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The award-winning Caloundra Chorale and conductor extraordinaire, Kim Kirkman, are set to hold a festival of carols, uplifting music, and singalongs to start off the holiday season. A special treat this year will be the concert cellist Christoph Blickling. The performances will be held Friday, 10 December at 7pm, Saturday 11 December at 2pm and Sunday 12 December at 2pm. Concert goers are invited to come early and shop at the chorale and theatre company’s Christmas Market for delicious goodies and gifts. · Find them at 30 Naroon Crescent, Wur· tulla. Tickets are adults $24, concession $22, groups, members and FOC $20 and children $10 (includes supper/ afternoon tea). Bookings essential: 0490 329 912. Trivia for summer

SENIORS TODAY TRIVIA 2 1. Which NSW city is known as “The Gong”? 2. Name one of the three Greek letters with seven letters in the spelling. 3. True or false: a baby bat is called a pup. 4. What is the usual name for decompression sickness? 5. In what part of a building is a dormer window found? 6. Before decimal currency, what coin was known as a “tray bit”? 7. What kind of activity is a Pride of Erin? 8. What recipe consisting of meat and vegetables mixed with rice originated in Louisiana? 9. What number is opposite 9 on an analogue clock face? 10. In a normal deck of playing cards, what are the two red suits? 11. What is the smallest number with seven digits? 12. Which Australian Prime Minister had the given names Paul John? 13. In which Australian city was much of the 1959 fi lm On The Beach set? 14. How many players are on the court during a normal basketball match? 15. What is the past participle of “shoot”? 16. In which English county is Oxford University? 17. What kind of animal is Disney’s Bambi? 18. In the nursery rhyme, who “fell down and broke his crown”? 19. What is the meaning of “pallid”: worn out, pale, made of wood? 20. What is the English equivalent of the German word “gesundheit”? Answers: 1. Wollongong 2. Epsilon, omicron, upsilon 3. True 4. The bends 5. The roof 6. Three pence 7. Dance 8. Jambalaya 9. 3 10. Hearts and diamonds 11. 1,000,000 12. Keating 13. Melbourne 14. Ten 15. Shot 16. Oxfordshire 17. Deer 18. Jack 19. Pale 20. Health

BWMCA Carols Committee chair Andrew Butterworth, MC for the event Rosanna Natoli from 7NEWS Sunshine Coast, Santa, creative director Riley Cope and in front Finlay and Montana Kilburn from BYTES. Picture: REFLECTED IMAGES

Singing up a storm at Buderim

The harmony of Christmas Carols to return to Buderim The Buderim Village Park will once again come alive with festive spirit, with the community coming together for Buderim Community Carols on Sunday, 12 December. Organisers are even more excited than ever to be preparing for Carols this year, after COVID-19 caused their cancellation in 2020. With pre-show entertainment from 6pm for a 6.30pm start, Rosanna Natoli from 7NEWS Sunshine Coast will return as MC along with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Locals and visitors alike are invited to join in on the popular annual event, hosted by the BWMCA and Bendigo Community Bank Buderim. BWMCA Carols organiser Andrew Butterworth said the Buderim Community Christmas Carols would be directed by local entertainment professional Riley Cope, with performances by Buderim Youth Theatre of Excellence (BYTES), Sunshine Coast Youth Choir and Cope Creative. “We are very excited about this year’s Buderim Community Carols, which has traditionally heralded the beginning of the festive season for the local community,” Mr Butterworth said. “The past 20 months has been challenging so we feel like there is even more reason to come together as a community and celebrate”. “We welcome everyone to gather their family and friends and come along for a great sing-a-long”. “Along with Rosanna Natoli returning as MC, we have some great live acts performing and there will be many Carols for everyone to sing along with too”. “We hope the Buderim community will join in on the spirit of peace and goodwill as we head into Christmas.” Bendigo Community Bank Buderim branch manager Peter Macdonnell said the Carols would once again be a great way to welcome in the festive season and come together as a community. “We are so fortunate to have such a talented line up of performers and the stage facilities make Buderim Village Park a spectacular venue,” Mr Macdonnell said. “It will be a very special event and one which the Bank again is very proud to support.” Rosanna Natoli said she was really looking forward to sharing the event with the people of Buderim. “I simply adore Christmas and carols in particular,” she said. “It’s not often we can come together as a community to celebrate something as pure, universal and heartfelt as the joy of sharing time with family and friends at this time of year. “I love singing and candlelight – so to be able to combine them for an evening is simply heaven for me!” Also supported again this year by 104.9 Sunshine FM, the celebration will also include a range of food and snacks for sale. There will be a Sausage Sizzle courtesy of the barbecue experts at the Rotaract Club of the Sunshine Coast, with glow stick candles and products and other treats. There will also be Fairy Floss for sale thanks to the Buderim Foundation, popcorn thanks to the Buderim Mountain State School P and C, with each organisation raising funds from sales. Entry is by Gold Coin Donation, so bring your picnic rugs or chairs and come and share the night with us. In the event of severe weather, the show will go on, in the Buderim War Memorial Hall next to the park. The event is made possible through the generous support of event partners, the Bendigo Community Bank Buderim and through their grants program the Sunshine Coast Council, Hopkins Manttan Solicitors, the Rotary Club of Buderim, Refl ected Image Productions, Cope Creative, JPG Print and Design, Fenwicks Fruit Emporium, and 104.9 Sunshine FM. This year in addition to printed programs, there will also be electronic programs available via QR code so you can get Carol lyrics on your phone or mobile device. · To keep up to date with weather conditions in the lead up to the event stay tuned to 104.9 Sunshine FM and the

