The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Songwriters Sizzle

Local songstress Jodi Martin will be joined by her band the Unforseen, songwriter Lucie Thorne and harmonica maestro Juzzie Smith for a spectacular performance tomorrow, April 25, at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore. It's not often Lismore sees such an awesome line-up performing together, and anyone who has seen Jodi or Juzzie perform locally before know they're in for a fantastic night. Jodi plays an infectious blend of folk/soul/reggae with her acoustic, slide, resonator and electric guitars and mandolin. She will be joined by her band Unforseen, which features sister Robyn Martin on bass, Kent Windress on drums and Juzzie Smith (aka The Harmonica Man) on harmonica. They will be joined by Melbourne singer/songwriter Lucie Thorne, whose contemporary political folk/pop is passionate and down-to-earth, and altogether charming. Completing the line-up is Juzzie Smith, who recently won the National Golden Harmonica Championship this year in Tamworth. Juzzie will perform his own set on the night, performing his absolutely sizzling harmonica tunes. Juzzie is a true genius on the harmonica, and he is fast earning a legendary reputation around the country. Tickets to this absolute gem of a gig are only $5 and the doors open at 9pm. It's not often Lismore gets a gig this good, so don't miss it!

Jodi Martin (top) and Lucie Thorne (below) team up for a gig at the Tatts tomorrow night.

Blues at its very best

Following the Blues Fest last weekend, Ku Promotions secured a solo gig with Harry Manx for this Saturday, April 26, at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall, before he heads back to Canada.

Every one of his shows has been sold out around the country so far, and it's not surprising. Harry is a blues legend, and the only blues musician who performs on the lap-slide guitar and blues harmonica (simultaneously), whilst also incorporating banjo and Mohan veena – a 20-string Indian slide guitar.

Harry lived for many years in India and he does amazing re-interpretations of this haunting eastern music using a variety of western instruments. Harry has recently finished a tour with captivating new singer Norah Jones and he also works regularly with KD Lang.

This is a rare opportunity to see Harry perform in an intimate atmosphere, and tickets are just $25 at the door. Doors open at 7pm with food by Katoush, with the show from 8pm.

Stay in the loop

A fairly new outfit called Loonaloop (pictured), are making their debut on the north coast this weekend with a number of gigs.

The five-piece live electronic act from Sydney have just emerged, with the core of the band coming from previous UK-based act Tribal Drift.

After only a short time together the band has produced a CD Cleared for Take Off, which they are now promoting on tour. The band features an eclectic mix of music, combining vocals, violin, didgeridoo, percussion, drums and bass with synth samples and electronic programming. The result is a rich blend of ancient and modern styles, and it's fun, uplifting dance music.

Loonaloop perform tomorrow, April 25, at the Canberra Hotel with DJ Jeit and then on Saturday, April 26, at the Great Northern from 9.30pm (tickets are $10 at the door).

Local poetry launch

Dangerously Poetic Press co-founder Shé Hawke with Wingbeats, which will be launched next Tuesday in Byron.

Dangerously Poetic Press (DPP) will launch its second book of poetry, Wingbeats, next Tuesday, April 29, at the Byron Bay Community Centre.

The book will be launched by Northern Rivers Writers' Centre manager, Jill Eddington, and people will also hear members of the collective reading short selections of their work from the DPP anthology.

Wingbeats features a selection of poetry from the 10 DPP members, complemented by illustrations from local artist Raylee Delaney, who also did the front cover artwork.

Anyone who attends the launch will be supporting a great local publishing collective and many talented poets (plus you'll be lavished with oysters and champagne!).

The launch starts at 5.30pm and all are welcome.

How bizarre

The increasingly popular Bizarre Film Club is hosting a mini-animation festival next Wednesday, April 30, at the Winsome Hotel – plus The Echo is giving readers the chance to win a club t-shirt.

The mini-animation festival will feature a smorgasbord of weird and wonderful treats, including Tim Burton's Vincent and the must-see Frankenweenie. There are also two works by Czech filmmaker Jan Svankmajer.

Bizarre Film Club nights are always a hoot, and it's a great chance to see funny, interesting and often controversial cinematic pieces that would otherwise never see the light of day.

Doors open 8pm and entry is $5 at the door.

