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25.01.2022 Happy Wednesday everyone! How are you all doing? Two things have been on our mind this week... 1. The colour green ... Green is such an evocative colour isn't it? Peas. Leaves. Grass. Beans. Frogs. Lettuce. Environmentalism. What else do you associate with the colour green? This afternoon, your City of Voices friends will be wearing GREEN on our weekly Zoom workshop - we'll snap some pics to share! 2. Mushrooms Yep, it's mushroom season, and wherever we look people seem to be obsessed with foraging for fabulous funghi. Luckily City of Voices now have our very own EXPERT in mushrooming...more on that later. Oh yes, and one final thing we've been thinking about is... Myf Powell! Because it was her birthday! On behalf of the City of Voices, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Myf. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our group. Your passion, kindness, creativity and commitment seem to know no bounds, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being our amazing Artistic Director. We love you and can't imagine City of Voices without you. Awwww! Soppy but true. x COV

25.01.2022 Happy first day of SPRING everyone! See ya later long cold winter of lockdown. No offence but we won't be inviting you back in a hurry. So, what was City of Voices doing THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I hear you ask?... Well, on 2nd September 2019 we were all bunched up together in the rehearsal room practicing our 'school of fish' - moving in harmony with one another We were also practicing red-themed songs for the City Of Port Phillip Community Ball (a 'red-ley' as we liked to call it) Aaaaand the fabulous Maurya Bourandanis was being awarded the GAS Award (General Achievement Seal...not the award for most gas produced. Don't worry). Things are a little different in 2020, but on 2nd Sep (tomorrow!) we'll still be meeting online to share, create, dance, play music and see our friends. Zoom opens 4pm tomorrow for a 4.30pm start. See you there and then! x COV

25.01.2022 Check out what our pals at RAWCUS are up to...looks fab!

24.01.2022 Morning friends! Although we Melburnians are under stage 3 restrictions, good things are still happening... The jasmine is blossoming and City of Voices is BACK! TERM 3 STARTS TODAY!... We can't wait to see all your lovely faces on Zoom tonight! 4pm call opens for a 4.30pm start. And, because that's still 8 hours away, here are some pics from the archives to keep you entertained. Back in 2008 City of Voices performed 'Of the Spirit, Of the Will' at Gasworks Arts Park, in collaboration with performing arts students from Victoria University. Look after yourselves out there and we'll see COV members tonight on Zoom! x COV

23.01.2022 It's here! "Got the Magic", a City Of Port Phillip community video celebration of International Day of People with Disability in 2020. Lots of City of Voices members in here - see if you can spot us!... Devised and created during the COVID-19 restrictions in place in Melbourne in 2020, this performance captures a period in Melbourne's history during which a way was found for our community to come together virtually to celebrate inclusion in acknowledgement of International Day of People with Disability. Enjoy! x COV

23.01.2022 Good afternoon everyone! The City of Voices is excited to launch our latest project... "THE EXPERTS"... Throughout 2020, each member of City of Voices has been working on an 'expert character', someone who knows everything there is to know about every topic under the sun. The best sport, the ideal holiday destination, the RIGHT time to begin putting up Christmas decorations, our experts have strong opinions because they are EXPERTS in their fields. Experts in ALL fields. Today we'd like to introduce you to our first expert... Name: Detective Paul Smith Favourite saying: "I've researched this..." Favourite past time: Drinking cola Pet peeve: Forgetting my keys as I go out the door Thanks, Detective Paul Smith! Each week we'll introduce you to another expert character, and very soon, we'll invite you to a special online showing of our creative work this year. We've researched this... Watch this space! x COV

23.01.2022 City of Voices is proud to be a part of the wider City Of Port Phillip community, and love to lend our support to important events. One of those events is the annual Homelessness Memorial held every year at the Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda around the time of the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions the 2020 Homelessness Memorial will not be going ahead. However, your friends at City of Voices will be having our own... little memorial on Zoom. To all our COV members: please feel free to have a candle with you tomorrow afternoon, and dress is black with a touch of colour in a beanie or scarf. Everyone deserves a place to call home. See you all on Zoom tomorrow night for the last week of Term 2. Then it's holidays - no structured sessions on Wed 1st and 8th July - enjoy the break! City of Voices Term 3 will resume ON ZOOM beginning Wed 15 July. No face-to-face sessions planned at this stage, but we will keep you updated as health advice changes. , Take care out there x COV

22.01.2022 An interesting article about social housing in the City of Port Phillip and the vital work of our friends at South Port Community Housing Group Because everyone needs a home

21.01.2022 Happy Monday everyone! We're getting excited...our online showing FRAMED is happening THIS Wednesday 9th December, 6pm on Zoom! Get in touch with [email protected] to grab your FREE spot in the audience. For our artistic 'provocations' in 2020, City of Voices members were asked to respond creatively to these Phillip K Dick science fiction novel covers... A poem, a dance, a song... How would you respond? x COV

