Issue 804
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The Scene - Local Entertainment NewsWaxing lyrical..
Wax Lyrical, an original acoustic music showcase held on the first Wednesday of every month, will begin again for 2002 next Wednesday, February 6 at the Tatts Hotel. A one-off band showcase was held last week under the Wax Lyrical banner, however the acoustic showcases will now return on a regular basis. This month's gig features performances by funk/groove based duo Teena and Elle, young talent Nick Edin, avante gard performer Nathaniel, John Glenn, Felicity Clifton, Linda Ford and Matthew Farrel. Headlining the gig is folk musician Fiona Kershaw, who recently took out first place in the 'space' category of the Australian Songwriters Association National Song Contest. Fiona won the category 'space' (a song about space and humanity's place within it) for her song Infinity, a beautiful track Fiona wrote while travelling around Australia with her husband Darren. The song is one of five original pieces featured on her EP, Freedom, which gained her widespread success on the Melbourne music scene. Melbourne's Music Trader Magazine, described Fiona's tracks as 'a modern style of groovy alternative folk music,' and added that 'her sharp clear voice is a definite strong point and her guitar playing is creative and versatile.' Wax Lyrical starts at 8pm. Tickets are $4 at the door. New Faces at NCEIA
The North Coast Entertainment Industry (NCEIA), based in Lismore, has entered its 12th year with a new line up of faces following the departure of president Paul Brady, and executive members Tony Edwards and Georgina Jonsson. The new executive committee members are president Nathaniel Watkins, vice president Leisa Webb, treasurer Shaun Quinlan and secretary Mal Stekhoven-Smith. 'The new team is really keen to try and expand NCEIA. In the past the association has focused heavily on the Dolphin Awards and while we want to continue that we also want to branch out and start showcasing talent and promoting local bands,' Nathaniel said. 'Another focus is to get a regular all ages gig up and running so there's accessible entertainment for young people in the Northern Rivers. We also want to get some member feedback in the coming weeks to give us some idea of what direction the local community wants us to take.' Wasting no time in their new roles, the committee has organised a Benefit Concert next week to raise money for the NSW Rural Fire Service and people affected by the fires in the local region. The gig will be held next Friday, February 8 in the Ballina RSL Club's auditorium from 8.30pm. The line up features Melbourne-based-turned-local band Animism and popular heavy funk band Krazelna. Local funk/hip hop five piece and two-time Dolphin Award winners in the youth category, Swanky Dee, will headline the gig. Throughout the evening there will also be numerous raffles with prizes from local businesses and Billabong Australia. Burnetts Bus Lines in Ballina have kindly donated a bus, which will pick up people in Lismore and Alstonville before the concert and drop people off after the gig for only $2. To book a seat phone NCEIA on 6622 0222. Tickets for the gig are $6 at the door.
The Goddess is Dancing in Goonellabah
If Michelle Eves asks you to dance then you'd better be ready to cut the rug with all your best moves. Michelle, the owner and teacher at Studio One Dance Academy in Goonellabah, has just returned from Sydney with two awards from Ballet Australasia. Michelle picked up first place for junior jazz and third place for senior girls. She is thrilled with the results. 'All my classes have students that perform well,' Michelle said. 'I hope I'm a good teacher,' she said, smiling. 'All my students show a lot of dedication. The best thing about teaching dance is the kids - it's very rewarding watching them learn and knowing that you taught them everything they know. You see them improve so quickly. You look back in three to six months and there's just a massive improvement,' Michelle said. Michelle believes that dance is a worthwhile activity for everyone. 'All children need an avenue outside school and dance teaches discipline, how to deal with exams, it's a good social activity where kids get to meet others and it's great exercise,' she said. 'You need determination, discipline, practise and a love of dance. Even a complete novice can learn. I hold open beginners and adult classes and no matter what age you can start to learn - it's very informal and a lot of fun,' she said. Two of Michelle's students have also recently received good news. Sarah Kelly, 13, and Teegan Carr, 12, both auditioned for the Queensland Youth Ballet in January and have just learned that they were accepted. 'The girls will go up to Brisbane every Sunday to do classes and prepare for a performance. They'll then tour the whole East Coast later in the year, including a performance in Lismore,' she said. Michelle teaches classical ballet, tap dancing and modern jazz. Studio One is having an enrolment day this Saturday from 9am-noon on Holland Street, Goonellabah. For more info ring 6624 5100. Rudi Maxwell
A Class Act Returns to Norpa
