The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

As some of you may know, my car, the mighty Camira, died about six weeks ago. It was a sad day. This 1984 chariot was reviled by automotive experts (no-one has 'Camira' tattooed across their shoulder) and by the general public. "What will you buy next," they quipped, "a Leyland P76?" (Is there one available?)

They can scoff but the mighty Camira was a great car. After all the stuff that I really didn't need fell off (like the air-conditioning assemblage and exhaust system) the power to weight ratio increased significantly and I had what amounted to a sports car. (And the back doors wouldn't open - like a sports car.) It would boldly (and coldly) go where only the drug-affected and the insurance-scamming would go.

Then it died.

I ritually stripped her of the eight buddhas that were stuck to the dashboard (cheaper than insurance), removed the rego plates with the University of Queensland Alumni borders (I was the only post-graduate with a Camira), retrieved the quadraphonic tape player (forgetting that it had never worked anyway) and started piling kindling and four by twos around her for an Indian-style cremation. Only the best. Devastated, I thought I would never truck again.

But something deep within me stopped short of flicking the Zippo and sparking the pyre.

Then last week, wrapping a broken wine glass in a rival newspaper publication, I spotted an ad for what I somehow knew would be my new car. Can you guess what it was? Can you?

Yes folks, it was another Camira! Mighty Camira Mark II. Yep, I'm the only person in the world to have knowingly bought two Camiras.

The new one was the same model but rust coloured. And only $950 - with nine month's rego. So I tracked it down to a beautiful property in the wildlands north-west of Kyogle.

As the owner walked out from his little cottage I said, "I'll buy it."

He said, "Would you like to see it first?" Acting cool I said, "Sure." He pointed to where it hunkered under the spreading Groundsel tree. "I'll buy it," I said. Then remembering the etiquette of automotive purchase I asked, "Does it go?"

"Depends," the guy muttered but I didn't hear. I'd already run to it. "Oh look!" I exclaimed, "It's got all the wheels!" (I didn't kick them because once I kicked a Camira tyre and it burst.)

I opened the driver's side back door and almost broke into tears - "Oh, the door opens. It opens! Look everybody, the door opens!" I opened and closed the door until it jammed.

"I'll buy it!" I sang.

The seller looked at his wife. She shrugged and quickly went inside. I gave him the money and I drove it away leaving them only fond memories and an oil slick under the spreading Groundsel tree.

Splendour winners

The response to our Splendour in the Grass competition left us all having a good chuckle at the humour, creativity and the sheer desperation that people will use to get their hands on tickets to the sold-out Splendour in the Grass festival at Belongil Fields in Byron this weekend. To have a chance at the tickets you had to send in a press release for your (make-believe) band which was to play at the Splendour gig.

Unfortunately there is only one double pass for us to giveaway and the choice was a difficult one - should it go to the all ukelele band Cliché Clunks from Brisbane? Or to the sleek PR kit of Stellar? Or are the Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs (with the lovable Lolly on lute) the next big thing? Will the Seaside Muckspreaders achieve country success with their album Shovels Don't Float? Will Clean Filth make heavier metal because of their double necked double bass? I really don't know... but after much meditation and major meetings with major recording companies The Echo has chosen as its Splendour comp winner... The Burnouts!

Here is their winning spiel:

The Burnouts 100% Garage

Look out! The Burnouts will be blistering the stages of Splendour - but what a journey to get there.

The Burnout triplets were born in '66, on the hippy trail, to parents Iggy and Janis. Wisely they thought it best to adopt out the trio to retired dairy farmers Joh and Flo Burnout of Eureka. With one Tex Morton '78 as inspiration, the triplets transformed the bails into a rehearsal space. Instruments were fashioned from barbed wire, cream cans, and corrugated iron - resulting in their unique sound.

What a sound it is. Squalls of fuzz guitars resembling hundreds of castrated cats. Drums rumbling like the thundering hooves of a dairy herd rushing in to get their teats pulled. Topped off with the vocal delivery of a chorus of Lux Interiors on a month long Draino bender. Incendiary rock by any stretch of the imagination.

