18 minute read
Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar
focus_contributor.
tALISTAIR FLOWER FRONT the BAR SCHUCH EMMA MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS SURF BOAT ROWER AND SUPER MUM
Emma, fi rst of all introduce yourself to those that may not know you?
I have lived in Port Macquarie most of my life. I love being outdoors and doing things that make me happy. I have 2 amazing kids, 4 and 5 years old and a great husband. I have spent the past 5 years running a successful business, Strive Finance which allows me to help locals achieve their fi nancial dreams.
You’re juggling a business, a young family, and I’ve heard you’ve had some health issues. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot in the last few years. Talk us through it?
Yes, I do have a busy life. I’ve built my business from the ground up while juggling a young family. Last year I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. It was a bit of a journey, I went through a lot of treatments and operations, and I’m so thankful to be cancer free today. I have so many people behind me. My family was so incredible, my friends and the community were so supportive. So, to answer your questions, yes, I have a busy life, but I love it this way, I totally make each day count!
You pack a lot into every day and seem to always be chasing a new goal. What are you currently working on?
I love achieving my own goals. I always have something to strive for, whether that’s a racing adventure, a business goal, an Ironman, or now, representing the Mid North Coast in the upcoming Ocean Thunder race.
You’re representing Mid North Coast in the upcoming National Surf Boat event, the Ocean Thunder, what an achievement! When did you start racing surf boats?
Our women’s team has made it as one of the top 12 Surf Boat teams in the country, it’s a mammoth effort! I have been with the Port Macquarie Surf Club since I was 6 years old. I have been rowing on and off since I was 18. I love being in the water, and I love being a part of a team.
There is A LOT of training involved to prepare for the Ocean Thunder, what drives you to keep showing up?
The girls I row with and Mark our coach are very dedicated and amazing people. The girls also have young families that they balance their time with. They make it so enjoyable and fun! It also helps that I love the sport, I love pushing myself and achieving goals I set myself. It is a HUGE
I love achieving achievement to be my own goals. I able to compete in the always have Ocean Thunder, I’m so something to strive for, proud of our team. whether that’s a racing What does it mean adventure, a business to you to represent goal, an iron man, or our community on now, representing the the national stage? Mid North Coast in It honestly means the upcoming Ocean the world to be able Thunder race. to represent Port Macquarie on a national level. I have been a part of this community my whole life and I love this little town. I’ve worked really hard to get here, our whole team has. I really hope the community gets behind us.
Lastly, what is the best thing about Port Macquarie?
It would have to be the people! There is nowhere else like it.
Mid North
ELKE MATTHEWS
Elke Ma hews has taken it upon herself to help strengthen our local music scene and build a thriving network of well-promoted musicians and venues. Elke’s experience in the creative events industry and event management has already made Mid North Social a success, and her aim is to publish a comprehensive gig guide for our region. Bring on the gigs!
How did Mid North Social come about and what experience have you brought to your new project?
It has been an exciting 5 years watching Mid North Social build momentum, I’m proud to see more and more local venues fi lled with musical talent and my little Comedy Club show boasting a belly full of laughs to a sold out audience every quarter.
This journey began back 2016 after needing to return home to the region to care for my elderly father. I wanted to bring my experience and passion for the arts and career in event management up to the Mid North Coast and put my skills to good use.
I began with freelancing graphic design and marketing services to local businesses, later assisting with promotion on community events like Hello Koalas Festival and Wildwood Music Festival, before going on to produce some of my own shows. Now I’m pleased to be involved with organisations like MusicNSW and the Live Music Offi ce Live & Local working groups implemented to make our live music scene even richer.
How did you get into the entertainment industry in Port Macquarie and recognise the need for more effective promotion?
I really got involved when I convinced my
Now I’m pleased to be involved with organisations like MusicNSW and now husband to move up from Sydney. We started to perform across the region as a the Live Music Offi ce duo, ‘Pure Acoustic’ and Live & Local working in this time built a great groups implemented network with venues to make our live music and fellow musicians scene even richer. along the way. Feedback we received from venue management soon set us apart from many. People noticed the little extra we gave to our performance, and the promotion that came with a Pure Acoustic gig meant a good night of trade. I quickly found that our region was full of entertainment at every corner, you just don’t
see gigs advertised. I consider myself a “google” pro, but search Live Music Port Macquarie and the results are very limited.
Thus Mid North Social took on its purpose, to educate and inspire a social media culture in our entertainment scene.
How do you go about achieving your purpose?
I help educate live music venues and fellow artists on the value of promoting their gigs. I am employed by various venues locally who require assistance with marketing and to curate their live entertainment line-up. I also conduct individual training on the understanding and functions of digital media platforms.
For the last year, I’ve been watching the Mid North Social Facebook page organically grow with followers wanting to know what’s on this weekend. In order to see a united front promoting our local live music scene, I endeavour to share all free live entertainment seen advertised on Facebook.
