Poetry Lesson
Spoken-word poet Luka Lesson has taken his new album Exit Australiawide on his current tour, ‘The People Tour’. This Sunday he finishes the tour with a performance and poetry workshop in his recently adopted home of Byron Bay.
His new album Exit is a convergence of spoken word and hip-hop in a lyrical marriage of eclectic production and a deep love for storytelling.
For this tour Luka Lesson wanted to find a new way to tour Australia that would engage directly with his fans, who have become more than just an audience and are an integral part of his artform and performances, and has performed in a range of intimate venues from lounge rooms and homes to cafes and community spaces.
Catch him at Kulchajam on Sunday at 6pm.
Luka will also be running a poetry workshop for aspiring poets from 1pm at the same venue, with pre-bookings essential for the workshop at stickytickets.com.au/18137.
Keeping it in the family
Jack McCracken is a man of principle living in a corrupt world.
But not for long.
Moments after taking over his father-in-law’s business he’s approached by a private detective armed with some compromising information. Jack’s integrity fades away as he discovers his extended family to be thieves and adulterers, looting the business from their suburban homes.
This extremely funny play is the latest in the NT Live series of productions presented by the UK National Theatre, captured live on digital HD and subsequently screened in select cinemas around the world.
A Small Family Business screens at Palace Byron Bay Cinema at 1pm on Sunday and Wednesday 16 July.
Controlling Confessions
Confessions of a Control Freak chronicles the attempts of one woman’s out-of-control alter ego and her attempt to escape the rat trap of our multi-tasking, multi- vitamin, multimedia modern era.
When trading the ‘now, now, now’ for a little ‘Namaste’ turns her carefully cultivated To Do list on its head, Frances instead starts revelling in the virtues of procrastination… and the joys of mixing yoga and alcohol.
This comedy cabaret for the over-committed was born from the former ballerina and self-confessed control freak’s own efforts to find the balance in ‘having it all’. Byron Community Centre on Friday 18 July at 7.30pm. Tix at the venue.
Rebuilding the Mullum Community Gardens from Flames
The burning of the structures at the Mullum Community Gardens was truly one of the most saddening things seen in some time.
After so much community input and dedication of local volunteers, it seems unfair that the crew have to start again.
But that’s what they are doing.
After the devastating fire destroyed the cute little office taking all computers, printers, furniture, fundraising and catering equipment, WH&S supplies and all the files and historical records, the wonderful local community is rallying together to help.
The ‘Phoenix – Rising from the Ashes’ fundraising day will feature local musicians and performers, kids’ activities, hot food and drinks and lots more. Drill Hall on Saturday from 3pm to 9pm to join in the fun and help us rebuild. $20 donation.
Anyone interested in volunteering on the day please call Jeannette on 0412 322 255 or email [email protected].
Creative Dance for Little Dragons
Little Dragons is a new integrated creative group for children with a disability and their families.
After the success of the June workshops, team leader dancer and choreographer Sue Whiteman heads up a holiday workshop from Tuesday 8 July until Sunday, where other creative arts will be included, and will be an option for those children who prefer not to dance but express themselves in another form.
Returning to Lismore for the workshop is contemporary-dance artist Angie Diaz, who will work alongside Alstonville Dance Studio staff and volunteers and special guest art teachers Jeannette Krohn, Katrina Folkwell and Martina Saville, who all share a dance background.
A showing of dance, artwork and photography from the workshop will be held at the Alstonville Dance Studio on Friday 1st from 5.30pm – all welcome.
For those interested in the program contact Sue Whiteman on 0428 748 294 or email [email protected].
Dandyman
Australia’s Prince of Circus and Physical Comedy, Daniel Oldaker aka ‘Dandyman’, will thrill you with a kooky, eclectic, unique and quirky show featuring: jaw-dropping circus, absurd acrobatics, side-splitting comedy and mischievous high-jinks.
See Dandyman balance watermelons on his head, witness everyday drinking straws come to life before your very eyes.
Dandyman inhabits an invigorating, crazy, sublime and magical world that you will never want to leave!
Rivalling the energy of Buster Keaton, with a dash of Mr Bean, a pinch of Jim Carey, a handful of Frank Woodley, and crossed with Salvador Dali and Jerry Lewis.
Chuck in a few juggling balls, a bowtie made of straws and a whole lot of charisma.
Saturday at the Byron Community Centre at 7pm. Tix $25/$20; kids are $10. Bookings at 6685 6807. Daniel will be donating $1 from every ticket to Gasfield Free Byron Shire.
1,000 Throws against Violence
Members of the Jiu-Jitsu foundations are putting their wallets where there black belts are and raising money for the White Ribbon campaign, which raises awareness and money to help stop violence against women.
