The new circular concert hall has been built to blend in beside the Lucas home and will have a small recording studio underneath. “Any part of the room is usable really”, says Lee.” You can have a solo pianist in the centre surrounded by the audience or a 35 piece orchestra at one end with the audience in front”.

Ian and Lee will stage several concerts during 2010, utilising the talents of the Pacific Chamber Players, conducted by Gwyn Roberts. Gwyn is head of strings at the University of Queensland and also conducts the UQ orchestra.

Two top Russian pianists will be guests at Lucas Parklands during April and June. First is the 24 year-old Konstantin Shamray, from Novosibirsk, who won the $25,000 first prize in the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition, as well as winning special prizes for Mozart and Beethoven.

Second prize winner in the Sydney competition is Moscow born, Tatiana Kolesova, who will also perform at Lucas Parklands.

Ian Lucas thinks classical music performances of high standard benefit everyone in the region, including his own family. “My kids wouldn’t be who they are without these influences, and I think they flow on to small business. It creates a bit more excitement in the community too.”

While freely admitting that the Lucas concerts are not a money-making activity, Ian says he would like to find a sponsor who would help mount two or three professional orchestral productions a year, including opera.

The newly completed Parklands concert hall will first host the vivacious Ambre Hammond when she returns on February 27 (7.30pm) with her “Chopin & Champagne” concert. Ambre will present a repertoire celebrating Chopin’s 200th birthday.

If you want tickets for any Lucas Parklands concert Ph: 54785667 or email: lucasparklands@bigpond.com

From left to right
Lee and Ian Lucas stand in the middle of their new concert space.
Ian Lucas looks at the frame of his new dream music venue.
Russian pianists, Tatiana Kolesova and Konstantin Shamray will perform at the new Lucas Parklands performance space during 2010.

Finbar’s songs to change the world
Join Finbar’s host John McCormack at a not-to-be-missed concert on Tuesday August 11 at 6.30pm. This great line-up will first present visiting American singer David Rovics (left), who is back in Australia by popular demand after riveting gigs at Woodford earlier this year.
Also performing are evocative Range local singers Tommy Leonard and Jenny Fitzgibbon. And for light touch is Brisbane’s humorous/political singer songwriter Dermot Dorgan. Entrance: $7 unwaged and $10 waged.

Bertie’s outstanding Thump
Australia’s favourite indie darling Bertie Blackman is on a huge national tour following the release of her new album ‘Secrets and Lies’. Bertie recently released her second single, ‘Thump’ which is now on-line. Haunting vocals soar, industrial electronics collide, and the track troughs into eerie quiet breaths throughout. ‘Secrets and Lies’ has received accolades from the Australian media since it’s release in May with Melbourne’s Herald Sun calling it a “huge shot in the arm for smart, strange, subversive, envelope pushing pop”.
Bertie will be at the Woombye Pub on Saturday August 15. Tickets $16 + bf/$20 door. 7.30pm.

Melbourne’s celebrated Dub/Reggae band The Red Eyes will launch their new single Long Time Coming at the Woombye Pub on Friday August 19. This is the most heavily produced Red Eyes track to date with a nod to early 80’s sounds, and inspired by Sly and Robbie and Talking Heads among others. This dynamic 7-piece band are about to release their second blockbuster album and another little taster will be released shortly for free download from The Red Eyes Myspace site at www.myspace.com/themightyredeyes

Ross Nixon Jazz Trio -Range Return
The Ross Nixon jazzTrio (below) is back again at the Maleny Community Centre on Friday August 7. Max Sportelli, drums, Scot Williams, bass, Ross Nixon, piano, will perform with world renowned vocalist Ingrid James who has recently returned from recording and performing in the U.S and the U.K.
They will also be joined by special guest Jason Machado, playing a Brazillian repertoire.
Doors open at 7pm.Tickets: $30.00 with dinner by Pomadoras. Show only $15.00. Enquiries: 0402108627

Celebrating our many cultures
The FESTURI Great Multicultural Celebration is a free community event that aims to promote community well- being by - performances from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, supporting authentic international food stalls, multicultural women’s workshops, and storytelling. Festuria is held at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Sunday August 30, 10am-4pm.
Live vocal and musical performances will keep crowds entertained as community groups and schools participate in the Parade of Nations with regional artists presenting hands-on workshops in henna tattoo art and mask making.
Body painting demonstrations and art exhibitions will focus on the United Nations, International Year of Astronomy - the search for our cosmic origin and our common heritage.
Check the festival website www.festuri.org.au for details or email info@festuri.org.au

Your home history now on CD
ce their local roots.
Until now, the only way to locate a record for any person who lived in the Landsborough Shire from 1912-1941 is to laboriously search through every page of the fifteen Queensland state registers.
The Caloundra Family History Research Inc. has spent the last two years transcribing the Landsborough Rates Books from those registers held at Queensland State Archives.
The CD will enable family historians and others to search the index for a ‘family name’ and to access full family property details from the ‘Land Rates Registers’ held at Queensland State Archives at Runcorn.
Caloundra Family History Research Inc. wants members of the community, especially those descended from pioneering families, to lend photos of farms, houses, buildings, towns, businesses etc., from the Landsborough Shire during this era. Please contact Dorothy on 5492 3023 or Valerie on 5437 3879 as soon as possible.

