The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Lismore's Civic pride

The free Thursdays at the Civic weekly gigs kicked off last week, with a huge response from the local community suggesting they will be a hot spot on the local entertainment scene.

Next Thursday, March 25, local band KaOZ Klezmer (pictured) will be the feature band for this new event organised by renowned musician Pietro Fine. Join them for a night of crazy yet soulful music from their repertoire of Eastern European and Middle Eastern jazz.

Guest musicians are always welcome to come along and possibly sit in for a spot or two. The music kicks off at 8pm.

The Spice of life

The Nimbin School of Arts will present its first major performance event for the year with a Blue Moon Cabaret next Saturday, March 27, at Nimbin Hall.

This major fundraiser features a huge show with a great variety of performers including the Old Spice Boys (pictured), Mandy Nolan, Leisure Suite, Nomad Dance, The Frocks, Dr Fred Cole and many more.

For the past 12 years the Blue Moon Cabarets have developed a great reputation and this 14-act show will undoubtedly be one of the best. This is a great opportunity to have some fun and restore your faith in humanity after a stressful day at the polling booths. The show starts at 8pm.

Tickets are $20/15 and bookings are essential. Phone Perceptio on 6689 1766.

The French connection

Musica Viva will present the first show in their 2004 concert series featuring American pianist Harold Brown (pictured) next Friday, March 26, at Lismore City Hall.

Harold is internationally recognised as a pianist possessing unique interpretive gifts and brilliant virtuoso technique. He has an extensive repertoire ranging from Bach to Messiaen and his performances of Ravel's complete piano works have garnered high critical acclaim. He is regarded as a musician displaying a keen awareness of style coupled with deep humanity and this is possibly the only chance to ever see him locally.

After a concert in Paraguay, Jose Luis Miranda wrote "We give our gratitude to the pianist for reaching a plane which was not only professional, but spiritual."

For his Lismore concert Harold will perform all 24 Chopin Preludes (it's very rare to hear the complete work) as well as 'Theme and Variations Opus 73' by Gabriel Fauré and 'Miroirs' by Maurice Ravel - his French influence coming from many years of study in Paris with Vlado Perlemuter. Mr Perlemuter is the only person to have studied Ravel's entire oeuvre for piano solo with the composer himself. The performance will be made all the more special with Harold performing on the City Hall's own grand piano. The concert will be opened with a performance by Lismore a cappella group Nouveaux Singers, who have chosen French madrigals to suit the theme of the evening. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets to see Harold Brown are $28/24 or $14 for students. Tickets are available from Dymocks at 84 Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6622 4987.

Jazz makes its move

With the sudden closure of Maggie Moores in Lismore this week the team from Jazz in the Countryside are moving their weekly jazz nights to Mary Gilhooleys Function Room - permanently.

Kicking off at the new venue next Wednesday, March 24, is jazz singer Leigh Carriage (pictured) with her stunning quartet, which also features Steve Russell on keys, Jack Thorncraft on double bass and Dave Sanders on drums.

Leigh is always a charismatic performer with bold and inventive interpretations and next week will include a repertoire of contemporary jazz plus a few new originals.

Tickets are still $5 at the door with the jazz from 8.30pm.

Chopin and champagne

Advanced Music Studios will present a night of Chopin and Champagne with local virtuoso pianist Sylvia Lyte (pictured) this Saturday, March 20, to raise money for the Malcolm Sargent Music-a-thon in support of children with cancer.

All money raised from the concert will go to the Malcolm Sargent Children's Cancer Fun, which provides financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families from the time of diagnosis, throughout the treatment period and beyond.

"I love children and am so glad to be able to help by being part of the Music-a-thon campaign and invite you to share with us a lovely evening of beautiful piano selections by Chopin and Beethoven over a glass of champagne," Sylvia said.

A night of Chopin and Champagne will be held ay the Italo Club auditorium in North Lismore from 8pm. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students/conc at the door, with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival. Children under 14 are free. For info phone 6621 2149.

Weathering the storm

Press Any Button is one of the films being screened at the Northern Women Film Festival this Saturday.

After being postponed due to weather conditions recently, North Coast CAMERA will present the Northern Women Film Festival this Saturday, March 20, at the Star Court Theatre from 3pm.

