The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Diddly diddly music. The folk musos at the festival are going off in the session tent. They call it the session tent not because of the music but because of the drinking. Diddly diddly. Everybody's playing or singing except for the washboard player. He's chatting up a woman in an Akubra but she's bored with him and smiles at the banjo player. Well, what woman gets excited at the sight of a man wearing a sink?

A lad from the 'Gong ambles in with a can of Jim Beam and a new African drum he bought from the feral folk in the tipi. Self-conscious. He nods his can at me then tentatively taps it on the drum. Diddly diddly.

A Morris dancer called Kevin is a bachelor accountant but this weekend he's put on a funny hat, strapped bells to his legs and driven his Pulsar here to indulge in an old fertility dance. He weathers the good-natured ridicule of other performers. (What do you called a one legged Morris dancer? A lagerphone.) Sucking a Guinness, he can't help jiggling his jangly leg. Diddly diddly.

The man behind the bar has a beard that fans out over a beer gut worthy of the job. He talks dirty about some young women that giggle by. I tell him to shut up and pour me a beer. A moment's tension. Then, pouring, he says his wife doesn't like festivals. Duh...

Suddenly the woman kissing the banjo player starts singing. She's an angel. Her voice resonates through our bodies, igniting a holy spirit that crackles around the tent connecting everyone in a collective aliveness. Diddly diddly.

True.

Smiles flit in recognition of the moment.

I love these people. Even the keg gutted sexist.

They have turned off the TV, the DVD player, the games, the internet - they do take their mobile phones - and have chosen to tune into that most precious but most undervalued channel - real people. In real life. Celebrating the life in each other.

Home is where the art is

A portrait of didgeridoo master Djalu Gurruwiwi, which features in Neil Liddell's new exhibition at Nimbin.

Nimbin artist John Liddell has returned home after many years with a new exhibition, From the Bottom to the Top End and Back Again, which is currently on show at a Nimbin studio.

Neil has spent the last five years in east Arnhem Land, working with the Yolgnu people on behalf of the Northern Territory Government and painting prominent Aboriginal leaders he came in contact with.

This exhibition is a snapshot of the fine collection he created, with portraits of people such as Djalu Gurruwiwi, Australia's renowned didgeridoo master, and Galarrwuy Yunupingu, a leading Aboriginal activist.

Accompanying Neil's portraits are a number of works by Helen Rodriguez. The exhibition is on show in the exhibition space next to the Oasis Café until the end of September.

All are welcome.

A touch of Frost

Two of the works that are on display in Susie Frost's new exhibition, Susie's Show, at the Space Gallery.

Lismore artist Susie Frost has a new exhibition of works currently on show at the Space Gallery at Lismore TAFE.

The exhibition, fittingly titled Susie's Show, is a celebration of Susie's talent as an artist and her lifelong love of the arts. Sadly, Susie has recently become extremely ill, yet despite her physical condition, she has continued to produce stunning works of art that have touched both staff and students at Lismore TAFE.

"Susie is very social and connects the group together - she is a larrikin and has a selfless spirit,” said her teacher Steven Giese. "She is an extremely talented artist who has a great imagination and outstanding skills.”

Anybody who would like to help celebrate Susie's art is invited to the opening this Friday, September 24, at the Space Gallery from 4pm.

The show contains paintings, prints and drawings that cover a range of subjects such as nature, love and the human figure. Susie's Show in on display until October 8.

Together again

'Heart' by Mick Ward and 'Lenny' by Ashley Taylor - two of the works featured in The Furniture Show Revisited.

Artists Mick Ward and Ashley Taylor are celebrating 20 years of exhibitions, collaboration and friendship with a captivating retrospective, The Furniture Show Revisited, at the Lismore Regional Gallery.

The exhibition traces each artist's development from 1984, when they held their first combined exhibition, right through to the present day. With both new and old artworks, including many from private collections, this exhibition follows both artists' journey through life and their many artistic endeavours along the way.

