The Scene - Local Entertainment News

Making alternative history

The Skylarks help celebrate Tuntable's 30th anniversary tomorrow night.

Nimbin's original Aquarius community, the Tuntable Falls Commune/Co-op, has been celebrating 30 years of blissful living over the last month with bush dances, gala fetes and fundraising events. However this Friday, December 12, is the big 30th birthday bash, so if you haven't yet made it out there get along to Tuntable Community Hall tomorrow night and help celebrate this milestone in alternative history.

With two stages and catering by vegan chef extraordinaire Murray, who's thankfully still very much alive and cooking after a slight incident with a Combi, it promises to be a night of gorgeous food, friends and music. Some of the bands featuring at the gig include the Skylarks, Mona Lizard, Baby Durgas, Acid Pixies and the newly formed Red Eyed Frogs line-up. Other acoustic and performing acts include the Tuntable Folk Orchestra, Olli and Lindy, Asia, Paul Joseph, Ewan James, Cloud Fish, Deju Va Belly Dancers, The Licorice All Sorts Can Can, the Oriental Girls and the Strange Angel Aerial Rope performance... phew! The night kicks off at 6pm and tickets are $10/8 at the door.

It's all in the Technique

The Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay is well-known for attracting great acts, and this week is no exception, kicking off with 1200 Techniques (pictured) tomorrow, December 12. As hip hop gains popularity in Australia again this trio have started attracting plenty of interest, and their funky, original style and topical lyrics set them apart from their rivals in the genre. The gig starts at 9.30pm, with Soma Rasa doing support.

The week's entertainment continues with six-piece drumming outfit Spindrift on Saturday (Dec 13) from 9.30pm. Armed with bongos, guitars and very little clothing, Spindrift do tribal funk and grooves with plenty of oomph. On Sunday (Dec 14) Brisbane four-piece The Bumblebeez fly into town to promote their new EP Red Printz, rocking the Backroom with what we've heard is a great live show from 8.30pm.

On Monday (Dec 15) Nimbin's second most popular export, Diana Ahnaid, comes home after a hugely successful tour of the US. A talented acoustic singer/songwriter with a punchy edge, Diana will be singing material from her new CD Beautiful Obscene. She'll go off from 9pm. Completing this week's line-up on Thursday, December 18, is another great Aussie hip hop outfit - none other than the Great Northern regulars, the Resin Dogs. Check them out from 9pm. For prices and ticket bookings phone the Great Northern on 6686 6454.

One Hell of a Xmas

Jimmy Willing will present a very special Xmas edition of Hell is Cabaret next Thursday, December 18, at the Gollan Hotel - and it's all free.

The Gollan's publican, Gavin Meyers, has decided to give Lismore its very own Christmas present and has flown in Australia's biggest cabaret star, Christa Hughes (pictured) - better known as KK Juggy from Machine Gun Fellatio - to perform as 'Mulegirl' in Jimmy's wild and wacky end of year show.

Christa began her career singing with her jazz pianist father Dick Hughes, before going on to disgrace the stages of venues all over the world with her over-the-top, raunchy attitude and amazing cabaret voice. Also on the bill is piano accordion maestro Svetlana Bunic - a consummate performer and member of the stunning string ensemble Monsieur Camembert.

Lenka Muchova and the Porno Puppets of Prague will also return to the Hell is a Cabaret stage. Escaping Czechoslovakia through the Iron Curtain in the 1970s, Lenka fled to Australia, bringing with her 1000 years of Czech puppet know-how and tradition. Taking traditional Czech fairy tales, Lenka subverts them into kinky erotica stories that make even Christa's antics look tame.

Jimmy will also perform his classic Von Tramp Family Puppet Show - a hilarious show any long-time local would be well acquainted with.

With an ear for storytelling and a love of hick country dance music Jimmy has forged a new act and aptly christened it Jimmy Willing and the Real Gone Hick Ups. The Hick Ups will be the house band on the night, backing both puppet shows before finishing the night with a dance set and Jimmy's sublime duo with Christa. Normally this sort of line-up would cost a fortune to see live, but Gavin has kindly made it free for punters, so make the most of it. The madness begins at 8pm.

Paint me a picture

Some of the cast from The Four Seasons of Physical Paint, an innovative live theatre show that's on for one night only.

