The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

I was on stage at the recent Fatherhood Festival in Bangalow having a laugh at the fathering tales my fellow performers were telling to a packed hall when everything blurred and faded to background.

No, I wasn't having a heart attack but rather an epiphany. What was happening here was culture building. This was society investing in itself. Inculcating values into the tribe.

I know what you're thinking - S has gone all SNAGgy on us. Maybe he'll want us to all hold hands and beat drums next. Actually, it's very tricky to hold hands AND beat a drum.

No, forget the drums, pass the wine and let me explain.

New Orleans is (was?) an old city in southern USA. When the hurricane hit, it trashed the joint. That was scary. But what happened next was really frightening. In that devastated city civilisation broke down. Opportunism, a revered attribute of modern American culture, manifested itself socially as looting, murder and even rape.

You scratch the veneer of social cohesion in that once great nation and the whole fabric rips. The soul, the very guts, of that society has been sold to the short-term anti-social greed of business by a puppet government.

Making lots of money is the highest personal goal. Social programs have been cut. Funding for the maintenance of the levee system around vulnerable New Orleans was slashed. Wetlands which surround the city and which mitigated flooding were sold to developers. The people's resources were invested in war so corporations could become even wealthier, CEOs could make even more millions and the government could increase its control over its people, making sure the tribe could not interfere in its own deconstruction.

Without imposed authority the city needed the wealth of its social mores. It was found to be (mostly) bankrupt. Not enough investment.

On stage at the festival, in a society where the hurricane, or the tsunami, or the bomb, or extreme climate change has yet to hit, I was struck by the humanity of cultural life - as distinct from the self-obsession of consumerism, the ruthless insensitivity of the free market and the corpse-ridden inhumanity of rampant capitalism.

Honouring the social roles of fathers, mothers and kids makes no-one a buck but it binds us together in a shared value system, creating a social strength. Honouring the natural environment as essential for social well-being creates a social unity that will stand us in good stead when this globalised madness implodes.

If a catastrophe hits our area and governmental authority disappears, would human values be maintained by a society who has fostered these values or would anarchy quickly reduce the eroding facade of a Playstation civilisation to a New Orleans-like rubble?

Wheelchair access a cappella

The Lennox Headliners are an all female a cappella choir. The gals are currently fundraising for a major a cappella convention in Brisbane next May. As part of their efforts, they'll give a concert called Girls Night Out at the Lismore Workers Club on Saturday, September 17, at 2pm. The Workers Club is a venue with good wheelchair access and facilities for the disabled.

Cost is $10. Bookings are essential. Phone Sue on 6684 7423 or Jacky on 6680 7058.

Dancin' in South Lismore

"It's taken quite a while, but it's been worth the wait!"

These were the comments from Glenys Ritchie, owner of the newest dance and performance space in Lismore, The Green Room - Centre for Dance and Movement, which has opened at 12 Wilson Street in South Lismore.

The Centre, which is also the new home of the Lismore School of Irish Dance, has a 14 by 14 metre sprung dance floor. (A bit of bounce is best for dancin'.)

The Green Room will be officially opened this Saturday, September 10, from 11am-1pm, with performances, displays, and workshops all happening.

The Green Room is available for hire to groups involved in movement, dance and music including yoga, martial arts, ballet, belly dancing, physical culture etc.

For more info phone Glenys on 0416 224 258.

Arty Bonalbo

The lovely little village of Bonalbo will come alive for the fifth Bonalbo Art & Craft Expo this Saturday, September 10. A display of fine art and crafts will fill the Bonalbo community hall, with around 50 exhibitors from south-east Queensland and northern NSW only too happy return to this event to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere that locals and visitors bring to the expo.

If your passion is food, Café on Koreelah will provide delicious fare from the country kitchen of chef Alick Clark. Sounds like a good reason to escape to the near west for the day.

Musical surgery

The weekly Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore is a gig for lovers of fine music. There has been a diverse and brilliant range of entertainers over the past while. Next Tuesday, September 13, the brilliance continues with Greg Lyon, fat string slapper extraordinaire, taking to the stage with his jazz and blues outfit, Hip Operation.

Hip Operation offers an infectious (ha ha) blend of New Orleans funk (remember New Orleans?), hip hop jazz (now what's that?) and soul classics. As an extra treat, Ben Thompson will be fingering the electric six-stringer after an long stint performing oversveas. Finger-clickin', toe-tappin' bliss.

