The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Can't beat the beats

Entropic will perform with Deepchild at Campus Central in Lismore next Thursday, October 6, providing the entertainment for the 2005 Oktoberfest party, starting at 8.30pm. They'll also play Coorabell Hall on Saturday, October 8, from 7.30pm.

These two acts are the best progressive dance acts in this brown land of the jailed refugee. Entropic have been turning heads with their distinctive approach to dancefloor music - forget the sequencer, they love analogue.

Bass, Fender Rhodes, drums and jazz guitar come together to recreate and improvise styles such as breaks, drum'n'bass, house and twostep.

They'll be promoting their new album Factory Seconds.

Factory Seconds is darker, harder, and edgier than earlier releases.

Deepchild will be joining the four-piece at this gig as Entropic's chief dub technician. He'll also be supporting the band with his solo live set. As he describes it, his music is "spaced out nu-dub infusions, forgotten mojo-delic funk, scratchy lo fidelity micro-house, silky smooth soul permutations, blip-hop and deep-space jazz improvisations." He also speaks English.

* Freebie: The Echo has Entropic's latest CD to give away to some beats lover. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.15 & 10.30am next Tuesday, October 4, and tell us if Deepchild has dreadlocks.

Clue: He likes reggae.

Carnival is rigged

Before the crowds swell from 2,500 to 17,500 in the little town of Bellingen for the global music festival this weekend, the creative and agile rigging-team of Bambucco, from northwest Victoria, is building a Souk (pictured) - a meeting place - which will stand more than eight metres tall and 40 metres wide.

Along with five other stages, the Souk will feature six theatre spaces for the various global performers and festival-goers to inhabit.

Bambucco artistic director Simon Barley and his crew are swinging high for the next week among more than 300 bamboo poles and 1000 cross pieces.

"It's potentially lethal, of course, if you don't have the skill, but I'm proud to say we've never had an accident," said Simon.

The Bellingen Global Carnival runs from this Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2, featuring more than 250 national and international musicians, dancers and theatrical performers.

For more info on the carnival phone 6655 3024 or visit the website at www. globalcarnival.com.

Tibet, India and Bundjalung - tri-nations dancing

Dzogchen Rinpoche and 11 Tibetan monks from Dzogchen Monastery in India are performing their sacred Tibetan Buddhist dance tradition, called Cham, in Lismore and Byron Bay as part of a national tour.

This gig is special with three traditions combining.

Together with 16 women from the Sydney-based Tara Dhatu dancers, the monks will join local Bundjalung Elders and performers involved with Lismore's Ngamyahl Goori Youth Group.

"The Bundjalung performance is something surprising and powerful - my lips are sealed," said local coordinator John Allan.

Performances are at Lismore City Hall on Friday, October 7, at 7pm, and at Byron Bay High School on Saturday, October 8, at 7pm. (They will also do a short program at The Channon Market on Sunday, October 9.)

Tickets are $15/10 and are available at the door or from Caddies Coffee in Lismore. There is a family ticket for $30.

Part proceeds will go to the Ngamyahl Goori Youth Group as well as various social, cultural and spiritual projects linked to Dzogchen Monastery in South India.

For more info phone John Allan on 6688 6147 or email johna@lis.net.au.

The idol final

The grand Final of Ballina's Idol will be played out at the Ballina RSL Club auditorium this Friday, September 30, from 7.30pm.

There are now 13 finalists through to the grand final where $10,000 worth of cash and prizes is up for grabs. They are Alisa McGonagle (Ballina), Jai Luke Hastrich (Mullumbimby), Jessica Peirce (Casino), Julie Allen (Lennox Head), Skye Wood (Kyogle), Sarah Grant (Goonellabah), Phil Maher (Ballina), Rachael Mount (Ballina), Dean Hill (Byron Bay), Tori Dixon (Lismore), Alison Watson (Evans Head), Chantell Connolly (Mullumbimby), and Jesse Mount (Ballina).

Entry to the grand final is just $2, with all proceeds donated to Ballina Scope, who are raising funds to purchase special medical equipment for Ballina Hospital.

S Sense

The people were joyous. They gathered at the giant doors awaiting the great opening. They sang songs (learned from the television) honouring the name above the door. The name was big - but had only one letter. (Imagine having a name with only one letter. Weird.)

In the people's town the doctors had gone, the children were educated in temporary shacks and the price of petrol made their four wheel drive fantasies of driving up a mountain or sloshing through a rainforest creek seem rather stupid - because their town had no mountain and the creeks had bridges.

But the people didn't care about health or children. Or even that their masters took the people's communication system away from them and sold it to some of them. Or that the masters were changing the weather - especially where the masters' masters lived. Now their town had the one thing that the masters (who had spent the people's money on a war and an election) knew would make the people happy - more shops.

