Groove things

How was your weekend?

I did two very out-of-the-ordinary things: I watched an orchestra perform 70s disco hits and went to a 50th birthday picnic beside Sydney Harbour.

I convinced my walking friends to give each other ‘Sydney Symphony Orchestra Presents Disco Wonderland – A Night At Studio 54’ as a Christmas present. I did very little research on it and had no idea what to expect when we turned up at the Hordern Pavilion.

What we got was the orchestra performing alongside Paulini, Timomatic (Australia’s Got Talent), Lucy Maunder (Chicago), Nick Afoa (The Lion King) and hosted by Barry Conrad (Neighbours).

The program kicked off with I Will Survive and traversed everything from Shake Your Groove Thing to Grease, Stayin Alive, Don’t Leave Me This Way and I’m Coming Out.

Very fabulous and I’d never seen so many sequins and sparkles in my life, from most of the audience to the conductor Vanessa Scammell, who looked incredible in her flashy leggings as she swept her baton around.

Here’s a pic of her backstage …

The night revived my dreams of opening a 70s/80s nightclub with a flashing disco floor. I defy anyone to not feel joy when dancing like a dervish to disco music. I felt so happy during my recent silent disco experience weekend and again on Saturday reliving Studio 54.

I reckon mixing Stayin Alive with HRT and Blue Lagoons would go off like a frog in a sock among everyone riding the oestrogen rollercoaster.

Yesterday afternoon saw me head to IKEA with the eldest to test mattresses for Melbourne, then I raced to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for a friend’s 50th.

Belinda is married to one of DD’s closest friends from his uni days.

I quaked a little when I first got the invitation and it said “picnic”, as I’m not sure I am capable of sitting on the ground these days due to middle age and tendonitis. Fortunately when I RSVP’d there was a box to tick for “I would like a chair”.

The picnic was held on the Eucalyptus Lawn overlooking the harbour on the most glorious afternoon. The birthday girl invited all her “fabulous female friends”, so DD missed out on the fun.

Here is the amazing birthday girl and her equally lovely husband, who played guitar for the guests …

After sipping Champagne in the afternoon sun and dining on delicious picnic food we wandered over to the open air cinema to watch “A Real Pain”.

Wow, I live in such a stunning city.

Bit knackered now though. Hello Monday, I don’t want to face you – you mark the start of the last week that the eldest will live with me.

My empty nester era begins on Saturday.

Song of the day: Gloria Gaynor “I will survive”