Swingin' into the New Year

The relatively relaxed start of a new decade quickly became busy for me when I arrived back in Sydney.  Whenever I've been away for a while I usually like to hit the ground running.  It's the fastest way to feel back in the swing of things and the best for combating post-holiday feelings of melancholy.  With plenty of work in front of me, that's just what I did.  Of course, I also managed to keep myself with busy when I was off the clock.  Back in Boston, this time of year presents a bit of challenge as the winter chill keeps people indoors and the limited sunlight makes things a bit sleepy in a post-holiday season.  In Sydney, just the opposite happens.  With the holidays behind us, the city shines bright while basking in the extra hours of daylight.  Everyone is keen to go out.  If there was any doubt of this, Sydney Festival First Night is sure to disabuse you of any misconception.

I've been to Festival First Night for the last few years.  It's a great chance to see hundreds of thousands come together in the city to just enjoy music an performances from around the world.  With various stages going off simultaneously throughout the CBD, it can be a bit daunting to figure out where to go, but I gave myself the manageable task of seeing only two performances: the Manganiyar Seduction and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Both of these I would have paid to see, but the opportunity to catch them live was a relief to my otherwise struggling wallet.

The difference in style between these two were so very different.  Still each carried a great energy in their own way.  The Manganiyar Seduction has this really interesting stage that looks like something from the TV gameshow Hollywood Squares.  While describing this concept to an Australian friend of mine, I loved that his impulse response to this description was "I'll take Whoopi for the block" but I digress.  The performance starts with lights around one square turning on and the red curtain parting to reveal a single man starting to play music.  Another curtain parts and the lights around this square light up as another man on another traditional Indian instrument joins in.  This goes on until there are over three dozen men on stage participating in this orchestration.  The exotic sound and innovative visual concept truly seduced my friends and me.

Afterwards, our group parted ways as we each made our way to another stage for various performances. Having been a long-time lover of swing music, couldn't pass up the chance to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Plus, on previous Sydney Festival First Nights, Martin Place was the area to go to for a bit of a dance.  This year was no exception and while most of the crowd was happy to stand and watch, there was a handful of people who were there to swing dance.  It was great to see so many people just having fun and letting loose.  My friend and I were on the beginner's end of the spectrum present, but that didn't stop us getting caught up in the moment. In fact, it wasn't until we stopped to breathe that I remembered I was attempting to do all this in flip-flops and consequently gave myself a massive blister.  Still, as I limped back to Paddington, I was glad to be back in Sydney in the summery season that suits it best.