The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

It's easy to be cynical at Christmas.

Discounted footbaths, hip hop versions of Jingle Bells playing in supermarkets, thousand dollar bargains to show your love, spoilt kids wanting more - this is not a celebration for people but rather a marketing blitz for retailers.

It's a desperate, grog-guzzling shopping spree.

Christmas is a giant schoolies for consumers.

It's easy to be cynical at Christmas.

But I'm not.

I know it's just some light hearted consumer fun. It's more about Santa than Jesus. More about profit than the Prophet.

For heaven's sake, Jesus was a guy who was against war, who said the rich won't go to heaven, who said judge not lest you be judged, who said if people need shelter give it to them.

Not exactly the sort of messages that are in tune with modern Australian life, are they?

It is hard for us as a nation to celebrate the birthday of the Man of Peace after our involvement in Iraq. And that refugee business.

Didn't his Father (who used to be quite respected, you know) write "You shall not kill" in Holy stone?

Santa is more our Christmas style. Meaningless.

But behind all the flashing dross, the rip-offs and the carpet salesmen in beards and red hats, is still the remnant of... a celebration. Of love. Of one another. And celebration is for those who honour the human family. Like the Birthday Boy did. You don't need a credit card.

Excessive spending and greedy consumption is for those who pray to the moneylenders for happiness.

It's easy to be cynical about Christmas.

But there are still many of us for whom the real spirit of Christmas is about people, the joy of community, the God of peace.

Jesus threw the moneylenders out of the temple. Three cheers and a cold beer to that!

Peace to all of you.

Pirates of love

Zackari from The Hauntingly Beautiful Mousemoon has packed his clothes for the band's tour of the North Coast.

That eccentric troupe of musical nomads, The Hauntingly Beautiful Mousemoon (or just Mousemoon as I will refer to them, given the high price of ink and the preciousness of paper) are hitting the highways (are there any other ways?) and embarking on their Pirates Of Love Tour. They are inviting all friends and fans to jump on board and become a Love Pirate.

This ship of love with its contingent of spare legs, firesticks, funny costumes, eye patches, poetry, songs, bongo drums and gigs will hit the North Coast early in the new year.

Get plundered, pillaged and loved at the Nimbin Hotel on Friday, January 7. Swim in the love tide at the Picnic at Hanging Rock Frock Picnic & Swim on Saturday, January 8. Pack a frock to wear...

On Sunday, January 9, Mousemoon has been invited to play at a Bundjalung Nation gathering at Nimbin Rocks. Then the tour moves to Byron.

Sound interesting? A documentary is being made. More tour details later.

Cigars all round

The Bondi Cigars are floating up to the North Coast for a one-off gig in Murwillumbah.

The Bondi Cigars are one of Australia's top live bands. They play rhythm 'n' blues, soul and funk and have built a huge reputation over their seven album musical history.

Their latest, 12 Lies, is what many are calling their best to date.

The response from critics and fans has been very positive, with the band taking out Best Album at the 2004 Australian Blues Awards, where they also received the awards for Best Group and Best Producer.

Their broad appeal has seen them perform at leading venues and festivals across the nation, averaging over 150 shows a year. Hard working band for sure.

If you fancy a drive up the coast, the Bondi Cigars play the Murwillumbah Hotel next Thursday, December 30. Australian pub music at its best.

I can see Clelia now...

Clelia Adams has a new hat, a new album and a New Year's Eve gig in Lismore.

Clelia Adams, a local songbird, has released her second CD, called Heartbreak Highway. Clelia plans to launch the new album in Tamworth (her old hometown) with the Feral Swing Katz band and friends on January 14 at the Southgate Inn in Tamworth if you're boot-scooting down that way for the Country Music Festival.

Heartbreak Highway is unashamedly country-flavoured and is mostly a collection of covers that are popular at Clelia's gigs. Her trademark vocal clarity and her interpretations of these diverse songs create an album that you could dance to or watch a sunset to.

The title song was penned by Clelia and is the story of her performing life wrapped up in one big country shuffle.

