The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Dancing from Real to Reel

A scene from No Surrender, one of the films being screened at the ReelDance Festival tomorrow night.

One Extra Dance in conjunction with Northern Rivers Dance Action and North Coast CAMERA will present the second ReelDance Festival tomorrow, September 27 at the Star Court Theatre.

The ReelDance Festival features a screening of the Australian and New Zealand finalists in the ReelDance Awards, which celebrates dance-film and videos.

"Dance-film may feature dance of any description - be it human movement, the dance-like movement of inanimate objects, or dance effects achieved through filming or post-production," ReelDance curator, Erin Brannigan, said. "Top choreographers and filmmakers have been working together to produce a new style of short dance-film that make full use of both the choreographers' skills and the art of filmmaking."

Among the short films being screened is the film No Surrender, a collaboration between director/choreographer Richard James Allen and former Bangarra Dance Theatre performer Bernadette Walong, who was recently in Lismore as a co-choreographer with Michael Hennessy for Norpa's production of The Seed.

Tomorrow night's screening is the first time ReelDance has been screened out of a major capital city, and people who come along to check it out have the opportunity to vote in Lismore's own ReelDance People's Choice Award.

To kick off the night Emma Newman from Northern Rivers Dance Action has organised for local dance-films to be presented at 7pm before the major screening at 8pm. Local filmmakers and choreographers, including Michael Hennessy, Igneous and Simon Adams will discuss the specific issues and challenges of this type filmmaking.

Tickets to the ReelDance Festival are $10/7 at the door. For more info and the full program visit www.norpa.org.au or call Emma Newman on 6622 3279.

Stringing you Along

Whether you love classical string quartets or pumping house techno, then you're bound to love six-piece band Coda (pictured)- who combine the best of both genres to create a unique and funky sound.

Performing next Thursday, October 3 at Coorabell Hall, audiences will be treated to Coda's dazzling energy and technical genius, that has seen them record music for The Bell Shakespeare Company and Legs on the Wall. Coda includes the musical skills of founding member Nick Wales (who formed the collective in 1994) on bowed and plucked viola and keyboards, Naomi Radom on violin, Matthew Steffen on electric and acoustic bass, Kim Moyes on vibraphone and percussion, Jared Underwood on drums and sampler kit, with Ed Goyer on keyboards and percussion.

The gig promises to be a rich feast of music, from the finest classical string music to the most funky electronica - so bring a cushion for the subdued first half and some comfy shoes for dancing to the second half.

Tickets are $15/12 at the door and the gig starts at 8pm.

A Devilish Cabaret

The Hell is Cabaret night presented by Jimmy Willing some weeks ago was such a huge success he is putting on another cabaret next Thursday, October 3 at the Winsome Hotel.

Byron comedian Mandy Nolan (pictured) is a new addition to the line-up and will get everyone in the mood with her wacky humour and irrepressible antics.

Others on the bill include Jimmy Willing's extremely funny Von Tramp Family Puppets, and local bands Dollarag and Mirth.

Czechoslovakian puppeteer Lenka Muchova will present her Porno Puppets of Praque - a beautiful little group of marionettes who perform a number of raunchy acts on stage.

Completing the line-up is local artists Ebony Quinliven, Cranky Hank, Cameron Muir and DJ Lucky Skunk.

The gig will run from 8pm until late.

Bangalow Fair

The 7th annual Bangalow Art and Craft Fair will be held this Sunday, September 29 at the A&I Hall and the RSL Hall from 9am-4pm. Heaps of local wares will be on display including pottery, ceramics, jewellery, handmade cards, ironwork, felt and furniture. Refreshments and children's entertainment will run throughout the day and entry is by gold coin. All proceeds go to the Bangalow Pool Trust. For info phone Ruth on 6687 1393.

Singing God's Praise

Gospel singer/songwriter Sonya Marks (pictured) is one of more than 20 artists from Australia-wide who will converge on Casino this weekend for the Australian Country Gospel Music Festival.

The event will run from Friday-Sunday, September 27-29 and there will be three sound stages, children's entertainment, a youth concert for teenagers, and heaps more.

The festival kicks off tomorrow night with the aptly-titled Kick off Concert from 6pm on the big stage, and throughout the three-day festival people will hear from musicians including Gary Shearston, Charlie Koellner, Mark Molynox, Davy Lloyd-Jones, the Hank Hickling Band and many more.

