Norpa News

We've only just begun...

While some of us will be thinking "who stole the first half of my year?" this week, here at NORPA it's more a case of our year has only just begun!

Next month (that's this weekend), we'll be celebrating the wonderful diversity of the Northern Rivers with our music weekend.

On July 22 the amazing Paul Capsis will bring divas to life at Lismore City Hall, on July 23 Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and Paul Grabowsky's Australian Art Orchestra will present Ruby's Story, and on July 24, Lismore City Hall will groove to the African beats of H'Sao.

Locals who want to go to all three shows can save a bundle on tickets by simply picking one more show from the events lined up for the rest of the year, and taking out a subscription.

One of the exciting shows coming up in spring is the dance/theatre work Remember Me.

It is choreographed by Gerald Veltre and features the talented Christian Kabamba (the gorgeous guy from the Kahlua TV ads) as well as Natalija Alavuk. The show brings together dance, theatre and multi-media designs to tell a story about cultures, collision, secrets and relationships.

Remember Me will be on at the Star Court Theatre on September 16.

The Prospectors, by award-winning playwright Alana Valentine, who was an Artist in Residence at our Creative Laboratory last year, will also be on at the Star Court in September.

The show has been developed by Monkey Baa Productions and is a story of two miners on the Victorian Goldfields at the time of the Eureka Stockade.

Created for young families and children, the play contains song and dance, humour, and the unique vernacular that was used in that time and place.

And as the weather gets warmer, locals have one of Australia's best outdoor family theatre experiences to look forward to - the Australian Shakespeare Company's production of Wind in the Willows. It has delighted thousands of people at Melbourne's Botanic Gardens and is coming to Lismore Rugby Grounds on November 4, 5, and 6.

This show is expected to sell out fast, just like last year's A Midsummer Night's Dream performed by the same company at Bangalow Showgrounds.

Getting a subscription now is one of the best ways to make sure you and your family don't miss out, and will also mean you can take advantage of subscriber discounts for the next six months at local places including cafés.

To get your free subscription brochure phone 6622 0300, or drop into the Ballina RSL Club, the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street or the NORPA office at Lismore City Hall. You can also find out pretty much everything you need to know online at www.norpa.org.au.

Events and giveaways

• One of the star attractions in the next part of our program will be Taut, a locally developed showcase of dance pieces, film and music by local and visiting artists at the Star Court Theatre. Originally planned to premiere in August, it has now been moved to November so it can be taken to another level, which will include installations and interactive performances. Taut is part of our Live and Late program, which will also feature the NORPA Actor's Company production of Ted Tally's killer comedy, Coming Attractions, at the Star Court Theatre on October 21 and 22.
• NORPA's next film screening at the Star Court Theatre will be Tibet - Cry of the Snow Lion on July 7, 8 and 9 (next weekend). To win a double pass to the movie email norpa@norpa.org.au with "TIBET" in the subject line. The first two entries will win.