20.01.2022 Check out the FREE online Culture and Nature Festival happening this week, being run by our good friends at the Port Phillip EcoCentre

20.01.2022 City of Voices is excited to invite you to... FRAMED A creative showing... 6pm, Wed 9 December on Zoom FREE Limited audience capacity (yes, even on Zoom!). Please email [email protected] to reserve your spot

19.01.2022 It's TONIGHT! Come and see our amazing City of Voices members in action (and, of course, meet The Experts) 6pm tonight on Zoom we will perform 'FRAMED', a creative showing of our work in 2020.... Email [email protected] to nab a spot. See you there! x COV

19.01.2022 Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday. See you at 4.30pm tonight in your best 'Spring Has Sprung' costumes! Prizes! Music! Snacks (of your own making)! Last City of Voices for Term 3 and it's PARTY TIME!... Zoom call opens at 4pm for a 4.30 start Catch you then, petals! x COV

19.01.2022 2020 has been a massive year for the SouthPort Community Centre. A year of constantly shifting and changing to meet the needs of people in the community. Check out this short film, made by our very own legendary creative Rachel Edward, that tells the story of a year like no other.. ... There's a little bit of City of Voices footage in there too. Enjoy! x COV https://vimeo.com/481062151

19.01.2022 What do you associate with the colour purple? Wizards? Grapes? Lavender? That shop on Chapel St that has long closed down ('Colour Me Purple' it was called, everything it sold was purple)? Or maybe, for you, it's Prince every time: "I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain..." ... Whatever purple means to you, this week at City of Voices we'll be getting our purple on in a big way. Wigs, hats, jewellery, scarves, coats, robes and veils, if it's purple, we want to see you in it tomorrow night on Zoom, 4.30pm - be there in your purple best. City of Voices is hitting a purple patch...see you all tomorrow night! x COV

19.01.2022 Good morning everyone! In our next installment of THE EXPERTS we'd like to introduce you to... Sir Edmund Gracious!... Name: Sir Edmund Gracious Favourite saying: "I think you'll find, no, I know you'll find..." Favourite pastime: Resting in the knowledge that my expertise ENABLES me to handle any issue life throws my way Pet peeve: Not being able to fly

18.01.2022 Do you ever have a bath in the middle of the day? We do! Last week, City of Voices members shared our 'iso discoveries', positive things that we've started doing during these altered times.... Here, in no particular order, are those things: - Having a bath in the middle of the day - Walking at the beach with my daughter: I have time now that I don't need to commute to work and back -Journalling - Making chickpea fritters and pizza (INCLUDING the base) - Painting butterflies - Learning guitar on YouTube (c/o JustinGuitar) - Researching kazoos - Dancing in the kitchen - Working with an art mentor and getting a cat named Bubu Pickles - Discovering that I've become desensitised to violence (self-discovery made while watching a violent film) - Doing the 30 minute workout with Body Project on YouTube (because the instructor has a hot British accent, and it involves real people and body types) - Finding alternatives to playgrounds, like tree climbing and creeks - Doing pilates online - Beach walks and ice-creams - Using Zoom for all sorts of activities: ceramics, painting, film-making - Riding my three wheeled bike What has your iso discovery been? x COV PS We'd just like to recognise that not everyone is as lucky as our group members in terms of having the economic opportunity and time to do these enjoyable things. We are fortunate to live in Australia, where there are social and government safety nets in place, and we recognise that our experience of COVID-19 is by no means universal. Not everyone is able to have baths in the middle of the day, or even has a bath.

17.01.2022 In these unprecedented times, City of Voices keeps us connected, and we've made this short film to show you why that matters. In the words of our members, this is what City of Voices means to us... Featuring the City of Voices ensemble: Myf Powell (Artistic Director), Geoffrey Alan Thorsen (Support Artist), Rachel Edward (Support Artist) Isabel Robinson (Company Manager), Marylla Powell, Helen Littlejohn, Maurya Bourandanis, Chris Wright, Mark Smith, Kate Sholl, Bronwyn Phil...lips, Jay Shiv, Diann Pattison, Yanina Vandenberg, Rob Hinton, Sally Lie Edited by Rachel Edward SouthPort Community Centre, City Of Port Phillip, Palais Theatre, #southportcommunitychest

