Readings.com.au: Carlton

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 29 March 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 29 March 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 22 March 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 22 March 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 15 March 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 15 March 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 08 March 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 08 March 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 01 March 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 01 March 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 23 February 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 23 February 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 16 February 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 16 February 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 09 February 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 09 February 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Pre-School Story Time - Thursday 02 February 2012 at 10:30am

2012-01-24T00:00:00Z

Thursday 02 February 2012 at 10:30am

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Drop into Readings Carlton for Story Time, every Thursday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.

For children aged 2 – 5 year old. Free event, no need to book.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service. We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading. To find out more please call us on (03) 9347 6633.

Panel Discussion: Is Women’s Writing Different to Men's? - Thursday 08 March 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Thursday 08 March 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

No right answer here but certainly room for plenty of discussion: join us to celebrate 101 years of International Womens' Day and in support of the Stella Prize as we tackle the question of whether women's writing is different to men's. With Monica Dux, Sophie Cunningham, Chris Flynn and Rebecca Starford in what is sure to be a lively debate.

Free, but please book on 9347 6633.

Merlinda Bobis book launch of Fish-Hair Woman - Tuesday 06 March 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Tuesday 06 March 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Fish-Hair Woman by Merlinda Bobis explores the themes of love and pain. How much can the heart accommodate? Death and love, an enemy and a sweetheart, war and an impassioned serenade, and more. Poetic and eclectic in style, this epic tale threads a multitude of voices and stories from the Philippines to Australia, to Hawai’i, right into the centre of the reader’s world. Join us to celebrate the launch of this beautiful new book at Readings Carlton.

Free, no need to book.

Melbourne’s Buildings Discussion Series - Monday 05 March 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Monday 05 March 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

This year will mark the 150th anniversary of the first occupation of the Old Treasury Building - one of Melbourne's most beautiful and well-loved landmarks. To commemorate this important date in the city's political, social and architectural history, a major exhibition ‘Gold & Governors: 150 years of the Old Treasury Building’ will be installed at the site itself. Readings is joining in the celebrations by presenting a series of talks about the impact of buildings on our collective psyche.

Free, but please book on 9347 6633.

Decolonising International Law with Sundhya Pahuja - Thursday 01 March 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Thursday 01 March 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

In 2012 Readings in Carlton will host a joint Melbourne Law School/Readings series of conversations around international legal issues, from war crimes trials to empire to the problem of fishing stocks and free trade. These conversations will be built around the launch of books written by Melbourne Law School authors and will take place in the first week of each month, starting with Sundhya Pahuja on decolonising international law on March 1. We look forward to seeing you there.

Free, but please book on 9347 6633.

Mark Hewson book launch of Blanchot and Literary Criticism - Wednesday 29 February 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Wednesday 29 February 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Mark Hewson’s book, Blanchot and Literary Criticism, offers a highly lucid introduction to the literary criticism of Blanchot and his writings. Beyond that, however, it is also an exceptional introduction to Western European Modernism and the genesis of literary theory itself. Join us at Readings Carlton to celebrate the launch of this landmark text.

Free, no need to book.

Johan Harstad - Tuesday 28 February 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-23T00:00:00Z

Tuesday 28 February 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Norwegian writer Johan Harstad has written a book that has the world in aflutter - Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to you in all the Confusion is all about a 30-something gardener/musician who moves into a share house after losing his job and his girlfriend. Set against the background of artists like Radiohead and Beck, this is a pop-saturated epic novel about the second man on the moon, and the quiet gardener who idolises him. Join us at Readings Carlton to hear about a novel of unconventional psychiatry and the Faroe Islands, of amateur boat building and the space that divides us from other people.

Free, but please book on 9347 6633.

Glen Duncan in conversation with Chris Flynn - Tuesday 28 February 2012 at 8:00pm

2012-01-20T00:00:00Z

Tuesday 28 February 2012 at 8:00pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Couldn't quite get to Perth for the Writers Festival? Never fear we have two of the hippest writers with us right here in Carlton…

English writer Glen Duncan is the author of The Last Werewolf which came out in 2011 to rave reviews. Straight from the Perth Writers Festival, Glen will not only be talking about horror and werewolves and mystic genres but also of his first impressions of such a huge country as ours. This is an ideal opportunity to meet an author that is shaking up the horror/romance formula of girl meets vampire...

Free, but please book on 9347 6633 or RSVP on Facebook.

An evening with Eric Knight - Tuesday 21 February 2012 at 6:30pm

2012-01-20T00:00:00Z

Tuesday 21 February 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

How do we solve the world’s trickiest political problems?

In Reframe, Eric Knight explains how a change of focus can reveal a solution that was lying just outside your frame of vision. From terrorism to global warming, from border security to high finance, he brings a new perspective that is both exhilarating and useful.

Free, but please book on 9347 6633.

2012 Classical Anniversaries

2012-01-13T00:00:00Z

I admit that I adore Chopin, Liszt and Mahler as much as the next person, but goodness gracious me am I glad that 2011 is over! We’re well into 2012 now and with that in mind I cast my eyes forward to what composer extravaganzas we have to look forward to.

First up we have a composer still alive! On the 31st of January Philip Glass turns 75 years of age and to celebrate the American’s are performing his Symphony No. 9 at Carnegie Hall. I’m looking forward to hearing that recording, but if in the meantime you need a CD, check out Sally Whitwell in her stellar performance of some of his piano works.

Sticking to American composers for the moment, John Cage (1912 -1992) would have been 100 years old on the 5th of September. He’s most famous for his silent piano work 4’33’’, but is also considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. No Such Thing as Silence by Kyle Gann is a terrific read, both about 4’33’’ and what music and silence means in a contemporary musical culture.

