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It's not often that I trek to the "other" side of town, that veritable nether land that exists in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. Driving high above the CBD, the terrifying trip over the West Gate Freeway leads to an enviable pot of gold at The Substation, Melbourne's newest community based arts centre bringing Melbourne arts to the West.

One Australian icon helping this cause is Ali McGregor, whom has put together a who's who of local and international talent in order to raise funds for Western Chances, a charity supporting Western youth through offering academic scholarships.

McGregor has gathered her insanely talented friends in a laid back jam session where everyone gets the chance to sing their favourite song, lulling the crowd into blissful slumber. The title "lullabies" may be slightly limited in this concert as the songs range from Rufus Wainwright, to Radiohead and Paul Kelly.

Joined on stage by Wes Snelling, Scot Edgar (Tripod), Greg Fleet, Casey Bennetto (Keating!), Diane Smith, Geraldine Quinn, Ben Bennet, Mike McLeish (Keating!) and bona fide Aussie rock star Dave Graney, each performer brought something different to the stage.

McGregor has a knack for creating a harmonious and warm environment, performers and audience members alike were welcomed into the rather large living room of The Substation and asked to relax and enjoy. McGregor's unique stage presence and ridiculous vocal ability (a principal soprano with Opera Australia before taking the dramatic lunge into the seedy world of jazz, burlesque and cabaret) make her the perfect host for an evening designed to make you laugh, sing and trip down memory lane to the sounds of your favorite lullabies.

Spontaneous harmonies from the incredibly talented Bennetto, know by his peers as, "the human jukebox" were a highlight of the show, as he and McGregor performed an impeccable and improvisational version of Lullaby in Birdland, complete with two rounds of scats that would make lesser singers tremble.

Western Lullabies is funny, sad, nostalgia provoking and the perfect way to cap off a long weekend. McGregor has achieved the perfect balance of sweet and sour with an enviable mixture of Australian (and Canadian) talent in an evening of laughter and unrefined joy.


2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Western Lullabies
Ali McGregor

Venue: The Substation | 1 Market St, Newport (Licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian.)
Date: Mon 9 April
Time: 7.30pm
Duration: 70 minutes
Tickets: $30
Bookings: 9391 1110 | thesubstation.org.au | at the door