The Scene - Local Entertainment News

A Topp night out

The Echo is giving readers the chance to win tickets to see the outrageous Topp Twins (pictured), who are coming to Lismore for a one-off performance on May 15.

The New Zealand born and based twin sisters, Lynda and Jools Topp, have created a family of characters and various cabaret theatre shows that have made them a success both in NZ and internationally - from London's West End to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Their wacky stage show combines original song, comedy, spontaneity, yodelling and audience participation, which Theatre Australasia describes as "hilarious interactive theatre - situational, visual and slapstick comedy with a slick stand-up delivery."

If you don't know the Topp Twins from their stage performances, you may know them from the Topp Twins TV series, which has won several television awards in NZ (Best Entertainers) and is now screening in Australia on ABC and Foxtel.

The Topp Twins show will be performed at Lismore City Hall on Saturday, May 15. Tickets are $28 each. To book phone 6621 5600.

The Echo has two double passes to give away to the Topp Twins show. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am on Tuesday, April 27, and tell us what country the Topp Twins hail from.

The last Re-mains

The last chance for Lismore residents to catch local country rock 'n roll band The Re-mains (pictured) live before they head off on a tour of the top-end is this Friday, April 23, at the Gollan Hotel in Lismore.

The tour, code named Up the Guts, takes in every stop from Coober Pedy to Darwin to Longreach to Roma and back again, so it will be some time before they're back on the north coast.

The Re-mains have had a particularly busy time of late, playing the East Coast Blues Festival and headlining the Boozed and Rooted Festival at Billinudgel Pub, among other things.

After tomorrow night's show at their favourite Lismore venue, the band will be making one last appearance at the opening of the Nimbin Mardi Grass - the very place where the group took off two years ago - before heading off out of town.

As if they weren't busy enough already, The Re-mains are also at work on their third album, much of which is being recorded locally. With their last album already into it's second pressing and a spot on the alternative top 20 charts after its release last year, there are high expectations for the latest CD.

In the meantime check them out at the Gollan tomorrow night from 9pm. Entry is free.

Poetry under the Poinsettia

The Northern Rivers Writers' Centre and Southern Cross University School of Arts will present a special one-off poetry reading with seasoned poets Geoff Page and Christine Strelan (pictured) next Wednesday, April 28, at the University.

Geoff Page is a Canberra poet who has published sixteen books of poetry, two novels, a biography and a book of short stories and poems. Among his more recent books are The Scarring, Darker and Lighter, The Indigo Book of Modern Australian Sonnets and Drumming on Water. He has won many awards and prizes, including the 2001 Patrick White Literature Prize, and has been a guest and workshop presenter at the Byron Bay Writers Festival.

Lillian Rock performance poet Christine Strelan has been obsessed with writing all her life. She is one of eleven members of Australia's Far East Poets, whose work recently featured on Radio National. She is also a regular performance poet at 'Writers at the Rails' and has self-published a number of works.

The free reading will be performed under the poinsettia tree at R Block, Southern Cross University, from 12-2pm.

Changing of the guard for theatre company

There was some intense jostling as the membership of the Lismore Theatre Company shared a friendly, albeit competitive, night at the Rochedale Theatre in order to elect their new executive.

"It's a great sign when people openly compete for positions," newly elected president, Laurie Axtens, said. "Usually it's a case of 'arm twisting' and thumb screws to get people to go on the board. After all, there is no financial reward for the work, only some greater influence on the creative process."

Lismore Theatre Company's next production is a fantasy parody of Macbeth by renowned writer Terry Pratchett entitled Wyrd Sisters. It opens on the May 20 and runs through until June 5 (keep an eye on The Scene in coming weeks for more details). For information about the Lismore Theatre Company or to get involved phone Gray Wilson on 6624 4745.

Tanto-lising entertainment

Mark (Boog) Bromley performs with Trio Tanto at Thursdays at the Civic on April 29.

Thursdays at the Civic continues to present the best jazz and world music with four great acts in the next four weeks - the first being Trio Tanto next Thursday, April 29.

Trio Tanto features blues/soul singer teacher Laura Noble (formerly of The Funkwits), drummer Michael Bullen and double bassist Mark 'Boog' Bromley, who both perform with Stipsky and KaOZ Klezmer.

Trio Tanto (Tanto meaning 'so much' or 'to the fullest') will perform a beautiful collection of classy standards in classic settings.

