The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

I want a hero. I want to look to the horizon, see a cloud of dust, and then hear someone roar into town riding a supercharged non-polluting motorbike, made of hemp (Henry Ford did it with a car), armed with a double-barrelled sense of social justice, wearing a greed-proof vest and, with total understanding (deep breath), blow the bad guys to political hell with a blinding display of integrity.

A showdown. Between the hero and the sheriff.

Well, not exactly the sheriff - the deputy sheriff.

The deputy sheriff works for the real sheriff - Sheriff Big Bucks. And he's ruthless. The deputy sheriff is dangerous too but comical - but let's not get into the cheaply personal. Too easy.

It's not the lack of stature, but the lack of conviction; not the thick glasses but the distorted vision; not the funny voice, but the... well, lies.

The deputy sheriff mightn't strut up High Street at high noon like John Wayne used to - like something was up his bum (which, apparently...) - but deputy sheriff power walks in a tracksuit, flying his sponsor's colours. He's not keeping fit, he's practising following.

Every time I see a cloud of dust on the horizon, I hope for a hero.

You know, just for a moment I thought Latham could have been a contender. Bit of smarts, bit of biff, bit of the old howdy ma'am. Superhero stuff.

He could be Inspiro-man or The People's Protector. Maybe have a special power. Like ethics or something.

But I'm over that. In an early street shoot-out, his integrity jammed. Capital punishment in Iraq? In Indonesia? Hey, he and his posse are definitely opposed to the death penalty but if other countries choose to use it - it's okay by him.

Wrong answer, Poll Boy. The ethics here are not up for a vote. It's like rape - it's wrong whether other people decide so or not.

I'm still looking for the cloud of dust on the horizon. Probably just topsoil blowing in from the marginal farmlands.

Where's Captain Bob?

Shé Goodbye

Local poet Shé Hawke will stage her last local public performance this weekend at the Byron Bay Writers Festival, before heading off to the big smoke to take up a PhD scholarship with the University of Sydney.

Shé received the University Medal from Southern Cross University earlier this year for academic excellence and the offer to study at the prestigious Sydney Uni was too good to refuse.

Shé will perform this Saturday, July 31, at the Byron Poetry Prize alongside other well-known local bards Quendryth Young and Jean Ringland.

The event kicks off at 5.30pm at the Byron Bay Beach Resort.

Shé has been the Lismore Poetry Cup people's choice winner two years running and is also well known for her work with Dangerously Poetic Press. Catch her before she hits the road.

Bye Bye Birthday Boy

Azo and the Old Spice Boys will turn the ukulele into a weapon of mass demonstration at the Rage Against HoWARd gig this Saturday.

The buzz is building. The birthday candles are blown out and Johnny, the birthday boy, will receive all the support he deserves at the Rage Against HoWARd gig this Saturday, July 31, at the Italo Australia Club in North Lismore.

Musicians and performers from across the Northern Rivers region of NSW have clamoured to be on the bill for this unique benefit gig. There will be non-stop entertainment from two stages - in the main auditorium and the lounge bar - showcasing the best acts in the area. Monies raised will go to Greens.

"The response has been incredible - I wasn't even promoting the gig yet, but everyone heard about Rage Against HoWARd and immediately wanted to be involved," said organiser Jimmy Willing. "My phone ran hot and the bill was full very quickly. And nobody is even getting paid! If we let everyone play who wanted to, we could have had a week long festival on our hands."

Confirmed bands include The Re-Mains, Red Eyed Frogs, Proem, teen heroes Brittle Fex, The Box Monsters, The Real Gone Hick-Ups, Willie McEllroy and special guest Tim Freedman of the Whitlams (who'll be playing about 8.30pm). Local comedians S Sorrensen and Mandy Nolan will share their side-splitting thoughts and feelings about the PM.

"We want everyone who is enraged by John Howard's policies on refugees, the FTA, health, education, the arts, the GST and especially his role involving Australia in the United States' unlawful invasion and occupation of Iraq to come along and express themselves," Jimmy said. "While it's a benefit for the local Greens party, supporters of all parties are welcome to attend."

Starting at 5pm, the gig will celebrate opposition to John W. Howard's policies and his re-election as Prime Minister and generate funds toward the local Greens' federal election campaign.

This is a family friendly gig, which means, of course, that it is a smoke free venue and there'll be a kid's space with supervision and activities. This will be a great night to have fun - and make a political point.

Tickets are $15/10 ($5 for teenagers and free for kids under 12). And yep, there's good food available.

Wise-crackin' women rule the Lizard

Fiona McGary will feature at the Ladies Lizard Lounge next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday, August 3, is ladies' night for the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge at the One Bar & Niteclub in Mary Gilhooley's Pub.

The Ladies Lizard Lounge features an all-woman roll call of comedic talent. Headlining is Fiona McGary from Brisbane. Fiona's career in gags really kicked off when she became Queensland's first female to win the Triple J Raw Comedy competition about four years ago.

With a dry, cheeky, witty approach to everyday life situations, Fiona delivers her perspective with animated flair and a tongue in each cheek.

She is not only a natural entertainer, she is a very talented writer.

The ABC approached Fiona after her performance at the Melbourne Comedy Festival to write for the comedy series, One Size Fits All. She currently writes and performs with Greg Sullivan on Brisbane morning radio as well as writing comic articles for the Courier Mail.

Busy girl.

Mandy Nolan is the special guest MC for the Ladies Lounge. Mandy is a comedy icon, not only in this area, but wherever the name of comedy is invoked. She has performed all over Australia with her corset-splitting tales of the eternal struggles of women with men, children and tight clothes. She takes the reins from S as Lizard MC for the night.

Sharon Fraser is fairly new to comedy but already she has made a huge impression. She won a ticket to Sydney's state finals of Triple J Raw Comedy with her very dry routine in the local heats. She's a hot new talent. And she's just warming up.

Christine Strelan is not funny. She will tell you so. So why do Lizard fans flock to see and hear a spoken-word artist who goes beyond jokes or laughter to a performance space unlike any other? Find out for yourself next Tuesday. Her new novel, Lost Books, is a must read and can be bought from her on the night.

And just for something different - the Lizard goes fashionable with a parade of Mojo Lismore clothes. Yes, high couture will add colour and flair to an evening with already so much flair it could be a pair of trousers from the seventies.

The Ladies Lizard Lounge starts at 8pm. There is a fabulous show and meal deal for only $25. For dinner bookings phone 6622 2924. Show only entry is $15/10.

J Freebie: The Echo has two double passes to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 next Monday, August 2, between 10 and 10.15am and tell us a knock-knock joke. Fun eh?

Naturally Wendy

Wendy Matthews relaxes before her Ballina gig.

Wendy Matthews, one of Australia's most recognised and respected singer/songwriters, is coming to the Ballina RSL Club next Friday, August 6, as part of her Café Naturale Tour.

It has been a busy time recently for Wendy, with the release of her new album, Café Naturale, and with its first single, All I Need, already receiving high rotation air play in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. She also made a big musical splash with her recent special guest appearance on Sarah McLachlan's Australian tour.

Café Naturale, which takes Wendy in yet another slightly different direction musically, is a collection of acoustic chill out tunes. In amongst the smooth grooves are her renditions of songs from artists such as U2, Al Green, Massive Attack and Gordon Lightfoot.

Wendy will, of course, perform songs from her new album but will also include many favourites from her previous five albums.

So far in her great career, Wendy Matthews has been awarded seven ARIA awards and has sold in excess of a million records.

With a voice once described by Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett as being "to the vocal chords what the Daintree is to the wilderness", Wendy is a true artist in a music world where longevity has become a rarity.

These shows will allow her fans to get close to the diva and to lose themselves in that glorious voice. Tickets are $25 and are available from the Ballina RSL Club's bottleshop. You could also win a free ticket to Wendy's show by SMSing your name and year of birth to 0421 261 425. Entries close at 5pm next Thursday, August 5.

Final Sirens' call...

Leigh Carriage leads an all-female jazz-based performance attack at the final Sirens' Songs concert.

This Saturday night, July 31, sees the final chapter of the fantastic epic that was, and is, Sirens' Songs - a three concert series showcasing some of the shining female musical talent that has come from the music department at Southern Cross University over the last few years.

This third and final concert at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah features the Leigh Carriage Band, the Natalie Gay Band and Liz Marsh, who will all perform original music.

All performers have a jazz base and lean toward the groove side of things. Natalie Gay often performs with Jim Kelly and Liz Marsh is an excellent musician playing guitar and bass.

Leigh Carriage has put together a new line up of exciting young musicians to feature her new originals in style.

Tickets are $12/10. Pay an extra $10 (special price on the night) and you receive a copy of the brand new 2NCR Female Uni Tunes Compilation CD featuring 15 tracks from Southern Cross Uni's finest female singer songwriters. For more info phone 6624 4618.

