Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - Page 87
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Radio Confidential: Boss leaves suddenly .... Page 88 Veritas: Congratulations ‘Nanni’ Denise ........... Page 89 Special Offer: Matthew Field’s latest CD .............. Page 89 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 90 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap ...... Page 91 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
KEITH McGOWAN HONOURED Mike Walsh Fellowships announced
Koorie gala concert on Dec. 5 ● Bill Armstrong with Marcus Herman ■ The Australian recording industry said ‘thanks’ to retired 3AW Overnighters broadcaster Keith McGowan at a presentation at Toorak this week. A&R man Bill Duff made the presentation, and those present included recording industry professional Bill Armstrong, longtime associate Marcus Herman, and retailers Max Robenstone of Discurio, and Kenn Clark of Katie’s at Mount Waverley. Marcus Herman traced Keith’s involvement back to his teenage years, when Planet Records were located at the Eastern Market, on the Southern Cross Hotel site. Max Robenstone said that interest in a title by Keith McGowan, sharing in its listeners, had the potential to boost CD sales by thousands of units.
● Naomi Edwards ■ Two Victorian graduates are among seven lucky young theatre practitioners are heading overseas to hone their skills thanks to winning Mike Walsh Fellowships. Victorian College of theArts graduates Naomi Edwards and Jenny Ellis join NIDA's Shane Jones, Ailsa Paterson and Tirion Rodwell, along with Tim Walter and Stephen Wheat from the WesternAustralianAcademy of Performing Arts. In the past the fellowships were an all-Sydney affair, focusing on NIDA graduates, but with Mike Walsh owning Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, he decided to extend eligibility for the fellowships to graduates from the VCA and WAAPA. The annual awards are worth $50,000, which should be a big help to our emerging theatre practitioners, as they go overseas to further their knowledge and experience before returning home to Australia. Victoria's Naomi Edwards is already well known as a theatre director, having directed Victorian Opera's inaugural production of Noye's Fludde which launched the state opera company in 2006, and the contemporary opera How To Kill Your Husband And Other Handy Household Hints for Victorian Opera earlier this year. - Julie Houghton
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● Max Robenstone (Discurio) and Kenn Clark (Katies Cards and Records) were at the presentation
Clough Chroisters present Messiah ■ The Clough Choristers will be presenting their annual performance of Handel's muchloved Messiah at Sacred Heart Church, 116 Cotham Road, Kew, at 2pm on Saturday December 3, Conducted by Savoy Opera Company's recently retired long time conductor, Brian Clough, it features excellent soloists, some of whom have also been Savoy Opera principals. Fresh from her winning performance as Yum Yum in Savoy Opera's The Mikado, Lucinda Fitzmaurice will be ● Lucinda Fitzmaurice the soprano soloist in this Messiah. Taking to the platform alongside her are fine mezzo soprano Ursula Paez Zapata, silver voiced tenor David Campbell and the bass role will be well filled by Oliver Mann, currently popping up in the chorus of Opera Australia's La Traviata. The Clough Choristers' chorus and orchestra will be conducted by Brian Clough. Tickets are $25, concession $20 and Under 12s $10 and can be booked on 9458 1797. - Julie Houghton
● Wendy Stapleton ■ The Koorie Heritage Trust presents its fundraising Gala Concert For Youth at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne on Monday, December 5 at 7.00pm. The event features a showcase of indigenous and nonindigenous visual and performing arts and artists – ranging from stand-up comedy, cabaret, music and dance performances. Performers include comedians Rod Quantock and Dave Callan, musician Deborah Conway, Aria Award-winning singer/songwriter Dan Sultan, Peter Rotumah, Lindsay Field (John Farnham Band), Paul Norton, Wendy Stapleton, Noel Tovey, Constantina Bush and The Bushettes, burlesque performers Lyra la Belle and Radha Leigh, James Henry and The Sunshine Sisters. The Koorie Heritage Trust aims to bridge the cultural gap between Koories and non-Koories by generating greater awareness and understanding. In the indigenous community, an understanding of and connection to one’s culture and country is an essential part of each individual’s physical and spiritual growth and maturity. Unfortunately for Aboriginal Australians, time has seen a growing distance between today’s Indigenous youths and their connection to their culture and heritage – with many young Aborigines now having limited or no understanding of their cultural heritage. As a means of counteracting this issue and in an effort to bridge the cultural gap, the Trust places particular emphasis on its effort to educate Koorie youths about their country and culture. Gala Project Manager Kamahi Djordon King says, “It is our aim that through this event the Trust will be able to expose the wider Australian community to the great work they are doing, with the proceeds being used to ensure the longevity and future development of these programs.” Performance: Monday, December 5 from 7.00pm9.00pm Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne. Tickets: Premium $100 (middle section of the front two rows of the Dress Circle), Single ticket $55. Bookings: 9650 1500 or 132 849 www.ticketek.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold