The Scene

If the devil is six...

Seven play the Great Northern this Saturday.

Get ready for a visual and sonic feast when local heroes Seven return to the North Coast and hit the stage at the Great Northern this Saturday, June 30.

It's been almost six months since Seven have played their own hometown - and no, they haven't broken up - they've been in hiding working on brand new material and now they're back showcasing some of it in an unbelievable new set.

But the boys haven't forgotten their roots and will be cranking out their old stuff along side the new in a wild cascade of heavy rock and hard funk layered with percussion, digital effects and techno soundscapes.

Get in early as the last few shows have been completely sold out!

Warming up the crowd will be DJs Haze and Christ 2.

So if you haven't experienced Seven before, get ready to be blown away and completely rocked out of your mind.

A blistering live set and songs leaves no doubt that Seven are one of Australia's best 'unsigned' bands. This is going to be a cracker of a show.

Doors open around 10pm at the Great Northern's Backroom.

Imagine There's No Ballet

13 year-old Giselle Poncet from Murwillumbah is one of the young dancers performing in the Queensland Youth Ballet's production, Imaginaire, at the City Hall next Saturday.

Giselle Poncet, 13, of Murwillumbah is one of two local girls starring in Imaginaire, the Queensland Youth Ballet's new production coming to Lismore for one special show next Saturday, July 7 at the Lismore City Hall from 7.30pm.

Giselle and 11 year-old Lennox Head resident Grace Owen were selected from more than 80 hopefuls, who took part in auditions throughout NSW and Queensland to become part of the prestigious young troupe.

The artistic director, Harold Collins MBE - former artistic director for Queensland Ballet - will showcase four spectacular dance pieces with lavish sets and elaborate costumes on loan from the Australian Ballet.

The first piece is Noir Classique - a classical ballet of quiet beauty and restraint set in the Russian tradition of Johann Strauss' most elegant music and choreographed by Sweden's former Malmo Ballet soloist Fiona Munroe.

This will be followed by the more contemporary piece Rip Tide, which features popular surfing and beach culture images. The piece was created by former member of the Australian Ballet and Queensland Ballet, Jamie Redfern, who is currently a dancer and choreographer with Expressions Dance Company.

The third piece, Pas de Quatre, choreographed by Harold Collins, will be performed by four guest artists. The piece is a short ballet and probably the most famous in the history of classical ballet, being originally presented in London in 1845.

To complete the show will be La Boutique Fantasque, which translates to The Fantastic Toyshop. Featuring Harold Collins as one of the performers, this ballet is based on the charm of the mechanical doll and, as you may have guessed, is set in a toyshop in southern France.

The show promises to be colourful, exciting and a lot of fun, but above all it's a great chance to get out and see young people showing off their talent.

Tickets are $27.20/$17.20 with kids under 16 $14.70 and groups of eight or more $22.20 each. To book phone 6621 5600.

Keep on the Grass

Powderfinger headlines the Splendour in the Grass gig at the Belongil fields in July.

More than 15 Australian bands will converge on Byron Bay next month for the inaugural (and long-awaited) rock showcase Splendour in the Grass at the Belongil fields on Saturday, July 21.

The gig will be headlined by Australia's most popular rock export, Powderfinger, who hit the jackpot recently with the release of their fourth and most successful album, Odyssey Number Five.

This may be the last chance to see Powderfinger live for some time, as the five-piece are planning a huge tour of America and England to promote Odyssey.

If you're not a huge Powderfinger fan, then there are more than 15 other well-known Australian bands to choose from on two big top stages, including Frenzal Rhomb, Resin Dogs, Something for Kate, Magic Dirt, 28 Days and Squarepusher.

Also performing will be hip hop's most popular Aussie group Michael Franti and Spearhead, a massive favourite at last year's Woodford Folk Festival. Loved as much for their articulate and insightful lyrics as for their unique and funky dance music, Spearhead will blow audiences away with songs from their forthcoming album Stay Human.

Unfortunately due to personal reasons the John Butler Trio have had to withdraw from the concert, however, their shoes have been quickly filled by Brisbane band George.

Also coming down from across the border are Gold Coast grunge/rock band Sunk Loto, who will be joined by hardcore rock and roll outfit Superheist.

