ARTS DEVELOPMENT: Vocal Coaching Course Starts 15 Feb at The Rhythm Hut in Gosford!

There are only three places left for our Vocal Coaching Course - kicks off Feb 15th 7 - 8pm at The Rhythm Hut - 135 Faunce st Gosford. To book: Contact Amy Hut on (02) 0420682258 

Artistic Director of Sandy Bigara Arts, Gosford / Erina NSW, Australia.

ex - The Bigara Talent Factory CC and Paw Paw Show Company - South Africa

- Piano, Guitar & Vocals, full Sound System provided. 

(Modern and contemporary songs, original, golden oldies, jazz, blues, opera and light classical.)

- Stand-Up Comedy.

(What Kind? Improv Show & Stand Up Guys - I was Executive Producer & Show Host)

- MC of Events. 

(MC - The Good Food & Wine Show, Demo Chef, City View Mall MC)

- Director / Writer of Children's Educational & Theatrical Shows / Road Shows. 

(AACL, ETA & Cooee Roadshows, Animal Tails I & II, Rapunzel & The Princess & The Frog at The Catalina Theatre)

- Educational Work Experience Talks - Schools.

(Women in Business, Women Empowerment, Overcoming Adversity) 

- Motivational Speaker

( I am a Survivor of Woman & Child Abuse)

- Artist/Director Support Photography

(Theatrical during show, Poster art, Portfolio)

- Portable Recording Studio for Indie Artists

(Recording Studio and Support / training for Indie Artists)

- Doll Face-Ups

(Re-design and creation of refurbished OOAK dolls)

DIARY: Parenting

I had to have one of "those talks" with my two girls today in the car, in the driveway, them all clipped in and nowhere to go - after dropping off half of our belongings at Nanna's house (we're staying with family while we look for a house and are returning after a month away house sitting)
You know that talk?
The one where your face screws up like you've eaten a sour-worm, and your voice cracks just a bit (dramatic effect) and you inform your sweet faced children that if they do "that" again (in this case - completely ignoring my repeated requests to come to the car so we could go) just because their precious Nanna is nearby (you know how children always push it when they're in front of friends or family?), they will both have verrrry creative punishment until they start listening to me again. They both nodded solemly and said "Yes mum" - even though I know I'm going to have to be a TyrannosaurMum until they settle back in... #sigh

RANT: Are Your Shows Free?

An email received via my old show company website today: (I posted my full reply after this status)

"Good day

Please advise if you are still doing these road shows and if you have any shows relating to the 'My body" theme? We are a preschool group. Also, are your shows free?

With kind regards,

School-Principal-in-Durban-that-doesn't -like-to-pay-for-anything"


My actual reply email to the School that asked if our Durban road shows were "Free" (I posted the email in the status before this one)
My actor and director friends: your work has value. Your time has value.


"Ok, This.
This is why I no longer do these shows.
I'd like you to please step into the shoes of a rapidly dying industry.

Can you imagine:
As the owner/Director of a show company, I must conceptualise and research this theme, create age appropriate content, write a full length show, write and record music and choreograph action dances, design and create props for educational games, dress design and sew costumes, build props, have sound available - Mic, speakers, amp, lighting, hire paid actors (in 2010 I paid up to R200 for one show to each of the actors for transport costs and the numerous hours of rehearsals it takes for a seamless show) train them up if they need help with kids theatre, rehearse, transport them (petrol), set up for 40 minutes before hand, perform for an hour straight and then reverse order back home... Schools would complain when asked for R800.

I understand that you may think I have funding of some sort? Not sure.
Unfortunately I was told too often upon application, that I was the "wrong colour" (actual words used) and so I have moved on.

I genuinely ask you a kindhearted favour: The next time you have any group of smiling (actually tired, hot and hard working) show teams come through.
Double their pay.
They need it.

Have a good day."

DIARY: You Know Its Hot When...

You Know It's HOT When:

1) The best parking spot is determined by shade, not distance
2) Hot water comes out of both taps
3) You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron
4) The temperature drops below 30C and you feel chilly
5) You know that in December, January, February and March it only takes two fingers to steer a car
6) You discover you can get sun-burnt through your windscreen
7) You develop a fear of metal door handles
8) You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7am
9) Your biggest bike accident fear is "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the road, getting cooked?"
10) You realise that road tar has a liquid state
11) Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to prevent them from laying hard boiled eggs
12) The trees are whistling for dogs (get it?)
13) While walking back barefoot to your car from any event, you do a tightrope act on the white lines in the car park or run really fast with your feet off the ground more than on it
14) You catch a cold from having the aircon or Addis fan on full blast all night long
15) You realise that the Shops aren't just Shopping Centres - they are temples where we worship Air Conditioning
16) Sticking your head in the freezer and taking deep breaths is considered normal
17) A cup full of ice is considered a great snack, jumbo ice-lollies if you're styling
18) Load Shedding is-life threatening because your aircon and your fans no longer work and you start melting into a sweaty puddle
19) No one cares if you walk around with no shoes on
20) You keep everything in the fridge, including potatoes, bread and some clothing
21) People have enough left over beer cans and drink bottles to make a boat and go fishing
22) The effort of toweling yourself off after a shower and getting dressed means you need another shower right away
23) You will wait patiently until the day it starts raining to go on a run
24) At times you worry your ceiling fan is spinning so fast it will fly off and kill you
25) Your make-up pours down your face in a tidal wave of sweaty glory, before you've finished putting it on
26) Lipstick or Lip-Ice turn into molten lava in the car
27) The backs of your legs get pan-seared like a good steak when you get in the car and sit on the seats
28) You die from heat stroke all day, but as soon as you get home to jump in the pool... tropical thunderstorm - winds - temperature drop - too cold to swim.
29) If you're fair-skinned you only go to the beach to swim well after 5pm... And still get burnt
30) Your cigarette lighter becomes a fire-hazard if you leave it outside or even worse - in the car
31) You go to Johnny's and grab one deadly curry bunny, just to cool off
32) Your glasses steam up when you go outside - after being in an air-conditioned room
33) Housework is something you used to do in August sometime
34) You co-ordinate your outfits - ones that don't show the sweaty patches so much
35) If you don't have aircon in your cabby, you get out looking like you've entered a wet tee-shirt competition... back sweat. The struggle is real.
36) You're laughing because this list is so accurate

