The Scene - Local Entertainment News

New talent swimming

In the recent tradition of the-sensitive-guy-with-a-guitar (think Pete Murray and Jack Johnson), comes the latest contender, Jesse Younan (pictured). This young Sydney performer is touring the North Coast promoting his new album Swimming In Stone.

In this recording, and in his live shows, you'll hear songs of love and joy, despair and heartbreak. Well, that's hardly earth shattering, but he writes and sings with a particular sensitivity that differentiates him from the large heap of male singer/guitarists/songwriters that haunt Australian venues. And he can really play guitar.

Jesse will play this Saturday, May 14, at the Rainbow Café in Nimbin at 3pm and then at the Blue Tongue Café in North Lismore that evening from 7pm. Next Tuesday, May 17, will see him performing at Campus Central (SCU Lismore) at 4pm.

Jesse will then launch his album at The Rails in Byron next Wednesday, May 18, at 6.30pm. He is also part of the original folk roots and world music night at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah on Friday, May 20.

Just cause...

These beautiful people are the happy winners from last year's Model For Life Ballina heat.

The Ballina heat for Model for Life - a catwalk modelling competition with more than $100,000 worth of prizes and a fundraiser for the Spastic Centre - struts its stuff next Tuesday, May 17, at the Ballina RSL Club.

Celebrating its 16th birthday this year, the contest has become so successful that it has grown to encompass heats in Newcastle, the NSW Central Coast, Port Macquarie, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Ballina and Sydney.

Contestants (both male and female) compete in a casual section and a formal section with three finalists being chosen from each of the four age divisions: tiny tots (3-6 years), juniors (7-12 years), teenagers (13 -15 years) and adults (aged 16 years and over). These finalists advance to the gala grand final to be held in Newcastle in October.

Though time is running out, there are still places available in all age divisions for next Tuesday's heat in Ballina.

So hurry and download an entry form from the website www.hdpromotions.com.au or phone 4961 3200 for more information.

A look at Luca

Luca (pictured) is a new local folk/roots band featuring two girls and two guys all under 25.

This fiery four-piece combines traditional folk and gypsy styles with contemporary pop/folk, with instruments such as cello, banjo, acoustic guitar, tin whistle, drums and stomp box. Oh, and delicious four part harmonies.

Luca are now promoting their new album Tales From the Tea Leaves.

You can check out Luca when they play at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron next Thursday, May 19, and at the original folk roots and world music night at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah on Friday, May 20, from 8pm.

Original and Live!

The Lismore Theatre Company will present a night of original folk, roots and world music next Friday, May 20, at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah.

Those of you who have enjoyed the comfort and ambience of the Rochdale Theatre at one of Lismore Theatre Company's productions will know what a great venue it is.

Now, it'll be used as a music performance venue highlighting original artists.

Performing at this night of musical nights will be new local four-piece Luca; up and coming singer/guitarist Jesse Younan (see stories this page); Christian Pyle and Amna Kamal.

Christian Pyle is a fine producer and musician. He is probably best known as the frontman for the band Acre. Christian, who started his musical career in Brisbane, furthered it in the US and is now cresting the wave here on the North Coast working as a producer (he's the producer of Luke Vassella's latest CD Foreign Language) and solo artist. His performance will be a mix of blues, pop and melancholic rock.

Amna Kamal is an emerging artist originally from Newcastle who is currently in her last semester studying for her Bachelor of Contemporary Music at SCU. Combining Indian classical influences with contemporary groove and hip hop, Amna draws on her Indian background as a source of inspiration. She travels there once a year to continue her studies in Indian classical singing. This will be her first local public performance of her original work.

This will be a fantastic showcase of new talent. Enjoy the music and the venue - all for $7/5. The gig starts at 8pm.

Beating the last drum

Young Drums have one last gig before they hang up the drumsticks. The Last Big Show will be at Star Court Theatre in Lismore this Saturday, May 14.