What music does your duo ‘Pure Acoustic’ play and what can audiences expect from your live shows?
Pure Acoustic performs acoustic covers of classic hits from across the ages, we play the kind of music you can sing along to, and everyone knows the lyrics. You may have seen us perform at a friend’s wedding or a corporate event over the last few years. We’ve developed a huge repertoire of songs thanks to ‘lockdowns’ and we tend not to write a setlist for a gig but perform on request for the crowd, like a Jukebox but live.
It’s difficult to say what to expect, we’re a bit of a chameleon act, performing what suits our audience, whether it be soft instrumental, Aussie pub rock or a jazz standard. We do love a bit of crowd interaction, and we’re known to take folks on a musical journey through different eras of music, play guessing games and pose fun facts amongst the tunes.
What can venues and artists do to help improve our scene?
That’s simple, promote your gigs! If people don’t know your event is on, how will they know to come out and support you? I urge both venues and artists to update their social profiles, tell the audience about their style of music and maybe show us a sample of the talent.
What are your goals for Mid North Social and how can our community help you achieve them?
The goal is to increase our social following so we can network the whole community together about the live entertainment on offer in our region. With community interest and support we aim to publish a useful tool for our entertainment scene: A comprehensive ‘Gig Guide’ for our region by creating one place to find out about all of the free entertainment in Greater Port Macquarie.
Lockdowns have impacted so many industries including events and entertainment, how have you been affected and what have you done to keep thriving?
Indeed, it has been tough, I’m not going to fluff around the answer! The live music industry has been hit extremely hard in the last 2 years with fires, floods and lockdowns. It’s especially challenging navigating the everchanging health policies continuing to prevent so many musicians from getting back out on their feet. 50% of gigs this year were either cancelled or postponed and a great deal of musicians have had to be replaced last minute due changing health restrictions. We try to wake up positive. I do feel blessed that the venues I work with realise it’s essential to their business to keep the music playing. I know everyone is looking forward to December, a chance to have a boogie on the
We’ve dancefloor again, a breath of holiday cheer developed a with a great line-up of entertainment in store huge repertoire of for Greater Port Macquarie. songs thanks to ‘lockdowns’ and we tend not to write a setlist for a gig but perform on request Is there anything else you’d like to add? It’s a common debate, who is responsible for promoting the show, the venue, or the artist? Well, the answer is both! Also keep in mind it takes an audience to make a musician and a music venue for the crowd, like a successful, reach out to your fans and show Jukebox but live. them you care. If you’re a fan, remind your favourite artist they rock by sharing their event and catching a gig.
How can our readers contact you, find out more info and support the gig guide?
Facebook: @midnorthsocial Email: midnorthsocial@gmail.com Website: www.midnorthsocial.com.au
Thanks for everything you’re doing for our music scene Elke!
MONTEZ i
Multiple award winning vocalist Monique Montez has performed in many facets of the entertainment industry, making her a force to be reckoned with and this November Monique will be performing live right here in Port Macquarie.
Monique, thank you for your time. Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi my name is Monique Montez, I am a professional performer working in cruise ships, cabaret, corporate, club venues and in musical theatre.
I also delve into radio, TV and fi lm when I have the chance. My career is diverse and dynamic, spanning over 26 years, and I have loved travelling the world plying my trade as an artist through music and art. (I did say on my bio 23 years but it’s actually it’s 23 at sea, 26 on land.)
You have had a very exciting and busy 26 year career, can you tell us about some of the shows and musicals you have starred in?
I have been lucky enough to play lead roles in Saturday Night Fever, We Will Rock You, Fiddler on the Roof, Dusty The Original Pop Diva, and my favourite was In The Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
I’ve been so fortunate to support Hollywood Legend Mickey Rooney when he toured back in 1996, as his support act as well as Taylor Dane, The Drifters and Human Nature. I really loved the fact that I can cruise as well all around the world and perform with people such as Tom Burlinson and even comedians like Steady Eddie.
I’ve always loved performing in theatre whether it be at sea or on land.
Film and radio have been a passion of mine too. I fi nd that a really interesting medium. I’ve been in fi lms such as The Matrix, Moulin Rouge and with television series Home and Away and Wild Side on the ABC. I was lucky enough to perform on variety television when it was worth watching!
I’ve been so Shows like the Midday fortunate to Show with Ray Martin, support Hollywood Mornings with KerriLegend Mickey Rooney when he toured back in 1996, as his support Anne and my favourite was GMA with our much loved Bert Newton. I have been fortunate act as well as Taylor enough to perform Dane, e Dri ers and in Port Macquarie Human Nature. several times at The Glasshouse with my own productions that I’ve created and my husband has directed. We have a company called Mamma Montez Productions, and we have brought a fantastic diva show named “Damn Good Divas “ to
Port Macquarie twice as well as a fabulous Dusty Springfield show several times over the last 9 years.
Take us back to before you started down this path, was the entertainment business always something you wanted to get into and how did it all begin?