With three sessions of films, including the Northern Women Video Competition featuring short films by local female filmmakers, the festival is jam-packed with film treats and is well worth checking out.

The first session starts at 3pm (doors open at 2.30pm) with a dinner break at Sushi Central in Eggins Lane before the second session (the video competition screening) at 7pm. The final session will begin at around 9.30pm.

Tickets are $8/6 per session or $20/16 for the whole event from Caddies or at the door.

Last chance to win Blues Fest tickets!

Thanks to the generous guys and gals at the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, The Echo has five double passes to giveaway to the opening night of the Blues Fest on Thursday, April 8.

The double passes are worth $100 each and this is the absolute last chance to get your entries in for a chance to win. At the opening night you'll get to enjoy the sounds of soul maestro Michael Franti and Spearhead, Canadian blues artist Harry Manx, hot new blues sensation North Mississippi Allstars and other acts including Femi Kuti and the Positives, the Taj Mahal Trio, Kelly Joe Phelps and more.

Even if you do score a freebie it's worth buying tickets for the rest of the festival as the entertainment just gets better with acts like James Brown, the John Butler Trio, Lucinda Williams, The Black Keys, The Waifs and The Cat Empire amongst the line-up. New indie sensation Xavier Rudd, Blues Fest favourite Mick Hart, guitar legend Kevin Borich and many others have also been confirmed.

The Blues Fest runs over the Easter long weekend at Red Devil Park in Byron Bay. To get tickets visit the website at www.bluesfest.com.au or phone 6685 8310.

Now, back to the giveaway.

To go in the draw to win write and tell us in 25 words or less why we should pick you. Send entries to Blues Fest Competition, PO Box 37, Lismore, NSW, 2480, or drop them into The Echo office during business hours. Entries must be received no later than 5pm next Monday, March 22, so get cracking.

The winners' names will be printed in The Echo on March 25. Good luck!

Dance works wanted

NORPA Dance Action is once again holding the Big Feet, Little Feet showcase of short dance works and they are now seeking expressions of interest from dance performers.

The aim of the show is to present independent, mature artists working in contemporary movement and world dance forms to the wider public and the last two shows have been a resounding success.

To be considered an expression of interest form must be filled out and returned by next Friday, March 26.

For information phone Danielle on 66803046 or go to byrondance@hotmail.com to get a form.

Art a healthy enterprise

The winning entries in an Aboriginal art competition being run by the Casino-based Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service will be used to create a range of health promotion material aimed at people living in local Goorie communities.

The 'Goorie Art Competition', which runs from now until April 2, is open to indigenous artists aged 15 years and over. Artworks should be A4 sized or smaller and represent aspects of the Bundjalung area.

A winning artwork will be chosen from each of the five local Bundjalung communities, with the artists receiving a $100 prize as well as seeing their works used on health posters and brochures.

Works should be accompanied by an entry form. These are available at Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service, Casino. For info phone Joanne Cooper on 6662 3514.

Top Marks for stand up

Mandy Nolan kicks off her 2004 season of comedy shows next Monday, March 22, at the Byron Bay Bowling Club with Brisbane feature act Mark McConville (pictured).

A professionally trained actor, Mark started doing stand up in 1998 and his sharp wit and strong stage presence has seen him become one of Brisbane's most popular comedians.

Comedy wise Mark is a relationship analyst. Whether it's between him and his felllow humans, or part of nature in the animal kingdom, if there's a relationship involved, Mark will have something to say. Just ask him about his wheelie bin!

Supporting Mark is Sally Kimpton, who recently entertained audiences at the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge in Lismore with her insights into trash mags and up-to-date gossip.

There will also be three comics on the open mike, with Mandy the night's MC.

The fun kicks off at 8pm, with doors open from 7pm. Tickets are $15/10. Book on 6685 4045.

Supreme beings

Cira Rock 'n' Roll Circus performer Chelsea McGuffin in a scene from A Love Supreme.

After their sell out show 61 Circus Acts In One Hour recently in Byron Bay, Circa Rock 'n' Roll Circus are presenting a world premiere of a new show, A Love Supreme, at the Byron Bay Community Centre next week.

The inspiration for A Love Supreme is jazz and Circa's artistic director, Yaron Lifschitz, believes that jazz greats, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus, provide more than just a great soundtrack.

