Enjoy a ‘Friendly’ exhibition ‘Inspired by Nature’

The Volunteer Friends of the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens are presenting an  ‘Inspired by Nature 2024’ Exhibition from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 14 April from 10am to 2pm daily.

The exhibition featuring artwork by the Volunteer Friends is the second of its type to be held at the Maroochy Arts & Ecology Centre.

Visitors will be able to view a display of beautifully handcrafted functional & non-functional pieces which have been inspired by the natural wonder of the Maroochy Botanic Gardens.

The Friends are ‘artistic by nature’ and offer work in diverse mediums - paintings, drawings, pottery, glass, paper cards and woodwork all influenced by the Gardens.   This exhibition is open over the Easter break.

Come and see the Friends’ creations and maybe catch them working on a special piece or maybe purchase a native plant for your garden. EFTPOS facilities are available and entry is free.

• The Botanic Gardens are at 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha. More information about the Friends and the Exhibition: https:/www.friendsofmaroochybotanicgardens.org.au/whats-on/

Maleny seminar on estate planning, palliative care

Tying Up Loose Ends (TULE), the Maleny based death literacy group, is kicking off its 2024 program on Sunday the 24th of March from 2-4pm with a conversation covering a few basic matters that require our attention before death.  It will also encompass some myth busting about palliative care, a service which offers care and support through the dying process.

Our first speaker, Jacqui Thomas, is the founding director of Sun Wills & Estates.  

She will be presenting an introduction to estate planning, including the four main documents that constitute an estate plan – the Will, Letter of Wishes, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Advanced Health Directive.

Our second speaker, Zoe Falconer, is a Palliative Care Nurse  and RN.  Zoe will introduce us to palliative care, what it is, how it can be accessed and details of the services available.  

There will be time for questions following each speaker’s presentation, so come prepared.

• The event will be held at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre (17 Bicentenary Lane, Maleny).  Tickets $10 available on trybooking    www.trybooking.com/CPNDR or cash sales  at the door. Afternoon tea will be included. 

From Bach to Rachmaninov: Montville hosts global music talents

Another world class season of classical music at Montville’s Lucas Parklands will kick off with the return of pianist Berta Brozgul and cellist Sam Lucas for the ‘Long Weekend of Music’ this month.

The duo plays regularly, and will reignite their artistic partnership for three concerts on Friday March 22, Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24.

Berta, born in South Africa but today based out of Melbourne, and Sam, who grew up in Montville but now lives in Germany and performs across Europe, are both eagerly looking forward to performing together again.

“I love performing with Sam,” Berta said from Melbourne.

“We clicked immediately the first time we played together and seem to share the same passion and love for what we do, as well as similar musical taste and feeling.

“He is an incredible cellist but also so easy to work with and very respectful and attentive to what I do as well.” 

Speaking from his home in Dusseldorf, Sam added: “Berta is a terrific musician with incredible pianistic skills.

“She has a lot of fire and energy in her performance style and in her interpretations, which is something I appreciate a lot in my performance partners.”

The performances kick-start what may well be one of the most impressive programs of any intimate classical music venue in Australia. In June, Lucas Parklands will host world famous piano maestro Piers Lane AO; in July, Italian pianist Ida Pelliccioli and New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall; in September, cellist Sam Lucas will return, to be accompanied by Lithuania pianist Pauleus Andersson and Australian pianist Daniel Le. Russian-born piano maestro Konstantin Shamray will also perform at Lucas Parklands in 2024, on a date to be confirmed.

• For Lucas Parklands performance and ticketing enquiries, phone 07 54785667 or 0409623228.

Enjoy ‘Bach Unwrapped’ violin & cello concert at Eudlo Hall

Esteemed cellist, festival director and concert producer, Louise King invites music lovers to Bach Unwrapped at Eudlo Hall on Saturday 23 March at 6pm. 

Bach Unwrapped is produced by Cello Dreaming and presents a workshop, masterclass and a concert which deliver the virtuosity and quality of artists on world recital stages like Carnegie Hall, New York or Wigmore Hall, London, but in the intimacy and accessibility of a regional small hall.  

Join Louise for her annual concert devoted to Bach’s musical legacy. 2024 marks his 339th birthday year. The concert features Brisbane-based guest artist, Courtenay Cleary on violin, and Louise King on cello, with emerging artists as support acts; Charlotte Farrell (Buderim, age 15) and Nathan Debbins (Maleny, age 14). 

The program features solo works by J.S.Bach; the violin sonata in G minor BWV1001 and the cello suite in C major BWV1009.  J.S.Bach lived between 1685-1750 and left the world over 1,000 pieces of music. He is known as the “grandfather of music”, the ‘Shakespeare’ of composers, and his music has had a profound influence on the trajectory of music over the last three hundred years. 

Both artists are internationally trained and in demand as masterclass presenters, Teaching Artists, clinicians, and recording artists, invited to perform at Australia’s finest music festivals and concert series. 

Concert, workshop and masterclass tickets are $10-$45+bf.  Early Bird offer ends on 4th March.  Light supper refreshments and bar available. 

