Issue 738

The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Lizard hits the spot

The second last Laughing Lizard Comedy of the year is next Tuesday, October 4 at Maggie Moores, featuring Gold Coast comic Steve Allison and local duo The G Spots.

Steve Allison is renowned for his quick wit and crazy juggling act. Steve has performed extensively at clubs and festivals around Australia as well as in South Africa, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

Local duo, The G Spots, may not be as widely travelled, but they're just as funny. The G Spots are Goldie Corn and Gina Mite (aka Tracey Knowland and Liz Gordon), a pair of desperate and dateless divas who "scour the universe in search of a man who is available and still breathing."

Their hilarious tales of hair removal and lost love are combined with original comedy songs to create not just a comedy routine, but an entire show that is unique and very entertaining.

The Lizard will also feature MC S Sorrensen (pictured), Antonio's Funny Money, a $50 joke competition for audience members, and a five minute stand-up section.

Meal and show tickets are available for $20 (to book phone 6622 1888).

Show only tickets are $12, or $6 for uni students (bring ID), at the door.

The last Lizard of the year will be an afternoon Melbourne Cup Special on Tuesday, November 6 for those who like a laugh as well as a punt. To book phone 6633 7057.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to next week's Lizard to give away. To go in the draw phone 6622 2888 tomorrow, September 28, between 3 & 3.10pm.

Southern Cross art

The annual Southern Cross Arts and Craft Festival is on again from this weekend, with the gymnasium at the Southern Cross school in Ballina once again filling up with wonderful art and craft, along with plenty of demonstrations.

The 28th show opens this Saturday, September 29, and runs until October 7. It's open daily from 10am to 5pm.

There's around 700 artworks featured, as well as thousands of craft items for sale. On top of that, you can see around a half a dozen different demonstrations of day, from the ancient Japanese flower art of Ikebana, to silk marbling, folk art, teddy bears, watercolours, lace, ceramics, glass painting and woodturning.

For film buffs, there's even a short film festival.

Entry is $5/2 for kids. Pensioners are $4.

Southern Cross K-12 school is in Chickiba Drive, East Ballina.

Wild about films

The Wild Spaces Environmental Film Festival screens this Friday, September 28 at the Star Court Theatre.

Hosted by North Coast CAMERA, it features a series of documentaries and short films. Highlights include the documentary Defending the Forests, which documents the Campesino environmentalists of Guerrero and their struggle to defend their land in the face of an oppressive military.

Watch out for Sweat Equity, about a group of people in Los Angles reclaiming abandoned city land and transforming it into community gardens and also Second Step, which tells the amazing story of environmentalist and adventurer Warren Macdonald.

Tickets for Wild Spaces are $10/8, and $7 for CAMERA members, at the door. The screening begins at 7.30pm.

Rock is their Forte

As part of their Australian tour, Californian outfit Nebula will perform with Byron Bay band Forte this Sunday, September 30 at the Great Northern.

Nebula are hardcore rockers featuring members of Fu Manchu.

Forte recently released their EP, Tripping in the Vast Exterior, which went to number three on the Australian Independent Charts The single, 'Momentum', is getting
high rotation airplay on Triple J.

The triple bill also features Giants of Science.

Tickets at the door.

Follow that dream

The Young Dreamtime Performers and guest artists from Wilson Park Special School perform Over The Rainbow, this Saturday, September 29, at the Lismore City Hall.

This group of people with disabilities has created the show over the last six months through weekly workshops.

The show covers a whole spectrum of music featuring well-known rock and roll, heavy metal and country songs to popular musicals such as The Wizard of Oz and Grease.

Tickets are $10/7 and children under five are free.

Strong song from fine voices

The 30-voice Sydney Male Choir sings up a storm at Lismore City Hall next Wednesday.

The Sydney Male Choir is recognised as one of the most polished male choirs in Australia, with an emphasis on beautiful tonal harmonies, discipline and entertainment.

The boys aim to entertain, whether it's singing stirring anthems, excerpts from opera or moving along to the rhythm of gospel and songs from stage and screen.

The 30-voice choir has a proud 88 year history, and brings their special songs to Lismore next Wednesday, October 3, for a special Red Cross fundraising concert at Lismore City Hall.

Come and enjoy an evening of beautiful choral singing with a wide variety of music - from Welsh hymns to love songs, music hall favourites popular ballads to much-loved spirituals.

You'll be wanting to sing along to well-known songs like Alexander's Ragtime Band, Danny Boy, I Still Call Australia Home, Let There Be Music, an Australiana Medley and many more.

Under the musical direction of conductor Alan Thrift, accompanied by Eleanor Pearce and featuring soloist Karen Walmsley, the Sydney Male Choir promises a spectacular night of stirring music to delight the senses and satisfy the soul.

The concert at Lismore City Hall begins at 7.30pm. And if you can't make it, don't despair, because the choir returns to the region for a concert at Ballina RSL on Monday, October 8.

Tickets for the Sydney Male Choir are on sale now from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore, phone 6621 5600, or from Ballina RSL, phone 6686 2544.

