UPCOMING CONCERTS & EVENTS...

A GIRLS GUIDE TO WORLD WAR is such a great show. I am thoroughly enjoying playing in this show keyboard and cello it’s a great adventure

…If you are in Brisbane come and check it out - you won’t be disappointed.

Blue Curtains Brisbane review

Character callings

Posted on February 15, 2022

A Girl’s Guide to World War (Musical Theatre Australia) Brisbane Powerhouse, Underground Theatre February 3 – 20

Musical Theatre Australia’s award-winning “A Girl’s Guide to World War” tells the true story of some amazing women forgotten by our history. If its premise is not made clear by this hint as to its content, its sentiment comes through strongly during its first scene, which sees its narrator (Vix Sheather, lead singer and guitarist of Vix and the Slick Chix) interacting with the story’s protagonist Dr Anges Bennett (Aleathea Monsour). Always one for discretion, Miss Doctor Bennett is uncomfortable with having her story shared. Yet still, we drop into it just prior to outbreak of World War One, where she is trailblazing in provision of on-the-sly medical training of nurses at a maternity hospital. It’s all about the calling of science, we learn through the show’s first musical number ‘Nod and Smile’, and a woman’s right to higher education, despite the of-the-time attitudes that this is detrimental to their maternal functions.

Despite the belief of many that women should be seen and not heard, follow the rules, not ask questions, not go to university and not become doctors, Agnes conveys an inspiring optimism that things will not only change, but get better. And so, she soon finds herself as the Commanding Officer of the ‘Bennett Unit’ woman-run front-line hospital attached to the desperate Serbian army, which is suffering incredible losses in The Great War. Along with her passionate, no-nonsense Chief Surgeon (and later first woman registered as a Medical Practitioner in Queensland), Dr Lilian Cooper (Susie French), she runs it with efficiency and compassion. And while the two may bond over their similar shared experiences in ‘This Is War’, in their self-restrained and outspoken selves, they also remind us that feminism has its shades, for this is a show of respectful nuance in its rich characterisations.

An outstanding ensemble cast give its audience vivid portraits of fascinating, colourful individuals with whom we long to spend time. Katy Forde’s writing is full of natural humour, often realised through the dialogue of the war hospital’s high-spirited ambulance girls (Rachel Fentiman and Lucy French-Woerthy), who, like Rozencrantz and Guildenstern, almost function as one unit in their flighty upper-class English girl commentary of the goings-on and other characters alike. And there is also the determined optimism of philanthropist Josephine Bedford, the lifelong companion of Dr Cooper, delightfully realised through Justine Anderson’s endearing performance. Anchoring everything, however, is Monsour as the stern, forthright and socially awkward Doctor Bennett, uncomfortable with being the centre of attention, but steadfast in her beliefs in both efficiency and respectability. Hers is indeed a fascinating story and we can only give thanks for her diaries and personal letters that have allowed for the insight into her character that “A Girl’s Guide to World War” honours.

The new Australian musical’s balance between drama and musical numbers is facilitated by Linus Monsour’ simple, but versatile set design, courtesy of a collection of khaki boxes that shape into cars, operating tables and a platform from which ‘chief’ Bennett can conduct a daily roll call of nurses. Barry Somers’ lighting design guides us through the peaks and valleys of the wartime story’s emotions, making the early ballad ‘Purple Tree’ from a young soldier, appropriately melancholy. The simple and simply beautiful ‘Ask Me Once Again’ duet between lovers Josephine and Lillian is a wonderful showcase of the talents of band members Sue Moxon, Nicole Perry and Vix Sheather (sometimes joined by Monsour) and Anderson’s almost-ethereal vocals.

Craftedness is evident in every aspect of the production. Even songs like Josephine’s tender Celtic-type lullaby ‘Bonny Love’ that seem at the time to do little to advance the narrative, emerge to be both sensitive foreshadowing and insightful recall of the compassion at the heart of a character that we get to know better in Act Two. 

