The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Lismore needs a slogan.

Mullumbimby has one. Biggest Little Town in Australia. Casino is Beef Capital of New South Wales - maybe even Australia. (Nimbin is Tofu Capital... of the Cosmos.)

Lismore needs a slogan if it wants to attract tourists. For a while there it was called Lismore - City of Choices. Most tourists chose the coast.

It's not a tourist town like Byron. I haven't seen a bikini in Woodlark Street since, well, the last flood. And that was on a shop mannequin who looked pretty damn sure of herself for someone with no arms caught in flood.

That's one of the reasons I like Lismore. Lack of tourists. Plenty of parking. Food you can afford. Hooligans you're related to. A river with two banks and one levee.

More and more tourists want to avoid the tourist traps. That could be it! Lismore - No Tourist Town. Thousands would come.

Or, Lismore - City of Floods. Bugger the levee. Go adventure tourism. In flood times you could brown water kayak, dodging old forty fours and dead cows. Those empty CBD shop spaces could be backpacking accommodation with the price of a SES rescue by chopper or boat built into your Lismore Flood Adventure ticket.

After all the action, you could share cold beers with the locals as they gather at the flood line, the kids with their boogie boards. Or pick up a special from the water damage sale.

Floods bind the community together - except of course if you get washed down to Ballina and caught in the standing wave at the base of the Big Prawn.

The trouble of course with floods is that they can't be regulated and that's bad for tourism. Unless of course you build a dam. You could dam the Wilsons River upstream. Of course, Mullum would go under, but you'd have the Biggest Little Dam in Australia. And then you could have a flood in Lismore every school holiday and two at Christmas. That's it! Lismore - City of Flood Choices.

Dali and Freud in Nimbin

Imagine if you will, an evening with the creator of penis envy, Dr Sigmund Freud, and the great masturbator himself, Salvador Dali.

Now, throw in a naked young woman or two and a good Jewish doctor as the straight man, and you have a recipe for a severe case of Hysteria, the latest production from the Nimbin Players.

Set in 1939 against a backdrop of war and anti-semitism, this play by Terry Johnson slips from surreal comedy to dramatic intensity with uncomfortable ease.

Directed by Bob Tissott, the play features Brian Moynihan as Freud, Amara Bartlet as Jessica, Bob Dooley as Dr Yahuda (Freud's physician) and Jed Tissott as Salvador Dali.

Hysteria will run from next Wednesday, September 1, to Sunday, September 5, at the Nimbin Town Hall from 8pm. Tickets are $15/10 at the door or can be booked through Perceptio's Bookshop on 6689 1766.

Patrons are advised that the play contains nudity, sexual references and adult themes. Hooray!

Freebie: The Echo has two double passes to give away for the opening night of Hysteria next Wednesday, September 1.

To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, August 30, and tell us what country Salvador Dali was born in.

Dots red hot to play local spots...

Ray Dee Ator (twanging geetar & vox), Lil'O'Dette (slap bullfiddle & vox), Mr Country Dave Moll (lap steel & lead guitar) and Blind Dawg Walker (cowbell & swinging percussion) are set to hoedown on the North Coast.

The Red Hot Poker Dots are a Melbourne band that play (in their own words) "smokin' twistabilly country bop". They've just returned from a three-month tour of the USA where they took their cowboy music back to where it came from. And the yanks loved it.

Now they're on the North Coast looking for trouble with their very lively stage performances.

Embracing song topics like dogs, drinkin' and dames, The Red Hot Poker Dots combine country, roots and rockabilly with performance grunt.

Check them out at the Gollan Hotel in Lismore next Wednesday, September 1; at the Nimbin Hotel next Thursday, September 2; at the Dunoon Sports Club on Friday, September 3; and at the Italo Club in North Lismore on Saturday, September 4, with Jimmy Willing & the Real Gone Hick-Ups, The Box Monsters and Dave Ramsey.

Personal Space

Lismore's newest art gallery, the Space Gallery, was opened at TAFE's Lismore campus at the beginning of August.