This is a rare chance to see Mick and Ashley's work together again and the calibre of art is simply outstanding.

People are invited to celebrate the opening of The Furniture Show Revisited next Thursday, September 30, from 5.30pm at the gallery. The exhibition will be on show until October 30. See next week's back page for more details.

Please sir, may I have some Moore?

The title of Michael Moore's new film, Fahrenheit 9/11, is a reference to the famous Ray Bradbury novel (and the 1966 film by Francois Truffaut), Fahrenheit 451, about a futuristic society in which the written word is outlawed and all books are burned.

Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which paper burns. Fahrenheit 9/11 is the temperature at which truth burns. If you haven't already guessed it or heard about it (we hope all is well under that rock...) this is not a love letter to President George W Bush.

Moore's censure of the Bush administration begins with the contentious presidential election in 2000 and continues its attack up to and following the events of September 11.

Acting as narrator, but on screen less than usual, Moore looks at the Bush's family ties with the Saudis and examines his country's war with Iraq and its consequences, making observations that are both scathing and revealing. Along with the sardonic and often humorous approach that we have come to expect from the movie maker (his efforts to persuade certain Congressmen to enlist their own kids for the war, for example) there are disturbing and moving images associated with the war - such as his interview with a woman who reads the last letter from her son who died in Iraq.

As always, Moore has much to say and he presents it compellingly in a film that is entertaining (in a shocking way) and provocative. At the Cannes Film Festival it received a 15-minute standing ovation and its highest award, the Palme d'Or. It has been, and continues to be, surrounded by controversy.

Farenheit 9/11 opens at Lismore Cinema next Thursday, September 30. See it before you vote!

Freebie: The Echo has 10 double passes to giveaway to Fahrenheit 9/11. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am on Monday, September 27, and tell us who was George Bush's rival in the American elections of 2000.

Think world, go Global

Samba Blisstas drumming troupe from Byron will samba up some blisters at the Global Carnival in Bellingen.

With 250 performers, a beautiful setting and only a couple of hours drive from the Lismore area, the Bellingen Global Carnival looks like a great option for world music lovers this Labour Day weekend, October 1-3.

International artists Faerd (the Nordic folk quartet from Denmark) and New Zealand artist Toni Huat (with her rhythmic mix of Maori tradition and grooves), are confirmed to join a large Australian line-up of performers for these three days of world music, dance, arts and electronica.

Looking at the extensive line-up there seems to be a great diversity of music - from indigenous singer and songwriter Archie Roach to the outrageous Resin Dogs.

For doof heads this year, the Electro Village will extend to a three-day outdoor party, which will run from Friday to Sunday, with the best DJs in the land.

For those who want something other than music, the Festival Forum looks at social and political issues within Australian society (there are a few...) and in past years has debated subjects like indigenous issues, refugees and the media. This year, Julian Burnside QC will host the Hypothetical Forum.

The Bellingen Global Carnival runs from this Friday, October 1, to Sunday, October 3, at the beautiful Bellingen Showgrounds. For bookings and information visit the website at www.globalcarnival.com, phone 6655 3024 or just rock up for a wild weekend of music.

Mason's Mission

Local boy, Mason Rack, with his Weissenborn guitar - sounds of the beach.

Mason Rock's dad, Billy Rack, was a multi-talented jazz musician and a huge musical influence in young Mason's life. Other influences include Tom Waites, Tex Perkins, Jeff Buckley, Ben Harper, Violent Femmes and Dave Mathews.

Mason's new Weissenborn guitar - a lap slide guitar (the same type used by Ben Harper and Xavier Rudd) has fuelled Mason's guitar passion, which is reflected in his stage show. And not only guitar passion - he does this drumming thing in the audience, where he plays on the tables, chairs, walls and anywhere else he can find, only to return to the stage to duel it out with drummer extraordinaire, Jay Conway.

Catch the Mason Rack Band at the Lennox Point Hotel this Friday, September 24.

