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THE HARD WORD
Friday, March 12 2010, 9PM

Have you ever wondered why the Blues, Funk and Soul of the 60’s and 70’s never go out of fashion?

Maybe it’s because the songs were by people who’d lived what they sang about. Today’s manufactured dross just doesn’t hold up. Listen to the charts and every few years that classic funk style comes round again. And who better to play it than people who always have.

Based in the Tweed Shire but playing the coast from Coffs to Noosa, The Hard Word plays a unique mix of hits and classics as well as some surprises. They have looked into the nearly bottomless well of great material from that era and style, and selected songs that are designed to make a hot night hotter and get the dust off your dancin' shoes. It's their own blend of Funk and Soul and it works because they do. There’s no midi’s with this crew: they do it live, they way it’s supposed to be done: a real band playing the music they like and the great grooves can’t fail to move anybody with a bit of rhythm in ‘em.

From Superstition to Sexual Healing with the essence of James Brown, you won’t be able to keep still when you hear this hypnotic amalgam of soul, blues, and funk. Drummer Gary Kafoa and Guitar man Rob Cenda join bass trooper Dr Greg and Sax-man Dave Sandford from Relax With Max and Jimmy Barnes’ band so that Canadian expat vocalist Mohini Cox has a powerful line-up to transport all and sundry as she exorcises the demons of soul.

IT’S OLD SKOOL BUT WAY COOL!

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor

GLENN MASSEY DUO
Saturday, March 13 2010, 7.30pm

Glenn has been playing guitar and singing since the age of seven. Over the years Glenn has built up a large repertoire of songs from his musical background, ranging from rock & roll, country, pop and bluegrass leading him to play in bands, trios, duos and solo. Glenn has played in Sydney for twenty five years with the likes of Doc Neeson from the angels, Dave Faulkner of the HooDoo Gurus as well as short stint with the Beatles tribute band the Beatnix. Glenn has also done lead vocal and rhythm-lead with local bands Fossil Rock and Cherry St. Glenn has now once again taken the solo path and is playing around the Northern Rivers.

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor

THE SMASHED CRABS
Friday, March 19 2010, 9pm

The Smashed Crabs are a five piece covers/originals band based on the Gold Coast. Band member's are Kel Peterson (lead vocals, percussion), Shaun Cowley (guitar, vocals), Terry Jinks (bass, vocals), Rob Park (drums, percussion) and Marty Holt (keyboard, vocals).

With influences such as Tool, Faith No More and Rage Against the Machine, the Smashed Crabs performance is infused with power and energy. Their inspiration is broad, but their cover versions are essentially rock. Their musical talents are a hybrid of solid experience and pure passion for their craft.

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor

DAN HANNAFORD & CLAY BLYTH
Saturday, March 20 2010, 7.30pm

Dan Hannaford grew up surfing, fishing and playing music on the North Coast of NSW.
The son of a preacher, he began making music at the tender age of 9 years old learning the organ and playing for quiet, conservative churches in his father’s East Ballina parish.

20 years on he is creating some noise in the music world as a talented artist on the rise. The prolific singer songwriter has won an impressive list of achievements over the past few years and is gaining a reputation for getting local audiences and music bigwigs alike to take notice.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, Clay Blyth grew up in the small coastal town of Crescent Head. From a very young age Clay Blyth has been successfully writing and performing his original fusion/roots music up and down the entire stretch of the East Coast of Australia for the past eight years. Clay has also supported many of Australia's internationally recognised artists, including ‘Mick Hart’ and ‘Carus Thompson’. Clay has also played support for Canadian artist ‘Serena Ryder’ for one amazing show.

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor

THE BIG GIG - FEATURING TOMMY DEAN
Thursday, March 25 2010, 8pm (Doors open 7.30pm)

Tommy Dean is an American comedian with a unique understanding of Australia, its audiences and above all, what makes us laugh. Indeed, the cultural divide between Americans and Australians provides much of his intelligent observational humour.

With his rich voice, Tommy’s performance style is laid back to say the least, even when presenting as ‘angry.’

Tommy Dean has proved to be a huge hit with audiences across the nation and is firmly established as one of Australia's most sought after comic performers and writers.

Support Act - Paul McMahon plus MC Mandy Nolan

18+ Event

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Upstairs at the Ballina RSL Club
• Web site: http://www.ballinarsl.com.au/entertainment/the_big_gig.php

The Howie Brothers Morning Melodies
Thursday, March 25 2010, 10.30am (Doors open 9.45am)

Celebrate NSW 2010 Seniors Week with The Howie Brothers as they present a fun morning of melodies. Identical twins, Graeme and John Howie, have performed together for more than 30 years, delighting music lovers with their close vocal harmonies.

