Home-crafted Comedy at the Brewery
Last month saw the Byron Brewery launch open mic comedy in the beergarden. Proving to be a comedy hotbed of new and up-and-comers, the bill is full with comedy wannabes, keen to try their hand at the dark art of standup. The great thing about standup is that people don’t care if you’re famous. They’re interested in seeing you. The ‘real’ you. In fact the ‘realler’ the you that you can show an audience, generally the more successful you will be onstage.
No topics are off limits; standup offers a smorgasbord of ideas, values, concepts and beliefs, all distilled into a cleverly crafted gag. Standup comedian Mandy Nolan hosts this month’s open mic. She believes that open mic comedy rooms are a must for comedy lovers. ‘It’s like being there in the lab watching how the jokes are made,’ laughs Nolan, a seasoned comic of 30 years. ‘I love hosting open mics because I always find something so exciting in watching new and generally terrified people stand on the precipice of their comfort zone… and leap! I also love the opportunity to push myself, to try new ideas that I wouldn’t try in a regular comedy setting. Open mic nights such as Home-crafted Comedy are about all the new comedians finding their groove and established comics trying something new. It’s always exciting.’ Home-crafted Comedy at the The Byron Brewery on the third Thursday of every month at 8pm.
Thursday 19 January at 8pm.
‘This should be fun,’ laughs Nolan. ‘It’s the day after my 49th birthday; I should almost be done sulking by then!’
Mosaic Juice
Public art mosaics have a long history in Byron Shire. The most visible installations are the two colourful roundabouts in the heart of Byron, but mosaic seats, street pavers and wall murals are dotted throughout the Shire. Usually collaborative community efforts, these vibrant mosaics add character to our streets and public spaces.
An upcoming exhibition at Lone Goat Gallery takes us beyond the public face of mosaic art. The Mosaic Artists of Byron Bay come together to highlight mosaic art in a domestic setting in the form of sculpture, fine art, decorative objects and garden pavers. Pyari Cau and Turiya Bruce were central in creating the Byron Bay mosaic roundabouts and mural at the Byron Bay Community Centre. In this exhibition, Turiya’s colourful mosaics are informed by another commission – the lotus mosaic at Crystal Castle. Pyari’s work is finely crafted and includes three-dimensional garden sculptures and her impressions of patterns in nature. A highlight is Pyari’s sculpture of a glistening unicorn that would be a focal point in any garden setting.
Heather Stevenson is also well known in Byron Shire as a longtime teacher of mosaics and stained glass. Heather has created private mosaic installations in homes locally and interstate. Her marble abstract pieces have a contemporary aesthetic yet are constructed using the traditional hammer and hardie techniques favoured by ancient craftsmen.
Janet Bowden’s large scale monochrome portraits and colourful animal studies are rich in intensity and detail. These impressive works are magnetic and have strong visual impact. Janet’s artistic focus is on creating mosaics for modern living. Commissions for portraits are also available.
Jane Denison’s installation of garden pavers draws upon imagery associated with Australian summers. These fun pavers act as a visual reminder of the things we need when going to the beach.
Rich in colour and diversity, this exhibition is a must-see for locals and visitors alike this summer. All welcome to the Following the Juice opening at the Lone Goat Gallery in Byron on Friday 20 January 6pm.
The Drill Hall’s corrupted Australia Day
Opening on Australia Day, Louis Nowra’s tragicomedy The Incorruptible is about the beginning of the end of this once compassionate nation. This Drill Hall Theatre Company’s (Mullumbimby) Mongrel Arts Project tells of how a newly crowned premier plans to redefine Queensland and Australia. The ‘incorruptible’ is hard-working, conservative, Christian sugarcane grower Ion Stafford, who sees himself as the antidote to progressive social values. Stafford is installed as premier by the political kingmaker Ed Gabelich (Gabo), whose signature game plan is to continue to enjoy the fruits of government for as long as he can.
