Your Body
Our body is our vehicle in this life. From the exuberance and passion of youth to the challenges of injury, illness and ageing, it traverses the landscape of pleasure to pain. Everyone’s body has a story.
It shows in the lines on your face, the twinkle in your eyes, the scars that it bears… What is your body’s story? What are some of your body’s adventures, trials and tribulations? How have you expressed yourself through your body? How has your body supported you? How has it held you back? Come and share stories of your body and watch as the Playback actors bring them to life in drama and music.
Saturday 7.30pm at the Drill Hall. BYO body.
That Would Be Swell
Tim’s latest Australian Surf Movie Festival film featuring Swell Chasers is full of astonishing surfing, majestically beautiful big waves, and no shortage of really thrilling and frightening moments.
Now in its 12th year, it is filled with beautifully shot new footage. From hot-off-the-press Fiji massive swell to Tahiti and Australia, the mecca of slabs! See firsthand the James Hollmer-Cross wipeout shot in Tasmania, Pedra Branca, that will be featured in the upcoming new release of Point Break! and Dean Morrisson’s best-ever ride.
The Amaysim ASMF is again touring the country with 30 stops around the Australian coastline. Don’t miss the Ballina screening at Ballina Cinema at 4pm on Sunday.
Check it out – Swell Chasers is man versus the power and majesty of nature at its very best.
Akmal Nye
As an Arabic Australian, Akmal looks at cultural stereotypes and forges ahead by forcing us to examine our own cultural identities. He’s appeared on virtually every comedy show on the telly since 2005, and continues to fill houses – and hearts – around the country!
He is the headline act for the New Years Eve Big Gig Comedy Festival at the Ballina RSL with Greg Sullivan, Joel Ozborn and Mandy Nolan. Dinner and show will set you back $64.20 and also stars Atlantic Salmon, Veal Medallions, Lemon Meringue and Chocolate Fondant Pudding. With fireworks on the river, a band downstairs for dancing and dinner music by Lou Bradley, this may be the best value and most fun NYE on the coast. Tickets at the club.
The Story of Japanese Animation
Co-founders of renowned Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyzakai and Isao Takahata, are two of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time.
As creators of some of the most beloved and award-winning animated features the world has known, their legacy is one of unrivalled imagination and unsurpassed excellence. The Tale Of Studio Ghibli Showcase screens for one week only from Thursday 4 December, at Palace Byron Bay Cinema.
Tickets and session times at www.palacecinemas.com.au.
Sharing the Spirit
Uki-based filmmaker Andrew Kidman returns home to screen the film that he premiered to sold-out Sydney crowds: Spirit of Akasha. Filmed around the world during 2012 and 2013 and featuring surfers such as Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Ellis Ericson, Sam Yoon, Kye and Joel Fitzgerald, Heath Joske, Kelly Slater and Harrison Roach. Saturday at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah from 7pm.
Comedy Virgins Pop the Cherry
After nearly 18 years she’s still at it – Mandy Nolan still hasn’t finished her mission in making us see the funny side!
The latest crop of standup comedy virgins have just finished up their ‘how to be a standup comic in six weeks’ program. It’s not as hard as it looks, and is firmly rooted in the theory ‘Take any disaster and just add laughter’. As usual it’s been a diverse group who are only too willing to share the love and transform their daily struggles into standup.
Over the month-and-a-half of their comedy-discovery process they have revealed their deepest darkest secrets. What do they think about relationships? How do they feel about politics? What’s their view on god? Mandy Nolan encourages participants to have a good hard look at themselves in the funniest way possible. ‘Comedy comes from serious situations,’ Nolan says. ‘The best comedy is when people manage to talk about things that may have been a struggle for them. It’s always a surprise onstage when people laugh, and it’s gratifying to learn that you are not alone!’ The ten new standups are nervously practising their routines, getting ready for popping their comedy cherry at the Byron Bay Services Club on Monday at 8pm. Bookings are essential and can be made on 6619 0529. Tix are just $10/15.
SNIPPETS
Family movies
Byron Youth Service is hosting a free family movie night at the Suffolk Park Community Hall, Friday 5 December at 7pm – short movies made by local young people and family movie Son Of Rambo.Bring a pillow to sit on.
Lone Goat Gallery
Lone Goat Gallery presents I’m Talking to You, the debut exhibition of Georgie Wicks, Emily Moxham, Tristan Griffin and Michele Bevis, four graduating Visual Art students from Murwillumbah TAFE. Runs until 10 December.
Buddhist meditation
Meditation teaching and practice now at the Living Yoga Sanga, first floor, 63 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby, 6–7.30pm, Mondays. Contact Mishaela on 0438 858 842 or [email protected].
Heartcircle
Heartcircle devotional singing, sharing, meditation group every Sunday at South Golden Beach Community Hall 10–11.30am. Enq Linda on 0415 412 514.
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. 
