The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

I have done some stupid things. No, really.

Once I went to a festival and bought some Nepalese clothing - and wore it in the rain. The colours in the clothes ran so quickly they could have been in the Olympics. Dodgy. It mustn't rain in Nepal. Or they don't wear Nepalese clothing.

Maybe the Nepalese are just lazy. Look at prayer wheels - a hundred prayers a second. Makes rosary beads look like mug's work. And prayer flags. Let the wind do the praying for you. God is impressed by quantity. (Even if the dye in the flags is so crappy, the moon fades it.)

Once a friend and I caught a feral cat. I put it in an esky (empty) while we decided on a humane way to deal with it. We figured we'd take it to the vet. When I opened the esky, after about the time it takes to make a cup of tea, it had... crossed over. Dumb.

Once I tried to get rid of those long wiry hairs that grow out of your eyebrows at a certain age by lightly drawing my shaving razor across the eyebrow. Someone told me this works. That night I went to a party with one third of my eyebrow completely missing but skillfully colored in with a 2B lead pencil. (Hey, I'm vain.) After dancing, it ran with the sweat, into my eye. Good look.

Once I squatted on the ground, talking with friends, in a sarong. On a jumping ant nest. (That's nothing. I know a bloke in NQ who wiped his bum with Stinging Tree leaves. That really hurts. A lot.)

Once I called out the name of a former girlfriend during orgasm with the new girlfriend. That was pretty dumb, but to complicate things further, my former girlfriend's name was Peta.

Once I drank half a cask of Fruity Lexia.

Once I bought a Camira.

Once I believed Christians followed the teachings of Christ and Muslims the teachings of Mohammed.

Uni-visual art

'Skullscape' by David Young is one of the many works exhibited by Visual Arts graduates from SCU.

After years of study and hard work, 36 Bachelor of Visual Art students are opening their graduate exhibition at Southern Cross University.

The exhibition will showcase the talent of the students and includes painting, glass, ceramics, multi-media, printmaking, installation and sculpture.

Visual Arts program leader, associate professor Jan Davis, described the exhibition as an opportunity for people in the Northern Rivers community to see (and buy if they want to) art ranging from contemporary to more traditional styles.

The SCU 3rd Year Graduation exhibition will open at V Block, Southern Cross University, this Friday, November 5, from 6-8pm. The exhibition runs until November 12, each day except Sunday, from 10am-4pm.

Well, well, Wells

Terence Wells' work 'The Balcony: Byron Bay' is part of his exhibition, A Bit of Wells, on display in Lismore.

After many years exhibiting around Australia and locally with other members of the Lismore Art Club, Terence G Wells is having his first solo exhibition in Lismore.

Better known to many as 'Oils' or 'Wheels', Terence has been painting for more than 18 years and believes his 'past life' as a builder, which entailed lots of drawing and sketching, helped ignite a dormant passion for painting.

This latest exhibition, aptly titled A Bit of Wells, showcases a cross-section of Terence's work from the last 12 months, with a collection of landscapes, beach and coastal scenes, portraits and nudes.

A Bit of Wells opens next Tuesday, November 9, at the Lismore City Bowling Club in Spinks Park from 6pm. It is the first art show to be held at the venue.

The exhibition will be open for viewing next Tuesday from 9am-7.30pm, on Wednesday from 11am-7pm, on Thursday from 1.30-7.30pm and on Friday from 2.30-7.30pm. The final day of viewing is next Saturday, November 13, from 11am-3.30pm, so drop in and support local art. Entry is free.

2 4 art

Carolyn Russell and Matthew Cunningham present their exhibition Art, Life and the Space In-Between at Caddies Coffee Shop in Lismore. These local artists share an adventurous friendship encouraging and inspiring their individual expressions of art.

This exhibition includes paintings, drawings, ceramics, printmaking and collage.

Their mutual belief in nature and spirit and their shared journeys as artists have led them to this exhibition.

Their interests also turn to sculpture, digital art and film. Is there anything they're not into?

Check it out.

Rock'n Reverse is kcoR...

Winners of the SCU band competition, Reverse World, are going to rock the new-look Gollan Hotel in Lismore next Thursday, November 11.

The renovations at the Gollan Hotel has made this venue a great one for live music once again. It deserves it. Remember the Queen, God bless her, stayed here before the pokies.

Carri Crossing, Rob Taylor-Branco, Rueben Barkley and Sam Stanley make up Reverse World. With two support bands this will be a night of rock and roll talent. The music starts at 9pm.

Not happy, yearning

The young cast of Jinx deal with life's harsh realities in Theatre Theatre's latest production.

Jinx, by Margaret Wild, is a story about a girl coming to terms with grief and loss. It's a story of friendships, of yearnings, of wondering - "Who am I and what do I want?"

