Culture Roundup: Wednesday 8 February, 2017

Incorruptible Comes Up Trumps

After a record box office, The Incorruptible, a play by Louis Nowra, returns for three more shows at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby. Director Greg Aitken says, ‘The theatre has been full or near capacity for every performance. It’s a stunning ensemble production that resonates with the audience.’

At a recent Q&A some of the feedback included: ‘I’ve lived in Paris and London and this show is up there’.

Another theatre-goer remarked: ‘The quality of performance is something I would expect to see at Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney’.

The final three shows for The Incorruptible are on 17, 18, 19 February.

Bookings: The Bookshop Mullumbimby or online at drillhalltheatre.org.au.

You can act now

The Drill Hall’s Monday Acting Workshops will commence their ninth year on Monday 27 February. The workshop runs from 6.30pm till 8.30pm at The Drill Hall every Monday from the 27th. The aim of the workshops is to have fun while freeing up our imagination, imparting some performance skills and generating interest in the theatre. Participants will get a chance to act in the upcoming Hot Shorts series, the ten-minute-play competition. All are welcome and and no previous acting experience is necessary. Workshop facilitator Mike Russo has a degree in Theatre Studies, studied acting at the Independent Theatre and The Drama Studio, and has 40 years’ theatre experience. Workshops are free to members and membership ($15 per year) is open to anyone.

For more information please call Mike on 6684 4886.

RYSE Up

The youth of the Byron Shire unite for special event this coming Wednesday 8 February at Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

The event will feature internationally renowned youth activist and artist, 16-year-old Xiuhtezcatl (pronounced shooTEZcat) Martinez, who has been catalysing positive action amongst youth for more than 10 years. He is the director of Earth Guardians International and is a youth ambassador for UPLIFT. The event will provide the space for collaboration and will showcase local talent, while sharing a message of hope and pathways to local action. Artists will include Xiuhtezcatl and local musicians Xi-tika, LXXE, Maple and many special guests.

Suggested donation of $10. Under 16 free. More info at www.facebook.com/events/731344237040841.

Doors open at 6pm.

Women Like Us at the Regent

After 32 shows around the country, Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs bring their smash-hit comedy show Women Like Us to the Regent Theatre in Murwillumbah!

Having performed to packed houses at Brisbane’s Sit Down Comedy to sellout shows at Melbourne International Comedy, Adelaide Fringe and Perth festivals, the girls have also taken their comedy stylings off the grid, performing to packed houses in Orange, Bathurst and Katoomba. Women Like Us is a riot. Audiences have complained of aching stomach muscles, sore jaws, and at one show a woman actually injured herself when she laughed so much she slipped from her chair onto the floor! Says Mandy Nolan of the show: ‘We want to make you laugh, but most of all we want you to go home feeling good about yourself. Women spend too much time not liking themselves, beating themselves up for being too old, too fat, a bad parent, a terrible cook, but we just say, hey, it’s what makes us human! Celebrate Your Imperfection!’

Women Like Us at the Regent Theatre in Murwillumbah, Saturday 4 March, 2017 at 8pm. Doors at 7.30pm. Tix $30/28. Tickets can be bought online at cinemaregent.com.

Temple of Exploration

Get yourself in the mood for Earth Frequency Festival this week with the ‘Harmonic Temple’. This is the perfect way to experience the intentional exploration of visionary music and art, and also features a visionary art gallery, dance temple and artist talks. Sunday at the Byron Theatre, Community Centre, from 6pm.

Conchita Carambano

The Thom Gallery in Byron Bay launch their new show this week, featuring the the work of Conchita Carambano, a world-renowned Spanish abstract artist from Sydney. They will also be looking forward to a new delivery of sculptures by Christian Maas, including a life-size horse and foal, a life-size art deco stag, and a four-metre aluminium crocodile, among other larger-than-life sculptures. The exhibition opening will also feature a food truck, and a bouncy castle for the kids, as the crew at the gallery want to ensure that the space is accessible to families who might be unable to attend evening sessions. So be there from 2pm, enjoy the art, the adult conversation while knowing the kids are having a top time as well.

Thom Gallery is 1/6 Fern St, Byron Arts & Industry Estate. For enquiries call 0411 813 999.

The laugh is on Lismore

Lismore Laughs is NORPA’s new annual comedy festival featuring some of nation’s most-loved and cutting-edge comedians. Scheduled for 10 and 11 March and featuring Tom Gleeson (Friday 10 March, 7.30pm), Andy Saunders (Sat 11 March, 7.30pm) and Frank Woodley’s show for kids (Sat 11 March, 12.30pm). Lismore is the place to be on the weekend with Lismore Laughs coinciding with Eat the Street and the Lismore Music Festival, so you can fill up on giggles, gourmet food and great music! For tickets and program info go to www.norpa.org.au.

Big Boss – the story of a leader

Big Boss: Last Leader of the Crocodile Islands is a powerful documentary about 97-year-old Baymarrwangga, or as she is affectionately known, ‘Big Boss’, who was honoured as Senior Australian of the Year, 2012. Big Boss is the story of this Aboriginal elder and her challenge as the remaining leader of the Yan-nhangu people to pass on her traditional knowledge to the next generation. The film outlines Baymarrwangga’s life story, from her time as a young girl on Murrungga to the time she saw the arrival of missionaries, witnessed the arrival of Japanese and European fishermen, and then experienced war and tumultuous change. The story documents a historical legacy of government neglect, and suppression of bilingual education and how the language and culture of the Yan-nhangu came to be in a precarious position.

One of Baymarrwangga’s greatest achievements is the Yan-nhangu Dictionary. The dictionary’s main aim is to preserve Yan-nhangu language and local knowledge from the potentially damaging consequences of rapid global change. Through the words of the Big Boss herself and members of her community, we learn about the unique lifestyle of the Yan-nhangu people.

Following the screening will be a talk with the linguist who has made a substantial record of language and culture over a 20-year period.

Saturday at the Civic Hall at 7pm.

Watch for the big breaks at Surf Art Market

This year’s Surf Art Market at the Byron Bay Surf Festival is presented by SurfStitch and is bigger and better than ever, with more than 160 amazing artists, shapers, clothing brands, accessories, food vendors and not-for-profits to peruse. Saturday’s beachfront market is going to be a fully immersive experience, so forget eBay, shop in the BBay!