BWMCA Facebook page – www.facebook.com/buderimwarmemorialcommunityassociation

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Old friends take new roles

By Tania Phillips

Back in the mid ’80s to ’90s the Geoffrey Atherden penned Mother & Son ruled the airwaves on the ABC.

Funny and touching Mother & Son told the story of long-suffering second son Arthur Beare who lives with his mother Maggie who is taking the trip down “loss-of-memory lane”.

The roles were made famous back then by the legendary Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald.

Meanwhile at the same time over on Channel Seven another duo were making their names on a sitcom – as the ditsy secretary Betty and everybody’s best friend Nudge – Julie McGregor and Christopher Truswell were the unofficial stars of Hey Dad and easily the show’s most popular characters.

Fast forward several decades and when Sunshine Coast-based touring production company Jally Entertainment decided to tour the stage play of M&S (adapted by Atherden himself) McGregor (who turned 72 in November) was at the top of producer Alli Pope’s wish list for Maggie.

“Julie is actually a good friend of Christopher’s anyway, they have stayed in touch – really good friends all these years and they live near each other in the Blue Mountains,” Alli, who runs the touring company with husband John Bailey, explained.

“So when I was down there doing the photo shoot it was easy to coordinate them because they have this beautiful rapport – they just get on it’s so obvious. When we saw her we thought what about him and her agent said yes they’re really good friends, we thought this was meant to be.”

Sunshine Coast actor John Rush will play older son Robert while Alli is very obviously excited to be playing Robert’s venomous wife Liz!

This freshened version of the beloved Logie Award-winning show finds longsuffering second son Arthur hoping for the chance to finally take his new flame Anita away on a little holiday.

His only chance for a break however involves recruiting help from his successful but selfish brother Robert – but the firstborn favourite has enough on his hands. The philandering dentist has been doing distinctly unhygienic things with his hygienist – and when his wife finds out,

Arthur’s troubles double as Robert lands on the doorstep. It doesn’t help that manipulative Maggie is in fine form and sabotaging Arthur’s chances of romance at every turn.

“We are opening here on the Coast on a matinee – which is different,” she said.

“But it’s ‘perfect for our target audience, it’s an older demographic for this one and matinee’s on the weekend go really well, people like the idea of seeing a show at two or three in the afternoon and then having the evening off.” · See Mother & Son at: The J Noosa – Saturday 26 February · The Events Centre Caloundra – Sunday 27 February

Nudge and Betty - aka Christopher Truswell and Julie McGregor take on new roles, iconic roles as Arthur and Maggie Beare. Sunshine Coast duo John Rush and Alli Pope are the deliciously wicked Robert and Liz.

Live on stage. The UK Bee Geez.

UK Bee Gees hit the stage

Internationally acclaimed UK Bee Geez perform live at the Maroochy RSL Events Centre on Saturday 15 January from 6pm.

Considered one of the most realistic tributes to the Bee Gees are the UK Bee Geez.

Formed in England back in early 2000, the band has wowed audiences all over the globe, performing in countries such as the UK, India, South Africa, Canada New Zealand, Australia and all over Europe, as well as appearing on many television and radio shows.

They have appeared alongside world famous acts such as The Village People, The Supremes, The Temptations, Leo Sayer, John Paul Young and Marcia Hines (just to name a few).

As soon as the trio appears on the stage you can feel the buzz of excitement in the audience. All the great songs, the harmony vocals, the look, the mannerisms, the dry humor, all are faithfully re-created.

Many believe that from the opening strands of ‘You Should Be Dancing’ through to the romantic ballads such as ‘How Deep Is Your Love’, you could be forgiven for thinking that the real Bee Gees are entertaining you. The trio aim to take their audience on an unforgettable trip down memory lane in this spectacular show performing all the classics.

Tickets on sale now! Two Course Dinner and a Show for $59 per person. Tickets will sell out quickly, please visit the website maroochyrsl.com.au or call (07) 5443 2211. Enter promo code online ‘Seniors’ to secure tickets for $55 per person.

The power of voices raised

By Erle Levey

Paper planes in Prague and the last dinner in Venice under a vine-covered pergola.

For the past five years or so it has been a privilege to be associated with the Sunshine Coast’s Oriana Choir as a paton.

None so important as these times under Covid when extra stress is placed on everyone.

It is at a time such as this that if we don’t have a strong support base we can fracture.

Oriana has provided that strength to everyone and anyone.

Someone has always been there to ask “Are you OK?’’