(I'll add on any great suggestions to the list that make me laugh haha :) xx

Share if you know what this is like!

DIARY: A Roald Dahl Moment

We just had a Roald Dahl moment...

I got out of the car, walked away and waited. Sav got out and we chatted a bit. I then said
"Sav please shut the door"
She turned to face the door and looked at it - the door immediately swung shut and clicked. I turned to her like 😨 as she turned to me like 😎 and I shouted,
"MATILDAAAAA!!!"
We laughed so much! Had to call Nannarelle and tell her since we watched the movie together 😆😆😆

CELEBRITY NEWS: Celine Dion's Husband René Angélil Dies At 73 After Cancer Battle

RIP Rene, our thoughts are with your wife Celine and your precious boys at this sad time.

Cancer once again... claiming yet another life.

Read a full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rene-angelil-dead-dies_5698065fe4b0b4eb759dbea5

CELEBRITY NEWS: Alan Rickman Has Died

I am on the move today - so posting from my phone. Apologies.

And so, Cancer has claimed yet another bright star. RIP Alan Rickman. You were a pleasure to watch.

For a full article please follow:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/14/alan-rickman-giant-of-british-film-and-theatre-dies-at-69

My thoughts and condolences to his family and fans.

CELEBRITY NEWS: Moving Tribute to David Bowie

CELEBRITY NEWS: David Bowie Has Passed Away

David Bowie has passed away. 
Ground Control to Major Tom.... 

So many great artists have moved on up to the show hall in the sky. Master David, you filled so many hearts and minds with your musical stories, and your funky awesome madness... may your instruments always be in tune, may your sound technician be highly skilled, and may your eternal music making echo through the ever after. 

Read a full article about his passing via The Guardian.

David Bowie

"January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief." - Image below followed by the link to his page on Facebook. Go on and leave a supportive message for the family and friends of David. 

David Bowie Official Facebook Page

You can show your support by purchasing his incredible latest album BLACKSTAR via:
HMV 
GOOGLE PLAY 
iTUNES
SPOTIFY
or as a CD on his website, 
or as a VINYL ALBUM on his website. 

This is the first Bowie song I ever heard, and connected to... 

SPACE ODDITY

Youtube Link HERE

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills
and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown,
engines on
Check ignition
and may God's love be with you

[spoken]
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Liftoff

This is Ground Control
to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule
if you dare

This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating
in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past
one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much
she knows

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead,
there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you....

Here am I floating
round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do.

DIARY: Stop The Negative In Your Online Life

After seeing a viral video of an "asshole attacks breastfeeding mother on a train" with hundreds of thousands of shares, thousands of comments of how the perpetrator should die, people naming him, sharing his details etc. I opened YouTube and saw after searching, that it was from a stunt for a shock show. Someone edited the clip and posted it as a real life situation.
Thousands were emotionally affected by this video. Thousands upset and hurt and distraught.
Wow.
No more.
So, yesterday and today I spent the day unfollowing fb contacts who post inflammatory and fear mongering posts.
Not unfriending. Just unfollowing - I don't dislike THEM, they're just caught in a negative cycle that I don't want a part of. I removed most of my South African news pages (fear mongering and racist posts causing more distress) because I have trustworthy friends on Facebook who post relevant thoughts and perspectives - I'd rather participate in discussions or follow on news articles through them.
I joined one African based group (so far) named after a very wise religious/spiritual/philosophical leader and wow! Seeing white black coloured you-name-it's all being supportive and engaging in dynamic and real discussions about race and sex and gender equality.
Just those two - the removals and an addition, has changed my Facebook experience.
I also removed people who have never connected with me in a positive way, only when there are negative posts or discussions- keyboard warriors. And people who have always either rejected me or tried to make me feel 'less' - gone. Liberating.

Also added a lot of Aussie pages and news sources, time to step away from the old and towards the new.

What changes are you making this year my friends? Sometimes we get stuck and dont realise that we are in charge of what we allow into our minds and hearts.

2015 NYE Fireworks and Fun

Sandy and Savanna Minees Biscuit Challenge

Zelfs Unboxing and Easy Customisation