Theatre-Theatre Productions have embarked on a brave and innovative theatre journey that culminates this Saturday, December 13, with a one-off performance of The Four Seasons of Physical Paint - a show that's sure to entertain and challenge all those who experience it.

Over the last 15 weeks the cast, aged between six and 18, have created a moving theatre performance that looks at the four seasons of man - from birth to baby years, pre-school to school, teenage years to adulthood and finally his eventual demise. Using their own ideas and snippets of writing by differing people, from Bob Dylan and Shakespeare to Plato and Lewis Carroll, the cast have created a moving piece of theatre that explores the confronting issues of life.

While this in itself would make for an interesting show, the really unique aspect of the performance is that the cast create a spontaneous artwork during the performance - with the stage a huge canvas for them to improvise on. The result is a huge installation and as the painting component of the show has never been rehearsed it will be a first for all involved. The concept has taken a lot of work to develop and while its unusual, the piece has substance and is a gutsy attempt at something completely new in the theatre.

The Four Seasons of Physical Paint will be performed at the Lismore Workers Club from 8pm. Tickets are $15 from Caddies.

O brother

Tickets are now on sale for a rare concert featuring brothers Phil and Tommy Emmanuel (pictured) in Lismore next February.

The siblings are celebrating the 45th anniversary of their stage debut and as Tommy is now based in the US this is one of the few times you'll ever get to see them perform together live.

The brothers play at the Lismore Workers Club on February 13, 2004, but it's advisable to book now, as tickets will sell out fast. To book phone the venue on 6621 7401.

Get Reel

Federal Film Club members Warren Meanwell, Kerryn Meanwell and Anita Kuhn gear up for Chicago.

To celebrate the end of 2003 Reel Films and the Federal Film Club are hosting a screening of the Academy Award-winning musical Chicago on 16mm film this Saturday, December 13, at Federal Hall.

With catering by the Federal Fire Brigade and a live funk jazz band adding to the glamour and glitz, this is a great chance to get dressed up and enjoy a fabulous film.

Entry is free for members and $7 for non-members, which includes a glass of complimentary champagne.

Food will be served from 6.30pm with the movie at 8pm. For info phone 6684 9313.

That's all folk

If you're looking for something to do during the festive season and wouldn't mind hearing some of the best music from across the world, the 10th Woodford Folk Festival is as good as it gets.

The six-day festival features over 200 performers, ranging from popular Australian acts such as John Butler (pictured) and Regurgitator to rare international performers such as the Tibetan Nuns of Kathmandu and blues legend Harry Manx from Canada. But the festival is not just about music - it's an entire cultural experience that will leave you on a natural high for weeks. People can involve themselves in dance and drumming workshops, create art, listen to poetry and story-telling, enjoy classic and obscure films or simply watch the amazing street theatre, sideshow acts, parades, fire events, Indigenous culture performances, comedy shows and all the other amazing creations and people the festival has to offer.

It's impossible to list everything here - it's simply a huge folk culture celebration and you won't find anything like it anywhere else in Australia. You can choose to go for as long or as little as you like, and camping is available on-site. Kids under 12 are free with an adult and there's a great Children's Festival that will keep them amused day and night. To find out more and get exact ticket prices visit the website at www.woodfordfolkfestival.com or phone (07) 5496 1066.

Poets eat their words

The Live Poets! will hold their end of year bash, the annual Poets' Banquet, next Wednesday, December 17, at the Rous Hotel in Lismore.

After a big year with Poetry World Cups, Writers Festivals, poetry slams and a bevy of visiting writers, the Poets' Banquet is a final celebration featuring many of the region's best performance writers.

This year several local poets have had publications released including Christine Strelan, Laurie Axtens, Daevid Allen, Vicki M Harvey and Lyn Lockrey, all of whom will be performing at the Banquet.

If you love poetry this will be a fine showcase of talent, and it's only $6/4 entry. It kicks off at 8pm.

Freebie: The Echo has 2 double passes to giveaway to the Banquet. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.15am on Monday, December 15.

Carols by Candlelight

A special Carols by Candlelight for the whole family will be held this Sunday, December 14, at the grounds of Southern Cross University from 6.15pm. Compered by Jim Fairfull, the event kicks off with a performance by the Lismore City Pipe Band. Local performers including Luke Vassella, Vanessa Hoffman, Tameaka Fairfull and Mandy Boan will then perform all the classic carols and families are encouraged to bring a blanket and join in the spirit of Christmas.

