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performances

Big Blue Shed - the opening of the Studio of Ross Annels

Ross Annels organised his furniture studio opening  for the Noosa Long Weekend Festival on Sunday 23 June 2002. Just in time, a new contemporary chamber (studio? shed?) group emerged out of the amalgamation of the Queensland Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. They premiered in the “Big Blue Shed” opening with a world premiere of a new piece by Queensland composer Michael Hugh Dixon (based on a Buddhist text), as well as some other interesting contemporary pieces (see the program below). Professor Joan Kerr gave a fine and amusing talk. Her speech on the significance of sheds and her bright blue dyed hair (“I let the occasion go to my head”) was a great hit. A number of people, including one of the key organisers of the Noosa Long Weekend gamut of events, said it was the highlight of the 10 days.  

Joan Kerr

So, despite the down-to-earth utilitarian nature of the shed, we attracted some of the high end of the market, especially those coming up for the big A art activities of the Noosa Longweekend Festival. A lot of people came over the two hours (200 or so, cars parked up and down our country road for more than a kilometre) and enjoyed listening to stimulating and wonderful contemporary music (thanks Locana), looking at beautiful landscapes in perfect weather (thanks Goddess), participating in some community art of the event (thanks Rob), laughing at all the right places in a great speech (thanks Joan), and (of course) sitting on the furniture (thanks Ross). We even had half a case of leftover champagne (so they didn’t just come for the alcohol!).

Joan Kerr

The big blue shed opening was talked about for months afterwards as a great success (and even now, in 2008 people still introduce themselves as being at the Big Blue Shed opening). A shed that size, let alone the event itself, just couldn’t happen in the city. We shed the blues in the big blue shed to the stimulating contemporary music of Locana! (And of course, a CD is available).

Big Blue Shed - the opening of the Studio of Ross Annels

 
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