The festival starts again on Saturday with a Bluegrass Breakfast at 7am, with songwriting and recording workshops continuing through the day (bookings 6662 5202).

The Main Event is held on Saturday night at 6pm on the main stage featuring some of the artists mentioned above, and for teenagers there's a Youth Concert from 6pm on the other stage. For those aspiring to enter the music world in singing or performing, an all-day Walk-Up Stage will be open for anyone who wants to have a go.

Sunday begins with a Combined Worship Service on the main stage at 10am, and to end the weekend there's a Wind Down concert from 4pm until late.

Kids will have no shortage of things to do with carnival rides, mini-jeeps, a jumping castle and heaps of other activities for youngsters all weekend.

Sites are available for camping at $6 per night, and food will be available on-site thanks to the Country Cafe. Tickets to the Australian Country Gospel Music Festival are $10/5 for Friday night, $15/8 for Saturday night and Sunday is free. For more information and bookings phone 6662 5202.

40hr Film Comp

Any actors who make their acting skills available to teams in the Race Around Lismore Short Film Competition can win themselves an acting package with Russell Crowe's Sydney-based agent, Bedford & Pearce.

Presented by North Coast CAMERA and Jago Productions, Race Around Lismore will be held in and around Lismore on the long weekend of October 4-7. Participants will be asked to form teams of six, and will be given key locations that must be included in their films. The films must then be made in 40 hours, from Friday night to Sunday morning, and be no longer than five minutes.

Local actors can register and make themselves available to competing teams on Friday, October 4 at the registration evening at Caddies from 4-7pm. The competition has two divisions, open and under 18, and the film can be entered in one of four sections - comedy, drama, documentary or environmental documentary. The actor who does the best acting performance in both the open and under 18 divisions will receive the Bedford & Pearce acting and casting package worth $600, while filmmakers will vie for more than $5,000 in prizes.

"We are very youth oriented and even though we're a Sydney-based agency we wanted to give something to the Northern Rivers region, because actors in regional areas don't always get to be part of something in the city," Martin Bedford said. "There are various courses the winners can choose depending on their skills and interest."

Race Around Lismore will culminate in a screening and prize presentation night at the Lismore Workers Club on Sunday, October 6.

For more info phone Mark on 6624 3795 or CAMERA on 6621 5444.

Stars in their Eyes

The all-new Iluka Festival will be opened this Saturday, September 28 with a fabulous new event - Cinema Under the Stars.

The classic Australian movie Strictly Ballroom will be shown on a big screen under the stars at the Iluka Sportsground from 6.30pm, and people simply need to bring a chair or rug to make themselves comfy.

The film will be screened on 16mm format, an experience which Coffs Harbour-based projectionist David Manual likes to describe as "enjoying the flickering bits and all".

Tickets to Cinema Under the Stars are just $5 each (from the Iluka Post Office or by booking on 6650 9800), and kids under 16 are free.

The event is a prelude to the Iluka Festival, which kicks off on Sunday morning with the Iluka Boat Shed and Marine Festival Parade at 9.30am. Festival stalls, live entertainment and other colourful activities will run from 10am-3pm on the Iluka Bay Foreshore.

For more info phone Jane or Julia on 6650 9800.

Don't Dress Up, Just Get Down

Tribe 187 will launch its newest dance event, Blue Collar Concepts, at the Tabanacal Bar in Byron Bay tomorrow, September 27. Aimed at those who like 'harder edged sounds', the night will concentrate on all things tech, including both house and breaks.

Resident DJs will be Pip and Janome, the Carpark Nightclub's former Friday night DJ who has returned to the decks after a brief spell away. Just $5 will get you into the gig, and food is included. The night kicks off at 9pm.

Camera Workshop

Experienced documentary maker and cinematographer Annie Benzie is hosting an intermediate level Mini DV Camera Workshop this Saturday, September 28, in conjunction with North Coast CAMERA. Annie has 15 years experience working with film, and has done everything from shooting educational and corporate videos to her own short films and documentaries (including her latest short, Surfcheck).

Annie will take participants through shutter speed, exposure, depth of field and how they are related. She will show why camera angle and movement, lens size, lighting and editing style helps convey certain messages and how these can be used to create different moods in a film.

The workshop will be held at the Clunes Technology Centre from 10am-5pm and the cost is $55, or $50 for CAMERA members. For info and bookings phone 6621 5444.