“A Girl’s Guide to World War” is a wonderfully uplifting work of education, inspiration and entertainment across the annals of time and it is appropriately well-received by its appreciative audience members. So rich are their lives that even the show’s running time seems insufficient to do these characters justice. Under Forde’s efficient direction, its 2 hours and 45 minutes’ duration (including interval) seems to fly by in absolute absorption. Without doubt, these women’s stories are compelling and ones that deserve to be shared… and celebrated. The show’s real-life subjects are humanitarians and adventurers, and how perfect it is that they found each other as they did. Even its epilogue outline of their achievements to come after this chapter of their stories is moving, as much as inspirational, in its courageous and compassionate reminder that better is indeed worth fighting for.

Posted in Brisbane, Musical Theatre | Tagged A Girl's Guide to World War, Brisbane Powerhouse | Leave a reply

Crystal Waters GIG !

Ric and I are playing our first duo gig at Crystal Waters on Saturday Night Sept 25th. Ric is no stranger to playing here … his last gig was New Years Eve with Renegade Funk! But for me, it’s the first time to play here….. here is what Bernard posted to give you a better idea of what is happening……..

After a winter break the Crystal Waters Music Club returns to our lovely Deck with fires and lights and yummy food and fabulous music.

We kick off at 5pm with the wonderful Jacinta Foale play her ukulele and singing her beautiful songs. Our own James Allen will will weave some guitar wizardry in there too.

Next we have a fantastic duet in Sue Moxon and Ric Halstead.

Sue is a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist. I've seen Sue play four times but never on the same instrument. Very accomplished improviser too as I expect we're going to discover....

Ric is a very experienced jazz musician, playing Sax with many of the greats. Both are members of the fabulous Unusual Suspects.

The Bizarrely Quartet are pretty local and pretty awesome. With uber-vocalist Ally Bing on Banjo and Piano, Beans Maries on lovely Fiddle and Vocals, Bernard O'Scanaill on Piano and Guitar and the aforementioned James Allen on the fiddly guitar bits. Lovely lovely music.

What could be more perfecter?

I hope we see you on Sept 25th

MALENY LANE LIVE MUSIC THIS FATHERS DAY:

New SINGLE Released August 2020

performance at CLUB ACOUSTIC

2 New Albums Released June 2020

With music gigs cancelled due to Covid19 and lock down restrictions making it impossible to play or perform, I began working with Ric Halstead on 2 CDs:

3 Corridors, and Fantasies for Soprano Saxophone & Piano

APRIL

New Album by Linsey Pollak This track (& the complete album) is available to download

please make a donation to Oxfam's 'clean-water-for-families-in-zimbabwe project'. Here's the link for Donations: www.oxjam.org.au/aprilbylinseypollak

Every single day of April 2020 Linsey Pollak composed / improvised, recorded and uploaded a new piece of music to Bandcamp and created a 30 track album called 'APRIL'. On some tracks he invited others to play with him and I was very happy to contribute on the 22nd Listen here:
Track 22 - 22nd of April (sop sax + Sue Moxon on keyboard)
I am joined on this track by Sue Moxon (in photo), or maybe I should say that I'm joining her, as Sue recorded 6 different improvisations on keyboard and I chose one of those to add soprano sax. It's a slow and quite minimal ambient piece. Thanks Sue for collaborating with me on this track.

MARCH 2020 UPDATE: CHANGES TO ALL LESSONS DUE TO COVID19

Due to the Coronavirus all lessons face to face have been cancelled indefinitely. For students wishing to continue during this time, online lessons over SKYPE, Messenger, ZOOM, WHATSAPP or TELEGRAM

TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF OUR VIRTUAL LESSON

Halstead Moxon Beier trio

H M B brings together three highly creative musical minds  exploring  reflective to joyous, soundscapes blending improvisation with original compositions to  create  their unique style

https://www.hmbtrio.com/

In 2018 I began working on a trio project with Ric Halstead – Saxophones, Flute and Tunji Beier – Drum Kit, South Indian Percussion, Jaw Harp, Rocks, Looping, and myself on Piano, Looping.

I am overjoyed playing, creating and exploring with Ric and Tunji

…for more details go to collaborations.

  Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-622903304-626564964

Bandcamp: https://sue-moxon.bandcamp.com/

UPCOMING SHOWS / LOCAL DATES

05  May  '19  Maleny Wood Expo   Maleny, Sunshine Coast  CONCERT 10am   

21 Sept  '18  Maleny RSL Maleny, Sunshine Coast   PEACE DIALOGUES   

Over the coming weeks I am working with Vulcana and Sylph circus and students at Milpara School in Brisbane playing music live and improvised on Handpan and various other instruments. I'm really looking forward to working with everyone and seeing what we can create. Performances will be in Brisbane in September and Maleny in October 

The Maleny  Music Festival is back ! This year I am playing with the fabulous singer JJ for Sing for Change on the main stage [Bunya] Songs in the Sing for Change section of the program which is all about promotion of inclusion, care and respect.  Lots of other great acts on so come an support the 6th year of the Maleny Music Festival.

Our gig times:

Saturday Sept 2nd     11 am          Bunya Main Stage 

Saturday Sept 2nd       64t5pm      Main Outdoor Tent

Velothon Sunshine Coast

Performing Hang for the 3 day cycling tour as it passes through Montville. Come along and support the riders and have some fun! 

Location:  Montville Main Street, Montville, Queensland

 JULY 8 2017  5-11pm

OBI ART PRIZE Exhibition

Details

 The  Obi Art Prize is the flagship initiative of the Obi Art Project initiated by the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre. The art prize focuses RESPECT on various social issues.  

This year I am accompanying JJ as she performs Carpet of Respect , the song has been entered into this years competition 'Sing For Change' and is aimed at raising awareness for refugees.  Come along and support this wonderful event.

Venue - Maleny Community Center 8th July to 9th July. Then moved to new venues.
The Obi Art Prize exhibition will showcase the 40 finalists of the Obi Art Prize with an opportunity to purchase some of these amazing works.

Artists for 2017 were asked to create works that positively show what  Respect looks like based around any one of the following issues.

• Domestic Violence

• Indigenous Healing

• LGBTI communities

• And/or Refugees

www.obiartprize.com for more information

Guest artists will be visiting the exhibition and attending the OBI ART PRIZE DINNER - An intimate "Painted Tie" (More fun than a Black Tie One) event on the Friday night.

CONNECTED for Choir and Handpan

The premier of  CONNECTED is set for Maleny 2017 with the  wonderful Sweet Chilli Choir.

 Led by Stephanie Arlidge, Sweet Chilli are an 18 member woman's vocal ensemble . They are well known across the Hinterland for their captivating and moving performances. They are a choir known for performing works that reflect their values of support, peace, justice, earth and cultural diversity.

I am accompanying Sweet Chilli on a Zen Handpan and Bali Steel Pan. The combination of vocals and handpan creates a unique sound experience so if you are in the hinterland area, come along and see and hear something different!
Dates to TBA  2017

She Melts 

physical theatre, one performer & one musician

7pm Sat Sept 10&  7pm Sun Sept 11 2016 at Maleny Indoor Activity Centre

“Where is my heart?” she asks, released at last from her frozen slumber.  She melts through memories in search of that vital missing part… but will she be tempted to remain fragmented? or has she the courage to make herself whole?

Performer Cindy Schwenn presents a darkish fairytale based upon her personal story told through physical theatre, circus aerials, dance and spoken word with original live music by Sue Moxon.

“She Melts” is created by Cindy Schwenn with Sue Moxon and Celia White.  All music is composed by Sue Moxon.  Creative support was received from Anna Yen and other talented women within the Brisbane circus community.

You can follow the creative development of ‘She Melts’ on Cindy’s blog page.

Artist Bio’s
Cindy Schwenn is an artist of many creative disciplines including circus, dance, physical theatre, storytelling and visual art. Essentially a storyteller at heart, Cindy’s work is inspired by the fierce and wise old versions of fairytales found in books such as “Women Who Run with the Wolvcs” by Clarisa Pinkola Estes. Cindy also runs Sylph Circus, a youth circus performance group and training centre for young people in Maleny, Queensland Australia.

Sue Moxon is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and teacher who has been inspired and influenced by a rich variety of experiences that have collectively shaped her style giving it depth, energy and diversity. Common themes often found in her work are of regeneration, renewal and growth through transformation. Sue performs on a wide variety of instruments, many of them unique such as Hang, Handpan, Khean, Kalimba, Native American Flute, Piano, Cello and Guitar allowing her to create unique and atmospheric soundscape experiences that resonate deeply with audiences and provide depth and inspiration to visual and artistic projects.

