By Jim Fagan
“So come my friends be not afraid, we are so lightly here,
It is in love that we are made, in love we disappear.”
These words from Leonard Cohen’s song “Boogie Street” will have special significance for Noosa entertainer Jonathan Anstock when he presents his fourth hugely successful tribute to the singer-songwriter at Noosa Arts Theatre on June 25 and 26.
He told Noosa Today he had experienced at first hand “the love that is provided at Katie Rose Cottage Hospice when visiting a Noosa Chorale colleague there and that is one reason why I’m donating proceeds of this concert to it and its nurses and volunteers.
“Also, my wife Belinda has been volunteering at KRCH for many years, having been influenced by family members who have volunteered, and still do, at other hospices.
“From an early age she has experienced a number of deaths in her family and so personally appreciates the love and care received by guests at their ‘home away from home.’”
Jonathan’s personal cabaret-style tribute to the Canadian singer-songwriter, who died four years ago. has already played to packed houses at Pomona, Nambour and Coolum Beach.
“I got the idea while singing with Noosa Chorale backing singers in “A Migrant’s Son” at a Noosa Alive event in 2019. It’s the story of a Greek immigrant family and it instantly appealed to me as a theme for the Leonard Cohen story.
“Michaela Burger wrote and performed “A Migrant’s Son” and the emotion in her performance seemed to say the same things in Cohen’s songs– yearning, longing, the search for love and spiritual truth.”
Guitar player Jonathan is a popular entertainer in the Noosa caf¨¦ and restaurant scene. He sings bass with Noosa Chorale and helping him sustain the character of Leonard Cohen at Noosa Arts Theatre will be Chorale singers Sherelle Scott and Marianne Johnson, choir keyboard accompanist Janet Brewer and her husband Warren Brewer (bass guitar).
“The Spirit of Leonard Cohen show”, Friday June 25, 7pm and Saturday June 26, 7pm at Noosa Arts Theatre. Tickets are $30 ($25 concession) Bookings via Noosa Arts Theatre. More information, inquire@leonardcohenspirit.com
