The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

In a small town in Victoria lives an elderly couple. He's an albino and age has increased the weakness of his eyes. His spectacles are so thick they distort his eyes grotesquely. He is tall, very pale and sports a shock of white hair.

His wife sits beside him in this beer garden of the local pub. She looks around constantly and wrings her handkerchief. She alternately laughs and cries. Senile.

There is a stage set up for the town's annual folk festival. A spunky duo from Melbourne is performing. Tales of young love drift through the garden.

The husband peers at the programme. His eyes are so bad that even with the thick glasses he uses a magnifying glass - but still his nose touches the paper as he reads the duo's blurb to his wife.

Now she cries, her head rolling from side to side. He stops reading for a moment, gently wrests the hanky from her hand and wipes her mouth. She is childlike. Her face is alive but blank.

A middle-aged couple enters the beer garden and sits at a recently vacated table. The albino's wife is suddenly very excited. Reaching into the satchel attached to her walking frame she pulls out a florally embroided handbag exactly the same as the one the newly arrived woman has slung over her arm. The old woman waves it at them. She calls out. The new couple is embarrassed and stares studiously at the stage - where the duo is packing up - ignoring the old woman.

Immediately her old husband walks over to the new couple, leans close (they lean back) and tells them they have a similar bag to his wife's and directs their attention to her.

In response, his wife holds up the bag for them, her face beaming with pleasure. The couple smiles nervously. Then they quickly return their ostensible attention to the stage - which is empty.

The old man returns to his wife who is now crying at his valour.

From somewhere deep inside her, a recognition, a grateful love, flashes out to him from her eyes. Her love is a phoenix risen from beneath time's rubble to briefly fly again. Just for a moment.

For that moment her face is his lover's face. He leans closer to her, his face bright with a love built on times long gone but still burning like an underground coal fire. He kisses her.

The love between these two glows brighter than the albino's skin and immerses the beer garden in its luminescence. Their radiance is like a lighthouse beacon in a sea of duller souls. They are the luckiest people there.

Original Synergy

This painting, Life After Fire, by Cynthia Manietta, is part of an exhibition called Synergy by Cynthia and her father, Siegfried.

Synergy is a collaborative exhibition of paintings (and some sculpture) by Cynthia Manietta and photographs by her father Siegfried Manietta, which opens at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore tonight (Thursday, March 31).

Cynthia graduated from Southern Cross University in 1995 after majoring in painting and sculpture - both media featuring in this exhibition. She is on an artistic voyage where originality and functionality are the guiding stars.

"Like life, my art is a work in progress," says Cynthia.

Her dad, Siegfried Manietta, is a lecturer in photography at Griffith University in Brisbane. His meticulously executed photographs document the Australian landscape in all its moods.

Munchies will be served at tonight's opening from 6pm.

Synergy will be on show until April 12. For more info phone the gallery on 6622 8011.

Catch the Tale

Rebecca Quade and John Maclean are The Millers Tale and they have musical tales to tell as part of their North Coast tour.

The Millers Tale is a Melbourne-based duo described by dBMagazine as "...possibly one of the country's best-kept secrets".

Well, now the secret is out. Millers Tale will be performing at The Rails in Byron next Wednesday, April 6, and at the Tatts Hotel (with Lucie Thorne and Heath Cullen) in Lismore on Friday, April 8, from 8.30pm.

I recently saw this duo perform at the Port Fairy folk festival where their simplistic approach to live shows (with guitar, bass and accordian) highlighted the melodic magic and lyrical punch of their poppy, folky, almost country songs.

Their delicately crafted songs can be heard on their album Wish It Away, which was released last year and features arrangements by jazz musician Jackie Orszaczky (who also plays bass and piano on the album).

Check out The Millers Tale and enjoy their spare, intimate but energetic live shows.

Viva la Lacey!

Why is Genevieve Lacey smiling? She's coming to Ballina, that's why.

Genevieve Lacey is young, spunky and a recorder virtuoso. Recorder? You may shake your head at the thought of those recorder sessions in school. But Genevieve takes the recorder to a level not experienced by most of us. This venerable instrument in the right hands (hers) can make the soul soar.

Tim Ashley (The Guardian), reviewing a Prom concert with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, wrote that, "Genevieve Lacey played with a combination of sensuality, wit and mind boggling flamboyance."

You can be a part of that flamboyance at St Mary's Anglican Church in Ballina next Thursday, April 7, as part of the Lismore Musica Viva concert series for 2005.

Genevieve performs from a repertoire spanning nine centuries and has recorded five CDs including Il flauto dolce, which won the 2001 ARIA for Best Classical Recording.

The Ballina concert will also feature Neal Peres da Costa on the harpsichord and Daniel Yeadon on cello and viola da Gamba.

Their collaboration with Genevieve came about when they played a live-to-air broadcast for the ABC in 2003.

Genevieve says, "This has been a very simple, completely joyous partnership, which gathers strength and richness with every meeting."

Their Ballina programme will feature music by Telemann, Handel and both J.S. and C.P.E. Bach, but also pieces by modern composers including Broadstock and Kats-Chernin.

