The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Okay. We all know that Splendour in the Grass, one of Australia's best music festivals, is well sold out. But The Echo has some serious connections and we managed to secure a double pass to the Splendour gig. The things we drink for our readers...

Anyway if you want to go in the draw to win a double pass to Splendour in the Grass for S Sense

There is no War on Terror. It's a War on Beards. It's obvious - anyone with a beard is a threat. Osama bin Laden, Derryn Hinch, Mungo McCallum. Even moustaches are a bit iffy - Saddam had a hairy lip. So what was the first thing the Clean Shaven did when they caught him? Shot him? No, shaved him.

If these Bearded Ones would just have a shave and join in the mad scramble for personal wealth and plasma screens that marks the way of the Smooth Face, the world would be a happy, after-shaved, wealth-creating corporation. Shaving cream, a petroleum product, is what separates us from the hairy infidels who threaten our profit margin.

So, last week in an act of undercover journalism, I didn't shave. It changed me. By day two I felt so... foreign. Grey stubble is a bad look. I started drinking alcohol from brown paper bags and buttoned my shirt up in the wrong holes. I was spiralling out of control. By day four I was wearing thongs for God's sake! People with suits and shiny faces looked disgustedly at me as I slept on the street. Parking officers put chalk marks on my forehead and said they'd be back in an hour.

I went underground - to the carpark. I found a shopping trolley that some Clean Shaven had left near his Landcruiser. It was double size with a four trolley-wheel drive option. I placed my beard comb and sherry in it. I was getting angry.

Here in the dark I found other hirsute refugees from the land of the investment portfolio and close shave.

There was an ex-Volvo driver with his redundancy letter, new beard, and a shopping trolley with airbags and roll bars. There was an old westie with a flannelette shirt, a beard and a mullet. He had strapped cans of bourbon and coke to his body, pinned his divorce notice to his sleeve and sat in his lowered trolley (with polyphonic horn and fat wheels) - he was preparing to ram the next Honda Accord that came by.

This is the shadow world of the Bearded Ones - where your lack of shaver marks you as evil incarnate. We drown our children. We resist your dress code. We have flying licences. We don't watch Desperate Housewives. We are different to you. Be scared.

Turtlely wild

This painting Bining is by Indigenous artist Stephen Sutor and is part of the People of the Reeds exhibition.

On Blue Knob Road out from Nimbin, where Lillian Rock Road joins it, is the venerable old Blue Knob Hall, which is now the exciting Blue Knob Hall Gallery. The gallery is currently showcasing the works of Indigenous artists from Cabbage Tree Island in the Richmond River with an exhibition called People of the Reeds.

The Bunjun Arts & Crafts group on the island has been going for more than 13 years, with the artists working with talented textile and painting teachers during that time. In this exhibition the artists tell the stories told to them by their elders and portray their memories of growing up on this island community.

People of the Reeds will run until July 31. For more info phone the gallery on 6689 7449. And remember there is a fine vegetarian café at the gallery with magnificent views of the hills.

Magic Pipe Strange music

Now this is a musical instrument! That 1 Guy (weird instrument, weird name) plays his 'magic pipe' with an eccentric virtuosity and is coming to the North Coast.

That 1 Guy entertains audiences with his peculiar one-man show applying his classically trained stand-up bass prowess to his 'magic pipe'. This instrument is seven feet long and is an assemblage of galvanised steel, duct tape and musical effects based around a single bass string. At Byron's recent East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, That 1 Guy was one of the standout hits of that weekend. When asked why he was returning so shortly after that gig That 1 Guy said, "The coffee. Y'all got some really great coffee there!"

That 1 Guy (aka Michael Silverman) is the Dr Seuss of music with his songs about roadkill meals, sadistic birds and showers of meat. This is not like a Britney Spears concert. Along with the magic pipe at the Blues Fest he played an amplified cowboy boot and an amplified woodsaw with a cello bow...

That 1 Guy will perform at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron next Thursday, July 7, from 9pm. Entry is free. Magic.

Added incentives for North Coast musos

Jebediah performs at the 2004 Musicoz Awards.

Those Far North Coast artists entering Australia's biggest unsigned music competition, Musicoz, will also be eligible for local development prizes designed to push talented musicians to the next level of their career.

