The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Doco Workshop

The Genre of Documentary workshop presenter Catherine Marciniak while on location in Indian filming her documentary Beyond the Royal Veil.

North Coast CAMERA is pleased to announce local documentary maker Catherine Marciniak (pictured) will be presenting another workshop, The Genre of Documentary, this Saturday, October 19.

If anyone is qualified to teach such a subject it's Catherine, who was recently named a finalist in the 2002 Film Critics Circle of Australia awards' best documentary category for her film Beyond The Royal Veil.

This weekend's workshop is part of an increasing focus on documentaries in the north coast region, in the lead up to the Australian International Documentary Conference that will be held in Byron Bay in February 2003.

In the workshop Catherine will look at many different aspects of the documentary genre. Having spent time making documentaries in other cultures she will also discuss how to develop the acceptance required to document certain subject matter and how this does not necessarily mean compromising the film itself.

The Genre of Documentary workshop will be held this Saturday, October 19 at the Clunes Technology Centre from 10am. CAMERA will also present an Intermediate Mini DV Camera workshop with Annie Benzie the following Saturday.

"The history of CAMERA operating workshops is that they are always in demand, so we are making a concerted effort to cater for that need in the community," CAMERA's new coordinator, John McPherson, said. "Already we have had people who were involved with Race Around Lismore pleading for more camera workshops, so the timing is very good."

To book for either of the workshops phone CAMERA on 6621 5444.

Nimbin Band Boogies into Byron

If you're looking for some funky music to dance to this weekend, check out Nimbin-based band The Durga Babies (pictured) this Sunday, October 20 at The Rails in Byron Bay.

The trio features three talented musicians - Michael Turner on guitar, Tim Tonkin on drums and Nathan Nancarrow on double bass - who formed the band after all enjoying successful musical careers independently.

Michael founded the Wild Pumpkins at Midnight, a band which toured internationally and won an ARIA for best indie back in the early 90s.

Tim was a huge hit back in the 80s with his band Secret Society, and was also a member of the cleverly crafted hip hop act, Spliffmasters.

Nathan began his career as bassist for the legendary Gadflys, and since then he has played in many local bands as well as being a founding member of the Wild Zinnias.

Durga Babies' mix of intelligent vocals, wild acoustic guitar rhythms, pumping double bass and an elaborate drum and percussion set combine to create a kind of folky pop with a hard edge and touch of the East. Basically it's great dance music and a fabulous way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon, and it's even more attractive than usual, being a free gig.

The guys kick off at 6pm.

The Boxer Rebellion

Lano and Woodley come to Lismore next Saturday, October 26, for a night of laughs and stupidity. Their new show Bruiser, is about standing up for yourself. Of course things never go to plan, and from there on, only get worser (even if it's not a real word) and funnier.

Lano and Woodley play Lismore City Hall next Saturday. Tickets are $25/20 (conc) from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Molesworth Street, Lismore. Phone 6621 5600.

Freebie: The Echo has five double passes to Lano & Woodley to give away. For a chance to win, phone 6622 2888 between 10.15 and 10.30am next Monday and tell us the first names of Lano and Woodley. (Hint: see last week's Echo).

Night of the Wolverines...

Country rock music performers The Wolverines (pictured) are riding into town for a concert this Saturday, October 19 at the Lismore RSL Club.

The Wolverines recently won Best Group of the Year at the 2002 CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, and won the same award again weeks later at the Victorian Country Music Awards.

The Wolverines feature Darcy LeYear on vocals and guitar, Chris Doyle on keyboards and vocals, with John Clinton on drums and vocals. The unshaven, Harley Davidson riding trio look more like Hells Angels than country music singers, but underneath they are three talented musicians who spend their spare time helping kid's charities.

The Wolverines play a variety of different musical styles, from the Texan boogie through to bluesy ballads, as well as doing hilarious versions of well-known Australian country songs.

Tickets to the gig are $20, book on 6621 2434. Remember you need a member to sign you in, or you can join the club for just $6 on the night.

Sweet Shirley Valentine

Kim McBeath stars as Shirley Valentine in Lismore Theatre Company's latest production.

Lismore Theatre Company will present their latest production, the award-winning comedy Shirley Valentine, next Friday and Saturday, October 25-26 at the Rochedale Theatre.