To love your children is to buy them something. Even the elderly could buy a plastic something to take their mind off their illness while they waited for a hospital bed.

The people were so grateful for the trinkets they carried from the shops - stuff they didn't even realise they needed until they saw it in a brochure - that they put up traffic lights, constructed footpaths to the shops and built a petrol station where the petrol lords wanted it, even though it was not needed and the people nearby didn't want it.

The television and the newspapers shouted the glories of this advancement for the town. People got a free bag. And a balloon!

That night there was a big blast in the town that sounded like a Baghdad sunset. It was followed by more explosions. At first I thought that maybe someone had blown the shops skyhigh in an act of resistance to the masters' unsustainable empire.

Then I thought that maybe the masters' government was after me because I hadn't gone to the shops on this holiest of holy shopping days (and there are only so many left before Xmas you know). Maybe they would deport me for this threat to the shops' God-given, state-enforced right to make money by selling me crap and designing my town around that.

Luckily, it was only the shops' fireworks announcing to the people that all was good with the town. As bits of burnt paper floated to Earth and the dogs stopped barking, the masters were well happy and their riches became even huger.

And the people were happy. Because they were told they were.

Smart art

Stone + Partners launch guest winner Peter Morrow (left) receives his John Lloyd painting from SmART coordinator Chryss Kamieniak and Stone + Partners' Ben Carroll and Allan Cowley.

SmART (why do they do that thing with the capitals/non-capital spelling?) - the North Coast group behind community art - recognises that local artists need walls to showcase and sell their work. Recently, a collection of regional art was unveiled at the opening of law firm Stone + Partners' new Magellan Street office in Lismore.

The collection features local artist John Lloyd and regional Aboriginal art.

"Many local artists can't sell their work because there are not enough galleries and only limited space. We wanted to support local artists, whose outstanding work should be seen hanging on many more walls," said Ben Carroll from Stone + Partners.

SmART regional coordinator Chryss Kamieniak said, "There are many great works by local artists that simply aren't seen by the public. And we are encouraging more businesses to take a lead from Stone + Partners by supporting our artists in this way."

Photo Led revival

Photographer Ted Harvey checks out the camera he used to take photos of Led Zeppelin singing Immigrant Song at their Sydney gig way back before climate change, digital cameras and refugees behind razor wire.

In 1972, photographer Ted Harvey (now a North Coast resident) snapped the big Led Zeppelin concert at the Sydney showground. He even hung with Robert Plant, John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page at their hotel room later watching furniture disappear out the window.

After 33 years and a lot of encouragement, Ted has dug up the negatives, long hidden, and printed them. See Jimmy ripping into his Les Paul and Robert shake his perm at this photo exhibition, called PhotoAid, where all funds raised will go to support a Brazilian child.

For more info phone 6622 2209.

Battle of the Bulge

These hairless bods have left appreciative crowds all over the world gasping for more. Now you can see what makes them tick when Aussie Storm slips into Lismore and Ballina RSLs and the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club to dance, titillate and play hide the budgie.

Two years ago, the reality TV show Stripsearch found the talent to create Aussie Storm. Now, still sweating after their exhausting tour of Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Canada, Aussie Storm will expose their skills at the Lismore RSL Club on Friday, October 7, at the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club on Saturday, October 8, and at the Ballina RSL Club on Sunday, October 9.

With lavish costumes dropping to the stage floor, dramatic dancing and state-of-the-art lighting, this fully choreographed two-hour show has been exciting women (and some men - let's not get discriminating...) all over the world.

Doors open 6.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are $25.

* Freebie: The Echo has five double passes to each of these shows and also a heap of sexy little kits of Aussie Storm bucket hats, T-shirts and calendars to give away to some fun-lovin' lasses (yeah, yeah, or lads). To get in the drawers (whoops, draw) to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.45am next Tuesday, October 4, and tell us if the first war on Iraq was called a) Desert Awe, b) Shock and Awe, c) Aussie Storm, or d) Desert Storm.

Darcy - Lismore's hero

Darcy Goodwin (pictured centre with concert organisers) is a precious part of our community. His food sharing project, Five Loaves, delivers free tucker to those that can't afford to buy food in Lismore, Casino and Nimbin. He bucks the trend towards individual greed. Now his sharing has inspired four third year contemporary music students from Southern Cross University to organise a charity concert for Darcy Goodwin's Five Loaves operation.

