The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

I'm a vegetarian. It's no big deal - except at Beef Week. Or barbeques. Throwing Not Bacon or tofu onto the sizzling hotplate after a game of league is not going to endear you to the boys. They won't even pass you the ball because it's made of pigskin.

They probably won't even invite you to join the drunken puke and poke jaunt to the local girls' dormitory. Bummer.

I've not always been a vego. I was brought up in Gympie - cattle country. We'd have meat three times a day - bugger the vegetables. "Feed'em to the cattle," the old man would say before the walls of his arteries finally met in a kiss of death. The cattle were healthy though .

I was thirteen before I saw my first vegetable. It was a zucchini held delicately by a nervous Christian brother doing sex education. Zucchinis still excite me.

Some people don't understand vegetarians.

Last weekend I was at a (pretty remote) folk festival. There was an Asian-style stall selling spring rolls, curry puffs - that sort of thing.

"Can I have a spring roll please?"

"No. We've run out."

"Oh. Are the curry puffs vegetarian?"

"Yes... mostly."

"Excuse me?"

"They're mostly vegetarian. We add only one kilo of meat to five kilos of fresh vegetables."

"They're meat curry puffs then?"

"Not really... Well, sort of."

They were, in fact, bad value meat curry puffs.

I'm actually not a real vegetarian - I eat seafood sometimes. I guess that makes me a vegaquarium. I feel bad about it. There's like about five tuna left in the ocean. Maybe we should eat dolphins. There's plenty and their mystical alternative profile is really giving me the pip. You don't see a pretty girl with a tatt of, say, a whiting on her shoulder, do you? Let's have cans of tuna-free dolphin meat.

But the reason I gave up land-based meat was ecological more than ethical or nutritional.

I was driving into town on a clear autumn day, following a truck filled with cattle on their way to market. They fell against each other and against the truck cage. Fear ran down their legs and splashed onto the road. Their eyes were wide in distress. They looked at me. I couldn't look at them. They knew.

I gazed out onto fertile hills reduced to grass. Each cow takes acres to feed and those acres could produce a market garden that would feed a village. Let the vegies grow.

Middle Eastern goanna

This Saturday, March 5, the Middle East comes to town with a night of music and dance at the Goanna Bakery & Café in Keen Street, Lismore.

The Middle Eastern trio Camoon (pictured) will provide the music and dance while Goanna Café will present a three course Middle Eastern feast - all for $25.

Camoon is a trio bringing together three of Australia's finest talents.

Guy Madigan is a well-known percussionist who currently plays with local band The Romaniacs, and was a founding member of the iconic bands Sirocco and Kanguru. He plays darabukka, bodhran, cymbals and bells.

Yuval Ashkar is another highly acclaimed muso. Originally from Israel, Yuval plays oud, bandir, tombak, darabuka and cumbuc (that clears that up, eh?).

The third member of Camoon, Ayelet, is a dancer of belly-shaking repute whose Middle-Eastern styles have entranced everyone who has witnessed her dancing magic.

So, if you're in the mood for something exotic for the soul and for the palate, taste the sensual delights at Goanna Bakery & Café this Saturday, March 5, from 6.30pm. For more info or bookings phone 6622 2629.

Fabulous Fibres

This felt, ceramic and bronze piece by Claire Larrivee, titled The Musician, is part of the Feeling For Fibre exhibition which opens this Friday.

Felters, weavers, quiltmakers and sculptors have united to present an exhibition called Feeling For Fibre at the Blue Knob Hall Artspace and Gallery (and café, yum) at Lillian Rock (corner of Lillian Rock and Blue Knob Roads).

Feeling For Fibre explores artists' technical and material responses to our needs or desires for costume, custom and comfort, and examines ways in which we wrap, expose and bed our bodies. Cotton, felt, grasses, human hair, hemp, palm fronds, paper, silks, wool and nylon are used.

The exhibition's official opening is this Friday, March 4, at the gallery and will hosted by Shanto, who is one of the artists exhibiting and is also one of the North Coast's best musicians, with a voice that will soar above the beautiful landscapes of Blue Knob and Lillian Rock.

Polly Stirling, another exhibitor, will give an artist's talk. On the following Friday, March 11, she will host a slideshow and talk called Evolution of Nuno Felt - From Rainforests to Glacial Lakes. It details her inspiration and approach to felt-making.

She is currently conducting felt-making workshops (for more info phone 6689 7409).

Feeling For Fibre, a showcase of all things artistic created from plant, fleece and modern fibres, runs until April 3.

For more info phone the gallery on 6689 7449.

Yee-ha! Tamworth is coming!

