Strings Sizzle In All Styles

Newcastle Herald

Thursday November 30, 2006

KIM SUTHERLAND

PORT Stephens Winery will present Sizzling Strings on Saturday, December 2, 3-7pm at the winery.

The event will combine fine wine and food with great musicians. It will feature acclaimed virtuoso guitarist Bruce Mathiske, who has just returned from an overseas tour of Ireland and the UK.

Mathiske's unique style of playing bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously has led to world-wide acclaim and standing ovations.

Guest artists include Tamworth bluegrass banjo champion Dave Hellens, award winning multi-instrumentalist Andrew Clermont, and Guitar-la-carte, a five-piece guitar orchestra in the style of Django Reinhardt and Chet Atkins. Port Stephens Coaches will be running an event pick up/drop off service starting at 2pm and returning at the conclusion of the event.

Tickets are $25 adults if pre-purchased, or $30 on the day, $10 for children under 16. Phone 4947 7443.

? LAKE Macquarie City Ladies' Choir will present Let It Be Christmas on Saturday, December 9, 8pm at Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre.

The concert will be conducted by Alan Thrift, accompanied by Yvonne James, with guest artists Mercia Buck and Philip Sketchley playing piano duets.

Along with traditional Christmas repertoire, the program will feature music by Haydn, Bach, Gershwin, spirituals, popular and folk songs.

Tickets are $15 adults, $12 concession available at the door. Admission includes a sumptuous supper served after the concert.

? NEWCASTLE University Choir will bring the world's best-loved choral work, Handel's Messiah, to Newcastle once again on Sunday, December 10, 2pm at Newcastle City Hall.

The performance will feature a chamber orchestra comprising local and Sydney players and will be conducted by the choir's artistic director, Peter Ellis.

The choir will be joined by four talented soloists: Anna Sandstrom, Timothy Chung, Richard Black and Christopher Allan.

Tickets are $28 adults, $20 concession and $10 students, available by phoning 4943 5073 or from Lathams Music, Westfield, Kotara; Music Solutions, Warners Bay; or at the door.

? NEWCASTLE Conservatorium will present its annual Christmas at the Con on Sunday,2pm at the Conservatorium Concert Hall.

The concert will feature a variety of local artists, carols and Christmas cheer.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 concession, available from Ticketek on 4929 1977.

? THE Multicultural Choir of Newcastle and the Hunter will present the Annual Christmas Carols Concert on Sunday December 10, 7pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.

The free concert provides an opportunity for communal singing.

Kim Sutherland is the conductor of Hunter Singers. She can be contacted at kimsutherland@ozemail.com.au or by fax on 4961 3240.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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