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BOA Term Dates 2008   

Sound Circlers Storm the Sunshine Coast   

Yes indeed, we must not forget our friends from above!! Majella and the crew up North have been creating beautiful noise, and sashaying movement, as you can see from these few pictures,....(for those who cannot see, there's a whole lotta swingin' goin' on!!)

Everyone is joining hands,
Music heard throughout the lands.
Dance & move each girl & boy,
Song & laughter love & joy!!!

Circles of Sound   

Here we see the workshop in action, making beautiful 'Rainmakers'. These are instruments shaped like cylinders, enclosed at both ends, and filled with rice or lentils, beans or buttons - anything which makes a noise. But they cannot simply freefall down their enclosure - on the journey from top to bottom, there are nails or skewers stuck through the tube, breaking their path, so the sound falls in a trickle, slowly moving down as pouring rain.

For anybody who is interested, Sound Circles workshops are run on the Sunshine Coast by Majella Jacobson. Majella can be contacted on (07) 5494 7658 or by email.

What's On   

Mid Week Youth Sound Circles   

Are you a young Person aged between 16 and 30?
Do you have a creative edge?
Do you have a burning desire to share your creativity with others?

If so then the Mid Week Youth Sound Circles is for you!

Sound Circles is a voice and movement based workshop program which encourages creative expression in a group-directed process. Participants will be encouraged to further develop their performing arts skills as well as identify areas of the arts they would like to explore further.

There are no limits to what you can achieve so come along and join in!

When: Wednesdays, 4-6 pm from June 4- June 25 2008

Where: Stores Rehearsal Room, Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St New Farm.

Cost: $10 per week

If you are interested in this program and would like to register your interest or find out more then please contact Access Arts and speak to Hayley or Sally on (07) 3358 6200, or you can email Hayley.

Actors Anonymous   

For those with a passion for the theatrical, come to the Stores Rehearsal Room, Brisbane Powerhouse, starting on Wednesday 13th February, going through to 12th April, at the cost of $5 per workshop.

Bring out the drama in your life...it's about having fun, learning new skills, and developing old skills...

For more information, contact Alyssa on 0400 703 159

Invitation: Connect @ APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association)   

Connect Meetings are APRA's way of introducing you to APRA and some of the things you need to know in order to get the most from your APRA membership. These meetings are open to APRA members and interested songwriters.

There is a meeting on Wednesday, 20th February 2008 at 3 Winn Street, Fortitude Valley, at 6pm for a 6.30 start- finishing at 8pm.

Arts Queensland will also be attending, providing information to songwriters about available grants and funding programs. To me it sounds like a dream come true!!!

But what does it mean for you?

APRA's mandate as an organisation is to protect songwriters and performers best interests. This includes copyright, royalties, payment at gigs etc.

It's a great chance to meet other local songwriters and meet your local APRA staff.

Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP Emma or Chris on 3257 1007 or by email by Monday 18th February.

So come along if you're in the business of writing songs, whether it be the music, the lyrics or both...or even if you're simply just interested in the workings of the industry.

Q Music MAPs (Music Action Plans)   

Are you a budding singer, song writer or musician' Want to get ahead, but just don't quite know how?

Then you need a MAP!

MAP is Q Music's Music Action Plan or personalised music career support service.

Q Music develops a personally tailored Music Action Plan for you by arranging for a current highly experienced music industry professional to peruse your personal details, meet with you to discuss them further and put together a plan with you.

At the conclusion of the MAP you have a list of short-term goals and actions which may include information on resources, contacts, support mechanisms and funding appropriate to you and your specific queries. You can view and update your secure online information at any time at no cost. You may also register to complete another MAP at any time.

Q Music also puts on Big Sound, an annual music conference in October, where musicians can showcase their talents, and Q Song, a song writing competition.

To find out more follow this link to the Q Music website.

JB Seed Grant Program   

Now in its fourth year, The JB Seed Grant Program has received more than 900 applications and, through the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) has proudly supported 115 projects throughout Australia.

This project is unique in its ability to pull together the established and the emerging within the arts community to share resources and knowledge, subsequently creating a sense of community. This is achieved while maintaining the flexibility to operate in a responsive manner, to offer what artists in the establishment phase of their career require to assist them in becoming self sustained.

There are four categories:

• Indigenous Recording
• Professional and Skills Development
• Social Activism through the Arts, and
• Management Workshop Initiative

Applications are due by 17th March 2008

For more information, go to the JB Seed website.

If you have any questions, contact Stacia by email.

International Women's Day   

The Office for Women encourages all Queensland women to celebrate International Women's Day on Saturday, 8 March 2008. Free publications and resources for community celebrations are available now!

International Women's Day is a time for women to unite and fight for equal opportunity, fair and safe working conditions and a peaceful society. This year the Queensland Government encourages all women to challenge media and society's fixation on the "ideal" body.

The theme 'Queensland Women: Shaping the Future' aims to inspire women and girls to look beyond appearance, and to look into themselves rather than at themselves ; to focus on their achievements rather than their looks.

International Women's Day 2008 resources include an A2 poster, bookmark, sticker sheet, balloons, two postcards and an information sheet on Women and Eating Issues.

