Aspiring songwriter, Jonathan Adkins said the short course at Nambour TAFE run by acclaimed international guitarist and writer, Peter Koppes, has given him the motivation to take his leisurely interest in music much more seriously.

“Music is a creative process and I’d always found it difficult to construct a song properly”, Jonathan said. “My songs always took a direction of their own, without me in control. Peter gave me some fantastic tools for developing and completing a song – to rehearse it, play it live and record it.”

With Peter Koppes’ help, Jonathan built a home studio in his basement and between them they recorded a CD. Peter is well know as songwriter and guitarist with the highly influential Australian rock band, The Church.

Mr Koppes said his TAFE students were encouraged to network and collaborate with like-minded musicians. “That’s a big part of being in a band and recording understanding what personalities, styles and ages you work best with,” he said. “Students are definitely given the opportunity to experiment with mixes of people from different genres. Because it’s not always obvious and you never know unless you try.”

To get his confidence up Jonathan Adkins has already started playing locally including at Montville’s Family Day, Mary Cairncross Cafe and Zana’s restaurant in Montville. He has teamed up with another local musician, Taz Harrison to form their new band, Fairweather.
www.myspace.com/fairweatherofficial

The grant will also fund research into future venues for the duo’s performances.

Linsey and Tunji have been playing together for 14 years and in their latest venture Linsey will play the clarinet and Tunji the mridangam (percussion instrument).

The funded promotional material will be prepared in time for their planned tour of South America and should add value to promotion of future performances. They leave for Argentina, Chile and Uruguay on August 31.

When bush dances are mentioned these days some people’s response is “Oh, I can’t dance.” With Bush dancing no experience is necessary. Bush dancing is not line dancing, square dancing, country music dancing but is taught as you do the dance. Grace and poise is not what makes it fun. Learning, making mistakes, and doing it together with other people is what makes it a memorable night. John Wright is a caller who makes it easy. He gets down among the crowd of dancers demonstrating, coaxing, joking, applauding them and laughing with them.

All proceeds from the night go to support the work of Friends of Ebenezer, a local group who have made it their job to raise money to look after a growing orphanage in Zambia. The Bush Dance is at the Macadamia Nut Shed, 209 Burgum Road, North Maleny. Turn up at 6pm for a delicious, affordable dinner. Dancing starts at 7pm. $10 per adult, $25 per family, $5 per child. Food and drinks extra. Contact Lenore – Ph. 54296194 or see the Friends of Ebenezer website for a location map and more information:

www.friendsofebenezeraustralia.com

Barry Charles & Bill Uruamo on Nambour stage

Nambour’s Town Square has become a popular venue for groovy, night-time performance as part of the town’s Moonlight Markets on the last Friday of every month.

Since permanently locating to Nambour’s outstanding new Town Square in Lowe Street in February, hundreds of Nambour locals and visitors have enjoyed the ‘buzz’ to enjoy music, shop and socialise.

So far this year, legendary Sunshine Coast artists, Doc Span, Ross Williams and Barry Charles have brought their special blend of blues and soul to the Town Square Stage. Jambezi, Natalie Richy and Murray Wall created a more global music atmosphere when they performed, and Kel De Zac’s unique interpretation of Jewish klezmer music (clarinet, pumping accordian and brazen tuba) had to be experienced to be truly appreciated!

On Friday August 27 blues duo, Doc Span and Ross Williams take to the stage.

Enquiries: Helen Langlois. Ph: 0416217093.

Em: nambourmarket@optusnet.com.au

David Rovics at the Upfront Club – Thursday August 19 Special. $10 entrance.

At the Club on August 14 is Murray Wall (below) and Natalie Richy. Murray’s musical inspiration is said to come from people like Leo Kottke, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Phoebe Snow, Miles Davis, Bruce Cockburn, John Martyn, Nick Drake, JJ Cale, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and Rickie Lee Jones. Club music maestro simply describes this duet as “eloquent, Afro-Cuban, swing, folk, guitar.”

