The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Art Through a Glass Eye

Pink Palm by Silva Bond, one of the works in her installation, Glass Gardens, now on show in Brisbane.

Two stunning glass installations featuring the work of Lismore artists Simone Tops and Silva Bond will open tomorrow, March 7, at Fusions Gallery in Brisbane.

This is the first time both Simone and Silva have done a solo exhibition since graduating from visual arts at Southern Cross University, and was made possible by a Pat Corrigan Artists Grant.

Simon's installation Kitsch/en Table involves the re-creation of fifties domestic tableware, using glass and found metal and ceramic objects.

"The 1950s was an era of strict concepts of social roles, particularly for women," she said. "My work is about how we construct the idea of what a woman is supposed to be by putting stereotypes together."

Silva's installation, Glass Gardens, is very different to Simone's, despite the artists both working in the same medium.

"Simone and I use similar materials and techniques in very different ways," Silva said. "Glass Gardens sets out to spin the illusion of a garden of glass. To do that, I've created delicate glass objects using an ancient technique known as pate de verre, or glass paste. Cast and fused glass also feature in the installation."

Friday's opening will run from 6.30-8.30pm and all are welcome to attend. Both installations will run concurrently at Fusions Gallery, Fortitude Valley, until March 29.

A Mountain of Art

A new series of untitled paintings by Mt Burrell artist Christine Robinson, heavily influenced by the nearby Mt Warning, are now on show at the Nimbin Artists Gallery.

While Christine has been painting for the last 30 years, it's only recently that she has been drawn to the energy of Mt Warning and has started using it symbolically in her paintings (as pictured).

In fact Christine says she has little choice in the matter - simply feeling compelled to paint Mt Warning and acknowledge it in her work.

"The energy of the mountain has a tremendous impact on my creativity," Christine said. "It's like I feel an ancient connection with Mt Warning and that really inspires my artworks. This series is really about going deep within myself to see what comes out... it's an expression of what's at that deep source."

Christine's Mt Warning series will be on show until March 17.

Catch the Kelly Gang

The Wednesday jazz night at Maggie Moores will be a little more sultry than usual next week, March 12, when Jim Kelly's Latin Lovers perform with special guest vocalist Elizabeth Lord (pictured).

Jim Kelly's Latin Lovers feature Jim Kelly on guitar, Steve Russell on keys, James Cox on percussion, Jack Thorncraft on bass and Dave Sanders on drums, with Elizabeth's sensational singing binding the many instrumental styles together. They will perform music from Central and South America, including numbers such as Agua De Marco, Begin The Beguine and even Tico Tico.

Tickets are just $5 and the doors open at 8.30pm.

An Electric Country Show

Lee Kernaghan performs at the Lismore Workers Club next Tuesday.

One of Australia's greatest country music icons, Lee Kernaghan, is bringing his new show to the Lismore Workers Club next Tuesday, March 11, as part of his Electric Rodeo Tour.

The platinum selling Electric Rodeo album earned Lee two more Golden Guitar Awards this year, taking his total number of Golden Guitars to 19 - the second highest recipient in country music history falling short of the legendary Slim Dusty.

Lee describes the new album as "the most universal album I've ever recorded", and it sees him collaborating with more than 25 world-class musicians to create a more rock-orientated album than his others. The show itself also packs a punch, complete with a seven-piece band, special guest guitarist David Lee Murphy, a nine-metre high video screen and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. And it's nice to know even the biggest country music stars can get a little anxious as showtime approaches.

"I won't deny I've got a few nervous butterflies floating around at the moment," Lee admitted. "But I can promise one thing - this will be the biggest and best tour I've ever undertaken. I'm excited beyond belief."

Tickets to see the Electric Rodeo Tour are $33 for adults and $20 for kids, but book early on 6621 7401 to ensure you get a seat. And remember, you need a member to sign you in.

Music Man Heads for Hollywood

Lismore-based audio-visual artist Andrew Lyons is Hollywood-bound to work on a film with Independence Day director Roland Emmerich.

by Sara Crowe

A Southern Cross University (SCU) graduate with unique computer/special effects skills is heading for Hollywood this Saturday to work on the latest feature film by director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Godzilla).