Since the release of her first album, Bring It On, Clelia's international career has taken off with four songs from that album reaching the European Country Music Association airplay charts.

Ted Clark, a DJ from The Netherlands asks, "Will she be the next folk/country giant from Down Under?"

You can answer that question for yourselves by catching her set at the Lismore Workers Heights Bowling Club on New Years Eve at 8pm.

Larks will fly over New Year

Lisa Yeates carries the double bass on her shoulders for Skylarks.

The salsa and Latin dance craze has definitely hit the North Cast with every second pub and hall offering dance classes in these exotic (and erotic) dance styles. Local jazz and croon band, Skylarks, have expanded their repertoire of snappy Latin dance numbers so that the punters can show off their sexy salsa moves on the dance floor.

Skylarks will, of course, continue to play songs from their popular and extensive list of jazz, soul and blues favourites.

You can feel the heat with Skylarks on New Year's Eve at the Nimbin Bowling Club from 9pm and at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club on Saturday, January 1, from 8pm.

Woodford for kids

In the heart of Woodford Folk Festival there is a small festival of its own - especially for the young and curious.

The Children's Festival is a six day festival within the main festival.

The program runs daily from 8.30am - 5.30pm with 120 concerts, 36 performance-based and 120 skill-based workshops.

It's a great way for children and their parents (or carers) to bond and for both to enjoy this fantastic event.

For more info visit the website at www.woodfordfolkfestival.com.

Having her say in clay

This pottery piece, Sugar Coated Stories, by Megan Bennett contains written messages in clay - if you can find them...

Megan Bennett is entranced by ceramics. She loves the functionality of wheel thrown forms and the freedom of sculpture. Her exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery, titled Secret Barriers, Hidden Walls, is a combination of both these elements. The amalgamation of wheel thrown forms with sculptural script has been her challenge.

She actually writes in clay which, when fired, turns to stone.

"The scripted panels and flanges hold secretive meaning, raising questions in the viewer as to what it is that I have written down in clay," says the artist.

See if you can unravel the Megan Bennett mysteries in stone at her exhibition, which runs until February 5.

Wait soon over

Waiting for Guinness in action waiting for Guinesses and their gig in the New Year.

It amazes me what musical press releases can come up with in their descriptions of musical styles. For the last few years every band has been an "eclectic blend" of usually every musical genre on the planet. Some combinations make you wonder...

Waiting For Guinness is a seven-piece outfit from Sydney who (in their own words) "play an eclectic repertoire of gypsy-punk, cabaret and Gansta -jazz". Clear? Put it this way - it's not straight rock'n roll.

I haven't heard them but they certainly look like an interesting crew and their CD, Show, released in August, has proven to be very popular. And they'll be playing at The Woodford Folk Festival after Christmas, then at The Rails in Byron on Thursday, January 6, from 9pm and at the Great Northern Hotel (also in Byron) on Sunday, January 9.

Patrick Emery from Beat Magazine in Melbourne described them thus: "I was left with visions of inebriated wedding guests dancing on tables while knocking back homemade European 80% proof firewater."

Hypno-fun at the Ballina RSL

Shane St James wants you to look into his eyes...

January is a big entertainment month at the Ballina RSL.

Sunday, January 2, sees Shane St James perform his hilarious feats of hypnotism with a huge stage production that will have everyone clutching their sides in amazed laughter and glad that they didn't look into his eyes. He has a power to make you do the unthinkably strange.

His father, Martin St James was a world famous hypnotist whose shows became legendary. That skill and his flair for showbiz has been very successfully passed onto Shane.

Show starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are $14/9.

For tickets phone the club on 6686 2544.

Also coming up at the Ballina RSL Club is an opportunity to meet our very own Ngaiire Joseph, the TV singing sensation, when she performs a mini concert in the club's Riverside Lounge on Monday, January 10, at 5pm. Afterwards fans can meet her. The following night she will perform in concert at the club.

On Tuesday, January 11, Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets will perform in concert at the club. Joel was also an Australian Idol contestant who took his heat by storm. Young, talented and a hip hop maestro, his will be a concert not to miss.

