Issue 814

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The Scene - Local Entertainment News

• Local Gig Guide

Free Tickets to a Beastly Show

Beauty and the Beast children’s show will be performed in both Lismore and Ballina next Friday, April 19.

As part of their school holidays tour, the Young Stars theatre group will perform their new show, Beauty and the Beast, in both Lismore and Ballina next Friday, April 19.

The 60 minute musical brings alive the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast – how a selfish prince is turned into an ugly beast and his only hope of breaking the spell is to find a beautiful girl who loves him.

The well-known story is jazzed up with colourful costumes, spectacular sets, modern songs, jokes, audience participation and magical effects, and the result is a very entertaining show suitable for the whole family.

“Beauty and the Beast not only has all the magic for great entertainment, but the story also gives off the right vibes of hope and love, which is so important for children and young people in today’s world,” director, Brian Laul, said. “It also helps us understand that true beauty lies within.”

All proceeds from the event go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which brightens up the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses.

The Young Stars group is celebrating its 100th performance during the North Coast tour, and there are special gift hampers with heaps of fun stuff to be won. Kids simply have to dress up as a fairy or a pixie and two winners will be picked after the show.

Beauty and the Beast will be performed on Friday, April 19 at the Ballina RSL Club from 10.30am (bookings 6686 2544) and at the Lismore Workers Club from 3.30pm (bookings 6621 6401). Tickets are $8.80 with adults at kids prices.

• Freebie: The Echo has three double passes to giveaway for the show (for Ballina or Lismore). To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.10am on Monday, April 15 and tell us what’s your favourite fairy tale and why.

Sweet Sounds of Youth

Slava Grigoryan will perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra at the Lismore City Hall on Saturday, April 27.

Tickets are now on sale for the Australian Youth Orchestra performance in Lismore on Saturday, April 27 and people are being urged to book a seat early as tickets are selling fast.

The Australian Youth Orchestra was established in 1957 and each year the members are selected from a rigorous national audition process.

The ensemble of young talent is enhanced further this year with the addition of Slava Grigoryan, a 26 year-old classical guitarist. Slava has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and has won a string of awards. Most recently he picked up a Mo Award for Instrumentalist of the Year and was appointed an artist in residence at the Victorian College of Arts. Since being signed to Sony’s classical label in 1995 he has released four solo albums (Slava is also performing with his brother Leonard Grigoryan at the Great Northern this Sunday, April 14 from 8pm. Tickets are at the door.)

The Australian Youth Orchestra performance will be conducted by Frederico Cortese, who recently worked with Opera Australia on their production of Opera Australia.

Tickets are $37.20/ $33.20 and $19.70 for students. To book phone 6621 5600.

• Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway. To go in the draw to win, phone 6622 2888 between 11.30 & 11.40am on Monday, April 15 and tell us in five words why you should win.

Christian Fun for Kids

Christian children’s music group, Rocfish, perform at the Goonellabah RSL Sports Club this Sunday.

After presenting their show across Australia and New Zealand, children’s music group, Rocfish, bring their live show to the North Coast this weekend.

Their performance is a homecoming for Rocfish member Emily Pollard, a Lismore local who studied at SCU.

Following in the style of groups like Hi-5 and The Wiggles, Rocfish use original songs, drama and dance to bring ancient Bible stories to life, making them fun and relevant for today’s kids.

If the kids really love the performance there’s a Rocfish Kids Club they can join to get the latest news while joining in competitions and fun activities.

Rocfish will perform this Sunday, April 14 at the Goonellabah RSL Club from 4pm.

Tickets are $5 for kids 2-12 years at the door and all other ages are free.

Muscles in Motion

The buffed, bronzed and barely-clad bodies of the all-male dance group Hotshots will be strutting their stuff on stage this Saturday, April 13 at Lismore City Hall.

The Sydney-based group will perform their new show Muscles in Motion, and as well as fast-paced new dance routines and spectacular colourful costumes, there are a new line-up of guys to check out.

The 2002 Hotshots team is made up of professional entertainers from a variety of backgrounds. The team includes former Manpower lead dancer Shane Ford, football players, models, a professional surfer and a former Cleo Bachelor of the Year contestant, not to mention a TV host and a qualified chef.

The Hotshots will perform a two hour show of high energy dancing and raunchy antics, plus there’s plenty of comedy, special lighting effects and audience participation as well.

For those who want to get a bit more up close and personal, there are live photos on stage and an autograph session after the show.

Tickets to the Hotshots are $22 at the door and the show kicks off at 8pm.

• Freebie: The Echo has five Hotshots prize pack to giveaway and a double pass to Saturday’s show. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.10am tomorrow, April 12, and tell us why you should win.

The Fabulous Freedivers

One of the hottest new jazz acts to come out of Sydney in the last 12 months, the Freedivers, will be performing next Wednesday, April 17 at Maggie Moores.

The four-piece band features Matthew Clare on saxophone, Cameron Deyell on electric guitar, Will Guthrie on drums and Josh Green on junk percussion. The group’s songs are largely improvisations or originals, however, there are some reworked classics jazzed up with original ideas, such as Ornette Coleman’s ‘Beauty is a Rare Thing’.

The band are highly energetic, unique and lots of fun, not to mention very talented. A gig not to be missed. Tickets are $9/7 at the door. The gig starts at 8.30pm.

Dance Workshops

Contemporary, jazz dance and performance masterclasses for advanced students will be held from Monday-Friday, April 15-19 at Lismore City Hall from 9.30am-3.30pm each day.

