Issue 816
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Violinist Edwina Hookey of The Australian Youth Orchestra is one of 90 musicians performing with guitarist Slava Grigoryan in Lismore this Saturday.
The deceptively named Australian Youth Orchestra may be short in years, but not in stature. The AYO has years of experience behind it, performing some of the most complex classical music to appreciative audiences around the world, and providing the building blocks for some of the finest musicians in Australian and international orchestras.
Every year, the members of the AYO are selected from national auditions to become part of several highly acclaimed and prestigious programs, touring nationally and overseas.
With 90 players in the orchestra, the concert will make full use of the new extended stage at Lismore City Hall this Saturday, April 27.
For this special Musica Viva concert the Australian Youth Orchestra be joined by another young virtuoso, classical guitarist Slava Grigoryan.
Slava has previously wowed Lismore audiences with a solo performance at St Carthage's Cathedral. The program for this concert follows in the footsteps of another great Australian classical guitarist, John Williams, and includes Rodrigo's classic Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. There's also an Australian flavour to the music with Ross Edwards' White Ghost Dancing and David Stanhope's Olympic Fireworks.
It promises to be a night of superb and invigorating classical music, delivered with passion and finesse by young but talented Australian musicians.
Tickets for the Australian Youth Orchestra with Slava Grigoryan are available from Northern Rivers Ticket Centre or at the door. Half price for students. The concert begins at 8pm.
Catch up on the Byron Bay Writers Festival 2002 here!
So the Blues Festival is over and now it's time to start thinking of the next big one - the Byron Bay Writers Festival, August 1-4.
This year's program is close to completion with top writers spending the weekend in Byron for panels, workshops, interviews, literary lunches, evening events and a schools' and kids' program.
It's a four day feast for readers and writers.
Festival Director Jill Eddington, will once again organise the Festival with help from a huge team of volunteers.
'The 2002 program is set to reflect the diverse nature of contemporary Australian writing and reading.' Jill says. 'It will look at the many genres of writing from screen and stage to travel, song, journalism, poetry and prose. It will also explore short story and essay writing while examining the age-old tradition of story telling and as always the Festival will feature a special program for younger readers and sessions for students of all ages.'
With writers like Donald Horne, Ita Buttrose, Bryce Courtenay, Robyn Williams, and Drusilla Modjeska confirmed the program is sure to offer both entertainment and stimulation for a wide audience.
'Notably the 2002 Festival program,' Jill points out, 'will look at issues being tackled by writers in the current climate of both international and national unease. It will look at the issues arising from September 11 and the effect of this on the way in which truth is reported and stories told.'
The full program and tickets will be released in June. For information or to be included on the Festival mailing list, phone 6685 5115 or visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au
The 17th annual Bentley Art Prize is on again in July and entries are now open. For an entry form, drop into The Echo or local art supplies dealers. Or call the organiser Reg on 6663 5253.
Wednesday jazz at Maggie Moores takes on a different tone next week when Charlie Duke offers a night of R 'n' B, soul and 'old-school' 70s essence. The six-piece group features two vocalists, Chrystal Lynch and Joanna Lavel on smooth, sassy and sultry vocals, delivering sweet harmonies backed by a band with groove. The performers are all students from Southern Cross University's contemporary music department.
Concerts at Maggies is on May 1, from 8.30pm. $5 gets you in.
For everyone who's been waiting for Elvis to return, the good news is that he's bobs up at the Star Court Theatre next Thursday, May 2, in what may be the silliest event held in Lismore since the last council meeting.
Local playwrite David Tindale is paying tribute to the passing of the last Goon, Spike Milligan, in a radio play titled The Yellow Aubergine. He promises it will smack of Goonery as the tale weaves and warps its way through gender and race issues, not to mention mispronunciation.
The Aubergine, the thinking alien's space vehicle of choice, transforms all it meets - into everything from a Scotsman to someone rich and famous or even in a saucy French Navy. The stars include Max Donati, Duraplas boffin Laurie Axtens, Nic and Mic Russo, David Sanford and Dean Johnson.
The radio play will also feature a 14 piece brass and woodwind band and special guests Jimmy Willing of Ragadoll, and Love Club's Brenda Beardshall.
Tickets are $10/8 at the door, with proceeds going to the Lismore Theatre Company.
May's the month for anyone who loves quality cinema, with the Lismore 4 Cinemas screening a series of great films, week after week. The Critics selection begins next week with Iris, followed by Amelie, The Shipping News, In the Bedroom and Monsoon Wedding.
