Dancing OUR land
Bangarra Dance troupe’s incredible moving triple bill, Our Land People Stories is on at HOTA this week. HOTA is the renamed Gold Coast Arts Centre (Home of the Arts). Inspired by the life story and painting of internationally acclaimed visual artist Nyapanyapa Yunupingu from northeast Arnhem Land, artistic director Stephen Page presents a multi-layered experience that sheds light on Australia’s history through contemporary dance, striking costumes, visual art and vibrant landscapes. Fri – Sat at HOTA – hota.com.au for tickets.
Lucy Gallant plays West Papua fundraiser at Ewingsdale Hall in Byron on Friday
Music and community for West Papua
The genocide of the West Papuan people at the hands of the Indonesian military is one of the saddest yet rarely told stories of modern times, and it‘s still happening right now! Nothing has changed! Why? Because West Papua, a land of untold riches, was hijacked with a violent and rigged vote by Indonesia in 1969. Only 1,000 out of a million were allowed to vote and those 1,000 were held at gunpoint! All this was with the support of Australia, the USA and the United Nations.
The Indonesian military have slaughtered nearly half a million indigenous West Papuans in the years since, all in the name of a mountain made of pure gold. The 50 years’ genocide has left behind thousands of forgotten orphans who have had zero charitable relief. There will be a big fundraiser for West Papua at the Ewingsdale Hall on Saturday. Staring at 10 in the morning with yoga, then featuring the tranquil flute sounds of Lord Bhati, chi gong energy flow by Vitoria Borg-Oliver, guitar and vocals by Lucy Gallant, ecstatic free-flow dance by Anne O Hoy, the Band Zero Limits with Delight and Tribe, DJ Pumpernickel with Awakened Beats, and finishing at 5pm with a screening of the documentary Forgotten Birds of Paradise.
Be part of making a difference. 10am–6pm on Saturday at Ewingsdale Hall | Come to the event or make a donation today | www.gofundme.com/forgotten-orphans-of-papua
Swiv PM
Mark Swivel. Baby kisser. Dreamer. Wannabe politician. Well, not really. Who would want to be prime minister? he asks. In Mark Swivel’s new one-man show he details a litany of sins of our PMs, the broken promises, and illustrates once and for all that the system is broken, and that no visionary, passionate, and forward-thinking person is ever going to make it to the top job.
He presents Alternative Prime Minister at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services on Friday at 7.30pm.
Mullum in Movies
The Brunswick Valley Historical Society Inc are screening both of Sharon Shostak’s docos on Saturday at the Drill Hall, Mullumbimby. Mullumbimby’s Magic, the legacy of the hippies will screening at 5pm with doors opening at 4pm. Then at 7.30 we will be screening Mullumbimby’s Magic – the culture of the 1970s–80s Part 1. If you missed it first time around, this is your chance to catch up. See if you recognise anyone or, if you are new to the region, find out about the rich human history that you have become part of.
$15/10 each screening and there will be food and drinks for sale with those proceeds going to the Community Gardens.
Stopping Adani
Guarding the Galilee screens at the Brunswick Picture House on Thursday. Presented by Michael Caton, this is a 30-minute documentary on the battle to stop the biggest coal mine in Australian history, Adani’s Carmichael project. The award-winning documentary team captures the raw beauty of the Queensland outback, where Adani’s mine threatens essential water resources. A Mighty Force, the follow-up film, looks at the diversity and power of the #StopAdani movement and what it will take to win this campaign. We’re documenting the ordinary people who are standing up and taking extraordinary action in the movement to stop this mine, and what it will take to #StopAdani for good!
Be part of the simultaneous nationwide premiere. All proceeds go to FLAC (Frontline Action on Coal). 7pm | Adult $10.
Big Gig for Barnett
Back in 2010 Andrew Barnett’s comedy career began with a bang when he made the NSW state final of Raw Comedy. Since then Andrew has become a fixture of the Sydney comedy scene where he has established himself as a crowd favourite across the Sydney comedy scene and beyond. Barnett is the bloke next door, loveable, dry, and one hell of a great yarn spinner. The minute he walks onstage he develops an immediate rapport with the audience.
