Gordon and Stahl Touring Presents
Charlie Landsborough In Concert
8:00pm Friday 30th July 2010

If you like warmth, honesty and credibility you'll love Charlie Landsborough. Well known for keeping concertgoers enthralled with his heartfelt and telling lyrics and his very human anecdotes, Charlie Landsborough is set to perform to sell-out audiences throughout Australia.

His music ranges from inspirational to country, from ballad to anthem, and he truly is as entertaining on stage as he is melodic. Charlie's personal song writing blends easy on the ear, folk, country, inspirational, ballads and blues with a strong and often personal lyric content and this mixed with his wit and repartee has led to a winning formula, which has made an impact on so many professionals and fans alike.

One thing for sure, Charlie is a prolific songwriter inspiring such names as Jack Jones, Pat Boone, Foster and Allen, George Hamilton IV, Daniel O'Donnell and others to cover his songs. One song in particular was to transform his life. Charlie wrote 'What Colour is the Wind', which tells the story of a young blind child's attempts to envision the world. The song received a huge response and the album release of the same name was suddenly at number one in the Irish charts, removing Garth Brooks from the top spot and fighting off fierce competition from Celine Dion and The Chieftains.

After a nomination as Best Global Country Artist in the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville and with many of his albums having topped the country charts, Charlie is a true and immensely talented star having sold well over a million albums.

Tickets $59

Book Online Here

Simone Keane Presents
Simone Keane - 'Burning' The Album Launch
7:30pm Thursday 26th August 2010

The long-awaited launch of singer/songwriter Simone Keane's album Burning, promises to be a performance rich in heart and talent. You will cry, you will laugh, and you will know Keane on a more intimate level. Produced by Keane and world-renowned musician Lez Karski, Burning is being described as a 'timeless classic'. A musical work of art with hues of blues, pop, country and jazz, accentuated by Keane’s exquisite vocals, Burning is a goldmine of local and interstate talent. The launch will showcase this talent live on stage.

Burning was recorded and mixed in Albany by Kim Lofts at Blue Manna Studio and mastered by Lee Buddle at Sound Mine in Perth.

In the title track, Keane sings about burning all of her clothes, an analogy for doing away with those parts of our lives which are no longer good for us. The album in its entirety tells the story of Keane's world, her observations, her yearnings, how she came to be in Albany, and ultimately, personal freedom. "Sometimes we have to burn through our pain before we can rise above it all" says Keane, "we can all relate to that".

It has taken two and a half years of T.L.C. to finally capture the quality and tone of Burning and showcase the astounding musical talent involved. Andrew Clermont features on five string violin, Melbourne based Andrew Sumner on piano, Lez Karski on lead guitar, WAAPA (Conservatorium) scholarship recipient Bronton Ainsworth on drums, Tim Turnbull on bass, Ashleigh Evans on cello, Bob Lipinski on harmonica and Joel Barter on percussion. One of Keane’s favourite instruments, the saxophone, is played beautifully and effortlessly by Evan Holmes and features on track four 'A Wise Man', which was a finalist in last years WAM Awards.

Other highlights include ballads such as 'Two Peoples Bay' and 'Lullaby to Nature' which celebrate the pristine beauty of WA’s south west. While 'The Other Side' and 'Rag Doll', two of Keane's favourites, tell the story of starting over after extreme hardship. Throughout the launch, Keane will treat her audience to intimate commentary on how her songs came into being, some of which may shock, some of which will delight.

Burning, the launch is a one off event not to be missed.

Tickets $20 / Pension/Senior/Student Card $18 / Child <17 $10

Book Online Here

Lennard Promotions and Andrew Malouf Present
Timewarp
A Musical Tribute to the Rocky Horror Show
7:30pm Sunday 5th September 2010

Good evening, my unconventional conventionalists, and welcome to Timewarp, a musical tribute to the Rocky Horror Show. The cult classic crowd favourite from the 70's is back with a new re-vamped version for your horrific enjoyment!

Loaded with musical theatre performers with extensive stage and screen experience. Be taken to another dimension by the power house performances from our devilish cast, Simon Vowles as Franken Furter, Jessica Rae Taylor as Janet, Damien Chambers as Columbia and Simon Farrow as Rocky, who have worked both in Australia and internationally entertaining the masses.

These performers will lead you towards your dark side. This show oozes sexuality, sensuality and the dark thoughts that people have thought but don't talk about.

Packed with audience participation and a spectacular special effects light show, this hit stage spectacular is sure to get those suspenders swinging once again!

This production is rated MA15+.

Tickets $55 / Pension Card $49.50

Book Online Here

The Great Southern Factor Inc. Presents
Over The Fence
Comedy Short Film Fest
7:30pm Saturday 11th September 2010

The Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival is back, and it’s going to be HUGE! This year’s program is an amazing compilation of short comedies from around the globe, which will have you laughing out loud one minute, and emoting quietly into your choc-top the next.

This year we look inside strange worlds, states of being and the curious and bizarre nature of being human. Eleven short films from Norway, UK, Canada, US and Australia make up this year’s kaleidoscope – see them – you’ll only have this one chance!

Over The Fence is, and always will be, a grassroots festival, dedicated to championing the indie filmmakers who are the starting point of a flourishing film-making industry. Now thirteen years old, they continue to exhibit new films and the creation of a vibrant, stimulating, inspiring environment for filmmakers and audiences. Join the GSFI team for an fantastic night of laughs.

Pre-screening is a short film entitled "Moort Boodja Minang (Family Land & Country), Noongar Minang Country Keeping it alive through Story".

