The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Double trouble

Alternative experimental trio Proem3 (pictured) will join The Hauntingly Beautiful mousemoon in a special double bill next Thursday, April 15, at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore.

Proem3 are a unique and engaging local band with a drummer who simultaneously plays the flute, a breathtaking cellist and a vocalist whose range moves through jazz and indie folk to operatic and heavy grunge. Their obvious love of music and imaginative performances make for a captivating show, not to mention the fact they are all utterly gorgeous and enormously talented.

With their avant garde style it's fitting Proem3 are joining forces with The Hauntingly Beautiful mousemoon, who also push the boundaries of musical norms.

A five-piece with guest artists always popping up, The Hauntingly Beautiful mousemoon bio describes the band as a 'blend of soaring vocals, explosive guitars, awkward beats, inspired lyrics, atmospheric projections, stage theatrics, junkyard percussion and a crafted vibe'.

With these two bands on one bill it's more like a performing arts exhibition than a gig, and is well worth the $6 cover charge. The music kicks off at 9pm.

• Freebie: The Echo has one copy of The Hauntingly Beautiful mousemoon CD to giveaway. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15 next Tuesday, April 13, and tell us how many band members are in Proem3.

Wild at art

Trevor Worden with his book Wildflowers.

Murwillumbah artist Trevor Worden has released his first book - a sumptuous collection of art photography entitled Wildflowers.

The book features 47 portraits and landscapes, taken between 1998 and 2003, which are set amongst the lush local rainforest. Trevor's work, which predominantly features nude portraits and images of nature, is handcrafted using various applicators during the development stage of the print. The print is then toned in sulphide or selenium and often hand coloured with oil paints to create the final result.

This unique collection of photographic art comes in a beautiful hardcover book. Wildflowers is available from Noah's Arc in Lismore.

What's my scene?

As part of a national tour iconic Australian rock band The Hoodoo Gurus (pictured) will be doing gigs at the Yamba Golf and Country Club this Sunday, April 11, and at the One Bar and Niteclub in Lismore next Tuesday, April 13.

The tour marks a successful return to the spotlight for the Gurus after several years in semi-retirement and experimentation with other ensembles such as The Persian Rugs. And it was fans that played a big part in their return - the positive response to their performances at the Big Day Out prompting the band to embark on a 68 date national tour.

Formed in 1981, The Hoodoo Gurus became one of the most revered acts in Australian rock and roll history, with eight of their albums reaching either gold or platinum status. Songs such as Bittersweet, 1000 Miles Away and What's My Scene are still standards on Australian radio today, illustrating their undying popularity.

The Hoodoo Gurus set for these two gigs will feature many of their classics as well as several tracks from their new CD, Mach Shau. Successful Australian acts Spiderbait (who recently emerged back on the charts with their rocking version of Black Betty) and emerging punk-pop outfit Peabody, will provide support for the concert.

Tickets for the Yamba gig are $33 pre-sold or $35 at the door, while the Lismore concert is $28 pre-sold or $30 at the door. Both concerts kick off at 7.30pm.

Going Retro

'Winter in Assisi' - one of the beautiful images in Rob Garbutt's photographic exhibition In Retrospect.

A new exhibition of stunning photographs by Rob Garbutt, entitled In Retrospect, is now on show at Caddies in Lismore.

The images in the exhibition were taken between 1997 and 2000. Ranging from classic black and white shots featuring line and form to intriguing abstracts in colour, the exhibition charts Rob's photographic journey during this period.

"During this time I became obsessed with photography," Rob said. "Along the way my love of still photography and sharp images waned and I began experimenting more with movement and blur. Maybe this is because my life was pretty much a blur - it was a period of significant upheavals. Taking still photos just didn't seem an option."

In Retrospect is on show until the end of April.

Byron film club

The second Byron Film Club screening will be held next Tuesday, April 13, at the Cotton Club Arts Factory in Byron Bay.

Anyone who would like to submit a film for screening, it's not to late - just let the organisers know ASAP (phone Aran on 6680 7027 or Faye on 6680 3535). Tickets are available from 7.30pm. with the screening from 8.15pm.Soul searching

A scene from Lisa Hunt's autobiographical music, The Roots of My Soul.

