Calling all performers - it's Cabaret 360 auditions on 23 & 26 May 2011 at Uki

The Ukitopia Arts Collective whose aim is To nurture, support, and promote arts and culture in Uki and district is holding auditions this month for its very popular cabaret held at Uki Village on the NSW North Coast.























Click on invitation to enlarge



Coming events for the remainder of the year are:
June 4 Songwriters on the Songline
June 25 & 26 Cabaret 360
August 6 Songwriters on the Songline
October 8 Songwriters on the Songline
November 18-20 Ukitopia Festival

Miles Franklin Award 2011 shortlist

It's only two months away from the Miles Franklin Award announcement and the 2011shortlist promises a good read over the last remaining days of the Easter holiday break for those fortunate to have time off work and a copy of one of these books in their hands, if the judges' remarks are any indication.
Congratulations to the authors.

When Colts Ran is an epic tale, and one never quite knows what to expect of it. Only the thrill of the venture is predictable. So it is apt that McDonald should open with a quote from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: ‘Ready. And I. And I. And I. Were shall we go? Where indeed’.
The novel follows Kingsley Colts, as he cycles through a life of initial rebellion, adventure, misadventure, aspiration and disillusion.

That Deadman Dance, a powerful and innovative fiction that shifts our sense of what an historical novel can achieve. Its language is shaped by the encounter of Noongar and Australian English, producing new writing and speech.
Its central character occupies both indigenous and settler worlds, and yet is contained by neither. Its narration of the early contact of British colonisers, American whalers and the indigenous Noongar people on the south coast of Western Australia in the early nineteenth century is both historical and magical.

As the Spanish Flu epidemic is sweeping Australia, Sergeant Quinn Walker returns home from the Great War to face the ghosts of his past. Ten years before he had fled his far-flung Australian country town, accused of an unspeakable crime. Unable to show himself, he hides in the bush and secretly visits his dying mother.

Wild About Wooli Art Show 22-23 April 2011

The Art Show kicks off at the Wooli Hotel Motel with the Opening Night Cocktail Party at 7pm on Friday 22nd April, and continues during Saturday 23rd April.

A craft market in conjunction with the exhibition will be held on April 23 from 7am-12pm.

Proceeds from the ArtShow 2011 will support the efforts of the Coastal Communities Protection Alliance-Wooli (CCPA)

Enquiries: gayeshield@hotmail.com

Arts Northern Rivers gets creative with young artists

Arts Northern Rivers is excited to announce a new Young Creatives Mentoring Project. The first of its kind in the country, the Project will match local young creatives aged 16 to 24 with mentors recruited exclusively from the Northern Rivers' own creative communities.

Successful applicants will receive six months' direction and support from a specially selected Creative Mentor, and be eligible for up to $500 towards the cost of achieving a creative project or idea.

Plus they'll have access to specially programmed professional development workshops to assist in their overall learning, and the chance to present their work at an end of year showcase event.

The mentorship program will run for six months from June to November 2011.

Applications are now open for this exciting initiative, with a call to young people who have a passionate interest in the arts or a creative practice, to put their hand up to be included.

We're also seeking Expressions of Interest from established Northern Rivers' artists/creative industries practitioners, to fill the roles of our Creative Mentors.

Applications close Friday May 6.

This project is in an initiative of Arts Northern Rivers, supported by the Department of Education and Training NSW, through their ArtStart program.

(www.artsnorthernrivers.com.au)

The beautiful world of 'duckforcover'

Duckforcover - are photographers and artists, Daisy and Nick, living on farm on the coastal fringe of Northern New South Wales Australia along with their Staffie dog named Lenny Bruce.

Our current series of art is inspired by the flora of the Clarence Valley. We want to convey to people who view our art to be aware of the beauty that is around them, not to take it for granted and,hopefully, do what they can as individuals to maintain the environment for the future enjoyment of all. All Prints are for sale, size is 15x27 inches and printed on Hahnemuhle fine arts paper. All print are limited edition of only 10 prints and are all signed and numbered.