"What marks their music apart is its depth - this is music you feel with your soul," Yaron said. "The whole force of their passion, their spiritual fury, their heartbreaking vulnerability can be felt in two of their masterpieces - Mingus' The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and Coltrane's A Love Supreme."

In A Love Supreme the performers deliver breathtaking solos and off beat improvisations to the soulful melodies and it promises to be a highlight of 2004.

This stunning world premiere will be held next Thursday and Friday, March 25-26, from 8pm. Tickets are $25, $20 and $15. To book phone 6685 5659 between 10am and 4pm.

Brave hearts

Brave New Beats (pictured) is a fitting name for a band trying to do something completely unique with traditional sounds and develop their own style of music.

The members describe Brave New Beats as "a new experiment into electro acoustic improvised ambient soundscape music..." They got their name from Aldous Huxley's sci-fi novel Brave New World because they feel they are pushing music into brave new realms, and they liked the name.

The band features Aaron McDermott from Morph on synthesizers and samples, Matt Ostila on didgeridoo, loop machine, tabla, bass and jaw harp, Ben Karsay on drums, Jai Karni on guitar, FX and synthesizer, Toby Davies on guitar, Rob Harp on saxophone and Natalie Gaye on vocals.

Catch this exciting new outfit tomorrow, March 19, at the Tatts Hotel. Entry is just $5.

Off the Rails

Theatrical songstress Sangeeta (pictured) will be performing with her three-piece band this Saturday, March 20, at The Rails in Byron Bay.

A teacher of music herself, Sangeeta likes to push boundaries with her music, both lyrically and with her wide ranging vocal ability.

Whether singing an Indian inspired song with a tanpura, rocking out at the piano, calling out over electronic samples or screaming over an electric guitar, Sangeeta likes to make her performances a unique experience each time.

Sangeeta performs with Andrew Darling on guitar and trumpet, Stu Beaumont on bass and Travis Marke on kit. Catch her from 7pm. The gig's free.

Money talks

This weekend is the last chance to see the Ballina Players' hilarious production Funny Money at the Ballina Players Theatre.

The play is about a very ordinary accountant named Henry, who stumbles across a briefcase full of money and suddenly finds his life, and his conscience, thrown into chaos.

To make matters worse it's Henry's birthday and when he arrives home and announces to his wife Jean that he intends to keep the money and leave immediately for Barcelona, his friends who came for a quiet birthday dinner find themselves embroiled in a mad chase with police inspectors.

This is reportedly one of the Ballina Players' best productions, with heaps of laughs and great performances from the talented cast.

The last performances of Funny Money will be this Thursday to Saturday, March 18-20, from 8pm.

Tickets are available from La Boutique Gift Shop in Ballina. Phone 6686 2662.

Join the NCEIA database

NCEIA is calling for musicians and entertainers to register their details on the NCEIA online entertainers database. This database is the only one of its kind in Australia and it is hoped that it will give greater access to the musicians/artists of the Northern Rivers region.

Simply go to www.nceia.org.au and select entertainers database to register your details. Each entry receives its own webpage and links to your own site or email if you have one. It's that easy.

For info contact NCEIA by email at nceia@nceia.org.au or phone 6622 0222.

They are always looking for committed people to join the voluntary committee and help with this year's Dolphin Awards and other related activities.

Two men and a piano return!

After nearly ten years out of the musical limelight, 2 Men & a Piano (pictured) will be performing for the first time this Saturday, March 20, at the Clunes School Fete.

Featuring Denny Prussian on vocals and Tony Narvo on piano, 2 Men & a Piano formed in 1988 and by the following year were playing to capacity crowds. With their special brand of sub-cultural cabaret they would cover a diverse range of songs - from Sweet Transvestite to New York, New York and Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello. By the end of 1989, 2 Men & a Piano were invited to Japan and this led to a two-year stint in America. On their return to Australia their popularity continued to climb, culminating in the formation of the band Hi Home I'm Honey.

This is a very special chance to see 2 Men & a Piano again as well as a heap of other great entertainment. The fete will have kids rides and a visit by Prime Possum, horse rides, karate demonstrations, a vintage car display, a variety of stalls and much more.

It starts at 2pm.

