The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Oh God. I'm so sick of seeing and hearing about people dying. The papers and the television are full of it. And I'm especially disgusted at politicians acting full of grief and posturing righteous indignation. Give me a break. Blair and his mates knowingly killed innocent people in Iraq causing (as sure as if they had set the timers themselves) the recent deaths in the streets of London. It was never a question of if - just a matter of when.

Now the gnashing of teeth. Okay, maybe some of Blair's grief is genuine. Maybe the reality of what he's done has struck what little humanity is left inside a man who is but a servant of the global market.

And let's not kid ourselves - the reason Britain, the US and Australia destroyed Iraq was oil. Capitalism has no respect for people. It's a global corporate machine, now well out of the control of people. Citizens can only become shareholders, give up their humanity and maybe make money out of calamity and ruin. (Telstra shares rose after the London bombings. Isn't that good news?)

I'm no Einstein but I can smell bullshit when it's rubbed in my nose. If Blair hadn't defied his own people, hadn't defied the United Nations, hadn't defied the most basic precepts of his own professed religion, hadn't lied through his pearly whites and invaded Iraq, then the recent London bombings probably wouldn't have happened. Britain helped create a new wave of terrorists. She does not hold the higher moral ground and who could be surprised at such reprisal?

Violence begets violence. It's what we teach our kids.

Call me naive but I believe the key for real security is simple (but tough) - thou shalt not kill. Pretty naff I know, but there's a lot of wisdom in the three Middle East religions - until they get perverted by ulterior motives and maniacs like bin Laden and Blair who feed on misery and fear like maggots in an outhouse.

The symptoms of civilisation collapse are all around us. It happened to the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Romans, the Easter Islanders. This time though the numbers are much bigger, the stakes are higher and the collapse of this civilisation into anarchy and environmental ruin could take the planet with it.

Resist. Don't buy into the cycle of violence. The war on terror is a war on people. Peace.

VAN guards the artists

Fingal Head artist Daniel Brinsmead discusses his work with David Broker, director of the Institute of Modern Art, and Russel Storer, curator from the MCA, in the first of the VAN clinics.

On July 1, Arts Northern Rivers launched the first of its Visual Arts Network (VAN) initiatives in Byron - a curatorial advisory clinic (you know what I mean) to critically assess the work of local visual artists.

A panel of five internationally recognised curators and gallery directors flew in (by plane) to participate in these one-on-three private clinics engaging artists in a dialogue about their work and giving them practical advice and feedback.

The 12 local artists selected each had 45 minutes to discuss their work with the panel. Nimbin based artist Ainé was one of the lucky artists chosen.

"As an artist who doesn't work in a shared studio it's too easy to be unsure when developing new work," she said. "The opportunity to talk to the panel helped me to confirm my direction and discard the insignificant. Afterwards inspiration started flooding through my mind."

For more info on VAN phone Melitta at Arts Northern Rivers on 6628 8120 or email norvan@tpg.com.au.

Not clowning, singing

From his clown image of the 70s to his more conventional attire now, Leo Sayer has travelled pop's path with his voice, songwriting skills and hair intact.

Leo Sayer is a veteran performer. And he has big hair. From his early days in the seventies with his first album Silverbird in 1973 and the smash hits One Man Band, Train and Long Tall Glasses from his second album, Just A Boy, Leo's unique voice, his songwriting skills and his all round performance abilities have kept him creatively busy for the last 32 years. Recently, the resurgence of all things seventies has pushed him even further into the spotlight. Leo has just released his latest CD Voice In My Head to coincide with his current Australian tour. In fact, the man with the curly locks so likes Australia that he's decided to live here (in Sydney... not Lismore).

Leo Sayer will perform at the Lismore Workers Club on Sunday, July 31, from 4pm. For bookings phone the club on 6621 7401.

Eskimo heat

The Perth-based trio Eskimo Joe (pictured) won the National Campus Band Competition in 1997 and have now gone on to become one of Australia's most popular indie rock bands.

You can catch Eskimo Joe when they heat up the Ballina RSL Club next Wednesday, July 20, from 8pm.

Their first album Girl gained Eskimo Joe regular airplay on Triple J, as well as having their tracks included on the Secret Life of Us soundtrack.