Murray Wall, Natalie Richie – August 14.

Smokin Crawdads from left: Andy Tainsh, Doug Gallagher, Mick Martin and Glen Moffatt

It’s hard to believe that this is the Smokin Crawdads’ first visit to the newly-renovated Beerwah hotel.

The Crawdads have had some line up changes but the music, entertainment and great times had at a Crawdad gig is still the same.

Their latest album “Straight to the Pool Room” captures the essence of these very cool crawdudes. With modern country music that everyone can enjoy this is a night not to be missed.

Free live and local entertainment on Saturday Night August 14 from 8pm at the Beerwah Hotel.

So come and see one of Queensland’s best country music bands.

http://www.thesmokincrawdads.com/index.html

Tony was only 49 and had been diagnosed with a brain tumour about eighteen months ago. Despite crucial surgical intervention by Sydney surgeon, Dr Charles Teo, Tony O’Connor realised that his remaining time on this earth was short. His family say that he accepted this stage of his life’s journey with grace, honour and dignity.

Tony’s passing has touched the lives of many people through his unique style of instrumental music that induced a relaxed and calm response from the listener.

“He was a remarkable musician and I thank God I got to hear it. I have suffered for years with insomnia and stress and Tony’s music helped me to get the sleep I needed so much, and release from the stress.”

Tony’s work with psychologists and masseurs provided valuable feedback on how to use lyrical sound, and melody to produce music that has a therapeutic impact for those needing relief from stress and anxiety.

With his partner Jacqui, Tony moved to the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast more than twenty five years ago, and it was here that their daugher Samantha was born.

“I am so sad to hear of Tony’s passing. His beautiful music has calmed and comforted me for many years.”

It was in the peace and solitude of the mountains, inside his forest-bound professional studio, and playing his treasured Yamaha baby grand piano, that Tony created and crafted the pioneering music that touched so many lives, and became his most acclaimed legacy.

Although his music touched many people and, to some extent, made him a public figure, he remained a very private person, preferring to live the simple life.

“Tony knew that music is the universal language of emotions, and Tony spoke that language with wisdom, with love, with integrity, with humility and with honour.”

By 1991 Tony had composed and produced Mariner, the album that would see him widely recognised throughout Australia as well as attracting an international audience. Within a few weeks Mariner achieved gold album status one of the first independent albums to achieve such sales in so short a time. To date Mariner has sold more than 1.5 million copies.

“I owe my life to Tony’s music. I suffered for years with mis-diagnosed bi-polar disorder and his music saved me from suicide on more than one occasion.”

Through much of the 90s Tony collaborated with Australian nature photographer Steve Parish. The two artists combined an innovative mix of music and photographic images detailed CD booklets – coffee table books – set to specific outback, wilderness and environment themes. These albums continue to sell in numbers unprecedented by any Australian independent artist.

Admirers, and those who have benefitted from Tony O’Connor’s music have sent numerous messages of comfort to Jacqui and Samantha at the sad loss of this most influential creative spirit.

“Even as I speak, Tony intimately and profoundly touches the lives of millions of people. His music brings more peace to this world in one day, than the entirety of the UN’s forces combined.”

Andy Rigby's harp class in the old church on Maple Street attracted over a dozen keen players in 2009. Andy will be teaching again in 2010.

MUSICIANS from across South-East Queensland will fill the town with music from June 18-20 at the second Maleny Celtic Winter School. The School, the brainchild of a group of local musicians, will be held in venues around town between 12 and 14 June. Both experienced players and beginners will be able to learn fiddle, flute, whistle, voice, bodhran (Irish drum), guitar, hard-shoe dance, banjo and mandolin.

“The Winter School is all about participation”, said John Thompson, the Co-ordinator of the Maleny Celtic Winter School. “Our first Winter School was an absolute cracker and we’ve worked hard to make sure that this year’s will be even better”, John said. “There will be more sessions, special classes for absolute beginners, and an even better family event with the ceilidh on Saturday night”, he added.

