The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

The other day I was in Ballina, trawling the CBD for a bank. I was depressed. Not because of Ballina (Lord knows it's excitement central) but I was feeling powerless in a world where citizens are shareholders, wealth decides privilege and oil is religion. And banks make you wait.

I felt so unempowered in the face of huge de-humanising forces that I was contemplating selling up all I own and retiring to some unknown corner of the world to live in a shack - wait on, that's where I do live. (The safest place to be is on land no-one wants with people no-one cares about.) And if I sold it, I wouldn't even have enough money to buy it. Weird.

Anyway, I'm strolling along watching the tourists enjoying the beach by buying prawns from Thailand and swimmers from central China and feeling very insignificant when I step out onto a pedestrian crossing - and my world changes.

All the cars stop for me! For me!

I take one step onto the pedestrian crossing in the centre of busy Ballina and immediately I have power. On these zebra markings a person can stop huge mechanical monsters (that can outstrip a bullet, leap over dunes and breed happy kids) in their steel-belted tracks.

Walking through this parting of the Rev Sea, I am Moses leading the battered remnants of humanity to the promised land - well, the bank anyway. I straighten my shoulders, raise my chin and assert humanity's power over its creations.

On this crossing I declare the absolute sovereignty of human life. I have banished cars. Inspired, I ban war. Although there's probably not much need, I also ban from this crossing all non-sustainable agricultural practices, uranium mining and ring-tone advertising.

Despite the level of frustration caused by having to reverse out of parking spaces (oh well, that's Ballina) these planet-warming dragons of the modern age stop for me. (I do think, though, that if cars were meant to reverse into traffic they would have the front seats at the back.)

When I reach the far shore of my passage across the burning bitumen, the automotive waves close over my trail and the dominance of machine over man, the greenhousing and the oil-based wars, resume.

Stepping onto the opposite gutter, I stop. I want to keep that power. So, turning away from the bank, I cross the road again.

Aurora is no plain Jane

The three-piece Aurora Jane (pictured) will play their spunky original folksy groove at The Rails in Byron this Saturday, July 30, from 6.30pm.

All that jazz

Jazz is everywhere around the Northern Rivers lately as we head towards the 60th Australian Jazz Convention to be held in Lismore and hosted by the Lismore Jazz Club this December 26-31.

There was the North Coast Jazz Festival in Bangalow recently and jazz gigs are springing up around the area like mushrooms in a paddock - it seems everyone loves going to a jazz gig.

This Sunday, July 31, Doug Heaton (pictured) and Jazz Connected will blow smooth and hot at the Ballina Seagulls Football Club from 2-4pm. They'll create the atmosphere of a typical old jazz café with afternoon tea, a wine-tasting and a raffle - and of course the toe-tapping magic that this group of fine jazz musos are renowned for.

Members of the Lismore Jazz Club will also be there promoting club membership and creating awareness of the huge Jazz Convention coming to Lismore after Christmas.

Entry is $10. For more info phone 6682 8003.

*#3

Next Thursday, August 4, Asterix Kitchen number three will cook up a storm at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore. The Asterix Kitchen Project brings together performers and audience for an evening of entertainments and unexpected delights.

Acoustic artists Owen Alexander and Cilla will support world musicians Barb Dwyer from Canada (with the unforgettable sounds of her hurdy gurdy) and Ali from Iran.

In between performance courses, you can cool to the chilled beats of Re-psycle, warm to the antics of the Khanelion Gypsy Band and enjoy intoxicating visuals by Longfoot.

Fusion bands Chameleon Colours and Fuse will be washing up the evening with some funky music. Doors open at 8pm. Entry is $5.

Owl and the Platypus

This lino cut titled Bingings is part of Jacqui Williams' exhibition now showing at the Platypus Gallery in Casino.

Jacqui Williams is a local Bundjalung artist who is currently showing her collection of lino prints in her first exhibition Owl; Jin-ach-Jin-ach.

Despite interest from galleries in the big city, the exhibition will appear in Jacqui's hometown of Casino at the Platypus Gallery. Jacqui says that she feels it's important to first gain recognition in her own community. The exhibition is named after her family's djurebil (or totem) and offers insights into aspects of her culture and natural environment.

The exhibition runs until August 31.