After a two year absence working on the Byron Bay Community and Cultural Centre project Dee Tipping has returned to the role of sponsorship and fundraising manager for NORPA. 'It's great to be back in the hot seat working with the NORPA team,' Dee said. 'Especially now building has started on the new Centre in Byron Bay, which includes a 250 seat theatre.' Dee took a break from NORPA two years ago to work on Community projects in Byron Bay where she lives. 'One of my main concerns was that Byron did not have a theatre,' she said. 'This was highlighted by the fact that whenever NORPA wanted to take a show to Byron Bay, where a lot of our audience base was - there was no appropriate venue, it was very frustrating, so when I was offered the job to coordinate the fundraising for the new Centre, which included a state of the art theatre, I jumped at the chance'. Over the past two years Dee has worked with the Byron Bay Community Association to raise funds for the project. 'It's tremendously exciting to know that all the hard work has paid off and the new theatre and Centre has started construction with a planned completion date of December this year,' she said. 'It is great to be back with a company like NORPA, which has had an almost unmatched record of presenting the best of Australian and international performances in regional Australia. There is no doubt the Northern Rivers Community has been enriched by a decade of NORPA, as we prepare for the tenth season,' Dee said. She will be looking at cooperative fundraising partnerships between NORPA and community groups into the 2002 season. 'I will be meeting with local charity and fundraising representatives to see how we can best integrate the NORPA season and fundraising for worthwhile local projects,' she said. 'This will also mean our sponsors and audience by supporting and enjoying NORPA 's great season of performances will have the added bonus of supporting other important community projects. 'In the meantime NORPA has a fantastic 2002 season planned. It will be unveiled by our artistic director, Lyndon Terracini at the Star Court theatre on March 11. 'In the meantime, to whet the appetite theatre lovers we will preempt the official NORPA season by presenting the hilarious comedy Daylight Saving with the inimitable Frankie J Holden. Daylight Saving was winner of the 1990 Gold Awgie and Best Stage Play awards. It will be on for two shows only, March 12-13, at the Star Court Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from Northern Rivers Ticket Centre, 93 Molesworth Street or phone 6621 5600. Dee can be contacted on dee@norpa.org.au or phone 6622 0300.
Casino CountryThe Casino RSM Club is gearing up to host the annual Casino Richmond Country Music Talent Quest throughout the month of February. The event begins on Friday, February 22, with a walk-up talent quest in the downstairs lounge of the Casino RSM Club, with the main competition kicking off on Saturday morning. The main competition will be held in the Club's auditorium and will run throughout Saturday and Sunday, February 23-24, with a highlight being the country rock section and club shows on Saturday night. The competition will conclude on Sunday evening with the presentation of section winners and the announcement of the Overall Festival Winner. Sections in the competition are - bush ballad, male and female vocal, gospel, anything goes and original compositions. Artists are expected to come from throughout NSW to take part.
A Willing BlendKyogle-based musician Jimmy Willing and his band Ragadoll recently completed a new recording at Rocking Horse Studios with guest artist, Tim Freedman, frontman for The Whitlams, featuring on grand piano. The opening track of the new album, Singing Kate Kelly to Sleep, was co-written by Willing and Freedman and will feature on the new Whitlam's album under the title Close Your Eyes. To celebrate this new collaboration, Ragadoll will be performing next Friday, February 8 at the Rails Hotel in Byron Bay from 7pm and the new song will included in their repertoire. The gig is free.
Laugh at ByronSome of Sydney's finest stand-up comedians will be performing live in a new stand up comedy night at the Great Northern Hotel, next Thursday, February. 7. Featuring Akmal Saleh, James Smith as MC, and introducing Chris Radburn and Nick Johns as new-comics-on-the-block, it is set to be a night of pure comedic entertainment. The Backroom venue offers a mixture of 'standing room', and 'sit-down' seating, with the resident bar and restaurant operating prior to show opening, customers are assured of a complete night out. Tickets are $15, and will be available on the night at the door. The show starts 9.30pm. For more, visit www.byron-laughs.com or email: byronlaughs@hotmail.com
Student ShowDon't forget that Trinity Catholic College students hit the boards with a major production, Vole this weekend. . The show asks 'What makes good theatre?' The cast explores through movement, dance, performance poetry and acting how to engage an audience. There are voles between audience and stage as to what works and what doesn't. Through all the voles, there is an exploration of the issues of the human condition - love, loneliness, restriction, freedom and more. The show is the culmination of a year's collaboration between the dance and drama departments at Trinity. It involves 48 year 11 and 12 students from the senior drama/dance classes. The 90 minute show gives the students a chance to build their skills as well as providing a great night's entertainment for audiences. There are four shows - a matinee at 3pm this Saturday, February 2, and three nightly performances at 8pm, Thursday-Saturday, January 31- February 2, in the Champagnat Theatre at the school. Tickets are $10/8 conc. From the Caddies Bean Shop or the St Mary's school site.