Lyrically The Burnouts sway between the fragile beauty of Love Me Tractor Like Me Dog to the frantic psychobilly rave up of Tallahassee Massey. The lads even have time to showcase their Green leanings with We Don't Use Roo For Dog Tucker Anymore.

So make sure you're at Splendour to catch the band NME has proclaimed as the "Fresh 40-year-old face of Oz rock". Marky, Matty and Stevie Burnout will definitely be SCORCHING the stage!!!!!

Congratulations lads, you've won the double pass to Splendour in the Grass. Pity there's three of you. And thanks to all those who contributed to the competition. Fun.

TiPi dancing

Splendour in the Grass's TiPi Circle will feature 15 DJs handpicked by local community group DANCE Inc. Some of those are Noodles, Foxxy, POB, Si Clone, Jackie Onassid, Uncle Bulli, Sean Candy with Whit from Spiderbait on guitar, Magoo and many more. There'll also be performances by the Tuntable Falls Circus, Astro Boy and Karli; video art by Motion Factor and Quixotic; and a fire installation on Sunday night.

Splendour - more fun than you can poke a microphone at.

But unfortunately, there are no tickets left and none will be available at the gate this weekend. Just have to wait and hear about it from your friends and order tickets early next year.

Razzle dazzle Russell

Last year Steve Russell (pictured) released his album When the Light Comes and it quickly became a must-have for all jazz buffs. Next Tuesday, July 26, Jazz & Blues at the Rous Hotel in Lismore will feature the Steve Russell Band with Steve on piano, Jim Kelly on guitar, Dave Ades blowing the alto sax, Jack Thorncraft on double bass and Dave Sanders on drums.

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

Angelic Seraphim create music heaven

Musica Viva in Lismore had to postpone the last Musica Viva concert (Jayson Gillham with the Southern Cross Chamber Orchestra) because of the flood that engulfed whole parts of Lismore - well, North and South Lismore anyway - and many a fine music lover has been going through concerto withdrawal. Jayson Gillham and the orchestra will be coming to town later in the year but in the meantime Musica Viva is providing a cure for the musically desperate.

Next Thursday, July 28, the Seraphim Trio (pictured) will perform at Lismore City Hall.

The Seraphim Trio is an established piano trio - which doesn't mean that there are three pianos. It means Anna Goldsworthy tickles the ivories, Helen Ayres fingers the violin and Timothy Nankervis straddles the cello.

The Seraphim Trio was formed in Adelaide in 1995 and is one of Australia's most exciting young chamber groups. Winner of the prizes for Best Piano Trio and Audience Choice in the 2001 Australian National Chamber Music Competition, the trio has also been a semi-finalist in international competitions in Osaka and Trieste.

The Lismore concert will include Mozart's Piano Trio in B flat major, Dvorak's Piano Trio in E minor 'Dumky' Op 90 and Smetana's Piano Trio in G minor Op 15.

Musica Viva promises there will not be any flooding for this one. Well, the box office may well be inundated - with ticket buyers - so grab a ticket from Dymocks in Lismore (6622 4987) or at the ABC Centre in Ballina (6686 2436). Tickets are $30/26 or $15 for students. The opus starts at 7.30pm. For more info phone 6624 7807.

Hicking Up

Jimmy Willing looks reflective ... or lost... or drunk...

Jimmy Willing and his little band of doggies, the Real Gone Hick-Ups, have been setting the woods on fire with a run of gigs across the North Coast. There's been screaming girls, fully grown women proffering themselves as groupies, one lady trying to remove Willing's pants on stage and another proposing marriage... oh, and there's great music as well.

The Real Gone Hick-Ups are an even hotter little country folk band with the recent addition of the ever-cool Dan Rumour - he's seen it all before as the guitar sound in the Cruel Sea. There are just a couple more shows this July before the boys go back into Byron's Fracas Studio to complete their debut album. Jimmy Willing & the Real Gone Hick-Ups play the Beach Hotel this Sunday, July 24, and the Bangalow Hotel next Friday night, July 29.

Into the groove

What is better than a high-resolution digitally enhanced photograph? Pencil drawing is the next big thing for artistic innovators like Groove Dalley.

