The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

It's my birthday. Again.

So, off to the bottle shop for a conciliatory merlot or two.

I'm the oldest person in the bottle shop. I've known the kid serving me since he was born into a cloud of incense and hashish in a dairy near Nimbin. He calls me sir. Oh no. Why don't you just call me old timer and get me a sherry? I'm old.

As I step out onto the footpath I'm nearly skittled by an old woman with bluish hair in a motorised granny cart. It's a bottle snatch!

Here's a woman who has lost her car licence because she can't see or hear properly and now she's screaming up the footpath at 80km/h in a granny cart with a horn that plays Danny Boy.

I mean, one of them is okay, but I notice that the granny carters are starting to congregate in packs. Under Woolies.

Might be a dozen of them just hanging around, revving their motors, passing around a thermos of tea - with extra sugar. Attitude.

Some take out their teeth so their gums flap in the breeze as they do noisy wheelies, leaving behind skidmarks and strange little puddles.

Woolies has piped rap music through the whole store in an effort to keep them away. They're trouble. They have no money. And they're angry.

I'm thinking medication should be cheaper, when I hear the high pitched whines of angry double-wound electrics behind me.

It's them. I hear, "You sure got a pretty mouth," and "What are you looking at, boy?"

I'm scared. I want to live. I love life. I'm young!

I start to run as the pack closes in on me. Then I have a brainwave (it's the young mind, you see) - run up some stairs! The steps stop them.

From the top, I shout, "No free medicine!"

For a minute they sit there, bi-focaling me. It's tense. Then the leader swings her cart around in a burn of rubber. " To the skate park!" she yells. In a few seconds they're gone. A stray pension card the only reminder of the attack.

People hate us youth.

Making waves

An extraordinary solo exhibition by Lennox Head artist Clayton Campion, entitled North Coast Reflections, is now on show at Kolinda Gallery in Alstonville.

Clayton, a self-taught artist and avid surfer who grew up on the NSW south coast, moved to Lennox Head two years ago and found himself inspired by the North Coast's natural beauty and sweeping coastlines.

Working with acrylics, Clayton blends traditional brush-strokes with airbrushing to capture the essence of the ocean - not that the actual process is something Clayton often thinks about.

"I don't have an arty answers - I just love to paint beautiful things," Clayton said. "I love to spend to time on the beach surfing or walking the dog, and painting is a way for me to share what I appreciate with other people."v

North Coast Reflections is on show in the Kolinda Gallery's tearooms until September 3.

The gallery's regular collection of artworks will still be available for viewing throughout the rest of the gallery.

Kolinda Gallery is located on the highway in Alstonville and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. For more information phone 6628 0297.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's ... The Void!

North Coast superhero, Mark Willassee heeds no Mount Warning.

In 1997 a weekly comic strip appeared in this newspaper. It was called Scott Willassee is the Void! Now, our very own North Coast super champion (and don't we need one) is off on a new adventure - Tapping The Flow - which starts online this Monday, August 23, with a new episode uploaded every Monday after that.

As far as we know, this is the only Aussie superhero comic strip online and it's definitely the only one with a storyline that takes place in the Northern Rivers/Gold Coast area.

Who are the dudes behind this local artistry? Mark Richards writes the story, Harry Purnell does the pencils, inks are by Bala McLay and colours by Richard Stevens.

To celebrate the launch of a new adventure with The Void! the lads are teaching a six week, 18 hour, intensive course in Lismore starting next Tuesday, August 24, instructing potential comic artists in the art and craft of comics. Bookings can be made through Armistead's Gallery on 6622 8011.

This is part of an Australia wide Comic and Cartooning course (they are also running classes on the Gold Coast as well as animation workshops in Tasmania) in which budding creators learn how to construct their own stories and characters.

Mark and the team are currently shopping around for interest from international movie producers in a feature film script of Scott Willassee is the Void!

Check out the adventures of Scott Willassee this Monday at the website www.nrg.com.au/~adinknow.

For more info on the comic or the workshop phone Mark Richards on 0413 376 036.

Rous-ing Jazz

Composer and pianist Stephen Russell brings together an all-star interstate band for the launch of his long awaited CD, When The Light Comes, at the Jazz & Blues gig in the fire-warmed Rous Hotel, Lismore, next Tuesday, August 24.

