The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

So I'm driving past the school, slowly, as you do, when this huge 4WD cuts the corner in front of me causing me to brake the Camira heavily and veer into the gutter with a thump. From inside the 4WD a woman smiles down at me through the tint wondering what I am doing in a silly little car revving in the gutter with burnt rubber hanging in the air.

School times near schools are a nightmare.

Mostly because of the plague of large 4WDs. Yes, plague. What is going on here? You can't see around them or over them. I've seen miners' cottages where two parents, six kids and a grandma have lived that are smaller. You sit in one of those beasts and you can't see the ground for two blocks. You look down on clouds. Eagles fly below you. Kids have to abseil or throw ladders down to disembark. Any higher and they'd come with oxygen.

Why do people (apart from the last remaining farmer or the guy who looks after the Big Scrub remnant) buy them?

Mothers will tell you it's because they're safe. Well, safe for them maybe but not for everyone else. And even they have to get out of their 4WD eventually and mix it on the footpath with us poor pedestrians nervously peering over our shoulders for that glint of bull bar that means two tonne of metallic-painted trouble could careen anywhere because gutters mean nothing to these tanks. One of these monsters could run over my car and not even know it. Lord knows they've tried.

Maybe the family buys them because, dammit, they've worked hard to have a two-storey monster of a house so they're going to have, dammit, a two-storey monster of a car. A status thing.

It's not like our town has schools located in a jungle where the warrior mums have to splash through creeks, fly over sand dunes and roar up mountains to get their sprogs to school. A car would suffice. And cost less money and be cheaper on fuel. Actually, buses are convenient. Unless it's Kirklands.

Big 4WDs are dangerously stupid in town.

The government won't do anything until kids are killed because the government doesn't give a hoot. Oil is the ruler of this country. And these guzzlers take a heap of fuel. Shareholders like profits. Yum yum.

Indigenous art on Sunday

Artist Johnny Daylight-Lacey works on his latest art with partner Leann.

Johnny Daylight-Lacey is this month's featured artist at the Art on Sunday exhibition at the Bangalow A&I Hall this Sunday, May 22.

Johnny grew up in Darwin. He paints in the traditional Rarrk style of Arnhem Land, applying distinctive cross-hatched patterns to create that shimmering effect in Arnhem Land art.

Art on Sunday was successfully launched last month and exhibits the work of leading North Coast artists on the fourth Sunday of every month (Bangalow market day) from 9am to 4pm.

Jazz at the Bowlo

Clarence Jazzmen (l-r) Warren 'Clarence' Byrnes, Pietro Fine and Greg Warner, will be joined by Phil Morris and Ben Rogers to cook up a musical storm this Sunday.

The Lismore Jazz Club's autumn series at Lismore Bowling Club got off to a great start a couple of weeks ago when the fabulous Unity Jazz Band took to the stage. Monies raised from that gig and future ones in the autumn series go to help the Lismore Jazz Club's hosting of the 60th Annual Australian Jazz Convention in Lismore this December.

This is a fabulous coup for Lismore - and for North Coast music lovers. This jazz convention is the longest running jazz event in the world and will bring hundreds of musicians and thousands of people to the city from all over Australia.

Until then, the Lismore Jazz Club is offering some fine jazz as part of its fundraising efforts.

This Sunday, May 22, The Clarence Jazzmen will play at Lismore Bowling Club from 2pm. Leader Warren 'Clarence' Byrnes is both a drummer and lead vocalist. When Warren was a 10 year-old lad he met, and actually played with, Louis Armstrong. Since then Warren has always loved Satchmo's music and takes great pleasure in rendering a few songs in his best gravel-voice style. The Clarence Jazzmen repertoire includes jazz classics like Basin St Blues, Honeysuckle Rose, Mack The Knife and What A Wonderful World.

There'll also be a surprise set from... Well, I can't tell you or it wouldn't be a surprise would it?

What better way to spend this Sunday arvo than to cruise along to the Lismore Bowling Club (one of Lismore's coolest venues) with its cheap grog and relaxed vibe and listen to high quality jazz music - all for $8 (or $5 if you're a member).

Scintillation with Cantillation

Cantillation has followed the sun all the way to North Coast for a special Musica Viva gig.

There are lots of a cappella singers around the Northern Rivers. It's a popular type of music. For a start, you don't have to buy your instrument - you're born with it. And there's very little lugging. The roadies only carry your gargle stuff.

Well, a cappella fans and all lovers of fine music will be in seventh heaven with the local arrival of Cantillation - an a cappella choral ensemble - as part of the Musica Viva 2005 concert series.

Formed in Sydney in 2001 by Anthony Walker, Cantillation has since been busy in concert halls, opera theatres and recording studios. Cantillation will perform at St Mary's Anglican Church in Ballina next Friday, May 27, from 7.30pm.

Cantillation has a particular commitment to Australian music, an interest reflected in the Ballina program, which features works by three contemporary Australian composers - Nigel Butterley, Paul Stanhope and Ross Edwards. (Edwards' Mountain Chant should strike a particular chord with the Northern NSW audience, as it describes John Oxley's wonderment as he first sees the Warrumbungle mountains.)

