The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Well, well, well. He finally got in touch. After all this time I get a letter from him saying how much he cares, how much he values the relationship. Hell, it's been four years. Back then, he promised me the world (well, at least money) and I supported him. He had his way with me. Very disappointing. Next morning he split.

I felt, of course, used.

Now, he comes crawling back. With a letter.

What's he been doing all that time? Once, I saw him on TV. He was in Canberra, holding hands with big boys and clutching my credit card. Once, I saw him with his secretary in the car that I bought him.

Ooh, but that man can sweet talk. In his letter he says he's been thinking of me. He sent me pictures. There he is with a hard hat on. He's smiling at me, flirting hard. There he is with a cowboy hat on. Hard and firm. All for me.

Now he's buying me dinner, plying me with wine, showering me with gifts. His expensive suit promises a better life for us. His pearly smile really truly cares. Our futures are as one. I feel giddy with all the attention and presents.

His hand touches my leg and slides towards my wallet.

He wants something.

I hope he doesn't think I'm cheap. This time round I won't be so easily taken. Sure, it's raining money - but, you know, it is my money.

He says without me he would be nothing. True. He needs me. (It's a flaw in modern government this voting thing.) It's a trust thing. (Non-core trust.)

But despite the free dinners and love talk - maybe even because of it - I'm suss on him. I know that if I tick his box, it'll be all talk and no action - again.

Heard about the gurdy?

Barb Dwyer will let loose on the hurdy gurdy this weekend.

The inaugural Australian Hurdy Gurdy Gathering kicks off in the Northern Rivers at The Channon Hall this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 1-3. There will be lessons, jams, maintenance workshops and general frivolity.

But what in Heaven's orchestra is a hurdy gurdy, you may well ask?

The hurdy-gurdy is a stringed instrument with keys and a wheel. (Not a Camira...) The strings are bowed by a circular wheel, rather than a hair bow (like a violin). The wheel is cranked by one hand, while the other hand plays the melody on the keys. No monkeys are involved.

Michael Hannan (head of Arts at Southern Cross University and composer of the music for NORPA's The Flood), has composed a piece of music especially for this event. The piece, called Magnae Rotae, is for four hurdy gurdys.

Ten hurdy gurdyists (I think that's what they're called), hailing from all over Australia, will bring their talent and insights to the gathering. The Hurdy Gurdy Girls, a duo from Queensland, will pit hurdy gurdies with some French Baroque Duets.

Barb Dwyer and George Urbaszek (from The Channon) will perform a set of Gypsy, French and original works.

Jane Ruckett of Adelaide, the youngest player at 14 years old, will display her hurdy gurdy skills with works by Schubert, Shostak, and some original works. (Did you know that Mozart and Bartok wrote for the hurdy gurdy?)

The weekend culminates in a concert this Sunday, October 3, at The Channon Hall from 3pm. Cost is $10/$8.

All performers will participate in the Magnae Rotae and some French hurdy gurdy tunes. (The court of France developed an interest for the hurdy gurdy in the early 18th century, and the court's style of instrument has become the "standard" hurdy gurdy.)

For more information phone 6688 6202 or visit the website at www.hotkey.net.au/~beelzebarb.

Best Art in the West Half

'Breakwater - Coastal Series' by Paul Spooner is one of the works in the West Of The Range exhibition in Kyogle.

Artists living in the western part of the Kyogle area have put together an exciting exhibition, West Of The Range, which is now on show at the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle.

The idea of promoting artists living in the western part of the Kyogle Council area was originally put to the gallery by Woodenbong artist and exhibitor Jim Grasby.

The exhibition features a selection of wood and metal sculptures by Keith Cameron (from the ArtAbout group), Annie Bloomfield, Matt Jefferey, Therrin Selby and Mic Eales. There are also paintings by Paul Spooner, Ivy Reid, Chris Reid, Scott Watson, Ivy Reid, Christine Reid, Anne-Marie Mason and George Reid.

West Of The Range runs until October 20.

The Roxy Gallery is situated at 143 Summerland Way and is open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-12 noon.

Velvet voice, gracious guitar and a gig

Candra & Joel: Cool performers heat up the coast.