Own It! National Youth Week, 1-10 April 2011

National Youth Week 2011 begins across Australia today and fun events are scheduled:

Mid-North Coast events calendar here. Northern Region events here. Richmond Tweed events here.

Page MP Janelle Saffin is encouraging young people across the region to showcase their talents during National Youth Week, which kicks off today with the theme “Own It!"
“Young musicians, writers, photographers, film makers and graphic designers have until April 17 to enter in the National Talent Competition categories – Rock IT, Write IT, SnapIT, Shoot IT and Design IT,” Ms Saffin said.
“There will be a number of events held all over our region – many of them run by young people for young people- including the art expo in Kyogle, street festival in Ballina, film festival in Grafton and skate competition in Lismore.
“National Youth Week gives local young people of a great chance to display the unique and creative talent our part of the world is famous for.”
“People can get involved by taking part in events, entering one of the many competitions and putting forward their views. “This is a great opportunity for our youth to get out there and own Youth Week in our region,” Ms Saffin said. National Youth Week is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory and Local governments and has run annually since 2000. This year, highlights of the national launch tomorrow (Saturday April 2) will be streamed live on the National Youth Week Young Members’ Facebook page. Information about National Youth Week events and competitions is available at http://www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au/ [Saffin media release 31.03.11]

Big Screen Film Festival at Kyogle & Yamba March 31 - April 6 2011

The National Film and Sound Archive's Big Screen
Touring Australian Films

Coming to Yamba and Kyogle March 31 – April 6, 2011

Yamba Cinema
13 Coldstream Street
Yamba
Phone: 02 6646 3430

Richmond Valley Cinemas
26 Bloore Street
Kyogle
Phone: 02 6632 3285

Tickets: $15 opening night, $7 Family Screening (Adults Free), $7 other sessions.
Festival Pass Yamba: Pre-purchase only $35 for eight (8) different films (saving $22).

For the Big Screen Festival Programs visit www.nfsa.gov.au/bigscreen

Bookings for School Screen can be made by teachers only at http://www.metromagazine.com.au/

National School Screen program - Babe and Mao's Last Dancer will screen in Kygole, and Happy Feet, Bran Nue Day, Jackie Jackie, Caterpillar Wish and Harvie Krumpet in Yamba.

Thursday 31 March 7.00pm, Richmond Valley Cinemas, Kyogle – One Night Only

A suddenly widowed mother (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is trying to raise her unruly kids while coping with the tragic loss of father and husband. Eight‐year old Simone is convinced her father's spirit is protecting them from The Tree next to their home.

Friday 1 April 7.00pm, Yamba Cinema – Official Opening Night

Meet actor Gyton Grantley who will introduce The Reef and host a Q&A after the film. A great white shark hunts the crew of a capsized sailboat along the Great Barrier Reef. Matt (played by Gyton), is a heroic and believable character in this beautifully shot thriller, based on a true story.

Saturday 2 April at 12 noon, Yamba Cinema – Special Event

Gyton Grantley introduces another of his films, the epic Beneath Hill 60. The film has just won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing awards at the Annual Film Critics Awards.

Saturday 2 April 6.00pm, Yamba Cinema

The Tree: A beautiful film about a young mother and her unruly family recovering from the loss of their father.

Saturday 2 April 8.00pm, Yamba Cinema

A young police officer's first day of duty in a small town turns into a nightmare when he is forced to take the law into his own hands to survive. Red Hill stars Ryan Kwanten, Steve Bisley and Tom E. Lewis.

Sunday 3 April 10.00am, Yamba Cinema ‐ Family Screening

A young boy living with his father in the wild Coorong wetlands of South Australia, rescues a baby pelican, Mr Percival in Storm Boy. Print from the NFSA's Kodak/Atlab collection. Adults free!

Sunday 3 April 11.30am, Yamba Cinema

A Heartbeat Away is a feel‐good Australian musical comedy from internationally acclaimed director Gale Edwards. Starring Sebastian Gregory, Isabel Lucas, Tammy MacIntosh and Colin Friels.