The concert will also feature British folksongs and spirituals.

So there you go. You shouldn't miss this opportunity to hear a cappella singing performed by acclaimed professionals with superb acoustics.

Tickets are available from Dymocks in Lismore (6622 4987) or the ABC Centre in Ballina (6686 2436) or at the door if there's any left. Tickets are $30/15.

For more info phone 6624 7807.

Channon opera

Although this year's Opera at The Channon is more than two months away, tickets are expected to sell out quickly when released next Monday, May 23.

There are only 250 tickets available for the silver service luncheon and opera, and tickets are expected to sell out within one week of release, so don't waste any time.

Early bird discount tickets will be available from the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter from 10am next Monday, May 23, by calling 6627 4444 or booking online at www.helirescue.com.au/events.

Boogabilly

The Stingrays point the way to rock and roll nirvana with a big rockin' gig this Saturday.

The Stingrays are a five-piece rock 'n' roll dance band specialising in 50s and 60s rock classics. With tracks from Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Little Richard - well, you get the idea - The Stingrays will have the Lismore Workers Club jumping this Saturday night, May 21, with a rock 'n' roll spectacular loaded with music, dancing, prizes and giveaways. The gig starts pumping at 8pm. And it's free!

Close to the Knob

This painting by Robin Moore is part of Close To The Heart at Blue Knob.

A new exhibition at Blue Knob Hall ArtSpace and Gallery (seven kilometres north of Nimbin on Lillian Rock Road) called Close To The Heart focuses on artists and the individual circumstances that affect and ultimately shape their work.

The exhibition will open this Friday, May 20, at 6pm, when Jenny Dowell, hard-working Lismore councillor, will talk to the audience. Dinner will be available. (The gallery has a fine café.)

Close To The Heart runs until June 19.

The gallery and café are open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

For more info phone 6689 7449.

Slick pic

Zac Fuller from Nimbin is the winner of the youth category in the Long Hot Summer Digital Photography competition. His prize? A $500 digital camera. Good on you, Zac.

Judges picked his photo Magic Bus (pictured above) from over 1600 entries statewide. His photo artwork was created during a series of workshops at the Nimbin Youth Multi Media Club run through the Community Technology Centre (CTC) in Nimbin.

"This is a great result and demonstrates the importance of giving young people access to technology and teaching them skills that open up new worlds of possibilities," said CTC Nimbin manager, David Julian. Other winners can be viewed on the website at www.ctcnsw.net.au/special/photocomp-2005.

Advance Australia dance

These local girls are part of the Imprint Dance Company, which is based in Byron and directed by Sarah Beaumont.

They have just returned from the USA where Imprint attended Dance Excellence - a dance festival. They had been invited to represent NSW and their performances earned them many accolades and awards. They even performed at Disneyland.

Congratulations girls and keep on dancin'!

Dance celebration

Dance of Colours is a two-day celebration of cultural dance featuring some of the Northern Rivers' finest cultural performers, including Bella Donna, Idell Wadley (both well known belly dance instructors), the Nimbin dance troupe Nomad, and Serena (a local flamenco dancer).

Sydney-based performer Barbara Britton (queen of Egyptian cabaret) and Wollongong-based Bollywood dancer Viji will come to the North Coast for this cultural dance extravaganza to be held on the weekend of June 11 and 12 at the Italo Club in South Lismore.

Workshops on Indian, flamenco, and belly dance are also on offer during Saturday and Sunday at a cost of $35 per workshop (with discounted passes available for those wishing to attend more than one workshop).

For more info phone Idell on 6629 3338.

A good beating

Next Thursday night, May 26, the Good Beats Crew (DJs Balance and Wildabeats) will pump the party vibe into Lismore when they present Good Beats in the backroom of the Tatts Hotel.

Seeing a gap in the market between the commercial and doof scenes, Good Beats is looking to provide some high quality contemporary breakbeat music for the North Coast.

"We just wanna have a party with a good vibe and wicked tunes. We're keeping the door charge low - only $2 - and we've arranged some drink specials so everyone can get nicely lathered without it costing them too much. We'll be kitting the Tatts backroom out so it's got a nice slick atmosphere too," said Wildabeats.

For the opening night they've enlisted the help of two of the area's best DJs, Wallapalooza and Noodles, to heat things up playing hip hop and funk.

You can listen to Balance and Wildabeats on their 2NCR radio show every Tuesday from midnight till 3am.

Shlapshtick

Wolfe Bowart and Bill Robison are The Shneedles, an extraordinary duo who combine the raw skills of acrobatics, the rapscallion absurdity of Monty Python and the comic perfection of Buster Keaton into their own blend of vaudeville, circus, magic and riotous physical comedy for audiences of all ages.

Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, where they formed in 2001, The Shneedles have wooed audiences out of their seats from Seattle to Frankfurt to Tokyo, and are at last unleashing themselves on our turf.

The Shneedles have redefined clowning by bringing a unique combination of grace and humour to the stage as they deal with the deep subjects of life - unrequited love, death and mousetraps in your pants.