SUPPORTING REFUGEES

If you are around the Sunshine Coast on June 18th come up to Maleny and support this wonderful film that has so much to say. Be part of Refugee Week and give support. I will be playing music before and after the screening alongside Aleathea Monsour who has worked with the refugees in choirs and has many wonderful stories and experiences to share.

The HINTERLAND BRIDAL EXPO is here and I am lucky enough to be playing a variety of music on

 piano, hang, kalimba, native American flute and cello at Victoria's Chapel in North Maleny!

If you haven't seen this venue then come along January 9&10 and see for yourself how beautiful it really is.

WEDDING BOOKINGS ...if you are wanting me to play at your wedding ceremony use the form and leave details of your date

If you are in Brisbane on Oct 3 then come along to Eternity - a beautiful and enchanting dance and performance evening - there will be a lot of different acts and its for a good cause!  I'll be performing with Cindy Schwinn as we present an extract from her new work SHE MELTS ... if you are keen to see what Cindy has been up to then come and take a look. I'll be playing Keyboards and Tongue Drum along with Kalimba on the night.

Why don’t we remember the future like we do the past”
An extraordinary dance & performance art showcase exploring the perception, functions and facets of time. 
Fusion bellydance :: Contemporary :: Physical Theater :: Aerial Performance :: Live Music :: Experimental works :: and much more…

PERFORMING AN EXERT FROM CINDY SCHWENNS SOLO SHOW SHE MELTS PLAYING KALIMBA, KEYBOARD AND ZENKO TONGUE DRUM

2015 MALENY MUSIC WEEKEND

AUGUST 29-31

The Maleny Music Festival is on again and this year I lucky enough to be playing with 3 very different, diverse and unique groups over the weekend... Shanasheel Arabic Ensemble, who perform incredible middle eastern music, Qwerty Girls: a duo who write original thought provoking music for plays, stage and live performances and Sylph Circus Performance Troupe who are performing their show "Limbo: A refugee Story" that highlights the plight of refugees attempting to come to Australia - a very moving and special show indeed. 

I've so enjoyed rehearsing with all these wonderful people and each group has a great performance lined up. I am so lucky to be able to play a variety of instruments and diverse styles of music, so if you are in Maleny at the end of August come along and enjoy ! [Details below]

 THE SYLPH CIRCUS PRODUCTION OF

LIMBO: A REFUGEE STORY

Limbo A refugee story is being performed once again ...this time at the Women Outfront Night in Maleny. This is a deeply moving, inspiring and thought provoking piece about the plight of refugees seeking asylum in Australia. I feel privileged to be providing the music for this event. The scope of the work calls for a rich musical tapestry so I'll be playing a wide variety of instruments including the Native American Flute, Hang, Cello, Cajon, Snare, Bali Steel Pan etc. Come along and support a wonderful event. Proceeds go to refugee organisations. 

The show will feature nine talented young people presenting a story about refugees told in circus aerials, juggling, acro and physical theater.  Set to live music by musicians Sue Moxon and Aleathia Monsour with lyrics by refugee people, this show promises to be a touching and inspiring event for young and old. 

PEACE TOGETHER -

PERFORMANCES of INCLUsion

SATURDAY NIGHT

MAY 30

MALENY COMMUNITY HALL

MALENY MUSIC FESTIVAL

2014

MALENY SHOWGROUNDS

AUGUST FRIDAY 29TH, SATURDAY  30TH, & SUNDAY 31ST 2014

IT'S ON AGAIN ..... THE MALENY MUSIC FESTIVAL

THIS YEAR I AM PLAYING WITH JACINTA & THE SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ON THE PLATYPUS STAGE ON SATERDAY ARVO 2PM.COME ALONG AND HEAR SOME OF JACINTAS SONGS. I'LL BE PLAYING CELLO AND BALI STEEL PAN AND ON STAGE WILL BE SOME OTHER WONDERFUL MUSICIANS INCLUDING

Tunji Beier - percussion, Tom Richter - slide guitar, 

Linsey Pollak - Original instruments, 

Steve Ewart - Trombone, Steven John - Tuba

Steve Mcleish - Sax, Peter Morris - Tenor Horn

MUSICIANS WITHOUT BOARDERS

.... A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION please consider supporting the work they are doing in rebuilding in war torn and affected areas through the power and gifts of music