17.01.2022 Hi everyone! We're excited to let you know that City of Voices have applied for City Of Port Phillip funding for a new performance project in 2022...fingers crossed. We miss being in front of a live audience! While we wait, let's remember when, 2 years ago, we got out in front of the crowds at the St Kilda Festival, parading down the street in our finest costumes. Ah, those hazy pre-COVID days when huge groups of people came together with no thought of hygiene. ... Anyway. Restrictions have now relaxed a lot in Melbourne and we're looking to the rest of 2021 with positivity and hope. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night at rehearsal. Usual time, usual place, and as usual, please bring a mask and a water bottle. Although we love each and every one of you, please don't show up if you or anyone in your household is feeling below par. Looking forward to our Wednesday workshop! x COV

17.01.2022 Spring Has Sprung! That's right everyone, the flowers are blooming everywhere we look and that's why SPRING is the dress-up theme for tomorrow's City of Voices party! There will be prizes for best-dressed and maybe even a Zoom fashion parade!... So dress up in your finest Spring-inspired outfit (hats, floral crowns, 70s flower power clothes welcome) and we'll see you at the last COV for the term tomorrow at 4.30pm! Call opens, as usual, from 4pm. x COV PS 'Spring' is open to interpretation...you don't have to wear flowers.

17.01.2022 Port Phillip friends! And everyone else, because no more 5km rule! The Port Melbourne Artisan Christmas Market is on today! 11am-5pm on Bay St, Port Melbourne. Weather is perfect! Come on down, support your local creatives, buy some cards from the SouthPort Community Centre's stall, and just enjoy this beautiful Saturday! ... See you there x COV

16.01.2022 Helloooooo everyone! Happy Wednesday! City of Voices is on TONIGHT, woohoo!! Zoom call opens at 4pm for a 4.30pm start. ... It's winter and we Melburnians are in COVID lockdown 2.0, so let's hark back to a warm March day in 2015 at the Port Melbourne Community Festival. Super hero theme! Remember when people could go to festivals in cow hats and capes instead of masks? That was nice. We're looking forward to such seemingly 'normal' events being able to happen again one sunny day in the future. Maybe we will appreciate those everyday blessings - an arm around someone's shoulders, a group singalong - more than ever! Til then, look after yourselves and each other x COV

16.01.2022 Hello everyone! How are you doing this week? Hope you're going along OK. Very exciting news about Melbourne opening up tomorrow - well done everyone for getting to 0 cases! Amazing work, sacrifice and diligence!... City of Voices will continue meeting online for the time being, but we're looking forward to the day when we can all get back together again in person. Remember this sunny day back in March when we did a fire drill outside the South Melbourne Community Centre? Only 9 months ago but it feels like another lifetime! We'll see all our City of Voices members tomorrow night, 4pm for a 4.30pm start on Zoom And to all of you, keep staying safe, looking after one another, and please ENJOY your newfound freedoms! x COV

15.01.2022 We love our pets. Here are some photos of our animal friends during COVID lockdown 2020.

15.01.2022 G'day everyone! Term 4 of City of Voices started back last week - it was SO good to be back 'in the room' (well, in the Zoom room) and we've got lots of exciting plans for the rest of 2020. Stay tuned...there'll be an online 'showing' of some of our work before Christmas. Woot! Our next COV session is tomorrow afternoon, 4pm for a 4.30 start as per usual. ... In the meanwhile, we encourage you to get on board with RoarStage, their next Open Mic is next week, Monday 19th October at 7pm. Contact Marjetka if you'd like to perform. Catch y'all tomorrow eve! And if we don't see you, have a great week and hang in there. This WILL pass. One day we'll be able to be 'in the room' for real again...won't that be grand x COV

13.01.2022 Last Wednesday, City of Voices watched the following trailer for the theatre piece '887' and then created a response, each of us sharing a phrase or a sentence about how the video made us feel. Here is that poem... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3mPXPkiJtk&feature=youtu.be That was a desperate process to find understanding... everything was lost, all that was left was a memory comforting smoke from long ago it shifts unstable like dust walls seem to be walls wherever I go lost family make you feel guilty lonely chills down my spine rain in the gutters finding out who you really are, looking to find the truth remorse leads to loss I'm sorry, I'm so sorry tried to reach what has been lost homeless people and squatters it's so still and cold, I'm so alone tell me why? I'm so lonely all by myself in my home, I've been alone, looking for someone or something See more

13.01.2022 Check this out! Original digital story telling from children and young people who have a parent with a mental illness. Amazing work from @SatelliteFoundation!

13.01.2022 Congratulations to our amazing arts support worker @GeoffreyThorsen for winning the Outstanding Facilitator award at the Heart of the Port awards last night. Loved your costume! And congratulations Rob Hinton, dearly loved and valued City of Voices member, who won the Oustanding Student award. A fantastic AGM for @SouthPortCommunityCentre and amazing to see all the hard work that's been done in 2020 to support the most vulnerable in our community. ... SPCC keeps people connected. And we're proud to be part of it. x COV

13.01.2022 Is St Kilda in your 5km radius? If so, you might like to try doing the 'Secrets of St Kilda' crossword on your one hour iso-walk. Created by our COV Company Manager Isabel and her husband Stephen. They hope it might draw your attention to something new and keep those neurons firing!... See below link for details. x COV

12.01.2022 Helen's pet budgie, Buddy, passed away (rest in peace feathered friend). Helen felt too sad looking at the empty cage so she filled it with meerkats.

