Moving On
The fourth annual Murwillumbah Art Trail (MAT18) transforms Murwillumbah by showcasing the vibrant arts community. The theme Moving On reflects the aftermath of the flood, the resilience of the community and the capacity for art to heal. Artists and performers are invited to address the 2018 theme with the ingenuity and engagement that allowed our region to move on from the flood.
Applications close 30 January.
www.themurwillumbaharttrail.com/artists-eoi
In the Pink
Pink Matter is the newest all-female theatre production that embodies gender empowerment through music, style and dance. The all-girl team of seven professional dancers recently rocked Brisbane and sold out their debut 2017 season.
The cast ranges from the most in-demand performance artists to internationally renowned choreographers creating the ultimate girl gang. Bringing a variety of styles and fusion choreography to the stage, the show focuses on concepts celebrating the embodiment of the badass woman.
On stage at the Byron Theatre on Saturday from 7pm | All-ages event. $25. Tix at byroncentre.com.au
What it Eels like
Jaime Sheehan brings Ursula the infamous deep seat to life in Ballina Players’ production of The Little Mermaid. You’ll love to hate her and her eels played by Jade Felsch, Angelina Marchant, Brook Lacy and Taylor Mattock as they manipulate the heroine Ariel into thinking they are helping, when there is really a deeper, darker desire! It’s fantastic to see Jaime onstage as she is often behind the scenes as a talented choreographer.
The Little Mermaid runs at Ballina Players 12–21 January. Details and booking information on the website www.ballinaplayers.com.au or via Facebook. Tickets can also be purchased from Just Funkin Music in River St, Ballina.
Kingy Atherton
There is nothing quite like the Jonathan Atherton experience. Wild, passionate, lateral thinking – like the bastard love child of Bill Hicks and Robin Williams. All Darkness and Light, Atherton spent a decade as a full-time resident of Kuala Lumpur where he ran The Crackhouse Comedy Club, the first ever dedicated comedy club on the Malaysian comedy scene, where he provided what he calls ‘stress relief and legal highs!’ A love of culture and adventure drew him away from the staid corridors of academia and into the heart of the third world. He spent most of the 80s travelling through Asia and Africa where he worked as tour guide, salvage diver, teacher, set builder, photographer, restaurateur and actor. He speaks a multitude of languages – Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Japanese, Swahili, Luganda, and German – and has a passing knowledge of Burmese Tagalog, Lao, Hindi, Batak, Urdu, Arabic, Hokkien and Mandarin.
Jonathan Atherton headlines at Kingy Comedy on Thursday supported by Paul McMahon. Mandy Nolan as MC. Show at 7.30pm. Kingscliff Bowling Club | Free.
Wil in Progress
Wil Anderson, host of ABC’s Gruen and one of Australia’s finest comedians, will be performing in the intimate surroundings of the Brunswick Picture House.
Wil is coming to town to try out new material before he takes his show across the country. This is a rare opportunity to see a world-class comedian who usually plays the big theatres in a completely different environment.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Brunswick Picture House at 7pm | Adult $40 | Concession $35
Flickerfest – Short & Sweet
Flickerfest returns to the northern rivers from the 26th till 28th January for its 20th 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 27 years as in 2018 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. After the 10-day Sydney festival under the summer stars at Bondi Beach in early January 2018, selected highlights tour Australia to more than 50 venues from Jan till May. Flickerfest remains a platform for celebrating the most entertaining and innovative short filmmaking from Australia and around the world.
The Flickerfest program includes the Best of Australian Shorts and the Best of International Shorts, curated from the Flickerfest Australian and International programs in competition at Bondi; and Short Laughs Comedy, an off-kilter selection of clever comedy shorts from across the world. This is a one-off chance to see these amazing short films before they continue their journey around the world; expect to experience the best in short filmmaking that Australia and the world has on offer.
At Flickerfest Mullumbimby we will be screening an entertaining, inspiring and award-winning range of 30 Flickerfest short films, curated into three highlights programs over three nights, many of which are world or Australian premieres, hand-picked from 2,500 entries from Flickerfest 2018 in Bondi, 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 finalists’ screening showcasing a wonderful new collection of creative shorts from our very talented local filmmakers.
Info: www.iQ.org.au (tickets will be avail online and at the door) | All sessions approx 110 mins (Classification: under 15yrs must be w/adult) | Volunteers welcome: pls contact 0414 779 881.