Launching A Sensational 2015
NORPA, the region’s premier performing arts company, invites theatre and dance lovers to witness what they have on offer for 2015. The evening will feature special live performances from two of the companies featured in NORPA’s 2015 season.
Artistic director Julian Louis will also give his insights into each of the shows on offer this year, from national touring companies to works created in our own backyard.
A licensed bar is open from 6pm and the pop-up diner will be operating from 7.30pm. Tickets to all shows in NORPA’s 2015 season will go on sale at the launch. You can purchase tickets to individual shows or get big discounts by purchasing season subscription packages of three shows or more.
Free event but limited seating so please RSVP to [email protected] or 1300 066 772. Friday at 6pm, Lismore City Hall.
Survival Guide for Regional Creatives
Turning a creative idea into a profitable business isn’t easy, particularly in regional areas. Arts Northern Rivers partnered with creative industries consultant Jill Moonie to create Survival Guide for Regional Creatives. The workshop will address challenges for regionally based creatives and strategies for success, including insider tips on: networking and building business relationships, developing a message and utilising resources. Special guests Ellie Beck from Deadwood Creative and professional artist Christine Willcocks. Survival Guide for Regional Creatives is a must for creatives wanting to invest in their career, Friday 13 February 2015, 9.30am–12.30pm at Bangalow RSL Hall. For bookings: 6628 8120 or [email protected] or visit artsnorthernrivers.com.au/blog.
Looking For Treasure?
It’s a dark, stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery, captured live from the National Theatre. Treasure Island screens at Palace Byron Bay Cinema on Saturday 14 February at 1 pm and Monday 16 February at 12.30 pm.
Stand Up in Court
Fellate your funnybone this Thursday when Mullumbimby’s longest-running open mic comedy room kicks off for 2015. The first Thursday of every month is comedy check-in – a great time to hear local funny people download on life, politics, love and everything between. Hosted by Mandy Nolan. 8pm at the Courthouse Hotel. Free.
Rust on the Rails
Another dimension has been added to the Northern Rivers Railway with the opening on Friday of an art exhibition at the Lone Goat Gallery, Byron Bay Library building, titled Rust on the Rails. For the last two years, two local artists, Maryanne Shea and Rick Molloy, have been drawing and painting the abandoned stations and deteriorating bridges along the line.
Since the line was closed, the infrastructure has been left to fall apart. Two bridges have already been removed. While a number of uses of the line have been proposed, the artists believe that unless preventive measures are taken against the further deterioration of the railway, then the line will be unfit for any conceivable use. The artists hope that this exhibition helps draw attention to the sad deterioration of the abandoned historic Northern Rivers Railway and that action is taken to preserve this historical feat of engineering that strikes with a raw beauty as it runs and curves through the landscape. The Rust
on the Rails exhibition runs until
18 February.
Talking Climate Philosophy
Byron Philo Café’s first session for the year is on this Saturday. Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of RenewEconomy.com, Australia’s most widely read and influential website on renewable energy and climate policies, will talk on The Solar Revolution. Giles sees some profound social, economic and political impacts resulting from this new form of energy which is being hailed as the start of the next industrial revolution. He will look at the possibility that it will lead to the democratisation of energy by challenging the industrial machine that has so far controlled energy supply. Gather at Luscious Foods in industrial estate at 5.30pm. $5. BYO.
Are you a comedy star
in the making?
Are you the life of the party?
Does everyone say, ‘you should
be a comedian’? Were you the
class clown? Are you always
putting your foot in it because you can’t stop yourself taking the piss? Do you have no internal edit button? Do you ALWAYS see the funny side of everything… even at funerals? Chances are you could do with therapy, or else you actually are a comedian. All it takes is one step in the right direction and your career path could be just around the corner. Why not see what you have to offer and enter the Melbourne Comedy Festival’s RAW Comedy comp – with a heat in Byron on Monday 23 February at the Byron Services Club. After all, that’s how local comedian Ellen Briggs, a former national finalist, made her mark! Register online at comedyfestival.com.au.
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. 