11.01.2022 Good morning! How are you? Your friends at City of Voices are doing well!... We're VERY excited to be back at the South Melbourne Community Centre tomorrow afternoon after a week on Zoom. WOOHOO!! Well done Victoria!! But our Zoom session last week was fun - we watched a film made for a past City of Voices production, 'The Reflections Project' which showed at Gasworks Arts Park in October 2007 as part of the The Melbourne Fringe Festival. Set on the local beach in winter, the film features older City of Voices members putting a message in a bottle and throwing it out to sea. In the messages they give advice to their younger selves. At the same time, younger people, drama students from Victoria University, state their hopes for the future. The film was incorporated into the live Gasworks performance of 'The Reflections Project' in 2007. It was moving to watch, and important for us to all reflect on past City of Voices people and performances. Study the past if you would define the future, said Confucius. Next year, 2022, is our 30th birthday and we are developing a new work that reflects on the past in order to define the future. Hopefully we'll perform at the Gasworks Arts Park in 2022 to complete the circle. City of Voices was the opening show of the brand new Gasworks Theatre in 1992. So, we'll see all our members tomorrow at 4.30pm at the Sth Melb Community Centre as we reflect, create and come together in person. Please bring masks, water bottles, sanitise hands on arrival, check-in, and please stay home if you or anyone in your household is unwell. Catch ya then! x COV

11.01.2022 Good afternoon friends and comrades! How'd you be on this autumnal Melbourne afternoon? The City of Voices team are going great guns, thanks for asking. ... We'll be meeting on Zoom tonight as usual, 4.30pm, and can't wait to see everyone's merry faces online. Hope you're all ready to get creative! Behind the scenes, some archival work has been going on in preparation for our City of Voices History Documentary project. Man, there is a lot of material created over the last 28 years! Here's a shot of the beautiful Marylla, still a much-valued current COV member, and Betty in the 2009 performance, "Waiting, Meeting, Chasing...The Station." According to our research, this original City of Voices work was performed at the Gasworks Arts Park Studio for the @ArtofDifferenceFestival and adapted to a site-specific performance at light rail stations between South Melbourne and St Kilda for the St Kilda Festival 2009. What station was this shot taken, do you think? Do you have any memories of this performance? We'd love to hear! Look after yourselves out there x COV

11.01.2022 City of Voices is proud to be an inclusive theatre group of and for the City of Port Phillip community. Through our host organisation, SouthPort Community Centre, we receive financial support from the City Of Port Phillip and we're grateful for that. We won't tell you how to vote in the current council elections, but please, keep in mind that a portion of council rates go towards supporting important community services like ours. ... Services that empower. Services that connect. Services that inspire. Services that give people hope. Every year in October, we dress up to the nines and perform our socks off for members of our local community at the Port Phillip Community Ball. The photo above, of our beautiful members Maurya, Marylla and Kate, was taken last year (how gorgeous do they look in their ruby reds?!). This year, for reasons that are obvious, the ball won't be happening. But we've got other exciting virtual projects in the works which we'll share with you here. In these isolating times, City of Voices and the SouthPort Community Centre are continuing our work. Connecting people Supporting people Empowering people Community services don't 'just happen'. They need to be supported. So please think about all those community services you use and value, and we'll be back with more news of our happenings very soon. And if you're a member of COV, we'll see YOU tomorrow night on Zoom, 4pm call opens for a 4.30pm start. Catch you then! x COV

11.01.2022 Here's a blast from the past... In October 2007 City of Voices performed 'The Reflections Project' at Gasworks Arts Park in collaboration with performing arts students from Victoria University Polytechnic. "The purpose of this piece is to unite people who wouldn't normally have the chance to meet," Artistic Director Myf Powell said in a 2007 interview. "The process of producing the performance is just as important as the underlying themes of the final product."... Ain't that the truth. It's all about the process. x COV

11.01.2022 Hi everyone! How are you all going on day 2 of these new Stage 4 Melbourne restrictions? We imagine that, like us at City of Voices, you're pretty over it but willing to do what it takes to beat this thing. To raise everyone's spirits, we'd like to share some photos with you...The Pets of the City of Voices! Those of us lucky enough to have a pet at home have been taking great comfort in the company of animals. And our pets are not exactly unhappy... ... "Pandemic? What pandemic? You mean whatever it is that means you're home all the time so I can lie on you? It's awesome!" Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, turtles, mice, pet rocks...whatever your pet is, we're sure you love them just like we love ours. Here's a little gallery of our pets...more photos to be added as they come to hand. And lots of love and condolences to COV members Chris and Megan whose cat Minx passed away last night. Rest in peace sweet little furball. We'll look forward to connecting with all our members tomorrow night, 4pm for a 4.30pm start on Zoom. See your beautiful faces and creative minds then! x COV PS Feel free to post a pic of your own pet in the comments!

