The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Rego time. An annual financial challenge. If you're rich enough to have a new car then there's no inspection required. But if you're a regular person (i.e. poor) then you have to pay for a pink slip. The eternal capitalist conundrum - too poor to afford the economy size.

Well, rego makes you appreciate having wheels. But rego time and its inevitable payout also makes you think about other cars. Don't tell the Camira, but the other day I saw this fantastic 1979 Chrysler Regal sedan, newly painted in brilliant Chrysler red, lounging on a street corner with its availability obvious and a lewd sparkle in its chrome. Be still, my beating heart.

Not being in the Camira at the time (yes, I was cruising with another car. Nothing serious.) I stopped and had a look. I lovingly ran a finger along the smooth curves and wanted desperately to get inside.

Broke, I took its phone number and fantasised.

What if you had to register your relationship every year? Take it to a licensed centre and get a pink slip? There'd be some guy with lipstick on his overalls and a happiness tester in his pocket, inspecting your relationship.

"Did you remember her birthday?" he'd ask, his pen wavering over a section on the pink slip, the box as yet unticked.

"Um, no..."

"Is she serviced regularly?"

"Look. I'm a busy person."

"Well mate, you go away and fix up those things and you can get your slip."

If then, for relationship rego, you had to pay $300 for a green slip (insurance - in case you hurt someone else) and $220 for the sticker (can be worn on the forehead or a side panel) then maybe you'd appreciate coupledom more.

Of course you could be tempted to look around for a new one. Maybe the one you have is getting on. Maybe the constant pounding that bush life exacts on it has taken its toll. Maybe you just want something different - different colour or adrenalin -pumping performance (and be a rev-head of romance).

Of course, if you could afford it, you could register two relationships - expensive, but it gives you options.

Or you could go without and just hire a relationship for those special occasions.

Let's rock this town!

The men in black, Crush, cannot get enough rock.

Ballina band Crush just wanna rock! They have been doing it since 1998, trucking up and down the coast supporting bands like The Radiators, The Angels and Rose Tattoo with their no-nonsense, high-energy rock.

Punters can witness their hot and sweaty show when they play the Henry Rous Tavern in Ballina this Friday, February 18. You'll hear great rock hits from bands like the Foo Fighters, The Doors, Korn, Van Halen... you get the rockin' idea.

The gig starts around 9pm.

Not MISHing a beat

Local, original, funk, rock and groove band Mishful Thinking (pictured) have been very busy since their album launch at the Rails in Byron a week ago. And their MISHon is not yet accomplished. (World domination does takes some time.)

They have a swag of gigs coming up starting at the Nimbin Pub this Friday, February 18, and at the Buddha Bar in Byron next Thursday, February 24.

In between you can download their single, Summer Solstice, from MP3.com.

Good, good, good, good vibrations...

One of Roland Schicht Sunshine's artworks, entitled Mandala Goddess (hey, I thought I was the God S), which is part of his exhibition opening this Friday. He is also conducting a workshop this Saturday.

Roland Schicht Sunshine is an artist based on the North Coast who exhibits regularly and is part of local cultural life. His latest exhibition is called OM, Spiritual Vibrations and opens this Friday, February 18, at Kolinda Gallery in Alstonville from 7.30pm.

This exhibition reflects Roland's spiritual side (as you can see by the photo).

As well as enjoying the visual Roland, you can enjoy the interactive and instructive Roland when he facilitates a workshop this Saturday, February 19, at the gallery, where you can enjoy drawing, painting, chanting and meditation - all with a bit of Buddhist philosophy. It starts at 7.30pm, this lifetime.

No artistic (or spiritual) experience is necessary for this workshop where you can create and relax with like-minded people and take home your own spiritual image.

As there are limited spaces (12 maximum) it's a good idea to book.

For more information or to book phone the gallery on 6628 0297 or Roland on 6621 6459.

Hey Presto-n!

Jan Preston is looking forward to some ivory tickling on the North Coast this week.

