Wine writer Max Allen is having the SA launch of his new book The History of Australian Wine at Deviation Road cellar door, Longwood, on Friday, June 27, 6-8pm.

The History of Australian Wine by Max Allen.

The book is beautifully designed and fully illustrated, giving an inside account of the Australian wine industry in the 20th century.
It’s full of first-hand recollections from wine-makers, cellar hands and business leaders, with personal insights into the wine industry.
Max will be the special guest on the night, to discuss his book and sign copies.
Entry is free, with Deviation Road wines available to buy.
For bookings, phone 8339 2633 or email wine@deviationroad.com

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Ink Pot Arts is bringing its popular Unplugged Variety Night format to the Macclesfield Institute on Saturday, July 21, from 7.30-10.30pm.
It is also hosting a comedy performance for youth at the Macclesfield Institute on Tuesday, August 14, from 4-5.30pm, as part of its Imaginate Festival.
This is the first time that it has taken Imaginate and Unplugged out of Mt Barker where over the past eight months Ink Pot Unplugged has featured 75 acts in an eclectic mix of music, poetry, comedy, theatre sports, storytelling, hula hooping, Indigenous dance, belly dance, cabaret, photography, electronic feedback and beat poetry, costuming, visual art and more.
“I am thrilled that Ink Pot Arts responded enthusiastically to my suggestion that they take Unplugged and Imaginate to a southern town,” said Mt Barker councillor Ian Grosser.
“These event will help fill an entertainment gap in South Ward towns, and also encourage local artistic development. With almost no public transport to Mt Barker or Adelaide, artistic and entertainment opportunities are limited for youth in southern Hills towns. Ink Pot Arts has ongoing workshops in circus, singing and theatre in Mt Barker, and are also prepared to conduct workshops exploring a particular artform in southern towns if demand exists.
“This opens up new and exciting opportunities for creative expression for residents in these towns.”
As well as featuring performances by experienced acts including Strathalbyn hip hop groupFourtunes, Macclesfield duo Honeymoon Regret, the Gypsy Band, Lisa Jane and the comedian Ross Voss, Maccy Unplugged will be a community minded variety night where artists from all platforms can come together to share their art. Ink Pot Arts is seeking local open mic acts for short sets.
While particularly orientated towards youth above the age of 12, Maccy Unplugged will entertain all ages.
“Maccy Unplugged promises to be a fun and exciting night and perfect winter antidote,” Cr Grosser said.
For further information, ring Cr Grosser on 0409 602 436 or Sophie Theodoros from Ink Pot Arts on 0401 517 082.

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There’s something “fishy” going on at the Chapel Theatre, Strathalbyn, as rehearsals are under way for the players next production.

Des and Gillian practise lines from ‘Fish out of Water’.

Fish Out of Water by Derek Benfield is a riotous farce set in an Italian resort which turns out to be “nothing like the brochure”.
The accommodation is occupied by an array of diverse guests including a retired brigadier and his long-suffering wife, the obnoxious Agatha and her sister Fiona, who just wanted to stay home and holiday in Eastcliff.
Adding to the wonderful confusion and hilarity are the questionable resort staff, the incompetent tour guide Mr Whittle, his bubbly assistant Marissa, and the resort manager, Mario, who loves all of the “wonderful womens”.
Kerry Docking is director of this lively show, bringing out the talents of the cast.
The season opens on Friday, July 27, with traditional seating for the 8pm performance, also the 2pm matinee on July 28.
Then the cabaret format runs for the remaining Friday and Saturday evening shows until August 11.
Bookings can be made at Angas and Bremer Fashions, phone 8536 4228.

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Aimee Crathern, left, with Pat Rix, working on ‘Bomb Theory’ for next year’s Cabaret Fringe.

Even before she could talk, Aimee loved singing along to music on the radio, and has never looked back.
Aimee, now 26, was born with the rare Williams syndrome.
One of the symptoms is a love of music, often accompanied by a voice with perfect pitch. As well, those with the syndrome are usually highly sociable.
Formerly from Upper Sturt, Aimee lives at Blackwood and is a member of the Hot Tutti group.
“I just love singing – this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said.
Aimee has been awarded a grant of $7750 from the Richard Llewellyn Trust to present a one-woman cabaret show Bomb Theory in the 2013 Cabaret Fringe Festival.
She is developing the show in conjunction with Pat Rix of Summertown, singer Mikki Ross and cabaret performer Catherine Campbell.
The story-line for Bomb Theory tells of a travel guide for a group of people about to land in sunny, happy “Williams Syndrome Land” when disaster strikes and the group is taken hostage.

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Annie Laurie, canine co-author of a book with Mt Barker resident Kym Afford, will be remembered in a new work he is compiling.

Her black and white face was recognisable wherever she went around Mt Barker with her owner, artist Kym Afford.
Together they co-wrote a book, The Mad Thing, inspired by the adventures of one of Kym and Carole Afford’s past dogs, Maudie.
Annie Laurie died after a short illness last month, but her memory lives on in the more than 100 stories Mr Afford wrote in his canine companion’s voice.
They are being compiled into a second book, telling of her life in the Hills.
“I started writing a diary some time ago and she started talking to me through that diary in her own voice,” Mr Afford said.
Annie Laurie was a familiar face in Mt Barker, having attended the Klever Kanine School and worked alongside Mr Afford in his part-time roles on a sheep and cattle property at Macclesfield and the Mt Barker polo ground.
“I think she’s taught me a lot,” Mr Afford said.

