WHAT’S ON

AUSTRALIA’S favourite showgirl celebrates 40 years from stage to jungle with her dazzling new show Glamazonia.

Rhonda Burchmore takes centre stage to share songs, stories and secrets about surviving four decades in one of the world’s most formidable industries.

From London’s West End to the depths of the South African jungle, the Glamazonia herself will exhilarate audiences on a high-octane thrill ride through 40 years of entertainment.

Featuring icons of pop music, Rhonda will interpret hits like Katy’s Perry Roar, Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman, Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive for a musical extravaganza.

Her humour and spirit shine through as she recounts anecdotes and belts out show stopping renditions.

Throughout her career Rhonda has made an impression on audiences with her dazzling dance steps, superb comic timing, effervescent personality and impressive voice; all of which will be on show.

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland, Thursday, September 9, 7.30pm. Tickets $35–$45. Bookings call RPAC Box Office 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au THERE’S Mexican musical mayhem coming up at the Act 1 theatre group’s latest production this month.

With bull fights, three amigos, hot chilli, Mexican hats, lots of singing, plus bad Spanish accents and even worse American ones, coupled with hapless tourists stranded in a cockroach infestation at the Fiesta del Toro, it promises lots of laughs.

Hacienda del Toro is a musical written by Judith Prior and directed by Sharyn Donoghue and Royce Leivesley.

It begins when Rosa and Pablo wish to convert their small rundown ranch to a budget farm stay tourist resort, and an inspector from the American Tourist Bureau arrives for accreditation of the premises. There are a few things that need to be sorted, including broken kitchen windows and the small problem of a roach infestation.

Guests begin to arrive at the hacienda, but staff are still learning English. Coupled with the local Gringos making a nuisance of themselves with Mexican hat dances, the macarena and mock bull fights, whatever else could be in store! Act 1 Theatre, 238 Gympie Rd, Strathpine. August 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 at 7.30pm; August 8 and 15, 2pm. Tickets $20, concessions $17, members $15. Bookings trybooking.com or call and leave a message on 0458 579 269. Visit act1theatre.com.au

GO FOR GOLD

BRISBANE City Council’s Growing Older and Living Dangerously (GOLD) program runs is now underway until December.

Designed to help improve fitness, feel healthier, learn new skills and make new friends, the GOLD program has more than 100 free or low-cost activities in the jam-packed schedule.

New to the program is Paint and Chat, perfect for a fun and relaxing afternoon of art. No experience necessary. You’ll paint a floral artwork to take home and learn techniques to use at home.

Bring out the blues musician at Blues Feast, combining the learning of blues box guitar and the harmonica.

Kayaking is now available as a day kayaking adventure. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced paddler, get out and discover Brisbane by kayak.

There is something for everyone with categories covering cycling, dancing, gardening, food, sports and water activities.

As well a seniors activities there are over 20 classes designed for seniors to bring their grandchildren along.

Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au

Redland Performing Arts Centre presents

Tumbling Like Stars

Fea F Fe tur u urtu ing g Wo W rld d Pr Premi mie ere e re pe p rfo forma ma ance nc c s f fs sfrom m their e r Dav DaavD id id Mal aM ouf f song cyc cy le l sho h wcasin i g A gA Aust ustral alia’ ia ia s fi n finest tes e co compo mp p ser se s s, s alongs ng ide ide ne new a w arra rrrange ng n ments ts t of o of Bac Baach, h h, Han nH del ld an nd T d Tomá m más L sL Ls uis isui u de de Vi V cto oria ri

Kat Ka K ie ie e Noo N nan n Sop opran no • Fio iona n Cam ampbe b ll l ll Mezzo zo z Sopran no And An A rew ew e Go G odw ro in n Tenor • Andrew r O’ O Con Co nor n Bas B ss B sB Bariton to e

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

‘She’s the Voice’ brings together six diverse local talents to explore the one subject people just keep writing songs about – love!

Pre esen en nse ted edte e by yb Redla lad nd dn Per Peer e for formin mi ming A gA Arts tsr Ce entr ntre Redland Performing Arts Centre presents

Australia’s favourite showgirl celebrates 40 years from stage to jungle with her dazzling new show!

Featuring the musical stylings of Hannah Johnstone (Radioceans), Vicky Macdonald and Julie Minto (Mama Juju and the Jam Tarts), Georgie Taylor, Olivia Weeks (aka Peppermint Ollie) and Carole Williams, with musical direction by Meg Burstow (Women in Voice – On Tour).