The classes, run by experienced dance teachers Michael Hennessey and Daniella Finkenauer, are designed to help students improve technique and learn performance skills.

For bookings and information phone Emma on 6622 0300.

Live Poets

Two experienced poets, Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth, will feature at this month’s Live Poets next Wednesday, April 27 at the Rous Hotel in Lismore.

Both members of the group Gong have been touring their poetry and music throughout Europe, Japan and America for the last 30 years and they both have an extensive background in publishing, recording and film.

As usual, the Live Poets will feature open and invited readings, and new writers are always welcome. The gig kick off at 8pm.

Lantern Parade Seeks Donations

The Lantern Parade organising committee are seeking donations of materials to be used in the workshops. Materials needed include any green, floaty and striped fabric/old clothing, shiny/glittering stuff of any kind, foam, bubble wrap, old masks, feathers and backpack frames. Stuff can be collected. Phone 6622 6333.

Blokes Show their Art

The Roxy Gallery in Kyogle is seeking expressions of interest from male artists to be part of a group exhibition entitled Bloke Art in May this year.

“This is an opportunity to come out of your shed and show us your art,” Gallery curator, Tony Adams, said. “The themes of the artworks do not have to be specifically about men’s issues, like shaving and lawnmowing, the works can be in any medium and diversity is encouraged.”

Expressions of interest are due by Friday, April 26. Entry forms are available at the gallery, 143 Summerland Way, Kyogle, or phone the gallery on 6632 3518 for more info.

Local Music Festival gets Grant

A State Government grant of $5,000 has been awarded to the inaugural Bangalow Music Festival, which will be held from August 30 to September 1 at the Bangalow A&I Hall.

Mr Page, the patron of the festival, launched the festival in Brisbane recently at a concert at the Brisbane Conservatorium.

The local launch will be held this Sunday, April 14 at the Bangalow A&I Hall from 4pm, and people are most welcome to go along. Entry is $5 and there will be a performance by various musicians who will feature at the festival.

“The concerts included in the festival program, nine in all, will involve the Southern Cross Soloists and other internationally renowned guest artists,” Mr Page said. “The weekend festival will be an excellent opportunity for locals to hear world class performers. I commend Kel Burke, the Bangalow Chamber of Commerce and the Byron Music Society or organising this festival. It will be culturally and economically good for the region.”

For more information phone Kel on 0412 111 111.

Local art helps Helicopter

Art gallery education officer, Marie Nelson, with some of the postcard sized artworks that are being sold at the gallery for $50 each, to raise money for the Rescue Helicopter service.

ArtAbout, a new exhibition on show at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery this month, is helping to save lives. The exhibition features a series of postcard size artworks entitled Postcards from Hungry Heads, and all money raised from the sale of these will go directly to the local Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in Lismore.

The Postcards from Hungry Heads are all mounted, ready for framing and will be on sale for $50 each. The postcard artworks are part of a larger exhibition, ArtAbout, which was created by the ArtAbout Art Group.

The group, which has been running for a decade, is made up of Northern Rivers based artists who regularly meet at a campsite in South Tabulam to share ideas.

“Most members live in artistic isolation, so the opportunity to talk shop with fellow artists and the camaraderie that evolves is artistically stimulating and enjoyable,” group spokesperson, Pat Jenkins, said.

Artists featured in the exhibition include Margaret E Brown, Keith Cameron, Pam Cowgill, Noel Gibson, Jan Greentree and Lyn Shearer.

Margaret E Brown and Noel Gibson will both give free artist’s talks on the exhibition next Thursday, April 18 at the gallery from 11am.

The ArtAbout exhibition is on show until May 12.

Sizzling Fun

Lyndon Terracini over his barbecue in Mr Barbeque.

Mr Barbeque
Lismore City Hall
April 10-12 at 8pm
Bookings: 6621 5600
Starring: Lyndon Terracini
Featuring: Members of The Queensland Orchestra
Music: Elena Kats-Chernin
Text: Janis Balodis

If you haven’t yet attended the barbie of the year you’d better be quick. NORPA’s production of Mr Barbeque opened to enthusiastic audiences last night and plays tonight and Friday night before being performed at the Brisbane Powerhouse in October and at metropolitan venues in 2003.

Mr Barbeque is a funny and entertaining observation of the great Australian barbeque. It is human story that is comical and whimsical, a sizzling night of music theatre cabaret.

Celebrated baritone Lyndon Terracini is Mr Barbeque, (a hero in his own backyard), accompanied by members of The Queensland Orchestra on a stage transformed by designer Eamon D’Arcy, who was responsible for segments of the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

This is your last chance to see this world premiere event in Lismore, which combines the talents of some of Australia’s most distinguished artists including Elena Kats-Chernin (music), Janis Balodis (text), and Eamon D’Arcy (design).

Stones In His Pockets

Lismore City Hall

May 21 at 8pm,
May 22 at 11am
Bookings: 6621 5600

Fans of comedy and all things Irish are in for a treat with The Sydney Theatre and Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Stones in His Pockets. Marking the directorial debut of one of Australia’s most popular performers, Garry McDonald, the show is a fast paced and quick witted piece of Irish comedy. Actors Jeremy Stanford and Greg Stone play their hob-nailed boots off performing 13 beautifully etched roles between them. With as many laughs as a stand-up comedy, Stones in His Pockets will be a dazzling night at the theatre.

Tickets for both shows are on sale at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre - 66215600.

For more information on NORPA 2002 visit www.norpa.org.au

Local Gig Guide