This Friday, July 22, Groove Dalley will squeeze its eight members onto the less than huge stage at the Lennox Point Hotel for a session of serious groove music.

Earlier on in the year Groove Dalley had stints in both Melbourne and Sydney, which added groove fuel to the musical fire that is cooking up material for the band's second recording project - their first EP Welcome to the Garden has gone to a second pressing. You'll be able to taste the new recipes this Friday from 9pm.

Bra competition

The 'Bold & Brassy' Wearable Art Competition is a fundraising event to promote breast cancer awareness on the North Coast.

Support local breast cancer survivors by embellishing a bra in a decorative or crafty way and enter it in the competition, which is part of the Alstonville Wollongbar Quota Club's annual Arts and Craft Fair.

$500 in prizes will be awarded for the following categories - student, community group, individual or business.

Another prize will be awarded for Viewers Choice, selected during the Quota Arts and Craft Fair on August 27 and 28 at the Alstonville Leisure and Entertainment Centre.

Entries close on August 19 and winners will be announced at the opening ceremony on Friday, August 26.

The bra entries should include the title, a reason for the title and if the bra is in honour or memory of anyone. The subject title can be serious or lighthearted.

The entry fee is $10 for adults or $3 for students. For more information and entry forms phone Diane on 6628 0485.

Memo: memento

The Next Contemporary Art Space in Goodman Plaza at the Southern Cross University in Lismore is exhibiting Memento - an exhibition of artworks by third year printmaking students.

The exhibition will run until July 29.

Aurora Jane's reign

Aurora Jane will play the Nimbin Hotel this Saturday, July 23, as part of this rootsy, funky folk act's east coast tour. 2005 has been a good year so far for Aurora Jane with the release of their album what is it? and a helluva lot of touring.

Jane Hole, Tom Jones and Corey Keem have been making waves in the Australian music pool, with their album being played all across the country.

The album is available in record stores or directly from the website at www.aurorajane.com. Or get one at Saturday's gig in Nimbin, which kicks off at 8pm.

Musicoz entries closing soon

Attention all original musicians and songwriters! Entries to the 2005 Musicoz Awards close and July 31. And if you live on the North Coast and enter the competition you'll be eligible for some fantastic development prizes, including studio recording time, a music video, photo shoot, marketing plan and more. This is your last chance to be involved in what is the biggest unsigned music competition in Australia.

You can pick up an entry form at music stores or from the website at www.musicoz.org, fill it out and send it with your bio, photo and your song or songs to Musicoz, PO Box 1201, Wollongong, NSW, 2500.

For more info log on to www.musicoz.org, call Musicoz Northern Rivers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on 6684 6056 or e-mail northernrivers@musicoz.org.

Causing a Tempest

Bob Piggott is a council manager by day but by night he is... Performer Man!

Bob Piggott works as the Wyong Council manager but his star is rising as a performer whose songs tell the stories he wants us to hear. These musical stories have struck a chord with ever-increasing audiences through his live performances and now his album Tempest.

Tempest has 18 tracks each displaying Bob's frank and personal songwriting style. You can hear music from that album and more when Bob Piggott makes his first performing trip to the North Coast and plays the Nimbin Bowling Club this Friday, July 22, from 8pm and at the Shaws Bay Hotel in Ballina this Sunday, July 24, at 1.30pm.

Bob will also perform at Choppers Music in Lismore this Saturday, July 23, at 11am.

Freebie: The Echo has a signed copy of Tempest to give away to a lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am this Friday, July 22, and tell us who wrote the famous play called The Tempest.

Ballina Idol

After a unanimous decision by the judges in heat one of Ballina's Idol competition, the first contestants to earn a place in the semi finals are Skye Wood (Kyogle), Jeff Aikman (Ballina) and Christian Atkins (Glenn Innes).

Heat two will follow this Sunday, July 24, from 3-5pm at the Ballina RSL Club where contestants will battle it out for a chance at the $10,000 in prizes.

The competition involves eight heats and two semi-finals, with the grand final held at 7.30pm on Friday, September 30.