“…an absolute success, with a fascinating mix of the old and the new, highlighting Australian culture in all its forms.” Limelight Featuring icons of pop music, Rhonda will interpret hits like Katy Perry’s Roar, Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman, Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive for a musical extravaganza unlike any other.

SAT 21 AUGUST, 8PM

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Auditorium THURS 23 SEPTEMBER, 8PM

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Concert Hall THUR 9 SEPTEMBER, 7.30PM

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Concert Hall

LOCAL WOMEN RAISE THEIR VOICE

THE team behind Women in Voice returns to the Redland Performing Arts Centre stage with a line-up of Redlandsbased talent for She’s the Voice: A Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

The show brings together six diverse local talents to explore the one subject people just keep writing songs about – love.

There will be songs celebrating the joy of love both new and old, songs for heartbreak and songs for the times when loving is tough. And then there’ll be songs for when a gal takes the reins and throws away misty-eyed romance.

A mix of classic hits, lesser-known gems and originals penned by the cast, this show will be a conversation through song, reflecting on that “crazy little thing called love”.

She’s the Voice features the musical stylings of Hannah Johnstone, vocalist and guitarist with Brisbane rock band Radioceans, and local performers and songwriters Vicky Macdonald and Julie Minto.

They are joined by singer-songwriter Georgie Taylor, who fuses folk, jazz, country and pop melodies, Brisbanebased singer-songwriter Olivia Weeks and cabaret artist and musical theatre performer Carole Williams.

RPAC, Cleveland. Saturday, August 21, 8pm. Tickets $25–$29.50 Bookings call RPAC box office 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au

NOONAN LEADS VOCAL ENSEMBLE OF EXCELLENCE

AWARD-winning artist Katie Noonan returns to the spotlight with Australian Vocal Ensemble to deliver their Tumbling Like Stars concert.

It will feature world premiere performances from their David Malouf song cycle showcasing Australia’s finest composers alongside new arrangements of Renaissance and Baroque greats Bach, Handel and Tomá s Luis de Victoria.

The a cappella vocal quartet sees Katie joined by internationally renowned artists mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell, tenor Andrew Goodwin and bass-baritone Andrew O’Connor.

Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVE) is an elite chamber vocal ensemble of international excellence, but one that is warm and welcoming to all.

“We will champion new Australian works on every tour, engage with our First Nations Communities at every concert and we plan to engage with local community choirs as our touring continues,” said Katie.

She said creating AVE had been her dream for years.

Katie is one of Australia’s most hardworking, versatile and prolific artists and has performed for royalty, national and international leaders, and blazed a trail for young female artists. RPAC/Quandamooka Country. Thursday September 23, 8pm. Bookings australianvocalensemble.com or RPAC Jenny Woodward with ABC news reader Rod Young in the 1980s and (inset) Jenny today. J W d d ihABC d

IT’S RAINING JEN

THE long-range forecast is for fun, flashbacks and fashion in revered ABC weather presenter’s Jenny Woodward one-woman stage show.

Weathering Well is a potted history of the life and times of the popular presenter who this year chalks up 35 years with the national broadcaster.

Combining comedy, live music, video projections and a killer script with Jenny’s natural wit and charm, Weathering Well is an 80-minute autobiographical theatre experience with a high probability of intriguing anecdotes and behind-the-scenes revelations.

“I’m also going to talk about hairstyles and fashion and how they’ve changed over the years and I’ve got some fairly startling photos which I am going to share. There’s a lot of, “oh my God, what was I thinking?” Jenny says.

“It won’t be all about me. Australia has some really interesting weather history and there’s one particular character I’m going to spend a bit of time on, Clement Wragge, who was one of the founders of weather forecasting in Australia.”

Weathering Well is produced by Jenny’s son, Alex Woodward, and directed by Matilda Award-winning Bridget Boyle with Luke Volker as music director, Nathan Sibthorpe designing audio and visual and Karen Berkman co-writing the original script.

The one-woman show was two-anda-half years in the making and signals a return to Jenny’s roots, having studied theatre at university and performing in a NSW touring theatre company before her television career.

“I guess I had always felt that I hadn’t fulfilled my stage career and I got to that point in my life where I thought, if I don’t do this now, I’m never going to do it,” she says.

“And of course, I didn’t have to audition for myself which was the best part.” Redland Performing Arts Centre Sunday August 15, 3pm. Tickets $49–$59. Bookings RPAC box office 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au

MUSIC ON SUNDAYS

Around Worldthe

SUN 29 AUG 11AM, CONCERT HALL QPAC

HANDEL I COPLAND I SCULTHORPE | RAVEL I DVORAK I HISAISHI + MORE