Dance fans will be pleased by the inclusion of electronic wizard Endorphin as will locals with the addition of Byron Bay band Couchfunk.

DJs GT, Ransom and 2 Dogs will be performing sets throughout the evening and also joining in the party are Queensland's phenomenal Rock n' Roll Circus.

One of Australia's most progressive and innovative theatre companies, Rock n' Roll Circus fuses together high energy physical performance with satire and slapstick comedy, creating a thrilling and in-your-face performance suitable for all ages.

Splendour in the Grass will also feature an On-Screen Gallery for those experiencing TV withdrawals. The gallery will screen a selection of Australian artist film clips and short films as well as full-length feature films.

To top it off there'll be a range of local food stalls, art and craft stalls, displays by various community groups and a giant bonfire to keep everyone warm.

The gig is all ages, but remember to bring photo ID if you wish to purchase alcohol.

Tickets are $45 plus BF and camping for the two nights, July 20 and 21, is an extra $22 (no single night camping is available). Although the gig is in July, a line-up this good only comes around once in a blue moon and tickets are selling fast, so be sure to book early. Tickets are available from Choppers Music in Lismore, Soundwaves in Byron Bay and the ABC Centre in Ballina.

Freebie: The Echo has three double passes to give away to Splendour in the Grass, which we will give away over three consecutive weeks. To go in the draw to win, phone 6622 2888 on Friday (either June 22 and 29, or July 4) between 10 & 10.10am and tell us the lead singer of Powderfinger's name. Each week the Echo will draw one winner, who will be notified by phone.

The Agony of Ecstasy

The gap between parents and their children often appears insurmountable from both sides. The discovery that your faith in your parents is as unsure as their own beliefs can be startling. And when your peers start looking outside the box for their faith and support, it's often impossible not to follow.

Lismore-based Theatre-Theatre's latest production, Margery Forde's confronting and powerful X-Stacy, delves deeply into those relationships and more.

Using the metaphor of God as a DJ, and the nightclub as a place of worship, it follows the early teenage years of the effervescent Stacy. There's her mother's confusion about her daughter's development, Stacy's turbulent but seductive journey into the drug culture and her mothers response - retreating into religion for solace.

When Stacy's life is cut tragically short after a late night rave, it forces her family and friends to look deep inside themselves to ask the reasons why.

Director Angela Mitchell has assembled an extraordinary young cast to tackle this profound Australian drama. The energetic actors bring a sense of realistic fatality to an exceptionally well written, thoughtful and moving story.

X-Stacy is a show all the family should see. It contains explicit language and drug references - but they already exist for teenage kids in real life. This play is an open and encouraging discussion about family and how we communicate with each other. It's a morality tale for all ages.

There are three performances of X-Stacy, which opens tonight, June 28, at the Star Court Theatre. The show continues of Friday and Saturday nights, June 29-30. All performances begin at 8pm.

Tickets for X-Stacy are available at the door. For more details, phone 0403 564 304.

Wicked Women

The Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge this month features Sally Kimpton.

The Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge gets in touch with its feminine side this month when they present A Women's Touch - featuring two great female comics - next Tuesday, July 3 at Maggie Moores from 8.30pm.

The night will feature the wild and wacky Sally Kimpton and the irrepressible singing sensation, Divishti.

Sally's humour is witty and intelligent, largely relating to current affairs, and she has featured on Triple J regularly as well as appearing at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival.

"Doing stand-up comedy is about as stable as a job at One-Tel," Sally joked.

"I started stand-up about five years ago and I guess I keep at it because I'm no good at everything else! If I could find a nine to five job I could well I would but after 13 years of annoying audiences with my ramblings, it's become what I'm most skilled at."

Lizard regulars MC S Sorrensen, Antonio the piano man and poet David Hallett will also have their frocks on for the night.

The very popular Antonio's Funny Money - $50 joke competition - is open to anyone in the audience and there will be the usual array of five minute invited segments.

Meals are available at the venue and a meal and show deal is $20. Book on 6622 1888.

Show entry is $12, uni students $6 (bring student ID).

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway to this month's Laughing Lizard. To go in the draw phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.10am tomorrow, June 29 and tell us your best chick joke (sorry - breasted citizen).