Cultural mix at theatre Laboratory

A mix of music, fashion, drama, dance, story-telling and film will be presented at this year's final Cultural Laboratory event at Peninsula Theatre on Friday, November 9.

The MC for the evening will be Paul Russell, who was involved in the recent production of "Get Real" at the Peninsula Theatre.

Liz Carter from the Regional Youth Support Services will talk about projects such as "Indent" - a state-funded project that gives young musicians the opportunity to perform in a series of performances at the Youth Arts Warehouse in Gosford.

One musician, Karise Higgins, had gone on to produce her own CD of original work plus covers.

She will sing some acoustic numbers and play guitar at the Cultural Laboratory.

Jamie McKenzie will also speak about his experiences as an "Indent" worker.

Fashion designer Ms Deborah Grayson will present some of her fashion as well as discussing her career change.

The former nurse runs a fashion business from home for women size 16 and up.

V-Day Central Coast organiser Darlene Cole, along with members of V-Day, will review this year's fundraising performances of "The Vagina Monologues", preview what is in store for next February and present an original performance piece in tribute to this controversial, groundbreaking play.

V-Day generates attention to crimes against women, the centrepiece being the performance of Eve Ensler's award winning play "The Vagina Monologues".

Bouddi Choir will present some rarely performed songs from its repertoire.

The choir is community based group consisting of 30 singers, under the co-direction of Christina Sainsbury and Chris Sainsbury.

The choir claims to sing songs of cultural diversity, social and environmental integrity, songs for their sheer beauty and songs just for fun.

Chris, a prolific composer, has written and arranged several songs for the choir, some of which will be performed on the night.

Retired dancer Ms Pamela Williams will present seven young dancers who will dance to a piece of music called Albatross.

Ms Williams teaches at NAISDA and also has her own dance studio called Miss Pam's Studio located at The Entrance and at Bateau Bay.

Filmmaker Jason van Genderen will present a short film called Carrion.

Shot entirely on a digital stills camera, Carrion won Best Film and Best Cinematography awards at the recent Geelong 24-Hour Shoot Out Film Festival.

Mr van Genderen will present the award winning film and talk about the "joys and pitfalls" of participating in the Shoot Out.

Twice named Citizen of the Year, Margaret Hardy will talk about the past, the present and the future of arts on the Central Coast.

Theatre marketing coordinator Ms Lisa Kelly said: "Margaret has an extensive list of credentials and achievements in the arts.

"She has been President of the Arts Society since the 1980s, she is the secretary of the Central Coast MultiArts Confederation (MAC), she has been on the Sister City Committee since 1985, is on the Kincumber School Arts Committee, was a member of Council's past Cultural Advisory Group in the 1980's, is currently on the Gosford Regional Gallery Advisory Committee, and is also involved in the Disability Network and the Friends of the Performing Arts Committee," Ms Kelly said.

The event will be held at the Peninsula Theatre on the corner of Ocean Beach Rd and McMasters Rd, Woy Woy, from 7:30pm on November 9.

The Cultural Laboratory will continue next year with new presentations from local artists.

For more information, telephone 4323 3233.

Press release, 24 Oct 2007 Lisa Kelly, Laycock and Peninsula Theatres