Issue 737

The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Performers wanted

All performing artists and entertainers in the Northern Rivers area invited to showcase their work at Nimbin's annual Concert of Dances, which is to be held as part of the Visions Festival this Sunday, September 23.

Organisers say they are sorry about the short notice, but they encourage anyone interested to get involved and make the show as big and as exciting as possible.

To be part of the show or to get more information phone Adriana on 6689 7416 or 0419 807 641 or email queennomad@purpleturtle.com

Farewell Monica

The North Coast's most marvellous moocher, Monica Lawson, has her bags packed and is ready to go south for a new life in Cootamundra. So to say farewell to fans and friends, she giving one more gig with Jamie as Friday's Child, this Saturday, September 22, from 8.30pm.

Groove is in the heart

Students from Our Lady Help Of Christians School rehearsing a scene from their production Brainwaves. Some of the work experience students developing a scene for their performance, Body Grooves, to be performed at the Star Court Theatre tomorrow night.

A group of 20 secondary students from nine local high schools will present a special performance, Body Grooves, tomorrow night, September 21 at the Star Court Theatre as part of a new work experience program.

Presented by Ausdance NSW and in conjunction with NORPA, the work experience program - Dance Experience - has given students an idea of what it's like to be a member of a dance company.

Throughout the week students have been taught dance techniques by Ruth Osborne from the Choreographic Centre in Canberra as well as local dance teachers Michael Hennessy and Eddie Kay.

"It's taught us that dance is a lot more than just ballet and tap dancing - it's not about how well you point your toes it's more about how well you can express feelings within movement," one of the students, Renee McQuaker, said.

"It's been an incredible experience!"

Body Grooves is the culmination of their studies and the 30 minute show has a strong emphasis on body image. Tickets are $4 at the door. The performance starts at 6pm.

Amazing Grace

To raise much-needed funds for the Ballina Early Intervention, a charity concert featuring acclaimed Australian jazz and blues vocalist, Grace Knight, will be held next Wednesday, September 26 at the Ballina RSL Club.

Grace Knight began her musical career with chart-topping 1980s pop band Eurogliders, before taking on a solo career where she soon became Australia's number one selling jazz diva.

Grace recently completed her latest album, Zeitgeist, which blends a variety of textures, genres and styles to create a unique sound with beautiful harmonies.

"I've been writing the songs for Zeitgeist over the past few years and it's been a long slog, but boy it's worth it," Grace said.

"This album draws on all my influences, from Eurogliders through to jazz and blues. It's like a summation and the beginning of something new all at the same time... in the past I've been lucky enough to perform songs written by the masters and some well known craftsmen. "However, singing someone else's songs has left me feeling a little incomplete, especially when my own life is so full of juicy stories."

As mentioned above all proceeds will go to Ballina Early Intervention, which provides support to infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities.

Tickets are $20. To book phone 6686 2544.

A major brainwave

Students from Our Lady Help Of Christians School rehearsing a scene from their production Brainwaves.

Singing, dancing, acting, brilliant costumes and colourful characters - the Our Lady Help of Christians School performing arts spectacular, Brainwaves, has it all.

The production was written by teacher Anne Lowry, with help from the 92 cast members - students from years three to six.

"Brainwaves is about the way children tend to overuse technology - how in today's world many children play the Nintendo and computer all day instead of going outside and communicating with others," Anne said. "The play is all about demonstrating that there has to be a balance between using technology and other activities - that technology can set you free is you use it wisely. It's also just a great chance for the students to perform a group pieces and feel good about themselves."

Brainwaves will be performed next Tuesday, September 25 at 10.30am and 7.30pm and on Wednesday at 7.30pm, both at the Lismore Workers Club.

Tickets are $5 adults/$2 children and $15 family at the door.

10ft Swell washes in to Lismore

10ft Swell perform at Maggie Moores tomorrow night.

To promote their debut CD, Find, upcoming new band 10ft Swell will perform tomorrow, September 21, at Maggie Moores. This band of passionate surfers has been regularly featured on Triple J.

10ft Swell's distinctive sound and unique collection of songs combines elements of folk, blues, reggae and jazz with an alternative pop sensibility.

The gig starts at 10pm.