For more info phone the Platypus Gallery on 6662 3566.

Depleted brains

David Bradbury is a twice Academy Award nominated local documentary filmmaker whose pursuit of truth and exposure of injustice have made him legendary.

His new film Blowin' in the Wind, which premiered last month, makes an important return to Lismore at the Star Court Theatre next Monday and Wednesday, August 1 and 3, at 7pm, when LINC TV re-screens this controversial film.

Blowin' in the Wind deals with the Australian Government's agreement with the United States military allowing them to test depleted uranium (DU) weapons at Shoalwater Bay in Queensland and at Lancelin in Western Australia. The use of DU weapons has caused ever-increasing health problems in Iraq and former Yugoslavia long after the bombing had stopped.

Some countries where the US has been testing DU weapons were so concerned they banned the US from doing such testing in their country. So where to test? Good ol' Oz... well, we'll do whatever the US wants, even if it means contaminating our land and population for 4.5 billion years.

Check out Blowin' in the Wind and see this latest film from the master storyteller. Tickets are $10.

Next Tuesday at the Star Court Theatre LINC is also screening the doco 9/11 In Plane Site - a film about what 'really' happened on that fateful day.

For more info on LINC TV and these films visit the website at www.linctv.org.au.

Writers talk back

The Scene's favourite talk show host, Sandy McCutcheon, will get Australia talking back when he does his thing at the Byron Bay Writers' Festival next Thursday.

You can sample the Byron Bay Writers' Festival (August 4-7) for free. That's right - for nothin', nix, zilch...

Popular ABC Radio National presenter Sandy McCutcheon (a talk show host that is unique in Australia in that he isn't a shock jock and he covers current issues with an understanding and objectivity that is so refreshing) will broadcast Australia Talks Back live from the Lakehouse at the Byron Bay Beach Resort next Thursday, August 4, at 6pm.

Sandy is also a writer of political thrillers. His memoir The Magician's Son will be published this month. Sandy is also the presenter of Australia Talks Books on ABC Radio National and a prolific playwright - but he is best known for getting Australia talking on a range of subjects that can cover the political, the social, the emotional and the practical, often all in the one evening.

The festival edition of Australia Talks Back will examine many of the questions raised in the Regional Arts NSW Conference taking place that same day. Conference delegates from Australian and international cultural communities and organisations will be there and you can hear how their experiences and opinions shape funding and policy at all levels. Have fun, get involved and talk back.

And like I said - it's free. Just get yourself to the Byron Bay Beach Resort, Bayshore Drive in Byron, and be seated in the Lakehouse by 5.50pm.

And a reminder - the Byron Bay Writers' Festival will sell out this year. Last chance to book. Call Jetset Byron Bay on 6685 6262 or visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com for full program details.

Kelly gang finds the Lord

Jim Kelly's Sambamenco Band will feature the vocal talents of local songstress Liz Lord (the pretty one) as well as the guitar virtuosity of our very own guitar legend Jim Kelly (the other one).

The band will perform some standards and some originals in a mix of Brazilian and flamenco styles for the Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore next Tuesday, August 2, from 8.30pm.

Entry is $5. For bookings phone Jules on 6629 8453.

Local electronic energy

Zaftron and Rick Hardie wanted to record a radio show like the Goons but ended up following their passion - electronic music.

The Psyboys are Rick Hardie and Zaftron, whose musical interests were fuelled by their previous band Dead Man Groove. Now with two keyboards and two computers the Psyboy's brand of electronica is live and immediate. You can check them out at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore this Friday, July 29.

This is Psyboys' first gig after six months of rehearsals, writing and red wine. The sound will be BIG!

Herbie parade - a beetle's pace

There's only a month to go before the famous Herbie Parade winds its way through the city streets of Lismore once again. The Herbie Parade is part of the Greenridge Health and Herb Festival, which takes place in Lismore on August 20 and 21.

Now in its fifth year, this tribute to the VW Beetle will be even bigger than last year. Up to 60 cars are expected, predominantly Beetles, but also Herbie's favourite cousin, the Kombi, and other VWs. To make the parade even more colourful, vintage cars have been invited to join in. (I'm seeing if there's a Camira section...)

Entries have already been received from Herbie buffs from places all over NSW and Queensland.

