Issue 746
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The Scene - Local Entertainment NewsFrom Hip to Granddad
From the verbal gymnastics of Hip Bone Connection to the frantic rhythms of Little Carlos, iOTA has ditched their frenzied energy in a sonic shift for the beauty of simplicity. 'It's like the difference between drumming in a really tight pair of shorts and drumming in a pair of footy shorts. Freeballin',' iOTA laughs. 'For this album we were going for an honest sound, we wanted to hear the mistakes. I didn't want to go over my guitar tracks and go over my vocal tracks again and again. It's not about being perfect. It's your mistakes that make you perfect.' The 10 tracker took over iOTA's house, where he set up an eight track digital recorder in the lounge room. 'You should have seen it - there was stuff everywhere. It was good to do it like that but it was (also) great to get the house back.' The songs range across the spectrum of a vivid imagination, exploring the acceptance of death. While the album is elegiac, it's far from maudlin. The reflective 'Wooden Skeletons' has Cat Stevens living on the South Coast of NSW. Musically it wanders from pop to blues with a touch of Tom Waits and even Satie's piano. The final track, 'Moonrise/Afterlife' is an 11 minute melodic excursion - a final lullaby, that keeps on reprising itself, slower and slower, fading gently away. All up, you could almost call it a concept album. 'Sort of,' iOTA said. 'It's become a concept album after the fact. The last song has the most to do with the artwork.' IOTA plays the Great Northern in Byron Bay this Friday night in a gig that promises to bring a tear to even Bronwyn Bishop's eye. Tickets at the door.
The Gong Show
The varied talents of the region's many musicians, producers and artists will be showcased at the 11th annual Dolphin Awards Gala Awards Night next Tuesday, November 27, at the Lismore RSL Club. More than 30 awards in various categories will be given out for songwriting and performing as well as awards for production, industry contribution, venue, youth encouragement and Koori achievement. The awards are presented by the North Coast Entertainment Industry Association (NCEIA), a non-profit organisation which aims to promote the large pool of talented musicians on the North Coast. 'It's basically a chance for local artists to be assessed and rewarded by their peers,' NCEIA president, Paul Brady, said. 'Winners and finalists can boast of their achievement in CVs and in their publicity, but more importantly the awards provide a focus for artists to hone their songwriting and performing skills. This year's competition featured an unusually high number of entrants and looking at the standard we have watched pour through the door, this looks like the best Dolphin Awards yet.' Six local acts will perform between awards presentations on the night and organisers aren't giving anything away, although you can be sure of some great entertainment and a few surprises. With the extra help of renowned local poet and MC, David Hallett, the evening promises some good laughs and great music. A light supper is also provided. Tickets are $25 or $20 for NCEIA members and bookings are essential. Phone 6622 0222.
Soul Food for the Soup Kitchen
To help raise much-needed funds for the Lismore Soup Kitchen, local jazz musicians Kim and Reashad Quirk are hosting a special fundraiser this Saturday, November 24, at St Andrew's Church Hall. The fundraiser, Food for the Body & Soul, is designed to raise funds for more equipment and food supplies for the temporary Lismore Soup Kitchen, set up after the original premises in Union Street was burnt down earlier this year. The gig will be somewhat similar to the regular Club Harlem show, with delicious meals and swinging New York style jazz. Kim will perform with her group the Quirky Quintet, which includes bass, guitar, drums and trumpet. A number of special guests musicians will also perform. 'This is such an important service for Lismore and it's more than just a Soup Kitchen, it's a place to hang out, meet with friends and call home,' Kim said. 'This is a great way to enjoy a Saturday night out and help a fantastic charity.' Tickets are $12/10, including dinner. The gig is BYO, however, coffees and desserts will be available. Tickets are available at Caddies Bean Shop, Music Bizarre or the Ministry Centre in Keen Street. To book phone 6622 1322.
Hounds of GrooveByron favourites The Resin Dogs return to the Bay for a two-night residency at the Great Northern this Saturday and Sunday. Hunting with the pack are Fatt Dex and Good Buddha in what promises to be a night of phat breakbeats, fast spinning discs and cool grooves. A word of warning - the last couple of times the Resin Dogs have played the Great Northern, the gigs have sold out. So don't set off for the show without checking first, or getting a ticket beforehand. Tix from the pub. The speakers start blowing around 10pm on Saturday, and from 8pm on Sunday.