One of Australia's best blues and jazz artists, Jan Preston, will boogie woogie at the Nimbin Hotel this Sunday, February 20, from 4pm, at the Rails in Byron next Monday, February 21, from 8pm, and at the Rous Hotel in Lismore on March 1 (with Jim Kelly's band).

I saw her play an outdoor gig in the Hunter Valley on a very cold night where Jan's ability as an entertainer melted the icicles and had the place jumping to her piano blues and boogie woogie style. Just watching her left hand warms you up.

She also writes great songs.

Jan has won three Best Female Blues Artist awards and was the recipient of the 2003 Sydney Blues Performer of the Year award. She has released a bag of CDs, the latest being Wild Mood Swing.

Re-mains re-turn

The Re-mains are returning to Lismore this week - if they can get this van sorted.

Country rock and roll's finest North Coast exports, The Re-mains, finally return to their old stomping ground, the Gollan Hotel, this Friday, February 18, for a rip-roaring hootenanny such as hasn't been seen since... well, they tore apart the Woodford Folk and Tamworth Country Music festivals over the course of a brutal summer's touring.

The show is part of a mini-tour of the North Coast where they'll be sweating away at the coalface of country rock and roll.

This Saturday night, February 19, they head down to the Yamba Surf Club and on Sunday, February 20, the band heads back north into the hills to play the Tyalgum Hotel.

Sporting their new EP, Burnin' Daylight, the banjo and pedal-steel fuelled country renegades are warming up for their third appearance at the Byron Bay East Coast Blues and Roots Festival over Easter.

You can't beat The Drum

USA based outfit Medicine Drum (pictured) will perform at the A&I Hall in Bangalow this Saturday, February 19. Medicine Drum fuses the cutting edge of electronic dance music with the foundations of deep tribal rhythms. Tickets are $25 from Santos in Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, Soundwaves in Byron, and Barebones Art Space in Bangalow. Tickets will be $30 at the door if not sold out.

Et tu, student?

Evermore will do their thing at the SCU's Toga Party next Thursday.

It's the biggest party on the Campus Central calendar - the O Week Toga Party! And it all happens next Thursday, February 24, from 8pm, at the UniBar at Lismore Campus.

Traditionally this is the event that sees the UniBar packed and ready to party to some of the best musical talent in this wide brown marginal land.

To start the party there will be progressive psytrance from DJ Gelspun.

And then it's showtime for one of Triple J's favorite bands, Evermore, who had the 2004 hit, It's Too Late.

Nic Taylor, a most sought after DJ, will pump up the beats to keep the dance floor afire.

Also featuring on the night will be the visuals of ScurryPoint Media, whose mind-blowing projections are a show stopper.

Tickets are available at Campus Central reception and are only $5 for students and $10 for guests.

Shhh! Listener launch

After more than a decade of writing songs and performing them in his old stomping ground of Newcastle and more recently on the North Coast, David Ramsey (pictured) has recorded his first album of original songs, Listener. Many will recognise Dave from his performances with Jimmy Willing & The Real Gone Hick Ups as well as his solo gigs.

Dave will launch Listener, produced by David Virgin, at the Blue Tongue Café in North Lismore this Saturday night, February 19, from 7pm.

David describes his songs as having "a strong blues and folk current running through them".

You can buy the CD at the gig for the special launch price of $15.

To book a table phone 6622 0750.

Nimbin Radio Gig

Nimbin radio, 2NIM-FM, will host a fundraiser at the Nimbin Town Hall this Friday, February 18, from 7.30pm.

The evening will feature Alesa Lajana (pictured), who plays acoustic and lap steel guitar.

Alesa is a Brisbane based solo performer who draws on the delicate ornamentation of Scottish and Celtic tunes, blues and the music of Eastern Europe.

Also performing is Djando, from Italy, visiting Nimbin during his Australian tour. He presents his moving lyrics with an extraordinary voice. Djando will be accompanied by Nimbin's own guitar virtuoso Mayano and percussionist Martin.

You can also groove to the Intergalactic Blues Mafia - a newly formed Nimbin band with amazing musicians.

Money raised will be used towards a bigger broadcasting footprint. This means a better transmission delivering a stronger signal to reach a far greater audience.