Peter Griffen … out of control
“Take a line for a walk” urges Peter Griffen the powerful abstract artist who is running a 4-day workshop at the Maleny Arts Retreat from August 10-13. Peter will encourage participants to freely explore and experiment with still life and figures. Acrylics, drawing, collaging, splashing and scraping will all be open to those who dare. “At some stage the painting must go out of control”, says this stimulating artist who is inspired by the serendipity of the abstract. Peter is a full-time, Sydney based artist who exhibits in Europe, UK, Canada and Asia.
Contact the Maleny Arts Retreat for an enrolment form: admin@malenyartsretreat.com.au or Ph: 54 999 516.

Big blues line-up at Palmwoods
Opening the Palmwoods Got the Blues show on August 15 is the secret gem of SE Qld’s blues scene - Johnny Hucker. One of the highlights of the Brisbane Blues festival earlier this year, Johnny Hucker mixes pre-war blues with stellar re-workings of classics by Rory Gallagher and Led Zeppelin. Making his first appearance at Palmwoods, Glen Terry is a relative unknown in Australia but his star is burning ever brighter since the release of his latest album “Soul Searchin.” Born in India, Glen has made Australia his home base since the late nineties as he barnstorms his way across Europe, Scandinavia, and more recently the US . A wonderful guitarist, energetic showman and soul-stealing singer, Glen’s recent trip to the US had him on stages in Chicago and across the country sharing the bandstand with some of the blues world’s all time greats.
Glen’s first show at Palmwoods is one of the most highly anticipated gigs of the year to date and will put winter to bed once and for all.
Blind Lemon also return to Palmwoods and fans of the band know just what to expect from the band that has evolved from hardworking journeymen to one of SE Qld’s most respected acts in just18 months.
www.myspace.com/glenianterry

Palmwoods Hotel - Saturday August 15
Glen Terry, Blind Lemon, Johnny Hucker, 5.30pm free.

Buderim Choir is classically Welsh
The Buderim Male Choir is in Maleny on September 5 as part of a series of concerts celebrating its 35th anniversary. Local choral groups Tapestry and the Maleny Singers will also be part of the line-up.
Now very much a Sunshine Coast group with 50 members who come from all parts of the coast and hinterland, and recognised as one of Australia’s best male voice choirs. The group sings music arranged for the four male voice parts - like the classic Welsh male choirs, with a varied repertoire including songs from the evergreen musicals, the classics, popular, ballads, spirituals, sacred songs and more.
The concert is at the Maleny Community Centre - 2pm on September 5. Admission: $20 adults. $18 concessions. Tickets: Maleny Bower Bird: www.buderimmalechoir.org.au.

Join the Flamenco dance workshop
Simone Pope has trained with some of the best flamenco dancers in Australia and she is running a dance workshop on Saturday August 22, 1-3pm. Kin Kin Hall $20.
In 1998 Simone took her first trip to Spain to dedicate herself to the art of flamenco. Since that time she has become an established and accomplished flamenco dance artist both in Brisbane and throughout Australia. Guided by some of Spain’s finest dancers, you need to book for this workshop:
kinkinmusic@kinkinsouls.com

Mapleton choir members are busy rehearsing for the Autumn Concert in May.  Director, Ailsa Morehen has welcomed some new faces to the choir, giving her the scope to introduce a wider repertoire.
“Tell It On The Mountain” will have two performances in the Mapleton Hall, on Friday May 22 at 7.30 pm and Sunday 24 at 2.30 pm. and will feature joyful, inspirational and uplifting numbers ranging from the classics, to spiritual, folk and contemporary compositions.  These concerts are now very popular usually a sell-out. 