Heats are filling fast, so if you want to expose your talent to the world - well, Ballina at first - pick up an entry form at the Ballina RSL Club or download one from www.ballinarsl.com.au. For more info phone Nancy on 6681 4325 or 0414 462 513.

Threepenny Opera postponed

The Lismore Theatre Company's production of The Threepenny Opera due to open this week has been postponed and will now play on August 11-13 and 18-20 at the Temple Theatre in Lismore at 8pm.

All Byron performances have been cancelled. For schools there'll be a matinee performance in Lismore at the Temple Theatre on Friday, August 12, at 12pm. Those who have booked and paid for tickets can either rebook for another night or receive a refund from Caddies Bean Shop in Lismore.

For more info phone Jennie Hicks on 6687 9167.

Short plays comp

This Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, will see the Baywrite production Hot Shorts continue at the Byron Community Centre. The show includes 10 short plays where the audience then votes for their favourite play and that creative team then wins $1000. Cut throat theatre.

The show starts at 7pm and tickets are $17 at the door.

Tickets going fast for biggest opera yet

Two international opera singers will appear at this year's Opera at The Channon this Sunday, July 24. Gabuka Booi, a baritone, and Malungisa Balintulo, a tenor, both from Cape Town in South Africa, will join two of the stars from the Queensland Opera Company, sopranos Janelle Christie (pictured) and Jessica O'Donoghue.

This eighth Opera at The Channon has set records for tickets sales and there are only a few left for both the 'silver service luncheon and opera' and the 'opera only' categories.

Opera at The Channon is one of the most popular cultural events on the North Coast.

To book check out the website at www.helirescue.com.au/events or phone 6627 4444.

Tightrope walker

Brett Bienke is showing this painting Unconditional as part of his exhibition at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore.

Brett Bienke describes himself as an artist walking a "tightrope between realism and surrealism". Working mostly in oils, this local lad (born in Byron, now living in Coraki) follows his instinct when it comes to painting. Brett has been painting since he was very young and with a few TAFE courses to refine those instincts the time has come for this artist's first official solo exhibition, which is currently showing at Armistead's Gallery in Wyrallah Road, Lismore.

"Everything I paint is from imagination," said Brett. "I try harder all the time to be a good parent to my imagination."

Brett's exhibition is on show until August 3. For more info phone the gallery on 6622 8011.

The Unity Jazz Band will fill the Winsome Hotel in Lismore with some cool jazz this Sunday, July 24, from 2-6pm.

Virtually artistic

This painting Chinese blue girl is part of an online exhibition by Karin Taylor.

The internet is providing exciting opportunities for many people. Local artist Karin Taylor is gaining exposure through her virtual gallery. Four years ago Karin came to a crossroads in her life and after much deliberation decided to follow her heart into the uncertain and fickle world of art.

The journey has been immensely rewarding for her - the painting process itself producing a sort of powerful euphoria. Karin is a self-taught artist and this latest exhibition is aptly named Follow Your Heart. To view Karin's current exhibition, which explores themes of friendship, coastal living and the orient, visit her website at www.artbykarintaylor.com.

Another LINC in the community chain

Community television covers all the action from depleted uranium weapon testing in Queensland to motocross racing. Hooray!

There's a new show screening on LINC TV this week that will put motocross fans in a spin - MXTX, a Victorian produced show sponsored by Lismore Motorcycles, which surveys the motocross scene with reviews, interviews and races. Also new to LINC TV is a show on the community co-op structure in Maleny in southern Queensland and a fresh set of classic movies being screened late at night. Good stuff like King Kong and Night of the Living Dead.

LINC TV can be found on UHF 68 and all shows are listed in The Echo's TV program guide.

Truth decay

The Safe Water Action Network (SWAN) will be holding an information night called The Truth Decay - the Shocking Truth about Fluoridation at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore next Wednesday, July 27, at 6.45pm.

This night will include a film, speakers and performance by cool band The Romaniacs.

For more info phone Tora on 6629 5358.

Calling all artists

The Roxy Gallery in Kyogle is looking for artists wishing to take part in Licorice Allsorts. This is the fourth yearly Licorice Allsorts show, which showcases all sorts (ha ha) of art from August 26 to September 21.