20 Free rides to Cuba

Che Guevara spreads his socialist wings in a bike journey of personal growth in The Motorcycle Diaries at the Lismore Cinema.

Che Guevara is a name that symbolises the fight for freedom and social justice that was the Cuban revolution of 1959, which ended in the ousting of the dictator Fulgencio Batista.

A new film at Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas in Lismore, The Motorcycle Diaries, explores the inner and external journey that created a revolutionary out of Guevara.

And The Echo has 20 double passes to give away. How do we do it? 'Cause we're revolutionaries, comrade. See details at the end of this story.

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born in 1928 in Argentina, but the revolutionary who became better known as Che was truly born during a motorcycle trip through South America in 1952.

23-year-old medical student Ernesto (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Alberto (Rodrigo de la Serna), a 29-year-old biochemist, embark on what promised to be (and was) the adventure of a lifetime on Alberto's 1939 motorcycle nicknamed The Mighty One - quite a misnomer for an old and ailing machine that was constantly crashing.

The pair's journey through changing and magnificent landscapes (Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela) is a memorable one.

As Ernesto and Alberto venture further and witness the oppression of so many of the people, it is an awakening for both of them, especially Ernesto, whose passion and idealism are ignited. By the end of their trip, he has become a very different man.

History informs us of the revolutionary path that Ernesto 'Che' Guevara would take - and his fate. The Motorcycle Diaries does not follow that later road - only the one that led him there. The Motorcycle Diaries begins screening at Birch Carroll & Coyle in Lismore next Thursday, February 24.

Freebie: The Echo has 20 double passes to give away to lucky readers. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, February 21, and tell us who became president of Cuba after the revolution.

Che it again, fans

The face and the beret that symbolised social revolution for a generation - Che Guevara and headwear.

There will be a benefit screening for Green Left Weekly and the Socialist Alliance of the new film The Motorcycle Diaries next Thursday, February 24, at Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas in Lismore from 6.30pm.

For contemporary promoters of the legendary revolutionary's ideals (who can argue against social justice?) this is an opportunity to relive the fervor of one of history's socialist warriors, Che Guevara, and to contribute to the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity.

The Motorcycle Diaries is the story of the 1950s road trip through South America that ignited Che's revolutionary zeal, which was to culminate in the overthrow of the Cuban dictator.

For details of the movie, see the story elsewhere in the scene.

Advance tickets are necessary, from Caddies Coffee Shop, Music Bizarre, the Lotus Cafe and Rubyesque (all in Lismore), or phone Tom on 6622 2862.

Please note that the free tickets won by Echo readers in The Motorcycle Diaries promotion do not apply to this session. So if you miss out on the freebies and have a social conscience then this session is the one to go to.

Jazz & Blues night is back!

Jim Kelly and Elizabeth Lord will combine their considerable talents with the Sambamenco Band next Tuesday for a night of world jazz.

Jazz & Blues at the Rous has returned for the new year. This is a very agreeable regular weekly gig at the Rous Hotel in Lismore featuring local and special out-of-town artists specialising in jazz and/or blues.

(It is organiser Jules' 10th year of putting on weekly jazz nights in Lismore. Everybody now - hip hip...)

The first gig of the year next Tuesday, February 22, features Jim Kelly's Sambamenco Band with Elizabeth Lord supplying the delicious vocals. It's at the Rous in Lismore starting at 8.30pm.

Sambamenco's music is a melting pot of Brazilian and flamenco music with a rich sauce of jazz and sprinklings of every other known musical style on the planet - or even the universe! (Jim could probably play Martian...)

Elizabeth loves the sensuality of the sound and the gypsy spirit of Latin music, so when guitar guru, Jim Kelly, asked her to write lyrics to some of his compositions, she jumped into the deep end and wrote (and rhymed!) in Portuguese and Spanish.

Jim Kelly has a new CD out encompassing the Sambamenco Band and the Latin Lovers called The Authorised Demo CD, which will be available for purchase on the night.