Blue Iguana (left to right) Ralph, BarBaRa, Spike, Ian

Ralph’s new Blue Iguana

Local songwriter Ralph Tyrrell is on a mission to write songs about the colourful characters from the northern end of the Blackall Range. Last year he released ‘Mapleton Songs’, a collection of tunes inspired by Mapleton and it’s fascinating history performed by Indigo Indigo. Now he’s moving on to Maleny and surrounds. His new band BLUE IGUANA has a regular gig at Flavours Cafe in Maleny on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The line-up includes Ralph on guitar and vocals, BarBaRa on djembe and vocals, Ian Storr on drums and Spike on bass. In addition to their original songs they play rare covers in swing, blues, rock and reggae styles.
Valanga & Andy Khoza at Kin Kin

Kin Kin Music presents Valanga and Andy  Khoza
at Kin Kin Hall on Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm. $20 / $15 concessions. Don’t miss these absolutely inspiring performers.  They’ll take you on a journey ranging from
township jive to haunting traditional melodies.
On the same day from 2pm - 4pm they will run an African Singing workshop. Bookings  Ph:  5485 4343.

Chris Assad from Toronto

Return of Palmwoods got the blues

Kicking the month off on Sat April 4 will be fiery young blues duo 19 Twenty. A new act to Palmwoods they will play their soulful blues folk on the way from Sydney to Western Australia.
Chris Assaad will be opening the Blues show on April 18, and this young guy, on his first trip to Australia is a real unknown gem. After fronting the Toronto-based band I.An.Eye for several years, early in 2008, Chris Assaad embarked on a musical journey to develop his own eclectic soulful blend of folk, roots, rock and reggae.
In the middle spot will be on of the sunshine coasts original roots music masters David Flower. After fronting Mad Flower for several years, Davids working with a new improved lineup but his wonderfully buoyant funky groove continues unabated.
Finally, Barrelhouse make the long haul from Port Macquarie to rock the Palmwoods after debuting at the East Coast Blues & Roots festival the weekend before.

Choice comedy is hilarious

Comedy fans will share in the silliness of being human when performer Amanda-Lyn Pearson (left) brings to the stage four larger-than-life country women in the funny animated world spliced with circus called, ‘Choice’. A delightful theatre comedy directed by Matilda Award-winning Lewis Jones, with visuals by digital designer Sean Young and sound by Brett Collery, Choice is a racy rollercoaster ride of laughing, groaning and ribbing your mate as you recognize characters from your everyday life. Kenilworth Public Hall on Sunday April 5 at 6.30pm. Tickets: Kenilworth News $25 QAC members. Discounts & concessions. Tel: 5446 0400. For more information, visit www.qac.org.au.

John McCormack has big food and music plans for his popular Finbar’s in Bicentenary Lane, Maleny

Big Plans for Finbar’s

John and Jenny McCormack have great plans for Finbar’s Lounge Bar in Bicentenary Lane, Maleny. Finbar’s is attracting more patrons by offering a warm friendly atmosphere and great music and now with light meals and special events.
Finbar’s new wood oven will be fired up offering a selection of gourmet pizza’s from Thursday to Sunday evenings for dinner and from 12 noon Friday to Sunday for lunches.
On the music scene, Finbar’s Sunday afternoon Irish music session has become a very popular way to finish a great weekend, while Thursday night resident band, As the Crow Flies, has made its mark on Range locals. Their gigs deliver the perfect mix of original compositions with country, rock and blues flavour.  Well known artists such as Neil Murray will return in June and Shane Howard of Goanna fame will be appearing on April 23.
For those who know John it’s not surprising that he’s planning a three day Celtic Music Workshop in June, with special guest fiddlers and flautists from Ireland and Scotland. John sees this is as an inaugural Celtic winter festival.
John McCormack knows the value of personalised service.  As he says, it’s the good old Irish hospitality formula of meeting, greeting, a few jokes and a lot of laughter, commonly called ‘the craic’ in Ireland, that works. Don’t miss Colum Sands with his Songs and Stories on April 2 at 7pm. Bookings essential. Book early too for Shane Howard on April 23  $20. Ph: 0418189347

Daniel’s Art of Mother Earth

Daniel’s monthly Art of Mother Earth dance events in Maleny are drawing energetic dance and live music enthusiasts from as far away as the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Hinterland-based Daniel has spent a great part of his life managing and attending hall gigs up & down the east coast. He says the Sunshine Coast is starved of live music venues, but why is Maleny’s community centre such a hot venue?  “There’s a spirit and freedom that those hall floor boards offer that you cannot get in new made-to-measure venues,” claims Daniel. “There are 50 years plus of energy that leaks into your body as you enter. I just love to add to that energy.” Daniel manages bands and events and often tours around the country with them. It’s on these tours that he comes across outstanding new talent and he simply invites them to Maleny.   “I am now getting calls from national agencies and their touring bands,” says Daniel, “as they have heard what an appreciative crowd the Hinterland people are.”  ” It’s ironic that I am putting on dance events, as I cannot dance for crackers”, adds Daniel with a laugh “ I just enjoy seeing the joy it brings those more rhythmically blessed.”  The Art of Mother Earth monthly shows have a growing a reputation and the word is slowly spreading with a lot of the live music fans  staying over the weekend on the Range.   “People are amazed that hinterland people have such a secret little event”, says Daniel.
“Long term I would like to see the event become a town staple and we start to see larger acts placing Maleny on their touring schedules. If we can constantly get 300 people dancing and bringing a positive energy, the streets of Maleny will carry the same positive energy through the following weeks.” The next Art of Mother Earth dance show will be on Friday April 24 says Daniel, with indigenous dance bands Chocolate Strings from Brisbane and North Queenslands Zennith bringing their funky roots & reggae sounds to the live stage. For further enquiries visit www.earth.net.au or telephone 0438 945 766.

