WHAT’S ON

JAZZ OF THE CENTURY

THE Jazz and Blues Collective this month promises a swinging afternoon to kick up your heels during a trip back to the early 20th century.

Slips and the F.W.’s is a group of musicians from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba who reignite the spark and charm of early blues, traditional jazz, swing and ragtime tunes from the early 1900s to the 1940s.

The group performs old time tunes their own way and also include originals from their debut 2020 album SUGOI, bringing a taste of New Orleans.

A Coffee Van will be on site from 12.30pm. There’s a BYO drink licence (no glass) and bring your own food or nibbles.

Millwell Road Community Centre, 11 Millwell Rd East. Maroochydore November 7, doors open 1pm, music 1.30pm-4pm. Bookings: ticketebo.com.au Call Graeme 0417 633734.

PHANTOM LEAVES THE OPERA HOUSE

A CLASSY, radio-style presentation of the Gothic classic The Phantom of the Opera will be brought to life by the Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company.

Gaston Leroux’s famous 1909 novel The Phantom of the Opera is a gripping tale that revolves around the beautiful soprano Christine Daaé and the deformed, murderous “ghost” of the opera house.

Tickets include the play, supper and musical interlude.

CCTC Theatre 3 Piringa St, Wurtulla November 17, 7.30 special price preview $23, November 19 and 26, 7.30pm; November 20-21 and 27-28, 2pm.Tickets $33, concessions $30, groups $27. Bookings essential 0490 329 912. LOCAL customers get special treatment at the Wildflower Kitchen which also offers seniors lunch specials for just $18.

Now almost six years old, the Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters Hotel has become a landmark in Birtinya, opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Inside is the award-winning restaurant Wildflower Kitchen, named for its location – Kawana, is the Aboriginal word for wildflower.

And yes, it’s all open to the public.

With relaxed décor and a deck offering stunning views of Lake Kawana, it serves breakfast and dinner seven days a week and is now also offering lunchg Wednesday to Friday.

Innovative head chef, Graeme Mair (pictured) and his kitchen team, offer fresh local produce to create seasonal menus every day.

Group bookings are welcome for

WORLD War II memories is the theme for this year’s Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra end-of-year Proms concert.

With all the usual pomp and fanfare, the audience can re-live the Last Night of the Proms as if it was Albert Hall.

Conducted by Adrian King, the concert features the Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, Schindler’s List, American Sketches, and the Dam Busters March.

Perennial favourites Jerusalem, restaurant dining or private function space and with Christmas coming up, it’s time book special celebrations.

Wildflower Kitchen is popular, so bookings are recommended. Follow Wildflower Restaurant on Facebook for menus, specials and events.

Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters. 9 Florey Blvd, Birtinya Visit wildflowerbirtinya.com.au

BOTANIC GARDENS ARE BUZZING

TAKE a walk through the beautiful Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens with a trained guide to discover more about the curious and essential work of pollinators.

Australian Pollinator Week is November 13-21, and to celebrate there is a guided walk on November 10.

Gardens are important ecosystems that provide habitat and food sources for a great range of pollinators – bees, butterflies, bugs, birds and bats. In return, pollinators play essential roles in the reproduction of flowering plants and biodiversity.

Friends of Maroochy Botanic Gardens also have free walks on Mondays at 10am.

Visit friendsofmaroochy botanicgardens.org.au

Meet at the entrance to the Arts and Ecology Centre. Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha. November 10, 9.30am-11am Tickets $5 at eventbrite.com.au or call Elaine 0424 074 484

NIGHT AT THE PROMS

Fantasia, British sea songs, and Pomp and Circumstance haven’t been forgotten.

With searing solos from violinist Rhys Williams and singer Fran Wilson, it will be a feast not to be missed.

Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Pde, Bokarina. December 4, 7pm Tickets $40, concession $35, including a program. Visit sunshinecoast symphonyorchestra.com

$12 seniors specials

craft beer taphouse in birtinya rotisserie kitchen × craft beer × wine

ROYAL AFTERNOON OF ENTERTAINMENT

SUNSHINE Coast Jazz Club present Nicole Parker-Brown and The Jazz Kings, one of the most sought-after jazz bands in southeast Queensland who have and have just finished recording their first CD Out of Nowhere.

Formed in 2017, the group’s members have decades of professional experience in all aspects of the music industry – performers, entertainers, recording artists, teachers, backing/support to local, national and major stars, floorshows, and also in television and radio.

Jazz is their main genre, but they can also swing, play the blues and pre-Covid, had audiences up dancing with rockabilly and country music.

Their repertoire is based on what the venue and audience wants, from trad to modern and popular jazz, jump blues and swing.

They have recently had sell-out performances at the Brisbane Jazz Club.

Nicole Parker-Brown on vocals, will be supported by the Kings: Col Atkinson, bass and vocals; Rod Ford, drums; Peter Uppman, vocals and trumpet; Gordon Matheson, guitar; and Mike Wade, keyboard and vocals.

Caloundra Power Boat Club Sunday, November 21, 1pm Tickets $25, seniors $22.50 Bookings: Call Richard 0427 782 960 COOLUM Theatre Players present Ladies in Black, a visual delight and a musical treat featuring well known faces and newcomers.

Set in Sydney in the 1950s, this musical tells the story of bookish school leaver Lisa (Sienna McRitchie, newcomer to CTP) who joins the sales staff of a fashionable Sydney department store, F.G. Goode’s.

Over a summer that changes her life, she befriends the colourful denizens of the women’s clothing department. As she anxiously awaits her final results, Lisa must overcome her father’s (Greg McMahon) reluctance to allow her to follow her dreams of going to university instead of becoming a secretary until she finds a proper husband.

Lisa’s mother (Christine Mai) is a good 1950s wife who supports her husband in all things. Up to a point!

This is a wonderful musical by Carolyn Burns with music by Tim Finn, directed by Linda Gefken (We Will Rock You, Spamalot, The Addams Family and Sweet Charity). Tables seat eight and BYO nibbles and drinks.

Coolum Civic Centre, Park St, Coolum Beach. Friday and Saturday, November 26-27, 7.30pm; Sunday 28, 2pm; December 3-4, 7.30pm; and From left, Christine Mai, Sienna McRitchie and Greg McMahon as mother, Lisa and father. Sunday 5, 2pm. Tickets $28, concessions $25 Bookings coolumtheatre.com.au or North Shore Realty 5446 2500.