Road Trip Survival Guide with The Kransky Sisters
During the week I spoke with Mourne Kransky, the eldest of the musically talented and dry witted Kransky sisters. She gave me some tips on surviving a road trip, men in Esk and yet another state tour.
This time the sisters are expanding and Mourne, Eve and Dawn will be playing at a number places never yet treated to the Kransky experience.
For the ladies it is a “treat to see the animals on the way and meet the nice people who come to the shows.” Says Mourne.
One of these new venues is the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Brisbane where they’ll be performing many new songs and arrangements.
The set includes a “song by the Queen herself” says Mourne, as well as hits by George Michaels, Abba and ACDC.
Back from a sojourn shearing lamas in a paddock outside of their hometown of Esk, the Kransky Sisters have started the delicate pre-departure packing ritual.
It turns out Lamas were a great feature of the Esk Christmas pageant and were paraded down the main street wearing reindeer antlers and pink tinsel in the girl’s youth, and that packing three women, their instruments and collection of ironed blouses into a Morris minor is not for amateur.
It is these tip bits of human interest that make the Kransky Sisters a precious and unique part of the Australian arts scene, and the greatest tourism strategy ever to hit Esk (in Queensland).
On the subject of men – the ladies are very careful. “It may all be well and good to have a cup of tea with a man, but you never know when they may want more, and ask for a pikelet.” says Mourne.
Mourne did concede that being in the company of a nice man whom she could have tea with would not be unpleasant. “Perhaps I’ll meet someone on the tour,” she muses. It’s not that she isn’t flattered with the butcher in Esk showing his affection, but his assertions that she has too much baggage undermines his trust in her experience packing the car.
The top tips from Mourne:
1. Pack only what you need. This becomes more difficult in Winter when larger items such as thermal underwear are required, so be diligent.
2. Strap all baggage down with ropes, and cover with plastic sheeting to protect from the elements. A spare raincoat is an adequate replacement should mending be needed. They used Dawn’s once and it worked wonderfully.
3. Bring your own meat safe. This saves money on the road if you are not accustom to the taste of fresh Kangaroo.
4. Ox tongue and boiled mince keep particularly well and go perfectly with pumpkin in soups and stews. (Pumpkin can be strapped on car with baggage)
5. Always bring a camp stove for use in Motels, but be mindful to use it in the shower so that no one knows it is there.
The Kransky Sisters will play in Brisbane at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Art on the 2nd of November 2012, as part of the Brisbane Cabaret Festival.
Booking information:
www.judithwrightcentre.com
or call 07 3872 9000
The Kransky Sisters’ 2012 Queensland Tour
For bookings in other locations contact the relevant venue.
Thu 25 October – The Arts Centre Gold Coast
Fri 26 October – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Sat 27 October – Events Centre, Caloundra
Tue 30 October – Kenilworth Town Hall
Wed 31 October – Redcliffe Cultural Centre
Thu 1 November – Ipswich Civic Centre
Fri 2 November – Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
Sat 3 November – The Centre, Beaudesert
Tue 6 November – Goondiwindi Waggamba Community Cultural Centre
Wed 7 November – Oakey Culture Centre
Thu 8 November – Dalby Civic Theatre
Fri 9 November – Crows Nest Community Hall
Sat 10 November – The J, Noosa
Mon 12 November – Gympie Civic Centre – Heritage Theatre
Wed 14 November – Biloela Civic Centre
Thu 15 November – Gladstone Marina
Sat 17 November – Yeppoon Town Hall
Tue 20 November – Proserpine Entertainment Centre
Wed 21 November – Burdekin Theatre, Ayr
Thu 22 November – Townsville Civic Centre
Fri 23 November – Tully Multipurpose Centre
Sat 24 November – Atherton International Club
