The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Manx a lot

Ku Promotions are presenting a special concert featuring legendary Canadian blues guitarist, Harry Manx (pictured) in concert this Sunday, January 11, at the Byron Bay Community Centre.

Since 1992, when Harry started an in-depth five-year study of Indian classical music, his blues have taken on an entirely new sound. Mingling his banjo, lap slide and magical voice with the Indian instrument Mohan Veena (made famous by the late George Harrison) Harry creates a wonderfully ethereal and hypnotic style of music that has won him awards all over the world.

A recent review in the Chicago Sun Times sums up Harry's ingenuity, saying "Ry Cooder is as good a point of reference as any for newcomers to Manx. But while such comparisons may work to describe Manx's fretwork, the raw sensuality of his sound is all his own. Rarely has folk blues sounded as hauntingly beautiful."

An unassuming man with a sharp wit, Harry's gigs are as much about connecting with the audience as they are about the music and in the intimate setting of the Byron Bay Community Centre, this will be a truly special performance.

Tickets to the concert are $25. It kicks off at 8pm.

Size does matter

A scene from one of the short films being shown at Flickerfest in Bangalow next weekend.

The entertaining and often surprising Flickerfest International Short Film Festival will be screening at Bangalow A&I Hall next weekend - a must-see for any true film buff.

Presented in association with the Byron Bay-based Island Quarry, the 2004 festival is the 13th of its kind, featuring more than 15 short films from all over the world.

All of the shorts being screened have won some sort of award(s), with some taking away accolades from the Cannes Film Festival and even the Academy Awards.

The festival is on for one weekend only (January 17-18) at the Bangalow A&I Hall, providing the perfect venue for this hilarious mish mash of world-class shorts. Tickets are $12/10 for one session or $20/18 for a weekend pass, with food and drinks available on-site. The screening starts at 8.30pm each night.

For more information phone 6685 9999.

Pep talk

Newcastle-based Indie pop-rockers Muzzy Pep (pictured) perform next Monday, January 12, at the Great Northern in Byron Bay.

Their latest album, The Faintest Clue, has been well received, with the Sydney Morning Herald review recently stating 'Polished and inviting, the Faintest Clue is excellent. Half a dozen tracks deserve to be hits'. They recently won the 'best rock song' and 'broadcaster's choice award' at the Newcastle ABC Music Awards and have this year supported the likes of Machine Gun Fellatio, Grinspoon and The Whitlams. For tickets phone 6685 6454.

A Body of work

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Australian punk rockers Bodyjar (pictured) have embarked on a national tour, which brings them to the Ballina RSL Club this Friday, January 9.

The band are touring to celebrate and promote the release of their 'best of' package Jarchives, which features their most-loved tracks as well as some brand new ones.

And while their popularity has had highs and lows over the last 10 years, their enthusiasm for performing and commitment to putting on high-energy, high quality live shows for their fans has never faltered.

You can catch Bodyjar in the club's auditorium from 8.30pm. Tickets are available at the door.

Rock, reggae and soul

Yubbas perform on a double bill with Dubshack at Kohinur Hall in Upper Main Arm tomorrow night.

Experience the best of Aboriginal rock, reggae and soul with a fantastic double bill featuring Yubbas and Dubshack this Friday, January 9, at Kohinur Hall in Upper Main Arm.

Based in Kuranda in far north Queensland, Yubbas (which means 'brothers') features a group of ex-dancers from the renowned Tjapukai Dance Theatre, who longed to sing about their culture. With musical influences from Paul Kelly to Bob Marley, Yubbas fuse rock, reggae and soul to create their own unique indigenous sound. They spread a message of love, hope and understanding for all Aboriginal people.

Joining them on the night will be Byron Bay band Dubshack, which brings together a line up of seasoned north coast performers. Collectively and individually they have been the backbone of many of the regions great original acts including Earth Reggae, Fatter Than Nusrat, the Dreamseeds, Couchfunk and many more. Sharing a love for solid roots dance grooves, Dubshack features elements of classic Jamaican Dub, deep funk, English ska and world beat.

The gig starts at 8pm. Tickets are $12/10 or $5 for under 18s, with little kids free.