The album features Steve's original compositions and the musical talents of James Sherlock, Wilie Qua, Dave Saunders, Jack Thorncraft and a guest appearance from Jim Kelly. The jazz starts at 8pm and the cost is an economical $5.

Karin's classy classicals

Karin Schaupp: have guitar, will travel.

Australian Karin Schaupp, regarded as one of the hot young guitarists on the global classical scene, will be running her fingers over the frets next Tuesday, August 24, at the Byron Bay Community Centre.

Karin's guitar training began at the age of five with her first public performance a year later. While still in her teens she won music awards in Italy and Spain.

It was no surprise, given her talent, that she was signed to Warner International in 1997 and has released three best-selling CDs (on the classical charts) and has been giving outstanding performances all over the world.

Presently, she is touring her home turf and promoting her new album, Dreams.

"This is an album I've wanted to make for many years," Karin said. "I've always dreamt of making a recording that captures the lyrical and intimate qualities of the guitar."

For more info on the gig phone 6685 5659.

Kurtis laying Foundations

Kurtis relax before their debut album launch.

Kurtis' debut album, Foundations, was recorded live (except for one studio track) over a two day period in Kohinur Hall. The first day was spent in rehearsal, the second was recorded live with Kurtis playing in front of a small and enthusiastic audience. Tracks were lifted from both days to make up Foundations.

Kurtis Rettenmaier is lead singer and founding member of Kurtis, the band, that includes his close musical friends, Sam Shine on lead guitar and Brook Rees on bass. Kurtis is a Byron lad, having moved there from Sydney to study music at Southern Cross Uni. He majored in song writing.

"My passion lies in writing songs," he says. "I really love performing but the song writing is the ultimate juice."

Foundations is a brave live R&B debut album that shows a confidence that indicates the sureness of direction that Kurtis exudes.

Kurtis will be playing at the Lennox Point Hotel this Friday, August 20, from 9pm and at the Metro Bar in Lismore next Saturday, August 28, from 9pm.

Freebie: The Echo has two copies of Kurtis' Foundations CD to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, August 23, and tell us the first name of Kurtis' lead singer.

Don't Roger me!

Filmmaker and social justice hero, Michael Moore.

North Coast fans of Michael Moore, patiently waiting for the Lismore premiere of Fahrenheit 9/11 in September, can whet their appetite for Moore's hilarious and radical film making with special screenings of his first film, Roger & Me.

In 1989, this groundbreaking documentary chronicled the efforts of the world's largest corporation, General Motors, to turn its hometown of Flint, Michigan, into a ghost town as it downsized its workforce.

The resulting film is sometimes surreal and often very funny - but is a moving portrayal of ordinary people caught up in the greedy machinations of corporate capitalism.

Screenings will be held next Monday, August 23, at the Uniting Church Hall in Bloore Street, Kyogle, from 7pm; next Tuesday, August 24, at the Oaks Community Centre in North Casino from 7pm; and next Wednesday, August 25, at the Campus Central Auditorium, Southern Cross Uni, from 5.30pm.

The screenings are presented by Socialist Alliance. Phone 6622 2862 for more information.

Tell us, Dallas

Dallas Crane drawn together by music.

Those irreverent rock and rollers, Dallas Crane, are shaking off their city winter blues and trucking to the North Coast to soak up the sun on their The Filth and The Grime tour, which celebrates the release of their new, self-titled album.

Rolling Stone wrote, "For all the cleverness and skill on Dallas Crane's new album, it's the heart here that impresses most. Drive, edge and absolute commitment remind us that rock is about fierce joy rather than received cool."

Dallas Crane will play the Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay this Saturday, August 21, from 9pm.

Freebie: The Echo has a copy of the Dallas Crane CD to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.15am next Monday, August 23 and tell us in what country is the city of Dallas.

Nouveaux rich voices

As someone great said once, "If music be the food of love, play on."

And The Nouveaux Singers (pictured) will definitely play on (and play up?) at St Bartholomew's Ministry Centre in Alstonville this Saturday, August 21.

This smorgasbord of musical delights includes madrigals, folk songs and modern arrangements of Gershwin, Lloyd Weber and even The Beatles. Oh, and delicious food.