Soul under the stars

The Lismore Turf Club is holding a special outdoor concert with soul diva Lisa Hunt next Saturday, March 27, to raise money for Variety NSW, which helps seriously ill children.

Held on the lawns and stadium of the racetrack this wonderful outdoor event will also feature other local bands, a fire show and a dance party from 11pm.

Entry is $20 for stadium or lawn seating. People can also purchase a $50 VIP ticket, with entry to the private bar, seats on the terrace, gourmet finger food and jazz music with Natalie and Co from sunset.

The event will happen rain or shine and is for over 18s only. This concert is likely to sell out fast.

Book now on 6621 3176 or pick up a ticket from Music Bizarre in Lismore, Way Out East in Ballina or Music@Byron.

What a lark

Nimbin-based jazz band Skylarks will be performing this Sunday, March 21, at the Nimbin Hotel from 2-5pm and the following Sunday, March 28, at the Aussie Tavern in Murwillumbah from 5-8pm. Also keep an eye out for them at the Thursdays at the Civic gigs in Lismore during April.

A multi media music event

The Flood
April 8 - 10
Starting @ the Cnr of Magellan & Keen Strs
6.30pm
Free event

Text by Janis Balodis, music by Michael Hannan, directed by Patrick Nolan, designed by Kathryn Sproul, lighting design by Bernie Tan, sound design by Colin Black, instrument builder Steve Langton, visual artist Craig Walsh, design collaborator Harley Graham

NORPA presents a free outdoor multi-media event. With live music, massed drums, choirs and a sandbag ballet, The Flood promises an exciting and stimulating evening for the whole family and every member of our community.

Audience members will follow the action, beginning on the corner of Magellan and Keen Streets, through the laneways of Lismore, down the riverbank and under the new levee wall. Along the way, actors, choirs and installations tell the story of our modern Noah, Neville in this case, as he and his wife Norah prepare their ark, appropriately built on the back of a plumber's ute, for the coming of The Flood.

The hilarious script, written by Janis Balodis, celebrates the actions of a community and its response to the perceived coming crisis.

The Flood asks all the big questions - how to include the animals (local children transformed by Katherine Sproul's amazing costume designs) on the ark when it's already choc-a-block full of whitegoods which are stacked in twos of course? Michael Hannan and Colin Black's superb soundscapes and design, including the frog chorus and flood warnings, will alternatively soothe and assault your ears, coming in waves and waxing and waning with the story.

The Flood is partly street-party, partly performance art, but wholly a celebration of our community and there's no escaping it.

Dislabelled

An Australian Theatre of the Deaf production
Where: Lismore City Hall
When: Tuesday March 23 at 8pm.
Tickets: $27, $22.50, $13.

It ain't over 'til the deaf girls sing!

A recent feature of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and sell-out debut at the Sydney Paralypmics Arts Festival, Dislabelled is a night of intimate, sassy and very comic cabaret.

Two deaf women in stilettos, wrapped in feather boas and sipping martinis rake over the comic high points of their lives and loves. Do hearing guys make better lovers? What are the practical difficulties when in the sack with a hearing man? Witness how a misunderstood word or phrase can ruin a girl's hot date.

This sophisticated stand-up comedy confronts and surprises audiences by shattering myths about deafness and cross-cultural love. But that's not all! In this unusual show you'll learn to swear in sign language; you'll see famous songs performed in a completely novel way; and, you'll see a short but powerful film featuring Sofya and Joel Edgerton.

This is a night of physical comedy and choreographic extravagance during which the secrets of a little-known culture are disclosed. Dislabelled is sure to touch and engage audiences with the riddle of what it is like to live in a world of silence.

The Lismore City Hall performance will be cabaret style with tables of eight available.

Join a group of friends and take advantage of discounted group bookings by calling NORPA on 66220300.

It's guaranteed of a noisy reception!

Workshop

A theatre workshop with the cast of Dislabelled is available for interested hearing and hearing impaired participants.

The workshop will be held at Lismore City Hall on March 23, 3.30pm to 5pm. If you're aged 16yrs or more and would like more information on this workshop call Emma Newman at NORPA Dance action on 6622 3175.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

By William Shakespeare

Venue: Bangalow Showgrounds

Date & Time: Friday March 19, Saturday March 20 at 7pm.

Book now on 6621 5600.