The Licorice Allsorts exhibitions provide new and emerging artists with an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional gallery space. This exhibition is open to all creative forms and styles from sculpture right through to drawing, textiles and high quality crafts, digital art and multimedia.

Entry forms can be obtained from the gallery or by phoning 6632 3518. Entries must be in at the gallery by August 18.

Jazz volunteers

Members of the 60th Australian Jazz Convention organising committee (rear l-r) Pietro Fine, Davey Rankin, John Bancroft and Michael Bird with (front l-r) Syd Sycamore, Carole Sycamore, Joan Heaton, Doug Heaton and John Flynn.

The 60th Australian Jazz Convention will be held in Lismore in December this year, bringing around 1200 interstate musicians and delegates to town for this festival of jazz. The event will be hosted by the Lismore Jazz Club, which has been holding fundraising events (cool jazz gigs). But during the convention volunteers will be needed for various duties over the six days of the festival.

A volunteer will typically spend two to three hours working at or around a venue. In return the volunteer will get a volunteer Jazz Convention shirt and hat as well as free access to all programmed events.

To find out more or to become a volunteer phone Michael Bird from the Lismore Jazz Club on 6622 5912.

Voluntary resistance

investigates the potential effects of the Australian Government's proposed VSU legislation on Lismore and her surrounding communities. This legislation threatens to withdraw about $2.5 million from the economy and have a detrimental impact on community support services.

"As far as our local economy is concerned, if any other business in town employing about 170 people closed down there would be an absolute uproar," said Lismore councillor Jenny Dowell.

Disconnecting Community: the Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on the Community of Lismore will be screened in the Star Court Theatre in Lismore next Thursday, July 28, from 5.30pm. It's free.

The night will be opened by Greens senator Kerry Nettle. The whole community is invited.

For further information please contact Marie Reilly at the Student Representative Council on 6620 3044.

Dont terminate the groove

Groove Terminator is coming to Byron and of course for that he'll need his wallet which should be in the back pocket...

Groove Terminator will perform at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron this Saturday, July 23, with DJs Slinky, Sean Candy (with Whit from Spiderbait) and Del Larkin.

Groove Terminator returns from his whirlwind world travels for his last DJ set in Australia for 2005. He is Australia's premier dance DJ. He has remixed most of Australia's major recording artists from Savage Garden to Grinspoon and has toured with Moby and Prince on their Australian tours. Actually, the list of Groove Terminator's accomplishments is longer than I can type - just feel the rocking beats, hard house anthems, wicked breaks and rocking disco wizardry from 8.30am-3pm. Tickets are $14 (pre-sold) and are available from the venue, Music Bizarre in Lismore, the ABC Centre in Ballina or online at www.byronbayentertainment.com. Or you can pay $18 at the door.

Funkin' Byron

Sioban is one of the Sweet Soul Sisters who are the vocal contingent of funk outfit The Mighty Pragmatics.

The Mighty Pragmatics is a 10-piece deep funk and soul review with all-girl harmonies and a three-piece horn section. With slick stage outfits and costume changes they bring a visual aspect to their music that grabs your attention and doesn't let go. This is dance music that will funk out the Beach Hotel in Byron this Saturday, July 23.

Writers' festival

The Byron Bay Writers' Festival, August 4-7, will acknowledge the place of the poet in contemporary writing styles and will showcase the work of established and emerging poets.

A quick look at the program of the Byron Bay Writers' Festival will show that poetry is recognised as integral to the way in which we reflect upon our lives and relationships to the world at large. Local author Melissa Lucashenko will chair a pivotal session - Poetry as First Language: is poetry the most pure form of writing?

Then on Saturday night, August 6, at the Byron Community Centre there will be the Poetry Evening and Competition. A fun event that bundles Graham Nunn, John Mateer (poet and art critic), Fiona Doyle, Robyn Rowland and Max Ryan with the three finalists of the Byron Bay Writers' Festival Poetry Prize.

Graham Nunn will perform at the Writers at the Rails gig on the Sunday, August 7.

Visit the website at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com for full program details and to place your bookings. Or phone Jetset on 6685 6262.