NORPA: Wildskin
Lismore City Hall | 28 Sep till 6 Oct | Adult $49–25
NORPA’s upcoming Wildskin is the story of one woman’s journey played with horror… and humour. This intriguing piece by the region’s premier theatre company follows on from previous sellout shows such as Railway Wonderland. Wildskin director and NORPA artistic director Julian Louis says, ‘We wanted to explore and subvert the view of regionality and the idea of the bush horror… We play with people’s expectations that have been set up by narratives of backpacker murders or films such as Wake in Fright or Wolf Creek and take audiences to a surprising place with it.’
Wednesday 19 September
Public Act Showcase: Fulcrum – Finding Balance
Byron Theatre, Community Centre | Wednesday | 7pm | $15
In their end-of-term showcase, Fulcrum – Finding Balance, Public Act Theatre’s Empowering Women Through Theatre course, presents the landscapes of our personal stories alongside an exploration of some of the wider complex social issues that are living within our communities are danced, sung and spoken by this term’s 10 courageous women. Over the nine-week term each of the 11 women has created her own piece of work, which is woven together with choreographed movement, costume, light, sound, and some kind of magic!
Fulcrum – Finding Balance will be shown at The Byron Theatre on Wednesday 19 September at 7pm.
Tickets $15 through Byron Community Centre
Celestial Secrets
Gymea Eco Retreat, Uki | 11–15 Oct
Ever thought about jointing the CIA? Now’s your chance. You can sign up for a 4-day retreat hosted by the Cosmic Intelligence Agency, the Australian international group of astrologers, who gather for their annual retreat in the luscious grounds of Gymea in Uki. Join the C*I*A for an immersion into the astrology of light, sacred geometry, chart immersion, bush essences, crystals, and more. With a world-class team including Laura Boomer-Trent – UK/France, local astrologers Maggie Kerr and Tina Mews, founder of C*I*A Julija Simas, and special guest Jain 108.
• A 4-day All-inclusive Pass available – includes all food, accommodation, transfers, all workshops.
• A 4-day Local Access Pass – includes two full days and two half days, three lunches, no accom.
• A 1-day Pass – available for Sunday 14 October, with lunch.
Join us to empower your evolution through astrology and the cosmic wonder. Celestial Secrets – 11–15 October. Gymea Eco Retreat, Uki.
Phone Julija 0417 988 512 for bookings and full program info – cosmicintelligenceagency.com/celestialsecrets
Peace Day Concert
Byron Theatre, Community Centre | Thursday 20 September | $25
International Peace Day will be much more than a concert. There will be uplifting songs from The Songbirds, Shai Shriki, Amir Paiss, Kim Banffy, and Julie Hayes, and a beautiful sound-healing session with Dr Eeka King before we launch into a guided meditation session for world peace. And there is an awesome surprise ending to the event!
Groups of Eight (as per Lynne Mc Taggart’s book The Power of Eight ) will commit to continue to meet throughout the year to keep the frequencies high. Already there are people volunteering to convene groups in New Brighton (this group has already started), Bruns, Mullum, the Gold Coast, and Wollongbar. On the night there will also be people in other areas volunteering to convene groups.
Byron Theatre for Thursday night, 20 September. $25 – tix at www.byroncentre.com.au
Ladies of the Lounge Bellydance Showcase
Byron Theatre, Community Centre | Friday
We love our belly dance in Byron Bay and if you want to see some of our best head on over to the Byron Theatre for Lakita – Contemporarty Bellydance Showcase at the Byron Theatre on Friday. The School of Contemporary Bellydance, aka The Ladies of The Lounge, celebrate an epic five years of choreographies. This performance is directed by Lakita with this crew most well known for their experimental and edgy flavours. Fusing the ancient feminine art form of bellydance with modern interpretations – expect the unexpected!
Byron Bay Film Festival announces gala screenings
12–21 October
Byron Bay Film Festival has announced the names of the films that will be screened as part of this year’s opening and closing gala evenings – both of them featuring larger-than-life characters with a special place in the hearts of Byron locals.
Michael Franti marks his directorial debut with the international premiere of his film Stay Human, and the life of the late shark conservationist Rob Stewart will be celebrated in another international premiere, Sharkwater Extinction, on the closing gala night.
Franti is a social activist as well as a musician, and in Stay Human he seeks out six ‘change-makers’ in communities from the Philippines to South Africa.
‘My documentary Stay Human takes us on an experiential journey through the music and stories of some of the most inspiring people on the planet whom I’ve met along my travels, who have chosen to overcome cynicism with optimism and hope,’ Franti says.
They are people whose selfless and purposeful lives show what it means to be fully human and what it takes to stay that way, offering solutions in a seemingly hopeless world through artistic passion, creativity, and service. Franti will be conducting a Q&A session from Hawaii after the screening.
Rob Stewart also touched the lives of many Australians, inspiring ‘Shark Girl’ Madison Stewart and pro surfer and artist Karlee Mackie, who was a close friend for many years.
Sharkwater Extinction is a celebration of a life well lived, infused with the unhappy awareness that Stewart died during an inexplicable diving incident in 2017 and that the destruction of sharks continues. Rob’s parents, Sandy and Brian, are delighted to have Sharkwater Extinction premiere in Byron Bay.
Byron Bay Film Festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said: ‘We are honoured to be given the opportunity to share Rob’s work on one of the most important nights of the festival. The Closing Gala provides a space to reflect on and celebrate the positive impact this remarkable man achieved in his short time here on Earth.’
Tickets to BBFF’s gala events are on sale at bbff.com.au/buy-tickets-byron-bay-film-festival
Brunsywood
Brunswick Picture House | Saturday in the Garden from 5pm | Kiosk from 5.30pm | Doors at 6.45pm | Film and live performance at 7pm
The Brunswick Picture House present their latest film event: Bruns Goes Bollywood. With a feast of food, film, frivolity and unabashed dance as they go ‘Brunsywood’! Live performance from the wonderful Bollywood Sisters, food by the brilliant Billi’s and Oscar-winning Mira Nair’s sublime Monsoon Wedding.
Mandy Nolan: Stand Up Comedy Virgin Sacrifice
Mullumbimby Ex-Services | Monday | 8pm| $10/15
Mandy Nolan’s Stand Up Comedy course is one of the longest-running courses on offer at the Byron Community College. For the past 22 years, comedian Mandy Nolan has taught local aspiring comedians the dark art of standup. ‘But people do it more for than just being a comedian,’ says Nolan. ‘It’s a bucket-list thing. And it should be. It’s so much fun, and you don’t have to want to be a comedian to get something out of it!’
Nolan’s latest crop of comedians are truly spectacular. ‘This group has the largest number of incredible mouthy single women giving stick to the lack of available men in the area that I’ve ever had!’
Come and see the latest crop of standup comedians fly in the face of fear when they perform at what is sure to be another jam-packed night – it’s something of a cult event these days – the Virgin Sacrifice!
Monday at Mullumbimby Ex-Services at 8pm. Tix are $10/15 online at mandynolan.com.au or on the door on the night. Doors 7pm show 8pm
Popup Comedy w Mandy Nolan MC & S Sorrensen
Bangalow Bowlo | Thursday 20 September | Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm | $10
Hey, it’s Popup Comedy at the Bangalow Bowlo! Mandy Nolan’s new Popup Comedy is a comedy night with a twist featuring S Sorrensen and five tried-and-tested local comedians.
Hosted by Mandy Nolan, one half of the national smash hit touring show Women Like Us.
Thursday 20 September at 8pm. $10 at the door or buy tix at mandynolan.com.au
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