The gig starts at 8.30pm and tickets are $5 at the door.

Idol heats up

These five happy performers from heat eight have made it through to the Ballina's Idol semi-finals. They are (l-r) Rachel Mount, Simon Chate, Brett Kempnich, Alison Watson and Julie Allen.

Entries are now closed for Ballina's Idol - a talent competition in its second year - but organisers have extended the competition to three semi-finals, with 10 semi-finalists performing in each, on Sunday, September 11, 18 and 25, at the Ballina RSL Club.

The 30 semi-final contestants will compete for the 12 spots in the Ballina's Idol final to be held at the Ballina RSL Club auditorium on September 30. They'll compete for over $10,000 in prizes. And regional celebrity status.

John Butler seeds Aurora Jane

North Coast band Aurora Jane (pictured) has scored some help from the JB Seed - the arts grants program established and funded by muso star John Butler - to make the band's east coast tour a reality.

The JB Seed was established to help develop genuine artistic expression by way of encouraging social, cultural and artistic diversity in Australian society. Good.

John Butler was overwhelmed with the response to the program and said, "The first year of the JB Seed has proven a remarkable surprise for all of us. We expected roughly 70 applications and were absolutely taken aback by the 440 we received. The music, art, ideas, dreams and project proposals that came in were truly inspirational and we were honoured to be able to fund 30 of them..." (He went on and on... you know what he's like, but we get the drift.)

Good on you John and good luck to those funky folksters, Aurora Jane.

To check out the JB Seed program and see who else got funding visit the website at www.thejbseed.com.

Nimbin film special

The Miracle of Bern is a German film about football (that's soccer, mate), post-war Germany and the effects of captivity on a family - especially on the relationship between a father and his son.

The director, Soenke Wortmann, is an ex-football player and his love and knowledge of the game helps him to create this intensely emotional family drama against the backdrop of West Germany's miraculous World Cup win in 1954.

The Miracle of Bern is showing at the Nimbin Bush Theatre this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 9-11, and next Wednesday, September 14. This cinema is cool. Real food is available from the restaurant and there's an intermission for dessert and coffee. Civilised. Tickets are $8.50/6.50. Film starts at 7.30pm.

For more info phone 6689 1111.

• Freebie: The Echo has two double passes to give away to some lucky readers. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am this Friday, September 9, and tell us in what country was the World Cup held in 1954. Clue: The Miracle of BERN?

A cappella heaven

The Acapelicans (Ballina), Legato Delicato (Casino), Voices in the Roar (Alstonville), Raucous Caucus (Lennox Head) and The Lennox Headliners will fill the Ballina Masonic Hall with soaring music when they get together next Friday, September 16, in a festival of song.

These choirs are often performing for various worthwhile causes and charities but this gig is for them.

This concert celebrating our region's community choirs begins at 7.30pm. Entry is $12/10 with supper available.

Hope-ful Destiny

Helen Hope has a new book. This astrolger believes she has an astro-based code for revealing our destinies. Apparently my destiny is "sheer brilliance". Hmm. Sounds right.

Helen Hope's books have sold in Australia, the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Russia and Brazil. Her articles have circulated the world in a plethora of magazines. She was astrologer for New Idea until Uranus transitted Leo and she left to pursue her book writing. In writing, Helen's own destiny has been fulfilled.

In 2003 she moved to the North Coast from Sydney. She says her new book The Destiny Book was "written to help people crack their own destiny code and find the key to their greatness within". Cool.

The Destiny Book will be launched next Friday, September 16, at Caddies Coffee Shop in Lismore from 6pm. S Sorrensen (brilliant bloke) will host the event. Lorraine Vass, president of the Friends of Koalas, will introduce Helen and then the Romaniacs will play their gypsy soul music. There'll be champagne for everyone on arrival. See ya there.

• Freebie: The Echo has a copy of The Destiny Code to give away to some lucky reader. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.15 & 10.30am next Monday, September 12, and tell us what sign is the most brilliantly fabulous in the zodiac. Clue: There is a lion involved.

