BOOK LAUNCH IN SYDNEY

UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone who came along to the launch. It was terrific to see you and play for you. Huge thanks to the artists who came out to play. I was so wrapped up in your performances, I completely forgot about the running sheet and almost ran out of time for our own slot! Unfortunately, Ange Stretch had a family wedding crop up and had to fly to NZ to attend, so couldn't make it to the gig.

It is thanks to Ange that Geoff was invited to read at the Brett Whitely Studio - a real buzz to be in front of 'Alchemy'. Beautiful space, and lovely acoustics to perform in. Many thanks to Norm for running the event in Ange's absence.

Also, big thanks to Courtney Collins who invited us to play a song dedicated to the main character of her fantastic new novel  The Burial. It is a very fine piece of literary fiction and if you get the chance to read it, you won't be disappointed. The launch was a hoot and it was great to hear the Ukeladies play. Thanks to Jane and Kirky too. Great to see you guys.

Just love that drive between here and there. The New England highway is beautiful at this time of year. We take a couple of days to do it these days - no more redeye overnight runs. On the way into Sydney we stopped off at Brooklyn on the Hawksbury- great place to have lunch by the ferry to Dangar Island. I needed to stretch my legs and we needed to rehearse, so we took the instruments out and played on the foreshore. Very strange experience - I'd not played the cello outside before. A whole weird experience of the sound just stopping dead when it dissipated into the air with nothing to echo off.

Then on the way home we overnighted with Dave Bonnefoy - the plumbing drummer (our Towelheads Drummer) at his beautiful farm on the edge of the state forest. From there we wound our way up over the scarp and into Walcha. What a  breathtaking drive that is. The last time we did it the mountains were shrouded in mist and rain, but this was glorious clear spring weather. Just lovely. Made it to Tenterfield by nightfall and cruised into QLD mid morning.

So - thanks one and all for your support. Next time, we will make a point of NOT coinciding with the Swans semi-final!

PROTEST SINGER: a night of 'song of social and political import'
Get a ticket: On sale online only till 17 Sept. 

Geoffrey Datson's new chapbook, Protest Singer, will be launched in Sydney on Friday 21 September at the Roxbury Hotel. 8 - 11:30pm

To celebrate, his duo DATSON+HUGHES will perfrom works from the collection but before that, he will be joined by special guests:

First up at 8pm is refugee poet Mohsen Soltany's Ember Band, followed by spokenword siren Angela Stretch. About 8:45pm the Gas Wylde Band will take the stage. 9:30ish is Daniel Morphett & Christian Rosenmai (El Duende) and at a little after 10pm, Dale Caldwell and Ben Fink. Datson Hughes will be on about 10:30pm.

Tickets $15 at the door or book online through stickytickets

There are only 100 tickets available, so don't miss out. 

After that, to reserve tickets, call Annette on 0420 336 711 or try your luck at the door on the night.

And then on Sunday 23rd September.