Sunday 3 April 3.00pm, Yamba Cinema – Special Event

Meet director Claire Gorman and rising surf star Jess Laing who introduce their inspiring new feature film First Love. Follow three young surfers from Phillip Island on their journey to the big waves of Hawaii. When Jess is injured, will she recover?

Tuesday 5 April 10.30am, Yamba Cinema

A Heartbeat Away (details above)

Tuesday 5 April 12.15pm and 4.30pm, Yamba Cinema

The Tree (details above)

Wednesday 6 April, 10.30am, Yamba Cinema

Animal Kingdom is a powerful thriller about the battle between a Melbourne crime family, the police and the young man who finds himself caught in the crossfire. Starring Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and Oscar nominee Jackie Weaver.

The night sky as art courtesy of NASA and Australian photographers

South-east Queensland

Victoria

Northern Rivers studies in browns

Penny Evans, The Swarm 2008 (top)
Ron Leonard, Cage One (centre)
Lae Oldmeadow, Canopy Sacred Seed 1 2008 (bottom)

Arts Northern Rivers

Tropfest 2011 Winner monkeying around

Tropfest 2011. Make up your own mind........



Damon Gameau, has won the 19th annual Movie Extra Tropfest - the world’s largest short film festival in front of crowds of 150,000 nationwide and a live broadcast on Movie Extra to hundreds of thousands more film fans.

“Animal Beatbox” was voted in by some of the film industry’s most respected, including well-known feature film director Bruce Beresford, living legend Olivia Newtown-John, Aussie favourite Jack Thompson, Twilight heartthrob Xavier Samuel, director Stephan Elliott, producer Liz Watts, last year’s Tropfest winner Abe Forsythe and Tropfest Founder and Director John Polson.

Surprise judge ‘Shakespeare in Love’ actor Joseph Fiennes weighed in live from Majorca Spain before casting his vote online.

The winning film is a branch into animation by Underbelly and Balibo actor Gameau, with a catchy lyrical and poetic narrative. The film was shot in his mother’s spare room for just $85 and on a liquid detox diet with his girlfriend by his side – somehow they are still together. “I’m quite new to stop animation, but I find it a quick and versatile way to express any idea that may be lurking in my head,” he says.

Come and enjoy Opera With The Cows at Cowper, 17 October 2010

Travelling along the highway to Grafton I passed a banner which announced the very first Opera With The Cows on the NSW North Coast.

According to its official website:

Opera with the Cows is being presented jointly by the North Coast Flute Society and Cowper Public School. It is an exciting new event that will be held annually in the grounds of the school, opposite the mighty Clarence River. A stage will be constructed in the school grounds and the playground will be transformed into a musical arena.

The inaugural event will feature the talents of Catherine Burgess, soprano, Nadene Flick, mezzo soprano, and talented sisters Katie and Emma Goodard.

These two stars will be joined on stage by the students of Cowper Public School. These children have built up an amazing following due to their extraordinary musical talents. They have performed in the Sydney Opera House three times and the girls choir has won numerous prizes in competitions.

The NightinGirls choir will also perform on the night. They have been the recipients of the Open Choir award at the Grafton Eisteddfod for the last three years.

Tickets available at Buckleys Grafton Music
Ph: (02) 6642.4717
Fax 6642.3683

Adults $20
Concession $15
Children $10
Family $15

Grafton Artsfest 25-30 September 2010

Clarence Valley Review :

Artsfest spring program offers an array of six day textile workshops tutored by Australia's leading artists; the four workshops all run concurrently allowing the student to gain maximum knowledge from the chosen tutor.

Dates for the spring festival are Saturday September 25 to Thursday September 30; hours are 9am until 4pm with the final day concluding at approximately 3pm.

Concerts and exhibitions add to the ambience of the festival, the evening events being presented include Exhibition of the Tutors 'art work, Students' Exhibition, Pub Night where Allan Caswell will provide the entertainment and Grafton Arts Jazz Orchestra Concert presented by John Morrison, Jacki Cooper Ken Stubbs, John Hoffman, Jack Thorncraft and Steve Russell.

