Last year I got involved with a couple of shows with the Darwin Chorale. One of them was a fantastic program of greatest hits from Broadway, with the Symphony Orchestra and a whole host of great (and some ordinary) solo performances. The other one was a slightly less salubrious but still reasonably charming review of Australian folk music. So you can guess straight away which one got funding from the government for a regional tour.
Yep.
Australian Horizons made its grand return to the NT circuit last weekend, with a troupe of about a dozen of us trekking off down to such well renowned concert venues as the Adelaide River Show Society (ARSS for short) and the Pine Creek Community Centre. And a weekend away with minibus load of sopranos was just what the doctor ordered.
My doctor has some unresolved issues. We’re working on it.
Adelaide River was a bit of a laugh. We all booked in to our accommodation and set up behind the stage at the Show Society platform. A few of the locals rocked up, but it wasn’t really clear whether they were there for the concert or the bar. I guess they got both either way.
The next morning we set out for Pine Creek. It was only an hour away, but by the time we got there:
And it wasn’t even lunch time yet.
Meanwhile, Pine Creek surprised me by being a surprisingly good venue. The community centre there has a ranged stage, lights and even a back stage area, although it was full of … something and we couldn’t use it. Also: the accommodation out there blew me away. Someone obviously decided that a tropical resort would be a good idea in the middle of nowhere. We weren’t complaining, but I can’t imagine it will make enough money to keep it running long.
And tragically I couldn’t take full advantage of it, as I was needed on Sunday morning in Darwin, and had to drive back Saturday night. But now I get to say I’ve done a show in Pine Creek and Adelaide River, and next weekend we’re off to Jabiru.
I can’t wait.
Garry with 2 Rs
PS Jill's face was fine.