Issue 736

The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Where are the Wallys?

Spiderbait play the Great Northern next Thursday.

Finley's finest exports, the trio Spiderbait, are getting ready to release their new CD, The Flight of Wally Funk next month, but in the meantime, they've bought a pony to ride into Byron Bay next Thursday for a gig at the Great Northern.

Kram, Whitt and Janet have released their first single from the album, the appropriately titled 'Four on the Floor', which has a driving rhythm and a Black Sabbath touch.

Go get a good taste of where Wally's coming from - head for the Great Northern next Thursday, September 20.

Tickets at the door.

Is that a Gun in your Pocket?

After their church visit, post-punk stalwarts the Celibate Rifles play the Great Northern this Sunday.

Back in the days when the Sex Pistols' punk swagger threatened to knock off the rock, a group of surfie lads from a Sydney high school decided to do it their way.

The Celibate Rifles formed in 1978. Fronted by soccer and surf buff Damien Lovelock, the group set the standard for esoterically titled albums with efforts like Quintessentially Yours, The Turgid Miasma of Existence and the more recent A Mid-Stream of Consciousness.

Of course lovers of Strine enjoyed the group's 1992 live effort Yizgarnnoff (geddit?!).

The Rifles have come and gone over their 23 year career, but unlike their favourite footy team, the Manly Sea Eagles, they're still in the game and playing as hard as ever.

The Celibate Rifles are also a popular mosh band - Triple J has picked up their latest single, 'G's Gone' -and now you can catch the band live at the Great Northern, Byron Bay, this Sunday night. Tickets at the door.

Pigging out on Orwell

The cast from Animal Farm (l-r) Tristan Poole, Nick Wappett, Alice Spiteri, Denne McHugh and Craig Morgan.

After months of hard work and painstaking preparations the Hut Youth Theatre will present their new production, Animal Farm, next Friday and Saturday, September 21-22 at the Lismore Workers Club.

The cast of more than 20 young people, all aged between 10 and 14, from Lismore, Byron Bay and Nimbin have been working on the production for more than three months with director Emma Wappett.

Adapted from the novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm is a comical and thought-provoking fairy story about dictatorship, the Russian revolution and communism. The story is set on a farm where the animals overthrow the humans and run the farm by themselves. Everything goes smoothly for some time until the pigs, the original leaders of the animal revolution, decide things could work better and before long the animals are worker harder than ever before with less food.

To add to the overall effect of the production the actors have been taking animal/human movement classes for some time as well as creating masks and practising their pronunciation.

Lighting and sound for the production has been done by Alyesia Manning, scenery by Lakota's mum and masks and posters by Rod Poole.

Tickets are $7/5 at the door. The show starts at 7pm.

Straight back to Maggies

The Straight Back Fellows perform at Maggie Moores next Wednesday.

A unique Sydney-based jazz band, The Straight Back Fellows, will bring their diverse and exciting jazz style to Lismore during the regular Maggie Moores jazz night next Wednesday, September 19 from 8.30pm.

The Straight Back Fellows combine the sounds of hot club jazz from the great Django Reinhardt and rhythms from North India with Latin and Blues to produce an incredibly uplifting and enjoyable musical experience.

The five-piece band has a decidedly Australian flavour as the set begins with guitars, drums and a double bass pulsing out traditional swing rhythms. However, their performance takes a dramatic turn with the introduction of the tabla, which they use in their reworked rendition of Django's Bolero, a well-known Reinhardt tune.

Things take another twist when the Bansuri (traditional Indian bamboo flute) emerges to introduce another tune with a lengthy aalap (a traditional Hindustani classical exploration).

Getting back to basics The Straight Back Fellows include a flute and clarinet to conclude their set with a beautiful interpretation of Duke Ellington's Caravan.

Featuring in the band is Nigel Date on guitar, Rob Shannon on guitar and tabla, Dimitri Vouros on flute and Bansuri, John Maddox on double bass and Tim Bradley on drums.

This unique gig is a one-off so don't miss it. Tickets are $9/7 at the door.

Hart to heart

Mick Hart plays the Great Northern this Saturday.

Mick Hart's epic 14-track debut Still the flowers bloom, has been one of the gem releases this year. The former Squealing Pygmies front man strides across the musical landscape with some Led Zepplin Kashmir-esque moments, to surreal Beatles and big acoustic grooves and lush strings.

It's a sterling effort, polished by Midnight Oil's producer Jim Moginie. Hart's virtuoso guitar playing shines on the album - as it does when he plays live, which anyone who saw his efforts at the Blues Festival will confirm.

You can see for yourself this Saturday at the Great Northern in Byron. Tickets at the door.

Don't miss the KaOz

KaOZ Klezmer records a CD at the Star Court Theatre this Saturday - and you're welcome to join in.

This Saturday September 15, local heroes KaOZ Klezmer will record their concert Raisins & Almonds live at Lismore's Star Court Theatre from 8pm.

Two of the best sound recordists in Oz will be holding the mikes - Harry Williamson from Springhill Studios in Melbourne and local sound man Stuart Batten.

Klezmer music is Yiddish (eastern/central European Jewish) in origin, fusing traditional and experimental classical, folk, jazz and rock. Its tones and rhythms coloured by Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romany, Arabic and Spanish influences.

KaOZ Klezmer is a five piece led by Pietro Fine and boasts clarinet, sax, piano, accordion, bass, drums, guitar and vocals. Their enticing, captivating sound can break open even the most cynical heart. Wherever KaOZ play, enthusiastic audiences are wowed. The cream comes from Leora Claff's stunning vocals.