While she hasn't been around the country music scene long enough to wear an Akubra and write a song about a ute, Diana Corcoran has already won the 2003 Australian Independent Rising Star Award and in 2004 won a Golden Guitar for Best New Talent. She is part of the Tamworth contingent coming to the North Coast.

Starring some of the best entertainers (and Golden Guitar winners) from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth on Tour will ride into Lismore, guitars a-blazing, next Friday, March 11, to perform at Lismore City Hall.

For those who haven't made it to the Tamworth Country Music Festival - a great place to wear a big hat and jeans with a big buckle - Tamworth on Tour will take you there with film footage, interviews and behind the scenes drama from the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

And of course, lots of country music.

James Blundell (nine Golden Guitars) will lead a posse of country talent including Carter & Carter, Brendon Walmsley, the Feral Swing Katz and Dianna Corcoran.

All up, there's 15 Golden Guitars in this band of country music travellers.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are available by phoning (07) 4122 6060.

Platypus Art Prize

Announcing the inaugural art prize at the Platypus Gallery in Casino on the weekend were (l-r) Anthony Hickling (artist and art prize judge), Clarence MP Steve Cansdell, Nadine Smith (Visitor Centre acting coordinator) and mayor Charlie Cox.

Last Saturday, February 26, in conjunction with its first birthday celebrations, the Platypus Gallery in Casino announced it's inaugural art prize, Postcards from the Valley of Surprises. The art prize has $1300 worth of prizes on offer.

Indigenous artist and art prize judge, Anthony Hickling, offered some insight into his connection with the Valley of Surprises. He aimed to inspire potential entrants, sharing the importance of the Platypus to his people and his hope that the community would become involved in this competition.

To top off the celebrations, Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox made the first cut into a large platypus cake with Anthony Hickling, recognising the role Council has played in working with the community to develop resources such as the Platypus Gallery.

For more info about entering the art prize or about the gallery, phone 6662 3566.

Caught in the act!

The Ballina Players are celebrating 50 years of entertaining the Ballina area with a little fun on the lounge...

Ballina Players will present Ray Cooney's Caught In the Net, the sequel to Run for Your Wife. The season opens this Friday, March 4, and runs through to March 19, with a matinee performance on Sunday, March 13.

In Run for Your Wife John Smith keeps, with some comic difficulty, two wives on opposite sides of London.

It now appears that the children from these two wives are about to get together. Enjoy the mess that John is in (and be relieved it isn't you) and the shenanigans while he tries to keep them apart.

This is the first of four special performances by the Ballina Players this year to celebrate 50 years of presenting quality theatre in Ballina.

Tickets are $18/15.

PuSS in halls

Byron Bay band PuSS are headlining a cross-genre three-hall tour, Highway to Hall, across the North Coast in March.

PuSS impressed local audiences when they made their debut in Kohinur Hall at the end of last year. Blending the locally prescribed techno-organic evolution with informed activism, political integrity, veteran musicianship and raw passion, PuSS has created a totally original sound. 

Now it's time for everyone to share the PuSS experience.

The Highway To Hall tour, encompassing Coorabell, Nimbin and Main Arm, presents an ensemble of local live acts, DJs and visual and performing artists. Expect a great stage show, lighting and projections, visuals and loads of friendly, freaky and downright funky folk.

First stop of the tour is Coorabell Hall this Friday, March 4, with local supports and DJs Nick Taylor, SiClone and Sista Ray. PuSS promises to raid the kitty of dirty electro-tech bounty. The gig starts at 8pm.

Nick Taylor still sneaks off for international festival appearances, but locally is the dirty disco-tech king. SiClone stays Submerged on BayFM, Wednesday nights, but otherwise appears across the region mixing up decadent electro journeys. Sista Ray can vary from Arabian beats to African treats to rare Ninja tunes, but promises to keep the music bizarre.

Two weeks later, PuSS is in Nimbin, at The Hub Café from 7pm, scratching out a wild gig with a host of local musos and DJs. PuSS then prowls to Durrumbul Hall on Friday, April 1.

French film freebies

Audrey Tatou is Mathilde in the film A Very Long Engagement, which screens from next Thursday, March 10 - and yes, we have free tickets! Again!

A Very Long Engagement re-unites the star (Audrey Tautou) and director (Jean-Pierre Jeunet) of Amelie and the result is another strikingly beautiful film, which begins showing at Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas in Lismore next Thursday, March 10.

Based on an anti-war novel that exposes the absurdity and cruelty of war (all wars), the tenacity of the human spirit and the strength of love, the film tells the story of an indomitable young woman Mathilde and her search for the truth behind the fate of her fiancé and childhood sweetheart, Manech (Gaspard Ulliel).

During World War I, Manech is believed to be one of five court martialled soldiers who have shot themselves in the hand so that they might be discharged or relocated from the horrors of their frontline trench on the Somme. Instead, they are pushed into the no man's land between French and German lines where, unarmed, they face certain death.