Comedy cadets

Byron-based comedian Mandy Nolan has been teaching stand-up comedy through ACE for years. Many have passed through Mandy's school of comic charm. Over the last six weeks Mandy has been preparing her latest batch of stand-up virgins for their first gig doing a five-minute routine - the most terrifying thing you can do without a parachute.

With Mandy Nolan at the helm, it's bound to be a night of spontaneous hilarity at the Byron Bowling Club next Monday, September 12, at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and can be booked by phoning 6685 6202 or bought at the door.

Local girl - international star

Maia Mitchell is a talented young local who is starring in a new children's television drama that will be shown internationally. She's pretty happy about that...

Maia Mitchell's life has changed. A little while ago this 12-year-old was living in leafy Caniaba, going to St Carthage's Primary School in Lismore and doing drama lessons with Angela Mitchell from Lismore's Theatre Theatre. Life was pretty normal.

Then Gilchrist Casting (a local casting agency) got her an audition for a major role in a new $9.3 million childen's television show called Mortified. Unmortified, Maia charmed them with her acting abilities and that flashing smile. She got the part. Maia is the only actor of the five main child characters to have come from outside a capital city.

The show, to be shown next year on NBN, the Disney Channel and BBC, is a 26-episode comedy/drama (featuring many well-known Australian actors) currently being shot on the Gold Coast. Shooting will continue until February next year. Maia and her mum, Jill, have moved temporarily to the land of the peeling nose while filming lasts. Maia even has a tutor supplied by the producers so she can continue her studies.

Congratulations Maia. Break a leg.

Music money for midwifery

Diana Anaid is a local girl who has strutted the world stage with her velvet voice, her guitar and her songs of passion and pain.

Internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter, Diana Anaid, will give an intimate concert for 200 people in the grounds of The Natural Birth Education & Research Centre in Wollongbar this Friday, September 9.

The centre is a non-profit charity and this gig is an important fundraiser for the organisation, which opened last year. (Diana has given her time for free so all monies go towards the good work of the centre.)

The Natural Birth Education & Research Centre offers the only independent midwifery service of its kind, giving women in the Northern Rivers options of safe childbirth care, alternate accommodation, pre and post birth support and complementary pregnancy care.

Diana will perform songs from her latest album Beautiful Obscene (which is doing very nicely in the USA) as well as favourites from her previous albums.

The centre is located on 18 quiet acres of rainforest, fruit trees and gardens - a great setting for the concert.

Tickets are $15 (which includes finger food) and are available by phoning The Natural Birth Education & Research Centre on 6629 5312. Drinks are available. Doors open from 7pm with Diana hitting the first sweet chord at 8pm.

Country is lookin' good

Handsome country star Adam Harvey will peform in Lismore with even handsomer support from rising star Victoria Baillie.

At the moment Adam Harvey is riding a wave of artistic and commercial success. This year he won his sixth Golden Guitar for Male Vocalist of the Year. (We're talking country here.) Them's big accolades for the man with the big voice whose first album Workin' Overtime went gold when it was released in 2002. Last year he had three country number one hits from his album Cowboy Dreams and great response from his live show. He has just released his new album Can't Settle For Less.

You can experience why Adam Harvey is at the top of the country pile when he performs at the Lismore Workers Club on Friday, September 20, at 8.30pm.

Young Victoria Baillie will also display her performance wares in the show. This gal is on the way up. (I want to marry her...)

Tickets are $22/15 and available from the venue.

Dolphin deadline extended

NCEIA has extended the deadline for the Dolphin Awards and entries in all categories will now be accepted until September 16 from any independent musician, band or producer in the 66 area code area, as well as from the New England region between Armidale and Tenterfield.

Mandy Nolan will be mistress of ceremonies on Awards Night, which will be held at the Beach Hotel (now a major sponsor) on November 8.

For more info visit the website at www.nceia.org.au. Entry forms with all the information are also available at music stores and other outlets around the region.

Or phone NCEIA on 6622 0222.

Aunty's fun fundraiser

The Aunty Program is a mentoring program that supports girls aged four to 16 years on the North Coast. As traditional extended family supports dwindle, the Aunty Program can provide the extra attention that can support the family, strengthen the parent/child bond and encourage each girl to be the best she can be.

To raise money for this worthwhile cause the Aunty Program is putting on a show, Sex, Lives and Stickytape - Women Putting it Together, at the Bangalow A&I Hall on Friday and Saturday, September 23-24.

Some great female performers will be featured - like contortionist Sue Hird, award-winning musical duo Scarlett Affection, zany comics The Frocks, and comedians Gina Baker and Aven - plus plenty more.

Tickets to this inspiring, insightful evening of female entertainment are $29/23 and available from Byron Books, The Bookshop in Mullumbimby, Barebones Gallery in Bangalow, Caddies in Lismore and Simpatico in Ocean Shores. Both shows start at 8pm.

For more info phone 6685 7177.

Dan Rumour was the sound of The Cruel Sea. His music is original and unique. Dan's guitar is now joined by bass, drums and Hammond organ to create the Dan Rumour Band who will play the Beach Hotel in Byron this Sunday, September 11, at 4pm.

Jimmy Willing & The Real Gone Hick-Ups are mad hillbillies who make music like moonshine - strong, tasty and mind numbing. Taste the country when they play at the Bangalow Hotel this Friday, September 9, from 8pm.

They play music for every taste with a very broad repertoire. They have four vocalists and a passion for gigging. You can hear The One 2 Many Band when they play The Lennox Point Hotel this Friday, September 9, at 9.30pm and the Pioneer Tavern in Wollongbar this Saturday, September 10, from 8.30pm.

Figjam is a five-piece band playing rock covers from the 60s to the present. They will be playing at the Brunswick Hotel this Sunday, September 11, at 6.30pm. They're not just head bangers. With the use of keyboard and three vocalists in the band, including female vocals, they have a different feel from your average "wall of sound" guitar band.

Parlez-vous musique?

Sure, they look like Nimbin girls but Doba and Caracol are from Canada. Their band DobaCaracol will do its exotic peculiar thing next Thursday at the beach.

In 1998 Doba and Caracol met during a wild Montreal rave party. Their musical compatability was evident as soon as they regained consciousness. Combining their vocal and percussive talents they formed DobaCaracol, adding four musicians and wasting little time on the band's name. The couple's diverse cultural influences and the sensuality of the French language create a music that is organic, modern and distinctive.

They're much in demand since the release of their second album Soley - a blend of African, reggae and funk sounds. You can see DobaCaracol perform at The Beach Hotel in Byron next Thursday, September 15.

In the Zone

Urban Street Rural Beat shows off some hip hop moves. Daniella Finkenauer and Cristy Kilkeary from the group will present dance pieces at Cypher Zone this Friday.

The Cypher Zone starts with a hip hop workshop at the Fountain Room in Lismore City Hall this Friday, September 9, at 5pm, for those who want to learn about the basic history of hip hop culture and MCing. Workshop topics will range from the invention of the scratch (on the decks) all the way to microphone control and other tips for beginner MCs. The workshop participants will then be encouraged to try out their skills on the microphone, with a DJ backing.

The workshop is lead by Cypher Zone host MC 3rd Degree (Adam Becker), who is part of Urban Scriptures, a local hip hop group.

Then at 6pm, the Cypher Zone will be open up for all others to dance, break, rhyme, beatbox, DJ and enjoy. There'll be food and drinks (no alcohol of course).

This is brought to you by Youth Events Lismore (YEL) Committee, a group of young people who are interested in creating more entertainment for young people in Lismore, supported by NORPA Dance Action and Community Connections.

For more info phone Emma on 6622 3279.

Tickets to see the sun

To coincide with the release of Pete Murray's new album See The Sun, Pete and his band, The Stonemasons, are hitting the Lismore Workers Club on Thursday, October 27. Tickets are on sale now through the venue on 6621 7401.

Covering everything from soulful ballads to joyous rock and roll, the new CD is the first that Pete has recorded completely with his touring band, so it seems only appropriate to launch the album with a big run of big shows with the band.

Coraki Art prize

Entries are now open for this year's Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize, which has over $5000 in prizes. Entry forms are now available from art shops, galleries, framers and photo shops.

The closing date is October 17.

For more info phone Sharon on 6683 2626 or Kate on 6683 2325.

Steppin' out in Jiggi

The cool, smooth grooves of The Skylarks (pictured) will feature at the Jiggi Ball on Saturday, September 17, at the Jiggi Community Hall from 6.30pm. The theme for this year is Hollywood. So, lose 75 per cent of your body weight, 50 per cent of your brain, polish up your stilettoes (and your ego) and stride the red carpet of celebritydom to raise money for a permanent home for the Jiggi Community Pre-school.

