Culture Roundup – 17 June, 2015

BellyLaugh Standup for Byron Brewery

Think you are funny? Do friends laugh hysterically at your gags and scream ‘Oh my god you should be a comedian!’? Well, guess what: you now have the chance to test your mettle by giving it a run on the open mic. New and aspiring standup comedians are given a claim on five minutes of fame at Byron Brewery’s monthly BellyLaugh comedy night. This month MC is Mandy Nolan, Thursday 8pm. And free!

Short Shows

The 30 June deadline for submission of entries to the Drill Hall’s short-play competition is looming closer and entries posted after this date may not be included in the first selection round.

Plays can be based on any theme, must be original, not previously performed, around 10 minutes’ duration and relatively easily staged.

So, if you have a short play lurking within you and you would like to give it the chance to be performed at The Drill this November, get writing. We will provide any assistance required to ensure that the 10 finalists are produced, and we have an eager list of actors and directors waiting to help.

And don’t forget that prize money totals $2,000. Go to drillhalltheatre.org.au for more info.

Home is Where the Art is

The HOME Project is one of eight Australian works selected to feature in the Australian Pavilion at the Prague Quadrennial of Design and Space, where it will be presented to an international audience as a large-scale audiovisual installation. Prague Quadrennial of Design and Space is the world’s largest scenography event. Its rich program, presenting more than 70 countries, is filled with not only exhibitions and cutting-edge theatre design works, but also hundreds of live events including lectures, workshops, architecture walks and public space projects.

NORPA invite the local community to come and immerse themselves in the beautiful audiovisual installation at Lismore City Hall as it simultaneously opens across the globe in Prague! Friday at Lismore City Hall 6–8pm. Free event.

A Shaw Thing 

Becky Shaw, a Pulitzer-prize-nominated contemporary comedy of bad manners, love, sex and ethics opens at the Mullumbimby Drill Hall on Saturday. Drill Hall Theatre Company veteran Georgia Martin directs Kate Foster and Madeleine Lipson from last year’s hit Five Women Wearing the Same Dress; Brenda Shero, who appeared in several Theatre North productions and the Drill Hall Theatre Company’s A Pint of Pinter, Sam Hemphill (Uncle Vanya, Caldera and Honk if you are Jesus) and newcomer Samuel Peacock, who has just completed a professional tour of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Performances 8pm Friday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday and running until 5 July. Bookings: $20 and $15 at the Bookshop, Mullumbimby or online at drillhalltheatre.org.au.

Buying Art for Young People

Calling all art lovers! Byron Youth Service are hosting a Fundraising Dinner & Art Auction on Monday to raise funds for much-needed programs for young people in Byron Shire. BYS are looking for donations of artwork of any description, including from local artists, pre-loved artworks and even works from the likes of Picasso, if you just happen to have one hiding in your shed! Three-course meal on Monday at Sun Bistro on Bayshore Drive at Sunrise – tix are $45. To book the courtesy bus, contact The Sun Bistro on 6685 6600.

Believing in Magic Steven

Magic Steven aka Steven Harris has been called ‘part Steven Wright and part Dimitri Martin in the way he lays bare his idiosyncrasies and attempts at self-understanding to share with the audience his detail-obsessed stream of consciousness’. He premiered his most recent show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and this Melbourne-based performer’s work has been variously described as autobiographical storytelling, standup comedy, spoken word and poetry. Steven’s one-hour comedy show will be performed at the Byron Brewery on Monday 13 July at 8pm and the Mullum Ex-Services Club on Wednesday 15 July, also at 8pm.

Tickets $10/15, available at the door or by ringing 6619 0529.

More & more Oliver!

They are now in their sixtieth year, and are one of the longest continuously functioning amateur theatre groups in Australia – catch the Ballina Players’ production of Oliver! Directed by Clem Halpin, Oliver! will be staged at the Players Theatre, Friday to Sunday until 4 July. Evening performances will commence at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Book online at www.ballinaplayers.com.au or at Just Funkin Music, 6686 2440.

A toast to Ballina’s Fine Wine & Food Fest

Mark 10–12 July in your diary for the Ballina Fine Wine and Food Festival. This year the festival has expanded with three events run over three days showcasing the best produce, products, restaurants and culinary expertise in our region. Highlights of the festival will also be performances by Rachael Beck and Wendy Matthews.

While the 10 July Taste of Ballina Gala Dinner is sold out, Saturday’s Flavours of the Northern Rivers Gourmet Tour still has tickets, and Sunday at the Ballina Jockey Club from 11am till 5pm is where you can catch Rachael and Wendy for just $20.

For ticketing and information go to ballinafinewineandfoodfestival.com.au.