I’ve always wanted to perform from a young age. When I was growing up I would sing around the house, and in the small country town that I grew up in, it would snow all the time causing everyone to stop school and get home before we were snowed in. There was one last bus to catch for me to get back to the farm. I tried to get on the bus and there were only two seats left. The bus driver said you’ll have to sing for it, saying it in jest. So I did, and I got my first two dollar paper note for singing “You Are My Sunshine”, as well as a safe trip home before we were all snowed in in Oberon NSW.
From then on I knew that this is what I wanted to do and I love the joy you brought people. It is one of the most amazing feelings in the world to take people out of reality and give them experience, or bring back a moment in their life where they can celebrate through music. Such a treat. When I was 18 I had a major car accident which put me in a wheelchair for some time, and I had to move from Oberon to Sydney for rehabilitation. In this case I learn to walk again and took my walking frame onto a stage where I won first place in a talent quest, and the judge was one of the agents for P&O Cruises. He said to me that if I could get off the walking frame and dance as well as I could sing, I would be on the ships. He gave me a business card and I put that up on the wall. Every day in rehab I would walk slowly to the business card and touch it as a goal. Then months later when I was progressing well, I called the producer and said do you remember me? He said yes and could I get to his studio within an hour? I did, I got there and sung and did some movement and within two hours I was signing a contract to go to Hawaii to hop on my first cruise ship! From then on I have cruised for 23 years on and off, in between jumping into musicals as lead roles, working in the cabaret scene, radio voiceovers and also performing in the corporate world for clients such as Commonwealth Bank, American Express, Breast Cancer Australia, and many other fantastic companies! I feel very blessed because I know a lot of people spend their whole lives trying to find the passion or enjoy their job, and this came
In this case I to fruition very early. learn to walk Covid of course has been a huge low in all again and took my our lives but especially the music industry. walking frame onto a What have you been up to over the last stage where I won 18 months and what are you looking first place in a talent quest, and the judge was one of the agents forward to the most about getting back into showbusiness? When Covid hit it was one of the hardest times for me, losing 100% of my work. I for P&O Cruises. also had to release 12 musicians, and two other cast, as I had created shows and cast other members to travel another ship, simultaneously to when I was on my own ship or on the land show. In this case I had to rebuild and relearn. I started my own fire art/macramé company called “deliberate creation” creating amazing pieces of art infusing affirmations with each knot that I created. This has been amazing, it is still going very well now, however now that we are opened up from lockdown I am now starting to get many calls for Christmas events and of course this fantastic event coming up which I cannot wait for!
Continued over...
You are coming to Port Macquarie this month to star in a local production - The Power of Love. Have you been to Port Macquarie before and can you tell us a bit more about the show?
Regarding “The Power of Love”, this is is an amazing tribute to the music of Céline Dion! One of the most resilient, classy and prestigious performers of all time. Her vocal range, her fashionable style and dynamic career have been absolutely fabulous, and I’m absolutely excited to perform on stage with all the other fabulous artists and dances at Port Macquarie.
It will be visually stunning with the choreography by Peter Gill and directed by Stacey Morgan which is amazing!!
I have several sensational outfits to perform in, which I will have to dust off after Covid LOL!
When it comes to performing do you have a routine you stick to before show time?
Before show time I really love to take the time to focus on warming up my vocals to give the best show I can. I don’t eat a lot before the show so I can feel comfortable and focused. I love to listen to the music of the artist I’m performing for inspiration as well. I’m really excited to engage with the other performers to get a feel of the night. It’s a community connection which I’m really thrilled to be part of.
I will actually start preparing now for the event in December, it takes that long to learn the songs, give them justice and of course learn all the lyrics!
What do you love about doing live shows?
I really love performing to a live theatre audience because there is nothing better than seeing the reaction first hand, and especially now after Covid, I think we all need some live entertainment and some human contact. I think music is the perfect way to do so and a night out at the theatre!
I also love live performance because I honestly believe I’m not academic, never was, but I know that I have an ability to connect with an audience and give them the WOW factor they expect and
respect.
What is on the agenda for you over the next 12 months?
The next 12 months are going to be very busy for me! A lot of my work from 2020 was actually moved to this year, which has been moved to 2022. I have Dusty In Concert touring New South Wales next year, as well as Liza Meets Bassey, and I have been asked to adjudicate The City of Sydney Eisteddfod so that will be an absolute thrill. I am also
I’m really excited to engage with the other performers to get a feel of the night. It’s a community connection which I’m producing and directing production shows really thrilled to be part of. in the Sydney Darlinghurst Theatre, as well as hopefully restoring production shows on Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Seabourn Luxury Lines. Very exciting times ahead as I feel we all need a little bit of music theatre and love of the arts back in our lives! I’m here and I’m ready - come and see the show, I cannot wait to give you all I have to offer and more! Believe me, my fellow artists and dancers, as well as a production team are thrilled to bring this brilliant piece of theatre to you all!
It’s The Power of Love xx