To find out more, register for the workshop, and/or masterclass or book tickets for the concert, search ‘Bach Unwrapped’ or click on https://events.humanitix.com/bach-unwrapped-eudlo

Experience an afternoon of romantic chamber music, Palmwoods

Please join Pacific Chamber Players for a finer selection of Romantic chamber music 2.30pm Sunday 10 March at Palmwoods Memorial Hall and Sunday 17 March at Cooroy Memorial Hall.  

“A Fine Romance” is the Players first chamber concert series for 2024 and will feature Andrew Paszkowski (viola), Sue Hunkin (oboe), Christy Dykes (clarinet), Carolyn Moore (horn), Neil Heymink (bassoon) and Janet Brewer (piano).

Patrons will swoon to Bruch’s engaging 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op.83, Tomasi’s rustic and lilting “Concert Champêtre”, Lickl’s delightful Cassazione in Eb for Wind Quartet and Beethoven’s symphonic Quintet in Eb for Piano and Winds, Op.16.  The Lickl has a very Mozartian feel and was first attributed to his genius.

Tickets are $35 Adult, $32 Concession, $12 School Student, and $25 each for a group of 8 or more.  

These are available online at www.pacificchamberplayers.com or cash at the door.

We look forward to seeing our patrons, old and new, at our concerts this year.

Julian Assange doco’s Nambour premiere  

Australian documentary “The Trust Fall: Julian Assange” had its Nambour premiere on February 22 and has been showing every day at the cinema with strong  interest. 

This directorial debut by Kym Staton delves into the life and tribulations of Julian Assange, a journalist who faced severe consequences for exposing US war crimes and government corruption through WikiLeaks. Charged under the US Espionage Act of 1917, Assange is on the brink of extradition to the US, with a potential 175-year sentence looming over him. 

The film features notable figures such as Daniel Ellsberg and Chris Hedges, alongside Assange’s family and is narrated by celebrities including Susan Sarandon and Roger Waters. 

The film highlights Assange’s significant contributions and the global debate over freedom of information, and has garnered several awards. 

As Assange’s final appeal approaches in the UK, this documentary underscores the crucial discourse on transparency and justice.

Australian Classic Theatre Comes to Black Box

Sunshine Coast company 3bCreative is starting the 2024 theatre season with A Stretch of the Imagination, a play from the 1970s which is widely regarded to be Jack Hibberd’s finest work. This thought provoking comedy-drama was part of the Australian New Wave scene, when playwrights were striving to create uniquely Australian works. Influenced by Theatre of the Absurd and Theatre of Cruelty, this blokey play is savagely funny and exercises the audience’s imagination.

This play combines physical theatre with rich, ribald word play. It takes us through the day of Monk O’Neill, a lost, tortured, and often misogynistic man at the end of his tether. Monk is played here by the experienced TV and stage actor James Patrick Reed, whose credits include Man from Snowy River, Blue Heelers, and Prisoner.

James follows in the steps of many Australian theatre luminaries, such as Max Gillies, who believes the script has impact because it is such a spontaneous piece of writing, a stream of poetic consciousness of Monk O’Neill. It was also the first Australian play performed in China.

A Stretch of the Imagination has been re imagined by Director Anne Grant and will play at the Black Box theatre in Nambour for four performances, starting on Friday March 22. For bookings go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1164039.

Now Showing at Majestic Cinemas

Here’s what’s showing now at Majestic Cinemas in Nambour.  

Now Showing: Dune Part Two; Bob Marley: One Love; Force of Nature The Dry 2; The Zone of Interest (foreign/oscar nominated); Madame Web; and from March 7 Imaginary (horror); The Great Escaper and Cabrini.

• For more information on session times please visit www.majesticcinemas.com.au or phone 5441 2954.

Swing Jazz at Pomona

The Scream Jazz Orchestra, featuring retired servicemen and local musicians, will perform their show “As Long as I’m Swinging” at the historic Majestic Theatre in Pomona on Sunday, 17th March at 2 pm. 

This 18-piece Big Band will pay tribute to swing era legends from the 1930s to the 2020s, including Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. 

Tickets are $30 plus booking fee, with food available at the venue. Bookings can be made at www.themajestictheatre.com.au, or pay at the door. For enquiries, contact Dean at 0430 590 019.

A Cracker of a night for Zonta

Zonta Blackall Range celebrated Valentine’s Day with a fun filled night of Trivia on Saturday 10th February. 

Packing the RSL Hall were 120 participants in teams of 8, skillfully orchestrated by Gerry from Trivia Time, doing their best to outscore each other. 

In between buying bonbon crackers to reveal their prizes, enjoying some very sumptuous nibbles, bidding on the silent auction, answering tricky questions and getting drinks from the bar they played Music Bingo and the very popular Fact or Crap game.  

The Palmwoods Dragons took away the main basket of prizes.  

The Zonta Club is hugely grateful for the huge generosity of Maleny, Montville and Palmwoods business and individuals who donated some great prizes and vouchers. 