The Young Drums have been a local icon since their beginnings in 1989. Under the direction of Peter Jaggle they have performed at most major venues in Australia including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Stadium Australia, QE11 Stadium, Southbank Piazza in Brisbane, the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Spinks Park... and so on. They've been everywhere, man.

In 1998 they performed at the prestigious Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Scotland.

The Last Big Show gives the Young Drums and Peter Jaggle, (who have done so much for the local region), a chance to say thank you to the area that has supported them. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets at the door.

Movie giveaways!

Vera Drake is the heroine of Mike Leigh's latest film and it looks like she's in a spot of bother with the law.

Yep. We at The Echo are doing it again. No, not drinking too much, but giving away free tickets to the movies. We are soooo generous. But we like to give stuff away especially when those lovely people at Birch Carroll and Coyle, Lismore, give us the tickets.

This time we have 20 double passes to give away to Vera Drake - director Mike Leigh's latest excursion into the field of human drama. Remember Secrets and Lies or Topsy Turvy? Vera Drake is a powerful film about a woman's love for her family and her secret compassion for her fellow women who need her help with their unwanted pregnancies. She induces miscarriages. And this is the England in the fifties...

When tragedy befalls a young client of Vera's, the truth comes out, forcing her family to see their mother in an entirely different light.

Imelda Staunton is the title character, beloved wife of Stan (Phil Davis) and mother of Sid (Daniel Mays) and Ethel (Alex Kelly).

Staunton gives a towering performance and, in typical Mike Leigh fashion, the story, characters, and script were built from a gruelling and intricate improvisation process, resulting in a film that tackles delicate issues through the sincerity of its characterisation.

Freebies: To go in the draw to win one of the 20 double passes to this film phone The Echo on 6622 2888 between 10.15 & 10.30am next Monday, May 16, and tell us how many cinemas are in the Birch Carroll and Coyle cinema complex in Lismore.

Luke speaks in musical tongues

Luke Vassella's new album Foreign Language is not hard to understand...

Lismore singer/songwriter Luke Vassella has released a new album called Foreign Language - a 12-track collection filled with the people and places that Luke has met and visited during four years on the road.

Produced on the North Coast by Christian Pyle, it includes performances by some of the area's best musos - David Sanders (drums), Leigh Ivin (pedal steel, dobro), and Tim Webb (bass).

Luke has been entertaining people for most of his life, but professionally since 1997. His performance credits include performing with Savage Garden, Wendy Matthews and Troy Cassar Daley. He has recorded three original CDs and has won four Dolphin Awards.

Luke reckons that Foreign Language is his best work to date. Listening to the album as I write this, I can only agree. The production by Pyle is excellent and the contributing musicians have created the perfect canvas on which this artist can paint his images.

Luke Vassella will be performing with his guitar, harmonica and stomp-box at the Lismore Workers Club this Saturday, May 14, at 7pm; at the Pacific Hotel in Yamba next Wednesday, May 18, at 8.30pm; at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore on Friday, May 20, from 7.30pm; at the Sphinx Rock Café at Mt Burrell on Sunday, May 22, at 1pm; and at The Rails in Byron on Monday, May 23, from 6.30pm.

Freebie: The Echo has one copy of Foreign Language to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, May 16, and tell us what a stomp-box is. (Not too hard a question I hope.)

Playwright project

Local emerging playwrights have the opportunity to develop their skills through the Far Out East Theatre Project, which invites Northern Rivers residents to submit plays containing dialogue of between six and 20 minutes, with roles for two to five performers.

The work may be in any genre or theatrical style, and it must be new work.

Fifteen plays will be selected by an expert panel to be workshopped and developed by professional script writers. Closing date for submissions is next Thursday, May 19, at 4pm.

Application forms and guidelines are available from the Northern Rivers Writers' Centre, upstairs in the Community Centre, Byron Bay; or from the Mullumbimby ACE office. Alternatively, download an application from www.nrwc.org.au or email nrwc@nrwc.org.au .

For more information phone 6685 5115.