Their maturing sound further deepened with the release of their second album A Song Is A City. As well as gaining fans from all over the country, A Song Is A City has reached multi-platinum success. From this album the track From the Sea was nominated for the APRA Song of the Year award. That song also came third in Triple J's Hottest 100. Most recently they took out the Best Live Band Award at the Jack Awards ceremony in Sydney. It's all happening for Eskimo Joe.

Tickets are available by phoning the Ballina RSL Club on 6686 2544 and are $22 pre-sold or $25 at the door.

Hot performances

This Friday, July 15, will see the opening of the Hot Shorts Performing Arts Challenge at the Byron Community Centre. What is it? You may well ask. Well, it's a program of 12 short performances - comedy, tragedy, circus, music... and more. And they're all written by local artists. Our man Laurie is performing in two of the pieces so that will be heaps of fun. You vote for your favourite performance team and the team with the most votes wins... $1000! Go Laurie!

Performances are on this Friday and Saturday, July 15-16, and Friday and Saturday, July 22-23, at 7.30pm. Tickets are $17 at the door or phone 6685 5659.

Protest singer

For those who were around this region in the 80s, the name Brenda Liddiard was synonymous with musical activism. Several of her songs are featured on the CD Lock On - Songs for Australia's Forests. Written from the front lines of rainforest campaigns including the Terania, Nightcap and Franklin protests, her music was an inspiration for both activists and audiences who came to her many gigs during that time.

After 20 years in New Zealand she returns for a flying visit to Oz with her partner Mark Laurant. Mark and Brenda have been touring New Zealand and overseas for many years, using music, poetry and humour to talk about "life, the universe, and everything". (I think I saw the movie.) They've recorded 18 albums, written hundreds of songs and their unplugged musical style includes blues, reggae, acoustic rock, ballads and new country. Brenda and Mark will be giving an intimate acoustic concert this Saturday, July 16, at Nimbin's Media Centre (behind the Apothecary) starting at 6.30pm. They will also be performing at the Byron Vista Social Club at Ewingsdale Hall this Sunday, July 17, from 8pm.

Film freebies

See this lovely man quietly end his days in his mountain retreat - for free!

Birch Carroll & Coyle and The Echo love to give our readers free tickets to the movies - and this time we have 20 double passes to give away to Downfall.

Downfall is a German movie about Hitler's final days in his bunker as the Russians surround him and his remaining crew, including Goebbels, Himmler and sexy Eva Braun.

Bruno Ganz as Hitler gives a portrayal of this megalomaniac that, while powerful, creates a non-stereotypical portrait of a maniac in search of the former man.

This movie highlights what humanity still sparked inside the man that the world would forever consider a brutal monster. The existence of this humanity makes his actions and their terrible consequences all the more grotesque.

Downfall was nominated for an Oscar as best foreign language film this year and begins screening at Birch Carroll & Coyle next Thursday, July 21.

• Freebie: To go in the draw to win one of the 20 double passes phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, July 18, and tell us what Hitler's first name was.

Indo fest finale

These Barong and Rangda dancers will lead a Balinese procession with glittering costumes, gong music, Balinese umbrellas, flags and prayers to celebrate the finale of the Inspirasi Indonesian Arts Festival.

This weekend is the last for the Inspirasi Indonesian Arts Festival. This month-long festival has celebrated the amalgamation of diverse and colourful cultures that is our neighbour.

Indonesia's international art celebrity Heri Dono will present a magical performance of giant puppets, projections and installations to tell a post-tsunami seaside tale from Indonesian mythology at the Byron Peace Pole Park this Sunday, July 17.

Kathy McCormick from the Lismore Lantern Festival will contribute a giant dragon and a serpent from the Lantern Festival vault of fantastic creations.

Local sculptor John Lewis is creating his own jellyfish art pieces from recycled materials while internationally recognised installation artist Ginny Jones has invited Indonesian installation artist Firman Djamil from Sulawesi to collaborate on her production of giant seed pods to install at the Festival site. Should be a stimulating eye-ful.

The performance will be a landscape of sounds and images narrated by Melbourne vocalist Noemi Liba singing the story and joined by local musicians and a gamelan orchestra.

The Festival Finale will present free performances of music, dance and arts of all kinds this Saturday, July 16, at the Buddha Bar in Byron from 12pm-late and on Sunday, July 17, at Byron Peace Pole Park from 12-5pm. For more info phone 6685 7789 or visit the website at www.aiaa.org.au.