The concert starts at 7.30pm.

For bookings phone Dymocks in Lismore on 6622 4987 or the ABC Centre in Ballina on 6686 2436.

Million Dollar freebies

Hilary Swank looks absolutely focused on winning Best Actress - and with a little coaching from Clint Eastwood, she did!

Boxing movies are almost a genre of their own - Jackie Gleeson and Anthony Quinn in Requiem For A Heavyweight; Paul Newman as Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me; Robert De Niro in Raging Bull; Kirk Douglas in Champion - the list goes on.

Now there is another film contender. Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby won four Academy Awards - Best Film, Best Actress (Hilary Swank), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman). It also won two Golden Globe Awards - this film is in the heavyweight class.

Eastwood plays boxing trainer Frankie Dunn, a man who has become emotionally locked up and unable to allow himself to get close to anyone since a painful estrangement from his daughter. Into his life walks the all-sparring Hilary Swank, who desperately wants to box. Emotional and physical battles follow. (As they do.)

Million Dollar Baby opens at Lismore's Birch Carroll & Coyle cinema today (Thursday, March 31).

Freebie: The Echo has 20 double passes to Million Dollar Baby to give away to lucky readers. We are sooo generous (oh, and so are the Lismore Cinema people). To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.15am next Monday, April 4, and tell us in what cowboy TV series Clint Eastwood starred way back in the very early days of his career. (Hint: Singing, "...get them doggies movin'.")

A snapshot of Daryl

Daryl Braithwaite (pictured) has one of the most recognisable voices in Australian music (right up there with James Reyne - but you can hear Daryl's words...).

His days as frontman for Aussie supergroup, Sherbet, cemented his reputation as a great singer with hits like Howzat (now I can't get that tune out of my head! Oh no) and You've Got The Gun. He may even play them at his upcoming North Coast concerts.

Daryl's music gained momentum after the demise of Sherbet in the late 70s with the release of the best selling albums Edge (1988) and Rise (1990), which spawned a new tide of hits like The Horses.

Now Daryl is on the road again touring nationally to promote his new album, Snapshot. He will perform songs from this new album as well as from previous ones backed by a tight, rockin' little band.

Daryl Braithwaite will showcase a brilliant career at the Ballina RSL Club this Saturday, April 2. For tickets phone the club on 6686 2544.

He will also appear at the Lismore Workers Club next Thursday, April 7, at 8.30pm. For tickets contact the club on 6621 7401.

Ecology runs deep

Ruth Rosenhek, international environmental activist from the Rainforest Information Centre in Lismore, will be offering a day of deep ecology entitled Earth, Spirit, Action.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 6, at Holy Goat Farm in Dorroughby. To book or for more information phone 6621 3294, 0439 623 250 or email rainforestinfo@ozemail.com.au.

Under the big rock

Brittle FEX is set to rock the Northern Stars Under the Big Top at the Lismore Showground next Thursday to Saturday, April 7-9.

The boys - Geoff Slingsby, Ben Whiting and Billy Donaldson - will be among 3000 North Coast students performing. Brittle FEX were featured performers in the 2004 Schools Spectacular and brought the stage alive in the Talent Development Project 20th Anniversary Gala Performance alongside Human Nature and Paulini.

The band formed in year seven at Ballina High. For tickets to Northern Stars Under The Big Top phone Harvey World Travel in Lismore on 6621 2548 or email lismore@harveyworld.com.au.

Brittle FEX have released a five track EP titled Wake Up! which is available from local shops and their website at www.brittlefex.com.

Bye bye Lou

There will be a farewell gig for Lou Van Stone (pictured) next Tuesday, April 5, at the Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore. Lou is off to Sydney and London to follow her musical star.

Dan Wigmore, a music journalist in London has written, "Classically trained as a soprano and with an evolving passion for jazz and contemporary sounds, Lou Van Stone is a genuinely original artist, doing what she loves and doing it with captivating flair."

Hear some of Lou's latest tunes accompanied by a very tasty line-up of musos indeed - Steve Russell, Matt Smith, Nick Hoorweg and Luke Collins.

The gig starts at 8pm and costs $5.

Thorne between two guitars

Lucie Thorne (pictured) is touring the North Coast and will perform at The Rails in Byron next Monday, April 4, from 6.30pm. She will also display her musical wares at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore on Friday, April 8, from 8.30pm. Millers Tale will also perform.

Originally from Tasmania but now based in Melbourne, Lucie Thorne is passionate about folk and roots music. This passion has seen her tour across Australia, Canada, the US and the UK performing her original songs.

In 2004, Lucie released her album, the bud - the much-awaited follow-up to botticelli blue eyes (which was included in Rhythms magazine's Best Albums of 2003).

This new record captures the warmth and intimacy that so distinguish Lucie's live shows. (As well as that remarkably rich voice.)

Lucie's North Coast shows will feature new young talent Heath Cullen adding his vocals and guitar to Lucie's.

Pick A Box

Enjoy the music as Voices in the Roar (a capella) provide magic melodies at the Mystery Pick a Box Night (you can win works of art and local business vouchers) at the Montanna Retreat in Lennox Head next Saturday, April 9, from 6.30pm.