Musicoz Northern Rivers and EnviTE Training and Employment have created the Musicoz Far North Coast Development Awards covering the region from Ballina in the south, Tweed Heads in the north and Lismore/Nimbin/Kyogle in the west.

Musicoz, a community-based, not-for-profit company, aims to create development frameworks for unsigned and independent artists who are trying to break into the music industry. The national Musicoz Awards are a major incentive to inspire the development of original Australian music.

Now, Far North Coast residents entering the 2005 Musicoz Awards will also be considered for local development prizes that include studio recordings, a video clip, a photo-shoot, press kits, a marketing plan and more. Time for entries is running out (July 29) so visit the website at www.musicoz.org for more info and entry forms, or phone 6684 6056 or email northernrivers@musicoz.org.

Israeli trance

This Friday, July 1, trance freaks can enjoy the special pleasures of Psy Craft (pictured), an Israeli duo incorporating live guitar, who will spread their trance magic at the One Bar & Nightclub in Lismore from 9pm-4am.

The North Coast is fast becoming trance central - attracting exponents and aficionados of this music genre from all over the world. This show is being put on by PsyPneumatix and Tribeadelic, who brought Emergence to the North Coast back in April.

Psy Craft have released two albums, Gravitech and New Moves, and will provide one of the big trance gigs of the year, supported by Dark Nebula, DJ Fresh and DJ Ozzy.

Cheap pre-sale tickets are available from Sound Waves in Byron, Music Bizarre in Lismore and Way Out East in Ballina for only $26 (plus a booking fee) or $35 at door.

One man, a canvas and a story

Indigenous artist John Weeronga Bartoo has included this painting The White Rainbow in his exhibition, One Man and His Stories, in Kyogle.

John Weeronga Bartoo reckons that his art is guided by the spirits of his ancestors.

"I get a great deal of satisfaction when others enjoy my work and as for my future as an artist, the Spirits will continue to guide me," he said.

One Man and His Stories is a collection of paintings that document John's journey in understanding his indigenous culture and upholding his people's beliefs. His paintings represent stories he has been told or has uncovered through researching his indigenous heritage. His art is the story of his life.

John's art has attracted many commissions and awards since his professional debut in 2003, with his art being sold and displayed all around the world.

One Man and His Stories goes on display at the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle this Friday, July 1, and the artist will be there that day to talk about his art.

The exhibition will run until July 27.

For more info phone the gallery on 6632 3518.

Not Frayed to dance

The Frayed Knots (pictured) is a reggae-rock band from Coffs Harbour. The band has been performing their spunky originals up and down the east coast of Oz for three years now and have released an EP Here it Comes (the title song is dedicated to the life and hopes of world professional surfer Lee Winkler). You can't get the ocean out of a Coffs Harbour boy so it's not surprising that The Frayed Knots' music has been used in many surfing film projects.

You can dance to The Frayed Knots at Casino RSM next Friday night, July 8. Travers Groovelock Breakdancers will also perform.

Wild art at Evans

This painting Figtree by Katherine Castle is part of her exhibition Wild & Wonderful at Evans Head.

Katherine Castle has a deep love of nature. You can see her reverence and detailed appreciation in her exhibition Wild & Wonderful, which opens at the Paperbark Gallery in the Evans Head Arts and Industry Estate this Sunday, July 3.

Her exhibition is a celebration of the landscape and all who live in her.

Katherine works in several media - watercolour, gouache, graphite, pastel and oils. Her wildlife paintings begin with meticulous research - only after a full understanding of her subject does she begin her work.

Katherine is nationally recognised for her nature art, winning a swag of awards at various festivals and competitions.

Wild & Wonderful opens this Sunday from 10am with a talk by Lance Ferris (the pelican man) from Australian Seabird Rescue at 12pm. The artist will also give a talk on her art.

For more info or to book a place at the opening phone the gallery on 6682 5188.

Indigenous performance

Changes Choices is a dance theatre performance based around issues faced by young people in rural areas - like unemployment, drugs, culture and stereotyping. Directed by Bundjalung woman Mariaa Randall and performed by Casino dance group, Proof, Choices Changes will open at the Casino High School (Queensland Road) next Wednesday, July 6, at 7.30pm, and then continue on Thursday and Friday, July 7-8, with performances at 1pm and 7.30pm both days.

