Local theatre returned to Parkes in a ‘big’ way last weekend after another year of lockdowns, interruptions and postponements.

With a cast and crew of 50 the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Big the Musical once again highlights the abundance of talent in our community putting on a fun-filled musical for all the family full of high-energy songs and dancing.

“It’s been such a long time coming, all of us are so glad to be back in the theatre,” said Lisa Ramsay as director of her third musical with the M & D.

The production required a good dose of perseverance from Lisa as it had to be postponed twice, there were long breaks between rehearsals over the festive period and the April holiday and Elvis Festival, while managing changes in roles, finding new supporting crew members for choreography and set construction and coping with cast members getting COVID during the concluding weeks of rehearsals.

The final result sees the Overture star from Grenfell, Henry Best in a huge lead role as Josh Baskin. Based on the 1987 smash-hit film with Tom Hanks, Josh is a frustrated adolescent who magically becomes an adult, and discovers that life is not simply child’s play.

The other lead roles are played by Jess Morgan as Susan, Kate Walsh and Hannah Connell, with new comer Blake Martin and Forbes locals Grace Powley and Drew Barter in semi-lead roles. Grace plays Billie Kopecki, the main character’s best friend, and Drew plays Josh as a child.

The musical includes the iconic floor piano dancing scene from the movie, and thanks to the ingenuity of two locals, Steve McGrath and Dave McCrae, the Parkes production has a giant floor piano too. “Our piano has three octaves and all the keys light up when you stand on them,” said Lisa of one of the biggest challenges of the set production. 

Whether you want to support local talent, or see the floor piano, make sure to get your tickets online for the shows this weekend and next, or buy tickets at the box office at the Little Theatre on Sundays from 10am to 12pm. NSW Discovery and Family Vouchers are accepted. 

Hours and hours of research and discussions have paid off for a Parkes artist and an educator with their work included as the cover feature article in a prestigious science magazine. 

The first edition of Australian Physics of 2022 features Sean James Cassidy’s artwork Two Goannas/Bula Gugaa on the front cover and a seven-page article written by Sean and Kerrie Peden of Ub Ubbo Exchange. 

“This is a big deal for us,” said the excited pair after receiving the printed copies of the magazine. 

The commission for the article flowed from a previous connection with Australian Physics when Sean’s artwork called Radio Telescope, which is on permanent display on the Woolworths wall, was featured on the front cover in October 2020. 

“They asked us to do an article exploring the space between art, science, indigenous culture and connection to the land,” said Sean. 

“We are very happy that they are so keen to get science out there and were willing to take a risk of publishing our work which is very different to the standard type of article printed in the magazine.” 

The editors David Hoxley and Peter Kappen wrote in their editorial: “The article highlights how learning can happen in different ways. The connection to physics is perhaps more subtle here – it may lie in the ‘negative space’ about what we don’t teach.” 

Kerrie and Sean based their work on the premise that if you can develop both parts of the brain, you’d be able to look at things in a clinical way and a creative way, and that would mean you are more likely to solve problems the world is facing.

They wrote: “Art and Science can be seen to be similar in the spark and drive of the inquiring mind and in the necessity for keen powers of observation. Where they differ is that Science is the quest for facts and Art seeks to explore the imagination and satisfy the need for human expression. Generally, artists and scientists have been thought to view things differently but is there a greater benefit for the brain to cultivate and enhance the neural pathways so these two views can coalesce?”

The article continues to explore how both art and science were created from a deep connection to the land; the use of negative space and how Australian aborigines identified the big emu in the sky that was a seasonal indicator; and the concept of Yindyamarra.

Yindyamarra is a powerful Wiradjuri word of deep meaning that encompasses a whole view of respectful listening to, understanding of and sensitivity towards the thinking about, learning from and living with Nature. It is the knowledge that everything interacts and is connected.

This way of thinking promotes a different mindset and therefore a different approach to absorbing information, and is in part explained through the Eight Aboriginal Ways of Learning that employs a holistic view of interconnected ways to engage all the senses.

Sean and Kerrie further explore the importance of imagination and how collaborations have occurred between artists and scientists throughout history, and whether the two disciplines are really different or mutually exclusive.

They conclude by asking: “Could more open acceptance of different mindsets enable the creative intersection of knowledge bringing the possibility of the development of a universal language through which we will all be able to understand each other?”

The blue suede shoes of 20,000 Elvis fans did not get too dusty over the past 24 months as they returned to Parkes to rock ‘n roll in what has been labelled the best Elvis festival in the world.

Parkes could not have asked for a better testimonial than from Charles Stone, tour producer of Elvis, who told a crowd of thousands in Cooke Park on Saturday that the Parkes Elvis Festival was in its own league. “I’ve been to a lot of Elvis festivals all over the world, and nothing compares to this.

“You guys have done the most wonderful job of preserving Elvis’ legacy and I can’t thank you enough. Elvis is looking down today saying, ‘Oh my god they really liked us’.”

Charles said Elvis was very concerned about his fans and every night he would say, “Do you think they enjoyed the show?”

Feature artist and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion of 2019 Taylor Rodriquez from Virginia echoed Charles’ sentiments saying: “This festival is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and been a part of. This has got to be the best festival in the entire world, and I’m not exaggerating that. It is absolutely amazing! I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be part of it.”

Charles said Elvis always asked: “Do you think they’re going to remember me when I’m gone?

“Look at us today! Oh man, he was really worried about that, but today at the Parkes Festival, Elvis has not left the building!”

