Puffio

Bob Mintzer, one of the world's leading jazz saxophonists, composers and educators, is visiting Adelaide from New York, and will be performing both as a solo artist and with the Elder Conservatorium Big Band directed by Dustan Cox and also a Studio Orchestra conducted by Keith Crellin and Robert Hower - performing Gershwin's Cuban Overture, and Mintzer's Prayer For Peace and On The Brighter Side. The place to be is Elder Hall (University of Adelaide) at 7.30pm Sat 12 Aug.

In this age of electronic idiocy where the blog is reckoned a powerful tool - especially in the hands of the chattering classes, and let's face it, Puffio is nothing more than a chattering distraction - it might be refreshing to face up to a new perspective on the form and function of the book. That's what 'Waxed Linen Thread: An Exhibition of Artists' Books' offers from Mon 7 Aug in The Atrium at the SA Writer's Centre (187 Rundle St), which showcases the work of 16 emerging South Australian artists. Shown is 'A Little Book Of Grief - A Handbook' by Liz Hetzel.

Opening in Sydney next week is a new Australian stage production. "Whack-O!" you say? Well yes, but this is a dance performance entitled 'Honour Bound', and it's about the plight of former Adelaidean and now Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks. Choreographed by Garry Stewart, the Artistic Director of the Australian Dance Theatre, 'Honour Bound' opens at the Sydney Opera House, plays a season in Melbourne at the Malthouse Theatre, then might - just might - be touring here. Will Alexander Downer find the time to see this production, since he is a keen supporter of the arts? Will John Howard, who evidently is not? Will Phillip Ruddock, who is this country's Attorney General? Will any of them reflect on an Australian citizen - irrespective of his alleged crimes - who has been kept in captivity for five years without facing a charge, and why that seems to them a satisfactory state of affairs?

Restless Dance Company are about to unveil their forthcoming production 'Continual Unfolding Of Now', which is inspired by the dancers' personal experiences, and through the stories that make up the performances show who we are. "It's about the in between spaces, the times of reflection and the moments of contemplation before we move again," said Director Billie Cook. 'Continual Unfolding Of Now' is to be performed as part of the InSpace program at The Space, Adelaide Festival Centre from Fri 11 Aug.

Readers may recall a paragraph in last issue's Puffio alerting budding artists to the riches on offer in the Fleurieu Peninsula Biennale Prize Program. Well, the deadline has been extended, so young artists looking for ways to take the next step in their art career now have until 5pm Wed 16 Aug to enter the $10,000 Fleurieu Peninsula Youth Scholarship, Get more info and find out the conditions of entry at www.artprize.com.au

Following its official selection in the Directors' Fortnight at this year's Cannes Film Festival, the critical acclaim for Ray Lawrence's new feature film 'Jindabyne' has translated into commercial success, according to a press release last week, which suggested it had the biggest opening weekend for an Australian film this year (2006) surpassing 'Ten Canoes', 'Candy' and 'Kokoda', taking nearly a million dollars in its first weekend of screening. Directed by Ray Lawrence, 'Jindabyne' is seen as something of a follow up to his film 'Lantana' and stars Laura Linney, Gabriel Byrne, Deborra-lee Furness, John Howard and Leah Purcell.

Congratulations to local dancer Sarah Cartwright, a recent graduate from the Adelaide Centre For The Arts and winner (or recipient) of the Arts SA and Symbion Health Limited (formerly Mayne) emerging South Australian artist award of $10,000. Cartwright will use the grant to extend her practice with a series of workshops and master-classes at the internationally renowned 2006 Impulstanz Contemporary Dance Festival in Vienna.

Duo Lointain is Wulfin Lieske on guitar and Rebecca Harris on cello, performing as part of the Musica Viva Menage 2006 Concert Series. On Wed 9 Aug at the Jade Monkey (Twin St, city) Duo Lointain will perform an Australian Premiere in sound and vision, featuring images by renowned Northern Territory artist Bronwyn Wright. The programme highlights the fusion of sight and sound, demonstrating a flair for the new and avant-garde. In partnership with Sight Specific Music Project Sound And Vision will also premiere a specially commissioned new work by rising Adelaide composer Luke Altman.

Fifty Rarely Seen Films in New Adelaide Cinˇmath¸que are on the bill at the Mercury Cinema. The screenings, which include feature films, documentaries and silent films, will be held at the Mercury Cinema on Mon and Thurs nights at 7.30pm and on now. You should grab a calendar of events - currently screening is the films of Terrence Malick. Programmed by the MRC's fabulously knowledgeable Mark Pogorelec 'Adelaide Cinamathique' offers cinema patrons rarely shown films including new and recent releases, historical gems, old favourites and the obscure. The six-month program comprises ten strands with films drawn from libraries and distributors from around the world and is one of the strongest programs presented in recent times.

There's a Funky Film Nite at the Mercury Cinema on Sat 5th Aug (doors open 7 pm) with a screening of 'SquatFest 2006', and a couple of shorts about social centres in Europe. A bit of an answer to Tropfest, of whom they are somewhat dismissive, Squatfest say they are "Independant film-making at its best. SquatFest happens every year at the same date and time as TropFest. While the hopeful entrants for TropFest are fretting about whether they'll get the chance to move up a rung in the Hollywood Sweatshop, artists and activists from 'round Australia are living it up, projecting films and videos in an inspiring squatted venue." So there, you've been told.