Tutu TimeThe Sharon Sidney School of Dance 16th annual Charity Concert will be held next Monday, November 26 at the Lismore Workers Club from 7pm. The concert will feature dancers ranging in age from three to 30 and they will perform a variety of classical ballet, tap, national character and modern jazz dance. There will also be song and dance solo piece during the evening, which will be compered by Wilson Cregan. Proceeds from the event will go to Camp Quality Northern NSW, which provides fun weekends away from home for children with cancer and their families or carers. Tickets are available at the door.
Bugs in BallinaBugs of the Spaghetti Circus species invade Thursday Plantation in Ballina, tomorrow in their latest high-energy production with its web of physical feats, comedy, dance and original music. The show, which is perfect for kids and their families on this Friday, November 23, 7 - 8.30pm. Admission is $10 adults/$8 kids/$30 family of 4 (bring a rug or cushion), and includes entry to the sculpture show. Phone 6686 7273 for details.
Taste of TimThe Whitlams charismatic front man Tim Freedman is coming to Bangalow for a couple of intimate dinner concerts at the pub. It's part of a national solo tour marking the re-release of their debut Undeniably the Whitlams. The two shows are next weekend, November 30, and December 1 Tickets are just $45, which includes a main course and cheese plate, plus coffee. Bookings are essential on 6687 1314, but hurry, because there's only a few tickets left.
Editing WorkshopTwo places are still available in North Coast CAMERA's one-day Video Editing Training workshop, this Saturday, November 24 in Clunes. The workshop will be held at the Clunes Technology Centre, Walker St, from 10am-5pm. To book phone CAMERA on 6621 5444. Move ItThe Northern Rivers Conservatorium presents its end of year dance performance by students tonight, November 22, at 8pm at Lismore City Hall. Moving Bodies - Gravitate covers a range of dance styles in works created by the students. Tickets are $10/8 at the door.
Home and AwayFollowing on from their hit production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the North Coast Theatre Company is already presenting a new show, Away, which opens next week. Set in the summer of 1968-69, Michael Gow's play tells the story of three neighbouring families, who go away for their Christmas holidays to different locations, according to their social status and income. It explores issues around Australia's identity and the volatile but revolutionary times of the late 60s, with a big emphasis on nature and how much it affects Australian life and culture. Because nature does play such an important role in the play, an adventurous decision was taken by the theatre company to stage the production in the gardens at Wollongbar TAFE campus. The play begins at 6pm, with the ending designed to coincide with sunset. People are invited to bring a blanket and a picnic to participate in the atmosphere of 'theatre at twilight'. Coffee and drinks will be available. Away will be performed from Thursday-Saturday, November 29-30 and then also the following week, December 6-8. Tickets are $10 at the site (follow the signs from the Wollongbar Tavern).
Glorious to GodThe Lismore Choral Society and Casino's David Jaggers Trust are presenting an exceptional choral concert at St Andrew's Church next Saturday to kick off the festive season. Glorious Sounds - Sounds Glorious will feature excerpts from Handel's Messiah, sung by bass Peter Axford, who's currently singing with the State Opera of South Australia. Backing him is an 80-voice choir directed by Colin Winter, and supported by award-winning New Zealand clarinettist Kathryn Burton and Queensland Orchestra principal trumpet Geoffrey Spiller. Local legend Warren Whitney will add the beauty and gravitas of the church organ. Tickets for the glorious concert are $18, available from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre at Howard Media in Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6621 5600. The Glorious Sounds - Sounds Glorious is on December 1, from 8pm.
Summer ArtThe arrival of summer meant the Brunswick Heads Festival of Fish and Chips Woodchop Festival isn't far away, which also mean the annual art and photography competition is also coming up - January 11-20. There's $300 in prizes up for grabs. For an entry email artinjanuary@telstra.easymail.com.au or phone Nanette on 6684 3528. Entries close December 3, so don't dilly dally!