A fest of culture enjoyment for the general public and Artsfest participants, for further information pick up a brochure from one of the many outlets in the valley or contact our office details are below.

Claire Brach is the chosen artist for this week; Claire will travel to Grafton for the first time as a tutor of her passion in creativity using textiles....

Email: info@artsfestgrafton.com

Web: www.artsfestgrafton.com

Studies in tones

From the very creative Sue H. Sue's work is for sale on Flickr.


Broom's Head Starry Night I (Armidale)

Art on the coast: singing the blues

Frances Belle Parker
The Identity Of My
Homeland Ulgandahi

Bronwyn Bancroft
Timeless Land II





Alison Williams
Untitled

Chris Hazell wins another regional art prize

A LOCAL identity in the art scene, Chris Hazell, has won a regional art prize by painting a local icon, Wayne Whitney. Chris took out the inaugural Northern Rivers Portrait Prize People's Choice Award through the Lismore Art Gallery for her portrait, titled Unsung.

Last year Chris took out first prize in the Grafton Art Club's 41st Jacaranda Art Exhibition with Puppet Master.

Image and quote from The Daily Examiner

Lismore Annual Lantern Parade 26th June 2010

arts, crafts, workshop, regional cuisine, spectacular parade, lanterns, parade bands, street theatre, carnival dancers, illuminated puppets,fire art and pyrotechnics......and much, much more

SATURDAY 26 June 2010

Enchanted Windows
CBD retailers decorate their windows in the themes 'seeds' or 'come to the heart'
Winning Window announced 24 June
20 June – 5 July

Erth's Dinosaur Petting Zoo Performance
Baby dinosaurs roam through Lismore Square. Free
between 11am and 2pm
Click here for more info
Carrington Street Stage
Live performance
12noon – 11.00pm

Market delight
Arts and Crafts, Regional Cuisine and Community Stalls
Carrington and Magellan Streets
For applications and more info click here
12 noon – 11pm

Erth's Dinosaur Petting Zoo Performance
Giant dinosaur roams Lismore CBD, Free. Click here for more info
12.30 – 1.30pm

Kids' Arts Space
Arts and Crafts activities for Kids.
Regionak Art Gallery and Spinks Park, Lismore CBD
Gold Coin Donation
Lismore CBD
2.00pm – 5.00pm

Erth's Dinosaur Petting Zoo Performance Lismore City Hall in a specially created dinosaur environment.
Tickets and Booking Info from NORPA
(Also on Friday 25 June 6.3.30pm)
3.30pm

Winter Warmers
Charity hot food stalls
Riverside Park
4.30pm – 8.00pm

Lantern Parade
Lanterns, dancers, performers, bands, giant puppets
Lismore CBD to Riverside Park
Generous donations in the buckets, please
5.30pm – 6.30pm

Fiery Finale
Art of Fire, river lanterns, bonfire and fireworks
The Lantern Garden. Display of LightnUp's beautiful feature lanterns.
Entry by Donation
6.45pm

The Great Street Party
Dine out in the CBD and dance the night away
Carrington Street
Program announced soon
Free

Parade Entry Form
Market delight Stall Application
Schools Lantern Workshop Booking Form

Photographs from Lismore Lantern Parade

The natural as art.....

Caged Beauty (above) and Swimming Upstream (below)
Photographs taken at Bundjalung National Park by the talented scml displayed at Panoramio

The art of water in the Northern Rivers

Narelle Urquhart
Fish in traps

Alle Scott Rock Pool 2

Aaron Aubrey Cora
Waterholes














Works by these artists can be viewed at Bim Bam, Byron Bay and artsConnect online.

Scientific exploration as art

Three images from Space Telescope's Top 100 Hubble photographs from outer space

A Saturday saunter through Northern Rivers art

Karyn Fendley
Cradle Mountain
2008

Matthew Farrell Alchemical Bottle Allegria 5,6,&9, 2009

Liz Deckers
Project Oh Dolly (5)
2007




From the Arts Northern Rivers-Visual Arts Network