Other Thursdays at the Civic gigs coming up include KaOZ Klezmer on May 6, The Old Spice Boys on May 13 and Jazz on the Move on May 20.

Thursdays at the Civic are free gigs, with the music from 8pm.

New World order

Original four-piece Reverse World (pictured) will perform their dynamic new blend of music next Thursday, April 29, at the Gollan Hotel in Lismore.

The band features four of the region's finest young new artists - Robert Taylor-Branco from Cleavage on guitar, former DSS member Rueben Barkley on bass, second year music student Sam Stanley on drums and the husky, powerful vocals of Kari Crossing.

Together they have created an interesting combination of solid rhythms and soulful vocals that's been described as 'Portishead meets Tool.' Catch Reverse World from 9pm. Entry is free.

The songs of yesteryear

Local vocal sensation Elizabeth Lord (pictured) will present a special night of vocal standards from the 1930s and 40s entitled 'With a Song in My Heart' on Wednesday, April 28, at the next weekly jazz night at Mary Gilhooleys in Lismore.

Elizabeth has chosen some of the most beautiful songs from yesteryear to perform, including Begin the Beguine, Night and Day, I've Got You Under My Skin and many more classics from the likes of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern.

Elizabeth's love affair with songs from that era began in the 1980s whilst she was living in Canberra and fronting the Alex Powell Trio.

"I was enchanted by the words, the melodies - timeless songs that could take you on a marvellous nostalgic journey," she said.

Elizabeth will be joined by three world-class musicians for this unique performance - Stephen Russell on piano, Jack Thorncraft on double bass and Dave Sanders on drums.

The gig starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are $5.

Bookshow and market

An authors' bookshow and market sponsored by the Bangalow Writers' Group, Off the Shelf, will be held on July 25 at the Bangalow A& I Hall.

The event will provide an opportunity for authors and community groups who self-publish to market their books, discuss their writing and publishing experiences and read from their works. Local residents who would like to hold stalls or get involved.

Phone Gaynor on 6687 1137.

On the cutting edge

Ganga Giri performs live with Yeshe and AB Didj tomorrow night (Friday) at the A&I Hall in Bangalow.

After back-to-back tours of Europe, didjeridoo master Ganga Giri has returned to Australian soils to perform a number of select shows on the east coast, which includes a special gig this Friday, April 23, at the Bangalow A&I Hall.

The Ganga Giri group is always evolving and for this particular show will feature Yeshe on tribal percussion, bass, mbira and other assorted exotic instruments, plus AB Didj on techno beats, vocals and live percussion, as well as a few surprise special guests.

Ganga Giri's didj sounds can be heard on the soundtracks of Australian films Yolngu Boy and Rabbit Proof Fence, but it is his talent for fusing the music of modern and ancient Australia into a unique dance mix that has really fuelled his international career.

"Ganga Giri is a wonderful musician. I first heard him at a WOMAD festival, and loved the mix of his ancient and primitive instrument with a wide range of great dance grooves," said Peter Gabriel, with whom Ganga Giri worked on the album Ovo. "Ganga is really taking the didjeridoo to places it has never been before."

If you love to dance, go and experience the manic, organic, uplifting global dance grooves of Ganga Giri. The gig starts at 8pm, with food and drink available from 7.30pm. Tickets are $16 at the door.

Find your inner Dirk Diggler

Byron Bay trio Acre (pictured) will be the feature act next Thursday, April 29, at the Campus Central UniBar's first ever Pimps and Pornstars theme night.

The Campus Central UniBar has begun hosting live entertainment again on a regular basis and next week they wanted to try something a little different, encouraging everyone to get dressed as their best pimp or pornstar for the evening. And it's worth it, with the UniBar giving away a $25 bar tab to the best-dressed pimp and pornstar as a special incentive.

The night will kick off with a live performance from Acre, whose track 'Fading Light' is now on high rotation on Triple J. Their album In Gods Car There's No Spare Seats is out on May 17 through Shock Records.

Following Acre will be DJ Slinky, one of Australia's leading funk and nu-skool breaks DJs, having played sets at the Big Day Out, Splendour In The Grass, Vibes On A Summers Day as well as major festivals Europe.

Pimps and Pornstars is on next Thursday, April 29, at the Campus Central UniBar from 8.30pm. Tickets are free to students (must have student ID) and only $5 for guests. There is no entry for under 18s.