Sculpture culture on show

Sydney artist Jane Naylor with her work 'Social Mobility' - one of the sculptures in the East Coast Sculpture Show, which opens this Sunday.

The extraordinary and altogether unique East Coast Sculpture Show opens this Sunday, September 26, at Thursday Plantation in Ballina, with sculpture workshops, roving performers, dance music and comedy galore.

Artists from all over Australia have once again flocked to Thursday Plantation for the ninth annual show, installing 64 new sculptures amongst the rainforest and paddocks in a show that boasts some of the biggest and most unusual sculptures in the country. There are 27 by artists from the Northern Rivers region.

This year curator Merran Morrison says there will be a big focus on environmental sculptures, and explained how some artists actually build their sculptures at the site.

"That old idea about sculpture being made in a studio and plopped anywhere for admiring viewers is dying fast,” Merran said. "People like art more when it properly fits its context. It's less pretentious.”

On Sunday comedian Mandy Nolan and local band Funkstasy will get the show started, dancer Melissa Kerl will transform herself into a living sculpture and there'll be activities for kiddies and prizes to be won. A truly magnificent art experience.

The opening runs from 12pm to 4pm, with the prize presentation at 3pm. Entry is $3.

The show itself is on display until the end of January, 2005. For more information phone 6686 7273.

No secrets to novel's appeal

Story & photo: Robin Osborne

Author Joanne Horniman with 'cover girl' Louise Thurling and photographer, Cody Alexander.

Australian publisher Allen & Unwin has shown further confidence in the standard of North Coast writing by publishing the latest young adult novel by local author, Joanne Horniman.

Secret Scribbled Notebooks, an intimate 219-page work about an abandoned teenager and her sister who live in the Lismore hinterland, features two other local connections: the young woman pictured on the cover is Louise Thurling, who lives in the area, while the photographer, Cody Alexander, a former Richmond River High student, is now studying creative photography at a Queensland University.

According to Ms Horniman, it was a "real coup” to have the Sydney-based publisher use a locally produced image on the book's cover - and, by all accounts, to pay a decent fee for doing so.

Recently Allen & Unwin released Salt Rain, an intriguing novel set in the Byron Shire hills that marked the literary debut of Sarah Armstrong, a former ABC television journalist who made her 'seachange' recently.

Joanne Horniman, a teacher and artist as well as writer, has long made her home in this area. Her latest work is a follow-up to Mahalia and A Charm of Powerful Trouble, critically acclaimed and shortlisted for several literature awards.

The novel tells the story of 17-year-old Kate O'Farrell, in her last year of school, yearning to leave for the city, a keen reader and an even keener writer of thoughts into red and yellow notebooks. Her chosen role models include Oscar Wilde, Anais Nin and Jack Kerouac.

A heart-warming and beautifully written story, it will ring true to many readers, and not just teenaged ones.

• Secret Scribbled Notebooks by Joanne Horniman (Allen & Unwin, $17.85) is now available at bookshops.

A feast for the senses

The 2004 Lismore Feast is now so close you can almost taste it!

The Feast will be held on Saturday, October 16, from 7pm, under the stars, on the Lismore City Hall fountain lawns. Once again the gourmand's-gala has attracted one of Australia's finest chefs - Karen Martini.

Renowned for her award-winning Mediterranean cuisine, Karen has hinted at a five-course menu.

One of the attributes that has seen Karen honoured in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide is her commitment to the freshest ingredients, from the staple through to the exotic. She spent last week in the region visiting local markets and suppliers to learn more about the quality of the local produce she hopes to use on the menu.

While she's still finalising the four-course meal her preliminary menu includes octopus with shaved Greek banana pickle, prawns, antipasto platters, quail stuffed with duck livers and herbs, seasoned suckling pig, slowly cooked on a spit roast, and to finish macadamia nuts, blueberries and champagne jelly.

The final menu will be available very soon on the NORPA website at www.norpa.org.au or through the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600.