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“What Lies Beneath” by Liz Butler of Heathfield.

Judges have selected 100 finalists from more than 800 entries submitted in the nation’s richest prize for natural history art.
Hills finalists are Nicki Agars of Crafers and Liz Butler of Heathfield.
The annual prize includes three categories of paintings, works on paper, and sculpture and objects.
There is also a Waterhouse Youth Art Prize and a People’s Choice Award.
There is more than $110,000 in prize money with the overall winner to receive $50,000. Australian Arts Minister Simon Crean said the prize provided important recognition of the role of arts and culture to educate and inspire.
“The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize is joining the dots between the arts and science, depicting natural history and wildlife through dynamic, contemporary art forms,” he said.
“I congratulate the finalists on their success and encourage all people to view the exhibition at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide and the National Archives of Australia in Canberra.”
Winners will be announced on July 20.

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Jennifer Allnutt has won the Youthscape award.

The Royal SA Society of Arts award carried a prize of $1000.
Mylor artist Olivia Baltais won the Malcolm Campbell Drawing Award of $300 for her work Tea Cups using coffee as a medium.
Also taking part in the event are Helena Carpetis of Kanmantoo and Ernastina Lippett of Lenswood.
The Youthscape 2012 exhibition is on display at the RSASA Gallery (corner North Terrace and Kintore Avenue) until July 15.
It is open Mondays to Fridays, 10.30am to 4.30pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4pm.
Jennifer, 22, is a recent graduate from the University of SA, with a first class honors degree in visual arts.
She also exhibited in Winter at Espionage Gallery, Lindes Lane, Rundle Mall, and in The Kick Ass Painting Show at Fontanelle Gallery Bowden (until June 30).

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Josephine in ‘Oh What a Lovely War, Mate’. Photo by Henry Trumble

After studying in Adelaide, New York and Paris, the 25-year old has now been offered a place in a Master’s course at Goldsmith’s, part of the University of London – one of only 20 places offered world wide.
Josephine, who grew up in the Hills and attended Nairne Primary School, admits she wasn’t much of a reader.
But when she began studying plays in English and Drama classes at high school, she became hooked on the language of the texts.
“I was greatly encouraged by my drama teacher, Kristen Doherty,” Josephine said.
“I’ve come to love Shakespeare, after playing Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream in a school play.”
She also performed in the State Theatre Company’s Romeo and Juliet, playing several roles during its season.
In New York she wrote and performed a solo comedy show Just Live the Movies and in Paris she studied clowning with Phillipe Gaulier.
Josephine now teaches drama at the Adelaide College of Arts, while planning for her year in London.
To help raised funds for her accommodation, Josephine is using the Australian arts online funding site Pozible.
She explained that artists of all kinds suggest their projects to Pozible, and if accepted, obtain a three-month opportunity to raise funds.
“People can pledge any small or large amount of money towards my target of $4000,” she said.
“However if the target isn’t reached, they don’t have to pay anything.”
After just one month, the site has raised more than $1100 towards the target.
The Master’s course is one year, and Josephine is planning to work while studying to help meet the course costs and living expenses.
“I’m also looking forward to the theatres in London,” she said.
Josephine hopes to raise $4000 to help pay for her accommodation by the middle of July.
To support this budding actress from the Hills, go to Pozible.
Pledges can be for as little as five dollars.

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Hills artist Gerhard Ritter is hoping to form a South Australian watercolor society and is inviting interested artists to attend a meeting on Sunday, May 6.
It will be held in the Adelaide Art Society Gallery, Margaret Street, North Adelaide, at 10am.
Mr Ritter said SA was the only state not have its own watercolor society.
“In an attempt to rectify this anomaly I am gathering names and contact details of people interested in joining such a society,” he said.
He is inviting those who would like to be involved in this exciting venture and help shape the progress of watercolour art in SA to get in touch with him, by email or phone.
To contact Mr Ritter, phone 0419 849 226, or email grit@skymesh.com.au.

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After the resounding success of last year’s first Favorite Hymn Sing event, Margaret Hancox is organising a second musical afternoon in Mt Barker later this month.

The band Brass Souls will be playing at the second Favorite Hymn Sing later this months.

This year’s event will be held at the Uniting Church on Mann Street on Sunday, April 29, at 2pm.
The program will be hosted by Trevor Hancox and will feature the band Brass Souls, a versatile brass quintet whose members have their origins in Mt Barker.
The quintet play music from many genres and perform in functions around SA.
Another special guest will be soloist Sheerah Sevilla – a vibrant young vocalist  who “sings like an angel”.
Ms Sevilla was born in the Philippines and lives in Mt Barker while studying at Adelaide University.
She will be joined by guest pianist and composer, Dianne Willis, who will be presenting one of her latest compositions.
Brian Pearce of Flaxley will play the old pipe organ in the church, combining his music with piano and brass.
Admission to the Favorite Hymn Sing is free but an offering for local charities will be taken up at the end of the evening.
“The inaugural Favorite Hymn Sing was held last November and people from all over the State claimed it an overwhelming success,” Mrs Hancox said.
“The great hymns are a wonderful time of community singing and entertainment and all are very welcome to participate.”
Afternoon tea follows the program. For more details contact Mrs Hancox on 0427 734 071.

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