Albany Entertainment Centre Volunteer Program
The Albany Entertainment Centre is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support its Front of House and Ushering services. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the Great Southern’s vibrant cultural scene. Your involvement will help bring a true community spirit to this exciting new venue. Training will be held on weeknights during September and October.
Please call 9844 2222 to register your interest.
7:30pm Thursday 26th August 2010
The long-awaited launch of local singer/songwriter Simone Keane's album Burning, promises to be a performance rich in heart and talent. You will cry, you will laugh, and you will know Keane on a more intimate level. Produced by Keane and world-renowned musician Lez Karski, Burning is being described as a 'timeless classic'. A musical work of art with hues of blues, pop, country and jazz, accentuated by Keane’s exquisite vocals, Burning is a goldmine of local and interstate talent. The launch will showcase this talent live on stage.
Burning was recorded and mixed in Albany by Kim Lofts at Blue Manna Studio and mastered by Lee Buddle at Sound Mine in Perth. In the title track, Keane sings about burning all of her clothes, an analogy for doing away with those parts of our lives which are no longer good for us. The album in its entirety tells the story of Keane's world, her observations, her yearnings, how she came to be in Albany, and ultimately, personal freedom. "Sometimes we have to burn through our pain before we can rise above it all" says Keane, "we can all relate to that".
It has taken two and a half years of T.L.C. to finally capture the quality and tone of Burning and showcase the astounding musical talent involved. Andrew Clermont features on five string violin, Melbourne based Andrew Sumner on piano, Lez Karski on lead guitar, WAAPA (Conservatorium) scholarship recipient Bronton Ainsworth on drums, Tim Turnbull on bass, Ashleigh Evans on cello, Bob Lipinski on harmonica, and Joel Barter on percussion. One of Keane’s favourite instruments, the saxophone, is played beautifully and effortlessly by Evan Holmes and features on track four 'A Wise Man', which was a finalist in last years WAM Awards.
Other highlights include ballads such as 'Two Peoples Bay' and 'Lullaby to Nature' which celebrate the pristine beauty of WA’s south west. While 'The Other Side' and 'Rag Doll', two of Keane's favourites, tell the story of starting over after extreme hardship. Throughout the launch, Keane will treat her audience to intimate commentary on how her songs came into being, some of which may shock, some of which will delight. ‘Burning’, the launch is a one off event not to be missed.
Tickets $20 / Pension/Senior/Student Card $18 / Child <17 $10
7:30pm Saturday 11th September 2010
The Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival is back, and it’s going to be HUGE! This year’s program is an amazing compilation of short comedies from around the globe, which will have you laughing out loud one minute, and emoting quietly into your choc-top the next.
This year we look inside strange worlds, states of being and the curious and bizarre nature of being human. Eleven short films from Norway, UK, Canada, US and Australia make up this year’s kaleidoscope – see them – you’ll only have this one chance! Over The Fence is, and always will be, a grassroots festival, dedicated to championing the indie filmmakers who are the starting point of a flourishing film-making industry. Now thirteen years old, they continue to exhibit new films and the creation of a vibrant, stimulating, inspiring environment for filmmakers and audiences. Join the GSFI team for an fantastic night of laughs.
Pre-screening is a short film entitled "Moort Boodja Minang (Family Land & Country), Noongar Minang Country Keeping it alive through Story". This film was the product of a collaborative approach with Tribbeck Media, Southern Edge Arts Wanginining Koorts Program and GSFI to teach Noongar young people film making techniques, and the importance of recording Noongar stories through film. The workshops engaged nine young people, Noongar and Wagjella (non Aboriginal), fostering reconciliation and the sharing of Noongar culture. Participants conducted interviews with local male and female Elders on Mount Melville hill which provided a magic backdrop of the landscape of Albany.