Field DayHailing from the NSW central coast of New South Wales Field Day are a four piece melodic and harmonic rock band with subtle influences from Split Enz. They have been working the east coast of Australia since the release of their debut single and have played with a mixed bag of acts including The Whitlams, Diesel, Oblivia and Machine Gun Fellatio. The FieldDay story is a short and successful one. Runners up in the inaugural Breeding Ground band competition, a few member changes, signed to Rondor Publishing and then sold to universal music. Now releasing the first fruits of their toil. Hands to the sun FieldDay create a unique blend of harmonies with lyrics that paint pictures. They are pop but not corny, they are alternative but not thrash. Hands to the sun has already been added across the board on Power FM.. '.......Also, thanks for a fantastic night @ Cat & Fiddle. Well done! Adam.(GROUND UP ENTERTAINMENT) ' Now there are rumours that it is the most requested song on radio in Moree(NSW). Be your own judge. The single is a combination of commercial friendly melodies and dark underlying tunes. 'Big soaring pop gear with castrato heights.....' (Revolver Magazine)
Béla Fleck & The FlecktonesBéla Fleck, one of the worlds premiere musicians, is set to make his follow-up performance with his awesome band, The Flecktones, at this years EAST COAST BLUES & ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, after winning many a heart at his festival debut in 2000. Béla Fleck & The Flecktones has become part of the burgeoning US Jam Band scene that shares a collective penchant for improvisation, a commitment to songcraft and a propensity to cross genre boundaries. The group, featuring, Victor Wooten on bass, Future Man on percussion/vocals and Synth-Axe Drumitar and saxophonist Jeff Coffin draws from a range of traditions and travels between the lines that separate pop, funk, jazz, rock, folk, classical, and bluegrass. Béla, a virtuoso five-string banjo player with four Grammy Awards to his name, has the unusual distinction of receiving Grammy nominations (15 in all) in an amazing number of categories: Contemporary Jazz Album, Jazz Instrumental Performance, Instrumental Composition, Bluegrass Album, Country Instrumental Performance, Pop Instrumental Performance, Spoken Word Recording, Gospel Album, Contemporary Folk Album and World Music Album. Fleck's 'raging eclecticism' truly epitomises the nature of The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, as Fleck so aptly expressed, 'The more diverse the audience there is, the better. If you've got people who would normally be jazz fans sitting in the same room with people who love bluegrass, some funk fans who love Victor it turns into this roomful of happy people who are all real different.' Béla Fleck & The Flecktones will be touring nationally in 2002 so don't miss your chance to see this extraordinary group. Béla Fleck & The Flecktones national tour dates: Friday and Saturday March 29th & 30th - East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay
A Willing BlendKyogle-based musician Jimmy Willing and his band Ragadoll recently completed a new recording at Rocking Horse Studios with guest artist, Tim Freedman, frontman for The Whitlams, featuring on grand piano. The opening track of the new album, Singing Kate Kelly to Sleep, was co-written by Willing and Freedman and will feature on the new Whitlam's album under the title Close Your Eyes. To celebrate this new collaboration, Ragadoll will be performing next Friday, February 8 at the Rails Hotel in Byron Bay from 7pm and the new song will included in their repertoire. The gig is free.
Creative Classes at your Local ConThe Northern Rivers Conservatorium Art Centre currently has full time courses in both music and dance available, which have proven to be a great avenue for entry into tertiary education. The Con (as it's commonly known) also offers individual tuition for most instruments and voice as well as group classes in dance and drama. This year the Con has added some new and exciting courses to their list, including human balancing and circus skills, art classes for children, live drawing classes for adults, animation classes and early childhood music classes for children 0-5 years. The Con is situated on the corner of Keen and Magellan Streets, Lismore. For course information and applications phone the Con on 6621 2266.
How FabulousWith the infamous Patsy and Edina returning to small screens with AbFab next week, you can only hope they'll take the piss out of tribute bands for Swedish bands from a quarter of a century ago. We doubt it, but know there's still plenty of you our there who love the Muriel soundtrack and want to pash Benny/Bjorn/Agneta/Annifrid - depending on your gender and preference. So the ABBA-solutely FABBA-ulous show, singing all the hits for Fernando and anyone else who can still hear the drums. The awesome tribute foursome have been dressing up in spangly white and going 'I do I do I do' since 1989. In that time they've given more than 2250 shows. You can expect all the moves, the costumes and of course the songs from Abba in their heyday. Catch the show ABBA-solutely FABBA-ulous show in Byron at the Great Northern this Saturday, February 2. Tickets for the ABBA tribute show are available at the door. Or Ring Ring, why don't you give them a call?
Musica Viva ReturnsLismore Musica Viva will announce an exciting new concert program for 2002 next week. The six concert series will feature in next week's Echo, since the paper has agreed to once again sponsor the season. Among many highlights, guitar maestro Slava Grigoryan will return to Lismore with the Australia Youth Orchestra in tow for an exciting performance of works by Australian and Spanish composers. And following the success of last year's concerts on the coast, Ballina will once again host two performances, including a special jazz concert at Thursday Plantation featuring sultry singer Janet Seidel singing classic jazz standards backed by Jim Kelly's guitar trio D'Volv in late October. Don't miss next week's Echo for all the details on how you can subscribe and save up to $35 on the concert season. Sing it YourselfIf you want to take your singing a little further than the shower, head to the Lismore Workers Club this Friday night for the start of the club's regular Karaoke night. Entry is free. Local Gig Guide
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Singer/songwriter Fiona Kershaw headlines Wax Lyrical at the Tatts Hotel next Wednesday.
New NCEIA president and member of local band Animism, Nathaniel Watkins (centre) with Work-for-the-Dole participants who are volunteering at NCEIA, Amanda Butler and John Harvey.
Michelle Eves just received two awards from the Australasian Ballet.
Dee Tipping returns to the Norpa team for 2002.