Tony King and Kris Ralph are two of Australia’s finest Singer/Songwriters producing a beautiful blend of Soulful Acoustic Jazz, Folk and Blues.

The multi-award winning entertainers will be playing at the Folkus Room at the Italo- Australian Club, 78 Franklin St Forrest, Canberra on Friday 9th Oct.

If you want a night of joyful laughter listening to the highest quality musicianship, then you’ll want to be at this event.

Tony King and Kris Ralph produce acoustic music at its best, from hauntingly beautiful songs in the vein of Luka Bloom, to the exotic tones reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson to the Hendrix spiked and dirty New Orleans exhileration of a band possessed.
 

You can check them out first at http://www.makinwhoopee.com.au, http://www.beautifullymad.com, http://www.winemusic.biz or http://www.myspace.com/beautifullymad2

Doors open at 6pm.
Great Chinese food there in Tim’s Kitchen.

Show starts at 8.00pm.
For all bookings call the Italo Club on (02)62951588 (10am -10pm) or Bill 0407434469 anytime
TICKETS: $23 ($18 Concession)

DON’T MISS OUT!!!

Two leading local musical theatre companies have joined forces to bring to the Canberra stage one of the most popular West End musicals of all time. 

Miss Saigon, a modern adaptation of Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover.

Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between Kim, a young Vietnamese woman, and Chris, her American GI. Kim works in a sleazy Saigon night club owned by a notorious wheeler-dealer known as ‘The Engineer’. John, an American GI, buys his friend Chris the services of Kim for the night. That night will change their lives forever.

The Phoenix Players and Supa Productions joint venture shows the level of commitment to a quality end product.

The production’s director Kelda McManus says that Miss Saigon is a major event for both theatre companies.

“Miss Saigon is such a big show from a financial and resources perspective that it made sense for us to join forces on Miss Saigon. We see ourselves as sister companies with a similar market share, and we use the same models and guidelines”, said McManus.

With opening night in November, sneak previews indicate that the show will be well produced, with very talented principal actors drawn from the Canberra pool. The artistic team comprises Director Kelda McManus, Musical Director, Andrea Clifford, Choreographer, Amy Fitzpatrick and Stage Manager, Garrick Smith.

“We ran a fairly intensive audition process for the principal roles with three rounds of callbacks because the calibre of talent was so high”, said McManus.

“We’re delighted with the response from the Asian community. This show has given so many people an opportunity to take part—we have actors and singers from the Phillipines, Thailand, China and Malaysia in the show.”

Jacinta Lee who plays Kim, lived in Vietnam for most of her childhood and has been exposed to the musical through her parents.

Grant Pegg, who plays Chris, the American GI who fathers Kim’s child and returns to the US, has been an avid musical theatre performer for many years.

“It’s a great opportunity for me. The music and story is so powerful, it has stood the test of time”, says Pegg.

Nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 1991, Miss Saigon is one show you won’t want to miss.

Goddard & Howse Small World Journeys, one of the sponsors for the Canberra production of Miss Saigon, has offered one place on a 17-day tour of Vietnam as a prize for seeing the show. For more details visit www.miss-saigon-canberra.com

WHAT: MISS SAIGON
WHERE: ANU ARTS CENTRE
WHEN: 12TH – 28TH NOVEMBER 2009
TICKETS: 6257 1950 or at www.canberrarep.org.au
Dinner & Show package: Teatro Vivaldi on 6257 2718.

Two weeks ago I signed up for a free trial with Quickflix home-deliver DVD. At that time I was required to provide my credit card details, just in case I didn’t return any movies etc. At 2am this morning I was billed for $26.95 for a month in advance.

I contacted Quickflix and was told that this was all part of the Terms & Conditions and that an email was sent 4-days previously stating that my free trial would be over soon. I found this in my spam folder. Turns out also you can do everything else but cancel online. So when they tell you this is an online service and that’s why you don’t receive a phone call warning that they are about to take money from you, they require you to phone them if you want to cancel.

I suggested that a phone call is generally a polite way of starting a business relationship and that I wanted to cancel. Quickflix refused to refund my payment. So when they say "…you can cancel anytime!" in their written material, they don’t mean cancel and be refunded. In contrast, I also started a trial with Bigpond Movies and not only received a phone call near the end of the trial, but when I told them a movie had not arrived, they apologised and re-commenced my trial. They said they would ring back again as the trial reaches its end. I received another call a few days later to confirm that the next movie had arrived!

Quickflix staff were arrogant and up themselves. Definitely recommend Bigpond over Quickflix! And they could have got my business at least at $10 p/month level, $120 p/a, for a simple 22c phone call…

And they end their spam emails with "…your friends," – what a load of rubbish!