But Mathilde cannot accept that Manech is dead, believing that she would feel the absence of his spirit if he were.

She embarks on a mission to discover what really happened to him, uncovering and following each lead, questioning any of the survivors of the trench to which he had been sent, and hiring a private detective to widen the investigation.

Her extraordinary and epic quest of love also becomes a mystery that unfolds with each new clue... until Mathilde is finally led to the truth, which is that - no, wait. That would spoil it, wouldn't it? Go see it to find out.

Through the Gonzo Door

Campus Central presents one of its favourite acts at the Campus Central UniBar in Lismore next Thursday, March 10 - El Gonzo Green.

Hailing from Lismore, El Gonzo Green is a four-piece band that has worked its way to the top of the live music scene in the area.

Easily blending elements from rock, jazz, hip hop and trance into a funky organic brew, El Gonzo's shows are colourful, energetic and above all, funky.

Last year, the band created a buzz in the Brisbane live scene as well as doing a superb set supporting the Resin Dogs at their Lismore show.

The other band to feature on the night is Each Revolving Door. Rising out of the ashes of Gold Coast band Hotel 44, Each Revolving Door has evolved into a melodic, retro, hard-rock band. (With an occasional delicate ballad thrown in.)

You will also enjoy the mind-bending visuals of the ScurryPoint Media crew.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are free for students and $5 for guests.

For more info phone 6627 6888.

Young Simon plays up for Musica Viva

Pianist Simon Tedeschi will kick off the Musica Viva concert series next Thursday.

Brilliant young pianist Simon Tedeschi will open the Musica Viva Lismore 2005 Subscription Series with a concert at Lismore City Hall next Thursday, March 10, at 7.30pm.

Although only 23, Simon has been performing from a very early age, appearing at the Sydney Opera House, playing a Mozart piano concerto when he was nine years old.

He studied piano in Sydney but in 2002 moved to London to further enhance his musical education.

Simon has toured his rare talent extensively in Australia, Europe, Asia and America.

In 1998 he was named Young Performer of the Year.

His profile lifted even higher when he featured in the ABC's Australian Story: A Genius in the Family. Simon was also the subject of the 2002 Archibald Prize winning entry by artist Cherry Hood. (He was topless in that painting...)

His debut CD, released in May 2000, was nominated for an ARIA award - Classical Record of the Year.

And bits of him are movie stars!

Yep. His were the hands of the young David Helfgott in the movie Shine. (His hands had their own dressing room.)

The Lismore program is wide-ranging with music by Mozart, Brahms, Prokofiev, Debussy, Liszt and Rakmaninov. There is even music by Gershwin and Fats Waller!

The evening's entertainments will start with the new local string quartet Tapestry.

Tickets are available through Dymocks in Lismore (6622 4987), the ABC Centre in Ballina (6686 2436) or at the door (if available) for $30/26. (Students are $15 with ID).

Series Subscription tickets (which are great value) can also be purchased at the concert.

For more info phone 6624 7807.

KaOZ theory is Suss, man

Two guests from Sydney's Klezmer Connexion will perform with local quartet KaOZ Klezmer (pictured) this Saturday, March 5, at the Byron Bowling Club.

Fay Sussman and Zeppo Zimmerman are visiting the Northern Rivers in conjunction with the Courage to Care exhibition on display in Lismore.

Fay Sussman, born in Poland, sings in her native Yiddish with the passion and conviction that allows this music to survive, carrying it to new audiences for the new millennium. Her childhood was spent in Israel where she sung to holocaust survivors in the street of Tel Aviv. KaOZ Klezmer will perform some of their recent repertoire along with some of their old favourites.

(For more info on the Courage to Care exhibition phone Lismore Regional Gallery on 6622 2209 or check out the story in the front of this week's paper.)

Tickets are $15/12 with a family price of $35/28, available at the door only.

The show starts at 8pm. For more info phone 6688 2284.

Seniors step out

Stepping Out is a modern take on the traditional tea dances held in the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s, where men and women would congregate to enjoy an afternoon of tea and dancing. Now it's a hugely popular event on the annual Seniors Week calendar.

This year NORPA Dance Action is hosting Stepping Out In Lismore at the Lismore City Hall on Saturday, March 19, from 2pm.

This free event is supported by the NSW Government and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, and free tickets are available by calling 1300 361 106 (bookings are essential) during business hours.

The seniors will be treated to performances of tango, Latin, vogue and old time dance as well as being able to step out onto the dance floor themselves for plenty of fun and fancy footwork.

Prizes for those who love to dress up will be awarded by special surprise guests.