The sweet sound of bluegrass

Before heading off to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, zany bluegrass trio Treacle Line (pictured) are stopping off at the Lennox Head Bowling Club this Saturday, January 10, for a one-off gig.

The band has been around for about eight years, combining crazy antics with amazingly intricate instrumentals and vocal harmonies that belie their scruffy, quirky appearance. Check them out from 7.30pm.

Live it up in Byron

For a band that started playing rock to simply 'meet girls and get free beer' Mental As Anything (pictured) aren't doing too bad. After 27 years in the music biz, these Aussie rock legends are still touring and performing all across the world and not surprisingly, they still draw huge crowds.

Mental As Anything perform once only this Saturday, January 10, at the Great Northern in Byron Bay as part of their current east coast tour. Tickets are $21, with the music from 9.30pm.

You can also catch Grace Knight next Thursday (Jan 15), if that's a little more to your liking. For information phone 6685 6454.

Holiday theatre fires up

The local Firetrax Theatre Company is once again providing holiday entertainment for children and adults alike with performances of their fabulous new pantomime, The Frog Prince, starting next Thursday, January 15.

This fun-filled adaptation of the classic fairytale by Shirley Gay features a young prince (Simeon Tinsley), who finds himself turned into a frog after playing a trick on a witch. While hopping unhappily about the forest the frog comes across Princess Rose (Heather Will) and her servant Donna Duck (Pauline Ranscombe). It seems the young Princess loves playing tricks on people just as much as the frog, so her mother the Queen (Octavia Stapleton) enlists the help of the witch in a desperate attempt to stop her prankster ways.

This pantomime features heaps of audience participation and a 'hug' session with the cast after the show, providing an interactive afternoon of family entertainment and the perfect forum to introduce youngsters to live theatre.

This is a charming show for all ages and grown ups don't have to be accompanied by a child - they are allowed to come on their own!

The Frog Prince will be performed at the Bangalow A&I Hall from Thursday to Saturday, January 15-17, as well as on January 22, 23 and 24. All performance start at 2pm.

Tickets are $5 for kids, $8 for adults or $5 per head for a family (two adults and two or more children). They are available at the door or you can book on 6687 1998.

Sibling rivalry

If you want to see two of the greatest guitarists playing together in concert, book now for a gig featuring Phil and Tommy Emmanuel in Lismore next February.

It's their 45th anniversary tour and should be an absolute blast.

They will be at the Lismore Workers Club on February 13. To book phone 6621 7401.

One last chance

The Re-mains are doing their last Lismore show for the foreseeable future this Friday, January 9, at the Gollan Hotel. The band are about to head off to the 2004 Country Music Festival in Tamworth, after which they are off on a tour of NSW and Victoria that won't see them back on home soil for some time.

Recently The Re-mains' second album Thank You for Supporting Country Rock 'n' Roll was made Album of the Week for the 4th time on ABC regional radio, this time in Canberra. The band expects to have a new release within six months.

The Re-mains are renowned for their potent live act and their music is energetic and always fun, so if you haven't seen them before or you want to get your fill before they leave the area, go along and check them out from 8pm. The gig's free and you can't get a better deal than that.

Marijuana music wanted

As part of Nimbin Mardi Grass 2004, organisers are introducing the all-new Global Marijuana Music Award for the very first time.

The award is open to anyone across the world that has recorded songs referring to marijuana, and there are heaps of prizes included cash up for grabs. The winner will be judged by a panel featuring DJs, recording technicians, experienced musicians and music shop owners.

Entries for the Global Marijuana Music Award close on April 2, 2004, with the winners to be announced during the Mardi Grass weekend on May 1-2 this year.

To enter or find out more info visit www.green-fever.com or phone 6689 1011.

Flood memorabilia

NORPA wants to collect old photos, memorabilia and stories about Lismore's major floods to contribute to the production of The Flood, which will be performed in Lismore's CBD on Easter Sunday.

All items loaned to NORPA will be catalogued and returned to their owners safely.

If you think you can contribute phone Peter Emerton after January 19 on 6622 0300.

Crossword Answers for this Issue