Denise Scott @ Scotty, with Brekky
Byron Comedy Fest | Byron Surf Club | Sunday 19 May | 10 am | Breakfast included $55
Denise Scott is irrepressible. With a career that just keeps kicking goals, in an industry where they are still struggling for gender parity, she is showing that a woman in her 60s can not only have a career, she can soar to the top! And there’s just one reason for that. She’s bloody funny. Proper funny. In fact Denise has that rare ability to work across demographics while constantly keeping her pitch absolutely authentic and true to heart.
And she’s a woman up for a bit of danger! The comedy legend has been showing her tango skills on Dancing with the Stars. In fact there’s not much this tongue-in-cheek, mother of two, ratbag of a woman won’t take on. Last year she became a panelist on Studio 10 – adding a touch of humanity and that down to earth charm she’s so loved for.
Yep, this Barry Award winning comedian could be called the comedian’s comedian. In Melbourne where she lives, Denise Scott jokes are held in reverence. Not by her of course. But by the many up and coming comedians who bask in her shadow. Not that Denise even realises she casts a shadow! She’s far too humble for that.
Scotty is hysterically funny. It’s no surprise she has also scored a Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer. When she hit the stage with her dear friend, Judith Lucy, the show sold over 30,000 tickets across the country.
Have breakfast (covered in ticket price) with Denise Scott at the Byron Comedy Fest on Sunday 19 May at 10am. It’s an awesome way to start the day and with Mother’s Day the Sunday before – this is an incredible gift for the Mum in your life.
Family Fun Open Day
Byron Bay Golf Club | Sunday 12 noon – 4pm | Music from 4pm | FREE
The Byron Golf Club is having an open day on Sunday, so why not bring the family and check out this incredible facility.
There will be Laser Skirmish, Bubble Soccer, a bouncy castle and face painting. The Byron Public School will have a snow cone and popcorn stall on the go, and for the adults there’s an Introductory Golf Clinic to improve your swing.
If you’re a good shot, who knows, you might win some cash in the ‘Lob for Loot’ putting comp! The fabulous Brookies Gin company will have a pop up tent on the day with their delicious specialty cocktails, and so will Asahi Beer: selling their Goat beer and Somersby Cider.
There is music from 4pm with Greg Lyon and The Hip Operation.From noon onwards Byron Bay Golf Club is an awesome place to be this Sunday, especially with ribs from Lennox Smokin Barrel and tacos from Taco Love! 12noon – 4pm with music to follow.
Go To Byron Bay Golf Club for more info.
Trivia
Mullumbimby Ex Services | Saturday | 6pm | $10 at the door
There’s no better way to get the gang together than with a trivia night – and you can raise money for a local charity at the same time! Test your memory for those weird bits of information lurking in your cerebral cortex and support the Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley Football Club, on Saturday at the Mullum Ex-services from 6pm by coming along with a table of 10, or be added to a team on the night. www.mullumexservices.com.au
An Artist’s Affair: ‘Flowers and Flesh’
Stokers Siding Hall | Saturday 30 at 4pm & Sunday 31 March at 3pm | 1 day $150, 2 days $250
Life drawing is a sensual way to experience the thrill of drawing. There is something about the human form that is so compelling – at An Artist’s Affair this month there will be eight life drawing models across two stages, offering an inspiring atmosphere for all. An Artist’s Affair is all about being theatrical and opulent. Flowers and Flesh promises to be insightful, delightful, auspicious, humorous, humbling, friendly and fun, and very very inspiring! All levels of artistic skill are welcome. Even beginners! There is no better time to pick up your pencil and give it a go!
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March from 3pm at Stoker’s Siding Hall. www.followyourart.net.au
Commodity Fetish & The Gods, Exhibition by Charlotte Haywood & Ed Home
BSA Mullumbimby | Monday – Saturday | 10am – 2pm | Free
The BSA Project Space has another packed exhibition calendar this year with the current exhibition drawing a crowd from locals keen to hear more from the talented duo Charlotte Haywood and Edward Horne. Partners in life and art, they work collaboratively and independently as interdisciplinary artists across installation, experimental architecture, theatre, film, sculpture, textiles and through inter-cultural collaborations, techniques and materials. Work is on show for one more week, so pop in for a look!
BSA Project Space, Byron School of Art, 112 Dalley St, Mullumbimby
On the Edge of a Dream
BSA Mullumbimby | Friday 29 March | $22
For the past five years local residents Andrew Kidman and Ellis Ericson have been working with George Greenough on the modern evolution of his Edge Surfboard design.
Ericson and Kidman are both shapers; the book and film charts their journey as they work with Greenough to personalise their own equipment with a design George has been toying around with since the late ‘60s.
Their film On the Edge of a Dream is shot on the North Coast of NSW and it features Lennox Head and Angourie where Greenough’s innovative Edge designs were tested in the early ‘70s. Along with the 52 minute feature film, Kidman and Ericson have also released a 100 page hardbound book that is an even deeper look into the mind of the surfboard shaper.