Always ready to offer a hand.

Perhaps no greater example was the live performance at St John’s in Brisbane before the Christmas past.

Not only was it perhaps that Oriana were the first choir to give a live concert during Covid but the fact it was live-streamed around the world to give people hope.

And the way the performance was dedicated to the people of Italy who had been so hospitable during our 2019 performance tour.

In the time I have been associated with Oriana the choir has been able to perform at a wide variety of music events throughout Queensland and around the world.

That has included major venues, community halls, some of the biggest cathedrals and most historic churches in Europe, and at community services throughout the Sunshine Coast and surrounding regions.

Oriana has toured England, Wales, Belgium and France in 2012; Hungary, Slovak Republic, Austria and Czech Republic in 2016; then Italy in 2019 - from Rome through the northern regions to Venice.

At times they have asked if I would sing with them.

Well, obviously they have not heard me ... except for that night after a performance where we went to a centuries-old restaurant in Budapest, or the time we started singing Waltzing Matilda to a bewildered group of people at a beer garden overlooking a picturesque lake in Austria.

More recently, it was joining in with six to eight choir members in a bit of Boho Rhap at the Yellow Penguin gelataria in Italy the night after a magnificent evening of music and hospitality on the shores of Lago Di Garda.

What this ever-changing group of singers has been able to do is engage with communities and audiences and bring not just music but fellowship to a wide range of people.

That’s the beauty of song. It embraces people no matter what their background.

It doesn’t matter if it is a cathedral in Gympie or Brisbane, Prague or Budapest, Paris, London or Rome.

The message is the same if it is in St Marks at Buderim or St Marks in Venice, if it is at the farming town of San Miniato or the fishing village of Sestri Levante.

The choir members are as passionate about the planet and all of mankind as they are about their music.

They have shown they can be caring and understanding of people from different cultures.

That it is an honour to be invited into their homes and treat each and every one of them with dignity and respect.

Such memorable times – The Armed Man at Brisbane City Hall certainly stands out. A commemoration of 100 years since the end of World War One.

The afternoon in the cathedral at Lucca … such a wonderful setting. The people were so gracious and welcoming of all, no matter what your class, colour or creed.

Riding the carousel at Montecatini Terme after the concert, the funicular journey up the mountain – and even the ambulance trip in Orvieto when a tour member slipped and fell during an afternoon Tuscan thunderstorm. Who could forget?

The village of San Miniato near Verona, and how the people put on the most heart-felt supper.

The way the choirs joined together, not just there but Sestri Levante – and the welcome they gave by the second or secret bay.

Then there was the evening of song and another supper at Toscalano on the shores of Lake Garda.

The small but historic cathedral in the farming community of Aqua Negri … the standing ovation from villagers who had tears in their eyes.

It was the same in 2016 at the final concert in Prague’s Hlahol concert hall … a full house and standing beneath the mural by Alphonse Mucha with a local. He was engrossed. It must have been raining inside as his eyes were wet.

Where did this journey start?

Probably at the Mothers Day concert at Matthew Flinders in 2016 when the choir sang Prayer for the Children.

You had me by the first chorus.

That was bookended on the Tour of Italy by Even When He Is Silent.

What have I learned about this journey? Travel ... it’s a matter of understanding the cultures, not imposing yourself on them.

Asking permission, for we are in your house. A sense of being invited in.

Appreciating the easy come and go lifestyle of the Italian people.

The history built up over centuries.

To be welcomed into their house, so to speak, and enjoy the food, wine and hospitality provided to us after an evening of much more than music and song.

For me, it was a reminder of the need for graciousness and humility.

That these people welcomed us so warmly into their hearts.

It was up to us to return that honour and trust.

Musical excellence is one thing, technical ability another, but professionalism is essential at all times - the ability to inspire and encourage, to extend a hand when needed ... that is the real character of a person or a group.

That is true success.

To be able to change one person’s life, to be able to make the planet that bit better, no matter how much or how little.

For the greatest journey starts with the first step.

COME TO THE WOODS

The latest performance by Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir is Come To The Woods, an amazing piece of choral music by young American composer Jake Runestad.

It’s a work of many moods, which takes the listener on a stimulating day’s outing in the woods.

It is a stirring, uplifting, delightful programme of choral music by American composers from across nearly one hundred years.

It is a program of great variety, with choral arrangements of songs by the likes of Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and many more.

Styles as diverse as jazz, spiritual, musical theatre, art-song and original choral works, of great beauty and emotional depth, make up a concert that has something for every taste.

It is Oriana’s great pleasure and privilege to have renowned choral conductor and educator, Paul Holley as musical director for Come to the Woods.

He is currently artistic director of Voices of Birralee, based in Brisbane.

Paul has more than 25 years of teaching experience in secondary schools and many years of working with adult community choirs, and his work preparing Oriana for this concert programme has been inspirational.

There is an enormous treasury of wonderful American music, and Come To The Woods is a small, but representative sample of that treasury.

Oriana singing in the Chiesa di Sant’Andrea Apostolo at Toscolano. 254240