Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - Page 107
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Radio: 3AW hits the Peninsula ...................... Page 108 Theatre: Schubert Marathon at 3MBS-FM ........... Page 109 Country Music: Lachlan tries for Golden Guitar ........ Page 109 Jim and Aaron: Top 10, best movies and DVDs ............ Page 110 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 111 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
RENEE GEYER ENTERS HALL OF FAME Apology concert
● Archie Roach will perform in the Anniversary Apology Concert launch at Melbourne's Federation Square on December 10 from 11am-1pm, along with hip hop rising sensation Jimblah. ■ A concert held on February 13, 2014 at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl to celebrate the anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's Stolen Generations, will bring indigenous and non-indigenous performers together in a shared vision of unity for all Australians. Some of Australia's best indigenous and non-indigenous musicians will perform at the concert hosted by the Healing Foundation, an organisation established on the first anniversary of the Apology to support members of the Stolen Generations and their families through healing programs across the country. Apology, Heal Our Past, Build Our Future Together is being hosted by singer-songwriter, actor and comedian Eddie Perfect and Aboriginal actor and star of the Sapphires, Miranda Tapsell. For Helpmann Award winner, Eddie Perfect, the opportunity to co-host is one way to create a shared and positive vision between Australia's first peoples and non-indigenous Australians. "I'm incredibly proud to be involved in the Healing Foundation's Apology Concert. For me, the national apology constituted an important and symbolic step towards acknowledging Aboriginal identity, past wrongs and a commitment to working towards a unified future," he says. "The Apology Concert is a national event aimed at cultural exchange and healing. As a nation, Australia has progressed in acknowledging and healing the Stolen Generations but there is more to be done, and all Australians can work together to build the future. "In an area which is so quickly politicised, which so readily creates discomfort and blame and recriminations, I'm proud to be a part of a process that enters into a spirit of healing, reconciliation and discovery with an open heart, an open mind and a sense of togetherness." Indigenous and non-indigenous musicians will perform in the concert, and details will be announced at the Apology Heal Our Past, Build Our Future Together concert launch on December 10 at Federation Square. For Stolen Generations member and Human Rights Award winner Uncle Archie Roach it is important the nation comes together on the anniversary of the 2008 National Apology. "What happened to us affected the whole country, black and white and I hear it from non-indigenous people that they are truly sorry and regret the fact that children were taken away. Artists, actors, performers need to come together on the anniversary and be strong around what took place, and give a continued voice to it," he says. Archie believes a reconciled Australia in the future starts with educating younger generations. The Anniversary Apology Concert is being launched at Melbourne's Federation Square on Tuesday (Dec. 10), between 11 am and 1 pm, with performances by Archie and hip hop rising sensation Jimblah. - Cheryl Threadgold
By CHERYL THREADGOLD
● Renee Geyer ■ Award recipient Renée Geyer and an all-star cast of Victoria’s finest musicians told the story of Australian soul to a near capacity crowd at Billboard, at the Music Victoria Awards. Renée played a 45-minute set of her greatest hits and delivered a passionate rendition of It’s A Man’s Man’s World. A thrilled Geyer said: “This award means so much - it is a career-topping milestone and I’m thrilled to be the first female solo inductee to … the Music Victoria Hall Of Fame.” Music Victoria CEO, Patrick Donovan said, "Congratulations to all of the winners and inductees. The ecstatic response from the crowd and 80,000 plus votes from the public illustrates that Victoria’s world class soul scene deserved its own night and that a Victorian contemporary music awards was long overdue. Bring on next year." The 2013 winners were: Best Album: ‘Spring and Fall’ – Paul Kelly Best Band: The Drones Best Song: ‘Riptide’ – Vance Joy Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly Best Female Artist: Adalita Best Emerging Artist: Hiatus Kaiyote Best Live Band: The Drones Best Venue: The Corner Hotel Best Festival: Meredith Music Festival Best Regional Act: Stonefield Best Regional Venue: Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Music Victoria Hall of Fame: Michael Gudinski Music Victoria Hall of Fame: Renée Geyer
Circus Showcase
Controllers launch
● The Controllers - Kieran Rafferty (drummer) at left, Zac Connelly (singer/guitarist) and Ben Tyler (bassist) launch their new single on December 13 at the Brunswick Hotel. ■ The Controllers will launch their first single Twins on December 13 at the Brunswick Hotel, 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick from 9pm, with Among Giants, Squarehead and Chop Squad. Entry is free. Twins is the tale of two twins – one virtuous, one slightly tarnished and a decision between duty and desire, which is reflected in the design on the single cover by up and coming Melbourne artist, Madison Griffiths. Drummer Kieran Rafferty recently won Australia’s Best Up and Coming Drummer Competition, including $3000 worth of prizes and sponsorship. Bassist Ben Tyler and drummer Kieran met at the tender age of eight years while attending Grade Three at Haileybury College and were instant best mates, sharing the common bond of musicality, and both their mums teaching at the school. Enter new kid Zac Connelly (guitars/vocals), who came to the school in Year Seven (2007) and was classified as a ‘jock' rather than a 'muso' like Kieran and Ben. As it happens, the school was putting on a battle of the bands and Zac, Ben and Kieran were put into a band with three other classmates. After much shuffling and many reformations a four-piece band called Happy Accidents was formed. They went on to win multiple school battles of the bands and a couple of Freeza events. But eventually all things must pass, and at 16, Happy Accidents disbanded to concentrate on completing school. Fast forward to the present and at the age of 19 and fresh out of high school, Zac, Ben and Kieran have reformed as The Controllers with a more mature sound and a musical sensibility that belies their tender years. Twins is the first single to be lifted from their forthcoming debut 5-song EP and it’s sitting at number 17 on the overall charts and number five on the rock charts on Triple J’s Unearthed page. - Cheryl Threadgold
In search of Portly
● Hanne Grant (Top), Danny Golding, Hannah Trott, Anna Murray (bottom), Tamika Ball, Alyssa Moore and Emily Collins in NICA's Circus Showcase. More on Page 109. Photos: Aaron Walker
■ The Wind in the Willows is entering its 28th year and returns this summer, but things are a little askew, because they can’t find Portly, the little otter. During every production Portly goes missing into the Wild Wood. But this time it’s rather serious. The girl who played her last year has gone off to be a star, so the producers at the Australian Shakespeare Company are calling all small otters to apply. Turn to Page 109