Green Made Easy: The Everyday Guide for Transitioning to a Green Lifestyle
By Chris Prelitz
HAYHOUSE, RRP: $22.95
ISBN 9781401922849

FIVE MYTHS about Green Living:
1. Small changes don’t matter
2. ‘Green’ choices are expensive
3. It takes more energy to recycle than it saves
4. Keeping older appliances is better than buying new ones
5. There’s nothing wrong with buying plastic—they’re all recycled today

Going green is easy and inexpensive. Making small shifts in how we go about our daily routine translates to big changes in the planet!

Green Made Easy is a simple-to-use guidebook that offers tips on how you can make the transition towards a green lifestyle one step at a time.

• Green your personal-care products: use coconut oil for shaving cream
• Green your wardrobe: cold wash and line dry
• Green what you eat: go organic
• Green your pets: have them eat what you eat
• Green your cleaning supplies: use vinegar to clean your bathroom
• Green your garden: shrink your lawn
And lots more!

Author Chris Prelitz shares personal experiences, lessons learned and reflections that humorously touch the heart and lift the spirit. The chapter on ‘Green Myth Busting’ will sway even the most cynical person towards better eco-choices that will also save money.

The book will delight and inspire any and all who dream of making a difference and who wish to create a thriving, healthy future for generations to come.

Chris Prelitz is a pioneer of the green movement, heading a successful design-build firm with projects ranging from off-grid solar ranches to the first solar-powered restaurant and solar auto dealership in the U.S. He has served on environmental advisory boards at city, state, and national levels.
 

ASIO, the Army and Australian Federal Police have all applied to Rudd for increased funding. The Prime Minister decides to give them a test and releases a rabbit into a forest. Whoever finds the rabbit gets the cash.

ASIO goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist in Australia but are an ever-present threat.

The Army goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming.

The AFP goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten bear, who is yelling: "Okay! Okay! I’m a rabbit! I’m a rabbit!"

Three legendary, internationally recognised bands have teamed up to celebrate 30 years of the 2tone ska label with the release of the ultimate live DVD, recorded here in Australia during the band’s recent Legends of Ska Australian Tour 2009. 

Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney features the flag bearers for the Ska movement over the last 20 years, THE SPECIALS, THE BEAT and THE SELECTER performing at their best and captivating, engaging and mesmerising an ecstatic audience.

SPECIAL BEAT, fronted by The Special’s Neville Staple and The Beat’s “Ranking” Roger, are no strangers to Australian shores, having performed at sold out events like the Falls Festival, Southbound & The Great Escape. While music lovers lapped up awesome performances there was never any expectation that the super group could get any bigger – but when Pauline Black, front woman for The Selecter, was named as special guest for the 2009 tour, 2tone music fans were offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a genuinely remarkable event.

Held at one of Sydney’s premier music venues, The Forum, this electrifying performance was captured by the good folk at MoshCam, and produced by Reign Record’s Andrew McAllister, and Greg Courtney.

Special Beat: Ska’d in Sydney is a must for all fans of the genre. This DVD takes the ska movement to the next level and this culmination of these celebrated performers is the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 2tone ska label.

To have internationally recognised artists come together and launch a DVD of this incredible Australian show indicates just how impressive the fan base and the influence of Special Beat is here in Australia.

WHO IS SPECIAL BEAT?

Neville Staple – The Specials
Forming in Coventry, 1977 The Specials had 7 consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK. At the forefront of them all was the deep baritone & dreadlocks of roadie-turned-singer Neville Staple. His wild stage antics, vibrant presence & dancing dominated their concerts and Staple, despite the passing of three decades, still continues to shine as an energetic performer.

‘Ranking’ Roger – The Beat
In 1979, against a backdrop of social & political upheaval, came The Beat with their simple message of love & unity set to a great dance beat. Releasing just 3 albums the band gained worldwide attention crossing over between a soul, reggae, punk & pop becoming overnight sensations with Ranking’s Jamaican-style toasting the essential ingredient.

Pauline Black – The Selecter
Enjoying a string of hits and two gold records in ‘Too Much Pressure’ & ‘Dance Craze’ as part of her time fronting The Selecter, Pauline has since gone on to re-invent herself as a multi-award winning actress, tv presenter & author but it is as a pioneer in music that she is best remembered, named by Rolling Stone as having “the best voice to grace a 2tone release”.

These three icons of 2tone are responsible for some of the greatest ska tunes of all time including ‘Tears Of A Clown’, ‘A Message To You Rudy’, ‘Too Much Pressure’, ‘Too Much Too Young’, ‘Ghost Town’ & ‘Mirror In The Bathroom’ and Ska’d in Sydney perfectly captures the hits of The Specials, The Beat & The Selecter as well as some of those of their contemporaries in what is a knock out live show.

Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney is released by Reign Records and distributed through MGM.
 

Winner of Best New Australian Play, Best Direction, Best Independent Production (2007 Matildas Awards)

"One of the best productions of 2007…a compelling and highly theatrical script…exceptional." William McBride, Rave Magazine

"…probably one of the best pieces of Independent Theatre I have had the pleasure of seeing…a fast paced piece that will have you on the edge of your seat." Nigel Munro-Wallis, 612 ABC

On August 12 2000, the Russian nuclear submarine The Kursk went down taking its crew of 118 men with it. This is the thrilling true story of those mariners and their final hours leading up to this global catastrophe. The story follows the rescuers urgent mission to save the submarine and its crew, the political games that were played out behind the scenes and the loved ones that the mariners left behind. In the meantime the whole world waited desperately for the survivors to be rescued.

Playwright Sasha Janowicz, who also performs in the show, is a Russian born Australian whose passion for the subject matter has led to extensive research and several trips to Russia to seek out the truth behind the controversy. Sasha was also sent an anonymous package. In it he found a submariner captain’s uniform complete with medals. The Russians donated their time, artefacts and pieces of uniforms for the project. It was clear that the true story of The Kursk had to be told.

The Kursk is a haunting and chilling theatrical experience; it is an edge of your seat thriller. This extraordinary and inspired play is the true and human story behind the ill-fated Kursk. This unique production magically captures the submariners’ claustrophobic world and the terrifying ordeal that the trapped sailors endured as they awaited rescue.

WHAT: The Kursk
WHERE: The Q Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan
WHEN: 22 – 26 September 2009
TICKETS: $27 – $47
BOOKINGS: 02 8298 0290 OR www.theq.net.au
 

Creative Flowdreaming: Manifesting Your Dreams in the Life You’ve Already Got

by Summer McStravick
AU RRP $24.95 ISBN 9781401920234
AT ALL LEADING RETAILERS

‘Summer has uncovered a brilliant method for using intention with beauty and precision. A wonderful guidebook on the art of manifesting’ – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

When Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser coined the phrase ‘life wasn’t meant to be easy’, he certainly didn’t understand the power of daydreaming!

Some think of daydreaming as pleasure-filled fantasies while others think of daydreaming as a powerful tool for envisioning goals, plans and strategies.

Acclaimed author Summer McStravick says it’s letting your mind go of limits on outcomes. In other words, letting our imaginations run wild!

Imagine if you knew how to harness the power of daydreaming to allow your life to flow with ease, perfection, and bubbling potential.

In Creative Flowdreaming, McStravick reveals that life is neither a mountain to be conquered nor a forest to be battled through. You can wake up every morning feeling that your life is in the process of unfolding exactly as it was meant to—just like your daydreams!

In McStravick’s book you can discover…
• How to become the artist of your life.
• How to sculpt the events and opportunities in your future not merely through physical action, but by using a far more powerful and subtle type of energy.
• How to lay the blueprints for everything that erupts in your physical existence.
• Better yet, learn to use this energy to your full advantage!

Summer McStravick is the Network Producer/Programming Director for HayHouseRadio.com®, where she and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer co-host the weekly radio show Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Inspiration.

EMBERS by Campion Decent
Presented by HotHouse Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company

Winner of the 2007 Queensland Premier’s Literacy Award for Stage Script

"A toweringly important new Australian play that speaks to our hearts from the hearts of our countrymen." The Daily Telegraph

"The best things in this show, a great and emotionally powerful piece of investigative documentary theatre, are the traces it has of the people who were there." The Australian

"There were strings of fire. I’d say 50 to 60 metres long just racing across the ground. You know, 46 years fighting bloody fires I’ve never seen anything like it." – A firefighter

With Australia still reeling from the February 2009 fires, this play, based on the January 2003 fires in Victoria is a riveting expose of the courage and endurance of communities put to the test.

Overnight on 7 and 8 January, in the year 2003, a dry storm ignited over 80 fires in Victoria’s North East and Gippsland. From exhaustive interviews with residents of the region, Campion Decent has fashioned an extraordinary account of the fires; the heart-stopping tales of survival, awe-inspiring courage and spine-chilling evocations of the wave of heat that roars through pristine valleys – and the mountains of sandwiches volunteers anxiously prepared.

Gripping, lyrical, comically overwrought when it seems tragic, and deeply moving when all appears lost, Embers is the story of a fire – and the people who conquered it.

WHAT: Embers
WHERE: The Q Performing Arts Centre
WHEN: 16 – 19 September 2009
TICKETS: $27 – $47
BOOKINGS: Q Box Office on 02 62980290 or www.theq.net.au