Party now - Repent LaterParty now, repent later is the advice Tex Perkins and the Sinners will be giving from Repentance Creek Hall this Saturday, November 24. Tex and the Sinners are headlining a benefit gig for the Upper Coopers Creek Landcare Group and will be supported by Astral Groove Doctors and Vegetator. It's BYO grog; curries, cakes, tea, coffee and chai will be available; starts at 6pm; tickets $12/$10 from the Rosebank store or at the door. Aboriginal Art Show
The Bunyinbin Goori Art Exhibition featuring works by students from the Casino TAFE aboriginal art course, opens today at the Bunyinbin Workshop in the Casino Industrial estate. Local artists have spent the last 18 months producing drawing and screenprints as they learnt about Aboriginal art and cultural practices. The show is free and runs until November 27. All are welcome to visit and see the beautiful results of all this hard work. The Bunyinbin shed is Lot 47, Cassino Drive, Casino.
Daisy you're the one for me
Formed in 1997, The Daisycutters instantly emerged as one of the most promising bands on the burgeoning Queensland Indie pop scene. Their unique blend of furious up-beat guitar-driven pop, and their energetic perfomances saw the band quickly build a healthy live following. Regular airings of their music on The Secret Life of Us and Home and Away added to their popularity. Their last effort, the EP Caffeinated and Wide Eyed, debuted in the top 5 on the Australian Independent Charts and has spent 12 weeks in the Top 10, peaking at number 2! Now they're back with a five-tracker Sick Day, which features the manic, amphetamine-fuelled guitar assault of 'Nowhere Fast'. The title track has its own video clip, shot on the Gold Coast and featuring a Vespa-riding office worker who reaches the end of his tether. The Daisycutters join Shutterspeed at the Great Northern next Tuesday, November 27. Tickets at the door.
Women Artists take the Honours
Strong commitment, intellectual curiosity, the ability to handle pressure, good talent and a keen sense of the ridiculous... these are the main qualities necessary to survive an Honours year in Southern Cross University's Visual Arts program, according to graduate Wendy Rolls. Wendy's work, along with that of seven other students - all of them female - will be on show in the 2001 Honours Exhibition that opens at SCU's Visual Arts block tonight, November 22, at 6pm and runs until November 30. The installation works in the show were accomplished using a variety of media and techniques - paint, porcelain, paper, plaster, glass, latex and steel. The nature of some of the materials used, for instance in Wendy Rolls' ceramic and steel installation, attracted support from local businesses, including Lismore-based Metalcorp Steel Pty Ltd and Phillip Matthews Steel Fabrications. Kate Ravenswood, lecturer and Honours Coordinator, said that the artists have found their latest efforts were unlike their previous academic experience, 'The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) program is a highly competitive process that provides a further year of structured investigation for those who have performed especially well in their three undergraduate years,' she said. The participating artists are Heidi Beynon, Heidi Cooper, Claudie Frock, Ilka Nelson, Margarete Ogonowski, Wendy Rolls, Sara Shera and Leah Stewart. Entry to the exhibition is free and open to the public. Local Gig Guide
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Maybe it's the aging process, but the latest effort from the normally frenetic iOTA, Big Grandfather, seems surprisingly calm and measured. 
Dolphin Awards sponsor, Lismore Music's Ron Brady with president of NCEIA, Paul Brady (centre) and Dolphin Awards finalist Luke Vasella.
Food for the Body and Soul organisers, Kim and Reashad Quirk (front) with Lismore Soup Kitchen activities officer Margaret Lord and jazz musician Sean Richards.
Woman ceremonies by Nora Caldwell features in the Bunyinbin Goori Art show in Casino
In 1999, when Triple J went to 'Unearth' Brisbane, The Daisycutters outshined more than 2000 entries to take out the honours with a slice of pop heaven - 'Kiss Me Stupid', which then spent 11 weeks on Triple J's 'Net 50', peaking at number 8.
SCU Visual Arts Honours exhibitors (l-r) Heidi Cooper, Wendy Rolls, Ilka Nelson, Claudie Frock and Margarete Ogonowski with some of the tools of their trade and Wendy Rolls' installation-in-progress, 'Seachange'.