Double bill thrill

Obviously not straight laced (or even laced up) Coda will feature with Sydney's Waiting For Guinness in a deadly double show at the Bangalow A&I Hall this Friday, May 13, from 7.30pm. Tickets are $16/14 at the door.

True Blue near you

John Williamson, Pixie Jenkins and Warren H Williams seem quite chuffed about coming back to the North Coast.

In 1970 (surely you remember - no DVDs, no SMS, no WWW, no GST) John Williamson wrote Old Man Emu, which became a huge hit. Since then John has become an icon of Australian music. I think he was the first to use the word 'Vegemite' in a song. His Australian-ness and straightforward love of the country has endeared him to many.

He endorses an Australian republic and a respect for the environment. (Actually, the coolest thing I saw him do was to sing Rip Rip Woodchip - an anti-logging song - at a Rugby League grand final some years ago, despite the efforts of the organisers to persuade John to sing another song instead. This was beamed to millions. Good on him.)

As part of his True Blue tour, John will be performing with musical companions Pixie Jenkins and Warren H Williams at the Ballina RSL Club next Wednesday, May 18, at 8.30pm. Tickets are $30 and available on 6686 2544.

Photo opportunity

The Lismore Camera Club has organised the 2005 School Photographic Challenge - an opportunity for local students to promote their photographic art and to win $500 in prizes. Any school student can enter and it's free. The photo must be less than 10' by 8" and mounted on board.

So if you're a student and a photographer ask your photography (or art) teacher about this competition. All schools have been informed. Entries close on June 24.

For more info phone 6628 1091.

Young writers' awards

If you're young (between grades four and 12) and an aspiring writer, then maybe the Young Australian Writers' Awards, organised by the Australian Children's Literary Board, is for you.

There are two categories - short story (fiction or non-fiction) and poetry. Participants are invited to submit a piece of writing in a style and topic of their choice no longer than 3000 words. Entries must be sent by September 15 to The Editor, PO Box 267, Lara, VIC, 3212.

All entries selected for short listing are published in the Oz Kidz in Print magazine, which is distributed to schools and libraries. To download an entry form or for more information, check out www.ozkidz.com.au or email info@ozkidz.com.au.

Beef Week Art Exhibition

Entry forms are now available for the Beef Week Art Exhibition, being held on Friday and Saturday, May 27-28.

This must be the only competition where outright prize winners are judged by the viewing public. Artists and photographers of all ages are invited to participate. Entry forms are available at the Beef Week Office in Casino, Premier Art & Framing and Northern Rivers Drawing & Drafting Supplies in Lismore, and the Paperbark Gallery in Evans Head.

For more info phone 6683 1617 or 6662 8181.

Young poets could do verse

The results of the Dangerously Poetic Youth Poetry Competition (featuring 15-24 year olds) have favourably impressed the judges. Therefore, the Dangerously Poetic crew have extended the prizes to include two firsts, two seconds and a third, as well as some extra prizes in the commended categories.

At 3pm this Saturday, May 14, at the Bangalow RSL Hall, the judges will reveal the winners with cake and fun. Entry is $5/4/2.

Retirement for the Young Things

After years of sterling late nights, noses to the bar and backs bent to the rock 'n roll task, local band Sweet Young Things (pictured), are calling it a day (or night, rather).

This group of experienced musos with their acoustic (mostly) sound (the drum kit is a snare drum) and their funky grooves has been entertaining the punters with their renditions of songs ranging from those of Hank Williams to AC/DC.

But time doth weary them and they sadly must move on to other things...

Bye bye Sweet Young Things.

Go say goodbye at their very last gig rockin' The Rails in Byron this Sunday, May 15, from 6.30pm. Sad really. Sniff.

New Gallery in the forest

These two artworks, Moonglow (a wrought iron lamp by Peter Aubrey) and Borderline II (a ceramic sculpture by Aine) are part of the current exhibition at the new Nightcap Gallery.