The alluring aspects of art

I love drinking tea and this teapot masterpiece (top) by Francis Janssen would definitely make brewing tea a better experience. The painting, The Keeper Of The Garden by Christine Robinson, and the teapot are both artworks available for purchase at Art Aspects Gallery in Lismore.

Art Aspects Gallery in Woodlark Street, Lismore, has been promoting the region's art and its artists since it opened two years ago. Arnie and Trudy Gautsch, who run the gallery, are artists who just love to work with glass. They arrived from Switzerland a couple of years ago determined to pursue their own glassy art and to promote the local art that impressed them so much.

Apart from a big range of glass artworks, Art Aspects Gallery has over 50 Northern Rivers artists' work on display (and for sale) - and the gallery is always looking for new artists who wish to show and sell their work.

From as little as $10 you can purchase an artistic gift and support a local artist. For more info phone the gallery on 6622 8982.

Photo comp - helps kids

There has been much interest in the Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota Club's inaugural Photography Awards, whose theme is A Slice of Passion! - North Coast Style.

The fact that all proceeds go to the ButterflyChildren project may well have inspired that passion.

ButterflyChildren is a local programme of grief counselling for children aged 6-12 years.

The awards are sponsored by The New Camera House in Lismore, and entries must be submitted by August 19. Entry forms are available at the Camera House in both Lismore and Ballina. Winners will be announced at the Quota Art and Craft Fair gala opening night on Friday, August 26.

With a junior and open sections, there is an opportunity for all aspiring photographers. For more info phone Marilyn on 6628 3880. Or for more info on the ButterflyChildren project phone Trish Milgate on 6686 4109.

A theatrical seduction

How to impress a woman - Georgia Martin gets caned by Adam Blanch in The Threepenny Opera.

Next Thursday, July 21, Bertholdt Brecht's play The Threepenny Opera opens at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah at 8pm.

Produced by the Lismore Theatre Company and with Kurt Weills' famous songs in the capable musical hands of Bruce McNichol, this play explores the underbelly of sleazy city life. No, it's not about Lismore but about a world of gangsters, pimps, prostitutes, thieves and beggars... (okay, maybe it is about Lismore).

There's nothing like a musical for that special theatre experience and The Threepenny Opera is one of the best musicals written. (Even just for its first song Mack the Knife.)

The Threepenny Opera hits the stage at Rochdale Theatre next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 21-23, at 8pm with a matinee on Friday at 2pm. Tickets are available from Caddies Bean Shop in Lismore.

There will also be Byron performances on July 29-30 at the Byron Community Centre. Tickets are available from the centre.

HSC is a drama

26 individual performances and five group pieces will make up Trinity Catholic College's showcase of HSC drama pieces, On Stage, at the Trinity College Chanel Drama Studio in Lismore (Brunswick Street).

The Trinity students are exploring work from Oswald to Stoppard, Berkoff to Lorca, from Woody Allen to Peter Shaffer.

The program is broken into two shows, each different and each lasting around two and a half hours including interval. Program A hits the stage next Thursday, July 21, at 7pm and Saturday, July 23, at 3pm. Program B is on Friday, July 22, at 7pm and on Saturday, July 23, at 7pm.

Lismore's Trinity College has a strong reputation for drama. Each year students have been selected for On Stage in Sydney and many have gone on to work in the industry.

On Stage performances are really works-in-progress - they undergo further rehearsals and rewrites for the HSC in September.

Tickets are $12 and available from St Mary's site office. Book early.

Akmal gets bowled

Sure he's smiling now, but Akmal Saleh is a comic terrorist who will blow pretension and fear to smithereens when he returns to the North Coast for pre-Splendour hilarity.

Over the last three years Adam Spencer and Wil Anderson have held comedy court in Byron before the Splendour in the Grass music festival, but with Wil in Montreal at the Comedy Festival and Adam the proud dad of a new baby girl, the boys have passed on the comic baton.

On Friday, July 22, Akmal Saleh, hit of this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival and Nimbin's MardiGrass Comedy Club, will feature at the Byron Bay Bowling Club. Egyptian born Saleh has a unique perspective flavoured by his Arabic heritage and Aussie childhood. The recent Times of Terror have injected his humour with a cathartic poignancy. Akmal is one of my favourite comedians. His ability to walk on stage and immediately have the audience connect with him is pure comedy genius.

