Issue 729
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The Scene - Local Entertainment NewsWomen on Topp
Exotica And Other Sounds
Melbourne-based David Chesworth was watching the 1973 Terence Malick film Badlands, when the music fired his imagination. 'When I heard it in the film, I was really captivated by how it was used. Martin Sheen had just burnt down his girlfriend's house and there are these beautiful sounding innocent sounds,' Chezworth explains. 'There was a strange dichotomy between the innocence of the music and this strange shadowy role it played.' Chesworth was curious to find out who the composer was, but it was a while before found a copy of the record, which revealed it was German composer Carl Orff's ‘Das Schulwerk'. 'Orff wrote it for children to perform – it was part of this German teaching method. The music is supposedly based on pagan folk, which is why people have always associated it with Hitler and the fascists. It was this incredibly precise performance by the children, with these fascist echoes, but there's also an innocence in there,' Chesworth said. That juxtaposition is what fascinates the Australian composer – the ability to say one thing musically, while suggesting something else. So he wrote Badlands suite, a work that tears along with a rich intensity, moments of fragile beauty and brooding malevolence, for the eight piece David Chesworth Ensemble. It's one of the works they'll play at their Norpa concert at Lismore City Hall this Friday, July 27. The David Chesworth Ensemble is an unusual orchestra of strings, trombone, percussion, piano and sound effects. The group features My Friend the Chocolate Cake members Helen Mountfort and Hope Csutoros, on cello and violin respectively, along with Elision's Peter Neville (who was musical director of Tap Dogs), and leading symphony orchestra players like trombonist Simon Myers. It came together by accident, but Chesworth warmed to the result. 'Before I knew it, I had this group with this interesting instrumentation. I was more interested in working with the musicians than the instruments they played – although it had most of the instruments of an orchestra in microcosm. But I wasn't pleased with my instrumentation until I started to write for them and began to see the possibilities,' he said. 'You can talk to them about the music – they know a hell of a lot of things and bring it to bear on the music. They just don't play my music, they add their interpretations.' The result is a lively concert that's just as home in a nightclub as a concert hall. 'What we find is we're very theatrical on stage, and as a result people are fascinated by what goes on on stage. We're this living organism together and it's not a straight-laced concert by any means. The physicality is inseparable from the music,' Chesworth explains. The David Chesworth Ensemble's performance at Lismore City Hall is part of Norpa's Southern Cross Music series. Tickets are on sale now from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6621 5600. Tickets are also available at the door on the night.
Unplugged Returns For One Night
Wandering minstrels Ted and Jenny Tilbrook, the driving force behind the sadly missed Unplugged, have been a-roaming for the last few years, crossing this wide brown land. They're finally decided to follow their musical hearts and pitch their tent in the country music capital, Tamworth. But before the big move, they've returned to Lismore to say hello and goodbye with a special one night only Unplugged at the Rous Hotel, Lismore, next Wednesday, August 1. Ted will head up the Unplugged house band in a star-spangled evening that brings out all your favourite musicians. With Greg Champion as MC, the night with also feature Jodi and Robin Martin, Liz Lord and Leigh James, Phil Levy, Paddy Raleigh, Jodi Suprain, Chris Cook, Julie Metcalfe, Bernie Hartman and many, many more. Also taking the mike is Brooke McClymont, who will leave for the US later in the month to record her debut album. Brooke, now 20, was a popular regular at Unplugged with her equally talented sisters. The siblings will The music kicks off around 7.30pm, and a donation at the door will get you in, as well as helping Ted and Jen on their way south. Unplugged is sponsored by the Lismore Music Centre.
Classic Love Story In Song
Dido and Aeneas is the classical saga of the love between Aeneas, prince of Troy, and Dido, Queen of Carthage. Set to the enchanting music of Henry Purcell in 1680, it was originally devised for performance by ‘Mr Josias Priest's School for Young Gentlewomen in Chelsey'. Local singing legend Valerie Tamblyn-Mills has brought the work back to life with a strong cast and string orchestra for a series of performances this weekend. In keeping with the original, the singers in this performance are all female and they'll be accompanied by the Poco Vivace String Ensemble, conducted by Karen Traise, with guest harpsichordist Jude Magee. Valerie Tamblyn-Mills will play the role of Dido, with the 14 voice women's choir Unlikely Angels delivering a chorus with plenty of passion and life. The other nine soloists in the cast are drawn from the ranks of the choir, enacting a story bristling with love, duty, destiny, witches and the odd thunderstorm. Running for just over an hour, this musical drama offers lush and lilting melodies are pleasing and soothing on the ear. The performance is sung in English and simply staged. There are two shows, on Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29, from 4.30pm, at Lismore City Hall. The late afternoon performance time was chosen to create a laid back and enjoyable time for audiences. Tickets are $16/12 at the door. Phone 6624 6734 for more details.
Short Film FestThe Southern Cross University Open Slather short film festival has only one rule – the films must be under eight minutes in length. The festival is an initiative of the Ballina Youth Service and produced in conjunction with the university, and has attracted a wide range of entries from both local and national filmmakers. The films will be screened at the Whitebrook Theatre at Southern Cross University in East Lismore this Friday, July 27, from 7.30pm. The films will be judged by Peter Castaldi and Cathy Henkel, and Barbie English will host the evening. Tickets for the Open Slather Film Festival are available from the Ballina ABC Shop, Soundwaves in Byron, the student union on campus, or at the door.
Soup CelebrationTo mark the 10th anniversary of the Meals on the Street project by local good samaritan Darcy Goodwin, a celebration is being held at 5.30pm this Saturday, July 28 at the Nimbin Town Hall. Over the last decade Darcy has provided food, clothing, furniture, accommodation and a much needed helping hand to hundreds of people within the community. Saturday's event is a tribute to Darcy and he will be presented with a community artwork in thanks for his past, present and future service. The 5m x 5m mural has been created by numerous people under the direction of Thai artist Chang. Donations in the form of art supplies are still be called for (phone Sue on 6628 2002). If you're feeling a little market challenged this weekend, then only 30 minutes drive north of Lismore, you can Nimbin's spectacular Aquarius Fair Country Markets, this Sunday, July 29 at the Community Centre. Threaded amongst the old buildings there's a variety of colourful stalls featuring a range of arts, crafts, clothes and home grown and cooked foods. Local musicians will provide entertainment at the outdoor tipi stage and there'll also be dance and poetry performances at the vegetarian Cave Cafe. Entry is free.
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Badlands Suite: David Chesworth leads his ensemble at Lismore City Hall this Friday.
Brooke McClymont features in a one-off Unplugged concert next Wednesday
Unlikely angels… Mim Webber, Valerie Tamblyn-Mills, Rosalind Hawkins and Sheila Keane sing the ancient love story of Dido and Aeneas this weekend. 