Glow sticks will be available for $2.50 on the night, with all proceeds going to St Vincent's Hospital's Palliative Care Unit. Refreshments are also available on-site.

Family fun at Dunoon

A fantastic pantomime, the Lizard of Oz, will be performed as part of family fun day this Saturday, December 13, at the Dunoon Sports Club from 4pm. Described as 'A weird and wacky story of a little girl called Doddery and her very strange friends', the pantomime is great entertainment for young and old.

The afternoon will also feature a visit from Santa, Carols by Candlelight, a jumping castle and fairy floss for kids, a colouring-in competition and more. The club is on James Street. For info phone 6689 5444.

Making faces

Local artist Inga Nolan has opened her first solo exhibition of works, Making Faces, in a new exhibition space in Mathers Arcade, courtesy of the Lotus Organic Café.

The exhibition area has been established to support local underground art and Inga's work is the first to be showcased at the new space. Her exhibition features 21 works in various mediums including drawing, painting and sculpture. The theme explores a psychological and nostalgic relationship to faces and to 'self-expression' in general. The works are a strong personal statement and reflects the human condition.

Inga comes from a background in visual arts and her father, Ron Nolan, is both a talented oil painter and the founder of the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle.

Inga, who's 28 with a degree in Visual Arts under her belt, has recently been working as a volunteer with the Lismore Regional Art Gallery to broader her understanding of art.

Making Faces will be on show until December 31.

Poetry party

Dangerously Poetic Press will host a special reading and party this Saturday, December 13, at the Poinciana Café in Mullumbimby at 1.30pm for 2pm. The theme is poetry of joy and celebration, and all poets and poetry lovers are invited to socialise and enjoy an afternoon of quality verse.

Six contributors from Wingbeats, including Shé Hawke from Lismore and Jan Mulcahy from Alstonville, will read both their own works and pieces that have inspired them. There will also be an extended open reading for the audience to share their favourite poetic morsels.

The Dangerously Poetic Press anthology, Wingbeats: Poetry from Byron Bay and Beyond, will be available for $20 and an autographed copy will also be raffled. As the reading is to be held in the garden under the spreading branches of the beautiful Poinciana tree, people are asked to please bring cushions.

Youth make an Impact

Students from Kyogle, Casino and Bonalbo High School have worked together to develop a new musical event, Impact, for young people in those communities who want to enjoy some live entertainment.

As part of HSC Entertainment Industry students meet once a week to train in lighting, sound production, stage and front of house management, OH&S and other aspects of behind the scenes event management.

Impact not only gives students the chance to promote a professional musical event but also gives local young people the chance to experience some quality live music at an affordable price.

The drug and alcohol free event drug is aimed at promoting and exposing local talent and as such the program features a number of local bands including Brittle FX, TONKA, All Gone, The Epistolary and Colin Bullock.

Impact will be performed this Friday, December 12, at Casino Civic Hall and on Saturday, December 13, at Kyogle Memorial Hall, both from 7-11pm. Tickets are just $5 at the door.

Creative folly

To celebrate Christmas and the festive season the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle is Decking the Halls with Creative Folly. The new exhibition opens on Friday, December 12, at 5.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend.

Decking the Halls with Creative Folly features a melting pot of local treasures including paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, embroidery, carving, beading and much more. It's a great showcase of local talent and the perfect place to pick up an unusual and individual Christmas gift.

The exhibition is on show until January 14, 2004. The gallery is at 143 Summerland Way, Kyogle, and is open from Tuesday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 12pm. The gallery will be closed on December 25, 26 and 27.

What a buzz

This year's ABC international Prix Italia Award winning work is creating a buzz all around the world, and it's been created by Lismore's very own Colin Black.

The work, entitled The Ears Outside My Listening Room, has been bounced off the European Broadcasting Union satellite and it's transcript translated into French, with enquiries about it coming from across the globe. Colin Black produced, composed, compiled and co-engineered the winning work for the ABC acoustic arts program, The Listening Room.

An ABC executive program producer described the win as the equivalent of winning an Olympic gold medal and previous winners include Harold Pinter, Sammual Beckett, Federico Fellini and Peter Greenaway. Colin's work was unanimously chosen by the judging panel.

Colin's The Ears Outside My Listening Room can be heard on The Listening Room next Monday, December 15, on ABC Classic FM at 9pm.