All profits will go towards building a Community Arts and Craft Gallery for Ballina.

The cost is $60 per person and bookings can be made by phoning 6681 5874 or 6687 5567.

Comedy virgins' first time

Mandy Nolan has another Comedy Virgin Sacrifice coming up next Monday, April 4, at the Byron Bay Bowlo from 8pm. After completeing their six weeks training, these 13 stand up novices will have a go at the scariest game in town. Tickets are $10. For bookings phone 6685 4045.

Mullumbimby's long running Stand Up Comedy run, by Mandy Nolan, wicourse has been churning out the comedy talent for some time now. Under the watchful eye of Byron comedian, Mandy Nolan, this course has prepared complete novices for the deadly excitement of a five minute performance of stand up comedy (the toughest performance game in town).

Well, Mandy has a new lot of comedy virgins ready to strut their stuff for the first time in public.

This is always a fun night when people from all walks of life try their gags out on their first audience. You're guaranteed a laugh.

There's nothing more exhilarating than experiencing a first time - even if it's not your own. These brave hopefuls will perform at the Byron Bowling Club, with their teacher and MC for the evening Mandy Nolan next Monday, April 4, from 8pm. Tickets are $10 and are usually in high demand, so book on 6685 4045.

Calling all sheilas!

As part of the Women, Earth and Change Conference there will be a womyn's (sic) evening of expression (Sheila-Na-Gig) at Dorroughby Hall on Saturday, April 9.

This is a chance for all women to share the fun and creativity of performance in a supportive space with their sisters - great for seasoned performers but also for women who don't usually express themselves in public. Sheila relies on contribution from the sisters (sound, light etc.) so to help Sheila evolve, to get involved yourself, or to just get more info, phone Sal on 6689 5472 or email her at salnewham@yahoo.com.

Pd musical closeness is evident in their shows.

You can see Fatter than Nusrat at the Lennox Point Hotel this Saturday, April 2.

World pot songs

There have been 103 recorded tracks from around the world entered into the 2005 Marijuana Music Recorded Track Award. The nominees reveal a head to head battle between the two winners of the 2004 Marijuana Music Awards in this year's Album of Year category - Potsongs by Herb Superb (2004 Winner of Best Recorded Track Award) versus My Dog by Doug Johnson (2004 Winner of Best Live Performance Award). The winner is revealed on Sunday, May 1, at Peace Park after the Nimbin Mardi Grass parade, along with the winners of the 16 other Recorded Track Award categories.

Some of the 200-odd seniors who attended the Stepping Out in Lismore tea dance event recently.

Dancing to a different tune

Venue: Star Court Theatre, Lismore
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 6, 8pm
Tickets: Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600

Ballroom dancing has enjoyed a cultural revival of late with shows such as Dancing With the Stars proving popular with television audiences. However, Peta Murray's Wallflowering is arguably the first theatrical production to delve into the larger social implications of tripping the light fantastic. Murray draws astonishing parallels between the structure of a troubled marriage and the structure of the moves the couple makes on the dance floor in this delightfully hilarious and poignant play. The HIT Productions team uncovers a wealth of emotional resonance in Murray's use of dance as a metaphor for the couple's evolving relationship. The story is ostensibly about Peg's (Noeline Brown) struggle for self-determination within the confines of her very traditional marriage. She embraces the seductive rhythms of the rumba and a borrowed copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves with equal fervor.

One time prize-winning ballroom dancers, Peg and Cliff (the dynamic Doug Scroope) now find themselves out of step with one another and the changing values of the modern world. There is great comedy, courage and beauty in the exploration of Peg and Cliff's "ordinary" lives. And while most women will be able to identify with Peg's yearnings on some level, it is Cliff whose needs turn out to be more complex and surprising. Outwardly a harmless fellow concerned about upsetting the status quo, Scroope's portrayal reveals with aching clarity his character's desire to be more than the sum of his parts.

Wallflowering is an intelligent, romantic tale of modern love that shows it's possible for two people to stay in step with each other even as they're dancing to different rhythms. For more information on NORPA subscriptions and coming events www.norpa.org.au visit or call NORPA on 6622 0300 for your free brochure.

Ballroom and Barndance

Seniors Week was celebrated with the Stepping Out in Lismore dance event at Lismore City Hall recently. 200 hundred seniors gathered to dance, share afternoon tea and enjoy various performances. MC John Devoy presented some of his ballroom students (Ray and Dane Barrett, Ena Stockdale and Lance Emery) who dazzled audience with sparkling dresses and sweeping dances. Many thanks to all involved, especially volunteers on the day. A special appearance was also made by Cyril Mosely, a 93-year old former ballroom champion.

The event was sponsored by Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency, presented by NORPA Dance Action and was part of the Seniors Week activities programmed by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare. Some wonderful feedback has been given and several people would like to attend another tea dance. If anyone is interested in planning another one, please contact NORPA Dance Action on 6622 3279.

It just goes to prove, it doesn't matter how old you are, it's never too late to dance.