Candra Sleeman and Joel McLaughlan have been performing as a duo for more than two years, appearing at major venues around the Northern Rivers. Both are graduates of Southern Cross Uni in Lismore, having studied under some of the finest performers and teachers in the country - like Steve Russell, Elizabeth Lord and Jim Kelly.

Candra is set to move to London in the coming months to further develop her songwriting ability and performance experience.

Joel divides his time between Sydney, playing with original outfit Meridian X, and spending time in Lismore performing with Candra.

Joel and Candra's repertoire includes well-known covers from a variety of genres and some originals. Joel's sensitive guitar playing combined with Candra's angelic voice produce individual interpretations of these songs.

Check out this great live act at the Brunswick Hotel this Friday, October 1, from 6pm or at the Bangalow Hotel this Saturday, October 2, from 8pm.

SCU to map the music world

Launching the Music Map project recently were (l-r) Wanda Coates (research coordinator), Carrie Crossing (lead singer, Reverse World), Dez Hoy (researcher), Nirvana Glassey (researcher), Sam Stanley (drummer, Reverse World) and Scott Poole (researcher). The four members of the Music Map research team interviewed Reverse World, who recently won the Northern Rivers division of the Campus Band Competition.

A new research project that aims to 'map' the broad range of music related activities in the Rainbow Region is being launched by Southern Cross University's School of Arts.

The Music Map database will provide students, academics, educators, industry people and community groups with access to the most comprehensive list of music services, products, cultural activities and educational and academic resources available in the Rainbow Region.

In the coming weeks, the research team will begin contacting individuals and groups involved in music activities across the region, researching and compiling the resource list for the Music Map.

Service and artist listings in the Music Map will be free. A feature of the map will be its interactive aspects. It's planned that individuals and groups who are listed will be able to update their own details.

Music student and leader of the student research team, Nirvana Glassey, said it was a very exciting project.

"The North Coast has one of the best music scenes in Australia and so many talented people live here or come here to make music," he said. "This Music Map will not only document and contribute to the vibrancy of our local music industry and culture, but will also improve opportunities for music graduates to remain and work in the local area."

For more information about the project email Wanda Coates at the School of Arts, Southern Cross University, at wcoates@scu.edu.au.

Cool Cats in Nimbin

Christine M Robinson's painting 'Cavorting at the Reception' (pictured) is part of her exhibition Fell Down, Got Up, now showing at the Nimbin Regional Gallery until October 10.

There are cats everywhere in this light and playful exhibition - "I didn't intentionally set out to paint cats. The cats just appear - I only have to see them," says Christine.

The Nimbin Regional Gallery is open every day from 10am-4pm.

Decent obsession

One of Brett Robinson's works from his exhibition at Armistead's Gallery.

Brett Robinson's obsession is to paint and draw like the masters. And, as with the masters, this obsession extends to the human form. His exhibition, Obsession, is now showing at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore.

Brett left school almost illiterate - this alienation from others reinforcing his commitment to the visual arts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours in 2004 - an achievement encompassing both his growth as an artist and his learning to read and write at a mature age.

His fascination with the human form is on display at the gallery. Sometimes this obsession creates some controversy.

"I do know that there are issues surrounding my work but it is about the journey not the content," says Brett. "I will leave viewers to interpret the work for themselves."

Obsession in on show until October 13.

Fresh trance

Get set for a night of pulsating psy-trance this Friday, October 1, when PsyPneumatix presents NEXUS-round 2 at the One Bar & Niteclub in Lismore.

DJ Fresh is still feeling the beat from the huge Tribeadelic night he organised last month.

This month features top locals Launchpad and Gelspun, along with Fresh (PsyPneumatix records).

Psychedelic trance is a spin off from mainstream trance, featuring deep and throbbing - sometimes dark, sometimes powerful - basslines, with percussive, catchy rhythms and uplifting melodies.

Music starts at 10pm. Entry is $8.

For more info phone 0422 634 139.

Sydney Symphony sell out

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra performed to a capacity crowd at Lismore City Hall last night (Wednesday). Australia's most celebrated orchestra didn't disappoint the packed house with conductor Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti and the 55 strong orchestra delivering expressive interpretations of works by Beethoven, Mascagni and Bottesini. NORPA and Southern Cross University would like to thank local businesses, government and the community for their support of this world class event.