All that jazz

The Lismore Jazz Club is raising money to host the 60th Australian Jazz Convention (to be held in Lismore in late December) through a series of jazz gigs across the Northern Rivers.

This Sunday, February 20, all lovers of cool music are invited to hear the band Jazz Connected, plus some guest musos, play at the Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club (near Missingham Bridge) from 2-6pm.

Jazz Connected plays pop songs from the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Entry is $8 (or $5 for Lismore Jazz Club members), which includes afternoon tea and door prizes.

Viva La Music!

The objective of Musica Viva Lismore (which has organised a subscription series of concerts for over 25 years) is to provide the experience and appreciation of live, world-class, classical music at an affordable price to the Northern Rivers community.

Musica Viva is happy to announce the 2005 series of six concerts, three of which will be held in Lismore and three in Ballina.

By purchasing a subscription for all six concerts, subscribers virtually get one free concert.

However, for the first time this year there will also be the option to subscribe to three concerts, either in Lismore or Ballina. This is a new venture designed to attract those who are unable to travel to both venues.

Subscription brochures, which are available in local libraries, information centres and selected shops, can be used to subscribe by mail. Subscriptions can also be bought from Dymocks Bookshop in Lismore and will be available at the first concert on March 10.

The orchestral concert featuring the talented young Queensland pianist Jason Gillham is of special significance to Ballina, because although it must be held at Lismore City Hall, which has a concert grand piano suitable for the occasion, it will be a fundraiser for a similar instrument for Ballina.

Check out the concerts for 2005:

Simon Tadeschi: piano. Simon was 1998 ABC Young Performer of the Year and is now one of the most widely recognised and acclaimed pianists in Australia.

Genevieve Lacey: recorder with harpsichord and viola da gamba. A stunning programme of renaissance and baroque music with some surprises, presented by highly talented performers who bring the classical repertoire to life in a way that is irresistible.

Cantillation: choral ensemble. A household name amongst classical music lovers and choristers, this acappella group will delight with some of the finest works in the choral repertoire.

Jason Gillham and Southern Cross Soloists Chamber Orchestra. This concert features a talented young Australian pianist and will be a major event on the artistic calendar.

Seraphim Piano Trio. An established, successful and critically acclaimed chamber music trio with a commitment to working with Australian composers.

Canberra Wind Soloists. A welcome return for this virtuoso group of soloists and principal orchestral players.

For more information or to obtain a 2005 subscription phone 6624 7807 or email judithlib@bigpond.com.

Hip hop is on its way

The Urban Street Rural Beat crew is a group of independent dance artists based here in the Northern Rivers region. Their performance backgrounds include hip hop, salsa, capoeira, breakdance, contemporary dance, physical theatre, rapping, beatboxing and circus.

The crew has created a short performance (about 25 minutes), which showcases different styles of dance with a theatrical bent, and is touring the Northern Rivers, going places where the community may not have had much exposure to hip hop.

After each performance a workshop and discussion will investigate particular styles and themes in which the community is interested.

They will be performing this Thursday, February 17, at Casino and then on Friday at Tenterfield and Bonalbo, Saturday at Evans Head and Monday at Grafton and Yamba.

For more information phone NORPA Dance Action on 6622 3279. (NORPA Dance Action recently presented the successful annual hip hop competition Aussie Battlers on Australia Day.)

Cheap flicks tix

There's even more reason to choose the movies on Tuesdays with Greater Union and Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas announcing that $5 ticket prices are back, for a limited time only.

From now until March 22 you can see all sessions of all films at all Greater Union and Birch, Carroll & Coyle cinemas for only $5! (Excludes Gold Class and Silverscreen).

Hotshots in a different venue

Boys will be boys and sometimes they change their minds, so if you're looking for that all male spectacle of dance and spunk please note that the Sydney Hotshots have changed the venue for their Lismore gig this Friday, February 18, to the Metro Bar in Keen Street.

Where there's a Wil, there's a laugh

Campus Central at the SCU's Lismore campus is presenting a show with comedian, TV and radio star Wil Anderson next Wednesday, February 23.