Theatre Theatre, Lismore's youth theatre group, has worked Margaret Wild's novel into a powerful theatrical drama. The cast, aged 14 and 15 years old, have been creating this play for nine months.

It's been a huge process that has seen absolute dedication from everyone involved.

Jinx is on at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah on Friday, November 12, at 8pm and Saturday, November 13, at 3pm and 8pm.

Tickets are $15/10 and are available from Caddies Bean Shop or at the door.

Big bash for jazz finale

Elizabeth Lord (inset) and Jim Kelly combine their musical talents in Sambamenco next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday, November 9, sees the last Jazz & Blues gig for this year at the Rous Hotel in Lismore. These regular Tuesday night gigs have been a popular success, giving Lismore people a chance to enjoy great jazz and blues both local and imported.

This week the Jazz & Blues crew are celebrating the end of the year with the big jazz guns of Jim Kelly's Sambamenco, featuring the vocal virtuosity of Elizabeth Lord.

Sambamenco produces a melting pot of styles with the amalgamation of Brazilian and Flamenco and, of course, a generous lashing of jazz. And a lot of the music is original.

Sambamenco is Jim Kelly on nylon six-stringer, Steve Russell caressing the keys, Greg Lyons plucking bass, Luke Collins thumping the skins and Alex O'Reilly on percussion.

The finale starts at 8.30pm and entry is $5.

For more information and bookings phone 6629 8453.

Hippy Hippy Shake

Scenes from the Unibar last time Dave Atkins and Noodles played there.

Campus Central is going back to its hippy days next Thursday, November 11, when it holds its final gig of the year - a Woodstock Toga Party!

It's a time to get out your tie-died sheets and rose-coloured glasses and groove your way down to Campus Central to celebrate the end of the study year with two of the county's most respected DJs - Noodles and Dave Atkins (Resin Dogs).

Noodles plays a unique style of funky electro breaks combined with quality scratching techniques. Dave Atkins brings his superb mixing straight from the popular Resin Dogs to this collaboration with Noodles.

It's fitting that these two end the year at Campus Central as they both featured at the first ever UniBass, which rocked the venue with over 500 punters loving every minute.

Doors open at 8pm and close late. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for guests (70s prices). It's for over 18s only and students must show ID.

The End Of Suburbia

The Climate Change Action Network (CCAN) is screening the documentary The End of Suburbia this Saturday, November 6, at Saraswati Studios at 131 Keen Street in Lismore.

With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American way of life as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply.

The documentary will be followed by a discussion on vegetable oil motor vehicle conversion.

CCAN, a non-profit group, is in the process of making solar and wind technologies, including hydrogen production and hydrogen transport, readily available to people.

Entry to the movie is by donation. For more information phone 6663 5224.

Black Fairies

An exhibition by Gordon Syron entitled Black Fairies For Aboriginal Kids will open at the Black Fella's Dreaming Aboriginal Art Gallery & Museum in Bangalow next Wednesday, November 10.

"I was sick of seeing White Fairies everywhere I looked, so I painted my first Black Fairies painting for my grandson - Harvey Syron," said Gordon Syron.

The exhibition runs until December 4.

Comedy War

The Lismore Theatre Company will present a live stage production of 'Allo 'Allo to audiences in Lismore and district in late November and early December.

Do you remember this very funny TV series? It was a send up of a number of sacred cows including the English, the French, the Germans, the Italians, The Resistance and of course the War itself. Which covers just about every sacred cow there is.

'Allo 'Allo will play at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah on November 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and December 2, 3 and 4.

Tickets are available at Caddies Bean Shop in Lismore. For bookings phone 6621 7709. Doors open at 7.40pm for ticket sales and light refreshments before the show. Tickets are $15/12.

Djanbung Irish gardens

Claire Roche, renowned Irish harper and vocalist, will perform in Nimbin during her 2004 Australian concert tour this Friday, November 5, in the rural charm of Djanbung Gardens.

The evening will commence with a sunset dinner in the garden setting (gourmet blackboard menu) at 6.30pm, followed by Claire's performance in the hexagonal earthbrick function room. Organic art - both visual and aural.

"We are thrilled to have a performer of Claire's calibre here," said Robyn Francis, proprietor of Djanbung Gardens. "We hope many Celtic music lovers will come to hear her play and sing in the unique environment of Djangbung Gardens."

Performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are $15/11. For bookings or info phone 6689 1755 or email robyn@permaculture.com.au.

Wood be great

Lovers of fine furniture have a treat in store with the opening of a new exhibition in Lismore. Entitled As Wood As It Gets, the exhibition consists of works by furniture maker Geoff Hannah's students. It will be launched at the Lismore Regional Museum (165 Molesworth Street) this Friday, November 5.