Freebie: The Echo has one Bizarre Film Club t-shirt to giveaway. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.10am and tell us the two comedians who were featured recently at a BFC screening (hint: the initials are BH and LB).

Songs of Praise

A very special one-off show, featuring the Men of Praise chorale ensemble from the Philippines in concert, will be held next Thursday, May 1, at the Alstonville Adventist Church.

The 30-voice chorale is complemented by conductor Judith Stanton, concert pianist Harold Galang and outstanding young soprano Jen Jen Dayo.

Together the chorale perform a wide repertoire of classical music from Bach, Handel and Vivaldi as well as traditional spiritual and Filipino pieces, several a cappella works and well known songs of praise.

The show is at 7.30pm.

Casino's new niche

A public meeting to discuss a proposed Casino Arts Centre is being held next Thursday, May 1, at the Casino RSM Club.

It is hoped a Casino Arts Centre can be established in the future. The meeting starts at 7pm, and everyone in the community is encouraged to attend and help make this new initiative a reality.

Fundraising Frida

To raise funds for the Lismore Regional Gallery, a special one-off screening of the new film Frida will be held in early May.

The movie, starring Salma Hayek in the lead role, follows the tumultuous life of legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and her marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera.

"I saw the movie in the city and I was totally engrossed in the drama of Frida Kahlo's life and was overwhelmed by the colourful characters, costumes and settings," gallery spokesperson, Marie Nelson, said. "When I was told the gallery was planning to bring Frida to Lismore I was very excited, especially when I discovered that the audience is being encouraged to come in costume!"

There will be pictures at the gallery to inspire people who would like to attend in costume.

Entry to the movie is $10. To book phone 6622 2209.

Youth gig

Recently formed Ballina band Pilot Guides will perform tomorrow, April 25, at the Byron Youth Activities Centre.

They will perform alongside Brisbane band Semicolon and French outfit The Fancy Boys, and the Pilot Guides will be giving away free CDs.

The night kicks off at 7pm.

A concert for you

Bass baritone Peter Axford (pictured) will be the special guest at the Music for You vocal and choral concert next Saturday, April 3, in Lismore.

Peter will join conductor Colin Winter, the Casino's David Jaggers Trust combined choir and Lismore Choral Society for a night of fantastic music, from opera to folk and everything in between.

This special performance will be held at St Andrew's Anglican Church from 7.30pm.

Tickets are $15/12 at the door.

Quick Brown Fox

Lismore City Hall

Friday & Saturday May 2-3, 8pm
Tickets 6621 5600

"What a pleasure to see such beautifully written and performed dance work by an Australian choreographer at the peak of his maturity."

Larry Ruffell, The Canberra Times, 2003.

High praise for choreographer Leigh Warren, his company of seven dancers and their production of Quick Brown Fox, currently touring eastern Australia, and to play at Lismore City Hall May 2 and 3. No doubt the company is becoming accustomed to such accolades having already won an amazing three Green Room Awards for the show during its premiere season – awards including Most Outstanding Performance by a Company and Choreographer.

Leigh Warren and Dancers have good reason to celebrate a decade of innovative and unique dance practice in Australia. Not only are they being recognised nationally and internationally for their innovative and beautiful dance performance, they also have had the unique experience of collaborating with one of the world's legends of Dance – William Forsythe. The production was rehearsed with Forsythe and the elite Ballett Frankfurt in Germany. Forsythe was recently recognised as the World's Best Choreographer at the 2002 Nijinsky Awards. His reign over the Ballett Frankurt has resulted in the company's rise to world significance, and his work is in the repertoire of the most important companies all over the world.

While Forsythe is known for his use of speed, angles and pushing dancers' bodies to their absolute limits, Quick Brown Fox is a unique fusion with Warren's own choreographic sensibilties, – elegant lines, inventiveness and balance.

The original music is contemporary electronic, mostly rhythmical with elements of hip hop and rap, complemented by a dazzling choreographed lighting display and subtle video projections.

Tickets for Quick Brown Fox are on sale at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre, call 6621 5600. To read the reviews or for more information on the full NORPA program visit www.norpa.com.au

This production is supported in Lismore by The Echo, Southern Cross Ten and Graphiti Design.