Issue 734

The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Choirs combine for spring

Spring is sprung, so Deidre Pailas, Warren Whitney and Valerie Tamblyn-Mills (pictured) are in full bloom, combining their talents for a special ‘farewell to winter' choral concert, Loudly sings the cuckoo, this Friday, August 31, at Lismore City Hall

It promises to be a beautiful night of song with five local choral groups – Unlikely Angels, Lismore Show Choir, Lismore Choral Society, Ballina's Acapelicans, and the Nouveaux Singers – joining together for a to sing everything from 13th Century rounds to selections from Strauss and contemporary musicals. the songs include the round 'Summer is A-Coming In', highlights from Monteverdi's Orfeo, ‘One Brick at a Time' from the musical Barnum and the lush chorus ‘Brother Time' form Strauss' Die Fledermus.

The groups will each take a turn performing on their own before coming together to raise the rafters with soaring voices. Well known pianist Fed Cole will join Warren Whitney as accompaniment for the concert.

Tickets are $10/8 and will be on sale at the door for the 8pm concert.

Ballina magic

The NSW Sports Council for the Disabled is presenting a special concert for children with special needs this Sunday at Ballina RSL.

Magic Mania features a magician, illusionist, juggler and dancers and runs for about 75 minutes.

The show is free and kicks off at noon. If you'd like tickets, which have been sponsored by local businesses, then contact the Disability and Aged Information Service on 1800 800 340, or fax your request to Arlene on 6681 3135 by Friday, 5pm.

Funk soul brothers

Funk ‘n' Disorderly is a fresh new band blending great tunes with the latest dance beats. Featuring the truly scrumptious Hayley Roberts on lead vocals, she's joined by John White (guitar/vocals), Liam Flanagan (bass), Lockie Mulligan (keyboards) and former axe man Mick Florie now slapping the pigskin.

Along with some funky original material, the group rips through the latest chart hits, from Moulin Rouge to Macy Gray, Aretha Franklin, Faith No More, Lenny Kravitz, Incubus and many more.

You can catch what all the fuss is about this Saturday when Funk ‘n' Disorderly play the Tatts, Lismore.

Producers' workshop

North Coast CAMERA will present a one-day workshop, The Producer's Tool Box, next Saturday, September 8, at the Clunes Technology Centre from 10am-4pm.

The workshop will take emerging producers through the process of production step by step – how to nut out your synopsis, write the treatment or outline, create a budget, find finance and discuss the responsibility of the producer to the film and the crew.

Participants are encouraged to bring their projects or ideas along as time will be spent working on each individual project.

The workshop will be conducted by local producer Cathy Henkel, who has made two award-winning short films and more recently produced the documentary Losing Layla. She is currently working on a new documentary with the ABC and BBC while completing a Masters of Arts degree at QUT researching film, video and multimedia industries in the Northern Rivers.

For bookings and info phone CAMERA on 6621 5444.

Start spreading the news

Vocalist Sean Richards (centre) will feature at this Saturday's Club Harlem at the Lismore City Hall. He is pictured with organisers Kim and Reashad Quirk (rear) and the girls from Sistas who will do food on the evening (l-r) Alicia Cox, Julie Powrie and Christine Cox.

Fabulous coffee, fine food and smooth jazz... it sounds like the ingredients for a New York jazz and supper club but it's actually Lismore's very own Club Harlem, which will be held this Saturday, September 1 in the Lismore City Hall's Fountain Room.

Established in Lismore now for more than two years, the club is run by local jazz fanatics Kim and Reashad Quirk, who started Club Harlem as a venue where both aspiring and experienced jazz musicians could perform together.

'The club gives young jazz musicians a chance to play alongside some of the region's more experienced performers, which results in some very unique and creative jazz,' Kim said.

'The event is held in an intimate, club-style setting where people can enjoy supper and some great live jazz. It's Lismore's little piece of New York.'

Saturday's Club Harlem will feature performances by former Lismore boy, the Sydney-based saxophonist Daniel Rorke with vocals by jazz singer, Kim Quirk and Sean Richards. There will also be a special guest performance by jazz diva Betty B Bop and other special guests including Ben Vancleef on trumpet.

