InfoMembers

InfoMembers newsletter Vol 2 Issue 1, January 2012

Bernie Dowling, editor

2012 will be a watershed year for the Arts Alliance as we apply to become an Arts Council and build on our partnerships to continue to represent artists, performers and writers of Pine Rivers and surrounding districts.

Happy New Year to you and your family including your family in the Arts community.
We are looking forward to a full rich and rewarding year with our annual arts festival in the second half of the year and our co-ordination of the Pine Rivers show art awards in the first.
Our writers and artists will soon be invited to submit for our third short story anthology, Sweet and Sour. Look for submission forms in your local library. But to get you started the theme this year is Sweet & Sour and we ask each writer to submit one funny short story and one drama/thriller (both 1500-3000 words) Submissions close April 30 so get cracking now.
You will learn more about our progression to an Arts Council at our first meeting of the year later this month. Read more of the meeting later in this newsletter.
We want to have more members this year to reflect our continued respect as a voice of artists and the arts community. Join at www.artsalliance.org.au or enquire at president@artsalliance.org.au 

We eBook a place in history

At the request of members we are selling our anthologies as eBooks.
Our writers and illustrators sub-group would have to be one of the first in the world to join the eBook revolution.

Committee members Bernie Dowling of Bent Banana Books and Illustrations Editor Ken Armstrong worked hard over the festive season to have the books ready for sale in-line this month.
We will shortly have not one but two titles for sale through Google eBooks and its affiliates.
Can you believe it… is our latest anthology and 5 Strong Bricks in the Wall has five illustrated stories from  the Writing on the Wall anthology, due for sale as an eBook later this year.
FIND these books HERE (5 Strong Bricks in the Wall) and HERE (Can you believe it…)
Like the Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bent-Banana-Books/213861475357860   When you Like the page you will be invited to the virtual launch of four BBB eBooks on January 19 from 8pm. Visit www.bentbananabooks.com.au and Click on the menu item New Books Out Now for the four books.
News will also be on the Alliance website www.artsalliance.org.au

Free eBook reader

Last year eBooks became the most popular way people bought books.
In 2010, eBooks overtook the sales of hard cover books and last year they sold more than some form of paperbacks.

It you are yet to buy an eReader, try one out on your home computer.
There are a few FREE eReaders for PC available such as Kindle and Kobo but I have found the Nook from Barnes and Noble. Just download it drag the icon on your desk top and start reading.
Download the free eReader at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/free-nook-apps/379002321/

 Meeting Glorious Meeting

Opening our meetings to all members and their guests has proven an outstanding success.

Our open meetings have been held in Strathpine Community Centre, Albany Creek library and the gallery of Eric and Ruth Whisson.
All members and their guests were able to contribute to our discussions and in the case of the Christmas meeting, our games.
Only committee members can vote on motions but that is just the icing on the cake of general discussion.
Our next meeting is at Albany Creek Library, Ferguson St, from noon on January 21. If you wish to discuss anything at the meeting please contact the secretary to put it on the agenda. (It is not as formal or frightening as it sounds. It is just to make sure your topic of interest receives appropriate discussion.)
Email secretary@artsalliance.org.au
Come along to our meeting from noon on January 21 at Albany Creek Library for a chat and a cuppa and to help advance the arts in our communities.

Share the news

Theatre groups, visual artists and writers are taking advantage of our website for free promotion, previews and reviews. It is available to all members and organisations they are a part of, though we would like our members to encourage group membership for organisations.

Here are some examples of theatre companies which use our website in addition to their own.
Lawnton based musical society PRIMA puts on lavish productions and theatre-restaurant musicals.
Strathpine-based ACT 1 Theatre Company had recent successes. They have dramas. Comedies, theatre restaurant s and they host a program of one act plays as well as producing, drama, comedies, thrillers and theatre restaurants.
Narangba’s SQUIDS musical theatre company have achieved critical and popular acclaim for their performances at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre. The theatre restaurant classic comedy  Dimboola is opening soon in a number of venues. Check out the SQUIDS website or ours.
Email enquiries@artsalliance.org.au

Use your newsletter

YOU can use this monthly newsletter as a free promotional/ networking/ venting service to complement the AAPR website and the quarterly Pine Art.

If you have any performance or publishing or exhibition information to share with fellow members, email details before the end of one month for possible inclusion in the next month’s newsletter. You can also send in opinions (name and contact number attached), reviews and social news. Unless you tell us otherwise, this information may be shared with our website readers.
Send your selections to writer@artsalliance.org.au