Iris, starring Dame Judi Dench and Kate Winslet, is the story of English novelist Iris Murdoch. It's a hearbreaking and powerful tale of the author's long and intimate 45-year relationship with her critic husband. His undying love for her overlooked her libidinous tendencies, but ultimately he lost her to the cruellest of diseases, Alzheimers.
This is a stunning movie, which runs for one week only, from May 2.
The Critics selection is being presented by the Lismore 4 Cinemas in conjunction with The Echo.
And courtesy of The Echo and Birch Carroll & Coyle, anyone who goes to see any of the Critics Selection films during may will go into the draw to win a double pass for up to 25 films over the 12 months, valued at more than $750.
Ask for details at the cinema when you buy your tickets for Iris.
Local folk/pop performers Simplifly debut their unique earthy grooves at the Rails in Byron this Saturday, April 27. They will be supporting Central Coast act Fluffy Stumps, whose claim to fame is appearing on Burkes Backyard.
Simplifly deliver folksy grooves and up-beat messages of earthly renewal. The gig is free.
If you're a local artist keen to enter the Lismore City Art Prize, which pays tribute to a 'Living Regional Treasure', then you'd better hurry - entries close on May 10,
There is $4,000 in cash up for grabs - a $3,000 acquisition prize for the outright winner and $1,000 for the winner of The Northern Rivers Echo's People's Choice Award.
The exhibition of entries will be on show at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery from June 19 to July 28. Entry forms are available from the Gallery, 131 Molesworth Street, Lismore.
For more information phone Marie on 6622 2209.
'Stones In His Pockets'Sydney Theatre Co & Melbourne Theatre Co
Written by: Marie Jones
Directed by: Gary McDonald
Starring: Jeremy Stanford & Greg Stone
Venue: Lismore City Hall
Dates: May 21 at 8pm, May 22 at 11am
Bookings: 6621 5600
Best known to Australian audiences as the larrikin Norman Gunston and the long-suffering son in the television series Mother and Son, Garry McDonald makes his directorial debut with the award winning comedy Stones In His Pockets by Marie Jones.
'I wanted to be a director because I love theatre and this sort of actor-based theatre that shows the actors off, lets them do what theatre does best - entertain,' says McDonald. Stones In His Pockets has proven popular with audiences and critics alike, picking up the 2000 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and The Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy, and playing to packed houses in London, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
The story is based in County Kerry, Ireland where an American film crew has come to the poverty-stricken village to shoot a saga about peasant struggles, with lots of picturesque scenery. The 'invaders' arrive with huge financial resources and plenty of Hollywood attitude. It's the Americans who play the Irish while the hapless locals are privileged to play the extras.
As McDonald suggests, this entertaining production is driven by the star performances of its actors, Jeremy Stanford and Greg Stone who play each of the beautifully etched characters in the show. With a backward step, a tilt of the head or a change in posture and demeanor they quickly slip into the role of the glamorous leading lady who's insecure about her accent and likes to visit the extras for a touch of 'colour', a cynical director who's losing his precious light, various production assistants and Mickey; the last surviving extra from the first film shot in these parts, John Ford's The Quiet Man.
While Stones In His Pockets has as many laughs as stand up comedy, the American's cultural pillaging opens up a serious vein beneath the surface. 'Stones In His Pockets' is filled with clever, comic moments and two of the best performances you're ever likely to see on stage, but at its core is the hardship that has become part of Irish literature and drama.
For your chance to win a double pass to the opening night of Stones In His Pockets at Lismore City Hall on May 21, turn to page 5.
For generous ticket discounts book with your friends at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 66215600.
Winners of the 'Mr Barbeque Big Night Out' raffle were drawn at the final performance of 'Mr Barbeque' on April 12. The raffle was part of a fundraising initiative between NORPA and Our Kids Northern Rivers Health Fund with proceeds going to the NORPA Theatre Fund and equipment for the Special Care Nursery and Children's Ward at Lismore Base Hospital. The winners were -
1st Prize-
A fully equipped barbecue from Barbeques Galore: Dean Parker - Tenterfield2nd Prize-
Midnight Selection of 5 wines from the Gollan Hotel: Ms Dee Cruikshank - Lismore3rd Prize-
2 tickets to NORPA's 'Stones In His Pockets': Mrs Jenny Ryan - Georgica4th Prize-
Down Under Outdoor rug from Chandlers:Mr Allan Brack - New Brighton
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The Scene - Local Entertainment News
Dark Lotus flowers at the Great Northern in Byron Bay this Saturday, joined by DJ Catkid.
Rocket Science plays the Great Northern this Sunday.