Tickets are $10/5 for evening performances and $5/2 for matinees.

For more info phone 0401 917 648.

Fibre options

This piece by Cherie Shadwell is part of the Impromptu Creations exhibition in Casino.

Platypus Gallery in Casino (86 Centre Street) is filled with swirls of colour, soft silken swathes and woven wonders for the Impromptu Creations exhibition showcasing the work of artists Fiona and Cherie Shadwell and Robyn Devine. This exhibition is a celebration of natural fibres including baskets, wall hangings and wearable designs (I think that's clothes).

The exhibition runs until July 23. For more info phone the gallery on 6662 3566.

Pied Pantomime

There's plenty of entertainment for the kids when the rats hit Bangalow for the school holidays. Supercat (pictured) will help in the clean-up.

Firetrax Theatre presents their latest pantomime, The Pied Piper, at the Bangalow A&I Hall next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 7-9, and on the following Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 14-16.

Once again, writer Shirley Gay has drawn on a well-loved classic and added some quirky characters and plenty of audience participation for an afternoon of fun-filled family entertainment. Children and their parents will love the antics and misfortunes that follow an infestation of rats (this has happened at my place...).

Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for the kiddies and $4 per head for a family of four or more.

Tickets are available at the door or by phoning 6687 1998.

Sharing art

Greg Sheehan will take his percussive skills on the road to small North Coast communities in a series of workshops for youth.

A creative smorgasbord of dance, percussion, pottery and mosaic workshops for young people will be moving through small and isolated communities through our region from July to September.

This project, initiated by Arts Northern Rivers, is aptly named the Youth Arts Roadshow. It will enable young people in these communities to develop skills and explore their creativity in new ways under the leadership of professional artists. Communities involved in the workshops include Wardell, Evans Head, Coraki, Casino, Bonalbo, Tabulam and Kyogle.

There's a great selection of local artists involved in the project including renowned local percussionist Greg Sheehan, as well as rap and hip hop artists Jason Campbell and Daniella Finkenauer.

The first Roadshow workshops will bring a rap and hip hop experience to young people in Evans Head next Tuesday, July 5.

For more information phone Cath Fogarty on 6628 8120. Below are some dates...

Wardell - rap and hip hop workshops with Daniella Finkenaur and Jason Campbell, July 8 and 15, from 2-4.30pm. Phone Lucy Bennett on 6683 4867.

Evans Head - rap and hip hop workshops with Daniella Finkenaur and Jason Campbell, July 5 and 16, from 12-2.30pm. Mosaic workshops with Tanya Burkhardt, July 7 and 14, from 9am-4pm. Percussion workshops with Greg Sheehan, July 27 and August 3, from 4-6.30pm. Pottery with Alison Lacy, August 11 and 18, from 4-6.30pm. Phone Kim Wright on 6682 4899.

Coraki - rap and hip hop workshop with Daniella Finkenaur and Jason Campbell, July 12, 12-2.30pm. Phone Kim Wright on 6682 4899.

More details for other towns next week.

Youth art prize

Lloyd Rees was a great Aussie artist who died in 1988. 24 years ago he established a national award to inspire young artists. That award is now called the Church and Dwight Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Award. (Hey, you need sponsors - it's not like the government cares...)

The award is for painting, drawing and/or printmaking (these were Lloyd's media) and is open to young artists between the ages of 18 and 28, with an acquisitive prize of $5000.

Entries close on August 31 and forms are available by mailing (no, not emailing) The Administrator, Centrehouse Community & Leisure Centre, 178 Lonueville Road, Lane Cove, 2066. Or from the website at www.centrehouse.org.au. For more info phone 9428 4898.

Theatre and the Writers' Festival

Theatre is a very powerful tool of communication. Writing for theatre is an artform in itself, differing to other writing forms by the collaborative nature of its production.

Playwrights and players play a leading role in the Byron Bay Writers' Festival this year (August 4-8) with Friday night's forum, Theatre as a Political Stage: The Voice of the Disenfranchised, at the Byron Community and Cultural Centre. Actors will present rehearsed readings of Aussie playwrights Alana Valentine and Michael Gurr and Iranian exile Shahin Shafaei. Director George Whaley will chair proceedings.