Blind comedian not really blind!

Austen Tayshus: The deep voice of the dark side.

Austen Tayshus has been called the comedian's comedian. This legend of the live circuit has been performing stand up for more than 20 years and has remained a household name since the success of his hit single, Australiana. The single remained in the charts for 14 weeks, the longest of any number one to date. Quite an accomplishment for a bloke who can't even hold a note.

Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Austen is an extraordinary talent. There are few in the world who could hold a candle to his rapid fire delivery, who could match his ability to interpret global events with a satirical twist in such lightning speed, or would go on stage in a trench coat and ray bans in the heat of summer.

Austen Tayshus is the stage name of Sandy Gutman, who is currently in the process of making his first feature film, was the winner of the prestigious Tropicana Film Festival in 2002, and was the subject of a recent SBS documentary where he travelled back to Poland.

Austen Tayshus headlines at Ballina's Raw Prawn Comedy Club on Wednesday, August 4, at Paddy McGinty's.

Joining Austen as support are our two local NSW Triple J Raw Comedy finalists - Renee Searles and Sharon Fraser (who is playing the Ladies Lizard Lounge the night before) with Mandy Nolan (ditto) as MC. The show starts at 8pm and as this will be a very popular show, patrons are requested to purchase their tickets at the venue or phone 6686 2135.

World Poetry Cup

David Hallett verballed his way to fame and fortune by winning last year's Nimbin Poetry World Cup.

Thirty performers have signed up for this weekend's second annual Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup (July 31-August 1). It really is a world competition with two of the entrants from Ireland.

Heats will be held at the Rainbow Café and the Nimbin Oasis Café this Saturday, July 31, starting from 11.30am.

Semi-finals will be held at the Oasis Café this Sunday, August 1, with the Grand Final at the Nimbin Town Hall at 7.30pm.

After the poetry performance of the finalists, Gaby will entertain the audience while the judges make their decision. Then the winning poet will be announced and will receive the sacred Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup. Afterwards, poets and punters can groove to DJ Tim Tonkin.

Tickets to Grand Final are $15/10. For more info phone 6689 7424.

Night of The Twelve String

Singer/songwriter Vanessa Hoffman will be teaming up with Stringbaby for a night of thought-provoking music at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore next Thursday, August 5.

The music of Stringbaby is best described as dynamic, moody, melodic tunes that are compositionally unique and hard to categorise. The enigmatic 12-string guitar, melodic bass and Buckley-esque (hey, they said it...) vocals combine to deliver chorus-free journey music.

Currently recording her third album, Vanessa Hoffman has a range of songs in a variety of styles, primarily pop/folk, that speak of environmental issues and the evolution of the human spirit. Both acts will take the audience on a musical sojourn that dances between the light and dark worlds. This double-barrelled gig kicks off around 8:30pm and costs only $3.

The Nicholson story

At the age of 12, the music of Howlin Wolf, Scotty Moore, Chuck Berry and James Burton, playing on his brother's record player, had an enormous effect on Pat Nicholson. Inspiring him to pick up the guitar, he spent countless hours listening to these old recordings, learning the guitar parts note for note.

Originally from Sydney, Pat made his musical way to the UK where he developed his craft playing gigs and learning from the masters. With his unique mix of jump blues and R&B, Pat is back in Australia (for a while) and is building a reputation as one of the country's finest singer/guitarists.

Pat and his band will take residence at the Seagulls Club Flamingo Lounge on the Gold Coast every Saturday in August from 8.30pm. He's also at the Hotel Brunswick this Saturday, July 31, from 6.30pm. Get out and catch him before he heads back to England for another stint!

Liberated by a Scud

Before heading off to perform at the Kingscliff Jazz Festival on Sunday, August 8, alongside Jim Kelly's Sambamenco and The Jack Thorncraft Quartet (to name but a few), Scud will be performing their usual high-octane mix of groovy jazz and precision funky tunes locally.

Ground zero for Scud is the Jazz & Blues at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, August 3, from 8.30pm. Entry is $5.

Calling all Erotic Artists!

Here's your chance to show the work that other galleries dare not!

Eleusis is a sexual healing centre that promotes sacred pleasure. On Saturday, August 7, the doors open at 2pm to the public for a viewing of spectacular, steamy sculptures, photography, paintings and Mistress Nyxa's human chocolate desert. Yum.