Tickets are $10/5 or $25 (family) if pre-purchased from Anne or Susan on 6688 8263 or 6688 8332. Tickets at the door are $12/6 or $30 (family).

NIDA here... or there

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) trains Australia's talented people to become the world's best entertainment professionals. NIDA graduates read like a who's who of entertainment - Cate Blanchett, Mel (Jesus) Gibson, Hugo Weaving, Baz Luhrmann, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Tom Burlinson and Miranda Otto - to name only a few.

The institute is based in Sydney but NIDA is now offering regional communities access to its theatrical expertise by conducting short courses with expert tutors. NIDA on Tour will be in Lismore this month with Acting To Camera and Directing Intensive from September 24-25, with Acting for Stage and Screen 12-15yrs and Acting for Stage and Screen 16+ from September 26-29.

In Byron Acting Skills 12-15yrs and Acting Skills 16+ will be offered from October 1-3.

For bookings or more info visit the website at www.nida.edu.au/short_courses/open/national, phone 9697 7626 or email open@nida.edu.au.

Happy birthday sculpture show!

Lynne Adams is working on her environmentally poignant sculpture Cagen'cactus for the East Coast Sculpture Show, which opens on September 17.

Bringing a light touch to a serious subject, local artist Lynne Adams will celebrate environmental awareness at this year's special Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show. She is among the 45 previous award winners invited to participate in this 10th anniversary of the sculpture show.

Lynne, from Main Arm, is an artist whose whimsical works gently alert people to the environmental impact of unchecked consumerism. Cagen'cactus is a bright-green plastic cactus made from used Sprite bottles and encircled by a fence constructed from crocheted video tape.

"Ours is such a throwaway society," comments Adams. "If we keep consuming at this rate, we might reach a time when the last plant alive is the hardy cactus, which will have to be fenced for its protection and survival."

The 10th Anniversary Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show will open on September 17 and continue every day until the end of January 2006. For more info visit the website at www.sculptureshow.net.

Byron Vista CD launch

The first Byron Vista Social Club CD launch will be held in the Byron Community Centre this Saturday, September 10. Australian actor Jack Thompson will open the launch and will contribute musically (harmonica) during the evening. More than 20 original local acts will sing and play songs from both Byron Vista Social Club CDs. Artists include Elizabeth Lord and Leigh James, Mook and Shanto, Gabi Bliss and Dee Vine, Dave Cavanagh, Sarah Tindley, Corey O'Connell, Rebecca Ireland, Ewan James, Susanna Carmen, Paddy Raleigh and Zardi.

Tickets are $28/25 and available from the Byron Community Centre or by phoning 6685 5659.

Peace man

Byron Bay will host the three-day Peace Carnival from September 16-18. A live webcast of international peacemakers from around the globe will be projected onto big screens and images of the event will be beamed out to the world via the internet. Spokesman Paul Joseph said this cutting edge use of internet technology gives the Byron Bay's local event real global significance. The Byron Peace Carnival will also align with Earthdance, the global festival for peace, uniting over 180 cities in 50 countries. There'll be a live webcam of the performance by Michael Franti, who will be performing at Earthdance 2005 in California USA to the Byron site in Butler Street.

The Carnival begins with the Peace Lovers Moon Dance at the A&I Hall in Bangalow on Friday, September 16. The new Byron Peace Carnival CD will be launched and contributing artists will showcase their works.

For more info on the event phone 6684 7579 or visit the website at www.byronpeacecarnival.com.

UniBar bitten by King Brown

Blue King Brown will attack the UniBar with some hard-biting grooves and a dose of killer tunes next Thursday.

Blue King Brown is a band that grew from the percussive genius of Natalie Pa'apa'a and Carlo Santone, who are founding members of local percussion legends Skin. Now with bass, Rhodes piano and a hammond organ added to the percussion, and a move to Melbourne, Blue King Brown has been making waves in the Australian musical pond. They have supported The John Butler Trio and Michael Franti & Spearhead.

This'll be a big gig at the SCU Unibar in Lismore next Thursday, September 15, from 8pm.

Entry is free for students and only $5 for guests. (And the government wants to stop compulsory student unionism!)