Before heading off for a United Children's Fund concert in London with Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, Solomon Burke and Paul Young, visiting soul diva Lisa Hunt is winding up another Australian tour with a musical in Byron Bay.

Entitled The Roots of My Soul, this autobiographical spectacular takes a very personal look at the makings of a soul singer with gospel, afro, funk, blues and dance all included in the performance.

"It's my most ambitious and personal project to date," Lisa said. "It's a multi media event with sets, costumes, video, photography and of course an amazing supporting cast of actors, dancers and musicians. I've done musicals in the States, but this is my life story, and yet it is also much bigger than myself in that I'm seeking to give the audience a thorough African-American cultural experience by really recreating pivotal times in a lush way, and inviting them inside to share the joys and pains of my roots."

The Roots of My Soul will be performed at the Byron Bay Community Centre from Thursday to Sunday, April 8-11, at 8pm each night. Tickets are $28.

Bentley's back

Entries for the annual Bentley Art Prize are open for 2004.

Categories include an open art prize and acquisition open painting prize, Aboriginal art and student Aboriginal art prize, amateur painting in any medium, art other than painting or photography, a student art prize, a primary school art prize, open photography section, student photography section (primary and high school), plus a Richmond Valley Council prize that's selected from all entries.

All entries must be original and artists can submit three entries in any of the above sections.

Entries close on August 1.

For entry forms or more information phone organiser Reg Hartley on 6663 5253.

Skylarking again

Nimbin's all-star jazz group Skylarks (pictured) is the next feature act at the regular Thursdays at the Civic gig on Thursday, April 15.

The Skylarks have fast become a north coast favourite with their delicious vocal harmonies, vibrant live performances and stunning repertoire of traditional jazz and Latin grooves. Romantic and mellow, Skylarks play the very best tunes for 'cheek to cheek' dancing.

As always this weekly event is at the Civic Hotel from 8pm.

Get into the groove

The upcoming weekly jazz night at Mary Gilhooleys next Wednesday, April 14, will feature groovy local outfit Funkstasy (pictured).

Mainly comprising former Southern Cross University music students, Funkstasy perform a repertoire of material by Herbie Hancock, The Meters and Earth, Wind & Fire, plus some of their funky original tunes.

The band features Shelly Hughes on vocals, Nikko Morganlowe and Ben Thompson on guitars, Zach Tombs on keys, James Cox on percussion, Mitch Carey on sax, Mark Morgan on bass and Luke Collins on drums. Tickets are $5 with the grooves from 8.30pm.

Surveying the scene

Local filmmakers and screen industry researcher Cathy Henkel is one of the people involved in developing a new survey to gauge the size and scope of screen industries in the region.

A new survey to determine the size and scope of screen industries in the region will be launched at the Byron Bay Film Club screening next Tuesday, April 13.

The survey is part of a larger research project to determine the future prospects for people working in film, television, print, radio, new media, visual arts, photography, performance and digital media.

The Screen Industries Survey will be conducted over the next three months, with copies distributed at screen industry events taking place between April and July. It will also be available on the Screenworks website.

In 2000 the first survey of audiovisual industries was conducted by Cathy Henkel in conjunction with the Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee and Northern Rivers Regional Development Board resulting in the publication entitled Imagining the Future. This document is widely credited with raising the profile of screen industries in the region and assisting in the successful application by Northern Rivers Screenworks for funding under the Sustainable Regions Program. The study found that the region boasts the largest number of credited screen industry producers outside of Sydney and Melbourne.

The exact extent of the growth of local screen industries, the nature of projects being undertaken and obstacles and issues facing local producers need further examination to determine whether this growth is sustainable and what measures need to be taken to support this emerging industry. The survey is critical to this process and the research team aims to collect 300 completed surveys in the three-month period.

The survey results and strategies for future development of screen industries will be publicly launched in mid 2005 and the results will be posted on the Screenworks website.

For more information phone Cathy Henkel on 6629 1449 or 0410 491 449, or Aliison Kelly on 6621 6079 or 0428 216 079. Copies of the survey will be available on the Screenworks website from next Tuesday at www.screenworks.com.au.

