What a way to start a festival! Have a free concert, in a car park, right in the centre of Hobart.  Good thinking MONA FOMA!!

Last night we went to the opening night of MONA FOMA.  It’s a week long music and arts festival officially run by MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart’s world renowned art museum, but largely organised by Brian Ritchie, Hobart’s most well-known emigrant. Heaps of events are free, and most are cheap.  We’ll be seeing the Dresden Dolls next week, for only $25.00. Then we’ll investigate Tune Yards playing inside a gorgeous old theatre, for free. It was great to head down the street last night and see a crowd of 7000 old and new Tasmanians embracing what was on offer.  Most were dressed for a visit to Antarctica which I thought was a bit extreme, it doesn’t get too cold here at night (in summer)! But it was great to see everyone enjoying the Mongolian covers band, the guy who can play four digeridoos at once and all the 60 year olds trying to jump the back wall and immediately getting hauled off by security.  They breed them agile round here! Hobart has a great community spirit and this was a brilliant example of it. Now bring on the music!!