For more information and bookings phone Ballina RSL Club on 6686 2544.

What is it? The new CD...

Jane Hole and Aurora Jane have a new album and gigs on the North Coast.

Aurora Jane is a cool band. I've seen them a few times and I'm looking forward to the release of their new album, What Is It? on February 14.

Actually, I'm not going to wait. If you're lucky (and I am) you can grab a copy of the album at one of the gigs that Aurora Jane are playing on the North Coast in January.

How to describe the music of Aurora Jane... How about rootsy folk funk? Yeah. They're that and much more. Jane Hole is a singer/songwriter with a social conscience and an elegant turn of phrase. The band is funky with sniffs of jazz and a whiff of the world.

They recently did a huge gig in India to 10,000 people (and a televised audience of 1 billion!) at the World Music Festival Ladakh. Aurora Jane have been invited back next year for the festival and then an Indian tour before embarking on the European summer festival circuit. Interesting tour, that one.

Check them out (and grab a CD) at the Rails in Byron on Wednesday, January 5 and at the Aussie Tavern in Murwillumbah on Friday, January 7.

Three of the best

Greg Sheehan, Ben Walsh and Bobby Singh are combining their rhythmic talents to create the Circle Of Rhythm.

Individually, Greg Sheehan, Ben Walsh and Bobby Singh are three of Australia's leading percussionists/drummers, redefining what Australian drumming can offer the world.

Collectively, they are now the Circle of Rhythm - a percussion trio rich in culture from the various styles that each of the three bring to the group.

From the high energy, fast-paced drumming styles of Japan and Polynesia to the ethereal and spiritually uplifting sounds of India, this ensemble boasts a full spectrum of styles and instrumentation that will delight your ears.

If you want to immerse yourself in the very best of percussion you must see Circle Of Rhythm at the Byron Bay Community Centre on Sunday, January 7, from 8pm.

Pre-sold tickets are $15 and available from the centre or from Soundwaves Byron. Tickets at the door are $17.50. It's $10 for kids.

Gags for health

Jonathon Atherton will feature at Blue Healers gig on January 5.

Each year in January there is a comedy gig at the Starlight Festival in Bangalow called Blue Healers - a Night of Healing Comedy. Byron-based comedian Mandy Nolan will be MC and the feature act is Jonathon Atherton with his machine gun delivery and tales of travel and men's business.

He has hosted The Lonely Planet for Discovery Channel, has been a sought after voice-over artist and actor and has performed his energetic brand of stand up from Sydney to Singapore to New York.

Atherton is joined by Jimmy Willing of the Real Gone Hiccups as support performing with his legendary dog named Circus and possibly even singing...

There will be a host of local talent on the open mike, including a farewell performance by 2003 Raw Comedy semi-finalist Luke Butler, Liam Holm (recently returned from Canada) and crowd favourite Ben Chesser. Angus Thurgate also makes his welcome return from a few months at sea, no doubt with some rip roaring tales in a night of stand out stand up.

The show is at the Bangalow Bowling Club on Wednesday, January 5, from 8pm. Tickets are available from the club and are $15/10.

Funkfest 2005

Groove Dalley are just hanging around between gigs looking for their dancing shoes.

Coorabell Hall is seeing plenty of action in the new year. And one of the special shows will be Funfest 2005 featuring locals Groove Dalley, the amazing Afro Dizzi Act from Brisbane and Melbourne outfit, Morph.

Afro Dizzi Act blend funk, soul, world beats and jazz, They don't mind travelling and have quickly become favourites at jazz festivals in Kathmandu, Dubai and Delhi.

The group's made up of mostly jazz-trained musicians and they boast an interesting fusion of saxophone, guitar, keyboard, tape decks, drums and world percussion.

Morph, created in 2003 and inspired by time spent on the North Coast have a strong rhythmic influence (thanks to Greg Sheehan's ideas on rhythm) and have developed what they call non-stop party funk trazz jazz. Work that out, music lovers.

