The Spirit Awakens
Now in its fifth incarnation, the Byron Spirit Festival embraces yoga, music, dance, tantra, healing, indigenous insight, along with guided meditations, sound baths, gourmet organic food, and unforgettable celebrations so all can commune and awaken in the most connective means available. This year’s exceptional lineup includes Lulucruza from Colombia and Argentina, Elijah Ray (USA), the inimitable Srikalogy (USA), the Kirtaniyas (USA), the return of world songstress Peia (USA), Vijay Krsna, Wild Marmalade and more. The yoga stream features new and returning master teachers such as Louisa Sear, Dena Kingsberg, Daniel Aaron (Bali), Beth Borowsky, Clive Sheridan, Delamay Devi et al. The program also includes Conscious Dance, Tigress Yoga, Somatic Sex Education and other cutting-edge practices that make up our popular Tantra stream featuring experts from Australia and beyond. The Healing Arts will see leaders in their fields such as Ly de Angeles initiate participants into ancient and modern modalities that heal body, mind and spirit. 15–17 April in Mullumbimby.
Tickets are selling swiftly, and are available online now. www.spiritfstival.com.au
International Women’s Day
Women are invited to celebrate International Women’s day at Luscious, an event that features MC Bernie Hobbs, 5 Rhythms’ Geash Bowler and singer/songwriter Kerrianne Cox. Bernie Hobbs is best known as a popular judge from ABC TV’s The New Inventors, and she’s a firm favourite with audiences for her weekly science spots on ABC radio around the country. Bernie has that rare combination of a sharp intellect, quick wit and warmth. With a background in medical research, environmental writing and science teaching, Bernie can tackle tough or technical subjects and bring the driest topics alive for lay or expert audiences. She has a first-class honours degree in biochemistry and microbiology, a very nerdy habit of birdwatching, and more than a passing interest in cycling, kayaking and ridding her backyard of asthma weed. This charity event will be raising money for Aboriginal women and children, refugees and homeless women. Memorial Hall Brunswick Heads on Saturday from 4.30pm.
$20 earlybird tickets at stickytickets.com.au (Luscious) or $25 at the door. More info on Facebook Lantana LOVE. Women only! See you on the dancefloor!
All About Women – Live From the Sydney Opera House!
Hosted by our very own Jesse Blackadder and featuring Orange is the New Black memoirist Piper Kerman, multi-talented artist Miranda July and Washington powerhouse Anne-Marie Slaughter catch the headline program of influential thinkers when the fourth All About Women festival takes over the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Sunday, ahead of International Women’s Day 2016.
The Satellite panel featuring Jesse Blackadder will be at the Opera House, and streamed to the Byron Theatre at 12.30pm.
Path of Love Party
Path of Love (POL) is a transformational retreat that has been refined over 20 years. POL retreats and workshops are currently held in more than a dozen countries. Recently described in a review as ‘psycho-spiritual rock and roll… a profound and moving process aimed at melting your heart and helping you to face your demons’, POL has had a profound impact on many people in the Byron Shire and beyond. Celebration of Love is an opportunity to find out more about what POL offers. All are welcome at this special Path of Love event! The evening starts at 6pm, with Alima and Samved giving a taste, or experience, of some POL process work, then there is a vegetarian dinner and a night of dancing. For pre-sale tickets ($20) please email [email protected] or text 0404 093 865. Otherwise tickets are $25 on the door.
Saturday 5 March from 6pm at Mullumbimby Civic Hall.
Open Mic at Mullum
After garnering four-star reviews for Women Like Us with fellow comedian Ellen Briggs claiming, ‘prepare yourself to be hunched over in hysterics … hitting the nail on the head of charismatic female comedy’, Nolan returns to the talking stick this week as MC of the popular Open Mic comedy at the Court House Hotel
Catch a full lineup of some very funny people – Court House Hotel, Mullumbimby, this Thursday from 8pm. Free!
Byron’s Raw Comedy Heats Up!
RAW Comedy is Australia’s biggest open mic competition, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival is looking for the country’s best new comedian.
Local comedian Ellen Briggs got her break when she won the QLD final and made it to the national finals. For anyone who wants to fast-track their journey to becoming a comedian, then winning RAW is the way to do it. Mandy Nolan’s former comedy student Hannah Gadsby is a testament to this as her win has seen her go on to become one of the most sought-after comics in the country. Hannah can now be seen fronting documentaries on the ABC with appearances on Good News Week and Spics and Specks, and numerous headlines at international festivals. Heats take place nationwide, with one scorching Byron Bay Heat at the Pandanus Lounge at the Byron Ex-Services Club on Monday 14 March at 8pm. Shows are all $10 with tickets at the door.
Poetry in Motion
Writers at the Rails’ first show for 2016 on Sunday arvo features two award-winning poets: popular Irish storyteller and poet Maleny’s Joe Lynch and winner of the 2015 Nimbin Poetry World Cup poet/muso Josh Holms. The show will include invited readings and the ever-popular Poetry Slam. Visiting writers always welcome. Starts at 2pm, free entry.
Raising Money for Cancer on Broadway!
Join Lismore Amateur Musical Society for an evening of standup, singing, dancing and entertainment celebrating some of Broadway’s best. With soloists, choirs and duets performing routines from some of Broadway’s best-loved productions, this night promises something for everyone with music that has inspired generations of musical theatre lovers. Star Court Theatre in Lismore on Friday and Saturday. For all ticket enquiries, please contact the Star Court Theatre directly on 6622 5005.