Andrew Lyons, 32, will work for US production company Digital Domain, which is owned by James Cameron of Titanic and Terminator fame. The company sponsored Andrew to get a hard-to-come-by US working visa.

"It's been great, they've forked out all this money to get me a US visa," he said. "They had to get a full record of all my education, to work out the US equivalent, to justify why they need to hire me rather than an American. Only a small community of people (in the world) use the software I use."

Andrew sent Digital Domain his DVD showreel and CV last year.

"The DVD contains some of the first works to use virtual reality sound spatialisation techniques, which can be experienced on a home theatre system," he said. "They happened to be hiring and I had an interview over the phone. They said they were interested in having me come over to work on this film."

Andrew completed a BA at SCU in 1995, majoring in music composition and video production.

Andrew will work on the audio and visual special effects on a film called Tomorrow, due out in mid-2004.

Andrew's work involves amazing images and audio special effects, designed to be played on a 'surround-sound' speaker system, like in a cinema but with some extra features (for more info visit the website: www.tstex.com).

Since graduating, Andrew has worked professionally as both a 3D animator and 'sonic artist' (a musician who creates music using synthesised or re-synthesised found sounds).

And now, Hollywood beckons for the former student who started out as a simple saxophonist.

Painting and Poetry Collide Dangerously

Looking at artworks for the new Dangerously Poetic Press publication, Wingbeats, is (l-r) artist Raylee Delaney, poet Jan Mulcahy and co-editor Shé Hawke.

Members of local publishing company Dangerously Poetic Press met with artist Raylee Delaney recently to discuss a design for a soon to be released poets anthology, Wingbeats: Poetry from Byron Bay and Beyond, which is sponsored by the Beach Hotel.

Co-editor of the anthology, Shé Hawke, says Raylee's artwork is perfect to add some visual texture to the book

"We were always hoping to have some visual in the book," she said. "And Raylee's artwork speaks to our lyrics so well. For example we have one poet, Jan Mulcahy, who wrote a poem about Jackadgerry on Mann River. It just so happens that Raylee has a painting called Afternoon Mann River. How's that for Northern Rivers synchronicity!"

Dangerously Poetic Press was launched last July, however, for the past two years the company has hosted poetry readings each weekend at Persephone's Window bookshop in Byron. This Saturday, March 8, will be the last poetry reading for some time. Starting at 2pm, it will feature two Lismore poets - Norma Balzer, who recently released her second book Once Upon A Farm: A Life in Poems and Photography, and Barbara A Taylor, a local poet who recently won the ABC Far North Coast Region Open Poetry Award. A limited open reading will follow. Entry is by gold coin donation, and everyone is welcome.

Get Smart in Bangalow When it comes to recreating the feel and sound of the rocking 1960s, 70s and 80s, no one does it better than local band Smart Artists. The Smart Artists are a group of four experienced, and um, more mature musicians, who continue to reinvent the legendary rock classics that they were brought up with in new and exciting ways. And we're not talking pub rock. Smart Artists only play the real classic numbers like Very Superstitious and You're So Vain, and their musical prowess only enhances these great old numbers. If you're looking for a great night of entertainment check out the Smart Artists tomorrow, March 7, at the Bangalow Hotel from 8pm. Be early for a good seat.

Getting it Right Not our Forte Due to misinformation incorrectly printed last week that rock band Forte (pictured) would be performing tonight at the Tatts in Lismore. It was half right - they are performing at the Tatts Hotel, but it's actually tomorrow, March 7, from 10pm, with support from Lismore-based rock band Seshjuan. These guys both put on a really good hardcore rock show, and for just $5 it's well worth it. Apologies to readers for any inconvenience.

Surf Films Making Waves

Twenty-two years after touring his first film festival, legendary Australian surf film director, Tim Bonython, is recreating his youth with a national tour of the 2003 Australian Surf Movie Festival.

The two-hour film festival features both films and docos, including the feature film, Strapped, about surfers who ride 'mountains' (massive waves) and how they do it.

Each event kicks off with Mad Wax, one of Quicksilver's first surf videos, while the rest of the program includes The Quicksilver Crossing and highlights from the 2002/2003 Quik Airshows and 2002/2003 Hawaiian North Shore Season.

