O Holy Night - Andre Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra

What an enchanting, sweet and lovely version of 'O Holy Night':

Click here for musical Video

Click here for the previous post

Christmas gift ideas from the NSW Rail Museum - NSW Rail Museum

 

Are you stuck on what to buy your loved ones this Christmas? Visit our NSW Rail Museum online retail store, where we have a great selection of gifts for everyone. We have all your favourite classic Christmas storybooks, new arrivals from Thomas & Friends, and our ever-popular NSW Rail Museum 2021 Calendar. Plus, don't forget our best sellers — locomotive 3801 and NSW Rail Museum merchandise and so much more! FREE shipping for orders over $80. Place orders by 12 December AEST, for pre-Christmas delivery.   SHOP NOW

Click here for the previous post

Predicted Summer Mosquito Population Boom Could Mean Increased Disease Risk - Media Release - Shoalhaven City Council

 

2 December 2020

Shoalhaven City Council is alerting residents to reduce mosquito breeding areas around the home in an effort to counter the likely mosquito population boom due to predicted higher rainfall and a very high tide expected before the start of the summer holidays. 

Mosquitoes can transmit a number of serious human diseases, including Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In recent years rates of these diseases have been low in NSW due to dry weather.  

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said, "Mosquitoes need water to breed, so emptying water-holding containers in backyards, at least once a week will help reduce mosquito population numbers.  

"NSW doesn't have a government-run mosquito control program, so it is important in the Shoalhaven for community members to help limit mosquito breeding habitats during the predicted wet summer," said Clr Findley. 

"NSW Health recommends avoiding mosquito bites as the most effective control measure reduce the risk of diseases they transmit. In NSW, most mosquitoes become active at dawn and dusk, and into the evening.  

"To avoid bites, especially during those peak times, cover-up with a loose-fitting long sleeved shirts and long pants when outside and apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. Screens on windows and doors and removing potential mosquito breeding sites are also recommended," she said.

For more health advice view NSW Health's Fact Sheet.

Emptying water-holding containers in backyards, at least once a week will help reduce mosquito population numbers.

Blacktown City Council - Arts Prize Announced 2020

 

Blacktown City  Art Prize winners announced The winners of the 2020 Blacktown City Art Prize have been announced. Linda Brescia was awarded the Main Prize for her work Peggy, a painted portrait of Peggy Guggenheim, which the judges described as an 'evocative, fierce portrait of a historical feminist icon'. The work features a homage in the earring to the artist's long time friend, Blue Mountains-based artist photographer Elaine Campaner, who passed away during the painting of the work. Dennis Golding won the Aboriginal Artist Prize for his work From home to home, which explores empowering notions of Indigenous cultural identity. Judges described From home to home as 'striking' and 'cheeky' with 'complex references and theatrical use of the curtain as a cape'. Seven Hills-based artist Graham Cheney received the Local Artist Prize for his acrylic painting Auntie Rita Wright. Auntie Rita Wright is an Aboriginal leader, Stolen Generations survivor and resident of Shalvey, Blacktown. The work was described by judges as a 'welcoming and sensitive composition' containing a 'landscape within a portrait'. The exhibition will be open at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre from 28 November 2020 to 28 January 2021.  Images (left to right): Linda Brescia, Peggy; Dennis Golding, From home to home; Graham Cheney, Auntie Rita Wright. Images by Jennifer Leahy. Read the announcement of winners Register your visit Open studio sessions  Wednesdays 2, 9 & 16 December Join artist Patrice Wills in our welcoming and creative Open Studio sessions where you can experiment with materials, learn new skills and make meaningful connections. Book now Young Creatives' Space with Sam Absurd Saturdays 5 & 12 December, 2 - 4 pm Create a unique graffiti artwork! Street artist Sam Absurd is facilitating beginner workshops for young people interested in learning how to construct graffiti style lettering using specialised paint markers.  Book now Summer School Holiday Workshops Wednesday 13 January - Saturday 23 January 2021 Looking for something to do this summer after the craziness of the silly season? Make animals from clay, create your own superhero cape, draw with charcoal or experiment with mixed media in our Summer School Holiday workshop program. Bookings will open next Tuesday 8 December so stay tuned! Image: Gerrie Mifsud Elders in Residence Fridays, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm Free Drop by and spend time with our Elders and knowledge holders on Friday mornings at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. Make connections and share stories with community over a cuppa and damper. Learn more here The Sunday Stir | Sydney Festival  Blacktown Arts in partnership with Australian National Maritime Museum and Settlement Services International 10 January, 2 pm - 8 pm Free Mix it up at the Maritime Museum for an afternoon of art, storytelling, music and culture. Experience local contemporary artists sharing their stories of migration through drawing, poetry, story and song in a vibrant and interactive program that celebrates Australia’s multicultural society. Learn more here Image: Maryam Zahid by Anna Kucera Theatre Kantanka What thoughts and questions emerged during this period of forced isolation? Theatre Kantanka was in residence at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre to create a series of virtual reality works in collaboration with incredible local Sydney artists.   Each artist has created a short work that responds to the lockdown, its origins, its impact on human behavior and the environment, and the future possibilities for a world post-pandemic. Created with the support of Blacktown Arts, Australia Council for the Arts and Create NSW. Experience it here