The Volkswagens will be judged in categories like Best Loved, Best Decorated, Most in Need of a Hug and Best Street Decorated.

Herbie Parade coordinator Kirsten Esdorn said that the procession is open to all makes and models of Volkswagens and entry is free. There are prizes to be won including dinner vouchers, rego checks and cash.

The Herbie Parade kicks off on Saturday, August 20, at 11.30am and will lead into the Health and Herb Festival site prior to the official opening ceremony.

For details and registration phone the festival office on 6622 8147 or visit the festival website at www.healthandherbfestival.com.

Auditions for LTC

Auditions for the Lismore Theatre Company's latest production, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett, are being held next Saturday and Sunday, August 6-7, at the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah from 1-5pm. There are around 24 parts that need to be filled - men and women of all ages, shapes, sizes and nationalities are welcome.

For more information phone Gray on 0416 219 890.

Seeing Ireland has never been easier

This Sunday, July 31, will see Tim Ireland (pictured) perform at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron from 8pm.

After a sold out launch in Sydney earlier this month and a tour of Melbourne, Tim Ireland is on the road promoting his debut album Down in the Well.

This album (I'm listening to it as I write) is not at all hard on the ear with an acoustic guitar base to the musical arrangement (some cool drumming by Darren Ireland) and a lyric that surprises with an occasional gem of expression - "With lead-heavy hearts we're perfecting the art of arse-about alchemy...".

Tim flourished as part of a burgeoning songwriter scene centering on Glebe's Excelsior Hotel, which fostered other talents including Paul Greene, Melanie Horsnell, Bertie Blackman, Andy Clockwise and Peregrine.

Ryder on a storm

She's only 22. She's Canadian. She has a three-octave range. She's coming to the North Coast. Her name is Serena Ryder.

Serena Ryder so impressed Missy Higgins with her performance during a festival gig in Queensland that Missy invited Serena to tour the east coast as a special guest. That was Serena's last visit to our wide, flabby land.

Now she's returned with her own show and her album Unlikely Emergency. This album showcasing Serena's songwriting abilities and that fantastic voice was produced by Canadian legend Hawksley Workman. Together he and Serena produced 10 songs in an intense three days of recording.

Over the last year Serena has toured the US, Canada, France and Australia, headlining shows and supporting artists like Missy Higgins and Steve Earle.

You can experience Serena's passionate live performance at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron next Thursday, August 4, from 10.30pm. Tickets are $20 from the venue.

The Whaling Blues

This whale calf is obviously pleased to have survived the rigours of the Southern Ocean avoiding Japanese research vessels loaded with harpoons and soy sauce and will travel north to where American and Aussie troops have (or may not have) been testing (or not testing) depleted-uranium and underwater-sonar weaponry on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a risky life being a whale...

Whales Alive is presenting a big gig at the Byron Bay Bowling Club this Friday, July 29, to help whales survive. The Whales Alive Blues Benefit is presented by Whales Alive - a Pacific wide, non-profit organisation with offices in Australia, Hawaii and Tonga, dedicated to the protection and celebration of whales and their fragile marine habitat. Good on them.

Japan has killed more than 8000 whales under the guise of science since the commercial whaling ban in 1986. Earlier this year it announced plans to double its "scientific" whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary (SOS?) around Antarctica (our backyard) to over 900 minke whales and add 50 endangered humpback and fin whales per year to its target list.

Japan's controversial scientific whaling ignores the global outcry from IWC member countries, scientific experts, leading conservation organisations and the public.

Whales Alive is hosting this blues spectacular to raise the funds needed to build a case against the Japan's so called 'scientific whaling'. Artists from around the country are lending their talents in support of the whales. The line up includes Jeff Lang, Ash Grunwald, Hirst & Greene and Tim Ireland. Mandy Nolan will MC the event.

Tickets are $25 and available from Music@Byron, All Music and Vision in Lismore, and Way Out East in Ballina.

For more info phone 6680 7223.

• Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to this benefit to give to some lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am this Friday, July 29, and tell us whether whale tastes better with soy sauce or lemon and salt.

Belly dancin'

American Tribal Style bellydance (ATS) is a modern dance originating from India. It is influenced by gypsy elements from South Asia, Northern Africa, Egypt, Romani (Europe) and Ireland.