The Incorruptible traverses earthy rural Queensland on a righteous crusade to Canberra, with Louis Nowra’s original Australian voice speaking loudly to our current political situation and about the nature of corruption.
The director Gregory Aitken’s (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Ballad of Edgar and Mary) says the play, ‘is timely, wise and outrageous. Louis Nowra challenges us as citizens to either sit back and mourn the transformation of a fair society into a neo-liberal experiment or to do something about it.’ Aitken has assembled a faultless cast of 11 exceptional local actors, supported by a dynamic creative team.
Seven shows only: 26, 27, 28, 29 January and 3, 4, 5 February at the Drill Hall Theatre, including a Q&A with the cast and creative team after each of the 2pm Sunday matinees. For more information and online bookings proceed to the drillhalltheatre.org.au website. Over-the-counter ticket sales at The Bookshop Mullumbimby. Warning: The Incorruptible has adult themes, coarse language and bloody fine acting.
Home-crafted Comedy at the Brewery
Last month saw the Byron Brewery launch open mic comedy in the beergarden. Proving to be a comedy hotbed of new and up-and-comers, the bill is full with comedy wannabes, keen to try their hand at the dark art of standup. The great thing about standup is that people don’t care if you’re famous. They’re interested in seeing you. The ‘real’ you. In fact the ‘realler’ the you that you can show an audience, generally the more successful you will be onstage.
No topics are off limits; standup offers a smorgasbord of ideas, values, concepts and beliefs, all distilled into a cleverly crafted gag. Standup comedian Mandy Nolan hosts this month’s open mic. She believes that open mic comedy rooms are a must for comedy lovers. ‘It’s like being there in the lab watching how the jokes are made,’ laughs Nolan, a seasoned comic of 30 years. ‘I love hosting open mics because I always find something so exciting in watching new and generally terrified people stand on the precipice of their comfort zone… and leap! I also love the opportunity to push myself, to try new ideas that I wouldn’t try in a regular comedy setting. Open mic nights such as Home-crafted Comedy are about all the new comedians finding their groove and established comics trying something new. It’s always exciting.’ Home-crafted Comedy at the The Byron Brewery on the third Thursday of every month at 8pm.
Thursday 19 January at 8pm.
‘This should be fun,’ laughs Nolan. ‘It’s the day after my 49th birthday; I should almost be done sulking by then!’
Mosaic Juice
Public art mosaics have a long history in Byron Shire. The most visible installations are the two colourful roundabouts in the heart of Byron, but mosaic seats, street pavers and wall murals are dotted throughout the Shire. Usually collaborative community efforts, these vibrant mosaics add character to our streets and public spaces.
An upcoming exhibition at Lone Goat Gallery takes us beyond the public face of mosaic art. The Mosaic Artists of Byron Bay come together to highlight mosaic art in a domestic setting in the form of sculpture, fine art, decorative objects and garden pavers. Pyari Cau and Turiya Bruce were central in creating the Byron Bay mosaic roundabouts and mural at the Byron Bay Community Centre. In this exhibition, Turiya’s colourful mosaics are informed by another commission – the lotus mosaic at Crystal Castle. Pyari’s work is finely crafted and includes three-dimensional garden sculptures and her impressions of patterns in nature. A highlight is Pyari’s sculpture of a glistening unicorn that would be a focal point in any garden setting.
Heather Stevenson is also well known in Byron Shire as a longtime teacher of mosaics and stained glass. Heather has created private mosaic installations in homes locally and interstate. Her marble abstract pieces have a contemporary aesthetic yet are constructed using the traditional hammer and hardie techniques favoured by ancient craftsmen.
Janet Bowden’s large scale monochrome portraits and colourful animal studies are rich in intensity and detail. These impressive works are magnetic and have strong visual impact. Janet’s artistic focus is on creating mosaics for modern living. Commissions for portraits are also available.
Jane Denison’s installation of garden pavers draws upon imagery associated with Australian summers. These fun pavers act as a visual reminder of the things we need when going to the beach.
