Issue 728

The Scene - Local Entertainment News

The Finest English Voices

From Sacred Renaissance masterpieces to traditional folk songs and contemporary arrangements, the gentlemen of Collegium Regale sing at Lismore City Hall this Saturday night.

When King Henry VI founded Kings College in the 15th Century, he made provision for a choir of 30 voices to sing in the chapel. The Royal decree was that 16 voices are boy trebles, while the remaining 14, who sing alto, tenor and bass, are undergraduates of the college no older than 23. The boys fulfill their singing duties in addition to their university studies and sing in the choir for a maximum of three years.

(The much-loved Kings Singers came from this group.)

The group has built an impressive international reputation as Collegium Regale (Kings College in Latin), and this extraordinary choral group makes one of only two performances in Australia in Lismore this Saturday night.

In addition to ravishing music from the Renaissance, Collegium Regale's repertoire includes choral arrangements of popular songs, show tunes and close harmony arrangements.

The concert is also a wonderful chance to hear an Australian-built portable Chamber organ, which is especially being brought down from Brisbane for this concert

The 180kg organ has four ranks of 50 pipes - the tallest is 1.5m high - housed in a case of Tasmanian Oak. It has a transposable keyboard allowing the pitch to be altered for performances of early music - like the Renaissance church music being performed by Collegium Regale.

Don't miss this entertaining and beautiful concert, which is being presented by Musica Viva at Lismore City Hall this Saturday, July 21, at 8pm.

Tickets for the concert are available now from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore, phone 6621 5600, or at the door on the night.

No Sniffer Dogs

Brisbane's Resin Dogs blend deep bass grooves with cut 'n' paste samples style to produce an intoxicating fusion of Hip Hop, Funk, Electro and Breakbeat. They let the dogs out at the Great Northern this Friday.

The Resin Dogs' latest album Grand Theft Audio shows that can produce as much power in the studio as they manage live on stage. Tickets at the door.

Splendour in the Grass Tickets up for grabs, Byron Bay

Triple J Breakfast Show hosts Wil Anderson and Adam Spencer, broadcast from Byron Bay tomorrow.

The last two tickets in Australia to this Saturday's Splendour in the Grass gig are up for grabs tomorrow, July 20, at Triple J's Breakfast Show Live Broadcast in Byron Bay.

The Breakfast Show, hosted by Adam Spencer and Wil Anderson, will broadcast live from the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club from 6am-9am.

For a chance to win the two VIP tickets to Splendour in the Grass simply turn up in your best Baywatch outfit and enjoy the show. Wil Anderson will pick the winner of the tickets.

'One of my favourite actors is David Hasslehoff and the Baywatch competition is a tribute to him,' joked Wil.

'I've never been to Byron Bay before, but Adam tells me it's just like the Gold Coast but lower down - so Baywatch seemed an appropriate theme for the competition. David and Pamela have been a constant source of inspiration for me, and especially David, so this is our way of paying homage.'

As for tips on winning costumes, Wil wants people to 'use their imagination' and surprise him, while remembering that 'the smaller the swimsuit, the better.'

Brisbane bands 2Dogs and George, along with The Cruel Sea's frontman, Tex Perkins, will perform live during the Breakfast Show. There will also be free breakfast for anyone who turns up, a bunch of Triple J goodies to giveaway and plenty of alternative Aussie music to get people in the mood for Saturday's gig.

If you miss the dynamic duo in the morning, then you can catch them at the Ballina ABC Store from 3.30pm where they will sign copies of Triple Js Hottest 100 Volume 8 CD and have a chat with the locals. The in-store signing is free and there will be giveaways throughout the afternoon.

On Saturday Wil & Adam will broadcast live from the Splendour in the Grass gig at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay.

The Lord of Salsa

Singer Elizabeth Lord joins Jim Kelly's Latin Lovers next Wednesday, July 25 for a night of hot salsa rhythms at the regular Maggie Moores jazz night.

The Latin Lovers feature Jim Kelly on guitar, Steve Russell on keys and percussion, James Cox also on percussion, Jack Thorncraft on acoustic bass and Dave Sanders on drums.

Elizabeth Lord will spice up the gig, performing songs from South America including Agua De Marco, Corcovado, Bird of Beauty and even Tico Tico.

The gig starts at 8.30pm. Entry is $5 at the door.