Created by Carolena Nericcio (of Fat Chance Belly Dance fame) of the United States,

ATS (as Carolena says) "takes us to a time when we lived in tribes and women had strong bonds".

Join in with a circle of women to learn this dance form at the Masonic Temple in Lismore (opposite the library), Tuesdays 6.30-7.45pm. For more info phone 6689 1363.

Dubin' the Rails

Dubshack is an energetic collective that creates sweet soul, inspired sounds, infectious bass driven melodies, booty (that's American for bum) shaking beats, and so on...

Byron-based Dubshack is influenced by classic Jamaican dub, ska and reggae - to which the collective bring their own style.

Their self-titled EP has been getting airplay on Triple J and other radio stations.

Dubshack will play The Rails in Byron this Friday, July 29, from 7pm.

Nimbin is thinking Mishful

That funky groove (with trumpet) of Mishful Thinking (pictured) has been missed by local punters over the last few months. People have fallen to their knees, wailing, in withdrawal from one of their favourite musical hits... well, maybe the reaction wasn't exactly of gnashing-your-teeth intensity but all are relieved to know that Mishful Thinking is back and performing this Saturday, July 30, at the Nimbin Hotel.

And what have the Mishers been doing? Well, changing their line-up for one thing. They have a new bass player (the old one, Tom Jones, is now slapping the big strings with Aurora Jane) and a refreshed attack from a band that excels in live performance - this band loves to play.

Their self-titled EP has got them plenty of airplay across Australia of late.

The Nimbin gig starts at 8pm.

Local author 1 - the colonial story

Dalace Williams has written a fiction based on her great-great-great-grandmother, who was a convict in early NSW.

Dalace Williams lives in Alstonville with her husband Graham. She loves family history and writing and combining the two has resulted in her first novel Improper Women: A Colonial Tale.

This is the fictional (but based on her family research) story of Sarah, who is Dalace's ancestor, who is convicted of a minor crime and sent to Australia in the very early days of New South Wales' settlement.

This book gives an insight into the tough life of NSW in the late 1700s.

Improper Women: A Colonial Tale is available at Dymocks in Lismore and at the Bookworm in Alstonville. Or you can order directly from the author by phoning 6628 3448.

• Freebie: The Echo has one copy of Improper Women: A Colonial Tale to give to some lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Monday, August 1, and tell us what year the First Fleet arrived in Sydney.

Local author 2 - the latte story

After 15 years teaching in high schools Deb Parish, now a Lismore resident, dedicated her life to higher pursuits - the search for the perfect latte. The results of this investigation is her book Caffe Latte: The Highs and Lows of a Connoisseur's Experiences.

Originally from Melbourne, Deb is well grounded (or should that be 'ground') in her studies of caffe latte - Melbourne has some of the best baristas in the world - but now she is on the North Coast where we have sun, forest and a growing appetite for the alchemical infusions of the sacred coffee bean. Deb says her quest for the ultimate latte continues...

This tasty book has a thick head of humour and a creamy warmth with sketches by the author included. The coffee lover will appreciate the accumulated coffee knowledge in this little book.

Caffe Latte: The Highs and Lows of a Connoisseur's Experiences is available at local bookshops, cafés or by phoning the author on 6624 4064.

• Freebie: The Echo has one copy of Deb Parish's book to give to some lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.45 & 11am next Monday, August 1, and tell us what we call a person who has learnt the serious art of coffee making. Clue: it's an Italian name.

Buying the Daintree

Raising money to protect Gaia is a good idea. And She would like the Buy Back The Daintree Foundation. These people are trying to protect that delicate tropical ecosystem. She will definitely also be at Coorabell Hall this Saturday, July 30, dancing to a fundraising night of tribal grooves, psy-dub and ambient trance. Some of the money raised will go to the foundation.

DJ YT from far northern Queensland will be performing for the first time on the North Coast with local DJs Bodhi Seed (Mystic Beats) and Marty Launchpad.

Dance for a good cause. Chai and yummy munchies available.

Tickets are $10 at the door. The gig starts at 7.30pm.

Singing Casino

The St Mark's Singers from Casino will present a concert on Sunday, August 7, at St Mary's Anglican Church in Ballina from 1pm - with afternoon tea available. Entry is $6. Monies raised will go to CASPA (formerly North Coast Children's Home).