He's become very popular of late with appearances on the box (The Footy Show, Rove, Glasshouse), Triple J and in the movies. The film You Can't Stop The Murders, which he made last year with a bunch of other Australian stand-up comedians (Gary Eck, Anthony Mir, Gary Who...), highlights that certain quality that Akmal has - even more so in live performances.

Akmal is joined by Triple J's Scott Dooley (most know him as the Dools) as MC and comedian Justin Hamilton as support. Tickets are $15 and are available from the Byron Bowling Club (6685 6202). The laughs start at 8pm.

Soul sounds

Singer Colleen de Winton (pictured) and guitarist Eddie Blatt are the central forces behind Ionnah - a musical experience that is as much spiritual as it is physically exciting. This Sunday, July 17, Colleen and Eddie will assemble their musical friends (who also happen to be some of the finest musical talent around) for a repeat performance of Ionnah's successful show Sweet Indulgence at the Byron Community Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets are $22/17.

In Sweet Indulgence, Ionnah draws on the divine in its many forms for inspiration. As Colleen says, "Our intention with this show is to offer the audience the opportunity to feel a part of the experience, to be inspired and involved in something deeply intimate and special. For us, music is a spiritual language that can touch and inspire, connecting us with the audience through the heart." Groovy.

So much writing at the festival

It's the emergence of the new that is a growing source of excitement for the Byron Bay Writers' Festival. Developing readers and writers are well catered for by the festival with an extensive range of events made available to secondary school students from years 7-12 - details of which may be found on the festival website at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.

Younger readers have a venue all to themselves at the festival on Saturday, August 6, showcasing bestselling picture-book author Alison Lester, local writer Steven Axelson and the wonderful Nike Bourke. Everyone's favourite fantasy writer Isobelle Carmody will be launching her warm and earthy new book Little Fur and James Valentine, Simon Higgins and Brian Caswell will attract the teen readers. On Sunday, August 7, Brian Caswell will discuss young people and their relationship with literature in an event directed towards teachers and parents.

North Coast writers will launch their new books at the festival. Akkadia Ford will present her third book Egyptian Animals: Guardians to Gateways of the Gods and the poet Max Ryan will launch Rainswayed Night published by Dangerously Poetic Press. Australian literary icon Robert Drewe will be launching his magnificent novel Grace and Jesse Blackadder's much anticipated first novel After the Party will also be welcomed for public enjoyment.

Phew! I'm tired just writing about the many events that make up the festival. Check out the website given above for full details or phone Jetset on 6685 6262. And remember to mark August 4-8 down in your diary.

Jazz never Wes thin

Take two of the area's best jazz guitarists with their very different styles and give them the music of one of the greatest jazz guitarists ever and you've got the next show at the weekly Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, July 19.

To celebrate the start of a new Uni semester, Jim Kelly and James Sherlock (pictured) will present a tribute to the main man himself, Wes Montgomery - an artist loved by both Jim and James. Expect to hear songs like Four On Six, Tequila, Baby It's Cold Outside, Groove Yard, Trick Bag, West Coast Blues, Road Song, Twisted Blues and Airegin.

The guitarists will be backed by Greg Lyon on bass, Scott Hills on drums and Alex O'Reilly on percussion.

The music starts at 8.30pm and entry is only $5.

To book phone Jules 'Promoter Queen' on 6629 8453.

Live Poets! Older and bolder

Some of the many poets who gather for the Live Poets! readings - and to support David Hallett (centre) who appears to be going blind.

'Twas on a cold and windy winter's night 14 years ago that a small band of poets gathered at the once-upon-a-time Lismore Club to begin the recitals and performances of the Live Poets! that somehow have survived (minus a few livers) to yet another anniversary. Over the years scores of poets and writers have taken the opportunity to get their work into the public arena - some as nervous novices and some as consummate performers (I'm blushing)... and the region now boasts some of the best writers and performance poets in the wide brown land.

In celebration of the ongoing readings, the Live Poets! will be welcoming back many poets who have recited over the past 14 years at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Wednesday, July 20, from 8pm.

As always, new and visiting poets are welcome. For more info phone David on 6688 6485.

Freebie: The Echo has a double pass to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.45 & 11am next Monday, July 18, and tell us who has been the MC and organiser of the Live Poets! ever since the beginning.

Workshopping the area

Around 20 young people showed their style at the first of a series of arts-based workshops taking place around the region over the next couple of months.

