Hello Listen/Watch/Read Rad People

One Velvet Evening & Ten Things Justine Clarke Told Me

May 20, 2015

Justine Clarke is not only a beloved children’s television super-star, she’s also a talented stage and screen actress (what is NOT to love about the stellar Tangle, Love My Way, The Time Of Our Lives – and did you know she played Anna Goanna in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome? It’s totally true. Gasp. Cool.)

Justine can also sing stuff that’s not about watermelons or puppies in the park (not that there’s anything wrong with watermelons/puppies. Heavens no!) She’s actually got a long history of performing non-kid music – from country and western to vintage rock ‘n’ roll, to her very favourite – jazz. She’s totes adaptable, you see.

I’m excited that it’s that very adaptability that has Justine embarking on another rad tour, this time aimed squarely at grown-ups. She’s performing alongside Tex Perkins in One Velvet Evening – a tribute to the music of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra. You can find all the dates and ticket-buying details here. Be quick because they will sell out in a trice.

 

One Velvet Evening

 

When I was in my PJs this morning, sipping tea in front of the heater and thinking about the best way to tell you about One Velvet Evening, I impulsively emailed off a mini interview request to Justine.

By lunchtime I had a bunch of responses to the ten things I’d asked. You can not get nicer/swifter than that, right?  Would you like to find out the things Justine told me? Here goes. (Thanks heaps Justine!!)

Justine Clarke

 

Ten Things with Justine Clarke
Actress/Chanteuse/Mama

Favourite Melbourne coffee place?
I’m a tea drinker. So consequently I don’t go to cafés for coffee but Barry in Northcote made quite an impression – incredible prawn sub. Also, Giddiup in South Melbourne. They have excellent salads.

Best thing to do once the day’s over and you’re cosy at home?
Get out of your clothes and into your pyjamas immediately. Don’t not pass go.

What would you put in a JAFFLE (toastie)?!
Tomato (with salt) and cheese. Does it get any better?

Favourite historical figure?
Gene Kelly

A book I’m reading right now:
Annabelle Crabb’s The Wife Drought

Three favourite ladies? (famous or not!)
My mother, my sister and my daughter.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m definitely a morning person. I’ve always been able to bounce out of bed. I like to think I’m a night owl.

What is the nicest kind of cake?
One that makes you grow small or tall.

Last thing you made? (The bed? A song? A dress?)
A song, just yesterday actually.

Best place to take a nice walk?
Callan Park, Rozelle in Sydney.

ALSO: you might like to see the great stuff Beci Orpin and Justine worked on/with together here

More on One Velvet Evening with Tex Perkins and Justine Clarke.

pip signature

more reading pink

The Good Stuff
Unfinished Business
The Social Club
Twelve Things You Might Like To Watch (Or Rewatch) On TV
Why Slowing Down Is The New Speeding Up
Have Your Pie And Eat It Too!

border pink

11 Comments

  • Reply Nicole Brownlee June 24, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    I got the absolute pleasure of meeting Justine a few weeks ago when she performed Bob Graham’s “Greetings From Sandy Beach” for us at Story Box Library. She was so generous and down to earth. I loved her. Aside from her reading being added to our online library in a few weeks time, the public will be able to see it alongside Nick Cave’s reading of “The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek” at the upcoming children’s literature exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria! How ace is that. Justine and Tex, Justine and Nick! She is a true superstar!

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes June 24, 2015 at 7:09 PM

      That is so ace! Amazing, even. I love The Bunyip Of Berkeley’s Creek – I can’t imagine hearing Nick Cave do the ‘What am I?’s! How COOL!!! So great to hear a little bit more about Justine, too. x

  • Reply Jo Ferre May 30, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    Thanks Pip!
    I simply adore Justine Clarke and admire her artistic talent. She is a reminder of the kind of woman I strive to be.
    J x

  • Reply Ashlea @ Glamour Coastal Living May 22, 2015 at 10:06 AM

    I loved watching Tangle and Justine’s role, so much talent. Thanks for putting the spotlight on her and I will be keeping an eye out for more of her works x

  • Reply Shan@FortyUp May 20, 2015 at 11:55 PM

    Geez I like Justine Clarke, she’s just gorge!!

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes May 21, 2015 at 3:57 PM

      Super cute and clever, right?! x

  • Reply The Renaissance Man May 20, 2015 at 10:53 PM

    Pip, this looks like an amazing show. I’ve been a fan of Nancy and Lees’s music since I was a kid. I bought the L.P. record Nancy and Lee as a 5 year old in 1969 and still have it. (See the tweet I sent you). This would be a wonderful show to go to. You are right Justine is a fabulous artist. I really really enjoyed her role in “The Time of Our Lives. She was brilliant. Tex is a fantastic and diverse singer who crosses so many genres. So they will more than do justice to the songs they perform.

    Good on you for having the get up and go to contact Justine.

    Your blog posts have been extra good this week.

    Cheers,

    Patrick

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes May 21, 2015 at 3:56 PM

      Hey Patrick! I am so impressed by the discerning 5 year-old you! Justine is great, isn’t she? I really admire her. I think this show will be super great. Thanks so much for your kind words about my blog, too. I’ve been working hard on it, so it’s nice when people notice! x

      • Reply The Renaissance Man May 21, 2015 at 8:17 PM

        Pip, I was really lucky to grow up with parents who loved music. I was born in 1964 and it was the best era. I remember so many “first time” hearings. The Beatles and all the English and Australian bands of the 6o’s like The Masters Apprentices were on constant rotation in our home. The very first record album I bought with my own money was “Days of Future Passed” by the Moody Blues and the first 45rpm single was “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by The Procul Harem. I bought them from The Pier Street department store in Altona. I was obsessed by those songs and still am. I still have those records. There was something magical about the music of that time. I think music sort of died after about 1989. Apart from the long term artists who are still making music. I have always had a deep love of classical music and that love has grown even more now.

  • Reply Leisa May 20, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    I sat next to Justine on a flight from Sydney once. She was the sweetest thing.

    • Reply Meet Me At Mikes May 21, 2015 at 3:56 PM

      What. A. GEM!! x

    Leave a Reply