The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Doing it by the book

Local author Melaina Faranda.

Local author Melaina Faranda recently released her new book The Circle: Dreamer, and The Echo is giving readers the chance to score themselves a copy.

The Circle: Dreamer is the first book in a 10-book series about 10 teenage girls from a small Australian town who are chosen to form The Circle.

Using magic as the central theme Melaina's books follow the adventures of each of the girls in The Circle, and the real-life dramas that happen along the way.

"The Circle series was a perfect way to meld my personal interest in teenage personal development with magic," said Melaina, a former high school teacher and personal development facilitator.

"It's a way of exploring critical issues like the search for personal identity, eating disorders, drug abuse, friendships - the issues that teenagers face every day. It's fiction and I want readers to be entertained, but I also hope teenagers can relate to the characters and explore those issues in a way that's non-judgemental. It's creating a space where teenagers can look honestly at issues that aren't always adequately addressed in today's society."

The Circle: Dreamer is now available from all good bookstores for $14.95.

She hopes to have the second book in The Circle released by December this year.

Freebie: The Echo has two copies of The Circle: Dreamer to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.10am on Monday, June 30, and tell us how many books are in The Circle series.

Art's back on the table

Local TAFE ceramics students Amanda Soutar (right) and Louise Fulton have turned a communal lunch table at the Lismore TAFE campus into a work of art.

The two students are halfway through their three-year Diploma of Ceramics, and their table is one of three tables that were created by students as part of their assessment for the year.

The tile designs are based on Islamic motifs and a variety of geometric patterns.

"We just wanted to make the place look more beautiful and get our work out of the studio and share it with other people," Amanda said. "I think we really liked the idea of bringing the ceramics department out into the open, and sharing a bit of our creativity. Despite the fact the designs are more than 1000 years old they are beautifully graphic and really quite contemporary. Hopefully people will enjoy it and be inspired."

The lunch table is situated just near the Drill Hall at Lismore campus.

Boogie on down

Get your flares and platforms on and head to the Winsome Hotel this Saturday, July 28, for the second Studio 54 dance party.

DJs Cat and Wazza will play all the retro faves, kicking off at 8pm.

Enter for Splendour now

Powderfinger headline the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Bay this July.

The Echo has two weekend passes to Splendour in the Grass to give away, and if you haven't entered yet now's the time to get cracking.

The two-day music festival, being held at Belongil Fields near Byron Bay, features a veritable feast of entertainment with some of the world's best live bands included on the line-up.

Brisbane rock outfit Powderfinger are headlining the festival along with UK crooners Coldplay and the popular English band Placebo. They are joined by Death in Vegas, The Music, Goldfrapp, The Superjesus, Jet and many more.

Entries for The Echo's Splendour in the Grass competition will be taken up until 5pm on Monday, July 7, and people are welcome to enter as many times as they wish.

All you have to do is write in 25 words or less why you should get one of the passes.

The weekend passes are worth more than $150 each, so we want to see a bit of ingenuity and flair from entrants - not just 25 words begging us to let you go.

People can send entries to Splendour in the Grass Competition, PO Box 37, Lismore, NSW, 2480. The winner's names and their entries will be printed in The Echo on July 10, 2003.

The Damage done

UK-based comedy duo Brian Damage and Krysstal (pictured) will headline this month's Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge next Tuesday, July 1, at Maggie Moores.

This irreverent British couple is hilarious, and their sharp wit and dynamic stage presence together makes for a very funny performance.

Brian and Krysstal will be supported by Grafton comic Douglas Elliot as well as some local up-and-coming comics the Lizard has been keeping her eye on - this month Sikim Wan and Melanie O'Flynn.

The night is hosted by S Sorrensen, with Cat at the door. And of course there's always the $50 Millies on Magellan joke competition for anyone who's game.

Fine food is available on the night, with a meal and show ticket just $20 (to book phone 6622 1888). Show tickets only are $12 and its $8 for Uni students who bring ID.

The night kicks off at 8pm.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway to the Laughing Lizard. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.10am on Monday, June 30, and tell us where Brian and Krysstal are from.

Hear no evil...

Students from St John's College Woodlawn are presenting a new production, Living with Lady Macbeth, on Wednesday and Thursday, July 2 and 3, in the school hall.

Tamara Churchill plays the pivotal role of Lily, an ordinary teenager who becomes obsessed with the role of Shakespeare's most evil female character, Lady Macbeth.

She becomes enthralled in Lady Macbeth's world and begins to show people close to her the dreams she is having, even letting them watch as she 'kills of' her enemies in her imagination.

It's provocative and entertaining theatre, and will be supported by Sue Murray's Australian absurdist play Why are we Here? Tickets are $5 per person for $10 for a family at the door.

Allsortsastuff

The third annual Licorice Allsorts exhibition, showcasing locally made arts and crafts, opens this Saturday, June 28, at the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle.

It's a fabulous jumble of local arts and crafts, with something to suit everyone's tastes. This Saturday's opening runs from 11am-1pm. The exhibition is on show until July 23.