The supper concert will raise funds for the Summerland Early Intervention Program, which supports children with delayed development and their families.

Tickets are selling fast but may still be available from Dymocks Lismore (phone 6622 4987). For more info phone 6624 7807.

Show starts at 6.30pm.

Any pant of yours is a pantomime...

The witch is on the nose and the knight has his day in Achoo - a pantomime.

The Children's Theatre Company is dedicated to modern pantomime with a fresh approach to the usual characters. The witch isn't bad, just misunderstood, the knight isn't that brave and the princess, well, the princess just doesn't need rescuing.

Achoo is an exciting adventure story filled with singing, dancing, clowning, balancing, juggling and comedy. It's part of the Book Week celebrations and will be performed at St Joseph's in Coraki next Monday, August 23 and at St Carthage's in Lismore next Tuesday, August 24.

For more information email to enquiries@knockyoursocksoffentertainment.com.

Better Yates than Trevor

Lisa Yates (pictured) is an icon of the North Coast. Singer, actor and environmental protester, she has entertained locally and beyond for the past 20 years.

She's the lead singer in the cool, local jazz band Skylarks, but you can see and hear her perform solo at the Rainbow Café in Nimbin this Friday, August 20, from 1pm. Enjoy the cabaret that is Lisa Yates. (And who's Trevor?)

CDs CDs CDs for free!!

Variety is the spice of the CD giveaway life.

Spring is coming and we have decided to spring clean the Scene's office (I say office because it sounds better than... cupboard) and give away a heap of CDs we have collected. Some are brilliant, some are, um, not. It's a lucky dip.

We have four lots of four CDs. To be in the draw to win a pack of four CDs, phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am next Monday, August 23, and tell us what the letters 'CD' stand for.

Efen music

The Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance announces the arrival of Efen Jaenudin, musician in residence from Bandung, West Java.

Efen is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who grew up living, breathing and studying traditional Sundanese music. A graduate of the two most prestigious music academies in his region, Efen joined the renowned Sambasunda World Music Group and has performed at major festivals and concerts throughout Indonesia and overseas.

Efen's activities in the Byron shire will commence with a six-week Gamelan course beginning next Monday, August 23, at St Finbarr's School in Byron Bay at 4:15pm. All are welcome and bookings can be made by phoning 6685 7258 or 6684 5099.

You can also see Efen and friends perform Thursday nights at the Rice Restaurant in Brunswick Heads from August 19.

Grab a Dolphin

The Dolphin Awards night for 2004 will be held at the Lismore City Hall on November 16. Entries to the Dolphin Awards close on Monday, August 30 - so hurry! Time is a wasting.

Late entries can be accepted though, if prior arrangements are made with NCEIA (North Coast Entertainment Industry Association). They can be contacted on 6622 0222 or visit the website at www.nceia.org.au where more information and entry forms are available.

Filming workshop

Cut To The Creative is a one-day workshop in basic filming techniques using home video cameras. The workshop, covering basic camera techniques, will be presented by North Coast CAMERA in the North Coast CAMERA training room at the Conservatorium of Music in Keen Street, Lismore, on Saturday, August 28, from 9.30am-4.30pm.

This is one for all those budding filmmakers and camera owners who want to learn some of the more creative aspects of filmmaking. Cost is $40.

For bookings or more info phone 6621 5454 or 6688 0031.

Moving jazz

The Lismore Jazz Club will present an afternoon of the coolest jazz with Jazz On The Move, Ros Tipper's Beale Street Mamas and special guest musicians. The venue is the Lismore RSL Club and the finger clickin' action starts at 4pm this Sunday, August 22.

This is a great way to finish the Herb Festival festivities and help raise funds for the 60th Annual Australian Jazz Convention to be held in Lismore late next year. Cost is $15/10.

It's a Mad, Mad Thyme

It's Herb Festival time and that means many things - music, food, dancers... canoeing (?!). But it also means plenty of hip hop action with the Mad Thyme Skate Park Arvo at the Lismore Skate Park this Saturday, August 21, from lunchtime.

This Herb Fest afternoon will be hosted by MCs 3rd Degree and Fingazz from the local hip hop group Urban Scriptures. An open mic session begins at 3.30pm.