The first exhibition to be featured in the new gallery is the North Coast Institute (NCI) Student Association Art Acquisitive Prize (phew!), which was won by Les Evans with his painting Wilsons Creek. The prize was open to all NCI Student Association members who attended TAFE in 2004 and this diverse collection of works is on show until the end of August. Being an acquisitive prize, the exhibition provides a lasting collection of art for the North Coast Institute of TAFE (and the community) to enjoy.

'Wilsons Creek' by Les Evans, winner of the Acquisitive Prize, and 'Rise Above' (bottom) by Lisa Chatman are now on show at the Space Gallery.

The gallery, located at TAFE's Lismore campus, is the latest venture in the Student Association's quest to increase services and facilities for TAFE students. It provides a forum for students, past and present, and other exhibitors from the community to show their art.

The gallery is open throughout TAFE teaching weeks, with ongoing exhibitions. Students, former students and community groups interested in exhibiting at the Space Gallery should phone Student Association Officer, Rose Marin, on 6626 6489.

Kids combine for performance extravaganza

Some of the children smiling it up for the upcoming Performing Arts Festival.

The Performing Arts Festival will be held next Tuesday, August 31, and the following day, Wednesday, September 1, at the Lismore Workers Club.

You can see local children explore their creativity when schools from all over the Lismore area participate in the festival with short creative performance or in the Small Schools Choir or Band.

Performances this year include dance, drama, song, instrumentation and choirs with signed English accompaniment.

It will be an inspiring showcase of young talent from our district - dressed in spectacular costumes and with professional lighting and sound, the children will shine in this performance of their young lives.

The combined choir of 150 students and the band of 160 students will perform both nights, starting at 7pm, and for a matinee show on Wednesday, September 1, from 10.30am.

Tickets to the shows are available from the Lismore Workers Club.

The art, the snake and the paydirt

A giant serpent constructed at the Mt Carrington mine, near Drake - an art project by Gillian Rhys.

A tailings dam, bordered by a 600 metre long, tree-growing, earthen serpent with a vegetable patch in its mouth is not what you expect to see at a gold mine, but thanks to Southern Cross University's visual artist Gillian Rhys, that's what is being created at the Mt Carrington gold mine, near Drake, west of Lismore.

Gillian's exhibition, Snakes In The Grass, at the Next Contemporary Art Space in SCU's Goodman Plaza, explores correlations between religion, associated iconography and land management in Australia.

Gillian's work incorporates ancient Sumerian and Babylonian serpent mythologies as well as biblical imagery into a series of allegorical paintings, photographic works and the gold mine earthwork sculptural piece.

"In the poetry and images from agricultural Mesopotamia, the serpent appears to represent the earth's ability to shape shift and change itself," Gillian said. "It was a mythological way of explaining environmental problems that I adopted in my artmaking practice."

Snakes In The Grass runs until next Friday, September 3, with a special opening tonight (August 26) from 5-7pm. The gallery is open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday. For more information phone 6620 3144.

The old and the young in their place

Local artist Wendy Parker (pictured) opens her exhibition Sense of Place next Thursday, September 2, at the Blue Tongue Café in North Lismore. The opening festivities start at 6pm.

This two-part installation is made up of candid portrait photos, letters of correspondence and recorded interviews.

The first part, Finding Our Elders, examines the testimonies of ageing people and their sense of place. The second explores how young people, aged 14-21, view their role in society.

Wendy, who is studying Visual Arts at the SCU, has investigated these two groups out of a sense of curiosity that has resulted in a sincere, insightful look at her subjects.

"This exhibition blurs the boundaries between art and investigative journalism with a social conscience," Wendy said.

Sense of Place runs until at least the end of September.

Little's little Little

Jimmy Little (pictured) will star with his grandson in a fatherhood concert called Singing Fathers Home next Saturday, September 4, as part of the Fatherhood Festival, September 3-5, at the A&I Hall in Bangalow.

Performing with Jimmy will be his grandson, James Henry Little, Archie Roach, Colin George, Soulman, Leigh Carriage, Steve Davies, Karl Farren and other special guests who have performed on the Fatherhood CD.

The concert will be hosted by Australia Talks Back's Sandy McCutcheon.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are $20/16. For more information or bookings phone 6687 0508. Tickets are available in Lismore through Traditional Medicinals.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to give away to this concert. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.15am next Monday, August 30, and tell us the best thing about being (or having) a dad.

