MY SHOUT .... with Ivor Thurston
The children’s charity Variety will again be the biggest winner on the day when the famous Story Bridge Hotel runs its 30th annual Australia Day cockroach races next Wednesday January 26.
As has been their long-term practice my good close personal friends the Deery family are donating the entrance fees for the big day – just a single coin of the golden persuasion – to a worthy charity, often involving kids. Variety has been that charity of choice of recent years and last year’s event raised $14,000 towards its excellent work.
So with all this hot weather and our streets full of post-flood rubbish and mud, it surely must be ideal breeding grounds for a big winner on the day? Is such a champion scurrying around your kitchen at the very moment, one who with the right training could bring fame, little fortune and the coveted Gold Cup home on Australia’s national day?
Training is one thing; thinking up a name that pleases the punters is another spray of Mortein entirely. Past winners on race day at the Bridge have included Drainlover, Crawline Hanson, Cocky Balboa, Ita Buttroach, Osama Bin Liner and Sir Roach-a-Lot. All went on to even greater glory, to a very satisfying career at stud or under someone’s foot, whatever came first. Gates open at 11am with a massive race program. There’s DJs, a Miss Cockie competition worth $200 to the winner, and the best stable costume competition where a group that takes a little bit of effort and imagination with their attire will win a $2000 party at the pub.
Check the website – wwwcockroachraces.com.au – for more details and to register for the various competitions that are judged by the chief steward on the day, hopefully well before the combination of a hot sun and strong drink make such deliberations too difficult.
Gigs benefit flood victims
Flood victims in regional Queensland will benefit from two special gigs at the Step Inn in the Valley over coming days.
Step Inn already had plans in place to raise funds for our northern neighhbours before the Brisbane floods hit, and Rock Mission Rockhampton from 8pm on Tuesday January 25 on the eve of the Australia Day holiday brings together the classic underground rock of Giants of Science with the future sounds of Skinny Jean & Running Guns plus rising rock indies Fushia and super solo singer extraordinaire Emma Louise (Cairns). Emma Louise’s backing band features members of The Boat People, Skinny Jean and Charlie Mayfair, and all of these acts are donating their services gratis for flood relief.
hen on Saturday January 29 Club Mission: Toowoomba kicks off from 8pm in the venue’s airc0nditioned upstairs nightclub when the heavyweights of the Brisbane Bass Culture join together for a massive night of Flood-Relieving Dubstep and a dash of drum n bass: The Dank Morass Djs, Subliminal Dubsterz/Arctic & Profesa from Dub Thugs/Praxis, Vertical Transport (Deepspace), Kim Delahaye from Jungelettes, Kosha D from Junkard Sessions & the Basscreepz Djs will all lend their weight to a solid night out for flood victims.
Entry to each event is $12, with $10 of that to be donated to the Premiers Flood Relief Appeal. Extra donations will also be accepted and recorded on the door sheet at each event.
• Tickets for both gigs at the door or from www.oztix.com.au
Temporary home of jazz
The music can never be allowed to die! So while the Brisbane Jazz Club cleans up its flood-ravaged home at Kangaroo Point, it has temporarily relocated to the Australian Legion Memorial Club at 28 Church Street, Fortitude Valley.
The upcoming program includes: this Friday 14 January – The Jenni Cocking Quintet; Saturday 15 January – Jeff Usher and the Love Supreme Super-Band. Sunday 16 January – Brass Roots Live with Craig Martin. Doors open 630pm, with show starting at 7.30pm. No bookings or EFTPOS available. For more infomation visit: www.brisbanejazzclub.com.au
ROCKING THE BLUES AT IRISH CLUB
Brisbane roots rockers Halfway and country rebel James Blundell are big-hearted performers, on and off centre stage. Both have earnt fans, and worldwide status, with celebrated live music and recordings. Both the band and Blundell have a raw, honest approach to life and loves. And music. Now the boys will appear, for the very first time on the one bill _ an afternoon of Condamine Rock ‘N Roots at Brisbane’s Irish Club this February.
Joined by emerging singer-songwriter Paul Donoughue (aka Big Strong Brute) all the lads are playing for beyondblue:the national depression initiative. Halfway’s eight-man ensemble has drawn praise from critics around the world, likened to The Jayhawks and Whiskeytown with a hint of early Stones swagger. Blundell continues to be hailed as one of the richest and most original of Australian songwriters. Condamine Rock ‘N Roots, featuring Halfway and James Blundell and introducing Big Strong Brute, plays the Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane from 1pm on Sunday, February 6, 2011.
The $25 tickets are available from www.oztix.com.au or Oztik retail outlets. A donation will be made to beyondblue: the national depression initiative following this event. The show is also a tribute to music-lover Brett McMahon who died in July 2010 and all those caring folk of the Condamine district.