Written by Willy Russell, the play has won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk award for best play and an Olivier Award for best comedy of the year.

Lismore Theatre Company's production of this highly-acclaimed play stars local actress Kim McBeath as Shirley, a middle-aged, unappreciated woman living a joyless existence.

All this changes however, when Shirley is offered a two week holiday in Greece paid for by a girlfriend. Through this experience Shirley transforms into a confident, sexy, intelligent woman and discovers the real Shirley Valentine - with many hilarious scenarios along the way.

Shows start at 8pm each night. Tickets are $15/10 from Caddies Bean Shop.

Hey Preston!

Blues pianist and singer Jan Preston performs at Maggie Moores next Tuesday.

As part of a tour to promote her latest album The Piano Has the Blues, Jan Preston will perform at the regular blues night next Tuesday, October 22 at Maggie Moores.

Originally from New Zealand, Jan began her musical life playing as a concert pianist and writing classical music scores for theatre, dance and films. Jan then moved to New York - something which would change her entire musical career.

Whilst living there Jan was exposed to the music of great New Orleans blues pianist Professor Longhair, which had a profound effect on her familiar classical style.

Since discovering blues Jan has won several prestigious awards and has released six albums, and a copy of her most recent CD, The Piano Has The Blues, will be given away at Tuesday's gig.

A Jan Preston gig is never dull, swinging from full-tilt rhythm and blues reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis to passages of poignant blues ballads. Renowned for being a confident and dynamic performer, Jan is assured on keys and vocals with a stage presence that even Jerry would be proud of.

Whether at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival or the Gympie Music Muster, Jan's performances never fail to appease even the fussiest of blues lovers. Tickets to see this amazing performer are just $7/5 at the door, and the gig starts at 8.30pm.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway to this gig. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10.30 & 10.40am on Monday, October 21 and tell us which country Jan is from.

Dave's Hot Sax

Fiery local alto saxophonist Dave Ades (pictured) will perform with his quartet next Wednesday, October 23 at the weekly jazz night at Maggie Moores.

Dave often performs with bands at the weekly jazz night, but Wednesday's gig will give him the opportunity to really break loose with his own rhythm section. Dave is an accomplished saxophonist who likes to push the boundaries of his genre and himself.

He puts enough power and passion into his performances to impress even the likes of Peter Garrett, and as testimony to his talent Dave has performed with jazz greats like Vince Jones, The Freeboppers and Wynton Marsalis. For next Wednesday's gig Dave will be joined by jazz night stalwarts Jim Kelly on guitar, Jack Thorncraft on bass and Dave Sanders on drums.The gig starts at 8.30pm and tickets are $5 at the door.

Opera Helps Kids Health

Shaun Brown, a member of the Young Artists of Opera Queensland, who sing in Lismore next week to raise funds for local kids.

A four-voice group from the highly acclaimed Young Artists of Opera Queensland will perform a special one-night 'Classics in the Chapel' concert at Lismore's St Andrew's Anglican Church on Saturday, November 2.

The singers - sopranos Carolyn Beck and Hye Seoung Kwon, tenor Thomas Moran and baritone Shaun Brown - will travel to Lismore with their accompanying pianist Narelle French-West.

Their popular quality repertoire will be enhanced by the church's fine acoustics, which eliminate any need for amplification.

The evening begins at 8.15pm after a 7.15pm complimentary chicken and champagne supper in the adjacent church hall.

'Classics in the Chapel' is a fundraising event for the 'Our Kids' Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund. Tickets are $35 from Susanne on 6620 2171 or Carolyn on 6620 2705. Dress is optional Black Tie.

Music Amongst the Trees

The Janet Seidel Quintet performs at Jazz in the Rainforest in Ballina next weekend.

Sydney jazz singer/pianist Janet Seidel and her brother David will perform with their ensemble the Janet Seidel Quintet next Saturday, October 27 as part of Musica Viva's ongoing concert series.

Dubbed aptly as Jazz in the Rainforest, the concert will feature the quintet performing amongst the beautiful rainforest gardens at Thursday Plantation in Ballina, with support from local guitar trio d'volv.

