Dancing with herself
Dancing with Myself is one woman’s journey through space and time, where she has no space, and is completely out of time with what’s around her. NORPA associate artist Emma Saunders is in residence in the NORPA Studio developing a new solo dance work Dancing With Myself. As part of her research she is inviting guests into the space, including NORPA associate director Kirk Page, Josephine Saunders (her mum), and Kimberley McIntryre. This includes an extended abstract solo sequence where she is attempting to choreograph her instinct, and to explore further how movement can reveal its own narrative.
If you’d like to see Emma’s work in development you can go to a free work-in-progress showing on Friday at 3pm | NORPA Studio, Lismore City Hall.
If you wish to join Emma in her dance practice she is running free warmup classes for the public in the NORPA Studio | 14, 15 and 16 February | 10–11am.
Melbourne Comedy Festival Search for Talent
Every year the Melbourne Comedy Festival search the country for the newest emerging talent. It’s something of a Cinderella’s shoe, where everyone gets a crack, and if the slipper – well slip of the tongue – fits, then you are on your way to a lifelong career!
Presented nationally by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the annual RAW Comedy competition sees the nation’s bravest and boldest new performers take to the stage to test their skill and stamina with five minutes of new, original comedy material. It’s comedy with no fear and no safety net, just exhilaration and adulation ahead! Winners battle it out at the National Grand Final during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2018. The winner will be laughing all the way to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they’ll have a chance to compete in So You Think You’re Funny? in August 2018.
So who will make it through this year? Previous national finalist Ellen Briggs is one of the judges, along with previous Qld state finalist Paul McMahon and one-time comedian turned newsman, ABC radio’s Bruce McKenzie.
With a healthy local comedy industry in the Byron Shire the overwhelming number of entries meant it was necessary to put on two heats. This is a wild night of spills and thrills, with comics putting out their best to win the opportunity to perform in the Brisbane final.
With Mandy Nolan as MC, the first heat is Monday at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services and the second heat is at the Byron Services Club on Monday 12 March. Both shows start at 8pm and tix are $15 at the door or online at www.mandynolan.com.au
Miked for Open Mic
Comedian Mike Bennett heads up the final open mic at the Byron Brewery this month when he steps in as MC for Homecrafted Comedy. With Nolan busy performing in the Vagina Conversations, it is Bennett’s job to close this long-running open mic night. Open mic is a place where new comics can get their stage time. It’s also a place where more experienced comics get to trial new material. There is always a sense of excitement as comics, both seasoned and inexperienced, come face to face with a live crowd: is it funny? That’s the question? Bennett is a pro comic who has a gift for crowd work. Warm, engaging and high energy, Mike Bennett brings a love of performing to the stage that’s just downright infectious!
Catch the last Homecrafted Comedy at the Brewery on Thursday at 8pm | Free show.
We Move for Dance Fest!
Mullumbimby’s first custom-built dance studio on the corner of Stuart and Tincogan Streets opens this Friday with a two-week Dance Fest. Entry to the Dance Fest includes unlimited attendance to classes such as latin, Brazilian and belly dance; yoga, conscious, healing and creative movement; contemporary, hip-hop, fitness and fusion; kids, youth and adults classes as well as open-studio times, where there is an inspiring mixtape playing and the floor is open. The Dance
Fest will give people the chance to experience new dance styles, a variety of talented teachers and the new studio space. WeMove studio is fitted out with sprung dance floors, mirrors, professional sound, aircon and lighting.
Founders Alona Rosenberg and Meggie Danielson were aware of the need for a dance studio in Mullumbimby for many years and could see the potential for a space specifically dedicated to movement as being a great asset to the community.
‘We want to make it easier for people to move more on a daily basis, so we’ve created an inclusive space for the community to come and rise together through dance,’ says Alona.
WeMove Studio is operating as a social enterprise and will be supporting community projects by contributing a percentage of all membership fees back into local community, youth and Indigenous movement programs.
For Dance Fest tickets and more info visit www.wemove.studio
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra brings you three personal and profound dance works, showcasing the infinite stories of Australia’s cultural heritage.
The stunning paintings of Yirrkala artist Nyapanyapa Yunupingu are brought to life in Nyapanyapa, Wiradjuri family and kinship is explored in Miyagan, and the two sides of Sydney’s Governor Macquarie are uncovered in Macq.
Forged from more than 40,000 years of culture, Bangarra’s striking dance language is internationally acclaimed, together with its immersive soundscapes and exquisite design.
Don’t miss your chance to see this uniquely Australian dance company in 2018 | 23 and 24 Feb at the Gold Coast Arts Theatre |Tix at hota.com.au
Blue at Bruns
Half of all marine life has been lost in the last 40 years. By 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. The film Blue shows the way forward – and the time to act is now. So don’t miss the film the Sydney Film Festival called ‘An invigorating Australian documentary, a beautifully crafted wakeup call to the state of the earth’s oceans’.
Thursday at 7pm | Sunday at 5pm | The Brunswick Picture House
The Abstract Wave
WAVE is the first exhibition for the BSA Exhibition Space for 2018 and kicks off another great exhibition calendar with an explosion of colour. Local artist, writer and curator Brent Hallard has pulled together some of the best artists currently working in hard-edged abstraction in Australia.
Freestyle & Stoke for Byron Surf Fest
The Byron Bay Surf Festival showcases core and creative surf culture by presenting innovative and experiential ideas through unique and engaging experiences.
The 4-day festival, happening 22–25 February, activates more than 10 events including surfing, shaping, art, music, film, yoga and environment with an awareness and focus on sustainability, education and innovation.
One of the special events is the Freestyle & Stoke Surf Sessions at Wategos Beach, 8am till 3pm, Sunday 25 February, presented by RVCA, Atmosea, Mctavish and Wood Surf Co. The Freestyle & Stoke categories are progressively one of a kind, with a strong focus on artistic interpretation and style. These events decide a ‘winner’ by peer vote, with advantage awarded to those presenting their surfing with style, wave and equipment adaptability, flare and freestyling fun, during each session! Categories include: Torpedoes (body bashing), the Wood Sniffers, McTavish Trim, Log Invitational, Mermaid Party, and debut events (here and anywhere else in the world!), the Extra-Terrestrial soft-board experiment – where anything goes!, and the Ying/Yang – two surfers per wave!… and BBSF always finishes an epic day of surfing with their now-famous Festival Party Wave! Freestyle & Stoke is a free event; everyone is welcome to attend. It will be the final surf event for BBSF 2018. The McTavish Trim will feature some of surfing’s best on boards 10ft+, vying for the longest wave up the beach, judged by Bob McTavish himself. Pack your picnic, boardies, buddies and boards. This is the day that tops it all off! Ride the BBSF Parteee Wave all da way home. High vibes and good times is where it’s at.
Big thanks to the Byron Bay Mal Club, who will be putting on an epic Brekkie and Lunch barbecue over 7am–2.30pm. More info on www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au
Young ANZACs
Byron Writers Festival invites young people aged 14–22 years to participate in their Anzac project. The project includes a free presentation and the commissioning of six creative projects from young people aged 14–22 years.
The aim of the project is to engage young people of the northern rivers with the memory of war and the Anzac legacy. In a free presentation, Mark Dapin discusses the relevance of memory and the Anzac legacy. Attendees will also be advised about the art commission opportunity. (Thursday 8 March 4–5.30pm) at SCU. www.byronwritersfestival.com/anzac
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. 