OTF “is one of the most dynamic, irreverent short film festivals in Australia… it never fails to entertain, enrich and – occasionally – offend, which is pretty much the measure of a great festival” – Mick Elliot, Film Maker
Early bird tickets $15 / $18 at the door
Alive Music Presents
Albany Town Hall Theatre
7:00pm Sunday 12th September 2010
Award-winning percussionist Nick Parnell is one man with 50 instruments in a high energy performance of festive Brazilian rhythms, ethnic drums, and soaring Bach and Gershwin melodies. He is joined on stage by visiting USA pianist Graeme Burgan. Audience members will be entranced by tuned wine glasses, bamboo chimes, ethnic drums, woodblocks, piano and vibraphone, as they all get a serious work out. The highlight of the evening is Parnell’s interpretation of Brazilian composer and percussionist Rosauro’s masterpiece Brazilian Rhapsody.
“Brazilian Rhapsody is journey through the lush and endangered rainforests of Brazil. At times it meanders through evocative bird song and the sound of rustling grasses and then it thunders through tumultuous disturbances” says Nick Parnell. “It’s a rarely performed work that leaves the listener alive with the rhythmic colour of this sensuous and passionate place”. Set alongside Rosauro’s mammoth work is Nick Parnell’s own composition, Rhythms of Brazil, full of its own rich flavours. Also in the program are musical favourites such as Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1 and electrifying versions of music by J.S Bach.
Winner of the 2001 International Melbourne Percussion Competition, Parnell is signed to ABC Classics and is embarking on his fifth solo Australian tour following collaborations with pianist David Helfgott and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and appearances at Womadelaide and the Canberra International Chamber Music Festival.
Parnell’s innovation and precision playing heralds him as one of a new generation of Australian musicians stepping into a glittering career as a master of percussion.
“Parnell wields the mallets with the nonchalance of mastery... virtuosity worthy of the highest praise” – The West Australian
“Dazzling dexterity… balanced with supreme delicacy” – The Adelaide Advertiser
Tickets $33.90 / Pension/Senior/Student Card/Child <16 $29.90
Events on sale from the Town Hall Box Office are listed below.
Meet the Writer: Andy Griffiths
6.30pm Thursday 16th September 2010
Albany Town Hall Theatre
A fun event for parents and children. Sponsored by East Albany Rotary Club.
Adults $22 / Concession $16.50 / Child<12 $11
Workshop: Recording Indigenous History
10:00am Friday 17th September 2010
WA Museum Albany
Award-winning ABC social historian and broadcaster Bill Bunbury shares his secrets and stories of decades spent recording indigenous memories.
Adults $30 / Concession $20
Masterclass Workshop: Memoir
12:00pm Friday 17th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
Western Australian Fellowship of Writers' memoir workshop facilitated by local author Jon Doust.
Adults $30 / Children $20
Meet the Poet & Author: Alf Taylor
9:30am Saturday 18th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
Acclaimed Noongar Author and Poet Alf Taylor explains how his varied and occasionally tragic life has interpreted his work and vice versa.
Tickets $10
Workshop: Poetry
9.30am Saturday 18th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
The Architecture of Poetry. Award-winning poet Jordie Albiston will skilfully take you through the architecture of poetry.
Adults $30 / Concession $20
Discussion: Book to Film
11:00am Saturday 18th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
The Sacred Art of Conversion: Converting a book into a film script. Join Robert Drewe, Ron Elliott and Merlyn Moon for an interesting array of perspectives on modern movie-making.
Tickets $10
Keynote: Robert Drewe
1.30pm Saturday 18th September 2010
Albany Town Hall Theatre
Words of Wisdom in the West. Chaired by Bill Bunbury. Over the years, Robert Drewe’s collection of works have presented a satirical view of the meeting of cultures; urban, suburban, rural, coastal, ethnic. What next for this renowned and favourite Australian author?
Adults $27.50 / Child<18 $11
Meet the Writer: Hannah Rachel Bell
3:00pm Saturday 18th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
Indigenous narrative in Australian literature.
Tickets $10
Workshop: Writing Children’s Books
4:00pm Saturday 18th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
In this practical workshop, Meg McKinlay shares tips and tricks on writing for young readers. Learn how to plunder the everyday for great ideas. Bring along ideas and be prepared to create.
Adults $30 / Concession $20
Words and Wine at Liberté
7:00pm Saturday 18th September 2010
Liberté at the London
Festival poets joined by local writers in an intimate performance space. Open mic. MC Glen Swift.