The 2010 Winter School will offer classes for intermediate and advanced students in fiddle, flute and whistle, as well as classes in bodhran (Irish drum), button accordian, guitar and Celtic Harp. Optional classes will feature Scottish and Quebecois fiddle, singing, Irish dance, pipes. The Absolute Beginners classes are especially designed for players who are keen to get involved but are new to their instruments.

“Around 200 dancers came along last year for our family Ceilidh Dance at the Maleny Showgrounds Hall,” said John. “It was a huge amount of fun with a band put together by 11 of the best musicians around.”

Finbar’s Lounge Bar will once again be the focal point for the informal sessions planned for the weekend. “Irish music is very social,” said Steve Cook, who will be teaching mandolin and banjo at the School. “It’s all about getting together and having fun, sharing music with the whole community.

John Thompson says Maleny has had links with traditional music for many years, from the Celtic Tea-rooms music sessions to the early days of the Maleny Folk Festival.

“We’re gathering an experienced group of tutors from around south-east Queensland, interstate and locally to give our students the chance to learn from the best”, John said. “We’re delighted to be able to offer fiddle classes with Adrian Barker from Melbourne, and Fred Graham. Another special guest, Andy Rigby, will teach Celtic Harp”.

Weekend tickets cost $120 and includes entry into the opening concert, Ceilidh and all the sessions. Tickets for individual classes cost $30 per 2-hour session. Tickets for the concert, ceilidh and the late-night session will be sold at the door.

Bookings available online at www.malenyceltic.org.

For more information, go to www.malenyceltic.org or email info@malenyceltic.org or phone coordinator John Thompson on 0416 032 573.

Dr agoons left to right: John Marsden, Howard Westmoreland, Barry Harber and David Crewe. Patience - Barbie Norman.

The light opera ‘Patience” by Gilbert & Sullivan,- reputedly one of Gilbert’s wittiest scripts, will be performed in Maleny by the combined talents of Maleny Singers and the Maleny Performing Arts Orchestra over two weekends in June.

Patience satirises the “aesthetic craze” of the 1870s and 80s, when the output of poets, composers, painters and designers of all kinds was indeed prolific — but, some argued, empty and self-indulgent. This artistic movement was so popular, and also easy to ridicule as a meaningless fad, that it made Patience a big hit.

This operatic extravaganza is at the Maleny Community Centre with the Gala Opening Night: Friday 18 June from 6 pm. Bring a Hamper (Food Only). There is a licensed bar.

Other Performances: Saturday 26 June at 6:30pm, Sunday 20 and 27 June at 2pm.

Ticket Prices – Gala Opening Night: $30. Other Performances: $25 Adult ($20 – Concession, children free). Tickets: The Bower Bird, Maleny – 5494 3277

Festival Director, Ian Mackellar said that the 2010 literary and forum program was one of the largest in the festival’s nine year history and catered to a wide range of interests.

“The names of attending authors and journalists for our literary events and forums this year is like a literary and journalist’s ‘who’s who’ list”, Ian said. They include Don Burke, Anne Summers, Paul Kelly, Karen Brooks and Peter Thompson.

Tom Burlinson will open the Noosa Longweekend Festival with his acclaimed show, FRANK – A Life in Song. Celebrating the career of Frank Sinatra, Tom will be accompanied by an 8 piece band playing many old tunes.

Ita Buttrose will arrive in ‘Noosa style’ via gondola along the Noosa River and then disembark to share the secrets of her stellar career over lunch at Trios Restaurant. Still on the water theme, sports hero Andrew Ettingshausen (ET) along with local, Sunshine Coast sporting identity ‘Phippsy’ will have guests hooked with tales of their mutual love of fishing over breakfast at the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club.

Tickets for all festival events are on sale now. Visit www.noosalongweekend.com for details.