The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

I like to know what's really happening around the planet. I like to keep informed so I can grasp the important issues confronting the world.

Brad has broken off with Jen. That's the Pitts. Devastating. Especially after that swish marriage party that her mum put so much effort into. And her dress! She looked a million dollars. (I didn't like her shoes though. Aqua with green! Oh my God. Where were her Friends when she needed them? There are some disturbing mistakes being made in the world.)

Now Brad's seeing Angelina. Groom Raider. But I don't blame her. I mean, she's terrific. She's a mum (and regained her figure in just four weeks after the birth of her twins), she's beautiful (with only a minor eye-lift and chin-tuck - what an inspiration for the young people), she works for the UN (as Lara) and those lips could warm the oceans 12...

Brad's no good for her. I reckon he's got issues concerning his sexuality - that's why he's hanging around with so many women. Real men don't hang round with chicks. Everyone knows that. He should just accept himself for what he is and get a spot on Queer Eye.

What about the Charles and Camilla thing? This is a global crisis. The pro-Di faction is at war with the pro-Camilla faction. This sort of warfare can cause suffering to millions around the globe. The UN may have to send in Angelina.

Charles and Camilla were together before he married Diana. So, it wasn't really adultery. (Because he fully intended to be faithful to Diana at the time.) Diana was lovely in her way but I always felt she was a bit, well, ditzy. (Environmentalism is fashionable but "Princess of Whales"? Really.)

Now Mary, she's a proper princess. She's so beautiful but somehow unaffected - that posh accent fits right in with the celebrity and yacht club set. And Fred - what a dinki-di guy. I can't wait until he becomes our king. Charles could be Pope. And Brad could be a queen.

Yep. There's a lot of important stuff going on in the world. We all have a responsibility to keep abreast of the important issues - like I do. Because without knowing what's really going on how can we make important choices for the planet's future?

Searching for artists

Former Lismore Regional Art Gallery director, Irena Dobrijevich, is looking for artists in the Northern Rivers who may be interested in selling their work through her new showroom and online art gallery.

Irena has targeted Northern Rivers' artists because of the plethora of quality art produced here. Due to open in May, Irena's showroom and virtual gallery, LushART, specialises in art and craft depicting 'love and lust'. Yum.

When asked why she chose love and lust as the themes, Irena answered, "because it sounds like heaps more fun than landscapes".

Her Surry Hills showroom is in a sexually colourful community, making it the perfect location for a gallery showcasing love and lust.

If you would like to know more or to register your lusty art or craft for sale, phone Irena on 9698 0440 or 0412 894 590. You can also email her at irena@lushart.com.au.

Look at the online gallery at www.lushart.com.au.

A hip hop story

Aussie hip hop star Morganics is the crouching Bboy in the upcoming one-man hip hop show, Crouching Bboy, Hidden Dreadlocks.

A combination of hip hop, physical theatre, stand-up comedy and performance art, Crouching Bboy, Hidden Dreadlocks is Morganics' autobiographical story - from the beginning of Sydney's hip hop scene to performing at the Rocksteady Crew Anniversary in New York.

This show has toured Australia and is now coming to Lismore. The Urban Street Rural Beat Crew, a local hip hop group, will be the support act on this hip hopper's night of nights.

Crouching Bboy, Hidden Dreadlocks hits the floorboards on Saturday, April 30, at the Star Court Theatre and tickets ($20/15) are available now on 6621 5600. For group bookings ($16.50/11) phone NORPA Dance Action on 6622 3279.

Dog art - for kids too

Man's Best Friend is an exhibition of artwork that is based on the simple idea of the dog as a companion or best friend. This exhibition is showing at the Next Contemporary Art Space in Goodman Plaza at Southern Cross University.

The dog has been used to portray a range of human feelings from prehistoric times to the present day.

Man's Best Friend contributes a local perspective to this history of the dog in art and the dog in our lives.

The exhibition runs until April 23.

There is also an art comp for artists aged 12 or under. A prize of $60 worth of painting materials (donated by Northern Rivers Drawing Supplies in Lismore) is on offer for the best dog artwork by a kid 12 or under. 

Artworks can be dropped off any time until April 23 during gallery opening hours (10am-4pm). The winner will be announced on the April 26.