The gallery is now seeking expressions of interest to be part of a new exhibition, Images of the Sacred Female.

The exhibition is open to all females, as well as males working under a female pseudonym, and aims to celebrate all things relating to the female. The exhibition follows on from a similar exhibition held earlier this year focusing on blokes and their art.

Expressions of interest are available from the gallery and are due back by July 18. For more information phone 6632 3518.

Concert for Cancer

An amateur charity concert to support disadvantaged families and people with prostate cancer will be held this Sunday, June 29, at the Uniting Church Hall in Alstonville.

Doors open at 1.30pm for a 2.30pm show, and tickets are $10 per person, which includes nibblies before the concert and high tea afterwards.

All proceeds from the concert will go to the Northern Rivers Prostate Cancer Support Group and the Smith Family. To enjoy this afternoon of song, fun and friendship book now with Margaret on 6681 3502 or Pat on 6628 3766.

Flying high

Darren Bird from Alphadale has scooped the pool at the recent Tamworth Songwriters Association Songwriting Awards 2003.

Darren, who has been writing songs for the last five years, wasn't expecting even one award, let alone the swag he came away with.

Darren won first place in the Bush Ballad/Traditional section for his song Women of the Land, as well as first place in the Contemporary section for Treasures in a Cardboard Box (incidentally another of his tunes, Farmer's Son, also came third). He also took away a fourth place in the gospel section, but was thrilled when he was announced winner of the Judges Choice Award for Women on the Land.

"It was really overwhelming because it's only the second competition I've ever entered," Darren said. "I was definitely on cloud nine for a couple of days, and there was talk about me being able to really make a future out of country music. It was amazing to get such positive feedback."

On the road again

As part of his On the Road Again Australian tour, folk singer and All Together Now star Jon English is dropping by the Lismore RSL Club next Thursday, July 3.

Jon started out playing in bands in the 60s and 70s but got his first big break in Harry M Miller's production of Jesus Christ Super Star, before taking on the role of the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance. For the Pirates soundtrack Jon won his fourth ARIA, and things just snowballed from there.

Now back on road doing what he loves best - touring - Jon has developed a completely new show to keep things interesting. An experienced performer and an irrepressible joker, Jon's gigs are much more than just a music show - it's theatre, comedy, music and fun wrapped into one.

Tickets to see Jon in concert are $25.30 per person, and you can book with the club on 6621 2434. The gig kicks off at 8pm.

Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to give away to next Thursday's show. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 12 & 12.10pm on Monday, July 30, and tell us what show Jon starred in.

A rich tapestry

The Spaghetti Circus (pictured) will present their new show, A Tapestry in Time, this Saturday, June 28, at the Star Court Theatre.

This exciting new show brings to life the story of a group of travelling circus performers in a swirl of beauty and magic, comedy and breathtaking dare devil antics.

The members of the 30-strong Spaghetti troupe are all amazing performers, inspiring audiences with their colourful costumes and dazzling feats of acrobatics, juggling, contortion and more.

And with adult tickets at kids' prices it's a great event for the whole family.

The show starts at 7pm and tickets are $10 at the door.

15 minutes of fame

Last year's 15/15 winners (l-r) Rohan Langford, Simon Rose and Bec O'Connell.

The Melbourne-based 15/15 Film Festival will be screened in Lismore this Sunday, June 29, at the Star Court Theatre.

The festival was first screened in Lismore last year after the best short award was won by a Lismore crew, Staggering Productions, for their film Line of Collimation.

This year Line of Collimation writer/director/composer Rohan Langford has worked with a different group to produce Cagey Be, which has been nominated for awards including best cinematography. Cagey Be will be among the entries shown in Lismore.

The festival gets its name from the challenge presented to filmmakers - they must create and edit a 15-minute film in just 15 hours.

The festival has travelled around Australia this is the only opportunity to see it screened locally. The screening starts at 6.30pm and tickets are $10/5.

World Cup poetry

Entries are now open for the Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup, a weekend of fun, frivolity and fabulous poetry to be held on the first weekend of August.

People are required to submit their entries ASAP, with finalists then selected to compete in heats during that weekend.

Heats will be held in four cafes around Nimbin on Saturday, with semi-finals on Sunday afternoon and the grand final that evening in the Nimbin Town Hall.

Each venue will have an MC and two judges. Performers have a maximum of eight minutes to perform as many pieces as they wish, plus there'll be open mike sessions and music for the punters.

The inaugural event boasts a massive $5,000 in prize money, generously donated by Nimbin Lifestyle Real Estate. $2,000 will be awarded as first prize with $1,000 for the runner up, leaving $2,000 to share throughout the weekend for performances deemed worthy by the judges at each venue.

To get involved in this fabulous event email archie@lis.net.au for entry form, phone Gail on 6689 7424 or Archie on 6689 0332.

Hearty entertainment

As part of the Heart Politics Festival a Big Talk weekend is being held from Friday to Sunday, June 27-29, at the Bangalow A&I Hall.

