Alan Jones to join local radio station

Controversial radio presenter Alan Jones is set to join Coast FM963.

Patron of the Coast’s longest running community radio station John Singleton invited Jones to join the team.

Jones will conduct a regular session for no fee to “provide a national voice for the residents of the Central Coast”.

“I often get inundated with questions out in the community, some of which I don’t know the answers to, but I thought you would,” Singleton said in his invitation.

“If it helps the community, if it answers questions, I’m more than happy to help; the answer is yes,” Jones replied.

“I was just looking the other day at one statistic.

“An analysis of every NSW school’s 2021 student-toteacher ratios revealed the Central Coast to be the state’s least staffed – bottom of the list.

“I think parents and the wider community deserve better.”

The new Ask Alan segment strike a chord with readers of all ages.

It is a celebration of parents, ageing and the frictions that can occur when we step into other peoples’ lives.

Alexander’s parents are well known to bingo players at Wyong Leagues Club, Central

Coast Leagues Club and Avoca Beach Bowling Club, with dad Peter a caller and mum Judy a regular player.

Both of them have given Alexander’s book the thumbs up.

“We’re expecting our bingo mates to have a bit of a laugh at our expense but we don’t mind,” Peter said. His wife agreed.

“They’ll be seeing themselves in the pages too, believe me … and I reckon laughter is the best medicine we have,” she said.

Over The Hill & Up The Wall is published by HarperCollins Australia and is available at bookstores all over the Coast, with an audiobook to be released in early April.

Terry Collins

will be broadcast daily on CoastFM963 at 7.15am with a repeat at 4.15pm for drive time commuters.

Listeners can email their questions to Alan at ask@ coastfm.org.au.

Sneak peek at Coast Opera’s 2023 season

Coast Opera Australia has announced some highlights of its 2023 season, with dates yet to be confirmed.

They include an intimate recital by internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble whose voice is described as rich, velvety, radiant, and majestic.

With more than 60 operatic roles to her credit, Humble will sing two stunning highlights from the Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures and Richard Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder.

Audiences will have the chance to enjoy the wit and musical genius of Gilbert and Sullivan with a show featuring excerpts from The Yeomen of the Guard, Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and Iolanthe.

They will be performed by Coast Opera Australia Associate Artists, mezzo-soprano Viktoria Bolonina, tenor John Longmuir and local soprano Suzie Stengel.

The season will conclude with Coast Opera’s first opera, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

Set in an apartment in Florence, Italy, the opera sees family of Buoso Donati gathering to grieve his death – until they discover he has left most of his money to the church.

The work features one of the most beautiful soprano arias ever written – O mio babbino caro.

The laugh out loud, one-act opera from the master of the genre will be enjoyed by both opera veterans and those wanting to try it for the first time.

Chair Graeme Blundell said Coast Opera Australia has made a significant contribution to cultural life on the Central Coast during its “short but enterprising life”.

“It is a pleasure to be working with the dynamic Angela Brewer, our powerhouse artistic director, who has done so much to establish this company, whilst welcoming to the team one of Australia’s foremost young conductors as Associate Artistic Director, Luke Spicer,” Blundell said.

“We have some fine shows and events lined up following the hiatus of COVID.

“So here’s to new challenges and new excitements and some wonderful singing.” Season dates and priority tickets will be announced soon. Keep up to date by subscribing to the mailing list at coastoperaaustralia.com or following Coast Opera Australia’s social media pages.

Source: Media release, Mar 9 Coast Opera Australia

Toni Childs to perform retrospective of her life’s music

Legendary recording artist

Toni Childs is heading to The Art House in Wyong in March for her special twohour performance, A Retrospective, as she celebrates her life’s musical works.

Childs will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, the Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith in the first hour of her show then the second hour will be an introduction to her new music, from two very special albums, It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet.

Childs is an Emmy winner and three-time Grammy nominated recording artist and singer/ songwriter known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted storytelling.

With fans in more than 50 countries around the world, Childs has produced a list of international hits such as Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Zimbabwe, Where’s the Ocean, Many Rivers to Cross, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful, just to name a few.

Over her illustrious career

Childs has opened for Bob Dylan and performed duets with greats such as Al Green and Peter Gabriel.

Toni Childs will be performing at The Art House Wyong on Friday, March 17.

Source: Media release, Feb 2 AAA Entertainment