Mercy music at The Channon

Future Native will perform at the Channon Hall on March 12 as part of a top bill of entertainment raising funds for tsunami victims in Aceh.

Dana Lyons, Diana Anaid, Brisbane's Future Native and The Bliss Mongers - now that's an impressive line-up of entertainment. They will create their different and special music to raise money for tsunami victims in Aceh.

Monies raised will go to the deserving through a non-government organisation based in Banda Aceh (Indonesia) called Rumah Kita, which Patrick Anderson and his partner Avi Mahaningytas coordinate.

Patrick was once a resident of The Channon and worked for years at the Rainforest Information Centre in Lismore.

The fundraiser will set the Channon Hall a-rockin' on Saturday, March 12. As well as the cool music there'll be delicious food and drinks available. Entry is $12/10.

For more info phone Brenda on 6688 6454.

Gollan glitch

The Gollan Hotel in Lismore has cancelled all gigs for at least a month while management is restructured. Following their refurbishment over the last few months, which saw the backroom restored to its former glory as a venue for live acts, there seems to be a management problem that has stalled progress towards Gollan's re-emergence as a premier live music venue.

Journalism workshop

Help is at hand for anyone hoping to follow the thorny path of freelance journalism.

British freelance journalist Claire Scobie will present a one-day Writing for Profit workshop in Byron Bay on Saturday, March 19.

The workshop will focus on the craft of writing features and the skills of interviewing. Places are strictly limited. For information and bookings phone the Northern Rivers Writers' Centre on 6685 5115.

Kyogle's Creative Women

The Kyogle community is invited to attend an International Women's Day Event titled Creative Women at the Roxy Gallery next Tuesday, March 8, from 1-3pm.

Come and see an excellent exhibition of local women's art, have a light lunch and be entertained by a range of guest speakers.

Science Circus exhibition

The Questacon Science Circus will bring science to life for Casino students with an interactive science show at local schools.

During the shows members of the Science Circus might ask the kids to sit on a bed of nails, be swallowed by a giant bubble or chill out to a very cool -196 degrees. Then, this Saturday, March 5, from 10am-3pm, students will have the chance to show what they've learnt to the general public at the Casino Civic Hall with a public science exhibition, where visitors can explore the 50 exhibits. The Science Circus consists of 15 science graduates from across Australia who are studying Science Communication at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Entry to the exhibition is $5/4 and $16 for a family.

All are welcome.

Short story writing

The Summerland branch of the Fellowship of Australia Writers is holding a short story writing workshop at the RSL Sub-Branch Hall in Budgen Street, Alstonville, next Sunday, March 13, from 10.30am.

It will be presented by Maria Simms, a published writer and creative writing lecturer.

Bookings are essential and lunch is included in the $25 fee. For bookings or info phone 6624 1933 or email faws@dragonwick.com..

Comedy Over The Fence

The ninth annual Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival will screen in Lismore this Thursday, March 3, and Saturday, March 5, at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore.

Audiences will be treated to a rich array of bizarre, quirky, irreverent and romantic films - all with a comic edge.

Festival director, Greg Coffey, says the quality of films this year is outstanding with each film touching on different issues and filmed in remarkably different styles, showcasing Australian wit and culture.

For more info and tickets phone the Star Court Theatre on 6622 0300.

Skate drama

Theatre Theatre presents Skate, written by Debra Oswald and directed by Angel Mitchell, at the Masonic Hall in Magellan Street, Lismore, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 3, 4, and 5, at 8pm.

Skate was first performed in 2003 in Sydney after Debra Oswald was approached to write a script based on a true sequence of events that occurred in Deniliquin.

Skate follows the story of a group of skaters in a country town as they fight to get a skate park and secure support from the town council. After the shocking tragedy of losing a friend, the kids must rebuild their lives. The skate park is a symbol of their needs, hopes and frustrations.

This play has resonances for all young people in regional areas. The cast is aged from 12 to 16 years. And most had to learn how to skate in the last six weeks!

Theatre Theatre is theatre for and by the young people in this area. Tickets for Skate are available from Caddies Bean Shop in Lismore.

Cook off for chow-meisters

The Ballina RSL Club's culinary team, consisting of Gerhard Spatz and Nathan Sherwood, has been selected as one of only 12 to reach the finals of the ClubsNSW Chef's Table 2005 Culinary Competition.

The purpose of this culinary competition is to award and recognise the many highly skilled chefs existing within clubs in NSW.

A finals event in the form of a special dinner will be held in Spinnakers Restaurant (Ballina RSL) in April, with a visiting team of four culinary judges present.

The culinary team will be judged on the execution of their menu including preparation of the dishes, taste, presentation and keeping within the budget.

Winners of the overall competition will be announced on May 27.