Since 1992 Janet and her double bass-playing brother David have produced 10 CDs, and her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat gained them title of vocal album of the year in the Weekend Australian as well as a swag of ARIA nominations.

"I fit into that genre somewhere between Dixieland and modern," Janet said. "If I had to make a comparison it would be with the singers who inspired me - Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day and Peggy Lee."

Performing in her current quintet line-up with her and David is Ben Jones on brass, reeds and vocals, Chuck Morgan on guitar and Adam Pache on drums.

The concert will kick off next Saturday with a performance by local guitar trio d'volv, which features three of Southern Cross University's contemporary music lecturers - Jim Kelly, Peter Martin and Jon Fitzgerald - on steel string, nylon and acoustic guitar.

The concert will be performed in a grass amphitheatre at Thursday Plantation, and people are advised to bring chairs or rugs to keep comfy, as seats are not provided.

Tickets to Jazz in the Rainforest are $25/22 from the ABC Centre in Ballina or book with the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600.

Dolphin Awards Tix

The North Coast Entertainment Industry (NCEIA) would like to thank all people who entered in the 2002 Dolphin Awards, and also remind people that tickets are now on sale for the Dolphin Awards presentation night.

To be held on October 29 at the Great Northern in Byron, the event will feature the presentation of awards as well as performances by many of the region's top musicians, and a $500 guitar will also be raffled during the night.

Tickets to the event are $30 or $25 for NCEIA members from the NCEIA office, 59 Magellan Street, Lismore or on 6622 0222 or through nceia@nrg.com.au.

A Good Wollop

After a sell-out show in Lismore some months ago a locally-created pantomime about refugees, Woosh, Wam, Wollop, will be performed again for one night only this Saturday, October 19 at the Channon Hall.

The show is being held to mark the first anniversary of the drowning of more than 350 asylum seekers during the sinking of the SIEV-X. The crew are specially fitting in this performance before travelling to Sydney, where they will perform the play in November.

All money raised from the performance will go towards providing support to asylum seekers in Australian detention centres.

The show starts at 8pm and will be followed with a performance of music by locals Rohan Langford, Joe Dabron and Tarryn Corlett, who also wrote the play.

Entry is $10/5 or $3 for children. For more information phone Tarryn on 6622 5054.

Conservatorium on Show

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre, or Con as it's better known, will hold an open day this Saturday, October 19 for people to take a look around the college and find out about the various courses available.

The Con is located in the heart of Lismore and offers quality arts education in a creative and supportive environment, catering for students from pre-school age to adults.

It's the only regional conservatorium that is a registered training provider and offers full-time courses which are Austudy approved and VETAB accredited in both Music and Dance. As well as the full time courses, the Conservatorium offers individual and group classes. Music tuition is available for piano, drums, voice, flute, saxophone, keyboard, trumpet, guitar and choir. There are also dance and drama classes, early childhood music classes children's art classes.

"It's a good chance to see the Con in action - we'll have music and dance performances throughout the day, drama workshops KidzArt, course information and heaps more," acting director, Gabrielle O'Shannessy, said. "It's a really good opportunity for the community to meet the students and the teachers here at the Con, get course information and discover why it's such a creative and inspiring place to study."

The excellence of the courses at The Con is reflected in the achievements of its former graduates, many of whom are now teachers in the industry themselves. Others have appeared in productions like Moulin Rouge, Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar while some now perform with high profile musicians such as Alex Lloyd.

The open day will runs from 10am to 3pm and anyone is welcome to attend.

The Con is situated on the corner of Keen and Magellan Street. Phone 6621 2266.

Pre-Xmas Celtic Party

The popular and second last Celtic Jam Night for the year, entitled Pre-Xmas Paddys, will be held next Thursday, October 24 at the Rous Hotel in Lismore.

Some of the north coast's finest Irish musicians will perform on the night as well as aspiring new players. The beginners session begins at 6pm and is open to anyone learning the craft of jigs and reels and there will be tuition available from performers who play a variety of instruments.

The main session begins at 7.30pm. Entry is free.

Double Drama Bill

Theatre Theatre Productions presents a double drama feature for just $10 next Friday, October 25 at the Lismore Workers Club, which is about the best value theatre you'll ever find.

The double feature includes performances of John Marsden's So Much to Tell You and Tim Wynton's Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo, directed by Angela Mitchell and scripted by Paige Gibbs.