The Shneedles will perform at the Murwillumbah Civic Theatre next Tuesday, May 24. Tickets are $19/15 or $10 for children and $48 for a family. For bookings phone 6672 4766. They will also display their comic genius at the Byron Community Centre next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 25-29. Tickets are $25/19 or $15 for children and $65 for a family. For bookings phone 6685 5659.

For more information phone 0419 565 193 or email phil@spiritent.com.

Unplugged thrills

Unplugged, a monthly and mostly acoustic gig at the Rous Hotel in Lismore, will feature Thrillbilly Stomp (pictured) next Wednesday, May 25.

Thrillbilly Stomp will be premiering their new song called, wait for it... Thrillbilly Stomp. The Thrillers create a passionate, warm sound with mandolin, accordian, bass and vocals that has been thrillbillin' locals at their gigs in recent months.

Catch 'em at Unplugged from 8pm.

Young bands playing hard

The Lismore PCYC will be holding their first live band night featuring local bands Brittle Fex (pictured), Evasion and Out Of Order this Friday, May 20, from 7.30-10.30pm.

PCYC coordinator, Jason Clarke, is hoping this new initiative will give young bands the chance to perform as well as providing a great night's entertainment for local teenagers (it's just $6 at the door). It will also be a fundraiser for the PCYC, who were sadly broken into recently and had $4000 worth of equipment stolen.

Ballina High punk band Brittle Fex, who will headline the night, were recently featured in Northern Stars Under the Big Top and are gaining a large fan base amongst young people on the North Coast. For more information phone 6621 6276.

Guitar men, singing dancing women

Jazz & Blues presents Guitar Heaven with (clockwise from top left) Doug de Vries and Diana Clark, Andrew Vievers, Jim Kelly and James Sherlock, and Simone Pope.

That weekly Jazz & Blues at the Rous Hotel in Lismore keeps the surprises coming with a night called Guitar Heaven next Tuesday, May 24, at 8.30pm.

You can hear Brazilian music with Australia's finest exponents, guitarist Doug de Vries and singer Diana Clark. Then flamenco guitarist Andrew Veivers will strum up a Spanish storm with Simone Pope dancing that passionate, sensual dance.

And just in case there are not enough guitars for your liking, local maestros Jim Kelly and James Sherlock will join an all-in guitar extravaganza. Ole! Entry is $10/8.

Earnest auditions

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's brilliant play, was first performed in London in 1895 and has been performed all over the world many times since.

Lismore Theatre Company is planning to perform this theatre classic in September and is currently seeking actors for auditions in June. The play requires two younger and two older men plus two younger and two older women.

Auditions will be held at the Rochdale Theatre on Saturday, June 4, from 1-5pm. To register for auditions or for more information phone Jennie Hicks on 6687 9167, 0431 958 991 or email hicksanddickson@hotmail.com.

Trad Tom's art

The collection of art now showing at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore, Tommy's Dilemma, is not based on any particular theme. There are oil paintings of mermaids, portraits, a landscape, wood sculptures and poetry - a sample of Tom Stewart's art from 1995 to the present.

Tom is inspired to keep traditional art skills alive and to revitalise public interest in traditional art. His work is designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the uninitiated - "If that is kitsch," says Tom, "then so be it, thanks to the narrow-minded art academics and critics." That is Tommy's Dilemma.

The exhibition runs until May 24. For more info phone 6622 8011.

Beefing up the artistic muscle

Entry forms are now available for this year's Beef Week Art Exhibition (to be held on Friday and Saturday, May 27 and 28), 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 information phone 6683 1617 or 6662 8181.

Bands battle it out

The North Coast's best young bands are going head to head in a musical tussle to be outright winner of the 2005 National Campus Band Competition.

Campus Central will host four heats with the SCU final in September.

Heat two sees Waiting for May, Fighting Mongoose, Stick It To The Fruit Bat, Skid Mark and Reverse World (pictured) doing backbeat battle for the $8000 worth of products from Jands, three days' studio time and thousands of CDs (including duplication and mastering of the winning band's recordings) that are the outright winner's prize.

The battle rages next Thursday, May 26, at Campus Central in Lismore from 8pm.

Five bands doing their best to impress - should be a brilliant show. Entry is free for students and $5 for guests.

Creative strategies

For the first time different sectors of creative professionals (arts, film, media, entertainment and design) can integrate their creative planning into the broader regional development strategies being undertaken by the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board (NRRDB).

Here's an opportunity to have a say in the future of creative industries in our region through a series of Creative Industry Workshops in the area - the aim being to develop practical strategies to strengthen the region's creative industries and improve market access.

Strategies for developing the different sectors (eg music, visual arts and screen) will be workshopped in the morning. In the afternoon NRRDB will facilitate a discussion about how to integrate these strategies into their regional economic development blue print.

The workshops are on this Friday, May 20, at Kyogle Memorial Hall; next Friday, May 27, at the Bangalow A&I Hall; Friday, June 3, at Lismore TAFE; and Monday, June 6, at Murwillumbah Civic Centre.

Please RSVP to admin@nrrdb.com.au or phone 6622 4011.