Among the many events for theatre buffs this year will be a workshop by Michael Gurr called Writing For The Stage, which will cover basic stagecraft. This workshop, like many at the festival, will sell out, so have a captain cook at the complete workshop list, check out the range of workshops for the budding playwright, and book now.

For the full program and bookings, visit the website at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com. Or for bookings call Jetset Byron Bay on 6685 6262 or 6685 6554.

Jazz & Fuse

The Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore presents hot, new young band, Fuse, next Tuesday, July 5, from 8.30pm.

This newly formed jazz-fusion band concentrates on a groove-based fusion featuring original works by guitarist Shannon Beaumont. Fuse represents some of the fresh blood moving into the local jazz scene with Aron Sinclair on sax, Dave Tweedie on bass and Dave Wyatt on the kit. Check 'em out for a bargain $5.

Performing Pooches

Circus Ringbarkus is a travelling dog show - and one of Australia's funniest shows for children and their parents. This 5-person, 4-dog troupe combines elements of vaudeville, comedia del'arte, circus, magic and illusion.

The show is a real family affair. Paul and Ruth Stanton are joined on stage by their three children, Julia (14), Michael (11) and Steven (7) and their pets, a collection of motley mutts rescued from dog pounds around the country. What started as a one-man show in Perth during the 1980s has now grown into a family troupe of accomplished performers. (They performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year.)

This talented family with their talented and mischievous pets will perform at the Lismore Workers Club next Monday, July 4, at 11am. For bookings phone 6621 7401. Tickets are $9 for adults and kids.

You can visit their website at www.circusringbarkus.com.au.

The FEHVA has arrived

FEHVA (48 Hours of Visual Arts) is a three-day festival in Byron from July 1-3 that celebrates the visual arts with panel discussions, workshops and a debate with regional, national and international guest speakers (including MCA Director Liz Ann Macgregor, QAG Head of Australian Art Julie Ewington, artists Judy Watson, Heri Dono and Lindy Lee, and Scottish sculptor Andy Scott).

One of the many highlights will be the launch of the Visual Arts Network (VAN) by Arts Northern Rivers at the festival this Saturday, July 2, at the Byron Community and Cultural Centre at 1.50pm.

VAN has been set up to provide career development opportunities to local artists and to help them sell their work outside the region. A program of workshops, seminars and practical assistance will be unveiled at the launch.

FEHVA also has a Great Debate on the final afternoon of the festival. Three Southern Cross University visual arts academics will take the affirmative side when the debate considers whether art theory is relevant to the practice of art.

Associate professor Jan Davis, a printmaker, will be joined by painter John Smith and painter/printmaker Gary Jolley, to make up the SCU debating team.

For the full program and booking info visit the website at www.fehva.com.

The law of Mosaic

Local artist Jeni Miller will run workshops in the art of mosaic decoration over two Saturdays, July 2 and 9, at Lismore Regional Gallery.

Jeni is well known for her mosaic work and has held many successful workshops in the Northern Rivers.

Mosaics reached their height during the Roman period when there was not a house in Rome whose inner hall was not covered by decorative mosaic.

The workshops run from 10am-3pm on both days.

Materials and tiles will be included in the $50 admission fee. Participants will need to bring a mirror, flowerpot, picture frame, small table or birdbath to mosaic on.

If you have any broken plates, pots, mirrors or tiles lying around your house, bring them along for a new lease on life. Please bring a $20 deposit with you when you book at the gallery for the course. For more info phone 6622 2209.

LINC boost and Bradbury film

Community television in Lismore has received a boost with the news of an extension of LINC TV's trial licence for a 12-month period. Hooray! That gives the LINC mob more time to work on their application for a permanent CTV licence.

To celebrate there will be a members' meeting followed by a screening of David Bradbury's new film Blowing in the Wind (a film about depleted uranium use in Australia) on Sunday, July 10, at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore. Meeting at 5pm; film at 7pm. $10 gets you into the film. $15 gets you the film and a year's membership with LINC TV.

Photo Asia

This photograph by Meredith Gardiner is part of her Tales of Asia exhibition in Ballina.

Tales of Asia is a photographic exhibition by young photographer Meredith Gardiner. She has visually documented her travels through our neighbouring Asian countries and the results are hanging on the walls of Café Sirocco in Ballina. Her photos offer graphic glimpses into the everyday lives of the people in these countries. The exhibition opens this Saturday, July 2. Have a coffee and travel with Meredith to exotic lands.

