Donna Demaio’s Gossip Sheet: June 28
Quote of the week: ? It?s my most independent time but also hardest time,? says Tim Minchin (Matilda) reflecting on when he first moved from Perth to Melbourne in the very early days. The musical genius, currently working on the US animation Larrikins (2018 release), remembers the tough gigs of yester year and making some of his dearest friends during that time.
Minchin is one of the subjects of new exhibition Spellbound by Maree Coote at Mario?s Caf?, Fitzroy which has portraits of famous people including Prince, Molly and Bowie. The difference is that the works are a typographic ?fontigram? made from the letters that spell the person?s name. So clever. Until August first.
A new generation. A new legion of fans for The Wiggles. In just 24 hours, the latest arena tour from the children?s entertainers called Dance, Dance! has sold 70 thousand tickets. Dorothy, Wags and Captain Feathersword are still part of the gang. The concerts will undoubtedly see thousands of kids dress up as their favourite Wiggle.
The 65th Melbourne International Film Festival will screen 30 new films after their debut at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. There are films from Korea, France, Belgium, Iran, Japan, Romania, Germany and more. The full program of MIFFwill be unveiled on July 5, while tickets go on sale Friday 8th July.
What happens to all the packaging from our beauty products? Mostly it heads to landfill. L?Oreal Australia has partnered with the international company TerraCycle to launch a recycling program so that all that rubbish – won?t add to the world?s waste. The campaign involves people saving their packaging and sending it off for recycling, for free. And you guessed it, the waste is turned into innovative eco products. Check out www.terracyle.com.au
Another bunch of famous peeps snubbing Melbourne for a fancy red carpet premiere in Sydney. Star Trek Beyond is on its way, with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban and Director Justin Lin all walking the red carpet on July 7. Die hard trekkies will have to head to Sydney to see their favs.
Shaynna Blaze at a Foxtel media event. Photo: Janie Barrett
An early interest in interior design made way for a career in jazz singing for Shaynna Blaze, before a triumphant return to design. The stylish, creative and extremely busy Shaynna is filming ?Deadline Design? and ?The Block? while ?Selling Houses? (Foxtel) will soon start filming too. Recently she was named in the Top 50 most powerful people on Australian TV.
Melbourne model, yoga teacher and Swisse ambassador Ashley Hart is one of several stunning subjects who sat for prominent Melbourne artist David Bromley for his latest exhibition in Los Angeles. It?s at the Andrew Weiss Gallery in Santa Monica (normally specializing in Picasso, Miro and Dali) and is aptly titled L.A. women. Hart recently zipped back home for a Just Jeans campaign, describing her trip ?always so sweet although short.?
When Ita Buttrose and Rove McManus both rave about your book, you?ve done something rather special. As national amabassador for Alzeihmer?s Australia, Buttrose has described Michelle Wyatt?s book Not Right in the Head as a warm, well-written book that gives an intimate insight into a family?s dedication and love. Meanwhile Rove says it?s an achievement by a first-time author to weave such a difficult matter into a moving yet funny story. Nearly 400 thousand Australians are dealing with Alzeihmer?s.
Congratulations are in order for Seven News US Bureau chief Mike Amor, who was granted the TV journalist of the Year Award by the Los Angeles Press Club. From the early days of covering courts in Melbourne( I recall seeing him out ?on the road?), Amor has reported on some of the biggest international stories of the last decade.
Giveaway: Film tickets: A new action/thriller starring Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris called Our Kind of Traitor opens in cinemas from July 14. The story is about an ordinary English couple on holiday in Marrakech who befriend a charismatic Russian, who unbeknownst to them, is a kingpin money launderer for the Russian mafia. Win a double pass to the movie ? email ddemaio@3aw.com.au
Watch trailer: http://www.studiocanal.com.au/ourkindortraitor/