Decca got so overexcited about Fredrick Delius’ 150th Anniversary (1862 – 1934) that they released their box set at the end of last year. With 8 CDs featuring all of your favourite works, this should keep you going for a while.

If you want to kill two composers with one stone, have a look at the Romantic Piano Concertos Volume 39 with performances from our homegrown Piers Lane, featuring Delius Piano Concerto in C minor and John Ireland (1879 – 1962) Piano Concerto in Eb Major. At the special price of $9.95 this is your gateway into some unjustly forgotten repertoire.

Although this album is not strictly an anniversary edition, it’s still a celebration of the man, musician and King, Fredrick the Great (1712 – 1786). Emmanuel Pahud performs works from his legendary court composers. Not only that but includes a Sonata and Concerto attributed to the King himself (seen playing the flute above).

Keeping close to home we have our esteemed and highly overlooked Peggy Glanville Hicks (1912-1990). No one did more for classical music in Australia, both as a composer, writer, performer and woman. Although there’s not a lot out there available, here’s hoping we’ll see more recordings this year.

And the big one for the year is Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918) the French Master himself. With his birthday in August I will be extremely interested to see what gems the different labels present to us. Definitely ‘watch this space’ as they say.

There are a few honourable mentions that worth noting including Jean Francaix (1912-1997), Jacques-Francois Ibert (1890-1962), Giovanni Gabrieli (1554/1557-1612), Jules Massenet (1842-1912) and Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883).

Although not as star-studded as last year’s anniversaries, the quality of compositions available is something to be excited about. If you haven’t heard any of the above composers' music, this is the year to discover this repertoire. Happy listening!

Kate Rockstrom is a Classical Specialist at Readings Carlton. She regularly performs as a flautist as well as writing about music and books, follow her at www.stonestream.net.

Anitra Nelson and Frans Timmerman book launch - Friday 03 February 2012 at 6:30pm

2011-12-12T00:00:00Z

Friday 03 February 2012 at 6:30pm

Readings Carlton: 309 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

Jeff Sparrow, editor of Overland literary journal will be launching Life Without Money: Building Fair and Sustainable Economies.

The book brings together diverse voices presenting strong arguments against our money-based system's ability to improve lives and prevent environmental disaster. It is an inspiring manifesto for those who want to take action, providing strategies for undercutting capitalism by refusing to deal in money, and offering money-free models of governance and collective sufficiency.

Free, no need to book.

'Tis the Season for Carols!

2011-12-08T00:00:00Z

Groan or cheer, music is an integral part of our Christmas celebrations. Of course it depends on whether you prefer secular or sacred, traditional or modern. So I’ve auditioned our crop of recordings currently available and here are my favourite picks that are sure to make everyone happy on that day of days.

Classical

John Rutter's Colours of Christmas
John Rutter, RPO & Bach Choir

This is the big new release for Christmas and for very good reason. These are traditional Christmas carols at their best. This will become a standard Christmas Day album and when I was auditioning all of the albums, this was the one I couldn’t turn off. Beautiful music performed by beautiful musicians.

Handel Messiah
Cleobury & Academy of Ancient Music

Christmas is not complete without a performance of Handel’s Messiah. This particular recording will be terrific to put on at the end of the day when everyone needs to calm down. A stateliness only found in Handel will sooth any Christmas worries away.

The King’s Singers Christmas DVD
Joy to the World
The King's Singers

These two offerings from the King's Singers are albums for those who adore traditional carols but if they hear one more Away in a Manager will break their stereo. They have a couple of favourites, but overall they are carols that are lesser known, but sung by the King’s Singers they are stunning. The DVD would be terrific as background on Christmas Day to fill in those occasional awkward silences.

Pop/Jazz

A Very She & Him Christmas
She & Him

I like One and Two, the She & Him albums and find that these carols feel like they were originally written just for these two musicians. Gentle voice from Zooey Deschanel overlaid with M Ward’s fabulous guitar work means that this album is a must for any fan, whether or not you’re into Christmas.

Joy to the World
Pink Martini

This is my kids pick, with every second carol from another place around the world. Each carol has its own particular vibe, depending on where it’s from with the musical integrity in each of them highly inspiring. Kids will love the sound, while parents won’t want to tear their hair out after the second listen.

Christmas
Michael Buble

I put it on and it sent me to a place of joy, love and peace on earth. I always forget how much I really like his performances. The orchestrations are beautiful, and although not generally your stock standard Christmas carols, you’ll know them and be singing along from the very first word.

Celtic Christmas
Various

If you’re looking for something a little left of centre or just some of your favourite carols in instrumental versions (only three have vocals) then this the one for you. An interesting mix of musicians, representing a number of styles of Celtic music that will be a relief from the choral music.

Ella wishes you a Swinging Christmas
Ella Fitzgerald

This is my nostalgic pick above and beyond any other. There’s a reason this comes out every year and if you don’t own it, that really needs to be fixed. It is simply a must for Christmas Day.

A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector
Phil Spector

When I mentioned to the other staff that I was compiling this list, one insisted the list would not be complete without this album, her favourite of all time. This has great big band arrangements with an almost completely different list of songs to any of the other albums currently available.

So warm up the stereo, crank it nice and loud and enjoy this season of happiness, peace and love. Merry Christmas!

Kate Rockstrom is a Classical Specialist at Readings Carlton. She regularly performs as a flautist as well as writing about music and books, follow her at www.stonestream.net.