Groove Dalley's music has been described as a fusion of electro-jazz, funk and hip-hop, combined with elements of reggae, RnB and dance styles. Doesn't anyone play in the one style anymore?

Sounds like a great gig - Coorabell Hall on Wednesday, January 5, from 7.30pm. Tickets are $15/10 at the door.

Nimbin babies to rage at New Year

The Durga Babies are up to their necks in it as the New Year approaches.

Nimbin's very own retro rockers, The Durga Babies, are back in action with their guitar-based 70s music and can't wait to rock the Rainbow Region™ with a bunch of gigs starting with a big night at the Nmbin Pub this New Year's Eve.

The Durga trio will be joined on stage by Melbournian Nick Larkins on organ, theramin (every one's got one these days) and his vintage Jazzmaster.

Between sets there'll be a DJ and to start the evening, the punter will enjoy (yes you will!) the original songs of Hanna Gash and her band.

The Durga Babies will also play the beautiful Hanging Rock Hall, in Barkers Vale, on Friday, January 7 with special guest, Dan Rumour (Cruel Sea) and his band.

Opening the night will be the Mystic Beats with some Eastern influenced dance music.

Professional Exceptional

Ariel and her CD, The 1 Exception Of Time, have been unleashed on the world.

Ariel is a 13-year-old school kid who doesn't understand the concept of "you can't do that". This local girl (from Larnook, near Lismore) has just released her first self-produced (with a little help from the mysterious 5th element) CD called The 1 Exception Of Time. It's full of self-penned songs that reflect life through the eyes of a young teenager and those eyes miss nothing.

The opening track, 'Brand Name Slave', is a funky dance song with a strong message about the obsession with brand name clothes and how it creates slavery in the developing world. Social justice messages from the young. Cool.

The music easily moves through funk, reggae and hip hop and with Ariel's voice sailing through the lush arrangements, it is an accomplished production - especially as the CD was conceived, written and produced by Ariel. Even the cover art is hers. Pretty soon she'll be winning Australian Idol - and judging it next to Marcia.

• The 1 Exception To Time by Ariel is available from Music Bizarre in Lismore.

Ska'd for life

Great Aussie ska never looked so ugly - The Porkers.

The Porkers started life way back in the mid-80s (no mobile phones, no Howard) as a Newcastle ska band specifically formed to perform at a house demolition. Apparently it went well. The house is well gone but the band is thriving.

Originally known as the Pork Hunts they changed their name (understandably) to the Porkers and have become one of Australia's great ska bands.

They are an independent outfit - everything they do is self-funded. They have never sold out and they're proud of it. Three albums, two mini-albums, a string of EPs and still going strong.

Their new album, Now Hear This and its single Swinging Like Tiger Woods is receiving big airplay on Triple J and you can see them at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron next Thursday, December 30, with local band, Your Night Sky.

Roxy art rocks Kyogle

Everlyn O'Neil's Forest Scene (above) and Debbie Wray's Protected Garden (top) are part of Roxy Gallery's latest exhibition.

Every year the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle has an annual Christmas Arts Exhibition. This year 21 local artists have come together in an exhibition called Bread and Circus. All works on show will be for sale with purchasers having the option to take works with them or to leave the display until the final date of this show. (Which would be the cool thing to do so that others, like me, can have a look...)

A diverse array of creativity, both two-dimensional and three, has filled the gallery space with colour and form. This exhibition is a great example of the talent that dwells on the North Coast.

Bread and Circus runs until January 13.

Coda-conduct at Coorabell

Coda like to dress up and play music... or with horses and rockets.

Coda mix strings with electronics, groove with noise and pop with classical. They are what I would call multi-genre. Over the last six months Coda have been concentrating on their seconding recording For Our Animal Friends.

They've performed at the Big Day Out, Bellingen Global Carnival, The Opera House Studio space, and most recently, the Queenscliff Festival in Victoria.

Now, Coda have joined forces with Entropic and are hitting the road to Woodford Folk Festival and then on down our way.