Rich in colour and diversity, this exhibition is a must-see for locals and visitors alike this summer. All welcome to the Following the Juice opening at the Lone Goat Gallery in Byron on Friday 20 January 6pm.
The Drill Hall’s corrupted Australia Day
Opening on Australia Day, Louis Nowra’s tragicomedy The Incorruptible is about the beginning of the end of this once compassionate nation. This Drill Hall Theatre Company’s (Mullumbimby) Mongrel Arts Project tells of how a newly crowned premier plans to redefine Queensland and Australia. The ‘incorruptible’ is hard-working, conservative, Christian sugarcane grower Ion Stafford, who sees himself as the antidote to progressive social values. Stafford is installed as premier by the political kingmaker Ed Gabelich (Gabo), whose signature game plan is to continue to enjoy the fruits of government for as long as he can.
The Incorruptible traverses earthy rural Queensland on a righteous crusade to Canberra, with Louis Nowra’s original Australian voice speaking loudly to our current political situation and about the nature of corruption.
The director Gregory Aitken’s (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Ballad of Edgar and Mary) says the play, ‘is timely, wise and outrageous. Louis Nowra challenges us as citizens to either sit back and mourn the transformation of a fair society into a neo-liberal experiment or to do something about it.’ Aitken has assembled a faultless cast of 11 exceptional local actors, supported by a dynamic creative team.
Seven shows only: 26, 27, 28, 29 January and 3, 4, 5 February at the Drill Hall Theatre, including a Q&A with the cast and creative team after each of the 2pm Sunday matinees. For more information and online bookings proceed to the drillhalltheatre.org.au website. Over-the-counter ticket sales at The Bookshop Mullumbimby. Warning: The Incorruptible has adult themes, coarse language and bloody fine acting.
Comedy in the Garden!
This February, Byron Brewery launch FREE headline comedy shows in their iconic beer garden. Offering patrons the kind of show you’d usually be paying big bucks for, the good people at the Brewery are brewing up big monthly laughs with a headline comedy night scheduled for the first Friday of every month. This is in addition to their regular third Thursday of the month Home-crafted Comedy open mic night.
Launching the very first Comedy in the Garden is Lindsay Webb.
‘Lindsay Webb is more than your average standup. He has an almost mindreader-like ability to pick faces in the audience and create a show purely on where they come from and what they do. The last time I saw him at The Arkaba half the show was a six-degrees exercise in linking audience members together; it was sheer genius.’
That’s what one reviewer said of him at the Adelaide Fringe after his sellout show in 2016.
Lindsay Webb is truly an International act worthy of the title.
Lindsay loves digital media, as regular guest on Wil Anderson’s FOFOP Podcast, as well as Hosting a Podcast for BP Australia (CBBP Podcast). A regular guest at 612 ABC QLD with the Futureheads panel.
Also known for crowd warmup for many TV shows including Gruen Nation ABC, Q&A ABC and Save Your Life Tonight ABC.
He has supported many great acts, including Wil Anderson around the country and Jim Jeffries’s QLD shows. Lindsay was also a guest comic on The Darren Sanders Show on GO. In 2013 Lindsay also hosted many class clowns workshops for MICF.
Lindsay Webb is joined by the superbly funny Paul McMahon as support and much-loved Queen of Comedy Mandy Nolan as MC.
Comedy in the Garden at the Byron Brewery, Friday 3 February at 8pm. Free show!
Come early because this is CULT COMEDY at its best.
changing our material footprint
According to sustainability consultant Jane Milburn, Australians buy an average of 27 kilograms of new clothing each year, two-thirds of which are made from manmade fibres derived from petroleum.
Australians are the second-largest consumers of new clothing after north Americans, who annually buy 37kg each, and ahead of western Europeans at 22kg, while consumption in Africa, the Middle East and India averages just 5kg per person.