Dining Under the Stars

The Lismore Feast
City Hall Gardens
Saturday, October 16, from 7pm
Tickets: $88

Preparations are now well under the way for the 2004 Lismore Feast - a unique outdoor dining experience in the heart of Lismore. Our 2004 chef, Karen Martini, has visited the region to meet with producers and suppliers and is now creating a Mediterranean themed menu for this special community event.

The tables will be arranged in the style of old European community feasts - in centred long lines encouraging interaction between guests and roving performers. Diners will be entertained with beautiful Latin jazz music from The View From Madeleine's Couch and performances by local artists. De Bortoli wine will again be a feature of the evening with complimentary drinks on arrival and selected wine on the tables. Full bar service will also be available. Single tickets are available, however, if you would like to enjoy the evening with friends tables of eight are encouraged. To celebrate the arrival of spring, with great music and wine and a sumptuous menu created by one of Australia's finest young chefs, phone the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600.

Hello Kitty

Star Court Theatre, Lismore
Saturday, October 23, 8pm
Tickets: $22.20, $17.20

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 presents 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.

To ensure you don't miss out on your tickets for the 2004 Lismore Feast or the hilarious Hello Kitty book now at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600 or visit www.norpa.org.au.

Fine Art of Kissing the Ground

produced by Baywrite Theatre Inc
Star Court Theatre, Lismore
October 29, 8pm

Baywrite Theatre Inc presents a play by Rod Gibson, a well known local poet and playwright.

Fine Art of Kissing the Ground is a roller coaster ride of life in a large psychiatric hospital. It concerns a schizophrenic storyteller, Ferdie, and how his three unpublished short stories become reality. Fantasy and reality often become entwined in this bizarre tale. Tickets are available at the door. $20 adults, $17 conc.

Lismore Symphony Orchestra

Lismore City Hall
October 30, 8pm

Programme includes Mozart-Symphony No 40; Bizet-Carmen Suite No 1; Handel-Water Music; Warlock-Capriol Suite; Delibes-Flower Duet. Tickets are available at the door. $15 adults, $10 conc/student.

Deadline Enforcement Act

There's a regime change at The Echo. The Scene is now governed by a very bad man who insists that the deadline for all copy (Monday 5pm - like it's always been) be strictly enforced. Any copy that arrives after this time for Thursday inclusion will not be published.

And, he knows where you live...

Enviro film night

The Rainforest Information Centre presents an evening of environmental films at the Blue Tongue Café in Lismore tonight, September 30, and at The Hub Café in Nimbin this Saturday, October 2. Films commence at 7.30pm.

Two of the three films are by local filmmaker, Neil Pike, and are about social and environmental issues in India. The third film is Wiradjuri, Fight to the Bitter End - a compelling short documentary by Debbie Gilbert. For more info phone 6621 3294 or visit the website at www.rainforestinfo.org.au.

Local short film competition

You can see the best the Northern Rivers has to offer in short film when local filmmakers contest the first Bangalow Palm D'out'Or Prize at Byron Cinemas this Friday, October 1, from 10.30am.

The screening lasts three hours, with a winner to be announced. Entry is $6.50.

On October 8, the winner will be screened with new Aussie flick, Somersault.

For more information phone 6680 8555.

Hooley Dooley for preschoolies

Grab the kids, whip out a cape and get set to use your imaginary super powers, because The Hooley Dooleys have just launched their brand new album, Super Dooper, and are performing at the Ballina RSL Club next Tuesday, October 5, from 10am.

Over the past eight years The Hooley Dooleys have earned a reputation as one of the best and most original children's acts in Australia - and internationally.

So, super parents, use all your super skills to get your young sidekicks to The Hooley Dooleys show. Hear the new songs and dance!

Entry is $11.

Comedy Channel

Jamie Grant and his team of theatre games enthusiasts are back to kick off, once again, the comedy show, Twisted Wits. Now a monthly event, you can marvel at the amazing acts of silliness that take place every first Wednesday of the month - beginning next Wednesday, October 6 - at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore.

Twisted Wits is a live theatre games show filmed in front of an audience and is being packaged as a half hour TV show. Two shows will be filmed monthly on the same Wednesday and put to air over the following two weeks. The show has already gained interest from the community TV network around Australia and is to be distributed nationwide.

For more information phone 0423 658 242.