Dinner is being prepared by the girls from Sistas Cafe and alcohol is BYO. There will be delicious cakes and coffee available.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are $16/12 from Caddies Bean Shop, Music Bizarre or book on 6622 1322.

Q Freebie: The Echo has two tickets to giveaway to Club Harlem this Saturday. To go in the draw phone 6622 2888 between 3 & 3.10pm tomorrow, August 31, and tell us the first name of the famous jazz trumpet player Gillespie (hint: It's the nickname for a bowler in the Aussie cricket team).

Joanna's jazz

The Joanna Lavell (pictured) Quintet performs at Maggie Moores' regular jazz night next Wednesday.

Vocalist Joanna Lavell will make her debut at the regular Maggie Moores jazz night next Wednesday, September 5 with her new group the Joanna Lavell Quintet.

Joanna will be accompanied by Andrew Keppie on guitar, Bob Howlett on keys, Greg Lyon on electric bass and Luke Collins on drums. They will perform an eclectic mix of jazz, soul and Latin grooves which blend beautifully with Joanna's smooth, sultry vocals.

Tickets are $5 at the doors. The gig starts at 8.30pm.

Art prize

Calling all Artists, Sculptors, Photographers, Calligraphers, Craft persons, Needleworkers, glass and wood workers

The Southern Cross Annual Arts and Craft Festival returns on September 29, at The Southern Cross K-12 School, East Ballina.

However, any interested artist or craftspeople only has until September 10 for art categories and September 20 for craft to lodge their entries to be in the running for some great prizes, including the $1000 Southern Cross Open Prize, with the second place winner receiving $500. This year, there's an acquisitive prize of $750 for any artwork based on the Australia or the history of our nation as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations.

Other Art categories will include: Landscapes and local images, Sculpture, Marine theme, Portraiture, Calligraphy, Drawing, Mixed media, Print making, Woodcraft, Miniatures, Glass Art, Colour Photography, Black and White Photography, Youth Art and Youth photography.

àhe Craft categories include: Textiles, Quilting, Glass art, Tapestry, Silk painting, Decoupage, Folk art Toys, Pottery, Ceramics, Needle work, Xmas corner, Porcelain painting, Natural materials and a miscellaneous section.

Entry forms are available at most art and craft supply shops, Ballina Tourist Information Centre, Southern Cross School or phone Colleen on 6686 0683.

KaOz theory

Klezmer is an exhilarating and stirring music of Yiddish and European origins. KaOZ Klezmer is a five piece band of clarinet, accordion, bass, guitar, drums, piano and vocals. Led by Pietro Fine, (clarinet) with Leora Claff (vocals), KaOZ has wowed audiences from Woodford to Sydney. KaOZ Klezmer and the Klezmer Fantazma Orcheztra will enthrall with their hot bulgars, haunting tangos, intriguing rhythms, evocative songs and original numbers at a special concert at the Star Court Theatre, Lismore, on September 15, at 8pm.

The Fantazma Orcheztra (which is also Pietro's brainchild) includes the members of KaOZ plus violinist Brigit Jordan, as well as a line up of trombones, trumpet, flute and guitar.

Tickets are $12 ($10 conc) from Music Bizarre in Magellan St, Lismore, or phone Ian on 6622 0819.

Local talent on show

If you're into good music and supporting local talent head along to the Winsome Hotel next Thursday, September 6, for a showcase of established and aspiring musicians from the Northern Rivers.

The night will feature performances by songwriter Peppa Rose and the Transit Band, Deb Bond and the Special Patrol Group. Also included in the line up are talented blues slide guitarist Rohan Langford and Jody.

The gig starts at 9pm. Entry is $5.

World music at the Winsome

A new local band fronted by percussionist Cindy Hall, Indigena, will make their debut performance in Lismore next Tuesday, September 4 at the Winsome Hotel.

Currently in the process of recording for their debut CD, Rivers of Steele, the band has been described by Sydney's Drum magazine as 'Santana meets KRS-1'.

For those who haven't heard of Santana and KRS-1, Indigena combines elements of Afro-Latin tribal chant coupled with real life stories in spoken word. These vocal elements are then performed to saucy blues and jazz standards, making for a highly original fusion of music.