The program will also preview two independent Australian surf film producers - Justin Gane and Chris Fowler - with footage from their debut films.

The Surf Movie Festival will be screened next Tuesday, March 11, at the Byron Bay Community Centre at both 6pm and 8.30pm.

Tickets are $17 through Bay Action Surf Shop in Byron Bay. Phone 6685 7819.

Film Screening

The next NORPA Green Room Film Society screening, featuring the Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, will be held next Thursday, March 13, at the Star Court Theatre from 7.30pm.

North by Northwest is a 1959 thriller about Rodger Thornhill (Cary Grant), an ordinary advertising exec, who is mistaken for a spy named George Kimble. He is chased across America by Russian spies, resulting in some of the most spectacular action cinematography of the time.

Film Society programs and membership forms will be available at the screening. Membership costs $40 three months, $60 six months or $100 for the year.

All Green Room Film Society screenings are for members and their guests only. For more information visit www.norpa.org.au or phone 6622 0300.

Young Artists make REaDy

An exhibition of artworks by young people with a disability who attend RED Inc (Realising Every Dream), aptly titled Red, Red, Ready!, will be opened this Friday, March 7, at Caddies Cafe in Lismore.

The exhibition features paintings, sculpture and photographs created by the young people at RED Inc, who together applied for and were successful in obtaining a grant from the Foundation for Young Australians to hold the exhibition.

The exhibition will be opened by members of RED Inc at 5pm tomorrow night, followed by a screening of a video they made recently.

Red, Red, Ready! will be on show until March 28.

Cole's Red Hot Revue

Supa Productions and the Ballina RSL Club have joined forces with award-winning director Sue Belsham (Hair, West Side Story) and a multi-talented local cast and live band to present Red Hot and Cole.

Red Hot and Cole is a two-part revue celebrating the life of one of the great song-writing masters of the century - Cole Porter. The show traces Porter's career from his childhood in Indiana to playing stages in New York and London, and looks at his marriage, his friendships with other great musos and the tragic riding accident that crippled him mid-career, physically, but not artistically.

Red Hot and Cole was first produced by Barksdale Theatre in Virginia, and all music and lyrics in the show are Porter's own. Based on the book by James Bianchi, Muriel McAuley and Randy Strawderman, the revue features 25 of Porter's best-known standards including Night and Day, Anything Goes and In the Still of the Night.

Red Hot and Cole will be performed at the Ballina RSL Club from Thursday-Saturday, March 13-15, and then from Thursday-Saturday on the following two weekends (ending March 29). Tickets are $21/19, including supper (book on 6686 2544).

Doors open at 7pm each evening and the shows starts at 8pm.

A Champion Unplugs

This month's Lismore Unplugged will be tinged with sadness, as Unplugged farewells one of its most popular and dedicated performers, Greg Champion.

The acclaimed singer/songwriter has been an enthusiastic and committed supporter of Unplugged since moving to the area six years ago, and he would often juggle interstate music and radio commitments so he could return to Unplugged and delight audiences with his catchy music and irreverent humour.

Sadly for Lismore Greg is moving back to Melbourne due to increased radio commitments, and everyone is encouraged to come down to Lismore Unplugged next Wednesday, March 12, at the Rous Hotel, for his final farewell bash. He will perform with friends Jodi Suprain, Steve McLeod, Brad Lewington and the Unplugged House Band.

The farewell gig kicks off at 7.30pm, and entry is just $4 at the door.

Cultural Identity on Show

A new youth, arts and music show, Cult ID, will be screened on LINC TV for the first time this weekend, with a repeat of the show next week.

Developed by Janelle Buckley, the program is designed to showcase the many talented youth bands, dancers, fire twirlers and visual artists in the local area, in the hope of providing future employment as well as giving young people good-quality entertainment.

Cult ID combines music videos, interviews, performances, skits and a game show called 'Slash the Stereotype' to reveal the unique 'cultural identity' of the Northern Rivers. With so many pressures on young people to conform to stereotypes, Cult ID uses TV as a medium to impart the importance of being unique and innovative, whilst giving young people a platform for expression.

Cult ID will be screened on LINC TV (UHF 68) this Sunday, March 9, and then next Thursday, March 13, both from 7pm.

For info on tuning your TV in phone 6622 0144.

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

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