Tickets $30 including complimentary drink and finger food on arrival.
Workshop: Picture Book
9.30am Sunday 19th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
A workshop for parents and children. Meg McKinlay will help you and your child weave a family story into a delightful picture book to be treasured and cherished. Bring along some memories of a special moment or time, a funny saying, a family gesture or perhaps an heirloom.
Adults $10 (children free, maximum of two children per paying adult).
In Conversation: Robert Drewe
11:00am Sunday 19th September 2010
Vancouver Arts Centre
Robert Drewe in conversation with Warren Flynn.
Adults $35 / Concession $25
Readings Alive!
1:00pm Sunday 19th September 2010
Vancouver Café
Delightful and diverse. Guest authors Robert Drewe, Ron Elliott, AJ Betts, and Sarah Drummond read selected pieces of their own work. Chair: Jon Doust.
Tickets $15 (includes cuppa & snack)
7:00pm Sunday 10th October 2010
It sometimes seems like The Sunny Cowgirls have risen straight from the warm heart of Australia. They radiate sunshine and that dry, laconic Aussie sense of humour. And Sunny Cowgirls Sophie and Celeste Clabburn are the first to admit that they need a little dirt under their fingernails to create their own very special brand of music. "The songs we write come from a very real place - they're always inspired by where we've been and the people we've met. If we stay away from the bush for too long, we find we just can't write," said Sophie.
Like The Sunny Cowgirls themselves, their new album, Summer, exudes warmth and the Australian spirit. "It's a happy, fun album full of good times and good feelings. We love our lives and we love this country, and that's what we've tried to capture in the songs," Celeste said. The songs for Summer were written after the girls returned from a trip to Nashville earlier in the year. Ironically, while their trip to the world's country music song writing capital didn't live up to their expectations, the floodgates opened as soon as they hit Australian soil. "We had a great time in Nashville, and learnt a lot. But we realised that the Americans just didn't get where we were coming from," Sophie said. "We need to be here to write, and I guess the trip helped us to appreciate how lucky we are. The songs just poured out once we got home."
The result is a stunning collection of real, heartfelt songs that capture life in the Australian bush in an authentic and contemporary way. "We write about what we know, and we write from our hearts. The reason our music connects with people is because we've lived the songs and the country life. We are fortunate to be able to do both the things we love – live in the bush and still write and sing our music."
Tickets $35 / Concession $32 / Child <16 $20
Public Performance 2:00pm Saturday 16th October 2010
Schools Performance 10:00am & 11:45am Monday 18th October 2010
One day, on the banks of a billabong, a very clever dingo caught a wombat, and decided to make wombat stew! A brand new, gooey, brewy, yummy, chewy Aussie musical for kids. From Garry Ginivan Attractions, Australia's leading producer of musical theatre for children, comes a brand new stage adaptation of a classic Australian children's story.
First published in 1984, Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan and illustrated by Pamela Lofts, is a modern day phenomenon in children's literature. The simple story of a dingo who catches a wombat and decides to make wombat stew, has been cleverly developed into a "true-blue-dinky-di-big-aussie-musical" complete with blobs of mud, very fine feathers, creepy crawlies, flies, gum-nuts and a big bubbling billy can!
With a cast of six multi-talented performers, Wombat Stew is a "mouth-watering" combination of storytelling, mime, music, dance and puppetry, which is bound to be the highlight of children's theatre for 2010 and well into the future.
Tickets $19.50 / School Groups $12.50 (Please contact the Town Hall for school bookings)
On sale for events at other venues:
Vancouver Arts and Act, Belong, Commit Present
Selected Few
Vancouver Arts Centre
7:30pm Saturday 28th August 2010
Vancouver Arts Concert Series presented by Act, Belong, Commit showcases our local talent - Selected Few, supported by Living Resonance. Selected Few play their music in pounds, shillings and pence, decimal as well - whilst Living Resonance are definitely an E-transactional band.