Once again, diners will be regaled by wandering minstrels, with the beautiful Latin-Jazz music of View From Madeleine's Couch to be a feature on the night.

This is not simply a dinner. This is an experience par-excellence.

Laugh as you smash the stereotypes with Happy Ho

NORPA, in association with Kultour, presents the camp glamour of Hello Kitty, a literary event in which Asian-Australian writers will sing karaoke and read their own work.

Hello Kitty is a hilarious mix of literature and power ballads that present spoken-word performances in such an innovative manner that it was accorded the accolade of the Melbourne Fringe 'Most Successful Spoken Word Show' in 2000. This success has been repeated with sold-out tours to the 2002 Gay Games VI Cultural Festival and the 2003 Sydney Writers Festival.

The cast draws together some of the most innovative and creative Asian-Australian writers to offer their unique contemporary perspectives on Asian-Australian identity.

Under the production of Bernadette Fitzgerald and Natasha Cho, Hello Kitty will feature Cho, Andy Quan, Cuong Nguyen, Ying Gilbert and mine-host - Happy Ho.

Happy Ho, a board member of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, combines work in medicine, political activism and the arts - a profile that could easily make her an honorary member of the Northern Rivers community. She scripted and starred in the Christmas edition of Eat Carpet and the SBS sit-com Aussie Jokers.

Andy Quan was a featured reader at the 2003 Sydney Writers Festival and is the author of Calendar Boy (Penguin Books). He also dedicates much of his time to policy-writing in HIV/AIDS.

The producers of Hello Kitty have promised to maintain the tackiness of the Hello Kitty formula for a night in which stereotypes are subverted and literature becomes glamorous.

To ensure that you don't miss out on your tickets for the 2004 Lismore Feast or the hilarious Hello Kitty contact the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600 without delay as tickets are sure to be at a premium.

Funny place, Byron

Byron Bay becomes a laughing matter again when the third annual Byron Laughs - Australia's Most Easterly Comedy Festival hits the sandy streets next Wednesday, September 29.

This year's event, at the Hotel Great Northern, will be showcasing some of the rising stars on the comedy circuit.

Byron Laughs will feature Chris Radburn, Fred Lang, Triple J's Kent Valentine and Sam Bowring

The show starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance from Great Northern.

For further information phone 0415 666 399.

Hurdy hurdy

The inaugural Hurdy Gurdy Gathering is coming to The Channon Hall from October 1-3, with 10 hurdy gurdyists from all over Australia coming together to learn, share, play and indulge others in their love of this ancient instrument.

The weekend will culminate in a special concert on Sunday, October 3, at The Channon Hall from 3pm, where these hurdy gurdy maestros will delight you with their mastery of this unusual instrument.

Tickets are $10/$8. For more information about the gathering or concert phone Barb Dwyer on 6688 6202.

Starlight cinema

A fantastic program of films has been confirmed for the Bangalow Outdoor Film Festival (BOFF), to be staged under starlight at the Bangalow Showgrounds over nine nights from October 1-8.

This selection of films will appeal to all ages with special family nights as part of the program, as well as exciting premieres and the inaugural BOFF Short Film Competition.

One of the feature films is the Australian classic, The Sentimental Bloke, with live musical accompaniment. It will kick off the festival.

This annual film extravaganza features films on music, nature, surfing and Australian life, plus children's films such as Dot And The Kangaroo and much more to whet the appetite of every discerning film goer.

"We're urging people to bring a picnic basket or to take advantage of our on-site catering, which will include delicious picnic hampers prepared by Ate (phone 6687 2555 to book your hamper), a sausage sizzle put on by the Bangalow Rugby Club, plus espresso coffee, cakes and ice creams,” said the festival's artistic director, Peter Castaldi. "There'll also be a Festival Club at the Bangalow Pub with Fresca restaurant staying open late for BOFF patrons.”