Local in photo finish for prize

Stephen Blanch's prize-winning photograph, fugue... and then she was gone, features his friend, Leahwyn Seed, at Broken Head.

Richmond River High photography teacher Stephen Blanch recently won first prize in Open Photography at the Muswellbrook Photography Prize held at the Muswellbrook Regional Gallery.

The first prize of $1200 was awarded to Stephen by Sydney based-photographer Rex Dupain (son of famous Australian photographer Max Dupain). The winning work, The Bather Act 2, was taken at an ocean baths in Cornwall, England, and has now been acquired by the Muswellbrook Regional Gallery for their collection.

Stephen also recently won third prize in the 2005 McGregor Prize for Photography held at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba with fugue... and then she was gone.

This work has now been acquired by the University of Southern Queensland for their collection.

You can see more of Stephen Blanch's photographic work on his website at www.imagecult.com.

Mexican trance? Si, Si!

Andrreas is one of the most popular DJs in Mexico. Lismore punters can hear him spin his spicy grooves at the Mexican Trance Invasion this Friday.

PsyPneumatix will showcase Mexico's best trance acts in a once-only show at the One Niteclub in Lismore this Friday, April 8, from 9pm. (No entry after midnight.)

As well as popular Mexican DJ Andrreas, you'll hear the hot chilli sounds of Mindelight (a Mexican trance group), and local DJs Launchpad, Beka and Fresh.

Entry is $15.

Splendour is coming!

Belongil Fields in Byron will again host the splendid Splendour In The Grass music festival over two music-soaked days, July 23-24. Tickets for the event (and camping) go on sale Monday, May 9. Be ready, because every year this gig sells out faster than diet coke at an AA meeting.

The first six acts have been announced - Queens Of The Stone Age, Moby, Shihad, Interpol, Bloc Party and Sarah Blasko.

The new LINC

The annual general meeting of LINC TV (our community television station) saw the installation of a young new board. Life member, Ian Slade, was the only member of the previous board to remain. The new team brings with them a wide range of talents.

New members are Lucy Cameron, a PhD student with international media and community administration experience; Cindy Wescombe, businesswoman and owner of Nornet and its associated IT companies; Jamie Grant, an actor known for theatre sports and live productions; and Michael Murray, a TV producer.

Michael Murray presented a proposal from SAE proprietor, Tom Misner, which could see LINC TV expand its broadcast range to the whole North Coast.

The vision for LINC TV outlined by the new board is for a reduction in overheads by moving towards computer-based digital editing and transmission from DVDs.

For just $20 per hour independent producers in the Northern Rivers can broadcast video/film material on LINC TV.

The video material doesn't need to be professional.

This low price is available to independent producers of the Northern Rivers only. LINC TV broadcasts to approximately 25,000 people in Lismore.

To broadcast your material, download a release form from the LINC TV website at http://www.linctv.org.au/AGM/LINCTVMATERIALRELEASE.doc or you can phone Cindy or David on 6622 3488.

Pick A Box

A capella group, Voices In The Roar, will sing at the Mystery Pick A Box Night this Saturday.

Enjoy the music as Voices in the Roar 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 on Saturday, April 9, from 6.30pm.

Led by Simon Chate of Isabella A Cappella, the group will sing African, blues, Celtic and contemporary music.

Jane Munro from the ABC will compere this fundraising event conducted by the Ballina Arts and Craft Centre Inc. (BACCI). 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 Lyn Cochrane on 6681 5874 or Paddy at Montanna on 6687 5567.

Opera tix in Lismore

Tickets to Twilight Opera in Casino on April 17 are now available from the Lismore Visitor Information Centre (6622 0122).

"We have had a very positive response from Lismore residents wanting to attend Co-Opera's performance of Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss," said Nyree Epplett from Richmond Valley Council.

Event patrons are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and a hamper and enjoy the performance, which starts at 7pm at St Mary's High School oval in Casino.

A famous operetta in the sparkling Viennese tradition, Die Fledermaus is overflowing with champagne music. The characters are colourful and extreme, ranging from a passionate Italian tenor to a drunken, confused jailer.

Tickets are $33/28 and $5 for school kids.

For more info phone 6660 0203 or 0419 995 746.