• Ticket Price: FREE ENTRY - collect your FREE ticket from the Member Services Counter prior to the show. (Available from Feb 2)
• Venue: Upstairs at the Ballina RSL Club

MASON RACK
Friday, March 26 2010, 9pm

Tearing up the stage doesn’t even come close to describing a Mason Rack performance. From the first wailing notes of his lapslide guitar, you know you’re in for something really special - simultaneously roaring then suddenly soothing. Rack and band mates leave their audience open-mouthed & begging for more. Sugarush Records - Deb Suckling

The Mason Rack Band pours out tunes influenced by blues, southern stomp, swamp, classic rock and alternative music. Songwriter/performer Mason Rack is a natural entertainer (since six yrs old!), from a tapestry of slide guitar, deep broken glass vocals and story fuelled blues rock. In his own words: “I just want to bring the best, meanest, horniest, rockin’, swampy, smokey, blues music to my audience”. Three piece (guitar, bass, drums & torchy vocals) MRB was invited to the Adelaide International Guitar Festival in 2008 (& 2010), Woodford Folk Festival, and a festival favourite at several Blues on Broadbeach, East Coast Blues & Roots, Goulburn, “The best new blues/roots act ever seen” at the Toyota National Gympie Muster. Canadian fest goers were astonished by MRB in 2008 and 2009, promised return visits and attract devoted fans worldwide through airplay in Europe, Japan, Canada & USA. Mason won the 2007 Q-Song Award “Best Blues and Roots Song” for “Dust” together with Sydney legend Steve Balbi. From smooth ballad to raging raw rock, MRB burns hot, ignited by the power of Mason’s unstoppable energy, soulful voice and passion live on stage. And watch for those drum duels-eagerly anticipated by those that know!

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor

OZ LATIN BROTHERS
Saturday, March 27 2010, 9pm

O.L.B. (Oz Latin Brothers) Music Production Band, is made up of 5 permanent family members who have been playing together for 11 years. When based in Sydney they performed at events such as the Bacardi Festival and the Darling Harbour Latin Festival in Sydney. Now on the Gold Coast, they have also performed at the Salsa Under The Bridge in Brisbane, Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts Coolangatta and at various venues throughout the Gold Coast. They have also performed at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2006.

They have an extensive repertoire ranging from Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, Bachata, Mambo. Because of the wide variety on offer, O.L.B has entertained not only Latin dancing audiences but all types of music lovers.

O.L.B.'s style can be described as a "new" style of salsa to many audiences. Including many salsa arrangements of well known english songs arranged by O.L.B.

O.L.B. are Manfred (lead vocals, pianist) James (bass guitar, backing vocals), Shannon (saxophone, backing vocals) and Paul (trumpet, lead vocals), and all are accomplished musicians who together help create the new O.L.B. sound!

• Ticket Price: FREE
• Venue: Ground Floor
• Web site: http://www.youtube.com/olbmusic

SINATRA'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT DINNER SHOW
Friday, April 09 2010, Doors: 6.30pm, Show: 7.30pm

Come Fly Away with Max Miller and his 11-piece All Star Swing Big Band as they celebrate the golden voice and timeless music of Ol’ Blue Eyes at a gala Tenth Anniversary Concert at Ballina RSL on Friday 9 April with special guest Christina.
18+ Event

• Ticket Price: $42.90 per person (includes Show + 2 course Dinner)
• Venue: Upstairs at the Ballina RSL Club
• Web site: http://www.ballinarsl.com.au/entertainment/major-event.php

DAMIEN LEITH - KEYS & STRINGS TOUR
Saturday, April 24 2010, 8.30pm (doors open 8pm)

Damien Leith has announced a national ‘Keys & Strings’ tour, a show that will see Leith on piano and guitar, accompanied by violin and tin whistle. Leith will perform songs from all his number one albums, including his latest critically acclaimed album Remember June, which features the single ‘To Get To You’ and the brand new single ‘Forgive Forget’, which will be serviced to radio on February 8th. The live show will also feature well-known Irish songs that have inspired Leith musically.

Following on from the release of his fourth album, Remember June, Leith will release a novel of the same name on April 1st, 2010. Remember June is Leith’s second novel, following on from One More Time which was released in 2007. Remember June is set in Ireland in 1990 and tells the story of a family who escaped the troubles of Northern Ireland ten years earlier. Leith has also recently written for media, entertainment, sports & politics website The Punch (www.thepunch.com.au) as a guest columnist.

A committed family man himself, Leith has also just been announced as an ambassador for the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards which search for Australia’s Number One Mum.

“I believe that family is very important and the pivotal person in most families is the mum,” he says. “Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the wonderful work that mum’s all around Australia do and I am delighted to be an ambassador and support the awards.”

Damien Leith first landed on the Australian music scene when he appeared on and subsequently won the fourth series of Australian Idol in 2006. Since winning Idol, Leith has continued to captivate audiences with his pop ballads and endearing personality with his hit albums The Winner’s Journey, Where We Land and Catch The Wind: Songs Of A Generation. To date, Leith has sold over six times platinum, won five ARIA Awards, had two number one albums, and was nominated for two MTV Australia Video Music Awards and a Helpman Award. As well as hosted Ten Network series ‘Saving Kids’ in 2008.

• Ticket Price: $40
• Venue: Upstairs at the Ballina RSL Club
• Web site: http://www.damienleith.com.au