Tickets to all BOFF films are available from Byron Cinemas and Barebones Artspace in Bangalow, or can be purchased at the Bangalow Showgrounds each night. Tickets are $12/$8. Children under three are free.

For more details about the program visit the website at www. byroncinemas.com/festivals.

Forest dwellers

The secrets and splendour of Tasmania's ancient forests will be on display as part of the Tasmanian Forest Roadshow, which features music, short films and discussion.

"At this vital time, when federal politicians are debating the fate of these national icons, it is so important we stay in touch with what is really going on in Tasmania,” Roadshow organiser Valerie Thompson said. "And that we, the people, continue to lead the politicians by taking a stand to save our wilderness heritage.”

The Tasmanian Forest Roadshow is on tonight, September 23, at the Alstonville Leisure and Entertainment Centre from 6pm; at the Pink Dot Café in Brunswick Heads tomorrow, September 24, from 7pm; and on Sunday, September 26, at the Bangalow A&I Hall from 3pm, straight after the markets.

Entry is by donation and children are welcome to all events.

Prize artists at SCU

Four artists from Southern Cross University in Lismore are delighted to have works included the National Tertiary Art Prize, which is being hosted by the University of Tasmania.

The annual exhibition showcases tertiary students' art from all over Australia and evidently, the Northern Rivers is not short on talent.

Exhibition artists are:

• Aine, BA Visual Arts (Hon), with her sculptural work 'Puffer - Buffer (Allow Me)';
• Liz Deckers, BA Visual Arts (Hons), with her etching 'O For Apple(2)';
• Carolyne Lewis, BA Visual Arts (Hons), with her porcelain and glass work 'Collected Memories'; and
• Mahala Magins, 3rd year BA Visual Arts painting student, with oil on canvas work 'Hayley'.

Campus Central says it's proud to be sponsoring the students and "wish them every success”. Ditto from us.

Money for art - wow!

Entries are now open for the Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize... and $5,000 in prizes is up for grabs!

This annual show is open to any artists, from primary school age to professionals. It's a wonderful weekend of art and culture, and something every artist should think about entering (especially if you want to eat...)

This year the art committee has planned an Artsfest around the exhibition with arts demonstrations and workshops, graffiti art, music, bus tours and stalls from October 29-31.

Entry forms for the art prize are available now at art shops, galleries, framers and photo shops around the region. The closing date is October 18.

For more information phone Sharon Walker on 6683 2626, Narelle Jarvis on 6683 1617 or Kate Welch on 6683 2325.

Kingdom comes... with Blackman

Urban soul diva Bertie Blackman is heading north with a special tour of northern NSW that takes in three local venues this weekend.

Bertie's heartfelt and gritty performances have seen her featured on Triple J recently, with her debut album Headway making it to number four on the independent charts.

For this tour, Bertie will be supported by Jay Kingdom.

Catch these fine up and comers this Saturday, September 25, at the Ballina RSL Club from 8.30pm; on Sunday, September 26, at the Nimbin Hotel from 2pm and on Monday, September 27, at the The Rails in Byron Bay from 6.30pm.

DeScribe this

The Arcade of Scribes are back again at the Jazz & Blues at the Rous next Tuesday, September 28, performing what they describe as 'contemporary minimalist fusion'.

Their repertoire features Massive Attack, Nitin Sawhney and Portishead as well as some delicate and poignant originals.

The Arcade of Scribes is Jeremiah on lap-steel, Zac Toombs on keys, Ben Blay on sax, Connor Fitzgerald on bass and Ben Karsay on drums. They will be joined by the exquisite Natalie Gay on vocals and other special guests.

Music kicks off at 8.30pm and entry is just $5.

Join the Empire

Tickets for The Cat Empire concert at Bangalow A&I Hall on October 10 are selling fast. The tickets are $25 from Santos in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay, and Barebones in Bangalow.

Tickets are also now on sale for new talent Damien Rice, who plays Bangalow on October 16.

For more information on either of the gigs phone 6684 7921.