11.01.2022 Did you know that YOU are creative? "Who me?" "Yes, YOU!"... "Couldn't be me..." "Yes, YOU!" At the City of Voices, we believe that everyone is creative. Many of us may have been taught, from a young or not-so-young age, that creative dreams or aspirations are egotistical, frivolous and embarrassing, something to be locked out of sight, shoved down, sprayed with cold water. Well, we disagree. We believe that there is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life - including ourselves. And that the refusal to be creative is actually blocking what is naturally there, innate, within each of us. Our job at the City of Voices is helping to bring out the natural creativity in each of our members. Because being creative connects us to one another, makes us laugh, gives us hope and is just FUN. Fun. A small word, but so important, and not just for kids. Adults need it too! We'll leave you today with this quote: "Why should we all use our creative power...? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money." - Brenda Ueland What creative thing, large or small, have you done lately? And if you can't think of one...maybe now's the time to let yourself start? x COV

11.01.2022 Throughout 2020, City of Voices members have been responding creatively to various 'provocations'. A piece of music. A painting. ... A video clip. We have written, moved and responded to how these provocations make us feel. At FRAMED, we will share some of this work in progress with you. Here is one of our provocations - a hauntingly beautiful singing technique called "kulning" Kulning is an ancient Swedish herding call that was used by women a long time ago to call cows and goats back home to the farm in the evenings. The high pitched sounds can be heard across long distances. x COV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc7F_qv3eI8&feature=youtu.be

10.01.2022 Hello out there! How are you doing this week, today, this minute? This is City of Voices here, checking in on you, our members and friends. We're not gonna lie to you - Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne are HARD. We miss hugs, we miss face-to-face workshops, we miss singing together in harmony, we miss spontaneous chats that aren't on a screen. ... Last week, at the end of our City of Voices session we gave ourselves a big round of APPLAUSE for everything we're doing - the staying home, the constant hand washing, the mask wearing, not seeing friends and family - because we all deserve it! That includes you! We've all made major changes to our lives, and while we know they're important and necessary, that doesn't make them easy. But through it all, we're managing to stay positive, creative and connected. City of Voices keeps us connected, keeps our neurons firing, and keeps us in touch with our weird, wonderful and wacky inner artists. We walked past this amazing ceramic community mural in St Kilda the other day, in the park next to the National Theatre. "Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another," it said. Ain't that the truth. Where would we be without one another? We are lucky indeed to have good people in our lives. *Sniff* See you all tomorrow night on Zoom, 4pm for a 4.30 start. I hear on the grapevine that there might be a competition happening...with prizes... x COV

08.01.2022 Well, two weeks of face-to-face workshops is better than none, right? City of Voices will be back on Zoom this Wed night. We're being positive and hoping it's just a one-off, but who knows. Last week we had loads of fun doing 'window work' - two performers improvised a scene outside on the bowling green, and the rest of us watched from inside the hall (masked, of course). ... Scenes included a lifesaver rescuing a swimmer from a shark attack, a disgruntled petrol station attendant and customer, and, of course, two people fighting over the last packet of toilet paper. First we performed the scene with dialogue Then we could only say our partner's name Then...silence. It was loads of fun, and all part of our training in the fine art of mime. Though we can't do this on Zoom, we will have the chance to take a trip down memory lane this week and be inspired by some past City of Voices shows. So bring along your popcorn! See you all on Zoom this Wed arvo, call opens 4pm for a 4.30pm start x COV

08.01.2022 Our pals The Seinfelds have a new episode out...we love these guys so hard

08.01.2022 Good afternoon everyone! The next Expert we would like to introduce you to is...drum roll... JODIE ORANGE... Name: Jodie Orange Favourite saying: My name is Jodie Orange and I’m an expert Favourite pastime: Drinking freshly squeezed orange juice Pet peeve: Being disturbed when I’m doing private stuff Thank you JODIE for taking the time to introduce yourself! Jodie will be sharing her expertise - she is a true EXPERT on all matters large and small - at the upcoming online showing FRAMED on Wed 9th Dec, 6pm. Email [email protected] to reserve your FREE spot! x COV