This film was the product of a collaborative approach with Tribbeck Media, Southern Edge Arts Wanginining Koorts Program and GSFI to teach Noongar young people film making techniques, and the importance of recording Noongar stories through film. The workshops engaged nine young people, Noongar and Wagjella (non-Aboriginal), fostering reconciliation and the sharing of Noongar culture. Participants conducted interviews with local male and female Elders on Mount Melville hill which provided a magic backdrop of the landscape of Albany.

OTF “is one of the most dynamic, irreverent short film festivals in Australia… it never fails to entertain, enrich and – occasionally – offend, which is pretty much the measure of a great festival” – Mick Elliot, Film Maker

Early bird tickets $15 / $18 at the door

Book Online Here

City of Albany and Alive Music Present
Nick Parnell - Bach to Brazil
7:00pm Sunday 12th September 2010

Award-winning percussionist Nick Parnell is one man with 50 instruments in a high energy performance of festive Brazilian rhythms, ethnic drums, and soaring Bach and Gershwin melodies. He is joined on stage by visiting USA pianist Graeme Burgan. Audience members will be entranced by tuned wine glasses, bamboo chimes, ethnic drums, woodblocks, piano and vibraphone, as they all get a serious work out. The highlight of the evening is Parnell's interpretation of Brazilian composer and percussionist Rosauro's masterpiece Brazilian Rhapsody.

"Brazilian Rhapsody is journey through the lush and endangered rainforests of Brazil. At times it meanders through evocative bird song and the sound of rustling grasses and then it thunders through tumultuous disturbances" says Nick Parnell. "It's a rarely performed work that leaves the listener alive with the rhythmic colour of this sensuous and passionate place". Set alongside Rosauro's mammoth work is Nick Parnell's own composition, Rhythms of Brazil, full of its own rich flavours. Also in the program are musical favourites such as Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1 and electrifying versions of music by J.S Bach.

Winner of the 2001 International Melbourne Percussion Competition, Parnell is signed to ABC Classics and is embarking on his fifth solo Australian tour following collaborations with pianist David Helfgott and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and appearances at Womadelaide and the Canberra International Chamber Music Festival.

Parnell’s innovation and precision playing heralds him as one of a new generation of Australian musicians stepping into a glittering career as a master of percussion.

"Parnell wields the mallets with the nonchalance of mastery... virtuosity worth of the highest praise" – The West Australian

"Dazzling dexterity… balanced with supreme delicacy" – The Adelaide Advertiser

Tickets $33.90 / Pension/Senior/Student Card/Child <16 $29.90

Book Online Here

Laing Entertainment Presents
Sunny Cowgirls
7:00pm Sunday 10th October 2010

It sometimes seems like The Sunny Cowgirls have risen straight from the warm heart of Australia. They radiate sunshine and that dry, laconic Aussie sense of humour. And Sunny Cowgirls Sophie and Celeste Clabburn are the first to admit that they need a little dirt under their fingernails to create their own very special brand of music.

"The songs we write come from a very real place - they're always inspired by where we've been and the people we've met. If we stay away from the bush for too long, we find we just can't write," said Sophie.

Like The Sunny Cowgirls themselves, their new album, Summer, exudes warmth and the Australian spirit. "It's a happy, fun album full of good times and good feelings. We love our lives and we love this country, and that's what we've tried to capture in the songs," Celeste said.

The songs for Summer were written after the girls returned from a trip to Nashville earlier in the year. Ironically, while their trip to the world's country music songwriting capital didn't live up to their expectations, the floodgates opened as soon as they hit Australian soil. "We had a great time in Nashville, and learnt a lot. But we realised that the Americans just didn't get where we were coming from," Sophie said. "We need to be here to write, and I guess the trip helped us to appreciate how lucky we are. The songs just poured out once we got home."

The result is a stunning collection of real, heartfelt songs that capture life in the Australian bush in an authentic and contemporary way. "We write about what we know, and we write from our hearts. The reason our music connects with people is because we've lived the songs and the country life. We are fortunate to be able to do both the things we love – live in the bush and still write and sing our music."

Tickets $35 / Concession $32 / Child <16 $20

Book Online Here

Garry Ginivan Attractions Presents
Wombat Stew - The Musical
Public Performance 2:00pm Saturday 16th October 2010
Schools Performance 10:00am Monday 18th October 2010

One day, on the banks of a billabong, a very clever dingo caught a wombat, and decided to make wombat stew! A brand new, gooey, brewy, yummy, chewy Aussie musical for kids.

From Garry Ginivan Attractions, Australia's leading producer of musical theatre for children, comes a brand new stage adaptation of a classic Australian children's story.

First published in 1984, Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan and illustrated by Pamela Lofts, is a modern day phenomenon in children's literature. The simple story of a dingo who catches a wombat and decides to make wombat stew, has been cleverly developed into a "true-blue-dinky-di-big-aussie-musical" complete with blobs of mud, very fine feathers, creepy crawlies, flies, gum-nuts and a big bubbling billy can!

With a cast of six multi-talented performers, Wombat Stew is a "mouth-watering" combination of storytelling, mime, music, dance and puppetry, which is bound to be the highlight of children's theatre for 2010 and well into the future.

Tickets $19.50 / School Groups $12.50 (Please contact the Town Hall Box Office for school group bookings)

Book Online Here

Stay tuned for more great events coming up including:

Call to book your tickets on 9844 2222 and pay by credit card
or drop in to the Town Hall Box Office
9:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday

You are welcome to email the Town Hall Box Office with any general enquiries:
townhall@albany.wa.gov.au

To view the Albany Town Hall Theatre Seating Plan Click here

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