Funkin' up Campus Central

Brisbane's afro-funk super band, Afro Dizzi Act, will play the Southern Cross University Auditorium (now Campus Central) in Lismore next Thursday, April 14. On the back of a pumping summer of gigs on the North Coast this two-set show, with an extended band, may well be their best yet.

Afro Dizzi Act will also launch their new live album Go With The Fro Vol. II.

The gig is free for students and only $5 for their guests. Doors open at 7.30pm.

(For members and their guests. Proof of age (18+) and student ID required.)

Star auction wars

The world is full of all types of people. There are people out there who are confirmed Jedis - they love Star Wars and everything to do with it. (Are you listening Woolah?) Well, just for those people, Lismore Cinema is offering the first two tickets issued for the first screening of the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith in Lismore.

The screening will be on May 18 at one minute past midnight.

They are being offered - together with a Star Wars Episode III poster - through an online auction. Offers should be emailed to Brian_Rose@optusnet.com.au.

The highest offer made will eventually win the tickets and poster package.

Offers will close at the end of April.

May the Force be with you...

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 this 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 contributions from the sisters (sound, light, performance 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 salne wham@yahoo.com.

Entry for non-conference goers is $10/7. And this is a women only gig.

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 - Herb Superb and Doug Johnson. The winner will be revealed on Sunday, May 1, at Peace Park after the Nimbin Mardi Grass parade.

Getting published

Nikki Davies is a freelance writer, creative writing teacher and manuscript assessor.

Nikki will present a seminar explaining how to submit work that stands out from the slush pile.

Covering both fiction and non-fiction, topics will cover the currency of the idea, manuscript presentation, how to find an agent and how to write the all-important synopsis.

The seminar will be held next Tuesday, April 12, upstairs in the Byron Community Centre from 5.30-7.30pm. The cost is $12 for Northern Rivers Writers' Centre members and $18 for non-members. Bookings are essential. Phone 6685 5115.

Local finalist in Youth Week talent comp

Ariel Cameron (13), from Larnook, has been selected as one of five junior finalists in the RockIT category of the Talent Competitions, which are a part of National Youth week (April 9 -17).

A panel of judges reviewed hundreds of entries and selected five finalists in each age category, for each competition.

You can hear Ariel's song by visiting the website at www.youthweek.com.

And then you can vote for her! Just Trust is on Ariel's debut album The 1 Exception Of Time, which is available from Music Bizarre in Lismore.

Milligan movie for North Coast

Following its debut at the Adelaide Film Festival, the documentary I Told You I Was Ill: The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan, profiling the personal life of that comic genius, will screen this Friday, April 8, at the Byron Bay Community Centre at 8pm; this Sunday, April 10, at the Ballina RSL Club from 2pm; and next Wednesday, April 13, at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore from 8pm.

This award-winning film was produced by the award-winning team of Jeff Canin and Cathy Henkel from Clunes, and was directed by Henkel.

Each screening will also include a live reading of Milligan's eccentric poems and letters by his daughter Laura Milligan. Tickets are available at each venue for $20 ($15 concession) or by contacting 6629 1449. For more information visit www.spikemilliganlegacy.com.

Calling Young Poets

Dangerously Poetic Press is holding a Youth Poetry Competition to coincide with National Youth Week. Entries are open to all Northern Rivers youth aged 15-24. The deadline is April 9. There are cash prizes for first ($100) and second ($50) as well as publication in the Dangerously Poetic 2005 anthology. Cover sheets and further details can be obtained from library counters, The Echo office, the YAC, the Northern Rivers Writer's Centre or email shanamichele@ozemail.com.au. You can submit your poems at the Dangerously Poetic reading at the Bangalow RSL this Saturday, April 9, from 3-5pm.

Tale of two acts

Lucie Thorne (with Heath Cullen) will charm the Tatts Hotel in Lismore this Friday, April 8, in a double bill with The Millers Tale (pictured). The gig starts at 8.30pm and costs $8/5.

I have just had another listen to Lucie Thorne's 2004 album, the bud. She has a rich voice that sells her emotional songs to the listener. David Curry, from Time Out magazine, described this album as, "the most beautiful and intimate collection of songs you're likely to hear this year". Worthy praise.