Wil Anderson has just finished his long running radio breakfast show on Triple J and is touring the country with his stand up comedy show - a show that has won praise both here and overseas.

As the host of ABC TV's cult hit The Glass House, Wil puts the news of the week under the comedy microscope.

Wil is probably still best known, however, as one of Australia's most popular live stand-up comedians. His ease on stage is a disarming front for intelligent material that ranges from the personal to the pop to the political. Over the last year his live audience has grown so that now he's selling out theatres across the country and overseas, including the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

At Campus Central, Anderson will perform with other top Australian comedians Jamie Row, Michael Van Acker and Daniel Townes.

Sounds like a funny night.

This event is sure to sell fast so get your tickets from Campus Central reception quickly. Tickets are $15/12. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Carus breakdown

West Australian singer-songwriter Carus will perform with his band, The True Believers, at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron this Friday, February 18, to promote his recently launched sixth CD The Breakdown EP.

Tipped as Australia's next Paul Kelly (by his agent), Carus and his band play a mixture of rock, reggae, country and folk and are building a huge following not only in Australia, but throughout the UK and Europe as well. Testimony to this is the fifth European tour for May and June this year.

Supporting Carus and The True Believers will be Mick Hart.

Visit the website at www.carus.com.au for further details.

Poetry riches

The Poetry Institute of Australia is awarding $10,000 in prizes to Australian poets in their annual poetry contest.

The contest is open to all poets with any subject or style acceptable. There is no entry fee and the deadline for entries is May 31.

The poem (your own, of course) must not be longer than 24 lines.There's no special entry form. Just send in your poem to the Poetry Institute of Australia, PO Box 1545, Cleveland, QLD, 4163. Include your name and address details on the same page.

Entries can also be faxed to (07) 3286 7661 or emailed to poetry@dodo.com.au.

For info visit the website at www. poetryinstitute.com.

Caravan theatre

DQ Performance Studio is presenting a production of Donald Macdonald's Caravan at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore on Saturday and Sunday, February 26-27, and at the A&I Hall in Bangalow on March 12-13. All shows start at 8pm.

This Australian comedy is directed by David Quinn, founder of DQ Performance Studio, who moved to Coffs Harbour in mid 2003 after a 25-year career in Sydney as a performer and director. He has, since moving to Coffs, appeared in several shows including Face to Face by David Williamson. He directed Hot Taps by Donald Macdonald and also produced, directed and performed in the recent production of Dimboola by Jack Hibbard. Busy boy.

Tickets for the Lismore show are available on 6621 5600 and for Bangalow on 6687 1393.

Clunes Music Club

The Village Common, aka the Old Historic School in the heart of Clunes, is about to host the Northern Rivers newest acoustic music club.

Commencing this Friday, February 18, and continuing every third Friday of the month, the club will offer a warm, intimate environment showcasing all manner of talented performers.

The music starts at 8pm, but people are welcome to come earlier and picnic in the grounds. Coffee and tea will be served during intermission.

Hosting the evening, and performing, will be Mandy Breeze and Doug Kelly, recently returned from Tassie and having just completed their CD Simple Folk.

Entry is a very retro $4 with kids under 16 free.

For more info phone 6629 1091.

Platypus art

An exciting year is planned at the Platypus Gallery in Evans Head with the inaugural art prize, Postcards from the Valley of Surprises, now accepting entries.

This competition asks entrants to explore the essence of the Richmond Valley in their artwork. However, don't feel limited to positive depictions of landscape as the theme is open to be interpreted by the artist and may be about the landscape, the culture, the community - anything that the theme conjures in your mind. The art prize has been well supported by local businesses with $500 for the Best in Show prize.

Currently on display is Art of Oz, a diverse collection of uniquely Australian works from traditional local landscapes to contemporary Aboriginal art. This exhibition runs until March and will be followed by Of the Garden, which has been organised by the Casino Garden Club and will be showing at the Platypus Gallery following the annual Garden Show on March 5.

After this entries in Postcards from the Valley of Surprises will be displayed.

Any artist interested in the art prize or other opportunities phone the Platypus Gallery between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday on 6662 3566.