Ms Milburn runs Textile Beat and will visit New South Wales soon to address a free community forum Slow Clothing in a Fast World on Wednesday 18 January 18 at 6.30pm and run a series of upcycling sessions in subsequent days (January 19–22) at workshops of Byron Bay.
Textile Beat has developed a Slow Clothing Manifesto to inspire change in the way we engage with clothing for the good of ourselves, society and the planet. The manifesto is based on 10 actions: think, natural, quality, local, care, few, make, adapt, revive and salvage.
Local council waste departments report about four per cent of the household waste is textiles and most people donate unwanted clothing for charitable recycling. Charities say about 15 per cent of donations are on-sold through op shops, 15 per cent percent are ragged, 15 per cent go to landfill and 55 per cent are exported into the secondhand clothing trade.
See January 18–22 workshops of Byron Bay: go to thecubbyhousebyronby.com.au.
Flickerfest Shows The Best
Flickerfest returns to the northern rivers 27–29 January for its 19th year screening a smorgasbord of the best short films from the Byron region, Australia, and the world across one cinema-packed short-film weekend at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.
Celebrating 26 years as ‘The Home Of Great Short Film’, in 2017 Flickerfest remains Australia’s leading Academy-Accredited and BAFTA-recognised short-film festival, ensuring that we continue to present A-list short-film programs recognised among the best in the world.
At Flickerfest Mullumbimby they will be screening an entertaining, inspiring and award-winning range of 30 Flickerfest short-film highlights, many of which are world or Australian premieres, handpicked from 2,400 entries, giving local Flickerfest audiences the first look at the hottest short films in the world today.
We will also be presenting the Best of Northern Rivers Shorts at the Byron All Shorts finalist’s screening showcasing a wonderful new collection of creative shorts from our very talented local filmmakers.
Highlights include the Opening Night Party on Friday 27th – fully catered with food, music and drinks from event partners Rosnay Organic Wine, Young Henrys Beer and Parkers Organic Juices. This is then followed by the Best of International 1 Shorts. Highlights include: the moving and insightful Nocturne In Black from Lebanon: ‘In a war-ravaged Middle Eastern neighbourhood, a musician struggles to rebuild his piano after it is destroyed by Jihadists’; and the delightfully heart-warming Timecode from Spain, ‘Luna and Diego are the parking-lot security guards. Diego does the night shift, and Luna works by day; will they ever meet?’; plus The Head Vanishes, a beautifully crafted and poignant French Canadian animation: ‘Jacqueline has lost her mind a bit but, whatever, she decides to take a trip to the seaside’.
All three films are shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Awards. Then on Saturday 28 Jan from 4.30pm is the Byron All Shorts. This is the 12th year presenting the best of local shorts from the northern rivers; encouraging audiences to experience the many amazing films and local stories that are produced in the region each year. Fifteen–20 local short films will screen across this 120-minute program. Best of International 2 Shorts screens in the evening and on Sunday 29 Jan sees Short Laughs Comedy screening and Best of Australian Shorts.
FLiCKERFEST 2017 – 26th International Short Film Festival
& Byron All Shorts – Northern Rivers Short Film Competition
Mullum Civic Hall – 27–29 January. For event screenings and tickets go to flickerfest.com.au/tour/byron-bay.
Doni Raven
Screening this Friday for one night only: Doni Raven – An independent silent film created and shot locally in the Byron Shire; a story about love, loss, good and evil, which will be backed by a live performance by The Doni Raven Band. From the misty mountaintops to a darkened canopy floor you come to a burning fire; there you will stare deep within to find that the wings of the raven are revealed with a message, time to set your wrongs to right. Having influence from such artists as Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, Doni Raven takes on a persona of his own, laying down his compositions using intensely honest poetic lyrics, a raw husky voice, various electronic effects and enhanced acoustics brought to life by silent film and the Doni Raven Band.
Pighouse Flicks in Byron from 7.30pm. Ticks at pighouseflicks.com.au or at the door $25/22.
