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A Weekend: Orchestra, Party, and Theatre
Jan. 29th, 2025 10:29 pmIt appears my birthday week really did extend out the full seven days, albeit I was assisted by Kayo's birthday falling on the 25th, so I took her and Lani out to see "Raiders of the Lost Ark" accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Ever a classic pulp adventure film and the very large audience (around 5,000) cheered at the appropriate moments, e.g., when Nazis were being punched, which is, of course, an honourable and appropriate greeting. In many ways, it is quite a silly film (the French rival speaks with an English accent), but the MSO played the John Williams popular score with notable competence. It certainly looks like they've hit a winning formula here.
The following day, I hosted a modest gathering, nominally for my birthday and nominally on the theme of extra-terrestrial intelligence (a matter I have taken with seriousness and humour for many years), and a few did dress in theme. It was a carefully curated invitation list designed for people to attend at sext, vespers, or compline. It turns out I really can fit 25 people into my apartment with such an organisation. Anyway, it turns out I have amazing and talented friends (Angela's late-night operatic karaoke was something to behold) who provided excellent conversation and company all through the day, and I've been told in no uncertain terms that I must host more events.
The final event was an invitation from Liza D., to see "A Body at Work" at TheatreWorks, a performance by sex worker (stripper, masseuse plus) Frankie van Kan where she tells an autobiographical tale of her navigating the experiences and internal conflicts (queer, feminist, exhibitionist, and her desire for matrescence). There was excellent insight on the differences of clients in the different locations and, unsurprisingly, our protagonist was certainly able to perform on the stage, although it must be said if you are uncomfortable with nudity in performance, this probably isn't the show for you. If I were to give a single adjective to the story and performance, it would be "beautiful", and I took the opportunity to tell Frankie just that at the end of the show.
The following day, I hosted a modest gathering, nominally for my birthday and nominally on the theme of extra-terrestrial intelligence (a matter I have taken with seriousness and humour for many years), and a few did dress in theme. It was a carefully curated invitation list designed for people to attend at sext, vespers, or compline. It turns out I really can fit 25 people into my apartment with such an organisation. Anyway, it turns out I have amazing and talented friends (Angela's late-night operatic karaoke was something to behold) who provided excellent conversation and company all through the day, and I've been told in no uncertain terms that I must host more events.
The final event was an invitation from Liza D., to see "A Body at Work" at TheatreWorks, a performance by sex worker (stripper, masseuse plus) Frankie van Kan where she tells an autobiographical tale of her navigating the experiences and internal conflicts (queer, feminist, exhibitionist, and her desire for matrescence). There was excellent insight on the differences of clients in the different locations and, unsurprisingly, our protagonist was certainly able to perform on the stage, although it must be said if you are uncomfortable with nudity in performance, this probably isn't the show for you. If I were to give a single adjective to the story and performance, it would be "beautiful", and I took the opportunity to tell Frankie just that at the end of the show.