07.01.2022 On Wednesday night, City of Voices members were challenged to create a poem about a particular room in our homes. We were asked - What does that room smell like? - What can you hear? - What does it make you want to do? How does it make you feel?... We'd like to share those mini-masterworks with you to brighten up this chilly Friday afternoon... "In this room I can smell the embers of a dying fire. I can hear the sound of rain. It gives me the warmth of understanding". "In this room I can smell the aroma of a cup of coffee. I hear the caroling of magpies. It gives me comfort and the feeling of sitting pretty". "In this room I can smell lavender. I can hear the wind blow strongly. It makes me want to put some flowers on the table." "In this room I can smell pancakes and maple syrup. I can hear the wind. It makes me want to stay up late." "In this room I can smell toast and black bananas. I can hear the kettle ramping up. It makes me want to scrub its floor." "In this room I can smell incense. I can hear a drum, a strum and a chant. It makes me want to be myself." "In this room I can smell the aroma of my favourite food. I can hear the pitter-pattering of rain droplets. It makes me want to fly like an eagle." "In this room I can smell florally perfume smells. I can hear lovely beats. It makes me want to explore different things." "In this room I can smell different aromatic spices. I can hear something suspenseful. It makes me want to think, innovate and create." "In this room I can smell the rain. I can hear crickets chirping. It makes me want to art about in my studio." "This room smells like cat I can hear the fan on the computer. It makes me want to play music." "This room smells like Mr Sheen I can hear the TV when it's on. In this room I like to relax." "This room smells like sandalwood I can hear the wind. It makes me want to read." "This room smells like dog's urine. I can hear the rain. In this room I watch Netflix parties." How about you? Can you think of a room in your house and write your own poem? This room smells like... I can hear... It makes me want to... Have a happy weekend everyone! Stay warm please x COV

07.01.2022 What would we do without flowers? The brightness of wattle in winter, sweet-smelling jasmine spilling over back fences, magnolias hanging heavy from branches. In these strange COVID times, where masks are mandatory and smiling at a passing stranger becomes harder than ever, we can at least be thankful for the beauty and generosity of flowers, and thankful for each other... Myf the Marigold, brightening up our days with her creativity and zest for life Rachel the Rh...ododenrum, cheeky eyes sparkling, full of humour and fun Geoffrey the Gladioli, a kind and gentle soul lurking beneath the prankster exterior Di the Dahlia, Helen the Hollyhock, Kate the Kangaroo Paw, Isabel the Iris, Chris the Chrysanthemum, Maurya the Moss Rose, Mark the Magnolia, Marylla the Morning Glory, Bron the Bromeliad, Jay the Jasmine, Tyrone the Tulip, Yanina the Yew Berry, Rob the Rose and Sally the Snowdrop. Each of you a brilliant flower in your own way! Can't wait to see all you blossoms tomorrow night on Zoom, 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Til then, take care of yourselves and one another and remember...spring is not far off! We can do this! x COV See more

07.01.2022 Good afternoon everyone! Wed 9th December - put it in your diaries, tattoo it on your foreheads. City of Voices will be sharing our creative work from 2020 with an ONLINE AUDIENCE on the afternoon of Wed 9th Dec. ... Details to come...it will be FREE and ALL will be welcome. In preparation, we'd like to introduce you to another of our resident EXPERTS... Please give a warm welcome to...drum roll... POLLY WAFFLE! Name: Polly Waffle Favourite saying: "Now you'll find this interesting..." Favourite pastime: Discovering new things to be expert in Pet peeve: "I don't like people who think they know everything cause it upsets those of us who do!" Thanks Polly, and we look forward to hearing more of your expertise at the online performance in December! Have a great week everyone x COV

06.01.2022 And some more comedy gold from our friends The Seinfeld Siblings...

06.01.2022 City of Voices members and friends! We don't often ask for help, but we need your help today... Do you think City of Voices is valuable? Do you believe promoting friendship, ongoing learning and combatting loneliness and isolation during COVID-19 is important? Do you believe everyone should have the opportunity to engage in the creative arts? ... Do you want Council to continue supporting City of Voices into the future? If you say yes, yes, yes and YES to these questions, PLEASE HELP US BY MAKING A SUBMISSION to the City of Port Phillip 2020-21 Updated Council Plan and Budget. City of Port Phillip are one of our major financial supporters and we need to THANK THEM for supporting us and TELL THEM why our group is so important, especially in this time of COVID-19. How do I do this? Click on this link: https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/budget-20202021 Copy and paste the below message, or write your own: Dear Port Phillip Councillors, Thank you for your continued support of the City of Voices Inclusive Theatre Group and SouthPort Community Centre. City of Voices (COV) is an inclusive theatre company operating as a program of SouthPort Community Centre. Ours is one of 12 Council-funded programs run by SPCC that serve more than 300 participants each week. At City of Voices, our mission is to give all people, regardless of age, ability or socio-economic status, the opportunity to engage in the creative arts. Established in 1992, COV has been creating original theatrical work for the local Port Phillip community for over 25 years. The majority of our participants live, work or study in the City of Port Phillip. During this COVID-19 epidemic, City of Voices has continued to meet on Zoom, supporting each other, reducing loneliness and isolation, and keeping our minds creative and active during what have been difficult times. We are not just a theatre group but a 'second family' for our members, many of whom are from vulnerable and isolated groups. Research indicates that an active, healthy, resilient, well-informed and connected community will recover more quickly from disruptions like COVID-19. City of Voices is an example of that community connection in action. Port Phillip Council - your support makes that possible. Thank you, PUT YOUR NAME HERE Thanks everyone for taking action! The more voices thanking Council for their support, the better! x COV

