How would you go performing on stage with your award winning, famous husband? Nervous? Hell yeah!!
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© The Ponder Room
Danielle Caruana & John Butler
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That’s what Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) told the revved up Fremantle crowd at Saturday nights Gimme Shelter, annual fundraiser for the homeless.
With a ticket price of only $25/$35 a head, and ALL moneys going to the great cause, the crowd was diverse to say the least.
Young families let their kids off the leash to explore and play with other kids; moody teenagers roamed in packs and even allowed themselves to be seen having a good time, I know unheard of; clipboard welding organisers made last minute notes; a smattering of security staff hung back enjoying the music; and a bodyguard free ex-Prime Minister mingled with the crowd getting hugged and blinded by copious photo opportunities. Perhaps Kevin Rudd felt some empathy with the cause having recently been turfed out of his own lodgings.
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© The Ponder Room
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With the sky darkened and the heat of the day finally evaporated, Last Kinection, the NSW based indigenous hip-hop crew kicked on showing why they have been featured on JJJ. Dom Mariani, the absolute legend behind the Fremantle Indie Rock scene delighted the audience as usual…remember The Stems?
But it was the casual half hour set from Brave and the Bird that revealed the surprise of the night – the Caruana/Butler combination. Danielle needn’t have worried as their music and onstage bantering blended effortlessly, showing the partnership works brilliantly beyond the picket fence.
“Hey this is fun”, Danielle explaimed half way through, reveling in the dancing audience, before adding “ah but it’s the neck that turns the head”, when it was suggested that John was “the head”.
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© The Ponder Room
Kevin Rudd
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One of the most laidback, friendly, safe, outdoor events in ages, even a trip to the front row was hassle free. The atmosphere was reminiscent of more carefree times, when front doors could be left open, and kids walked to school collecting their mates along the way.
All that while also ‘paying it forward’ supporting the great works of the St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.
For more information about the Centre go to http://www.stpats.com/ or contact Victor on vcrevatin@stpats.com
Back home, and trying to calm down, I was left to ponder …..
a) Whether other outdoor events could ever be as laidback, or was it simply a Freo thing?
b) The amazingly effortless display of organisation welded by Phoebe Corke, Dave Johnson and Victor.
c) How to make sure I keep my diary free for next years event, and spread the word.
d) What the talented Brave and the Bird gene pool means for the future of their own little tribe.