But why do we have these problems with our image' Is it the media promoting stick thin glamour girls, looking near anorexic? The fact that aesthetics have become the focus of our lives? Why do we want to be as skinny as can be? Who does it impress, the crowd or our inner selves? There are no real answers to these questions, and those affected by eating disorders and suffering from body image angst are seldom comforted by any wisdom one can give. For these are problems solved only by true inner peace and salvation, and one can only arrive at this point alone.

For more information about International Women's Day, or to order or download resources, please visit www.women.qld.gov.au or call Women's Infolink on 1800 177 577.

Orders received via email or fax cannot be processed.

Celebrate and enjoy International Women's Day 2008!

Backbone - Calling All Youth   

Backbone Theatre has some excitement in store for you in 2008, both in terms of viewing pleasure and the opportunity to perform. Their 2008 Program includes:

• The new Youth Opera being developed in partnership with Opera Queensland. Workshops throughout 2008 will refine the libretto and musical score before we put the show into production in 2009.
• A new play for young adults, PUNKS will now be developed throughout 2008 thanks to funding from the Brisbane City Council. We are very excited to be working with nationally respected playwright and old friend Marcel Dorney, taking us back to a very different Brisbane that existed at the end of the 70's.
• An interstate trip to Southern Youth Theatre Ensemble in Adelaide will help develop me.com. I'll take a team of young actors down for a week of workshops during the September school holidays.
• Two little plays with big aspirations. Following the success of Ivy Shambitt and the Sound Machine in 2007 the company will again take to the Metro Arts stage with Holidaze and The Café in a week-long season during the July school holidays.

Head to the website to check out the program, or call the Backbone Youth Arts office during business hours on 3210 2666.

National playwriting festival takes centre stage in Brisbane   

Queensland theatre goers will get to see eight cutting-edge Australian theatre works as part of the inaugural National Play Festival 2008, in Brisbane from 10-23 February.

National Play Festival events and performances will take place at the Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland Theatre Company and Metro Arts.

The festival is an ideal example of what Arts Queensland funding initiatives aim to achieve - opening up the arts sector to new directions and opportunities.

For theatre enthusiasts interested in a more hands-on approach, a public program of forums, workshops and discussion groups will be held, as well as an industry program for playwrights to explore national networks and new directions in contemporary script development.

Leap Into Life Training   

LILT College is a vibrant community based training organisation offering skills in mental health (non-clinical), advocacy and telephone counselling. As a Registered Training Organisation, they offer nationally recognised qualifications & statements of attainment.

Through the subject units studied, their programs develop the necessary skills and practical knowledge for employment in the mental health and community service sectors. The focus is on practical skills, specialist communication and community issues.

For more information contact LILT on 3271 5544 or by email.

Community Choir   

Access Arts Community Choir is seeking an experienced co-facilitator/choral conductor to lead the choir and mentor a co-facilitator. People who are interested in this position should have a significant experience in choral singing and conducting. You will need to rehearse a range of contrasting repertoire, be open minded, be comfortable working with people who experience a disability or disadvantage and have fun!

About the Choir:

The Access Arts Community Choir was formed in 2007 in response to community need. Supported by Access Arts, the choir is inclusive of people experiencing disability and disadvantage. Rehearsals will commence in February and are held on Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 PM at New Farm. (Venue to be advised.)Fees: these are minimal and fluctuate depending on attendance however training and development opportunities may be offered by Access Arts.

Please contact Alyssa Maughan at Access Arts Inc on:

Mob: 0400 703 159

Email: alyssa@accessarts.org.au.

Rosella Jam 'Sing Out' Weekend Getaway   

'Rosella Jam' is a non-profit a'cappella choir dedicated to creating an opportunity for all people to experience the power of singing together.

It has only recently become common knowledge that the health benefits of singing are outstanding, both physically and psychologically.

Rosella Jam hosts 'Sing Out' Weekend Getaways which are open to the public and are held at varying popular holiday locations throughout Northern NSW and SE Queensland.

'Sing Out' weekends provide a unique and valuable outlet for artistic expression. They encompass singing, good food, excellent accommodation and the opportunity to get away from it all for a couple of days.

The weekends are for people who wish to treat themselves, connect, have fun and sing their hearts out while at the same time creating exquisite harmonies.

ALL are welcome!

The next singing weekend will be held at the luxurious 4-star Peppers Casuarina Lodge in the Byron Hinterland. The fun commences Friday night on 30th May at 7.00pm and finishes at 3pm on Sunday afternoon the 1st June. This is an unbeatable value for money weekend.

Day guests are also welcome.

Contact: Marsha Gusti on 5598 2880 or by email for information on prices and accommodation accessibility. You can also find out more about Rosella Jam on their website: www.rosellajam.net.

The Final Hoorah...

Well that's about all folks...Hope you've found out some things of interest, and maybe a little bit more. Until next time, stay safe, stay happy, and stay on board at Access Arts.

We want you, we want you, we want you - as a new recruit or an old one, however you come!

See you soon!

If you would like to contact us about any matters or concerns regarding workshops, the newsletter, membership, or any other details, please contact Access Arts on 3358 6200 or by email.

The deadline for inclusion of any events or poems in our March newsletter is Tuesday 26th February. Please send newsletter items to Karen Roberts either by email or post to Access Arts at PO Box 1034 New Farm Q 4005.