Most of the items on display will be on sale during the course of the show, which closes on the November 17.

The exhibition brings together a love for beautiful timbers, exquisite designs and fine craftsmanship. The items, by 21 of Geoff's students, are the results of many months' work carried out in the weekly classes, which Geoff holds in his studio workshop.

Geoff, a Churchill Fellow who has studied in London and Paris, will also have a couple of his own works in the exhibition.

Big prawn cocktail

Ballina's Biggest-Ever Cocktail Party next Friday, November 12, promises to be, well, Ballina's biggest-ever cocktail party... and one of the great social events on the North Coast with an emphasis on sophistication, entertainment, surprises and fun.

The evening will commence at the Ballina RSL Club auditorium with an elegant dress-up cocktail party from 6.30-9pm. It will then be time to get down and boogie to a funky-soul band until midnight.

Tickets are $45, which includes free premium beers, wines and champagne from 6.30-9pm, finger food, entertainment and the chance to win great prizes on the night.

Tickets are selling fast for this Life Saver Rescue Helicopter fundraiser.

Tickets are available at Ballina RSL Club and it's recommended that you book early.

Drama queen

Another Lismore export hits the big drama time.

Katherine Hicks, daughter of long time Lismore Theatre Company member Jennie Hicks, is nearing the completion of her BA in Drama at VCA in Melbourne. Katherine attended Alstonville and Kadina high schools before gaining a part in the ABC TV series Heartbreak High, which took the 16-year-old to Sydney for 12 months. There she seriously caught the acting bug.

Following a successful audition in late 2001, Katherine was offered a place at VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) and she is now about to graduate - no mean feat, as there are only 10 actors remaining in the drama degree course, out of 26 starters.

Jennie was recently in Melbourne to see Katherine take the major role in a VCA stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's classic film Smiles of a Summer Night.

"It was a great role for Katherine," Jennie said, "bold and strong."

Congratulations Katherine. May you stay bold and strong.

Try Psytrance dance

Cyanescens (tribal name, Nathan) is featuring at Nexus in Lismore and Tribeadelic in Melbourne.

It's time for the third and final Nexus hot psytrance gig at the One Bar & Niteclub in Lismore this Friday, November 5. Nexus is going out on a high (figuratively speaking) with a taste (figuratively speaking) of the harder edge of psychedelic (figuratively...) trance from Cyanescens.

Cyanescens (Nathan) will be getting wound up for the summer season where he will be playing at Australia's premier all psytrance festival - Tribeadelic. It's a three-day festival in Melbourne covering New Year's Eve and is not to be missed.

Also on the bill for Friday's show are local favourites POP, Gelspun and Fresh.

The trancing starts at 10pm.

Jodi to sing with Dolphins

Jodi Martin waits for the Dolphins.

Jodi Martin will be a featured performer at this year's Dolphin Awards at the Lismore City Hall on Tuesday, November 16.

This year marks the 14th year for these awards, which are presented by NCEIA (North Coast Entertainment Industry Association) and highlight the artistic talent that resides in this area.

Brought up in Ceduna, South Australia, and now living in Redfern, Sydney, as she pursues her successful musical career, Jodi spent many years performing in the Lismore area. And now she's coming back. (A star returns!)

Tickets are $30 or $25 for NCEIA members. Show starts at 7pm. To book phone 6622 0222.

North Coast to help Bali

This Saturday, November 6, the Byron Loves Bali group will hold a fundraiser to provide ongoing support for victims of the Bali bombing. The music, the dancing, the fun and games will all take place at the Byron Community Centre from 7.30pm.

Efen Jaenudin, Greg Sheehan, Peter Davidian and the Gold Coast Balinese dance group will perform.

Tickets are $20/15 from Santos in Mullumbimby and Byron.

See Osama in Lismore!

The Lismore and District Women's Health Centre is presenting the film, Osama, as a fundraiser next Thursday, November 18, at the Lismore Cinemas. The movie starts at 6.30pm - but there are nibblies from 6pm.

Tickets are $12 and all proceeds will assist the centre with ongoing programs. If you would like to buy a ticket or take some to sell to friends and family please phone 6621 9800. Tickets are available from the cinema or The Echo office.

Osama is the first film to be shot in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban and the first Afghani film ever to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the International Critics' Prize and became one of the festival's popular hits.

Based on true events, Osama tells the story of an adolescent girl who is forced to disguise herself as a boy in an effort to escape the intolerable conditions inflicted on women by the Taliban regime.

Visually accomplished, emotionally moving and very timely, this film depicts the impact of religious extremism and the will of those living under it to survive.