A flood of ideas

At the launch of the Southern Cross University book Flood: Essays Across the Current last Friday in Lismore were contributing authors (l-r) Graham Irvine, Associate Professor Michael Hannan, cover designer Leonie Lane, Dr Adele Wessell, Professor Paul Thom and Dr Robert Smith.

A new book looking at floods from a range of perspectives including local history of Lismore's '74 flood, as well as science, religion, psychology, law, art and music, was launched last Friday in Lismore.

The book of essays, entitled Flood: Essays Across the Current, was commissioned and edited by Southern Cross University Executive Dean of Arts, Professor Paul Thom, who also co-wrote a chapter.

The work on the book was done as part of a collaborative research project between SCU and NORPA and helped to provide the words for NORPA's newly created musical The Flood, which is being performed over Easter.

"The book represents a great collaboration among staff from right across the university," Professor Thom said. "It will be of interest to many local residents, not just those at the university; and in this way it marks a significant meeting of town and gown."

Six of the eight contributing authors were present at the launch. Other authors who could not attend were Professor Peter Wilson and Associate Professor WE (or Bill) Boyd.

Flood: Essays Across The Current is $39.95. To get hold of a copy phone 6620 3284 or email scupress@scu.edu.au. There is a $5 postage fee.

That Re-mains to be seen

Nimbin's country rock'n'roll pioneers The Re-mains have a busy Easter weekend coming up, which begins on Thursday when they travel to Sydney to play the Annandale Hotel with Mick Thomas (ex Weddings Parties Anything). The following day they drive back to appear at the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival at 9.15pm on the Juke Joint stage.

On Saturday night (April 10) they bring their banjo and pedal steel-fuelled fury to the Great Northern in Byron, where they're playing a double header with psychedelic rock kings Forte.

And on Sunday they round it all out with a late appearance at the Billinudgel Hotel's Boozed and Rooted Festival. As the saying goes, no rest for the wicked.

Home grown talent

Foghorn have partnered with rock website FasterLouder.com.au to co present the Double AA (Angelik & Arcade) tour, which gives regional bands a chance to get up and get noticed with a competition that will run in conjunction with the tour.

Local bands will have a chance to support Arcade & Angelik (pictured) as they tour the country. In the lead up to selected regional gigs fans will be able to go to www.foghornrecords.net and vote for their favourite local act. The act with the most votes will win the prize of supporting Arcade & Angelik at the gig in their area. All bands who win a support slot will then be eligible for the major prize, which is a spot on the annual Foghorn CD compilation Grow Your Own.

Bands better rally up their fans now because the Double AA tour is coming to the Ballina Beach Hotel on May 21 and The Rails in Byron Bay on May 23.

Go to www.foghornrecords.net and click on the Double AA Comp to find the entry form.

Dance the night away

People are invited to join Channel [V]'s Room 208 crew in Byron next Wednesday for a dance competition that will be aired on Channel [V] in May.

Room 208, Australia's No. 1 cult dance show, is hosting a television dance party at the C-Moog nightclub in Byron Bay next Wednesday, April 14.

For the uninitiated, Room 208 is Channel [V]'s best rating show, with a weekly competition to choose the best dancer as chosen by the viewing audience. A turn on the purple podium and some sterling steps will make the most original dancer $1000 better off. It's a show for fans of every kind of dancing, whether that means the latest moves from the hippest clubs, old-school John Travolta stylings, or Latino-influenced rump-shaking. Locals are invited to boogie on down with the Room 208 crew and the night will be taped to go to air on Channel [V] in May.

To be part of Room 208 head down to C-Moog next Wednesday from 7-12pm. Tickets are $15 from Music Bizarre in Lismore or Music@Byron. The night is open to anyone 14 years and over.

Aboriginal art comp

Entries for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Northern Rivers annual Aboriginal Art Award will close on April 23.

Aboriginal artists in the region (Tweed to Evans Head and out to Tabulam) are now being encouraged to submit entries based on the theme 'celebrating wisdom'.

"The art competition aims to increase understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal cultural heritage by all Australians," NPWS regional manager, Mark Johnston, said.

There are several categories including a youth award and reconciliation award for artworks created by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists working in collaboration.