Win tickets to Splendour!

Byron band Puss will perform at Splendour in the Grass this July. You can see them if you win a ticket from The Echo.

the weekend of July 23 and 24, all you have to do is email or post a fake press release to us describing and extolling the virtues of your fictitious band. So, create a band, name it, give it any instruments you want and pretend that your band is playing at Splendour in the Grass. You want the world to know about your band so you've sent a press release to The Echo. Your press release should be no longer than 150 words and contain the name, the music genre, the instrumentation, album releases etc. Maybe even a photo? The most original and creative press release will win. Simple.

Entries must be in by Friday, July 15. Winners will be notified by phone on July 18, and we'll publish the winning entry on Thursday, July 21.

Entries can be sent to Splendour Comp, PO Box 37, Lismore, 2480, or emailed to scene@echonews.com with the subject heading of Splendour Comp. Have fun.

Jazz collective bargain

Recognise the trombone player in this photo from the vault? Yes, it's our very own Davey Rankin, jazz king and sex siren, back in the swinging 60s. His banjo pickin' comrade (second from right) is none other than Willie Watt, who was an original member with Davey of the famous Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band. Davey and Willie will team up again this Sunday when some cool jazz comes to Lismore town.

This Sunday, July 3, is when the Lismore Jazz Club presents a big afternoon of live jazz at the Lismore City Bowling Club (Molesworth Street) from 2-6pm.

The Jazz Club is putting together a big band made up of acclaimed jazz and R&B musos called the Big City Revival Band. This is a collection of jazzmen who have cut their musical teeth in the two biggest cities in Australia - Melbourne and Sydney.

With the likes of trumpet playin' Brett Iggeldun, young fella Davey Rankin, banjo maestro Willie Watt, bottom-end slapper John Helman and drummer boy Donny McCormack, the Big City Revival Band will burn up the bowlo with some exciting jazz. These musicians have been responsible for some of Australia's best jazz over the years - combos like the Red Onion Jazz Band, the Black Opal Jazz Band and Jeff St John's band The Id.

Entry is a measley $8/5.

The Lismore Club will host the 60th Australian Jazz Convention in Lismore this December 26-31 - a huge event that will bring hundreds of jazz musos and thousands of jazz aficionados into Lismore from all over Australia. These local gigs exploring the best of Australian jazz raise funds for this mega-event.

For more info on this gig, the Lismore Jazz Club (become a member!) or the Australian Jazz Convention, phone Michael Bird on 6622 5912 or check out the website at www.lismorejazz.org.

Screen workshop

On Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10, Northern Rivers Screenworks will be running a workshop called Script to Screen: Cinematic Technique for Directors. This two-day intensive workshop will focus on the different aspects of the director's cinematic craft.

The workshop will be presented by Charlie de Salis, an experienced director, writer and producer whose directing credits include short films, television drama, documentaries, commercials, and high-end corporate work.

For complete program details go to the Screenworks events blog at www. screenworks.com.au/blog/blog.htm.

The workshop will be held at the Screenworks office in Byron from 9.30am-4.30pm both days. The cost is $120. Places are limited. Book at events@screenworks.com.au or phone 6680 9220.

Splendid charity

Each year Splendour in the Grass organisers work together with a local youth-oriented charity and help their cause by raising money and awareness.

In 2005, they will help Byron Youth Service's Street Cruise program get back on the streets of Byron Bay for another year by donating $2 from every weekend ticket and $1 from every one-day ticket.

Street Cruise aims to increase the safety of young people on the streets of Byron Bay on Friday nights, a traditional party night in Byron. Each Friday evening, Street Cruise staff and volunteers maintain a low profile street presence between 8pm and 12am with extra shifts occurring on long weekends and other holiday periods.

Assistance is provided to people under the age of 18 through advocacy, support, conflict resolution, mediation, information, referral, leadership and practical assistance. Since its inception, Street Cruise has assisted in reducing violent incidents, helped minimise harm associated with drug and alcohol use, and has improved relations between young people and the Byron Bay community by creating a safer environment.

Byron Youth Service is a registered charity so any donations to its programs are tax deductible. For more information phone Paul Spooner on 6685 7777 or visit www.bys.org.au.

Good on you Splendour people!