Entropic combine double bass, Fender Rhodes, drums and jazz guitar to recreate and improvise styles such as breaks, drum'n'bass, house and twostep - an electronically inspired but acoustically realised sound.

You can groove to this two-hit danceathon at Coorabell Hall on Thursday, January 6.

Spanish Beats at Durrumbul

Durrumbul Hall in Main Arm is one of the newer halls built by the new settlers - and it's a beautiful bit of architecture. It also has a history of fantastic gigs. (I'm a big fan of hall gigs.)

Well, the great gig tradition continues with Spanish DJ Sweaty Buddha all set to transform the hall into a temple of dance on New Year's Eve.

Sweaty Buddha comes direct from Valencia, in southern Spain, where they make the oranges, if not Orange People. He already has a strong following on the North Coast and this gig promises to provide tribal grooves and sexy psy-trance - as well as a chai tent with some earthly delights, a kids' space and a scintillating light installation.

The love grooves start at 9pm and continue until dawn. Entry is $15.

We're all going on a summer music camp

The sixth annual Summersong Music Camp is at Lake Ainsworth in Lennox Head, from January 15 to 21. This residential music holiday camp caters for aspiring to professional musicians who want to perform, create and learn music in a seaside setting.

The teachers are Kristina Olsen, Tony Backhouse, Richard Lawton, Russell Guy, Matt Hill, Polly Christie, Kathryn Riding, Slim Pickens, and Danielle Davis.

There are daily classes in songwriting, a cappella, guitar, arranging your songs, didgeridoo, vocal technique, performance techniques and much more.

For more info or to book, phone 6684 5570 or email her at pearl@mullum.com.au. or check online at www.summersongmusiccamp.com.

Ember fires the ceramic imagination

Ember, an exhibition of works by students from Southern Cross University, will held at Pogelswood Restaurant and Gallery, in Federal, from Thursday, December 23, until the end of January.

Diverse works from visual arts students majoring in ceramics will be on show and for sale. Pogels Wood has waived is donating its usual 10% commission to the local Rural Fire Service to buy boots. It's so hard to fight a fire in your thongs.

So check out the exhibition and try some of the delicious food they have on offer. (This is an unpaid endorsement from a greedy pig.)

Fruity New Year's Eve Show

Tropical Fruits' New Year's Eve party is called Show Me and will be held at The Lismore Showgrounds - again, after the success of last year's big gig there.

Show Me will showcase a who's who of DJs to keep you pumping from 8pm on New Year's Eve until 6am the next bleary morning. And to top it off there's the fireworks display at midnight .

Next morning there's the after party - called More (when too much is not enough)- at the Italo Club in North Lismore. A mere crawl from the showgrounds. More, the after party, happens from 6 - 11am on New Year's Day.

For more information and tickets visit the website at www.tropicalfruits.org.au.

Amazin' Mason

Music runs deep in the Rack family. Mason's dad, Billy Rack was a jazz muso. Mason follows the family's love of music, playing his beloved lap slide and even drumming on tables in the audience.

You can catch Mason Rack at The Lennox Point Hotel this Friday, December 24 from 9.30pm, at the Ballina Jockey Club this Sunday, December 26, from 2.30pm, at the Pacific Hotel in Yamba next Sunday, December 26, from 9pm and at Hotel Brunswick next Wednesday, December 29, from 7pm.

Three men and a sexual crisis

The Beautiful Girls are an interesting act. Both live and on record they manage to blend their affection for hip hop and reggae with their love of real blues and roots.

And they get around. They have just spent the winter months touring Japan, Canada and the USA and are back to spend summer touring around the country celebrating the release of their new single.

Weight of The World is the first single off the band's second full length album, due in stores around the middle of 2005. A rollicking, dance hall tune featuring wails of melodica and a pinch of hip hop, Weight Of The World has already been added to rotation on Triple J.

They have embarked on their Weight Of The World National Tour and will hit the Great Northern Hotel in Byron for two nights - Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4.

Tickets are $22 and available from the venue(6685 6454), the ABC shop in Ballina and from Music Bizarre in Lismore.