Arts, Culture & Entertainment - 31st May 2012

LISTEN
Julia Stone has announced her new album By The Horns alongside her national tour dates. This latest album, described by Triple J Magazine as "emotionally fraught, simply chilling and evocative" and hailed as a "triumph" by Harper's Bazaar, was composed in California, though the songs were "sculpted in Australia and India, and refined in France". How wonderful; I wish I had been on the creation-journey. The album also boasts an outstanding cast of guest musicians, including Oren Bloedow (Elysian Fields, Lounge Lizards), Rob Moose (Bon Iver, My Brightest Diamond, Antony & The Johnsons) and Thomas Bartlett & Bryan Devendorf (The National). Julia's shows sold-out in London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and New York, so you'll want to snatch up your tickets for her Australian Tour in September ASAP. You can also go here to listen to her whole album - treat!

Meanwhile, fans of Aussie band Something For Kate can get their anticipation shoes on and do a little dance of joy. The band has spent the past six months writing and rehearsing new material, and are now headed to Texas to begin recording their sixth studio album, to be released later this year.

EVENT
The Out of the Box Children's Festival is due to begin in Brisbane on the 12th of June, celebrating its 20th birthday (I remember going to this festival in its early days when I was just a youngin'). The festival encourages the development of young minds through engaging and entertaining arts programs – because children don't pay attention to boring things! If you're not sure where to start, I suggest seeing The Flying Orchestra visual theatre performance - a) because it looks wonderfully beautiful, and b) because if you buy an adult ticket to performances between the 15th and 17th June, you get a free child ticket (we love free things!). "Directed by world renowned puppetry artist Peter Wilson (The Red Tree, How to Train Your Dragon, King Kong), The Flying Orchestra uses innovative puppetry and design to create an enchanting new work celebrating the sublime power of music in all aspects of life." Based on the book by Queensland writer and illustrator Clare McFadden, children will be "swept away into a whimsical world of lingering rhythms and delightful possibilities." Well, I'm sold.

Melbourne and jazz, it just fits. I guess that's why the Melbourne International Jazz Festival kicks off today - musical warmth for the cold winter days. With more than 300 musicians playing and 100 events, the 2012 program includes late-night art parties (uhm, fun!), intimate club gigs, film screenings, masterclasses, daily free concerts, evening Soundwalks, and events for families and children.


Well, it's a short but sweet one today.
Sophie @ Girl With a Satchel.