Pacific Chamber Players … in Vienna

The Pacific Chamber Players (above) will present their first of three concerts for the year on  Friday April 3, 7pm at Stella Maris Catholic Church, Maroochydore and Sunday April 5, 2pm at Caloundra Uniting Church, Caloundra.
The theme for this concert will be ‘1800 Vienna’ , the period known as the famous classical period in music.  Vienna became the musical centre of Europe from about 1750-1820 and works of this period are often referred to as being in the Viennese classic style. Details contact Janet Brewer Ph: 54468128. Em: hoskin@internode.on.net

Mark Easton

Entering the 3rd month of 2009 and with the world-wide recession in full swing, the Palmwoods Hotel is providing a stimulus package tailored for dancing, carousing and partying the economic woes into submission.

Kicking off on Saturday March 7 is a band that’s gone from journeyman pub rockers to major drawcard at major festivals across the country. Blind Lemon were judged SE Queensland’s favourite blues band in 2008, and with packed houses at Woodford and the Australian Blues festival at Goulburn, they’re more than ready for their debut at the East Coast Blues & Roots festival at Byron Bay over Easter

Then on Saturday March 21, the Palmwoods Hotel triples the value of your blues & roots dollars.

No less than three premier blues and roots acts are on the bill for the all-inclusive price of $0.

Mojo Webb

Mark Easton likes to sing about the skeletons in his closet. His new album “Money Is The Root Of Evil” is the realisation of his musical and philosophical vision and is available for the first time at this show.

Long regarded as one of the Sunshine Coast’s finest singer/songwriters, Asa Broomhall will be returning with his rocking three-some to continue the night’s high quality roots rhythms.

The last time Mojo Webb played Palmwoods, he was recovering from a shocking motorbike accident which left him in intensive care. After three months of seven nights a week playing in Thailand, there’s no doubt he’s playing better than ever. With Mojo’s road-hardened band in tow, the joint will be rockin…if not reelin.

Until recently, early childhood music programs in Australia have been predominantly American designed. However, talented Perth and Melbourne based music educators Julia Newton and Linda Pierard, recognising the need for Australian designed programs, have set to work to fill the gap.  Julia and Linda are both highly qualified, and are very experienced in early childhood music education. Together they developed a series of programs which they called ‘MusikMakers’, spanning age groups from three to seven years. The programs utilise carefully designed sequences of activities which include vocal play, singing, movement, listening games and playing simple instruments. To broaden and reinforce class learning, home activities are also supplied, including a CD of songs featuring well known children’s entertainer Franciscus Henri.

Mapleton harper and story-teller Rebecca Hood has recently completed the MusikMakers teacher training and is currently spearheading the first MusikMakers programs on the Sunshine Coast. ‘It’s very exciting to be involved in introducing such a high quality educational program to the area’, said Rebecca. ‘Musikmakers is intended to be accessible for all children, not just those who are perceived as gifted or musically talented. All the programs have been carefully piloted, receiving unanimous support from parents, and are now being taught across five states’.

Rebecca will be offering MusikMakers Explorer’ classes for three to four year olds in the Palmwoods-Chevallum area during 2009. If you would like your child to experience the pleasure and stimulation of a ‘MusikMakers’ program please contact Rebecca on 5445 7478.

While in Sydney Lee simply asked Ran, who was the major prize winner at the Opera House competition, if he would like to visit the hinterland to play a couple of exclusive concerts.

Surprisingly, Ran said yes and about 60 people were dazzled by a complex repertoire including Boulez Bach and Prokofiev. His sparkling performance had everyone on their feet begging for more.

Israeli viruoso pianist Ran Dank

In Sydney the 26 year-old Ran was best overall performer for work by Rachmaninov and Debussy, and in past years he has also won the Cleveland  and Tel Aviv piano competitions.

The setting for the regular concerts within the Lucas Parklands property is a custom-made, glass-sided performance space set amongst the trees. The atmosphere is further refined by a stunning flame mahogany Steinway grand which, on this occasion, Ran played to perfection.

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