The concert will be held on the deck at SCU's UniBar next Tuesday, October 4, at 3pm and will feature short acoustic sets from the organisers Zoe Kalenderidis, Nick Gibbs, Amber Jordan and Amna Kamal. Also performing will be Andy Jans Brown, Zac Tombs, Sonia Leeson, Anna Hulten, Tim Sladden and Cilla.

These students and recipients of Darcy's largesse want to give something back. Good on them and good on you Darcy.

41 West Papuans The Amungme and the Kamoro tribes are headed for the Bellingen Global Carnival (Fri, Sept 30 to Sun, Oct 1) to perform their traditional songs and dances. Collectively, it is the first time these people have been exposed to western civilisation in another land. Well, they could do worse than Bellingen...

The Jazz & Blues night at the Rous Hotel in Lismore will feature The Leigh Carriage Trio next Tuesday, October 4. Leigh's lush vocals will be accompanied by special guests Helen Russell from Brisbane on double bass and her brother Steve on piano. The show starts at 8.30pm and costs $5.

After an eight month break from the road spent writing and fishing, Brisbane's The Butterfly Effect are returning to gigging to road-test a swag of new songs for their planned follow-up to their debut CD Begins Here. The Butterfly Effect will be supported by Trial Kennedy and All Gone when they rock the Casino RSM Club this Sunday, October 2. Tickets are $18 pre-sale or $22 at the door. Tickets are available through the venue on 6662 1666 or online through the website at www.thebutterflyeffect.com.au. Doors open at 9pm.

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium is hosting a series of performances entitled Northern Exposure.

The Con students will be performing at the Great Northern Hotel in Byron on the first three Wednesdays of the month - October 5, 12 and 19.

The evenings will be a feast of music, dance and drama, with Stipsky headlining the first gig next Wednesday, October 5.

Entry is free and the gigs kick off at 8pm.

Dancing for George

George Weir (pictured) who, when he's not dancing under the tutelage of Suzanne Whitemen at the Alstonville Dance Studio, attends year 11 at Alstonville High, is one happy dude. For a lad who loves to dance, the opportunity he has just received to undergo two weeks of intensive dance programs and workshops with Stompin' Youth Dance Company in Sydney (one of Oz's best youth arts companies) puts a big grin on his face and plenty of spring in his steps.

During this period the company will produce a show titled Drill, which will be performed at the Sydney Opera House. Cool.

George also recently spent a month in Canberra (in July) at the Australian Choreographic Centre.

And guess what George wants to be when he finishes school?

Congrats George.

Two bags, two frocks and a show

Gabrielle Griffin and Emma Newman, alias Filamena Frock and Florence Frock, present What the Frock Do We Know - an absurd and comical glimpse into the lives of two very well-dressed 1950s women as they look deep into their petticoats and hemlines for the answers to those ageless questions women ask themselves and each other.

Formed in 2002, The Frocks have performed all over the Northern Rivers. These characters are warriors of the mundane, using a mix of comedy, dance and puppetry to create a pastiche of suburban women's business.

What the Frock Do We Know will play the Drill Hall Theatre in Mullumbimby Thursday to Friday, October 6-8, and the following Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16. All shows start at 8pm, except the Sunday show, which starts at 5pm. This show is an Aunty Program fundraiser and tickets are available at the door for $17/15.

For more information phone Gabrielle on 6684 1115.

Happy sesquicentenary Casino!

Kate Botfield is a 14-year-old high school student with a big, big voice that I reckon the whole world will hear in the future. Since the age of nine the Mummulgum girl has been competing (and winning) talent quests in Queensland and NSW. This Saturday, October 1, Kate will face her home crowd when she appears on stage in the community celebrations marking the sesquicentenary (that's 150 years - I had to look it up) of the town of Casino.

A huge family street party has been planned as part of the 150-year celebration for Casino over the long weekend (this Saturday-Monday, October 1-3). This Saturday Kate Botfield will line up with many other talented performers (including well known Gold Coast jazz outfit The Basement Band) and roaming street performers.

The events planned for the long weekend are designed to suit the varied tastes and ages of the region, with everything from a re-visit of the outdoor El Gronda cinema that operated years ago (showing old cartoons and newsreels, an episode of Batman followed by the classic flick The Shiralee) to authentic steam train rides on the 3801 locomotive that is visiting the town as part of NSW Rails 150th year. (At least Casino has expanded its services...)

There is also entertainment for the littlies, an international foodfest for the parents (with full bar facilities of course), and what is proposed to be the first year of the biggest regional hip hop festival in Australia - CrankFest - which will take place at the town's pool complex from 10am-10pm. Crankfest will offer a multitude of workshops from graffiti art to drama and music production, and will have DJs playing all day and night. This will be in addition to sporting events planned for the day including a beach volleyball competition and swimming races.