By Maggi Barnard

The second Star of Parkes Shire was awarded to music educator, academic and musician Professor Gary McPherson at the inaugural Overture event at Cooke Park Pavilion earlier this month.

“We are proud of you and the wonderful role model that you have been for Parkes Shire and for the musical community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith. “Your achievement will continue to inspire future generations to achieve their best in their chosen fields.”

The star in the Orion Belt, that can be seen in the night sky in the southern hemisphere, was presented to Gary under the night sky during the interval of Overture in front of more than 900 people who came to enjoy a celebration of music.

“The Parkes Shire Council is proud to present you with the second Star of Parkes Shire, which is a symbolic honour, inspired by the tradition of presenting the Key to the City,” said the Mayor.

“The Stars are reflective of the Parkes Shire – our starry skies, the iconic CSIRO radio telescope, and our shining future.

“Together with my fellow Councillors, I congratulate you and recognise your outstanding achievement in your chosen field, as a music educator, academic and musician, who has researched and published numerous books on musical development, performance science and psychology. The Star recognises your dedication, ability, and desire to succeed and the sacrifices you have made to reach the pinnacle of your career.”

Gary thanked the Mayor for the honour and recalled how his musical journey started playing soprano cornet as a boy in the Parkes town band.

By age 16 he had won over 50 regional, state and Australian titles, and changed to playing trumpet the last two years of high school.

He graduated in 1977 at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, obtained a Licentiate and Fellowship in trumpet from Trinity College, London (1975-1976), and in 1982 graduated with a Master of Music Education at Indiana University. He completed his PhD in music at the University of Sydney (1993).

His research has provided and increased understanding of how individuals develop wide ranging musical skills. Researching biological, cognitive and social processes and the personal, environmental and developmental factors that affect musical development, ability, identity and well-being.

 

There will be plenty of local Parkes faces to look out for in the massed choir in the Overture performance at the Cooke Park Pavilion tomorrow night.

After many hours of preparation and rehearsals, the Parkes Community Choir will have a strong representation of 34 members on stage for the long-awaited show with Australia’s celebrity stars.

“The whole process has been very interesting, rewarding and an exercise in problem-solving,” said Kerrie Peden, the choir’s director.

Not only did they have to learn the repertoire, but the process started during COVID restrictions and members had to learn to wrangle Dropbox and Zoom, and practise alone and in isolation from other members.

“When COVID restrictions prevented choirs from meeting and singing was not allowed, our members were not daunted and learned the repertoire online using singing resources supplied by the music producers Jessica Westcott, Nicholas Gentile and Harriet Snaith,” said Kerrie. “Gradually, small groups were able to meet with Carolyn Butler, Colleen Leonard, Sherree Rosser and Pam Parkin assisting.”

It has all come together and tomorrow night the choir will support Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman, and the other soloists in a wide-ranging repertoire, including a medley of five ABBA songs.

“It is wonderful for our choir to be part of such a prestigious performance and will undoubtedly create memories that will live on. This achievement has been a team effort and I am extremely proud of our members and the part they have played in bringing Overture to fruition,” said Kerrie.

Meeting Priscilla Presley is something many Elvis fans can only dream of, but it became a reality for two very lucky Parkes locals last weekend.

Founder of the Parkes Elvis Festival Anne Steel and her daughter Tiffany, who recently became director of the festival, went to the opening of the much-anticipated Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

So many fans tried to meet Priscilla when she arrived at the gallery and tried to get a snapshot of her in the car.

“I was really hoping that we’d be able to meet Priscilla,” said Tiffany. “We were told that she wasn’t doing any meet and greets, and we went to look through the exhibition. To our surprise, Angie Marchese, head of archives at Graceland, unexpectedly came and found me and grabbed my hand and said ‘come with me right now’.

“We did not have time to find dad (Bob Steel) before we were whisked away into a back room where Priscilla was waiting.”

It was a very special moment for Anne. “I was really pleased to be able to meet her and to discover what a lovely person she was. She seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing at the Parkes Elvis Festival and thanked us for keeping Elvis’ memory alive.”

Tiffany said they also talked about the 30th anniversary of the festival in January next year and plans to build the replica gates of Graceland. “She was happy to hear that there are so many Elvis fans in Australia and said the Parkes Elvis Festival was wonderful.”

When an overture begins, the actors take their places and wait for the curtain to rise.
It is almost time for the curtain rise for the majestic Overture event on 2nd April at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes when Australia’s top performers will be on stage with local talent for a night of unforgettable entertainment.

And no, it is not going to be a night of opera. “We are catering for all tastes,” said producer Harriet Snaith at the choir rehearsal on Sunday.

“The program includes one aria and the rest ranges from modern pop to musical theatre, and includes songs from Frozen, Shrek, Phantom of the Opera, a Mama Mia medley, The Sound of Music, Wicked and more.”

It is also the perfect opportunity to use your Dine & Discover vouchers for a night out to celebrate the other side of the pandemic in a COVID-safe environment.

“We would like to make it our ‘Day on the Green’ event”, said Cr Neil Westcott. “We hope this event would set Parkes up as a wonderful place for entertainment in the region. So, bring your picnic rug, food and drink and enjoy an amazing evening with the family.”

Come and support local talent with junior performers Amy Ross and Lexi Herden in leading roles sharing the stage with top Australian stars Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman, and two singers from Grenfell and Bathurst.

By Maggi Barnard