You can also drop by HBM Entertainment in Woodlark Street for a ticket for either show or phone 6621 2701.

Welcome to Kelly country

Paul Kelly plays Ballina RSL next Thursday.

While every city may sound the same to Paul Kelly, you have the opportunity to hear him Roll on this Summer in only one city: Ballina.

Kelly plays the Ballina RSL on Thursday, October 4 with his instantly recognisable poetic brand of Australian rock.

It's his first tour in nearly two years and the songwriter's latest album Nothing But a Dream marks a new direction.

"These were songs that I had been saving up that were more introspective, meditative songs," Kelly said.

Paul Kelly's music transcends labels and is impossible to pigeon-hole. Played on both commercial and independent radio stations Kelly's songs are often melancholy, usually contain beautiful melodies, occasionally rock out and always reflect a quintessential Australian attitude. There's something in Paul Kelly's body of work for everyone, regardless of age.

Last October Kelly released the highly acclaimed Roll On Summer EP, which included the new anthem for backpackers 'Every F@#$' City, a song played extensively on radio stations. His new song 'Just About To Break' is another lyrical and melodic masterpiece now on high rotation on Triple J.

So if you have to pawn your shirt make sure you throw your hat into the ring for Paul Kelly's show at the Ballina RSL. To miss it would be a Dumb Thing.

Grafton's country music pin-up boy, Troy Cassar-Daley will play support.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25 from the club.

Do what you can

"Do What We Can" is a song written by Bangalow resident Bird Jensen, a former New Yorker, while she was waiting for word of her family's safety. She is offering the song to the Australian Red Cross as a fundraiser.

The CD single is being recorded at Top Cat Studios in Alstonville this Friday.

Bird is seeking musicians to work on the recording and perform it live or help in any other way - from publicity to organising. If you can help ring Bird on 6687 1921.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~phoenix1/dowhatwecan/Do_What_We_Can.htm

The Bandicoots bop

Bob & The Bandicoots dig Maggie Moores next Wednesday.

A six-piece jazz band combining the talents of experienced performers and aspiring new artists, Bob and the Bandicoots, will perform next Wednesday, October 3 at Maggie Moores from 8.30pm.

Blending some of the regions most dynamic jazz performers with students from the University's music department, the band plays an infectious mix of New Orleans funk, Texas blues and deep, soulful groove rhythms.

The music pays homage to groups like the Neville Brothers, while bringing a modern edge to tunes from early rhythm and blues masters like Ray Charles and Louis Jordan.

The Bandicoots have also been know start impromptu jam sessions of 70s funk mixed with acid jazz. The group is Bob Howlett on organ and keys, Greg Lyon on bass and vocals, Kagiso Sobott on sax and vocals, Ben Thompson on guitar and vocals, James Cox on congas and percussion and Scott Hills on drums.

Tickets to the gig are $5 at the door.

A trip south and around the world

Pacific Women's trio, Manuhiri feature at the Bellingen Global carnival this weekend.

Over 40 performing groups converge on the idyllic village of Bellingen this long weekend for the Bellingen Global Carnival, which brings together some of the world's most exciting sounds performed by national and international artists in a celebration that culminates in an all night dance party featuring Australia's best DJs and electronic players.

Among many highlights, the program includes acclaimed classical guitarist Slava Grigoryan; electric string quartet Fourplay who blur the boundaries between classical and rock; Persian violinist Davood Tabrizi and the FarSeas; Larry Maluma with his 10 piece roots, rock, reggae band, Herbs and Roots; the sublime Pacific Women's trio, Manuhiri; hip hop artist with Fijian roots, MC Trey; aria award winning contemporary jazz ensemble, Wanderlust; South African dance duo, The Zulus, and many more on five stages in a weekend of celebration.

Another highlight is the Gyuto Monks of Tibet who, as well as performing, will be involved in the children's program, give workshops in chanting and meditation and create a sand mandala during the weekend.

This year the Carnival has the Electro Lounge, a totally new area where you can relax and listen to great drum 'n' bass and dub. It also features workshops, plus a discussion forum on refugees.

The Bellingen Global Carnival runs from Friday to Sunday, September 28-30, at Bellingen Showgrounds. For bookings, phone 6655 3024.

Freebie: The Echo has two double passes to give away. Phone 6622 2888 on Friday between 10 & 10.10am and name the Gyuto monks' religion.

Hall music

This Friday, September 28, The Hoochers bring together local artists, Ragweed and Rowan Langford to raise vital funds for Whian Whian Hall.

The night will see a flurry of support for local halls and community spirit, which for so long have been providing safe havens for live music, drama performances and much more' plus food and drinks. The cost is $8/6 conc. Doors open at 8pm.

Unplugged

Next Wednesday, October 3, catch the unplugged night at the Tatts Hotel, Wax Lyrical. It's a showcase for poets, acoustic artists and original souls.

Local divas PROEM, Age#6, Nick Edin and many more perform original unplugged music in the warm, inviting environment. $4 gets you in. Doors open at 9pm.