A smart choice

After a four-month break from the live music scene, classic rock cover band Smart Artists are back with a gig this Friday, April 23, at Bangalow Hotel from 8pm. Featuring four experienced musicians, Smart Artists are slick in their delivery, playing covers from the 60s right through to the present day.

If you can't make it on Friday, Smart Artists also play at the Hotel Brunswick on Saturday from 7pm.

Three's a crowd

All acoustic veteran singing trio, Virgin Willing Daley (pictured), will be offering up their potent brew of quality music this Saturday, April 24, at The Rails in Byron Bay.

The trio comprises 80s pop icon and one of Australia's most respected singer/songwriters David Virgin, puppet-master and travelling bard Jimmy Willing and Mick Daley, the lead singer of country rock 'n roll renegades The Re-mains.

Check out their unique collection of brazen ballads, raw country blues and saucy serenades this Saturday from 7pm.

Skylarks CD launch

Stunning local jazz outfit Skylarks will launch their new CD (pictured) with a special performance this Sunday, April 25, at the Australian Tavern in Murwillumbah.

The launch will kick off at 4pm with free champagne cocktails and hors d'oevres for jazz lovers who attend, followed by a live performance from 5-8pm.

The CD features some of the group's most popular songs including Night and Day, The Look of Love, Popsicle Toes, Cheek to Cheek and of course, Skylark.

The band invites anyone who loves fine music to help them celebrate this special occasion.

Theatre with heart

Australian acting icon Charles 'Bud' Tingwell (pictured) stars in a new play called The Carer, which is being performed this Saturday, April 24, at the Star Court Theatre.

Written by Australian playwright Alan Hopgood, The Carer revolves around Tingwell's character George Parker, who recently lost his wife to Alzheimer's disease. He has taken early retirement to care for her and the play sees him adjust to this new way of life.

Funny, touching and poignant, The Carer is a piece of honest and intelligent theatre, described by The Age as "a remarkable theatrical exploration of an issue that intimately affects all modern families."

The play is on for one night only at 8pm. To book tickets phone 6621 5600.

Happy birthday for Byron theatre

The Byron Community Centre is celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of its theatre with a program of 18 events in eleven weeks. The programme includes circus, plays, dance, classical music concerts, bands, a visual arts conference and a book bazaar.

While local performers dominate the program, top national artists such as musicians Jane Rutter, Slava Grigoryan, Riley Lee, Michael Askill, harpist Sebastien Lipman and the band My Friend the Chocolate Cake will also perform at the centre as part of the celebrations.

The program begins this Saturday, April 24, with an exotic Middle Eastern music and dance show, Arabian Nights. It's a wild night of Middle Eastern, dance, music and culture, and people are urged to dress in theme and stay for the late night dance party after the show.

Arabian Nights kicks off at 8pm and tickets are $22 at the door.

For more information on the program pick up a flyer from the centre or phone 6685 5659.

Think pink this weekend

Retro style cover band Pink Zukini (pictured) will perform this Saturday, April 24, at the Canberra Hotel in Lismore - a special night for the band as they celebrate the lead singer's 30th birthday.

Led by the sassy Miss Q on vocals, Pink Zukini play many of the great hits from the 70s and 80s as well as some more recent favourites. They love to create a party atmosphere and always put on a crazy live show.

The music kicks off at 10pm.

Screenworks masterclass

Northern Rivers Screenworks' next one-day masterclass will explore how webcasts (live video streaming) and other media can be used so that audiences living outside the region can experience local events.

The man who brought the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and 2002 Gay Games to computer screens around the world, Mark Muggeridge, is special guest presenter/facilitator for the session, titled Broken Bones & Bloody Battles: A Masterclass on Staging Events with Media at their Heart.

It will be held next Friday, April 30, at Screenworks in Byron Bay from 10am to 4.30pm.

Mark will recount stories of many of the events that he has produced and managed as creative director and outline some of the issues that event manager's face today. This masterclass is a must for anyone who manages or documents events or is interested in the staging of events. Mark is an inspiring presenter who questions many of the traditional assumptions on how to do things and often finds unorthodox answers.

The cost is $25/15. For info and bookings phone Kate on 6680 9220 or email kate@screenworks.com.au.

Down memory lane

After a hugely successful debut at the Great Northern in Byron Bay in November last year, Solid Gold return to the Great Northern by popular demand this Saturday, April 24.

