Big Gig Comedy – Dan Willis, Robert Grayson, Mandy Nolan
Ballina RSL | Thursday 27 Sep | 8pm | Free
Born in 1973 in North Yorkshire, Dan Willis moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne aged three, where he remained until nineteen years had passed. A Yorkshireman/Geordie mix means he is officially the most completely north-English comedian possible.
After studying Computer Sciences at Liverpool University, Willis spent 10 years in the IT industry, working for companies such as Unisys, IBM, and Coutts & Co (the Queen’s bank).
In 2001 after winning the Time-Out competition to be a Perrier judge at the Edinburgh festival, Willis made the move from computer programmer to full-time comedian. The IT crash also made this move slightly easier, if not essential – you’ve got to see the funny side of things after all.
Now, after over 3,000 gigs in 11 countries, including TV appearances in the UK and Australia, Willis performs in all major comedy clubs as a headline act or MC and international festivals throughout the globe performing solo shows (New Zealand and Melbourne Comedy Festivals, Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringes to name but a few).
At the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Willis performed six 1-hour shows a day for a month, repeating no jokes, breaking comedy world records, and cementing himself as the single most experienced festival act in history. It should be noted that this brings no accolades with it; simply working hard doesn’t really get press attention. Most comedians just like to do six shows a week at a festival; Dan averages about 30. Thus Willis holds a lot of records that no other comedian would either want or need, but he has written a lot of material.
He has appeared on Britain’s Channel 4’s Kings of Comedy and Edinburgh or Bust and he is also the producer, promoter, and resident MC for The Best of British live comedy showcase that tours throughout Australia.
Dan is the headline comedian for the Ballina RSL Big Gig Comedy night on Thursday 27 September. He is joined by support act Robert Grayson and MC Mandy Nolan. Doors 7.30pm. Show 8pm. FREE.
Bangalow Designers Market
Bangalow Public School | Saturday 8am–3pm
Find some amazing unique designer pieces at the Bangalow Designers’ Craft Market on Saturday.
Enjoy great music, gourmet food and local coffee brew from The Little Hopper. Come and buy locally made direct from the designer.
Bangalow Designers’ Market is on the grounds of the gorgeous Bangalow Public School from 8am till 3pm. More information available on the Bangalow Designers’ Market Facebook page www.facebook.com/ bangalowdesignersmarket
Dancing the Invisible screening with Q&A by EP Sue Maslin
Brunswick Picture House | Thursday | 7pm | $12–17
The feature documentary Jill Bilcock: Dancing the Invisible, depicting the extraordinary life and artistry of internationally acclaimed film editor Jill Bilcock, will be screening at the Brunswick Picture House this Thursday. Jill Bilcock’s prolific collection of work includes many iconic Australian films including Strictly Ballroom, Muriel’s Wedding, Moulin Rouge!, Red Dog, and The Dressmaker. These films all bear the unmistakable look and sensibility of Bilcock’s visual inventiveness, but it was her brave editing choices in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet that changed the look of cinema the world over, inspiring one Hollywood critic to dub her editing style as that of a ‘Russian serial killer on crack.’ With a back-story as colourful and surprising as her films, and featuring commentary from Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Shekhar Kapur, Phil Noyce, and Fred Schepisi, this documentary is a wonderful insight into the art of editing and the profound impact it has on storytelling. The screening is followed by a Q&A with Sue Maslin, the executive producer at 7pm. $12–17.
Circus Arts showcase: Impossible
Circus Arts, Byron | Friday 28 September 6pm Saturday 29 September 2pm & 6pm | $8–16 or family $40
Circus Arts Performance Troupe most skilled young people present their new show Impossible at Circus Arts this week.
Join them on a philosophical journey of discovery and mystery as they travel through time and explore the ideas of Impossible through their bodies and minds. An abundance of circus acts and theatrical improvisation promise an unforgettable night of entertainment!
Members of the Circus Arts performance troupe are local young talents from Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Suffolk Park, Bangalow, Lennox Head, and Ocean Shores.
The show is directed by Simon Adams and costume design is by Llama Kendall.
Shows at 6pm Friday 28 September & Saturday 29 September at 2pm & 6pm. Tix are $8–16 with $40 family tix available. To book go to circusarts.com.au
Mark Colvin’s Kidney
Drill Hall Theatre | Friday 28 September – Sunday 14 October, Friday and Sat at 7.30pm Sunday 2pm
It’s scheduled to open in London in early 2019, there has been a sold-out season in Sydney, and Mark Colvin’s Kidney is about to open in Mullumbimby. Time Out mag declared: ‘There is an undeniable, life-affirming thread running through the piece, and the play ends on a hopeful note. There’s a lesson here underneath the deception, scandal, and Twitter obsession: something about small and large acts of kindness, about reaching out a hand to someone in need. You might just leave feeling uplifted.’
Don’t miss our local show with playwright, Tommy Murphy talk on Sunday 30 September. For more info go to drillhalltheatre.org.au.or at the Bookshop Mullumbimby.
Heartwood at Shearwater
Shearwater Steiner School | 4–7 October
We can change the way we live on this continent, our impact on the environment, our respect for the original custodians. We can walk together. Listen to and learn from Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers and artisans in ‘yarning circles’. Develop cultural capacity, engage respectfully and sensitively with Indigenous law/lore, stories, and art. Cultivate your understanding of the sovereignty of Indigenous knowledge; build your awareness of and respect for the land and for its custodians.
Listening to Country: Understanding the Sovereignty of Indigenous Knowledge – Building Awareness and Respect for Country and Custodians at Shearwater Steiner School in Mullumbimby, 4–7 October. For more information go to heartwoodsiteworks.com.au
The Shakti Women’s Empowerment Festival
Byron Centre | Friday & Saturday
The festival is an initiative of ARD(Australia)Inc, a local charity that has been supporting women in rural India since 2005 and is currently running a Reproductive and Child Health program and has established eight Literacy Centres for adolescent girls who otherwise would receive no formal education. They work under the name of Women’s Empowerment in Indian Villages (WEIV). With a Friday night concert featuring: Meninas da Lua, Sarah Temporal (Poet), Parissa Bouas, Sharny Russell, Clancy Menzies, Sophie Ozard, The Loveys, and Abbie Cardwell, including a presentation – Women’s Empowerment in Indian Villages (WEIV). Saturday sees some yoga, along with The Art of Expression Forum with Karena Wynn-Moylan (chair), Donna Jacobs Sife, Laurel Cohn, Catherine Marciniak, and Liat Sokal. Later in the program there is a Women for Environmental Justice Forum with Sandra Heilpern (chair), Sue Higginson, Annie Kia, Nan Nicholson, Mary Gardner, Jan Barham, and a Women for Social Justice Forum with Melanie Lotfali (chair), and guest speakers Deb Pearse, Ella Goninan, Wendy Royston, and Tamara Smith. The evening will close with Indian classical dance featuring Karma Dance from Melbourne.
For tickets or program information go to weiv-india.org or byroncentre.com.au
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