Andrew has worked with comedians from across Australia and the world. He has opened for some of the finest international acts to visit Australia including Dom Irrera (USA) and Ian Bagg (Can). Andrew has also worked with some of the biggest names in Australian comedy including Akmal Saleh, Dave Hughes, Fiona O’Loughlin, Glenn Robins and Dave O’Neill.
Andrew has performed at numerous festivals across Australia as a solo performer and part of ensembles. Andrew’s 2015 Sydney Fringe Festival show was described by The Daily Telegraph as a ‘knockout show.’ Owing to popular demand, Andrew’s 2015 Fringe Festival season was extended to include an encore performance.
In 2015 Andrew won the comedy prize in the ANZ Blue Rooms Competition as part of the Sydney Morning Herald ’s prestigious Spectrum Now festival.
In 2016 Andrew was selected to be part of the FRESH program at the Sydney Comedy Festival, which highlights the best emerging comedians in the festival. Andrew has a relaxed, affable style that belies a razor-sharp wit. His comedy is filled with insightful observations and witty anecdotes. Andrew is sure to be a crowd favourite wherever he performs.
With Ellen Briggs as support and Mandy Nolan as MC, this will be a night not to miss. Thursday at The Big Gig at the Ballina RSL. 8pm.
Exhibition Behind Doors
True Byron magic happened when two artist from two very different backgrounds collaborated.
Kleber Cianni, a Brazilan artist, and local Leeorah Hursky crossed paths more than a week ago. The idea to collaborate on one format was born and the preparation to exhibit in less than a week was undertaken.It was a whirlwind of ideas and creativity all the way, resulting in a very successful exhibition. Included in this experience was collaboration with @anthony_cooper_co, who produced the promo video and is currently working on the full documentary. He is a young very talented filmmaker and an integral part of this collaboration.
Kleber Cianni is a well-known Brazilian artist, who has exhibited at the National Museum Brasilia. He trained as an artist at Cesuc University, Brazil, and has exhibited extensively throughout Brazil. In 2015 he was a finalist in the Stencil Art Prize in Sydney.
Leeorah is originally from South Africa and has been a local of Byron Bay now for many years. Her work is famously passionate and wild. She has exhibited in Sydney, Byron and Capetown.Included in the exhibition is an area for guests to experience the magic of paint by adding to the group installation. Suggestions are to come with messy clothes or don the plastic-bag look.
This team will exhibit next in Capetown and Brazil. This is a rare opportunity to meet the artists.
The exhibition will run on Saturday and Sunday and will include a few more local artists. It is in Gallery House at 4 Orara Crt, between 11am and 5pm daily.
Training Ground
Learn physical theatre with some of the country’s leading artists at NORPA. NORPA’s Training Groundprogram provides artistic development for local performers, and regular contact with NORPA through physical theatre training with the company’s associate artists. All levels of skill and experience are welcome. The first is led by Kirk Page and is a four-week boot camp that focuses on developing physical strength and techniques that will benefit partnering skills in physical theatre-making. The classes will be a combination of pilates mat work, warm-up and stretching, coordination exercises, and solo and duet physical theatre-making.
Love Poems for the Earth
Dangerously Poetic Press is holding a free evening of poetry and music on Sunday at Murwillumbah’s Regent Cinema’s balcony at 5–7pm. The theme is Love Poems for the Earth. The Murwillumbah area has recently become home to award-winning poets Nola Firth and Matt Hetherington, who will both be featured. Nola won the Byron Writers Festival Dangerously Poetic Prize last year with her poem Counting on Murwillumbah. Matt, who has recently moved to Uki from the Melbourne poetry scene, has just published a collection titled For Instance and has another on the way. An experienced teacher, he is also about to teach a creative writing course through Murwillumbah Community College. Bring along a poem to share on the theme for the Open Section, whether your own or one you love by someone else. Local singer/songwriter Elizabeth Lord will regale you with her tender jazzy songs. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. All are welcome.
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