Live @ the Hut - Goondiwindi's premier performers' platform is almost at its second anniversary which is great!  However, there needs to be more performers wanting to perform - either PAG Inc members or within the wider community.  How can we attract more performers - members and non-members alike?  Please post your ideas here...

Performing Arts Goondiwindi's Encanto were awarded the 2011 Cultural award.  Mayor, Graeme Scheu said the group were significant contributors to the Goondiwindi cultural scene since 2006.  But we always knew they were fab.  Read more here.

Sadly Encanto's accompanist Katherine Packer is moving on, to of all places, Sudan. Founding member Benita Klowss said the group was looking for a “particular brand of crazy”. “They need to be able to be a part of the same glue that binds us together.” And while that may sound difficult, considering the diversity of the group it might not be as hard as it first appears. “There could be someone new to the town or district or someone who would like to get back into music. “If there is, please contact us,” Benita said.  To find out more contact Paddy Martin.

July's Live @ The Hut is fast approaching - next Friday.  Get your acts in and get yourself in to the hut next week to sing, dance and spread the love.  Live acts needed.  Let's put the performing in to Goondiwindi Performing Arts.

I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point.
Michael Caine

The hut was packed to the rafters.  The ghost of Michael Jackson, (aka Hamish Gale) held the night together with running gags, spontaneous auctions and lots of laughter.  There was a glorious range of acts from the sublime to the ridiculous.  En Canto got the night off to a wonderful start with their version of Man In the Mirror.  Playmates performed Medea as you've never seen it before, with Jenny Au Flair Jackson as the crazed heroine along with her  newly lobotomised ex-husband, Jason (Ross Enright).  The audience marvelled at Helen Russell's beautiful rendition of Stormy Weather and  Jess Wolfenden's dance was unreal.  The Live @ The Hut Chorus gave the audience pause for thought with their Greek Choral version of Billie Jean, a sad treatise on celebrity misadventure.  Pauline Clyne urged us to 'Eat a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich' in a convincing lyric about the benefits of food over sex.   Paddy Martin sang a dire warning on ethnic food and En Canto rounded the night off with a Samba number.  The Live @ The Hut committee are to be congratulated, especially Pauline Clyne whose vision it was.  'Let's get the word out there,' she said.  The night is open to any act, anyone.   If five people can get up and read the lyrics of Michael Jackson to titters and guffaws from the audience, anything goes.

The beauty and thrill of Live @ The Hut is it is a never to be repeated goodie bag of live performance.  Miss it at your peril.

Panto dates have been set.    The show will be performed twice at St Mary’s School hall on December 1st,  9:30 am and 11:30am.   There will also be two public shows at the Goondiwindi Cultural centre, December 1st 7pm and December 2nd 10 am.  School shows open to all local and outlying  schools. 

Performing Arts Goondiwindi has performed a Christmas panto for the past two years and it is proving to be a popular part of the children’s year. 

If you're wanting to be a part of this year's Panto keep these dates free.

Performing Arts Goondiwindi is getting around.  There's a saucy snap and great story courtesy of Pauline Clyne in The Argus this week about the upcoming inaugural Live @ The Hut - have you registered yet??  And Border Living has done a feature on our fantastic arts community in a special interview with Benita, El Presidente.  Glorious, glossy, gorgeous.  It's all goin' on!