A fundraising event will be held at the Hotel Great Northern with comedian MC Ellen Briggs and musical entertainment by Rohin Funkmeister Knight & The Cumkuats. The event will also feature a throw-a-thon where the Jiu-Jitsu members will attempt 1,000 throws. 12 noon on Sunday at the Hotel Great Northern. Gold coin entry
Comedy with Whiteley
This month’s MC at the Ocean Shores Tavern regular comedy night is the Bogan Prince of Aussie Comedy, Steven J Whiteley. Regularly travelling to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and regional Australia, Steven will be sure to be performing near you soon, so don’t miss Steven and eight other fresh comics at the Tavern at 8pm this Thursday.
Drawing on Women
This month Dr Sketchy’s Burlesque Life Drawing sets the controls for the heart of the sun as they explore strange new worlds, from interstellar space to the ocean depths, with a science-fiction rock epic theme… ‘Tales from Strippographic Oceans’.
Featuring a crew of extraterrestrial models and glamorous mutants, including the notorious Miss Bertie Page and Miss Ginger Spin-Ninja, and, straight from Tokyo the best Japanese Manga tradition, Miss Bonita Bon Bon. MC Miss Mae Wilde, Wednesday at the Byron Brewery from 6.30pm. $15. Dress trashy retro sci-fi rock, and bring your own art materials.
Getting your fill of the Tin Sandwich
The Tin Sandwich is also known as the harmonica, and Kevin Carlsson (aka Mr Harmony) has been playing it in bands for 25 years. He’s now on the road teaching the secrets of this amazing little instrument, running workshops all over Australia.
He’s running a beginners’ workshop at the Byron Community Centre – costs $100 but included is a Höhner harmonica to keep. Kevin’s contact details are 0416 160 996, and www.learnharmonica.com.au.
Wild Women of Comedy for the Brewery!
Comedy is in for one hell of a nipple twist when seasoned comic and cabaret performer Bev Killick appears as the special guest MC for the regular Open Mic comedy night BellyLaugh at the Brewery.
Bev’s ability to get a crowd laughing non-stop each and every time came to the attention of the producers of the worldwide sensation Puppetry of the Penis.
They offered Bev the opportunity to travel with the show as their opening act. Bev jumped at the offer and travelled around Australia performing to more than 250,000 people. Since then Bev has worked with Weird Al Yankovic, Wayne Brady, Gina Riley and Jane Turner as a guest cameo on Kath and Kim.
This undie-flashing sensation is truly one of the wild women of comedy – catch her and a bill of women comics from as far afield as Brisbane.
Bev Killick and her pack of sharp-tongued bitches perform at the Byron Brewery on Thursday 17 July. 8pm. Free.
Back in the Womb
ArtWomb invites you to enjoy a Sunday afternoon/evening creating art, music and cuisine at the funky Bangalow ArtYard this Sunday.
Kicking off at 2pm this will continue the ArtWomb monthly Sundays, which have become renowned for the amazing diversity and quality of music, the welcoming and sharing of space and facilitating the collaborative production of art.
A large shared canvas is a feature of the events where everyone is invited to contribute, a joy for artists and novices alike joining together to create just as the musicians weave music together on the open stage.
Poets, vocalists, musicians, percussionists and performance artists of all types are invited to share their original art on stage and connect with other artists from across our region and beyond.
This month ArtWomb welcomes guest host Phil Free, enigmatic poet and frontman of freeform jazz outfit Brothers Free, and one of the resident artists at Bangalow ArtYard.
Plus joining the lineup is Stradbroke Island songstress Clara Durbidge, who recently opened the Stradbroke Island Music Festival and comes to share her haunting and evocative music and collaborate on the ArtWomb stage. Entry by donation.
SNIPPETS
Mullumbimby Library
Friday 11 July 10.30am local author Inta Rudajs will be reading her book Kiko the Pufferfish and telling the real life story behind it – children and adults welcome. Phone 6684 1992 for more information.
Talk on Bhutan
ADFAS (Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society) Byron Bay Presentation, Bhutan: The Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon: a talk by Zara Fleming, art historian, curator and lecturer, will be held on Monday 14 July at 6.30pm at the A&I Hall, Bangalow. Doors open 6pm. ADFAS members free, guests $25 (includes glass of wine and light snack).
Byron Sophia
Byron Sophia Philosophical Group: Virtues – The Gifts Within, presented by Karen Alexander, Thursday 10 July, 1–3pm, at Masonic Centre, 6 Byron St, Byron Bay. Info: Celia 6684 3623.
Art Talk in the Pub
C.A.S.E. Inc have invited artist James Guppy to talk Art in the Pub at the Court House Hotel, Mullumbimby on Tuesday 15 July at 6pm.
Mullum craft show
Mullumbimby Craft and Quilt Show to be held at Mullumbimby High School 19 July 9am–2.30pm. Money raised to the Special Needs Unit at the high school and the Sunshine Bus for the children. Stallholders can contact Lesley on 6684 3331 (daytime only).
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