While their music borrows heavily from Klezmer and Jewish tradition there are also contemporary interpretations, improvisations and originals that Kaoz play in their own unique way.

Another seven top musicians will join the band transforming it into the Klezmer Fantazma Orcheztra for the concert finale. The gang includes Bridget Crouch-Jordan (violin), former professor of music at the Royal College of Music, London, Steve Berry, guitarist with Coolangubra and Golden Guitar award winner, and Aria award winner Scott Tinkler (trumpet).

Seats are limited. Tickets from Music Bizarre in Lismore or phone Ian on 6622 0819.

Nimbin Ball

Nimbin Visions Spring Festival opens this Saturday night with the Visions Ball at Nimbin Town Hall from 7pm. It promises to be a night of glamorous entertainment with lush decorations, lighting, installations, and great music.

Starting off the song is acoustic duo Choral Spawn, followed by the Gypsy acoustic of The Romaniacs, who will be launching their debut CD - a blend Latin, folk, blues and traditional music.

Also performing are Nimbin favourites The Durga Babies who'll keeping the toes tapping. Talented singer/songwriter Gabbi will MC the festivities, as well as performing a solo set before and joining the band. North Indian food will be on sale along with drinks. Tickets are $15/10 conc.

An Auty view

Controversial international art critic Giles Auty will give a special address at Lismore Regional Art Gallery on Friday morning, following his judging of the Lismore City Art Prize. The free talk is at 9am.

Auty's opinions are often controversial and his time as critic for The Australian polarised many in the art community. He will discuss art in Australia and why it needs to be looked at in a global context. He will also talk about the misapprehension surrounding art criticism.

Today, Giles Auty is the Gallery's guest judge Art Prize for Living Regional Treasure. He will announce the winning work at the Exhibition Opening at 6pm Thursday 13 September.

Giles Auty is now art critic for The Courier Mail and lives in the Blue Mountains near Sydney.

Sculpture show opens

The fifth annual Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show shines this Sunday with the opening day Garden Party, from noon to 5pm.

Set amidst the rainforest gardens at Thursday Plantation in Ballina, the show's curator, Priya Woolston, says this year's works are enigmatic, scary, elegant, whimsical, witty, provocative, moving and beautiful.

'There's a depth and quality to the work this year that I think will prove it to be the best show we've ever had,' she said.

Local musicians Satori will create a musical soundscape from 1pm, followed by the Awards ceremony at 3pm

Admission is $5 (under 16 free) runs until January 31 2002 at Thursday Plantation is open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.

Chopper Concert

The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service will benefit from a Revival Fellowship national youth outreach program, which comes to Lismore this weekend.

'Although the activities are based around taking the positive message of the gospel to the people of Australia, a key element is to provide enjoyment for the participants and an opportunity for them to experience first-hand what the local regions have to offer,' pastor Peter Miller said.

The Revival Fellowship will present a topical Power Point audio/visual presentation with visiting pastor, Brad Smith, based on Bible principals and philosophy. They will be held today and tomorrow, September 13-14 at the Southern Cross University's (SCU) Goodman Plaza and Lismore Central Shopping Centre from 10am-2pm.

To raise money for the Rescue Helicopter, the young people involved in the program will present two concerts on Saturday, September 15 - at Spinks Park from 10am, and the SCU Whitebrook Theatre from 7pm. The concerts will feature a performance by the 200-strong gospel choir as well as live music courtesy of visiting Queensland bands No Excuse and The Exit. Entry to both concerts is by gold coin donation.

Green Films

To raise a few pennies for the local Greens candidate for Page. John Corkill, a couple of film nights featuring documentaries by local filmmakers are on in Lismore and Kyogle next week.

Both screening are at 8pm - at the SCU union building next Tuesday, April 18, and at Kyogle Cinema on Thursday, September 20.

Catherine Marciniak's excellent Steel City, about the closure of the BHP steelworks in Newcastle, and Cathy Henkel's Walking through a Minefield, about the Jabiluka uranium mine protests, will screen.

Tickets are $8/5 conc. at the door.

Breakin' Down

Young dancers and rappers are being invited to enter a Break Dance Competition to be held this Saturday, September 15 at Habitat Studios in Byron Bay.

Local freestyle rappers will give demonstrations and there are heaps of great prizes and giveaways.

Sign on is from 10am-12pm with a 12pm start. The first category is the solo breakers (12pm - 11 years and under, 1pm - 12-14 years and 2pm - 15 years and up). Team events begin at 3pm, followed by the best head and back spins of the day and a BBQ for everyone.

You can kick on at the Rap Cafe (open 5-10pm) and for just $2 people can use the skate ramps, strut their stuff on the break dance mat or have a go on the open mic. For more information phone 6685 5775 or 6680 5589.

Try Dance

Dance Experience is a special work experience week for secondary students with leading youth dance maker, Ruth Osborne from the Choreographic Centre in Canberra. Running September 17 - 21, Ruth will be joined by local dance teachers Michael Hennessy and Eddie Kay.

The week is a rewarding challenge, and is for anyone who has an interest in moving, no matter whether you have been to dance class before. You will experience a few different techniques, processes and styles from a number of choreographers.

Buzz Dance Theatre from Perth, are touring the same week, as part of the NORPA 2001 program. Buzz are an experienced perfomance troupe who have been touring Rumpelstiltskin to South Africa and around Australia They are offering two workshops: Physical Theatre for children aged 8-13 years, and Street Theatre for adults, both on the Saturday afternoon on September 22, at Lismore City Hall. The cost is $5

Please call Emma Newman, Dance Action Manager on 6622 0300 for bookings.