For more info phone the Casino Visitor Information Centre on 6662 3566.

World Focus

These photos of Hmong children of northern Vietnam (above) and a Naxi man of China are part of an exhibition by local travelling photographer Jesse Hunter.

Through photography and the written word Global Horizons aims to increase cross-cultural understanding and foster a greater appreciation of the beauty and cultural diversity of this planet.

Global Horizons is a project by local 21-year-old photographer Jesse Hunter, who travelled for nine months through Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, China and parts of South East Asia. His photographs of the landscape and its people are mostly limited edition pieces and are all printed on quality paper.

Unusually, this exhibition is spread across a few venues - Luv a Coffee in Lismore, Caddies in Bangalow and in Byron at the Waywood Gallery, Citrus Delicatessen and Gallery, Why Not!

Fifteen per cent of the proceeds from photography sales will go towards poverty alleviation and establishing more beneficial forms of education for people in the developing world.

For more information email Jesse at jesse_isnt@yahoo.com or visit www.global-horizons-photography.com.

Comedy in the bay

Just a reminder that Sean Choolburra, Aboriginal stand-up comedian, will headline at the Byron Comedy Club (at the Byron Bowling Club) next Monday, October 3, at 8pm. Sean has just finished a series of shows at the Sydney Opera House, recently featured in Hong Kong and headlined at the Dreaming Festival in Queensland earlier this year.

Sandy Gandhi will support with the fabulous Mandy Nolan at the helm of this special show. Tickets are $20/15. For bookings phone 6685 66202.

Wonderland whimsy

These paintings by Roz Hanratty are part of her exhibition Fairy Trees and Hairy Legs, which is currently on display at the Dragonfly Cafe in Lismore. Roz came to Lismore 10 years ago from Sydney to study ceramics at Lismore TAFE. Eventually though, the lure of the brush and oils overcame her and painting became the medium by which her love of nature was expressed most honestly and whimsically.

Fairy Trees and Hairy Legs runs until October 31.

Blue Knob Hall Gallery turns one - on paper...

Kristine Uebergang's artwork Keeper of Secrets uses and explores paper as a medium - which is the theme of the exhibition at the Blue Knob Hall Gallery.

Blue Knob Gallery's latest exhibition Walking the Line is a first birthday celebration for this gallery and features works on, and with, paper by local and regional artists. Diana Roberts, former Lismore City councillor, will open the exhibition this Friday, September 30, at 6pm. There'll be music and the Blue Knob Cafe will serve a Mediterranean-style dinner for $10.

Walking the Line highlights traditional, cultural and contemporary uses of paper in art-making processes. Origami, screen-printing, sculpture, etching, pencil drawing, hand-made banana paper, and installation are some of the artists' outcomes.

Exhibiting artists include Sachiko Kotaka, Jenny Porter, Roberta Bassi, Aine, Sandra Joran, Wendy Lagerman, Kristine Uebergang, Annie Heitmann, Diana Filgate, Carole Barrett, Shirley Miller, Robin Moore, Margaret Berry, Pauline Ahern, Margie Rojo, Marita Kohl and Dawn Thirlaway.

The exhibition runs until October 31.

For more information phone 6689 7449.

Coasting along

An exhibition of photographic images on canvas is on display at the Paperbark Gallery in Evans Head until October 23. North Coasting opens officially this Saturday, October 1, from 6-8pm.

The images are by local photographer Lee Pearce, who recently published a coffee table book North Coasting: Life on the Northern Rivers of NSW, which draws on Lee's collection of photographs of the region (taken over 30 years) documenting its transformation from beautiful backwater to one of the most desirable addresses in the country.

His images are applied to stretched canvas in a very modern process which alleviates the need for reflective glass. Most attractive for hanging.

For more info phone the gallery on 6682 5188.

Mindful art

This painting by Olga Griffin is part of Wholeness - an exhibition by ArtWorx, a community-based mental health group.

ArtWorx is part of the rehab program implemented by M.H.A.R.S. (Mental Health Accommodation and Rehabilitation Service).

Wholeness has been made possible through the generous support of the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF). And I hope that's the end of the acronyms.

The group of up to 12 participants is facilitated by Kristine Uebergang, a qualified social worker and working artist. The participants from a wide range of ages and backgrounds had little confidence in their creative ability. By exploring a variety of materials and techniques plus emphasising the joy of creation, the artists have achieved a result that has surprised everyone.

The exhibition is showing at the Goanna Bakery in Keen Street, Lismore, from next Monday, October 3, until October 22. The official opening will be on Monday, October 3, at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

Oh, and I will be having a little chat there on Friday evening, October 7.