06.01.2022 Someone pinch me because I think I must have been dreaming Is it my imagination, or did City of Voices actually start back IN PERSON last week? Did we play (socially distanced) drama games? Like alien, tiger, cow? Like slow racing (the winner is the last to cross the line)?... Did we have (COVID-safe) snacks together and celebrate Geoffrey and Meagan's happy birthdays? Was it a beautiful sunny afternoon at the South Melbourne Community Centre? And was it just SO wonderful to see each other in person again? Even if we have to keep 1.5 metres apart at all times? Well, it seems it really DID happen, and I wasn't dreaming after all. I have a photo for proof! Let's do it all again tomorrow! See you all at 4.30pm, usual place, with your mask. And remember, if you or anyone in your household isn't feeling tip-top, please stay home to keep everyone safe x COV

06.01.2022 Remember this place? Remember arriving at the South Melbourne Community Centre on a Wednesday afternoon? Heading up the ramp or stairs, through the doors, greeting friends as you made a cup of tea or coffee?... Remember hugs and kisses, hand shakes and back slaps, bowls of Twisties and strawberries and Geoff's latest dip selection (egg dip, anyone?)? Ah, those were the days! Well, we're pleased to say the Centre is still standing there quietly, waiting to be brought back to life when the situation allows. And meanwhile, we the City of Voices will continue to meet online, continue to create, dance, sing and share our zany selves with one another. Because, after all, it's the people that make City of Voices what it is, not a building. See you all on Zoom tonight! 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Can't wait! x COV

06.01.2022 Good afternoon friends, fans and followers of City of Voices! Hope you're all doing OK out there? It's a shiny autumn afternoon in Melbourne town, and City of Voices members are looking forward to meeting up online at 4.30pm today as per usual. ... We're experimenting with online dance and movement, and creating characters around the theme of 'experts'. Last week, Geoffrey Alan Thorsen threw us some surprise expert areas, and, with all the bravado and self-confidence we could muster, we answered his questions as the experts we are. Expert in the history of the fish and chip shop? Tick. World's greatest knowledge of spices? You bet. Expertise in how to stay up late? Absolutely. Our budding experts were inspired by this video of Guy Goma, a computer technician who went into the BBC one day for a job interview, was mistaken for internet expert Guy Kewney, and interviewed on live television. And he rolled with it! Wishing you all a happy week out there x COV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Y2uQn_wvc

05.01.2022 Hi gang! For all your singers out there - Couch Choir is asking you to practice one of the parts for 'So Happy Together' by The Turtles (which is an actual band, not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which is what I thought for a moment...) and send them a video of yourself singing along by 11.59pm this Saturday night, 29th August. They will compile all videos into a mega video. So cool! ... Some of you City of Voicers and friends might be up for this - go to www.couchchoir.com for all the deets. Great session tonight gang! xx

05.01.2022 Sally's dog Lucky

04.01.2022 Q1. What came first - orange the colour, or orange the fruit? Q2. Why are we asking this? Well, we'll answer Q2 first... ... To spice up our Zoom sessions, City of Voices are donning a different colour every week, and this week it's ORANGE. For your COV Company Manager, who is not a big orange-the-colour fan, finding an orange item in the wardrobe will be a challenge. If you, like me, DON'T like orange apparently this could mean, according to ColourPsychology.org, that you are - not comfortable in large groups and - may be holding yourself back socially. If orange is your FAVOURITE colour - you move on easily from life's setbacks and - patience is not one of your virtues City of Voices makes no claim on the accuracy of this colour psychology, but it's interesting to consider! And now, drum roll, the answer to Q1... "Orange the fruit came first. The word came into English either from Old French 'pomme d'orenge', or from the Spanish 'naranja'. The Spanish word is itself a modification of the Arabic 'naaranj' (cf. also Persian 'naarang'). Our colour term thus derives from the name of the fruit, not the other way round; we also have apricot, peach, violet, lilac, maroon, indigo, burgundy, and so on." Who knew?! See you in your finest ORANGE garb at City of Voices tomorrow night, same time and place! x COV