As well as the Winsome gig, Indigena will also perform next Sunday, September 9 at the Rails in Byron Bay. Both gigs kick off at 7pm and are free.

Tyalgum is tops

In 1991, at age 14, Tamara Anna Cislowska became the youngest pianist to win the prestigious ABC Young Performer of the Year classic music award. An extraordinary pianist, Tamara gave her first public performance at age 2, and recorded for ABC Radio when she was only 3.

More recently, Tamara has toured extensively, giving recitals in Europe, the UK and US, and Japan, adding a host more international awards along the way. She's recorded five solo CDs, and two with the SSO – and four recordings have been nominated for the ARIA awards.

Next month, Tamara Anna Cislowska is one of the top class performers at the Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music, September 7-9.

The weekend also includes the Limpingwood string ensemble, guitarist Karin Schaupp, Duo Cord, the Young Virtuosi and chamber trio Dean Emmerson Dean.

This is the 10th Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music, and as always the beautiful Tyalgum Hall.

For enquiries and bookings, call 6679 2244, or email tyalgumfestival@better.net.au

Local film industry

Screenworks, the region's film and multimedia industry development organisation, is holding a Public Forum to discuss strategies for the development of creative industries in the Northern Rivers.

This forum is open to locals with a professional interest in participating in the screen industry.

Christopher Dean will chair the meeting, at the Cotton Club in the Byron Bay Piggery this Monday, September 3, from 3pm.

For more information, contact Gerry Hilton on 66871526 melsa@bigpond.com or Cathy Henkel on 66291449 or c.henkel@qut.edu.au

With a thong in my art

Comedian Peter Willey (pictured) will be the feature act at next Tuesday's monthly Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge.

The Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge returns this month with feature comedian Peter Willey and local gal Julie Sarkozi taking to the stage for a night of fun and frivolity next Tuesday, September 4 at Maggie Moore's Pub.

A well-known Sydney comic, Peter Willey has been performing his sharp-tongued stories, jokes, poems and musical parodies since he launched his four-man comedy band Door Sausage back in 1991.

An accomplished guitarist and singer, Peter regularly entertains audiences with his hilarious collection of original songs including Thongs of Faith and the well-known Kitchen Tea Tupperware Massacre, as well as his comic renditions of many famous pop, folk and country tunes. Peter will be supported by local up-and-coming comic Julie Sarkozi, who has performed at the Gold Coast Comedy Clubhouse and recently took part in the Great Herb Debate.

Then of course there's the usual gang – poet David Hallett, MC S Sorrensen and Antonio the Piano Man (last month Antonio's 12 year-old son Omero played a hauntingly beautiful Miles Davis tune on trumpet, and hopefully it will become a regular segment in the future).

People can also enter the $50 joke competition, Antonio's Funny Money, simply by putting their name down at the door and telling their best joke.

Fantastic meals are also available and there's a special meal and show ticket for just $20 (to book phone 6622 1888). Tickets for the show only are $12 and Uni students are half price (bring student ID). The gig starts at 8.30pm.

Q Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to the Lounge to giveaway. For a chance to win phone 6622 2888 between 3 & 3.10pm tomorrow, August 31 and tell us why you should win.

It's a family affair

The last time pianist Bernadette Harvey-Balkus was due to play Lismore, a baby understandably took precedence, and along came Ariel. Two years later, Bernadette's had another creative splurge, resulting in Matthew, who's now six weeks old.

You'd think that a new-born baby would make things difficult when you're bound for Lismore to play with brother Michael in a Musica Viva concert next Friday, September 7. But the great thing for the musically-inclined Harvey family is that ‘granny' Anne Harvey will also be in town – as an adjudicator at the 89th Lismore Eisteddfod, which begins on September 9.

In fact, the Musica Viva concert is fundraiser for the Eisteddfod, a incredible exercise involving 4000 performers competing in 450 sections over three weeks

This three-week logistical marathon takes 14 months to organise and costs $35,000 to stage each year.

On duelling Grand Pianos, Michael Kieran Harvey and Bernadette Harvey-Balkus will perform Stravinsky's ‘Rite of Spring' and works by contemporary Australian composers and American composer George Crumb.

Tickets are on sale now from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6621 5600.