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The White Hat Melbourne NewsletterArchived Newsletter No.58 - 22 August 2003Contents
We're back!Sorry for the break in transmission. Do not adjust your set. We have been run off our feet in the last couple of weeks. For those of you waiting on replies we will try to work through the backlog as quickly as we can.
Mars ViewingThis week there is an event that is great for families, singles, romantics, and just about everyone else. We at White Hat have been able to arrange for Mars to make its closest approach to Earth for 60,000 years. At a number of darkened venues around Melbourne, there will be a bank of telescopes set up by the Astronomical Society of Victoria where the public can view Mars for the nominal fund-raising charge of $2. It will be best to check the weather. If you have kids, try to go on a clear night. If you want a romantic night out, try to choose a cloudy night – “What a pity! – Never mind, I brought some champagne. It is quite chilly isn’t it? Never mind, I’ve got a blanket.” Friday and Saturday evenings, August 22 and 23, in a paddock near the Park Victoria’s Visitor Information Centre in Braeside Park there will be a program of activities including the dreaded face painting, storytelling for children, displays and films from the Astronomical Society of Victoria and the science fiction archives of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Melbourne science fiction author Sean McMullen will be featured reading from his writings for an adult audience. Parking is available within the park but bring a small torch to find your way to the viewing area near the Visitor Centre. I suggest that if you are taking children, you stop stock still in the darkness and sniff the air. You will probably detect a telltale aroma indicating the presence of lions – almost like fried onions. As you get closer you will be able to confirm this. Yes, there they are – the Lions Club with their sausage sizzle. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks will also be available (“What’s in the flask that you’re adding to the coffee daddy?”) The entrance to the park is from Lower Dandenong Road (Melway 78 D7). The other viewing sites nominated are: If you get a chance to look at the moon through the telescope, look for the telltale clumps of transplanted hair which clearly indicate that the man in the moon is Bert Newton. A nominal charge of $2 per viewing will go toward the construction of a new telescope and observatory for the Astronomical Society of Victoria’s Dark Sky site on the far side of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range. Activities will begin at 7pm with viewing times commencing from 8pm until around 10.30pm. If the evening weather looks questionable, telephone ahead to Skyline Message on 9888 7130 to find out if the viewing is on. For further information contact Perry Vlahos, Astronomical Society of Victoria Inc. on 0412 365 515 If you miss this viewing, keep reading this newsletter and we will alert you next time Mars passes this close.
Free concertThe Melbourne Prokofiev Project with Duo Sol
Radio Theatre OnlineThe best place to listen to radio theatre is in a darkened car while driving through the country at night. It is probably the closest we get to being lost in a capsule in outer space. There are a number of online sites that provide streaming audio of classic radio plays. In most cases it is permissible to tape them (or burn them onto CD or Minidisc) for personal use. In preparation for your Mars viewing, I recommend that you tape Orson Welles’ original War of the Worlds radio play and listen to it in suitably atmospheric surroundings. This and other plays from the Mercury Theatre are available at http://www.unknown.nu/mercury/
Leather FestivalWe try to keep you informed about craft fairs and festivals in this newsletter, so were pleased to discover the Melbourne Leather Festival, which runs from 29 August to 21 September. Just the thing for your aunt from the country who always gives you those knitted toilet roll holders for Christmas. On closer investigation a husky voice started informing me about the darker sides of various games and learning to explore socialise and play. Somehow I don’t think it’s a festival for aunty. I was offered an invitation to opening night. Now I am faced with a dilemma. Should I stay home with She Who Must Be Obeyed or go and meet SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED? This is a family newsletter so we will not offer any contact details and we would urge you not to use your search engine to find any information on the Melbourne Leather Festival (unless you think aunty may have interesting hobbies).
Melbourne's Hidden GemsOn any given night in Melbourne you will find groups of people in animated discussion scattered around various pubs, clubs and cafes. Over the years various venues and nights of the week have become the place to go for those interested in topics as diverse as philosophy, journalism, history, architecture, mathematics, theatre and a whole range of obscure and esoteric pursuits. Most of these groups have grown up informally over the years and it is still common to see and hear people famous in their field at such places. Here are a few of our favourites.
Filipino Festival cancelledWe have been informed that the Filipino Festival at the Immigration Museum has been cancelled due to clashes with similar events. Thank you to the Filipino community for informing us of that. Now could you please inform us what the similar events are? Never mind. Filipinos are not shy people. If you think there may be a Filipino festival in your suburb just follow the sounds of excited chatter and people having fun. Those who have visited a certain street in Singapore on a Sunday morning will know what I mean.
Camus in the PubIf ever there was a work appropriate to perform in a pub it Camus’ The Fall. In a seventy minute monologue, Jean-Baptiste Clamence unravels his life and times while holding court in an Amsterdam bar. . A successful charismatic Paris barrister - member of the radical, chic left-wing - he dissects his fall from grace and the hypocrisies of western civilisation. Some regard this to be Camus' best work, although it may cut a little close to the bone for a number of ABC radio presenters.
You're a Weird MobMoving around Melbourne at the weekends I find people involved in a huge range of disparate activities – everything from Clout to Garage. Melbournians love to get out at the weekends and engage in an enormous variety of things (some of them involving leather). Most people sign up for this newsletter through our website where you are invited to list your interests. I am fascinated by the combination of these interests. We are regularly approached by other organisations to buy this mailing list. We, of course refuse because we have undertaken never to pass on this information to outside organisations. Even if we did, it would puzzle marketers looking for particular demographic or psychographic groups. You nutters (sorry, VALUED SUBSCRIBERS) all seem to have a different and quirky set of interests. That may be why you stumbled across us who also don’t fit into the mainstream all that well. Here is a small random set of interests that you (the weird mob) expressed when you signed up. What I find interesting is the combination of interests for any given person – it may be something to do with the Melbourne air. craft, teddy bears, chocolate The most common request we have is for “things that are fun”. Most of the people above would have entirely different ideas of what is “fun”. However, nearly all of you keep on reading. You’re a weird mob!
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