Speaker sessions will be held throughout the weekend, with guests including Clive Hamilton, Sandy McCutcheon, Judith Atkinson, Kali Endorf, Ruth Rosenhek and NSW Greens Senator Kerry Nettle to speak. Musicians will open and close each session.

The first session on Friday, June 27, features music by percussionist Chinta and local singing sensation Elizabeth Lord. The session start at 7pm and tickets are $15/10,

On Saturday, June 28, the Cape Byron Playback Theatre will open the panel discussion on 'does the rest of the world matter?' The session starts at 7pm.

The last session on Sunday, June 29, will feature local five-piece group KaOZ Klezmer in concert, playing their unique Arabic-Yiddish influenced music. This last session runs from 7-9pm and tickets are $15/10.

For more information on Big Talk speaker sessions or the Heart Politics Festival itself email susanna@byrononline.net or phone Susanna on 6688 4357.

Mountain top jazz

The Alstonville Wollongbar Quota Club will present a very special jazz concert next Thursday, July 3, in Alstonville, but people must book now to secure a seat.

The event, Plateau Jazz, will feature the versatile six-piece Caxton Street Jazz Band from Brisbane live in concert.

The band has a wide appeal, playing everything from small band swing to Dixieland jazz and 50s influenced rhythm and blues. People can dance the night away, or simply sit back and soak up the fantastic atmosphere.

Plateau Jazz is being held at the Alstonville Community Centre, and for just $25 per person you can see this sensational band and enjoy a lovely supper.

It will be a great night of jazz and it's an opportunity to help out the local community, as proceeds from the event will go towards the purchase of a defibrillator for Alstonville.

The club believes a defibrillator would be an invaluable asset, as sometimes it can take an ambulance 20 minutes to reach Alstonville.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Individual tickets or table bookings can be made through Marilyn on 6628 3880.

TaikOz featuring Riley Lee

Lismore City Hall
Thursday July 31 at 11am & 7pm
Friday August 1 at 7pm

The NORPA Music Series kicks off in July with three dynamic and diverse shows including the popular Japanese/Australia taiko drummers, TaikOz. TaikOz have thrilled audiences all over the world with their powerful, extremely physical and mesmerising performances. An intense fusion of East and West, TaikOz draw on ancient traditions while looking to the future.

"Taiko" is the Japanese word for Drum, and this group of musicians has some of the finest including a 250kg grand drum. The two hour high energy performance combines the power of the traditional Japanese Taiko with the ethereal tones of the bamboo Sha-ku-hachi, played by Riley Lee.

And if sitting in the audience taking in all the sights and sounds has hit the drumming cord within, then the good news is that you can participate in a Taikoz workshops and find out first hand the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of having a good hard bang on the drum. Call NORPA for workshop bookings and information on 6622 0300.

Katie Noonan and the Paul Grabowsky Trio

With Scott Tinkler
Lismore City Hall
Friday July 25 at 7.30pm

She is the heavenly voice behind the ARIA-winning band george. He has been described as Australian music's Renaissance man. And together, Katie Noonan and Paul Grabowsky generate a musical chemistry which has to be heard to be believed.

The Paul Grabowsky Trio and another ARIA-winner, trumpet virtuoso Scott Tinkler, will perform an extraordinary jazz song cycle for Lismore audiences in July. "Before Time Could Change Us" is a cycle of love songs, with texts by Dorothy Porter, tracking the mysterious shifts and changes of a relationship.

Set to the lyrical and evocative music of Paul Grabowsky, the songs tell the story in passionate and haunting lyrics as the singer, accompanied by jazz piano trio and trumpet, takes the audience from a lover's paradise to a lover's hell and back again. "Before Time Could Change Us" has been especially written by Paul Grabowsky for Katie Noonan and will premiere at the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music before playing in Lismore. Of the collaboration Katie Noonan says "I am really excited about exploring further musical territories with Paul in the future. I am inspired by his music and honoured by our association."

Tickets are selling fast so book early to see these titans of the Australian musical scene move into their latest, and perhaps most significant, groundbreaking collaboration.

Scared Weird Little Guys

Lismore City Hall
Tuesday July 29 at 7.30pm

"Quick-thinking, lyrically ingenious, they keep the giggle count constantly high ... this madcap duo are certainly gifted." The Scotsman

The Scaredies are John Fleming and Rusty Berther - exceptional musicians, singers, composers and comedians. Their clever and witty parodies and versatile style make them one of Australia_s most sought after acts. Their brand new show Shorn! covers everything from shearing to Eminem and will premiere in Townsville before coming to Lismore for one night only in July. The duo have been entertaining audiences all over the world for more than a decade with their musical madness and bizarre antics. They are regulars at Australian and International comedy festivals and their performances consistently sell out. Lismore audiences lucky enough to see the Scaredies in 1999 will remember what a wonderfully outrageous evening they had.

Tickets to NORPA productions can be purchased from the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600 or buy online at www.norpa.org.au For bookings and information on the TaikOz workshops call NORPA direct on 6622 0300.