Dance artists Daniella Finkenauer and Jason Campbell were impressed by the energy and creativity that participants displayed during the workshops and are already looking forward to returning to Evans Head. The Youth Arts Roadshow is an initiative of Arts Northern Rivers. It provides the opportunity for young people in some of the area's smaller communities to develop skills and explore their creativity in new ways.

For many of the participants it was the first time they had been involved in a workshop like this and are very keen for more.

Rap and hip hop workshops will continue next week in Coraki, Wardell and Evans Head. There will also be mosaic and percussion workshops in coming weeks.

For more information phone Cath Fogarty at Arts Northern Rivers on 6628 8120.

Following are upcoming workshops, times and contacts:

Wardell: Rap and hip hop workshops with Daniella Finkenauer and Jason Campbell this Friday, July 15, from 2-4.30pm. Phone Lucy Bennett on 6683 4867.

Evans Head: Rap and hip hop workshops with Daniella Finkenauer and Jason Campbell this Saturday, July 16, from 12-2.30pm. Percussion workshops with Greg Sheehan on July 27 and August 3 from 4-6.30pm. Pottery with Alison Lacy on August 11 and August 18 from 4-6.30pm. Phone Kim Wright on 6682 4899.

Bonalbo: Rap and hip hop workshops with Daniella Finkenauer and Jason Campbell on July 27, August 3, 10 and 17 from 1-3.30pm. Percussion with Greg Sheehan on July 20. Phone Melissa Cook on 6660 0622.

Tabulam: Percussion with Greg Sheehan on July 20. Pottery with Alison Lacy on August 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 10.30-1pm. Phone Melissa Cook on 6660 0622.

Casino: Pottery with Alison Lacy on August 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 4-6.30pm. Phone Lynda Briggs on 6662 6944.

Any panto yours is a pantomime

One way to entertain the children during the second week of the school holidays is to take them along to see the Firetrax pantomime The Pied Piper. There is plenty of opportunity for the children (and the grown-ups) to join in the action as the story unfolds. All performances are at the Bangalow A&I Hall this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 14-16, from 2pm.

Tickets are available at the door or can be booked by phoning 6687 1998. Prices are $6 for children, $9 for adults or $6 per head for a family of four or more.

Drawing on life

Life drawing classes with teacher Tom Stewart are starting soon in Lismore. Beginners and experienced artists welcome. For information phone Armistead's Gallery on 6622 8011.

Ewingsdale talent pool

This Sunday, July 17, the Byron Vista Social Club at the Ewingsdale Hall will feature the talents of Brenda Liddiard and Mark Laurent - New Zealand's forefront alternative singer/songwriters. Also performing will be the Vista Sistas, guitarist Juan Salvador, Lisa Yeates, Corey O'Connell, the Bahloo Ukulele Ensemble, John Jass and Boaz the throat singer. It only costs $10. The music starts at 7.30pm.

Fdel, the president of Groova

Hip hop performer Fdel (pictured) is an innovative dresser with regulation sunnies, runners and camouflaged legs - but seriously, his music is very much all the fashion. Based in Perth this super funk hero and breaks 'n hip hop producer will bring his show of (let me get this right...) loops, chops, old skool, nu skool and overall phatness (got that?) to the Beach Hotel in Byron this Sunday, July 17.

Backed by Downsyde's DJ Armee on scratches, Fdel will take the punter on a diverse journey of instrumental beats, bass lines... and so on.

Smart brass

Four of Australia's top brass players got together in 2001 to form the all brass group Buzz. They've toured all over Australia but now it's the North Coast's turn. Buzz will blow their little hearts out at the Bangalow A&I Hall this Sunday, July 17, at 3pm.

Buzz says that its repertoire is shamelessly populist, covering everything from Bach to Brubeck, with the odd animal impression thrown in for free! Their energetic and light-hearted approach to performance in no way diminishes their passion and commitment to sharing their skill and love for brass music.

With Phil and Scott Mason on trumpets (various shapes and sizes), Graeme Denniss on French horn and Greg Aitken on trombone, Buzz has four very experienced musicians, whose backgrounds range from Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, the Expo City Marching band, Brass Razoo and many national touring productions such as Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and Hot Shoe Shuffle.

Tickets are $12 and available from Barebones Artspace in Bangalow or at the door.

• Freebie: The Echo has a double pass to give away to a lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am this Friday, July 15, and tell us if the clarinet is a brass wind instrument.