Selected Few are Jack Kelly (Guitar & vocals), Mic O'Doherty (Harmonica), Robert Plant (Bass), and Marco Hefti (Drums). A mixture of solid grooves blues, rock and country with songs about love, loss, the land and Dr Who-ooo. Living Resonance are James Bannerman (Bass), Jake Edwards (Guitar), James Toovey (Drums) and Dan Gunn (Guitar, Vocals). With a mix of many ideas and influences roots/grunge/heavy metal/classic rock and a kind of eerie 'psychedelic lounge sound'. The main mission of the band is to have a good time and to play honest music that reflects and inspires feelings and moods that people can relate to.
Enjoy an evening of local home grown music at its best! BYO supper and drinks. Water available. Parking at the venue. Vancouver Arts Centre is a non-smoking venue. Approx. finish time 11:00pm.
Early tickets $15 / $20 at the door
Spectrum Theatre Presents
No Time For Timmy
Spectrum Theatre, Ground Floor UWA Building, Proudlove Parade, Albany
Spectrum Theatre presents 'No Time For Timmy' a thought-provoking new play written and directed by local resident Elaine Grant.
Waiting for the bus one night, Nancy shares the bus stop with Timmy, who appears troubled and, may be in trouble? When Timmy grows increasingly distressed, Nancy takes him to a friend's place to await a taxi. Once there, it becomes apparent that Timmy is disturbed and didn't know where he was going or where he lives - if anywhere. So what are they going to do with him, and how to find someone with 'Time for Timmy'.
This production also features a performance by special guests 'Safety in Numbers' choir. This very popular local choir consists of over 40 men and women of all ages and musical backgrounds. The choir has a wide repertoire and sings both accompanied and unaccompanied choral music in four part harmony. Approx. finish time 10:00pm.
Spectrum Theatre is located on the ground level of the UWA Building, Proudlove Parade, Albany.
8:00pm Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Thursday 16th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th September. Matinee 2:00pm Sunday 12th September.
Tickets $20 / Pension/Senior/Student Card $15
Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company Present
What's Up in Sherwood
Port Theatre, Princess Royal Drive, Albany
This show tells the tale of a little known incident during the crusades. King Richard has been captured and held for ransom by the opposing forces in the "Holy Lands". A plot by his brother, the Regent Prince John, to steal the ransom money while it passes through Sherwood Forest becomes known to Robin Hood and his band. They will be blamed falsely for the theft, so they resolve to foil the plot.
Meanwhile, a strange brown Police box appears from nowhere into their camp. A strange Doctor (Doctor What) and his companion Faith, step out of this box and from then on, events get weirder and more confusing by the moment. Add to this an outlaw with anger management issues, a lieutenant who likes the "thumb screws" and a lost "London Bobby" and you have the recipe for a rollicking good time! The cast are secondary students from local schools and colleges, so the show has a definite youth feel. Don't miss this great local production "What's Up in Sherwood".
8:00pm Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th September. Matinee 2:00pm Sunday 12th September.
Opening night all tickets $15 / All other dates Adults $20 / Pension/Senior/Student Card $15
Jazz Masala Presents
Dome Café, Albany
7:00pm Friday 8th October 2010
Jazz Masala presents vocalist Denise Dale with the Garry Lee Trio, in an evening of jazz standards made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone. Come along and enjoy classic renditions of songs such as “Good Morning Heartache”, “God Bless the Child”, “Summertime”, “That Old Black Magic”, “My Baby Just Cares for Me”, “Night and Day” and many more.
The Garry Lee Trio is unique in the world of jazz, with Garry featuring the vibraphone and doubling with guitar, Lukasz Slawomirski playing keyboards and left hand bass, with Tim Woolley on drums. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the unique sounds of the vibraphone, and the skills of very talented WA musicians.
Enjoy an evening of fine music and good company in the relaxed ambience of the Dome Café. Meals available from 6:00pm. BYO wine and wine glasses.
Box Office Hours 9:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 1 hour prior to performances.
217 York Street, Albany WA 6330
(PO Box 484, Albany WA 6331)
Phone: (08) 9844 2222
Fax: (08) 9841 4099
Website: www.albanytownhall.com.au
any Band Presents
