Arts News
With Barbara Albury
THE New England Conservatorium of Music is presenting a concert by acclaimed Russian pianist Konstantin Shamray on Thursday May 2 in the auditorium of the Old Teachers College, Armidale at 7pm. Konstantin is the winner of numerous prestigious piano competitions and is an international performer and recording artist. His recital will include works by Bach, Beethoven, Myaskovsky and Rachmaninoff. There will also be a Masterclass for young pianists and their teachers. Tickets: $35, $25 (conc), $15 (under 18). Bookings at NECOM: 6773 6419 or at Dymocks in the Mall.
If you want to hear beautiful string music up close in a heritage setting, come along to the Aether String Trio’s concert in McCrossin’s Mill Museum, Salisbury Street, Uralla on Friday 10 May from 6-7pm. The Brisbane-based group will perform Beethoven’s virtuoso String Trio in G Major and a Serenade, described as a lost gem of 20th century chamber music, by the Hungarian composer Dohnanyi. A NECOM regional arts initiative. Tickets $20, $10 (conc), $5 (children) at the door. Enquiries about both concerts: Susanne James 6773 6139 or director@necom.org.au
Drama workshops
Actors, singers, dancers and technical image designers are invited to workshop ideas for the drama, Armidale – Our Town on Saturday and Sunday May 11 and 12. The play will tell the story of Armidale from colonial times to the early 20th century and will also celebrate 150 years of local government. The production will take place in late November. Times and venue for the workshops to be arranged. Contact Barbara Albury 0427 729 529 or bhalbury@bigpond.com
Armidale Eisteddfod
The annual Eisteddfod takes place from May 20 to June 16. More detail can be obtained from www.armidale-eisteddfod.org.au
Short story competition
Write a short story and enter the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize sponsored by Australian Book Review. Any topic, no age restriction. You just have to be original. Closing date: May 31. Contact 03 9699 8822 or australianbookreview.com
Screenwriters weekend
On Saturday and Sunday June 15 and 16, 9am-5pm, Armidale TAFE is running an intensive two-day screenwriting workshop sponsored by the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. With writer, actor, director and passionate film educator Dr Carl Caulfield at the helm, this course will give you the essential tools for writing your own story for the screen. Plenty of practical work and use of engaging film clips to get you to a painless first draft. Cost: $270. Venue: Armidale Campus, TAFE. Contact www.open.aftrs.edu.au/ 1300-065-281. Local contact: ben.davies@tafensw.edu.au
Wedding Singer
This is ADMS’ musical for the year, a delightful, heart-warming romance, opening on Friday July 5 in Lazenby Hall, UNE. Tickets go on sale on Monday April 22 either through ADMS own booking site, www.adms.org.au or at Carr’s newsagency in the Armidale Mall.
Showboat in Concert
Be part of ADMS and the Armidale Symphony Orchestra’s concert-style performance of Showboat on August 17 and 18 at Lazenby Hall, UNE. Organisers are keen to have a huge chorus for this much loved musical so, if you enjoy singing, this is the gig for you. No audition, just contact janeandneil@optusnet.com.au and be ready to start rehearsing on Tuesday 23rd July at NECOM, and the following Tuesday and Thursday nights for five weeks.
Please send items for Arts News to bhalbury@bigpond.com