A good friend and contemporary artist Barry Mcgee (San Francisco) was visiting Australia during the making of the project and witnessed firsthand the surfboards, stories and historical significance that was evolving. Barry offered his hand to the project and thus began the dialogue of creating the artwork for the film and book On the Edge of A Dream.
Barry’s original sketches and final works for the project will be exhibited alongside the screening of the film this month at the Byron School of Art Gallery in Mullumbimby. The Art Show opens to the public at 6pm on Friday 29 March and will run over 3 days with Friday and Saturday night screenings of the film. $22 at www.ontheedgeofadream.org
Flickerfest in Murwillumbah
Cinema Regent, Murwillumbah | Saturday and Sunday | 4pm | $12/15
Flickerfest 2019 National Tour returns to our region this month with the Best Of Australian Shorts & Short Laughs Comedy programmes in Murwillumbah at the Regent Cinema, this Saturday and Sunday. The Best of Australian Shorts Programme highlights include: Aussie comedian Paul McDermott’s Ghostbear, a beautifully animated film, straight from Paul’s heart. Ghostbear tackles the disappearing animals of our planet and tells the story of a polar bear cub wandering the arctic in search of his place in the world, and his birthplace in the stars. Gracie Otto’s Desert Dash tells a fantasy story on the outskirts of Australia where opals are now the currency for survival in the game of Desert Dash. When the feisty heroine gets the opportunity to ‘level up’ there is no choice but to win. Game On! All These Creatures, was the winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2018 and which was also awarded Best Editing in an Australian Short Film at Flickerfest 2019.
This programme will also include: the Northern Rivers film Foil Man, shot by local Krista Werner around Murwillumbah. Winner of Byron All Shorts Audience Award for Best Short Film, at Flickerfest 2019 in Mullumbimby. Foil Man tells the story of an alien from a distant planet who arrives in the Northern Rivers NSW, where he encounters some of the locals. Short Laughs Comedy Programme highlights include: Oscar Nominated Animal Behaviour from Canada – five animals meet regularly to discuss their inner angst in a group therapy session led by Dr. Clement, a canine psychotherapist. Dealing with what comes naturally can be hard! From Sweden How It Feels To Be Hung-over – a man wakes up at a clinic specialising in malignant hangovers. The doctor prescribes 600 ml of ice cream and two action comedies, but also shares some news – which doesn’t make him feel any better. The Australian film Sad Sachs is a black comedy about a loving family, a country wedding and a neo-Nazi, what could possibly go wrong?
This programme will also include: the Northern Rivers film Dolls in which ‘A group of plucky dolls initiate an emotional break-up in a last ditch attempt to escape a toxic relationship’ which screened in the Comedy programme at Flickerfest in Bondi; and also screened in Byron All Shorts in Mullumbimby, where it received a special jury mention Highly Commended Award.
Saturday and Sunday at The Regent in Murwillumbah from 4pm. Tix are $12.15 at cinemaregent.com
It Could Be any of Us
Ballina Players Theatre | Friday – Sunday 31st | from 7.15pm | $15 – $25
If you were offered the opportunity to sample all the good things like music, painting, beautiful books, singing, dancing and acting lessons, pottery classes, would you give it all away to eat? Sulking and sullen teenager Amy Polegate, played by Hillary Goodsell does just that in Ballina Players’ latest production, It Could Be Any One Of Us. Amy is more concerned with eating and protecting her mum Jocelyn Polegate (Julieanne Basham) from her mums’ friend Norris Honeywell (Mick Webb) and her uncles Mortimer Chalke (Carl Moore) and Brinton Chalke (Peter Harding) rather than being artistic.
Amy’s grandmother Mrs Chalke, is the artistic type who wants her offspring to be ‘Children of the Light’, however none of them have any talent. For example, 20 years ago Brinton spent his summer staring at piano student Wendy Windwood (Mechelle Anderson), through the window when she was sitting with Mortimer, while he was painting. When Wendy arrives to survey her inheritance from Mortimer, Brinton is shocked to see his infatuation 20 years older, not at all like he remembers.
After three failed ‘accidents’ that could have been fatal, there’s finally a real murder in the house. Norris is delighted at finally getting his chance to solve a real crime.
But who gets murdered and who is the victim? It Could Be Any One of Us opens on Friday at the Ballina Players and runs through until Sunday 31 March.
Tix at ballinaplayers.com.au or at Just Funkin Music in Ballina.
Auditions for Extinction
Drill Hall Theatre | Friday and Sunday
The Drill Hall Theatre Company in association with Byron Writers Festival is preparing for the production of a very recent Australian play to be performed in August. It is written by Hannie Rayson (of Hotel Sorrento fame). The play, Extinction is very relevant in that it imaginatively and compassionately explores, with drama and humour, a microcosm of the way we currently treat the planet and each other’s concerns. Director, Richard Vinycomb is currently casting, and holding open auditions on Friday and Sunday. See ads in Classifieds pages 51–53.