Day of the Chrysalids

The cast of The Chrysalids are all tied up in their work.

The post nuclear-ravaged landscape of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham (The Day of the Triffids) has been adapted to the stage by David Harrower. Theatre Theatre's production of The Chrysalids is an emotional and physical piece of sci-fi theatre encompassing the tribulations of a post-holocaust society gripped by fear and conformity - except for a group of children with telepathic powers. Sound interesting? Sure is.

Produced by Scott Brockenshire and directed by Angela Mitchell, The Chrysalids provides huge dramatic scope for the 16 cast members and a night of thoughtful theatrical entertainment for the public.

Support the flourishing local theatre scene and enjoy The Chrysalids at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah this Sunday, August 29, at 3pm and 8pm and on Monday, August 30, at 7pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or from Caddies in Lismore.

Greene Oil

Rob Hirst and Paul Greene play The Rails in Byron.

When the percussive song writing soul of Midnight Oil, Rob Hirst, performs with singer/songwriter Paul Greene, the vocal chemistry is electric.

Hirst & Greene perform beautifully crafted songs that invoke thoughts of surf, sun, politics (well, ex-Oils and all that) and passion.

Fresh from a national tour with Ani di Franco, Hirst & Greene will perform at The Rails Hotel in Byron Bay next Thursday, September 2.

Rob Hirst is a founding member of Midnight Oil. He was the drummer, songwriter and backing singer for 25 years. He is also currently a member of both the Ghostwriters and the legendary blues band The Backsliders. He will not be joining the Labor party.

Greene has performed at festivals and venues all around Australia as well as touring in Texas and California. He recently won the ABC's Fresh Air competition with a song called Mind Games.

With Hirst & Greene, Rob and Paul have cemented their relationship using a classy collection of classic pop songs, largely written by Rob Hirst, and brought to life with Paul's outstanding harmonies.

The Sound of Bangalow

The 1st Bangalow Scout Group will present a fun, food and film night at the A&I Hall in Bangalow this Saturday, August 28, from 6pm.

That great perennial, The Sound of Music, will feature along with fine Austrian food, wine, door prizes and a trivia quiz where you could win a trip to the Gold Coast to see the current Von Trapp Family Singers perform.

It doesn't get any better than that.

Tickets are $15/5 and are available from Barebones Gallery and the Post Office - both in Bangalow. For more info phone 6688 2417.

Filling out the Dolphin - Hurry!

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

Late entries can be accepted though, if prior arrangements are made with organisers 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.

NCEIA has been a registered industry body for the last 14 years and in that time has endeavored to lift the profile of the entertainment industry on the North Coast. They have expanded this year to include the northern tablelands as a part of their profile area.

Lizard sleeps

The laughing lizard is very tired and must sleep for a while. The Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge is out of action until the financial spring.

Cut to the Creative

North Coast CAMERA is holding a one-day workshop this Saturday, August 28, on basic filming techniques to help up-and-coming video makers get some of the skills required to fulfill their creative aspirations.

The workshop covers basic scripting, meaning creation, camera techniques, construction, shooting to edit, lighting, camera sound recording, safety and responsibilities.

If you have a camera or tripod, bring them along with some tape stock, although it isn't essential to have a camera to participate in the workshop.

It will be held in the North Coast CAMERA training room under the Conservatorium of Music building in Lismore.

The workshop runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Cost is $40. For more info phone 6621 5454 or 6688 0031.

Hot Little Flame

Little Flame will be performing a night of jazz fusion at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, August 31. This is Aussie progressive jazz at its best with original compositions heavily anchored in rhythm but soaring in its melodic intentions.

Little Flame is a young band with Matt Whitney fingering the guitar, Alex O'Reilly smacking the congas, Ben Blay blowin' the sax and Scott Greenway slapping the bass while Ben Karsay firmly massages the drums.

The gig starts at 8pm and costs $5.

A breath of Fresh Air

The ABC Radio Regional Production Fund is continuing to increase the awareness of contemporary music talent coming out of rural and regional Australia by running Fresh Air again in 2004.