For more info phone 6681 3038.

Tintenbar theatre try-outs

The Tintenbar School of Arts is celebrating its centenary throughout October and November. It's a community affair with a musical play being presented for a short season.

The play is presently being written by North Coast playwright Paul Johnson and will have an historical theme. Actors and singers (experienced or novice) are invited to audition.

There are also various other stage and off-stage positions that are needed for the performance.

The play commemorates the area, the people and community events that have made Tintenbar the lively community it is today.

Interested? Simply go to the 'try out and find out' day this Sunday, July 31, at the Tintenbar Hall in Tintenbar Road at 2pm.

For more info phone Jennie on 6687 9167.

Out of bounds poetry

Dangerously Poetic's Fourth Annual Poetry Day Event (a long title, what?) will be a Beyond Boundaries Poetry Lunch at the Byron Bay Beach Resort (Bay Pavilion Restaurant) this Saturday, July 30, from 11am.

The theme this year is Out Of Bounds - with local actors, musicians and writers reading poetry that takes them beyond their usual boundaries.

Peppered with musical interludes from some fine musicians (including the Love Handles, Karl Farren and Colleen de Winton), this will be a special poetry experience. MC for the event is the inimitable Nyck Jeanes.

Krinkl Krinkl rising star

Gabrielle Griffin is a mistress of the sticky tape gun and creates puppets from paper as one of the puppeteer/performers in Krinkl Theatre's latest production.

Kyogle's innovative theatre company Krinkl Theatre is bringing their award-winning show Tightrope to the Star Court Theatre in Lismore this Saturday, July 30, at 12pm. After that performance the company will be flying off to Korea to be part of the Chuncheon International Puppet Festival on August 7.

In Tightrope, unlike most traditional forms of puppetry, the puppeteers actually move their creations through direct contact - no strings attached. The two puppeteers are actively involved in the story and the puppeteer/actor boundary is blurred.

Tightrope depicts the relationship between two business people with hidden desires. Ooooh.

Tickets are $5. For more info phone Lara on 6633 3380 or email krinkl_theatre@yahoo.co.uk.

Victory day for Ballina Players

Ballina Players recently put on Oliver, which broke many records for a Ballina theatrical production. Following on that success Ballina Players are set to celebrate Victory in the Pacific Day (August 15) with cabaret performances featuring songs and skits from the wartime.

Songs such as Bless 'Em All, music by Glen Miller and some Australian musical favourites will be presented at the Players Theatre in Ballina on Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13, at 7.30pm and will include supper. A matinee will be held on Sunday, August 14, at 2pm.

Tickets for the evening performances are $10. Matinee prices are $10 and $5 concession. .

Bookings and more info are available from Mary at La Boutique in Ballina on 6686 2662.

Ballina's rising talent

Alisa McGonagle (left) is one of the three Ballina's Idol contestants from heat two to win through to the semi-finals. Sponsor Gary Fox seems happy with the choice...

There were nine contestants in heat two of the Ballina's Idol competition held at the Ballina RSL Club.

A difficult decision by the judges resulted in Alisa McGonagle (Ballina), Phill Maher (Ballina) and Michael McLaughlan (Lismore) making it through to the semi-finals.

Heat three will warm up the Ballina RSL Club this Sunday, July 31, from 3-5pm, where contestants will battle it out for the next three places in the semi-finals and ultimately for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.

There will be eight heats and two semi-finals, with the grand final to be held on Friday, September 30, at 7.30pm.

Entries remain open for the heats - contestants must be at least 15 years old. To enter, pick up a form at the Ballina RSL Club or download one from the website at www.ballinarsl.com.au.

For more info phone Nancy on 6681 4325 or 0414 462 513.

Funky klezma

Stipsky is a six-piece collective of diverse performers which takes melodies and rhythms from klezma, Spanish, Middle East, Macedonian and Cuban traditions and lays them on a funky rhythm section with some very spicy improvisations. But can they play Chisel? Find out...

You can catch the big sound of Stipsky at the Nimbin Hotel this Friday, July 29, from 8.30pm and at the Dunoon Sports Club on Friday, August 5.

They'll have their CD with them.