Puffio

You may have heard or read something about the Federal Governments daft and illogical proposed mandatory censorship of Australia's internet services, which Communications Minister Stephen Conroy seems to be determined to push forward. Despite almost universal condemnation from State Govt's, Australian ISPs (ie Internode, iiNet, BigPond), and the Australian public, most of whom know the idea will not bring the 'censorship' as intended but will be instead a hindrance and disruption. In any case, national protest actions are being coordinated and rallies are planned for Sat 13 Dec in all State capitals. Perhaps you'd like to read more in the next issue of dB Magazine?

Congratulations to Mark Fantasia, an up and coming actor in Adelaide, who is the winner of this year's Keith Michell Performing Arts Award. The Keith Michell Award is a joint initiative of the Helpmann Academy and the Southern Theatre and Arts Supporters (STARS). The award is presented to encourage emerging performing arts talent, recognising the importance of individual excellence in a highly collaborative art form. Fantasia is a graduate of the Flinders University Drama Centre and a founding member of Accidental Productions. This new theatre company staged the Australian premiere of Falk Richter's 'Seven Seconds (In God We Trust)' at the Adelaide Fringe in 2008, assisted by a grant from the South Australian Youth Arts Board; and his latest performance was as the lead role of Adam in Neil LaBute's 'The Shape Of Things'. Onya!

In what seems suspiciously like a run-in to Christmas, The Adelaide University Choral Society Inc present 'A Ceremony Of Carols', the evening in question being Sat 29 Nov from 7.30pm. Yep, it's a Christmas themed concert from the Adelaide University Choral Society, in the Pilgrim Uniting Church. The Choral Society will span five centuries in their musical presentation, going from the joyful outbursts of O Clap Your Hands by Vaughan Williams to the powerful Dove Piece The Three Kings and the ethereal beauty of O Magnum Mysterium by Poulenc.

There's a new exhibition over at the Contemporary Art Centre Of South Australia. 'Mentor Mentored 4' is Ken Bolton and Viv Miller, Louise Haselton and Tim Sterling, curated by Peter McKay. The exhibition is CACSA's final exhibition for the year of their local and international exhibition program. From the beginning of the series, Mentor Mentored has sought to demonstrate and celebrate the persistent strength of community that is present within the South Australian visual arts. The showing runs until Fri 19 Dec.

SINGular Productions & Six Foot Something Productions present the premiere performance of 'Elegies: A Song Cycle' on Thurs 27 Nov at the State Opera Studios in Netley from 7.00pm.

Meanwhile, over at the Urban Cow studios, 'Peepshow' is an exhibition of work by Gina Leonello, opening on Wed 3 Dec and running throughout the leadup to Christmas. Nay... beyond even! 'Peepshow' is intended to create an intrigue in the audience by not immediately exposing all of what is on show. "As with a traditional peepshow, the act of looking at something which is not openly on show makes the audience feel somewhat voyeuristic adding to the sensuality of the exhibition. It also encourages the audience to use their imagination when viewing the artwork whilst also being freed to question their own position as a voyeur... should they feel titillated, embarrassed, disgusted or some other emotion?"

"What is the one moment of Mozart's music you can't live without?" asked ABC Classic FM... and the stoush was on. 10,000 votes later, the Adagio from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto was voted as that special moment. Now this timeless work can be heard on Sat 29 Nov in the final concert of the University of Adelaide's highly successful Elderhall evenings 2008 season. Rising star Catherine Vaughan, a student at the University of Adelaide and member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, will feature as the clarinet soloist. She will perform with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra conducted by Keith Crellin.

On the Torrens, a place where a great many suspiciously Christmas-like activities seem to happen, or have their epicentre, there's the Adelaide Festival Centre who are currently wishing to draw your attention to 'Mark Making In Print', being two exhibitions of collectable Indigenous prints, which opens on Sat 13 Dec. 'South Australian Impressions' is a unique view of the graphic work being made by Aboriginal artists in remote areas of South Australia. This exhibition represents a selection of original works both newly released or made over the last decade by Aboriginal artists working with master printmakers. 'Custodians: Country & Culture' is a boxed folio collection of new limited edition etchings, screenprints and relief prints by ten outstanding Indigenous Australian artists.

Oh yeah, one final thing. The State Theatre Company of South Australia has a new CEO with the announcement of the appointment of Pamela Foulkes, currently General Manager at Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth. Onya.