Day by Day Listings:

• March 8, 12 pm: QCWA High Tea for Women's Day: Celebrate International Women's Day at QCWA Division Hall, 11 Stevens Street, Yandina. Tickets $25, 'Elegant in Black and White' theme. Contact Maureen at 0478 659 639.

• March 8, 5:30pm-7pm: Zonta Woman of Achievement: 'Dusk on the Deck' at Maleny Community Centre, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Presentation of Woman of Achievement Award. Contact Ann at 0407 138182 for details.

• March 8: International Women’s Day Breakfast: Homegrown Cafe Palmwoods, 7am. Speaker: Jacqui Atique. Tickets: events.humanitix.com.

• March 9: Global Music Delight: Windborne and Christina Tourin at Eudlo Hall, featuring international sensations in vocal harmonies and Celtic harp. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:20 pm. Tickets from $35. Book at www.windbornesingers.com/concerts.

• March 9, 7 pm: Grand Opening of The Vogue: Nambour's newest live music hub presents an exciting lineup of blues bands. Venue: 96 Currie Street, Nambour. Tickets available at www.trybooking.com/COWEH.

 • March 9: Country Music Maleny presents live performances in the Big Shed, Pioneer Village, Bryce Lane Maleny from 10am. Admission $7, $5 for members. Contact Harvey at 5494 4220.

• March 10 & March 17: Pacific Chamber Players present "A Fine Romance" at Palmwoods Memorial Hall and Cooroy Memorial Hall at 2:30pm. Tickets $35 Adult, $32 Concession, $12 School Student. Book at www.pacificchamberplayers.com.

• March 10: Chamber Music at Maleny: Maleny Community Centre, 2pm-3.15pm. Tickets: www.trybooking.com or www.malenyartscouncil.com.

• March 10: Country Music Tribute: ACMA Country Hall of Fame, Yandina, 12pm. Entry: $10 non-members, $8 members. Contact Darryl: 0458 671 568.

• March 13: Montville Village Association Monthly General Meetings. Montville Village Hall, Memorial Close, Montville. 5.30pm for 6pm start-Sunshine Coast Mayoral Candidates will present with a Q&A.

• March 16: Country Bash at the Maleny Dairy Pavilion, organized by Maleny Millennial Moo’vers. Tickets available online through the Show Society Website.

• March 16:  Sunshine Coast Council Elections.

• March 16: Farewell to The Indee Theatre with a costume sale at 41 Farrell Street, Yandina, from 10am-12pm. Costumes, props, and set pieces available. For info, call 0468 322 268.

• March 17: Sunshine Coast Kennel Club Dog Shows at Beerwah Sportsground from 6pm on March 22, and from 9am on March 23 & 24. Free entry. For more info, contact Khylie at 0434 344 230.

• March 17: Light classical music concert at Holy Spirit Anglican Church, Coolum Beach at 2pm. Tickets $15, proceeds support local outreach work. Contact Margie at 0479 085 555.

• March 17: Swing Jazz with The Scream Jazz Orchestra at Majestic Theatre, Pomona at 2pm. Tickets $30, food available. Book at www.themajestictheatre.com.au or pay at the door. For inquiries, call Dean at 0430 590 019.

• March 17: Sunday at 2:45pm Lovers of Opera Cinema ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’. Bookings essential email mapletonlibrary@gmail.com $10 nibbles and drinks. Mapleton Library and Community Centre.

• March 17: Black Dog Ride 'One Dayer': Motorcycle ride for mental health awareness. Starting from Beerwah. Register at www.humanitix.com (search "black dog ride").

• March 17: Romantic Chamber Music: Palmwoods Memorial Hall, 2.30pm. Tickets: www.pacificchamberplayers.com or cash at the door.

• March 19: Wishlist Workshop: Yandina Hall, 9am-4pm. Making chemo turbans & burping bibs. Contact Nambour North Coast Division CWA.

• March 21: Nambour State College Principal's Tours at 4:30pm. Explore facilities and meet staff. For more info on the Pinnacle Program, call Emma and Talitha at 07 5450 4111.

• March 22: Australian Classic Theatre presents "A Stretch of the Imagination" at Black Box theatre, Nambour, starting at 7pm. Tickets at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1164039.

• March 22-24: Weekend of canine fun with Sunshine Coast Kennel Club Dog Shows at Beerwah Sportsground. Free entry. Contact Helen at 0434 344 230.

• March 23 (7pm) and March 24 (2.30pm): Montville Murder Mystery: Enjoy a rollicking mystery in Montville.  Fundraiser for the hall.

• March 23: "Oh – apostrophe" art exhibition by Bernard O’Scanaill opens at Maleny Art Direct at 4pm. For more info, visit www.malenyartdirect.com.au.

• March 24: Nambour Rummagers Market relocates to Sunshine Coast Council/Nambour Library Forecourt from 9am-12pm. Free entry. For stall bookings, contact Nambour Rummagers Market on Facebook.

• March 29: Good Friday