Fresh Air acknowledges there are some very creative and talented musicians who choose not to live in major metropolitan cities and gives them the opportunity to have their music heard nationally through ABC Radio.

In 2003, the project received over 650 entries from right around Australia. Several tracks were chosen for national airplay on local radio, Radio National and dig. ABC local radio played many other entries and artists were invited in to their local stations for interviews and acoustic performances. Entries for this year's Fresh Air will be accepted through to September 27. The Fresh Air 2004 winner will be announced on October 11.

Unsigned and unpublished artists, whose musical style is based in an adult contemporary genre, (who live in regional areas of Australia, including Hobart and Darwin) are invited to send two tracks of broadcast quality recordings on CD to their local ABC radio station. Address details for each station can be found at abc.net.au/backyard.

All details, conditions of entry and application forms are available online at abc.net.au/freshair.

Regional Treasure Art Prize is open!

Entries have opened in the Lismore Regional Treasure Art Prize, with prize money of $5,000 offered this year by Norco.

The award is open to any artist whose work explores a person, place or subject in the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed River valleys that the artist believes to be of value to the community. Previous entries included tributes to charity workers, surgeons, actors, journalists, organic farmers, great recyclers and an assortment of local places and identities.

Artists are encouraged to be innovative with their use of medium and interpretation. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works are welcome. "We are thrilled to hold such an exciting and entertaining artistic event and look forward to many entries that explore the many wonderful treasures in our region," said Lismore Regional Gallery director Bronwyn Larner.

Entry forms are available from Lismore Regional Gallery. Entries close 4pm Friday, October 1, 2004.

Chew chew train

The sushi train is back on track and the next scheduled departure is this Friday, August 27.

Sushi Central in Eggins Lane, Lismore, presents Sushi & Soundwaves - all you can eat sushi and then get up for some funky breaks selected by DJ Bad Itch. All for only $15.

All aboard from 7pm. Journey ends late.

Artists seeking sea change

The NORPA Creative Laboratory (NORPA C-Lab) is a development centre for the performing arts and aims to support local and major Australian artists to develop projects in the Northern Rivers region, potentially to be shown on the world stage. In July Kyogle based company Krinkl Theatre received support from the NORPA C-Lab to develop and perform a work titled 'Suit Yourself' in a shop front in the Lismore CBD. As a result Krinkl Theatre will tour 'Suit Yourself' in 2005, including a show at the 'One Van International Festival of Puppetry' in the Blue Mountains.

NORPA C-Lab will bring playwright Alana Valentine to the North Coast in September to develop a project for theatre titled 'Sensate'. Valentine's brief for the project supports the NORPA C-Lab aims of developing work reflective of regional communities yet still relevant to national audiences. The play will also be set in the region with the lead character being a Lismore resident.

Alana Valentine's star is rising rapidly in the Australian theatre world. Amongst her many awards she is the recipient of the 2003 NSW Writer's Fellowship, the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award, a NSW State Literary Award, a Churchill Fellowship and most recently, she received a Centenary Medal for her writing. Her latest play, Run Rabbit Run, was commissioned by Company B, and played at Belvoir Street in January this year. Her other stage plays include Titania's Boy (2004), The Mapmaker's Brother (2002) and Savage Grace (2003).

Broken Head Coastal Foundation, supporters of the NORPA C-Lab since its inception in 2002, will host Alana during her stay in the region, providing the perfect environment for Alana to develop the script. The NORPA Creative Laboratory is sponsored by the NSW Ministry for the Arts and supported by Broken Head Coastal Foundation and Thursday Plantation. For more information on NORPA C-Lab activities and application information for artists visit www.norpa.org.au.

Coming Events

NORPA has three big events coming up over the next eight weeks celebrating music, theatre, family and food. First up is SPRUNG!, a play based on Andrew Daddo's hilarious best selling novel. SPRUNG! 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 play at Lismore City Hall on September 29. Tickets prices are $47.20 with a special junior ticket available for $22.20.

Dining Under the Stars

Guest celebrity chef Karen Martini will cook for 200 lucky 'feasters' in the gardens of Lismore City Hall on Saturday, October 16.

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. Tickets are now on sale for $88.00.

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