Live life modeling (is there dead life modelling?) will also be happening, so feel free to bring your own easels.

Dancers and musicians (even drummers) are also welcome to showcase their titillating talents.

So if you're an artist in any field and have a sexual artwork you want to expose, or if you are just an art fan with a interest in the erotic, then this exhibition is for you.

Eleusis is at 250 Fernleigh Road, Fernleigh. For more info phone 0411 559 397 or 6687 8034.

Art at the Bay

The proprietors of Byron Bay's Planet Corroboree Gallery - Daniel, Becci and Tony Zillig - have compiled a significant collection of Indigenous and non-Indigenous arts and crafts. They have also re-modelled the gallery, located adjacent to the new Byron Bay Community Centre, to enhance the space available for display and to provide a work area for Indigenous artist Linda Davidson.

Planet Corroboree Gallery would be hosting a 'meet the artist' function on Saturday, July 31, from 3-5pm, serving locally grown bush tucker. This will give visitors the opportunity to have a chat with some of the gallery's featured artists. For more info phone 6680 7884.

Love launch in the hills

Elen and Ev, from Evolove, will launch Evolove's new CD, Muktoub, this Friday, July 30, at Kohinur Hall. The two have toured USA, Canada, Israel, Greece and nearly all of Byron shire. Their new album honours these songlines they have followed.

Joining them in celebration for the launch will be other local artists like Themi (with her Greek interludes), Alia Samra (with her serpent!) and Fatter Than Nusrat, who will make you dance the night away. There's also great food from Rose and Mikael's Food For Love.

Kids are welcome. The show starts at 7pm and entry is $10. (For another $10 you can buy Muktoub at a discounted launch price.)

Palestinian evening

There will be an evening of solidarity with the people of Palestine at the Lotus Café (Mathers Arcade in Lismore) this Friday, July 30, at 7pm. This will be a fundraiser for Palestinian children in refugee camps. The night will include Palestinian performers and speakers, a documentary, Arabic food and music. Money raised will go to an organisation called Women For Palestine that sends goods to the refugee camps.

Look! a book!

Get between the covers of a book or two at Southern Cross University's 'Next' contemporary art space.

Curated by Sarah Jones, Between the Covers is an exhibition of artists' books that explores the many forms that a book can take.

Between the Covers runs for three weeks until August 17.

Artists' books are not books about artists but unique art objects made by an artist.

Dr Murray Paterson, one of the exhibitors in the exhibition, suggests that the book is an object that most of us are so familiar with, we tend to forget how much they have influenced what we know, and how we remember.

Traditionally books have been the repository for knowledge and therefore associated with structures of power. Sentimentally, they have also been the site of our most celebrated escapes, the home of our dearest, if fictional, friends.

This is a unique chance to rediscover the book lover in all of us.

For more info 6621 9421.

Dance chance

Mzuri Dance Network is an innovative dance and music performance company founded in 1995 by Suzanne Mzuri Watts.

Mzuri's unique style draws on traditional African plus contemporary African and Western dance. Add the influence of the township street styles of South Africa, Congo, Paris and New York - now you've got Mzuri.

After an overwhelming response on their last tour to the North Coast in 1998, Mzuri has toured extensively and developed their experience and expertise.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the contagious high energy of Mzuri's professional, structured classes in both traditional African and fusion dance forms.

Classes and performances are running in Murwillumbah next Monday, August 2 (phone 6677 7347); at the Byron Community & Cultural Centre on Tuesday, August 3 (phone 6687 1910); and in Lismore at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium on Saturday, August 7 (phone 6624 4618).

For more information visit the website at www.mzuridance.com.au.

Writing for health

Recent research has indicated that certain kinds of writing can assist in healing oneself emotionally and physically. Consequently, there will be a free on-line TAFE course (of eight weeks), starting in August, where participants will be asked to explore their emotional past in short writing sessions.

Facilitated by Nhys Glover, herself a breast cancer survivor, this course doesn't demand professional writing skills, just a commitment to writing about the wounds in your life and sharing it with others.

For more info phone 6645 9001 or email Nhys at nhys@ceinternet.com.au.

Blue Tongue Wagging

The Blue Tounge Café in North Lismore introduces the jazz and pop music of Melanie Dius on Thursdays. Melanie's musical credentials have been earned not only in Australia but also by playing in the US and the Phillipines.

This Friday, July 30, Lou Van Stone features her jazz inspirations.

Check out the music and the fine food from 7pm, Thursdays and Fridays.