The plays contrast greatly from one another - one includes an all-female cast and heaps of props and a full set, while the other features a mixture of actors doing comedy with mime, and very little set design or props.

The double feature starts at 7pm, and tickets are available at the door.

Event Forum

Local event and festival organisers are invited to attend a Regional Event Forum this Saturday, October 19 at the Ballina Jockey Club.

This year's forum title is 'A Sense of Place' and as such the forum will look at how event/festivals can reflect the landscape and lifestyle of local residents, and how these can be shared with visitors. The forum will also look at general issues associated with the delivery of festivals and events in the Northern Rivers.

The forum presenters are a mix of successful event and festival organisers and academic from Southern Cross University.

For more information and bookings phone 6620 3051.

SCU Art Show

Five Southern Cross University students and a local dancer will present a performance art show, Subtleties in the Everyday, next Tuesday, October 22 at SCU's D-Block.

The 20 minute show incorporates music composed especially for the show, sequenced video images and dance.

The inspiration for the show came from four Japanese poems from the 'Heian' period by Murasaki.

Entry to the performance is free, and members of the public are especially welcome.

Mr Barbeque

Powerhouse Theatre,
New Farm Brisbane
Tickets: 07 3358 8600
Time: 8pm
Starring: Lyndon Terracini and members of The QLD Orchestra

Continuing a tradition of producing as well as presenting quality performing arts, the first production from NORPA's Creative Laboratory, 'Mr Barbeque' will play at Powerhouse Theatre in Brisbane, October 31 to November 2.

'Mr Barbeque' first premiered in Lismore in April this year to enthusiastic Northern Rivers audiences and positive critical reviews. This production combines the talents and experience of some of Australia's most distinguished artists. Terracini is joined in his 'backyard' by composer Elena Kats-Chernin and key members of The Queensland Orchestra. Written by Janis Balodis, facets of this 'everyman' are explored through a cycle of 12 songs. Relationships, the mysterious pink substance inside the sausage, zen and the male psyche are a few of the themes explored and set to the music of Kats-Chernin. 'It's like the seven ages of man to some extent' says Balodis, 'It's a number of ages of the male who thinks of himself as the legend in his own back yard, as most men do when they're near the barbecue.'

If you didn't catch this show in Lismore call the Powerhouse Box Office for more information on 07 3358 8600 or visit www.norpa.org.au.

My Son the Fanatic

This Sunday, October 20, at 4.30pm at the Star Court Theatre the ZONTA Club of Lismore present a screening of the British film My Son The Fanatic directed by Udayan Prasad. This film was critically acclaimed when released in Europe and the USA, but has not been released for general screening in Australia. The screenplay is written by Hanif Kureishi ("My Beautiful Laundrette" & "Samie and Rosie get laid" ) and the film stars Om Puri, Rachel Griffiths, Akbar Kurtha and Stellan Skarsgard.

My Son the Fanatic is an expose of relationships and generational conflict in a Pakistani family living in England. Parvez (Om Puri) is a cab driver who loves all things English including Betina (Rachel Griffiths) a local prostitute. When his son Farid (Akbar Kurtha) discovers Islam, he is alarmed to find that he has committed himself to cleaning up the town, starting with his own family. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door. This screening is a fundraiser for the Zonta Club of Lismore Service Projects.

Green Room Films

Friday, November 8, at 7pm at the Star Court Theatre NORPA presents the launch of The Green Room Film Society. Are you a film fanatic, would you like to see the best alternate films the world has to offer on a regular basis? Then why not come to The Green Room Film Society launch and see one of the most amazing cinema experiences on the big screen Brazil, directed by Terry Gilliam (Twelve Monkeys, Monty Python)

Brazil is an amazing visual experience, the sets are staggering, the shots are beautiful excellent performances from Jonathan Price, Sir Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael palin, Katherine Helmond, Robert DeNiro and Jim Broadbent. It took Gilliam ten years to develop this Orwellian vision: Sam Lowry a harried civil servant dreams of esaping the technology and bureaucracy which surrounds him.

A film which rolls industrialization, terrorism, government control and technology gone wrong into one big plot. For more information on coming events visit www.norpa.org.au

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