Some Shiny Days
Sunday 4 June 2023
2:00 – 4:00pm
Thirty years of newspaper columns about childhood, fatherhood and living with kids that became a father’s journey told in bite-sized, well-chewed sticky little pieces – Some Shiny Days The Rebirth is former Shepparton News journalist John Lewis’ musical play based on his popular Friday columns. The play was written after the publication of his book Some Shiny Days in 2001 which contained more than 50 columns. Some Shiny Days the play was first produced and performed by Shepparton Theatre Arts Group over two seasons to sell-out audiences at Mooroopna’s West Side Performing Arts Centre in 2005. Whimsical, funny, reflective and silly in equal measure – the play with original music captured those magical moments of ordinary madness that means being a parent, and especially a father, of small children.
Now, nearly 20 years after it was first presented to the world, Some Shiny Days is being reborn at Nathalia’s GRAIN Store gallery and performance space in June. A cast of 10 local actors aged from seven-something to seventy-something will present the play in a single performance as a rehearsed reading directed by veteran arts performer and producer Liz Zito, with original musical accompaniment by the author – John Lewis. At the same time, copies of a new, expanded edition of the book Some Shiny Days, will be available for sale at The GRAIN Store.
Open Mic II
Friday 2 June 2023
5:30 – 7:30pm
The G.R.A.I.N. Store invites all experienced and aspiring performers to share 1-2 songs as a soloist or with a band. You are welcome to play any instrument, sing, or both!
To sign up or ask questions, visit The G.R.A.I.N. Store during opening hours or email Ruby at info@thegrainstore.org.
Sparrows of Kabul
Saturday 20 May 2023
7:00-9:30pm
Fred Smith and band will be presenting this extraordinary song cycle on Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan, culminating in the dramatic evacuation from Kabul in August 2021. Fred was there at the beginning in Uruzgan Province and returned at the end working from Kabul International Airport. We are left admiring the courage and tenacity of thousands of Afghans who braved the human logjams outside the gates of Kabul International Airport, and the soldiers and diplomats who helped them.
Piano Pizza Poetry and Pizzazz
Friday 3 March 2023
6:00-9:00pm
Missed this event? You can watch it here!
Our first multicultural Piano, Poetry, Pizza and Pizzazz. Come into The G.R.A.I.N. Store and book your spot. We are always keen to have new people try out their performance idea in the warm, supportive atmosphere of our G.R.A.I.N. Store audience. This year, the more different languages we hear, the better; Yorta Yorta, Gaelic, Ukrainian, French, Anglo, Icelandic… The rich mix of cultures celebrated through harmony week.
This event is in collaboration with Cultural Diversity Week 2023, featuring events across the Moira Shire from 3 March – 21 March.
Thank you to Moira Shire for a grant supporting this event.
The Murks
Friday 3 February 2023
7:00-9:00pm
Come and see local indie rock band ‘The Murks’ perform in the back garden for The G.R.A.I.N. Store’s start of year celebration.
Tickets:
General Admission (entry and food): $20
Entry Only: $15
Concession (entry and food): $10
Record Party
Friday 4 November 2022
From 6:00pm
Your opportunity to bring one track on vinyl, CD or digital format to play and share with The G.R.A.I.N. Store community.
Drinks at bar prices, BYO food
This event has been postponed. A new date has not been decided yet.
Open Mic
Friday 7 October 5:30-7:30pm
The G.R.A.I.N. Store invites all experienced and aspiring performers to share 2-3 as a soloist or with a band. You are welcome to play any instrument, sing, or both!
To sign up or ask questions, visit The G.R.A.I.N. Store during opening hours (Thursday-Saturday, 11-4pm) or email Ruby at info@thegrainstore.org.
Carter & Carter Host SMOTA
Friday 26 August 6-9pm
Missed this event? You can watch it here!
Merelyn and David Carter are an award-winning country duet with over 20 years experience in the music industry. They will be running workshops with St Mary of the Angel’s music students to share their songwriting expertise. On Friday 26 August, the SMOTA students will be performing what they learnt at The G.R.A.I.N. Store, hosted by Carter & Carter.
PPP Night
Friday 1 July from 6pm
Piano, Pizza and Poetry Night is an opportunity for members of the community to play piano, read a poem, sing or perform in any way you like.
$10 entry, Book in here or at the door
The bar will be open $2-$5
Pizza $5 each
Broken Creek:
Small Town Anthropologies
Saturday April 9 10am-12pm (workshop)
Saturday April 9 7pm-8:30pm (performance)
Missed this event? You can watch it here!
To celebrate the release of their debut album ‘Small Town Anthropologies’, Chamber folk duo Broken Creek (Erin Lancaster and Lachlan Heycox) are giving a special performance at The G.R.A.I.N. Store to launch their album which will feature a ‘pop up choir’ formed from the workshop
participants to be known as The Broken Creek Chorale. Locals are invited to join in the performance with a ‘Pop Up Choir’ workshop. No musical skill or experience is necessary, just a willingness to give it a go and learn some beautiful folk music.
Neil Murray
Friday February 4th, 2022
6:30-10:00pm
Neil has composed many iconic Australian songs . . . it’s pretty safe to say that we all know and love “My Island Home”
Neil will be on stage with outstanding instrumentalist, Damien Neil.
Support act Kim Ritchie
Music helps Kim Ritchie see things in a different light
Kim is a Country and Variety singer with a difference. She came into the world blind, a love of music and performing has given her a clear view of the world around her.
Free BBQ, vegetarians catered for. Bar at affordable prices $2.00 – $5.00
A Gala Concert Event – Celebrating 10 Years of Live Music
Friday December 3rd
The Broken Creek Band (Erin Lancaster), Madi Colville Walker and Stone & Wood (Simon Marks) are just a few of the many musical artists that have performed at the G.R.A.I.N. Store over the past 10 years. Join us as we celebrate our 10th birthday.
Tickets here
Winter Warmer Listening Party
Friday October 1st –
Postponed to November 5th
Bring in your favourite track on vinyl, CD or digital format to share with a crowd while warming up with mulled wine and delicious slow cooked dinner. Fiona Byrnes will be our DJ for the evening, so your precious tracks will be played with an opportunity for you to explain why you love the song (this is not mandatory, but we would love to hear your stories!).
$15 entry
Drinks at bar prices
Dinner can be purchased on the night
BEHIND THE SCENES: The making of Can Art Stop a Bullet? William Kelly’s Big Picture.
This international award winning film started life right here in Nathalia. An evening of images from filming on 5 continents with insights into background stories of amazing places and peopel with Bill kelly and guest presenters director Mark Stret, producer Fiona Cochrane and key production cre. For all who have seen the film, this is a great (and rare) opportunity. Join us for a lively night. For those who haven’t yet seen it, you can stream it here.
thegrainstore.org 