Uncommonwealth

In the leadup to protests against CHOGM in Brisbane next month, the Nimbin Environment Centre is hosting a CHOGM Concert this Saturday, September 22 at the Nimbin Hall.

The night will feature films and talks by the Global Justice Alliance, which is organising the CHOGM protests, followed by local bands the Gypsie Rollers and Monkey and the Fish as well as individual performances by singer/ songwriters Vanessa Hoffman and Bo Kahn.

Entry is $7/4 and children are free. The gig runs from 3pm-12am.

Soup Kitchen benefit

Local band El Gonzo Green are one of four bands playing at a Lismore Soup Kitchen Benefit concert at the Tatts Hotel next Thursday.

To raise money for the Lismore Soup Kitchen, which was destroyed by fire last month, a Benefit concert is being held next Thursday, September 27, at the Tatts Hotel, Lismore.

Since the fire, the community has rallied together to help the community organisation get up and running again, but more funds are desperately needed.

The gig kicks off with a debut performance by Razwack Acrobat, followed by local groove band Swanky Dee and funk band Counterstroke.

Taking the night out will be El Gonzo Green, an eclectic band of young musicians who play a unique blend of funk, groove and rock.

Entry is $3. The gig starts at 8pm.

Brad and friends

Brad Lewington will be joined by young jazz musicians at Maggie Moores next Wednesday.

Well-known local jazz guitarist Brad Lewington will be joined by a number of young musicians from Southern Cross University's contemporary music department when he performs next Wednesday, September 26 at Maggie Moores.

Brad will perform a variety of funky songs and modern jazz tunes with friends Sean Tate on drums, Pat Savina on electric bass, Luke Collins on drums and Olivia on alto saxophone.

The gig kicks off at 8.30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Pastries and paintings

Artist Wendy Lagerman has a new exhibition, Facets of Life, on show at Henry's Bakery in Lismore.

"I'm fascinated by the different ways people live... things that can be normal to one person can be completely alien to someone else," Wendy said.

The show continues until October 5. To see more of Wendy's work, she opens her home studio for viewing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm. The studio is situated about five kilometres before Nimbin (look for the signs).

Coraki art show

Entries for the Coraki Tea Tree Festival Art Prize are now open. This year The Echo is offering a $250 first prize and editor Simon Thomsen will be one of the judges. Of course there's still the big one - the $1000 Best in Show prize.

The show opens on October 26, and entries for the show close on October 12. Pick up an entry form at any Coraki business, the Ballina, Evans Head and Casino tourist info centres, Lismore picture framers or the art gallery, Fletchers Fotographics or on 6683 2626.

Drumming up a storm

Solo drummer Grant Collins performs at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore next Wednesday.

Grant Collins, the man described by the national drummers magazine, Drum Scene, as a 'one-man percussion orchestra', will perform his spectacular one-man show next Wednesday, September 26 at the Tatts Hotel from 7.30pm.

Grant Collins is renowned for his unconventional and passionate drumming and he has the largest drum kit in the southern hemisphere, which includes more than 25 drums, 25 cymbals and 15 different pedals.

Regarded as a drummer's drummer, Grant has wowed critics and audiences both here and overseas.

The concert, hosted by Nicholas Music, costs $10 pre-paid (bookings 6621 7784), $12 at the door and $5 for children under 10.

Bundjalung art

The inaugural Bundjalung collaborative arts awards open this Friday, September 21, at Nimbin Central School Hall, as part of the Visions of Nimbin Festival.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, at the Hall, and runs until October 5.

Something old and new

Next Thursday, September 27, marks the start of the beginners Celtic Jam session, as a warm-up to the main event at the Rous Hotel, Lismore. Organisers are providing keen, up-and-coming musicians to learn traditional Irish and Scottish tunes step by step under the guidance of some of the best local players.

The beginners sessions will also offer tuition in particular styles and instruments, including whistle, bodran, fiddle, guitar and accordian.

The beginners session will start at 6pm and the full-blown event starts around 7.30-8pm.

Entry is free. Guinness adds the froth and bubble, and you can grab a fantastic Mediterranean meal at the pub's Lisboa café.

The prodigal daughter

Former Nimbin gal dun good, Diana ah Naid, goes off at the Great Northern in Byron this Sunday, with support from the Daisycutters and Mescaline. Tickets at the door.