Solid Gold is a tribute to all things retro, with DJs Rock Solid and Gopher Gold (pictured) taking you on a trip down Countdown memory lane with all the corny favourites that people love to hate - from Flashdance and Kiss to Joan Jett and MC Hammer.

If you love to boogie and miss the Gollan's old Martini nights, Solid Gold is pretty good substitute. The fun kicks off at 9pm.

Pop goes the DJ

Local DJ Pop headlines the Pop Trance dance party at One Bar & Niteclub tomorrow night.

Live dance music returns to One Bar & Niteclub in Lismore this Friday, April 23, with Pop Trance - a new event aimed at people who love the local doof scene.

Legendary local artists DJ Pop and DJ Launchpad, as well as hot newcomer DJ B@che (pronounced Bayshe), are bringing their uplifting brand of psychedelic trance from the rainforest and bush dance parties to mainstream Lismore.

"We'd like to give the average punter a dose of what's been happening in the bush for some time now," said Pop, whose been performing locally for 12-15 years. "It's fresh and probably a bit different to what's going on in the nightclub scene."

DJ Launchpad has carved out a reputation as one of the pioneers of local grass roots trance and has cut his teeth on decks both locally and abroad.

The rookie of the trio, DJ B@che, speaks of trance music with an almost fanatic fervour.

"Trance is dance music for everyone. When you're there, dance like there's nobody's watching. All freaks are welcome!"

Visual art will also feature on the night with plenty of talented local artists displaying cutting edge works in multi-media. Doors open at 10pm.

Releasing records independently

If you're considering releasing your record independently, without the help of some of the major multinational record companies, a new NCEIA seminar might help.

Sally McPherson, who will host the seminar, is a music industry veteran and respected music lawyer. She believes you can be very successful releasing your music, without major label support, if you have a detailed strategy, know your goals, have a plan of attack, have a budget and some money to make it happen. It's hard work, but you retain complete creative control, and control over your career.

In fact John Butler just did it with an independent release that debuted at No. 1.

The seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 4, at the Byron Bay Community Centre from 11am-1pm.

The cost is just $5 for NCEIA members and $7 for non-members.

For info and bookings email nceia@nceia.org.au.

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 + booking fee. Phone 6621 5600.

"As fast and fierce as a rugby league grand final."

Sydney Morning Herald

Don't miss Legs On The Wall's latest show at Lismore City Hall tonight and Friday night at 8pm. A sell-out success at its premiere season at the Sydney Opera House, 'Runners Up' mimics the gymnastics of the obsessive armchair sports-men, delights with backyard antics under the sprinkler and presents the ultimate handstand competition. There's no prize for second place. Don't miss it.

The Underpants

Written by Carl Sternheim, adapted by Steve Martin
Produced by Company B Belvoir
Lismore City Hall, May 18 & 19 at 8pm
Tickets: $33, $27.50, $13 + booking fee. Phone 6621 5600.

"I laughed my guts out"

Tony Squires, ABC radio

Sometimes even the nicest people have trouble with their undies. Louise, played by Lucy Taylor, experiences the opposite to the 'ride-up' when her underpants respond more to gravity and end up around her ankles at the most inappropriate moment - in the streets of Dusseldorf as she attempts to catch a glimpse of the King. Louise is sure no one has noticed but within hours the rumours are all over Dusseldorf. Her narrow-minded husband, a local bureaucrat, is terrified that his career and social aspirations will be damaged by his wife's display of her 'unmentionables'. '

Company B's production of The Underpants is a bizarre hotchpotch of characters brought to life by a superb cast in a play where intelligence and stupidity go hand in hand. Carl Sternheim's classic play first premiered in 1910 in Germany causing censorship controversy at that time. The Underpants has finally found its ideal champion in actor/writer Steve Martin, whose free and contemporary adaptation combines sparkling wordplay with laugh-out-loud one-liners. A must-see for theatre and comedy fans alike.

Coming soon to the NORPA Venues:

'The Carer' starring Charles 'Bud' Tingwell

Star Court Theatre
Saturday April 24 at 8pm

Funtime With Friends

Lismore City Hall
Friday May 14 at 10am, 12pm, 2pm

Tickets for events at Lismore City Hall and the Star Court Theatre can be purchased at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre at 93 Molesworth Street, Lismore, or by phoning 6621 5600.