At 1.45pm, Ryan Dillon (a Nimbin breaker) and fellow B-Boys (from the Brisbane B-Boy scene) will do a demo and short workshop.

At 3pm, you can participate in the Dance Circle where anyone and everyone can share their groovy moves with the supportive crowd.

The Hip Hop Dance Off performances start at 1.30pm and 2.45pm. The massive skate park will fill with a huge number of hip hop dancers lead by Daniella Finkenauer from the Buffalo B Girls. This year there's even more dance groups - Kazie Gray from Chick Hop, Christa Khoffs with her Lennox Head crew and the newly formed Lismore Hip Hop Crew.

You, the public, can have input into the future of youth entertainment with a meeting at 4.30pm at the skate park to discuss the upcoming fourth Aussie Battlers Hip Hop event in January and other future events for young people.

Mad Thyme Skate Park Arvo - skaters, bikers, breakers, dancers, rhymers and MCs!

For more info phone 6622 3279.

Big Backyard Blitz

Big Backyard is an innovative radio program that airs on 2NCR-FM every Friday straight after the midday news.

It's is a forum for discussion on topical issues that affect the Northern Rivers community. Each week workers in local community services are provided with the opportunity to discuss their work. Feedback from the listener is encouraged.

For more info phone Neil on 6621 7397.

Fun, Family, Food and Music

NORPA has three big events coming up over the next eight weeks celebrating music, theatre, family, food and community. First up is the great family show based on Andrew Daddo's hilarious novel, Sprung! Monkey Baa Productions bring to life the story of Fergus Kipper, an everyday kid who, like most, is slightly responsibility challenged.

Sprung! is entertaining theatre for the whole family. The production will play at the Star Court Theatre on Tuesday, September 7, at 7pm and Wednesday, September 8, at 10am and 1pm. Tickets are $22.20, $17.20 and $12.20 with a great family deal available for $56.80.

Beethoven Triumphant

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will begin a short tour of regional NSW in Lismore on September 29. The Lismore City Hall concert will be the first performance outside Sydney for the Orchestra with Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti (pictured) as chief conductor. The program for the evening will feature Beethoven's Symphony No 7, Mascagni's stunning intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, and Bottesini's Concerto for Double Bass No 2 showcasing the talents of the Symphony's own co-principal double bass, Alex Henery.

"Gianluigi Gelmetti's interpretations of Beethoven symphonies and concertos are hugely acclaimed by both critics and audiences alike and we're very excited to be bringing such a wonderful program of music to Lismore," said Sydney Symphony managing director, Libby Christie.

Book early for this special concert as seating is strictly limited and tickets are selling fast. Tickets prices are $47.20 with a special junior ticket available for $22.20.

Dining Under the Stars

Karen Martini, currently executive chef at The Melbourne Wine Room, will cook for 200 lucky 'feasters' in the gardens of Lismore City Hall on Saturday, October 16. Karen has recently been announced as the new Food Editor of the Sun Herald's Sunday Life magazine and according to the guru of modern Australian cooking - Stephanie Alexander - Martini is "such a knockout, I may as well hang up my ladle".

Karen's food is unmistakably that of the Mediterranean but is also undeniably individual. She is firmly produce driven and has a passion for fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, fennel, garlic, virgin olive oil, sheep and goat's milk curds and cheeses, olives, anchovies, coriander seeds, cumin, the freshest seafood and properly aged organic meat. She is renowned for her char-grilled rib eye encrusted in Sicilian sea salt with lemon and virgin olive oil, organic chicken with braised peas and cos lettuce and mussels with chorizo and pearl couscous. Mouth watering yet?

After the success of the event in 2003, NORPA encourages everyone who appreciates fine food, fine wine and entertainment in a spectacular outdoor setting to book early as numbers are definitely limited. Last year's diners will remember being treated to De Bortoli's Sparkling Emeri Durif and Emeri Chardonnay on arrival and the excellent range of wines available during the evening. This year De Bortoli will unveil a new range of fine wines at The Feast that are as yet unavailable in retail outlets.

The 2004 Lismore Feast promises to be another exceptional evening you won't want to miss. Tickets are now on sale for $88.

Tickets for all NORPA productions can be purchased at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre at 93 Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6621 5600 or visit www.norpa.org.au.