastic.  Funny and beautiful all at once.  I couldn't wait to hear more.  Except I had waited too long to leave the previous venue.  I had arrived half way though their final song.  An evening killed by live act etiquette.



* Check out my mate Bruce's blog - it's much better than mine; he is funny and can actually write.  And he is a much better drinker.
No Holds Bard

Act 1 Booze 1 - The Patron Saints

The Hobart Blues Club hosts an event at The Duke of Wellington Hotel on the first Tuesday of every month.  They usually feature a band playing two sets with a jam session in between open to all-comers.  This week the feature band was The Patron Saints comprising four musicians - drums, guitar, bass and harmonica.  My friend Dave is a member of this band, he sings and play the harmonica.

Going to see a friend's band it fraught with danger.  They will always ask you what you think and invariably they are a little average.  Tact is not my strong point.  I will never tell you that an outfit is trendy if in fact it looks as though you are trying to reclaim your youth by wearing of skinny jeans, no socks and slipper shoes.  If you want someone to reassure you with a white lie then don't ask me, I'm not your gal.  So going to see The Patron Saints was a little risky and had the potential to damage my friendship with Dave.

But nothing to worry about, as it turns out, they were great.  Slick, simple and very bluesy.  During the first set Dave (who is no longer in the first flush of youth) told a story about how he had walked past the bar about 10 years ago when he was first learning to play and saw a Hobart Blues Club gig advertised and dreamt about one day playing there and now here he was playing to a packed bar full of music lovers.  It seems that there is no limit to making your music dreams come true.  Still hope for us middle-aged, bar hopping, gin-swigging divas yet.

The first set was a little better than the second with many familiar tunes.  It is questionable, however, that a fellow who won't see fifty again should sing Hello Little School Girl but why not.   Musically sound if not a little creepy.

The audience was primarily an older crowd full of people who grew up in the 60s.  The audience were enthusiastic and many got up to dance.  One couple were particularly good and put on a decent display of basic swing dancing.  Harold, a particular acerbic friend of mine (who will be introduced in a later post), quipped  "They might be good dancers but I bet they still drive around only doing 40km/h".

A unexpected bonus was the jam session in between the two sets.  This was remarkably good.  The lead guitarist was particularly talented.  And this is another act to count in my quest to become a patron of the arts.  2 down 99 to go.

Booze 

1. Willie Smith Organic Cider

Tasty!!!  As mentioned in a previous post, this is one of my very favourite drinks.  I never liked cider until I had a Willie Smith.  I realised that the stuff I had tasted before was rubbish and that cider is meant to taste like apples. 

From their website - Willie Smith's Organic Cider takes its inspiration from the traditional full-bodied ciders of northern France.  The cider is matured in French oak after secondary fermentation, then carefully blended to deliver a truly distinctive Tasmanian farmhouse style, full of character and flavour.  100% Australian-grown apples - Royal Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady

2. Strange Omen Small Batch Gin

This is gin is distilled by Ironhouse Brewery and is infused with bush pepperberries.  I am a big gin fan and Tasmania's recent foray in to producing good quality gin is right in my wheelhouse.  This trend is one of the major driver behind my new year resolution.  I want to learn all about gin - what is good and what is bad.  Most importantly were can I get the best gin.  I had this gin with tonic a little ice no lemon.  It was very tasty.  Sharp, fresh and moreish.

From their Facebook page - The Strange Omen Small Batch Gin, a direct product of our clean grape spirit, is unique blend of Tasmanian and Australia botanical aromatics.  The citrus pepper nose is followed by a moreish spiced butterscotch finish, suitable for sipping and great for mixing.

Steve Poltz Made Me Do It

In the dying days of 2016 I decided that I would go along to my local boozer, Republic Bar and Cafe, and see a fellow called Steve Poltz play.  I had never heard of Steve Poltz but my Facebook feed was telling me that he was a folk singer out of the US.  I love folk music but I also recognise that their are a lot of so called folkies out there that are absolute rubbish.  My expectations were low.  I had a quick look on Youtube and he looked ok and it was a good excuse to have a couple of quiet ciders on a Thursday night.

A couple of pre-pub drinks at home, McHenry's Sloe Gin Royale, and I was ready for a relaxing night at the pub. 

I set myself up at the bar just metres from the stage with a pint of my favourite Willie Smith cider.  Then a slightly unusual looking bloke came on and started singing and telling stories.  I was captivated.  This guy was hilarious and interesting and a damn good songwriter to boot.  Check out his songs Sewing Machine and Dave's Automotive - trippy.

The night was great fun and I reflected on how easily I could have missed seeing Steve and what a tragedy that would have been.  It was then that I set myself a couple of New Year's resolutions.  I don't usually go in for such rubbish but Steve (and the fact that I was on to my second pint) made me do it.

1.   Become a Patron of the Arts
2.   Support Local Producers

Translation:  Go to the pub, see a band, drink local booze.

I then began to think about what would success look like (on to my third pint).  How many live acts, plays, art exhibitions, cinema events does a person need to see in a calendar year to be considered "a Patron of the Arts".  According to Mick Thomas and the Sure Thing on their Spin, Spin, Spin album I just need to let a struggling musician sleep on my floor.  Surely, there is more to it than that.  Do I need to see one act a week?  52 arts events - even with a full time job I could do that.  If I attend a music festival is that one art event or a number of acts?  Each act has its own back story and touches the listener in a different way so I think that they categorised as a number of different "arts interactions".  If that is the case then I reckon I could achieve more than one a week.  101 art interactions in a year has a nice ring to it.  This of course needs to be matched with imbibing of local liquor.  It's going to be a fun year.