Local authors, Tom Robb and Kirsten Krauth, will be among a long list of writers to feature in the Books at the Brewery Christmas Extravaganza this Wednesday evening December 18.
The event will be hosted by Northern Books at the new Taproom space at Shedshaker Brewing at The Mill Castlemaine and will feature bestselling author Rosalie Ham (Molly, The Dressmaker), local memoirist and legendary costume designer Tom Robb, and a panel of contributors from the music anthology of the year, Spinning Around, including anthology editor and local author Kirsten Krauth.
Tom Robb’s memoir From The Top is a stunning showcase of his life as one of Australia’s leading costume designers and show producers during the 70s working with ballet star and choreographer, Luis Moreno, as owner and producer of their company, Australian International Entertainment.
The duo produced showstopping Moulin Rouge and Las Vegas style extravaganzas in 60 big cities, mixed with stars of the stage and screen and travelled the world in what could only be described as a tour de force.
Luis will join Tom at the December 18 event to share their memories from that snapshot in time.
Tom said he was desperate to escape his humble upbringing in Ballarat, see the world and make his mark.
“TOP stands for Traveller, Outlaw, Producer. We toured 21 countries breaking down barriers and creating some incredible shows with talented creators across the globe. We travelled to places like Syria and Iraq. Sadly you couldn’t do that today. We were young and we had no sense of mortality or fear. If you are going to break the rules, bust them wide open!” Tom says.
Robb delivers a warm, honest and fascinating story of a bygone era in show business and reflects on how it was to grow up as a gay man in Australia in the second half of the twentieth Century.
Kirsten Krauth (Almost a Mirror, Just a Girl) is a highly regarded best-selling author.
Kirsten has also made significant name for herself as a writer and editor of music-based anthologies, including books inspired by Aussie legends Paul Kelly and Nick Cave. Australia’s Queen of Pop Kylie Minogue is the musical muse for this sparkling new anthology Spinning Around – The Kylie Playlist.
Twenty-four writers, a third of whom identify as LGBTQIA+, used a Kylie Minogue song as the springboard for a new, original piece of work, covering the genres of crime, memoir, speculative fiction, poetry and science fiction – from Kylie’s 1987 release I Should Be So Lucky all the way through to her newest album Tension.
Kirsten said Kylie was an incredible artist.
“I believe she is the only female artist to have had hit singles in five decades. She is also so down to earth. She has a great sense of humour and is not afraid to laugh at herself.
“Once again with this anthology I invited each writer to take one of Kylie’s songs and respond to it whether that be via poetry or prose. Ballarat poet Nathan Curnow for example had Confide in Me and wrote about his crush and growing up in Melbourne with Kylie’s cousin,” Kirsten said.
The Christmas Extravaganza will run from 5.30pm-9.30pm. To book, visit www.northernbooks.com.au/christmas-24