Lucie will be performing in duet with rising Aussie talent, Heath Cullen. Two guitars; two voices.

Speaking of duos - The Millers Tale is a Melbourne based two-piece whose song, Smile, from their 2004 album, Wish It Away, was recently listed as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.

I saw these guys at the Yackandandah Folk Festival a few weeks ago - their gig is intimate, spare and enthralling.

Good double bill.

The wild wild Wes

Jim Kelly and James Sherlock (pictured) look quite chuffed to be playing the music of jazz guitar legend, Wes Montgomery, at the Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, April 12, from 8.30pm.

Both Jim and James are well known as jazz guitarists who are stylistically very different but they share a common love for Wes's music. This tribute to Wes Montgomery will incorporate a cool rhythm section behind those guitars with Greg Lyon, Dave Sanders and Alex O'Reilly on bass, drums and percussion.

$5 will get you in.

For bookings phone 6629 8453.

Win a subscription to NORPA's 2005 season

Former Casino resident Mariaa Randall and choreographer/dancer Gerard Veltre star in Remember Me, one of NORPA's subscription shows being performed in Lismore later this year.

This year's NORPA subscription season kicked off with giggles, bubbly and a bit of foxtrot this week with Wallflowering. But even though the season has started, it is not too late to subscribe and have your preferred seats for some of the finest local, national and international performing artists.

Last year, three shows sold out ahead of time: The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Flamenco theatre show La Guerra and the Australian Shakespeare Company's A Midsummer Nights' Dream. You never can tell which shows of this year's sparkling season will sell out in advance, so subscribing now is the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

There are other benefits for culture lovers, including discounts from business supporters including Caddies in Lismore, The Left Bank Café, the Urban Café in Bangalow, Café Verdi at the Star Court Theatre and the Conversations Bar at Lismore City Hall, Choppers for Music, the AZA Motel, the Northern Rivers Writers Centre and Spinnakers Restaurant at the Ballina RSL Club. And members of Ballina RSL Club themselves can get 10 per cent off all tickets to NORPA shows sold at the club. Other subscriber benefits include a quarterly newsletter, invitations to pre-show drinks, and discounts to other shows (such as last year's sold-out Jimeoin show) at NORPA's two venues, the Star Court Theatre and Lismore City Hall.

For your copy of the free subscription brochure, with details of all the upcoming shows and information on how to subscribe, phone NORPA on 6622 0300, or you'll find them at the Lismore Regional Gallery, local newsagents and coffee shops, or the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore. You can also get all the information you need on the web at www.norpa.org.au.

Local talent will shine

This year's season includes locally-produced shows, and new members of NORPA's Actor's Company who have just been selected. They are: director - Rohan Greaves; musical director - Jason Fletcher; performers/actors: Miranda Chance, Sharon Forbes, Jamie Grant, Denise Lego, Sally Marett, Georgia Martin, Shane Nagle, Fionn Quinlan.

NORPA is now on the hunt for a stage manager for the school's performances, and you'll need to be available during the day. For more information contact Wendy Gava on 6622 0300.

NORPA Dance Action is also limbering up for some fabulous performances, building on the success of Australia Day's Aussie Battlers, Big Feet Little Feet and the ongoing Urban Street Rural Beat workshops. Works developed by the crew of local dancers will be showcased in Taut, part of October's Late and Live season at the Star Court Theatre. Dance Action is also a point of contact for locals wanting information on dance classes in the area. Their database covers styles from hip hop to Indian to contemporary jazz. Any locals wanting to put their class or workshop on the database, or find information on dance resources in the region, should contact Emma Newman on 6622 3279 or email emma@norpa.org.au.

You'll also find information about Dance Action at NORPA's website.

Win a subscription!

Win a basic subscription to NORPA's 2005 season, including double passes to four shows of your choice. To enter get a copy of the NORPA 2005 season brochure or go online to www.norpa.org.au; choose your four shows and fill out the personal details on the subscription form; add an Echo masthead and a cover note telling us why you really, really, REALLY want to win this, and put it all in a stamped envelope addressed to 'Culture Giveaway at NORPA', PO Box 225, Lismore, 2480. Entries must reach us by next Thursday, April 14.