The first prize is a $1,250 for acquisition of the winning artwork, which was won by Goonellabah's Kevin Anderson last year. Entry forms are now available from NPWS offices in Alstonville, Kyogle, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah, Premier Framing in Lismore or phone 6627 0200.

The full Monty

If you're looking for something a little different to do this Easter Reel Films are screening Monty Python's hilarious feature film The Life of Brian this Saturday, April 10, at the Federal Hall.

Monty Python fans can sing along to the songs and enjoy some of the best satire ever written, with hot cross buns at interval as a special Easter treat. A DVD of the movie will also be raffled on the night with all proceeds going to the Federal Film Society. Food is available on the night from 7pm, with the film from 8pm. For info phone 6684 9313.

Strike a prose

The next Dangerously Poetic Monthly Reading will be held this Saturday, April 10, at the Bangalow RSL Hall from 3-5pm.

Entitled Poetry in Praise of the Sacred, this month's gathering will feature poetry readings from a variety of spiritual traditions, both ancient and contemporary, by local performers James Coates, Katherine Riding, Grant Cameron and Laura Jan Shore.

As a special treat 'sacred portrait' paintings by local artist Lee J Armstrong will also be displayed. An open reading on the theme, poetry of praise, will follow and anyone is welcome to bring poems to share.

Tea and homemade sweets will be available. A $4 donation is appreciated.

Make an impact

Impact Graphics is currently putting together the Impact Byron Shire Arts and Entertainment Directory, which will contain contact details for local artists.

Any creative artists, bands, painters, musicians, actors, entertainers, writers, models, dancers, DJs, sculptors, poets, photographers or video makers are welcome to join the directory and it's completely free to have a listing.

As well as your contact details Impact Graphics would also like a small description of what you provide that's no more than 50 words in length.

Send your details to Impact, PO Box 687, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481, or email impactgraphics@hotmail.com.

NORPA presents

Runners Up
produced by Legs on the Wall and The Studio at Sydney Opera House
Lismore City Hall
Thur April 22 at 1pm & 8pm, Fri April 23 at 8pm
Tickets: $33, $27.50, $13. Phone 6621 5600.

directed by Debra Iris Batton, set and costume design by Kathryn Sproul, lighting design by Damien Cooper, music by Carl Polke, audio visual direction by Kristi Street, cast Claudia Alessi, Kerry Casey, Ingrid Kleinig, Rowan Marchingo, Kirk Page, Alexandra Harrison, Telford Scully

'If the actors had walked on water I couldn't have been more surprised.'

- The Guardian (UK)

By its very nature, Legs On The Wall is not your regular theatre company. Formed in 1984, 'Legs' are renowned for their unique and fascinating mix of circus skills, acrobatics, theatre and dance, on both theatre stages throughout the world and skyscrapers doubling as vertical stages. Since its formation, the company has become Australia's leading physical theatre company, and has regularly performed on the international circuit touring to Asia, the USA, South America and Europe.

The company's latest offering, Runners Up, is a fast-paced, acrobatic exploration of the primal world of sport, inherent in most Australian's psyche. The show draws on the familiar language of sport with classic images and movement derived from rugby and Aussie Rules; tackles and scrums, dodging and catching and of course the 'action replay'. Exploring the passions aroused in the sporting arena, Runners Up looks at the single moment in which a winner is celebrated and the victim created as well as the audiences' sometimes lifelong emotional investment in their favourite sport. At the same time, it shows a sense of humour about Australia's obsession with sport with plenty of flying about on ropes, a few audience frighteners, a genuine handstand contest and impressive gymnastic sequences of breathtaking balance and strength.

Runners Up is hilarious and exhilarating entertainment that brilliantly encapsulates what Legs On The Wall does best: using expert acrobatic movement as a means of sharing stories, moods and emotions. As an extra bonus for dance and drama students, Legs on the Wall will conduct physical theatre workshops while in Lismore on April 20 from 1pm to 3pm. Workshops draw on the traditions of acrobatics, dance and storytelling, with participants gaining skills and insights into the choreographic structures and performance methods necessary to devise physical theatre. Numbers are strictly limited and workshop bookings are essential. For more information call Emma Newman at NORPA Dance Action on 6622 3279 or visit www.norpa.org.au.