What Monsanto Did Last Summer…
According to one inspired attendee at a screening of Island Earth, this film ‘blows the lid on what Monsanto and the other big companies like Bayer are doing with GMO testing in Hawaii.The film outlines how and why they are testing crops with toxic pesticides and how they later get away with releasing these food strains into our community. It exposes the politics and greed of the big boys, exposes the russian roulette game they are playing (with GMO) by messing with nature and ultimately leads us all to ask questions about what we can do locally with a strong message of positive change towards smaller scale agriculture and supporting local farming practices at all costs, with a heavy tip of the hat to permaculture’.
Screening at the Bangalow A&I Hall on Thursday and Mullum Civic Hall on Sunday. Both screen at 6pm.
Strelan & Sorrensen
Byron’s long-running Writers at the Rails returns this Sunday with a couple of iconic speakers of the region: from the jungles of Lillian Rock, poet, standup comedian and net-journo S Sorrensen and performance poet Christine Strelan.
The afternoon show also features invited readings, a poetry slam and a tribute to poet/Gong founder Daevid Allen. Starts around 2pm. Free entry.
Trivia with a Twist
The Drill Hall Theatre Company are hosting Trivia with a Twist – a quiz night full of fun and surprises to raise money for the production of Do Not Go Gentle, a performance the Drill Hall Theatre Company are doing in conjunction with the Everyman Theatre in Cardiff, Wales. It’s $10 entry, with a complimentary raffle ticket and nibbles provided. Cakes, quiches, tea, coffee will be sold, plus a well-stocked bar will be open. Lots of great prizes! To book please ring Sonia on 6684 2112.
The Trouble with Poetry
Dangerously Poetic Press presents Hope and Belonging: Poetry and Music for Troubled Times on Saturday, 6.30–9.30pm at St Martin’s Hall in Mullumbimby. This is a benefit for Ballina Region for Refugees and will feature poetry read by local poets and actors with music by Chris Mallory, the Byron Shire Youth Choir and Cass Curran.
The Funny Thing About Dad
What on earth does a Near Dead White Male say to his Son, the Triumph of Beard Oil? Lawyer and comedic storyteller Mark Swivel is preparing a speech for his son’s 21st – and struggling. Join him on a free dive into his past and our future. He emerges with pearls for his son, for all of us. On Gough and slippery-dips, choc-tops and Molly, baroque sand castles, unsafe sex in the sand dunes and, um, well, dick pumps (not his, let’s be clear!).
At the Mullum Ex-Services on 18 March, in Burringbar 24 March, and Federal 25 March. For ticketing information go to swiv.com.au.
Ice is good for you!
Ever seen footage of people cutting holes in iced-over lakes and jumping in for a quick dip, declaring this insanely invigorating activity the secret of longevity and wellbeing? Well it’s coming here. Clearly not the polar ice caps. They’re melting. But the ice-bath! In a first for the area, this event will be giving the Byron community the opportunity to learn about and experience a new world-renowned breathing technique followed by a community ice-bath and moving meditation, facilitated by Mark Watts of Brighter Realities. Friday 10 March, 3–5pm, at Yummy Studios, 1/67 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay. $33 (workshop and ice-bath only) or $53 with chai & hot pot. Bookings essential: Book direct through eventbrite: www.daliceandmark-communityicebath.eventbrite.com.au.
Youth Alive
Worried your kid isn’t learning maths? Vera Stevens, who teaches Pebble Maths, is holding an event to raise moneys for the creation of A Pebble in the Pond documentary. This documentary will look at the deficit in the current mathematics curriculum in schools. A large percentage of Australian children are limited in their future possibilities and vocations because of the existing system. The fundraiser will also showcase the talents of local youth and will include live music, face painting, an art auction of photography and painting prints by children aged 11 to 17. Vera Stevens will lead a Pebble Mathematics workshop. Vera’s books, The Pebble Maths Teachers’ Manual and Stairway to Heaven Step One and Two, will be available for sale. There will also be food for sale.
Sunday at St John’s Primary School Hall in Mullumbimby, 1.30–4.30pm.
Making Funny Funnier
Find your funny at the Court House on Thursday when local standup comedians take to the open mic. Now running for four years, the Court House has been a comedy creche for those pre-schooling punsters who have been hot-housing their gags over the last few months ready to let loose.
This crop is going to be especially well honed as MC and comedy Mentor Mandy Nolan will be running a masterclass for comedy aspirants just a few days before.
‘The idea of the workshop is to file off the bits that don’t work, hone the bits that do, and do some straight talking about comedy performance. Expect a sharp and well-rehearsed lineup at the Court House for our comedy night.’
Mandy Nolan is the MC, with 10 comedy graduates onstage strutting their stuff. 8pm. Free. Thursday.
Rainbow Fun
Lots of family fun at the Rainbow Festival at the Byron YAC this Saturday. With jumping castle, family workshops, yoga, music, markets and garage sales. Running from 10am till 3pm.
Funny Philp
Comedian Steve Philp has been humouring TV studio audiences as the warmup guy for shows such as Channel 10’s Ready Steady Cook, Channel 7’s Battle of The Choirs, Channel 10’s hit So You Think You Can Dance and Channel 9’s NRL Footy Show. But Steve’s big break came in 2008 when he was selected as one of 14 Australian comedians to travel to Miami and compete in NBC’s top-rating show Last Comic Standing, in which he made the quarter-finals and got to perform to a sold-out Miami improv and an American TV audience well in excess of two million. This has led to Steve’s appearing on Australian TV this year with a comedy spot on Channel 9’s NRL Footy Show, which has led to his becoming a semi-regular, appearing on numerous Footy Show sketches. The Sun Herald describes Steve as ‘a natural’
He is the feature act at Comedy in the Garden at the Byron Brewery on Friday at 8pm. MC is Mandy Nolan and support is Ellen Briggs! This is FREE comedy at its best. Booking is essential – phone 6639 6100.
Who is the next comedy star?
Every year the Melbourne International Comedy Festival take the Glass Slipper door to door to seek out the newest lights in Australian comedy. This competition has become renowned for kick-starting careers for comedy greats such as Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas and Hannah Gadsby. With a thriving comedy scene in the northern rivers, we’ve had our fair share of finalists with local comedian and judge on the night Ellen Briggs getting her start in comedy after becoming a RAW national finalist. With a full bill of comedy hopefuls, come along and cheer on someone who could be the next big thing! Mandy Nolan is MC.
Byron Heat 13 March at Byron Services Club. Tickets are $10 at the door. Show at 8pm.
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