Nightcap Gallery is a new contemporary art gallery promoting a broad range of artworks by talented local and regional artists which has just opened on Terania Creek Road, seven kilometres from The Channon village.

On display are the works of painters Brigitte Havan, David Arrowsmith and Claire L'Arrivee as well as ceramicists Andrew Siurda, Aine and Robyn Whyte. Also represented are wrought iron artist Peter Aubrey, potter Nicky Coady, glass artist Silva Bond and many others.

"Our mandate is to support established and aspiring local artists within our community and to raise the awareness of our unique environment (which supports so many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna) through the artworks in the gallery," said gallery curator Ken Gillett.

Nightcap Gallery also offers local organically grown produce such as jams, relishes, sauces and coffees. So you can pick up a small picnic or lunch hamper of local produce from the gallery and enjoy nature's art at Protesters Falls as well as the impressive artworks on display in the gallery.

To celebrate the opening, Nightcap Gallery is offering a free gift to every customer and a complimentary coffee or soft drink for all visitors during the month of May.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For more info phone 6688 6333 or email info@nightcapgallery.com.

Film fundraiser for playgroup

A local playgroup fears it may be forced to shut down - leaving dozens of families in the lurch - unless they receive help urgently.

The Lennox Head Playgroup needs both 'help in kind' and financial support if it is to survive and provide parents and children with a safe place to play in the future.

To launch their fundraising bid, the Lennox Head Playgroup is holding a film night at Ballina Cinema on June 14. The film is Mr and Mrs Smith, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - a sexy, action-packed tale of a bored married couple who discover that they are enemy assassins. Tickets cost $15 and include cheese and wine before the performance.

To help the group out, for information on the film night or joining the playgroup, phone 6687 5229 or 6687 4552.

Nimbin Indigenous exhibition

Following the recent Autumn Arts Exhibition, the Nimbin School of Arts is gearing up for its inaugural Indigenous art and culture exhibition, Living Culture, which will be held during the winter school holidays from Saturday, June 25, to Sunday, July 17.

Entry forms for the Living Culture exhibition can be obtained from the NPWS office, 75 Main Street, Alstonville (6627 0200), or the Nimbin School of Arts (6689 1577).

Entries to the awards exhibition must be submitted by June 17 (maximum of two works per artist) and the winners will be announced at the grand opening on Saturday, June 25.

Mandala workshop

Roland Schicht Sunshine will connect spirituality to painting in a two-day Mandala Workshop at Lismore Regional Gallery over the next two Saturdays (May 14 and 21).

Mandalas are colourful circular geometric designs that are used to represent the cosmos. It may be a tool in the pilgrimage to enlightenment. Wow.

Local artist Roland Schicht Sunshine is known widely in the region and his work has been awarded several prizes. During the workshop he will not only teach participants to paint on canvas, but also introduce them to the world of meditation.

The workshop will run from 10am to 3pm each Saturday. All materials are included in the $65 fee. Bring $20 deposit with you when you book for the course. Places are limited.

Live poetry slam

The Live Poets! will get the wordplay happening at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Wednesday, May 18. This month's show will feature the ever-popular Poetry Slam. All budding 'slammers' are reminded that the Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup (worth $2005) is only a couple of months away, so poets of the region should be getting match fit.

As always there will be ample open readings and new writers are always welcome. Entry is $6/4. For more info phone 6688 6485.

Freebie: The Echo has a double pass to give away to this gig. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am next Monday, May 16, and tell us what seaside town near here has the name of a famous English poet.

Mandy's big gig

Mandy Nolan prepares to take her first kiss as a married woman after the "I do's" were done at her wedding last Sunday. Mandy is a well-known identity on the North Coast. Based in Byron, she is a comedian and works for the local Echo newspaper writing up the entertainment pages. (What a weird combination.)

She married Russel Burton, a television director from Sydney who has come up from Sydney to make his home here on the North Coast with Mandy. The wedding was held at the A&I Hall in Bangalow and attracted the newlyweds' family as well as their North Coast extended family - and the rain.