Jim Kelly will also perform a special free gig with fellow guitar maestro Brad Lewington on Friday, July 20 at the Kokopelli Cafe in Bangalow from 6.30pm.

A Good Blurb

SCU music graduate Alicia Charleston first came to prominence when she won the 2000 Dolphin Award for best Rock/grunge song with 'Blow Up Doll'.

The guitarist has been busy since then, recording her debut CD Blurb, which she'll launch at the Winsome Hotel this Sunday, July 22, from 3pm. Her music is a delightful grab bag of funk, soul, jazz, rock and pop, wrapped in infectious grooves and glorious harmonies.

It's going to be Alicia's last local performance for some time because she's off to Melbourne seeking fame and fortune.

Entry to the gig is $5 - or $25 with a CD, with all the dosh going to Alicia, not doubt to pay for her bus ticket.

Alicia Charleston says hello and goodbye, launching her debut CD at the Winsome this Sunday.

Students on Stage

Trinity students Laura Grogan, Rachael Dale, Natasha Page, Ben Van Biljon and Tim Curry will perform in On Stage.

The popular annual student showcase of HSC drama performances, On Stage, returns to Trinity Catholic College next week.

The individual and group performances will feature in four public performances at the Chanel Drama Studio in Brunswick Street, Lismore.

This year's students will perform in a wide variety of theatrical genres - from Moliere to Barnes, Berkoff, Beckett, Sophocles and Elisha. One of the annual highlights is the 12 minute group performance of an original work created by the students. The standard is always excellent - as the fact that former Trinity student, Kristin Letts, topped the state in Drama last year.

Because of the large number of students taking part under the direction of drama teacher Peter Derrett, On Stage has been divided into two different programs. There are performances on at 7pm next Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, July 26-28, plus a matinee at 3pm on the Saturday.

Seating is limited and tickets are available from the St Mary's site office in Dawson Street from Monday.

A Mini-Festival

The Southern Cross University Music series opens this Saturday when NORPA travels to Brisbane to see Experimentum Mundi at the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music.

The Lismore part of the Southern Cross University Music Series is described as a mini-music festival with national and international performers. It is an opportunity to see world-class performers during a two-week period. To add to this mouth-watering prospect there are two sumptuous supper cabaret shows in the series The Song Company's Purcell to Pop and the Topp Twins. Both shows serve supper at 7.30pm and the performance begins at 8.15pm for those who choose not to have supper. Seating is at tables, cabaret style and refreshments are available.

David Chesworth Talks

The Melbourne Times described the David Chesworth's instrumental composition and soundscapes as, 'nothing less than magnificent.'

The ensemble features extraordinary talented musicians. They include Helen Mountfort from Not Drowning, Waving and Hope Csutoros from My Friend the Chocolate Cake.

One of the pieces the band is playing at Lismore City Hall on Friday, July 27, is the hypnotic Badlands Suite. This is a re-working of Carl Orff's Das Schulwerk, which Chesworth first encountered in Terence Malick's evocative movie Badlands. The layering of music by the composer Chesworth with his bold orchestration is a wonderful accessible experience.

David is giving a talk at 6pm on the Thursday, July 26, before the show in the foyer of Lismore City Hall. He will discuss his compositions and the Australian music scene. Refreshments are available and the talk is of course free. The David Chesworth Ensemble will provide the Southern Cross University Music Series with a splendid start in Lismore. Tickets for the show are $25, $18 and $13 for children.

Purcell to Pop

The Song Company has developed into one of the most interesting and outstanding vocal ensembles in the world. The cabaret show on Monday, July 30, includes English madrigals from the 16th century to Burt Bacharach and Hal David's song, Close to You. Other songs include Night and Day and Randy Newman's Short People.

It will be a wonderful night of joyous music in relaxed atmosphere. Ticket prices are $30, $22 and $13 with supper an additional $10.

The Core Ensemble

The Core Ensemble performs an evening of Argentinean Tango music and three works by Astor Piazolla along with some exciting jazz. With cello, piano and percussion this USA funded tour is a must for lovers of fine Latin music and cool jazz. The Core Ensemble play at the Star Court Theatre on Tuesday July 31. Ticket prices range from $13 to $25.

There is no space this week to mention the Topp Twins and Taikoz except to say that they are going to be very popular. Bookings Northern Rivers ticket Centre 6621 5600.