04.01.2022 Meet THE EXPERTS!

03.01.2022 Our good friend and City of Voices support artist Geoffrey Alan Thorsen has just released an online comedy special with a LIVE AUDIENCE...yep, that's us, your friends at COV. Our lack of laughter is not *necessarily* a sign that his jokes weren't funny... x COV

02.01.2022 HELP NEEDED Good morning! We'd like to ask you a favour. ... Can you send us your questions for The Experts? At our performance, FRAMED, coming up next week, our panel of Experts will give their expert answers to a few different questions. Totally improvised - anything could happen. We'd love your suggested questions to add to the pot! Questions that have multiple possible responses work best. Here are some examples: What is the best sport? What is the worst place to have a honeymoon? What is the best hangover cure? Questions that don't work are 'closed' questions that have a yes or no answer, ie: What is better, cats or a dogs? Do you like garlic bread? Please post your questions in the comments below - or you can also email [email protected] if you'd like to keep yours anonymous. And you never know, The Experts may answer your question next Wednesday night, 6pm on Zoom! Thanks so much x COV

02.01.2022 Can you believe this was only ONE YEAR ago? It feels like another lifetime. Pre-COVID, when we could all bunch up close for a group photo in a dark rabbit-warren-like theatre. On 16th June 2019 we were all having a much-needed breather after performing four sold-out shows of our very own original work, the Carnival of Shadows.... What a time that was. Since then, the wonderful Saint Martins Place has sadly closed its doors. City of Voices has lost some members, gained some new ones, and kept our unique brand of creativity and friendship alive. Things keep on changin', and we change with them. See you all in BLUE tomorrow night at our second-last Zoom session for the term. 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Much love and be kind to each other x COV

02.01.2022 Party time! Episode 4 of The Seinfelds with City of Voices members Geoffrey Alan Thorsen and Kate Sholl...

01.01.2022 Hi everyone! This Monday night 14th Sep, Roarstage Open Mic is ON again! 7pm start. Get along and watch some great acts - all the performance spots are booked out but audience members are more than welcome. Good luck to all our friends involved and can't wait to see you there!... x COV

01.01.2022 Hi everyone! Just popping in to let you know that, despite the Victorian school holidays being extended another week, City of Voices will resume Term 3 as planned on Wed 15th July ... 4.30pm on Zoom. As usual, the call will be open from 4pm to let anyone who's feeling chatty log on early to have a chinwag. Looking forward to diving head first into another term of creativity, friendship and connection with you all, albeit from the confines of our homes. Great things are afoot! With love x COV PS Photo from 'About Time', a City of Voices production at the Alex Theatre in St Kilda in 2017. Ah, those good ole days when people could go to theatre shows...

01.01.2022 Emotions. Feelings. They're tricky beasts, aren't they? They can come upon you suddenly, take you by surprise. They're not entirely within your control, though you might wish they were. Your friends at City of Voices had fun playing with emotions last week (amidst all the technical difficulties that Zoom sessions throw up - well done on persevering, motley crew!). Anger. Love. Surprise. Which one have you been feeling most of lately? Or perhaps all three? One we didn't get to..., but perhaps one that we've all been feeling a bit lately, is fear. This week, we'd like to share with you a little reflection on fear and courage, taken from a book by Stephanie Dowrick called 'Forgiveness and Other Acts of Love'... "Fear is part of the human condition. But courage offers something that can balance fear, draw the sting from it, put it in its place, open us to life, and set us free... This notion - that courage is, or arises from, a mental attitude - brings courage into reach. We can't choose our feelings. They are like the elements: wind, rain, fog, cloud, snow, heat. They come and go. But attitudes are something else entirely. We can choose them, even when they seem a little reluctant to choose us... The events that are causing you grief don't change when you begin to face them, but the present moment does change, and so does your guiding sense of how you can relate to life...Perhaps the best that can be said is that you face life itself more truthfully and knowingly... Courage is as freely available to all of us and to any one of us as the sounds of waves crashing, of wind in high trees, of human laughter...Those sounds, too, are always there, but sometimes we don't hear them...Courage can be like that. We need to turn our attention towards it, pay it more attention than we do our fears, even when those fears are clamorous, clingy, familiar and demanding." So there you go - something a little deeper to mull over on a Tuesday afternoon. We hope you're all turning your attention towards your courage, and away from fear, where you can. With love x COV "

01.01.2022 Good morning everyone! How are all you beautiful people going out there? A gorgeous morning down at St Kilda beach, kids are scootin', people are exercising, swans are a-swimmin' Well, not really, but they probably are over at Albert Park lake.... And City of Voices is ON this arvo, 4pm chat opens for a 4.30 start. We can't wait! Bring your beautiful voices, your creative ideas and your instruments We look forward to seeing you then! Have a lovely day x COV