#ThisIsHowWeMakeArt Blacktown Arts is an initiative of Blacktown City Council and is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Click here for the previous post

How are you going with your community engagement? -.id The Population Experts

 

Click here for details

Click here for previous post

28th Upbeat Songs With John' at Bay & Basin 92.7 FM on 30th November 2020 & If you missed it - listen to on the link Podcast:

 

This week was an amazing night. I actually came to the studio - with no program to play the songs selected for tonight. Left it at home didn't I?

Anyway, I could not pack my bags and not go on with the show. The song selections came to me and no one knew I didn't plan last night's show, until I got there! Yet, it was another great night.

The following provided song requests as we were enetertained with their choice of songs:

1. Joanne - with 'Midnight Confessions' by The Grass Roots
2. Zena - with 'And it stoned me' by Van Morrison

We all had a late studio call from Jakova who requested a  song called, 'King of wishful thinking' by Go West. I will be playing this song on next weeks show.

The songs kept coming on the show, which I know audiences enjoyed.  We hope you all enjoyed them.

Tonight, was my 18th Live and 15th Solo 'Upbeat Songs With John' Radio Show at Bay & Basin 92.7FM.......from 6pm to 8pm two hours of show broadcasted live to all of you.

So, is with great pleasure that I have presented to you wonderful audience another great 'Upbeat' show.

Thank you to all listeners of 'Upbeat Songs With John's 28th Radio Show broadcasted on 30th November 2020, at 6-8pm EST, at 92.7FM. If you missed it, you may listen to the podcast here (Part 1 & Part 2):

Click here to listen to tonight's Radio Show podcast

(Click onto tonight's Radio Show, listen to it, or you ay wish to listen to other previous shows click onto them )

We have audiences listening within the Bay & Basin, Sydney, Melbourne, Western Sydney, Queensland, France and the Philippines, internationally. If anyone is listening from anywhere else around the world. Please let us know!

Tonight I enjoyed playing various songs for you and almost the show went smoothly.

You may wish to listen to the next Show of 'Upbeat Songs With John' will be at 7th December 2020 at 92.7FM.

You may also wish to place song requests here or on 'Upbeat Songs With John at Bay Facebook Page at Bay & Basin 92.7FM'.

So, tune into your radio on 92.7FM or go this website link to listen online to the 29th Upbeat Songs With John broadcasted on 7th December 2020 :

Click here to listen online

Or you may download simple radio application on your phone and type in our radio station details and then click on it and off you go! No signed applications to complete.

And enjoy the Show!

You may also click on the above same page for 92.7FM radio schedule programs.

This week's Dedicated song was to Dominique, a great family member of mine in Normandy, France 'Peter' was the song called, 'Get a little dirt on your hands' by the Delltones.

Click her for the previous post

Holy City By Andre Rieu His Johann Strauss Orchestra and Wonderful Tenors

What can I say with Christmas  coming, The Holy City to make move with this wonderful Christmas Carol:

Click here for 'Holy City'