The wedding was at the insistence of the couple's kids (Zoe Angel, Sophia Rose and Charlie Valentine) who saw it as a chance for their parents to be romantic and embarrassing. It was a beautiful event and Mandy's best gig yet.

Congratulations Mandy and Russel from us here at this Echo.

Wardin' off the blues

Ross Ward will play with his band Ward's Xpress at the Jazz & Blues night next Tuesday.

The Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, May 17, will feature the talents of Ross Ward and Ward's Xpress. Blues-hound guitarist, singer and songwriter Ross Ward will take to the stage for some serious R 'n' B (with the emphasis on the B). Yeah. He's a blues man. Ross has played with some of the best in the Australian music scene since his professional career kicked off in the late sixties.

His latest band, Ward's Xpress, has been playing the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival since their formation in 1996 and if you happened to see the Byron All-Stars at the Blues Fest last year, when Jim Kelly featured with the band, you'll have a taste of what's in store when Jim joins the band for some scorching blues next Tuesday.

The gig starts at 8.30pm and $5 gets you in.

Literary Comp

The Fellowship of Australian Writers is holding its 18th Anniversary Literary Competition. The five categories are: short short story (up to 1000 words), short story (up to 3000 words), poem (up to 80 lines), short poem (up to 24 lines) and bush verse (up to 80 lines). Entry costs $5 and entry forms are available by sending a self-addressed envelope (how quaint!) to The Secretary, FAW Far North Coast Regional, PO Box 5093, East Lismore, NSW, 2480. Entries close July 31.

Bangalow jazz

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium, based in Lismore, is producing a new festival for the North Coast - the North Coast Jazz Festival.

Held in Bangalow over the June long weekend (June 10-13), the festival will host some of Australia's finest musicians in four venues. As well as great jazz, it will feature Brazilian and Latin music, alongside funk and hip hop.

Performers include The Paul Williamson Hammond Combo, the James Sherlock Quartet, Skaddabox, Circle of Rhythm with Greg Sheehan and Ben Walsh... the list goes on.

Masterclasses and workshops for aspiring jazz musicians and vocalists will be held. Tickets are $125 for the weekend pass or $55 per day. Tickets are on sale now through the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in Lismore, Bare Bones Bangalow, the Rug Shop in Bangalow, Soundwaves Byron Bay, the Mullumbimby Book Shop, and Buzz Bar Music in Murwillumbah.

For more information phone Gabrielle on 6621 2266 or check out the website at www.conservatoriumarts.org.

Lismore Jazz Club

The next Lismore Jazz Club gig is on Sunday, May 22. The featured band will be The Clarence Jazzmen and there'll a be a set from pianist Kyle Watson with vocalist Sharon.

The Clarence Jazzmen are popular and well known in their local Clarence Coast area, as well as playing regularly in both Tenterfield and Armidale districts.

Leader Warren "Clarence" Byrnes is both drummer and much acclaimed lead vocalist. He's joined by Pietro Fine, Greg Warner, Phil Morris and Ben Rogers.

So for a fabulous arvo of great music, good food, low price beverages and prizes, check out the Lismore Bowling Club on May 22. Entry is $8 for the public or $5 for members.

Threads and lace

This month Lismore Regional Gallery presents two exhibitions.

Galleries 1 and 3 will feature Threadworks by the Lismore and District Group of the Embroiderer's Guild NSW Inc.

Gallery 2 will feature lacework by the Wollongbar Lacemakers. Ina le Bas, founder of the Wollongbar Lacemakers, started teaching lacemaking in 1991.

"Working towards a collective exhibition with a wedding theme has brought the group closer together," she said.

Their lacework is featured in Orange Blossom Lace, which is a collection of lace bridal accessories designed by Patricia Mile.

Orange Blossom Lace and Threadworks are on show from May 12 to June 4.

The combined opening is tonight (Thursday, May 12) at 5.30pm. For more info phone 6622 2209.