If you are an experienced female or male actor, in the age range for lead characters 25 to 55, preferably send your details (short bio and photo) to producer [email protected] or otherwise message Richard on 0427 843 374.
Funny Fools!
Stand Up Comedy Virgin Sacrifice with MC Mandy Nolan | Mullumbimby Ex Services | Monday 1 April | 8pm | $10/15
‘How do you teach someone to Be Funny?’ That is the question Mandy Nolan is most asked about the stand up comedy course she runs through Byron Community College. ‘I don’t’ she says. ‘98% of people are naturally funny or have some sort of comedic insight – I teach them technique, I help them find the things they want to talk about, I try and guide them into just how they might talk about it, we create a short 5 minute routine, and then at the end they get up on stage.’ Mandy’s latest crop of comedy students are what she describes as ‘a bloody crack up’. ‘Some classes just have this magic to them – and this is certainly one of those groups!’ With horticulturalists, a retiree, an accommodation provider, a one time male stripper turned Michael Buble singer, a stay at home mum, a Thai screen writer, a doctor and a whole heap more – like they say in Sesame Street– you won’t believe the people that you meet in your neighbourhood, and what they have to say!
This term’s Virgin Sacrifice Comedy Graduation falls on the most auspicious day on the comedy calendar: 1 April! 8pm at the Mullumbimby Ex Services | Doors at 7pm. Tix are $10/15
Book on mandynolan.com.au or tix at the door (if any left. These shows go nuts!)
Naked Ambition: The Story of Puppetry of the Penis with Simon Morley & special guest Mandy Nolan
Monday at Byron Services Club | Tuesday Mullum Ex Services Club | 8pm | $25
Back in 1998 Simon Morley and David Friend left their dignity at the door and got their dicks out. It was the moment that would change their lives forever. Goodbye obscurity! Hello World Domination! They performed Puppetry of the Penis – awarded ‘Outright Best Show’ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Puppetry of the penis is built on the comedic genius of Morley and Friend, and their bizarre ability to perform genital origami or dick tricks. Basically they make other things with their penis, testicles and scrotum.
Mandy Nolan joins forces with Simon Morley, one half of the Penis show, to present Naked Ambition; the show that takes you on a journey through the creation of the two-man ‘dick-trick’ show spawned in the outback of Australia which made its way through Europe, and even conquered North America.
The show is not to be judged on its free-hanging subject matter. Puppetry of the Penis creator Simon Morley stresses the non-sexual joy that can be brought from the genitalia and how the show was birthed through the idea of love and tomfoolery, rather than the sex-show premise many bookers believed it to be. Morley takes a retrospective look at his hilarious journey around the world mastering the puppetry of the penis with a well-rehearsed chronology of the journey with his partner David Friend. The show has taken many unexpected twists and turns: for example, very few shows at the Fringe can boast that watching an octogenarian aggressively nuzzling a man’s exposed ball sack was so funny it forced fits of laughter so hard a woman literally soiled her seat. The narrative is told in a light yet heartfelt way and Morley is a clear raconteur, moving around the stage effortlessly without standing on ceremony and with little regard for shame.
He is joined by Mandy Nolan, a woman all too familiar with the Puppetry of thePenis, as she toured with the show over a decade ago. ‘It was a bloody sensational gig! As a female comedian there’s nothing better than a room full of mainly women who clearly have some pretty loose boundaries! Performing with Friendy and Simon was a gift!’ To even up the score, Nolan will be doing some of her top notch vagina jokes! ‘Although there won’t be any puppetry coming from me!’ she laughs.
Catch the show that had audiences in stitches at last year’s Edinbugh Festival, when Simon Morley presents Naked Ambition. With Mandy Nolan as fluffer! Monday at the Byron Services Club & Tuesday at the Mullumbimby Ex Services. Both shows at 8pm and are $25 at the club, online at mandynolan.com.au or at the door.
rehearsing Two Women for the Now Club poetry night at Marvell Hall in Byron on Friday.
The NOW Club
Marvell Street, Byron | Friday | 6.30pm | Entry at door $5 – 12
The NOW Club happens when four avant-garde Byron Bay people decide it’s time for a cross-generation convention-busting social experiment. The Club is a ‘new hang’ for people of all ages. The monthly Friday night-spot means talks, videos, movies, poetry, plays, acoustic music, food and drink, fun and frivolity, all at a budget price.
The first one is a dare: Organiser, playwright and philosopher Chris Willmot explains, ‘We kick off with a celebration of World Poetry Day as a marvellous night at Marvell Hall, 37 Marvell St (next to Feros Care), at 6.30 pm this Friday.’
Local poets will perform, including poetry slam champ, David Hallett and other outstanding poets from around Australia and the world, and local and international videos will be screened. A bracket of slinky songs from trio Honey Blue is also slated.
Gladys Berejiklean’s new media best friend, Jim Beatson adds: ‘Then the next month’s Friday will be a double bill screening, with the Byron premiere of the critically acclaimed film Pilliga Rising and a rescreening of the fabulous Murder On The Reef on Friday 6.30 pm, 12 April.’ Both for just $12.