Showy Shutterbugs

Casino Show Society will stage their first Photographic Competition at the Casino Show on October 12, and local shutterbugs are being urged to enter. The competition has three sections - portrait, landscape and youth photography - and there are cash prizes for the winners in each category.

With each entry there is a $2 fee, and entries close next Friday, October 4. Entry forms are available from the Casino Show office, Barker Street, Casino (phone 6662 8181) or on 6663 5283.

Giggles with Greg

Greg Sullivan will feature at the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge next Tuesday.

Comedian Greg Sullivan's biography describes him as a "sad, lonely, grossly overweight twenty four year old nerd with bad dental hygiene" - and that's just the first line.

The up and coming comic is returning to Lismore to headline his second Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge next Tuesday, October 1, and while his description may seem harsh to most, he maintains that "being a sad, fat bastard really gives you plenty of material to work with".

And he's not a bad comic either.

Greg has been doing stand up for the last eight years, and has recently worked at the International Melbourne Comedy Festival as well as being invited to perform at the world-famous Improv in Los Angeles. Many people would also have seen the Brisbane-based comedian on TV shows, such as the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala and GNW Nite Lite.

His humour is witty, fast and often quite cutting, but you don't need to worry about being singled out in the crowd, because the only person Greg seems to pick on is himself.

Joining Greg on the night is local comic Peter Kiel and MC S Sorrensen, who will also compere the $50 joke competition - fast becoming one of the most popular segments of the night.

Delicious dinners are available at the venue, however, bookings are essential for the $20 meal and show deal (phone 6622 1888). Show tickets only are $12 at the door, and $6 for Uni students who bring ID. The show kicks off at 8.30pm.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway to the Laughing Lizard. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.40am on Monday, September 30 and tell us how often the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge is held.

Mr Barbeque To Tour

NORPA has been granted funding from the 2003 Performing Arts Touring Program for a NSW Regional and Metropolitan tour of the music theatre work, Mr Barbeque.

Mr Barbeque is the first production to come from NORPA's Creative Laboratory, an initiative which seeks to establish Lismore as a national centre of excellence in the performing arts. Premier of NSW and Minister for the Arts, Bob Carr, says "I am delighted that Northern Rivers Performing Arts is part of the recent expansion of opportunities for people living outside Sydney to enjoy high quality performances by the state's leading music, theatre and dance companies."

Mr Barbeque, starring baritone Lyndon Terracini, first premiered in Lismore as the opening production in NORPA's 2002 Season and will play at the Powerhouse Theatre in Brisbane, October 30 to November 2. The NSW tour will commence in October 2003 with performances scheduled for Griffith, Parramatta, Taree and Wagga Wagga.

Something for Everyone

Lismore City Hall will host two spectacular stage events in October. The first is a new stage adaptation of the immortal story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Presented by Dance Encore Productions this traditional Brothers Grimm tale will come to life on the City Hall stage in a two hour song and dance extravaganza featuring actors, singers, dancers and acrobats.

The show is a visual feast of colour with fantasy allowed to reign supreme in this romantic fairy tale featuring dramatic sets designed by Graham Maclean and dazzling costumes from Dance Encore Creations.

Don't miss this all new mega production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Lismore City Hall, October 8, at 2pm and 5pm.

This Tap is Hot

The tap musical blockbuster, Hot Shoe Shuffle, presented by David Atkins, will play two evening shows on October 15 and 16 at Lismore City Hall.

Starring Drew Anthony, Leonie Page, Jack Webster and featuring the sensational Tap Brothers, Hot Shoe Shuffle has been touted as the most successful Australian musical ever and has certainly lost none of its appeal with tickets already in hot demand. "David Atkins Presents" has featured along side some of the most successful Australian stage musicals.

Most recently he created the hit productions of Singin' In The Rain, Chicago and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games.

Hot Shoe Shuffle made Australian theatrical history when it became the first Australian Musical to play on London's famous West End. It then went on to win the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for its spectacular choreography and was nominated "Best New Musical". Originally staged in 1992, Hot Shoe Shuffle has played to critical acclaim and standing room only houses around the world. If you're quick, you can still sit while you enjoy this fantastic production in Lismore!

For tickets to Hot Shoe Shuffle and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs call the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600.

For more information on these shows and other coming events including the Brisbane Season of Mr Barbeque, visit www.norpa.org.au.

Use the form below to search through the Northern Rivers Echo Newspaper web site.

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