Life of Brian
Palace Cinema, Byron | Thursday 18 April | 7pm | $15 – 20
The Life of Brian is one of the funniest of the Monty Python collection. They deliver a scathing, anarchic satire of both religion and Hollywood’s depiction of all things biblical in this, their second film, originally released in 1979. Set in 33AD Judea, where the exasperated Romans are trying to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe in them.
At its centre is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in the stable next door, who by a series of absurd circumstances is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistaken for the promised messiah, providing ample opportunity for the entire Monty Python ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex-lepers to Pontius Pilate, the art of haggling, revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions, and crucifixion, forever changing our biblical view.
But remember – he’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
Palace Byron Bay is screening this classic satirical masterpiece on Thursday 18 April at 7pm. A perfect pre-Easter treat! Tickets $15–20 available at the cinema or online at www.palacecinemas.com.au.
The Paris Opera Ballet – Swan Lake
The Paris Opera Ballet – Swan Lake | The Palace Byron | Sunday 1pm & Thursday April 17 | 11am
Some of the world’s finest dancers will be on show for Byron Shire audiences of all ages next week, with a special recording of the Paris Opera Ballet’s Swan Lake set to screen exclusively at Palace Byron Bay cinema as part of the Palace Opera Ballet program.
The Paris Opera Ballet is the oldest national ballet company in France and, together with the Mariinsky Ballet, the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet, and the London Royal Ballet is regarded as one of the four most pre-eminent dance companies in the world. Swan Lake is a jewel of the Paris Opera Ballet repertoire, and a chance to experience the company at its most luminous.
Sunday at 1pm and Wednesday 17 April at 11am. Palace Byron Bay Cinemas, 108 Jonson St, Byron Bay. Tickets $15–24 available at the cinema or online at www.palacecinemas.com.au
Luminous by Colleen DaRosa
Lone GoatGallery Byron Bay | cOpening Friday 26 April – through until 15 May | Free
Luminous at the Lone Goat Gallery celebrates the study of light by artist Colleen DaRosa.
Her works in encaustic, plexiglas, and with paper offer a palpable experience of light at play. She is particularly concerned with the impact of what she identifies as slow light on an object… the way natural ambient light is constantly changing its effect on a work.
DaRosa’s paintings highlight the translucence and lustrous quality of encaustic medium. Her plexiglas sculptures exhibit radiant surfaces, glowing spaces, and flashing edges. At night, these works operate as glowing objects of dynamic colour when lit by LED lights. In her relief paper sculptures DaRosa seeks to amplify the presence of ambient light in pools of colour.
Her show opens on Friday 26 April at Lone Goat Gallery and runs through until 15 May. www.lonegoatgallery.com
Piliga Rising & Murder on the Reef with Q&A by directors
Marvell Hall, Byron | Friday | 7pm | $12/15 at the door
Gladys Berejiklian’s NSW government has just abolished the Department of Environment, putting it in the NSW Planning Department as the feds put the finishing touches to the murder of the Barrier Reef. How does this affect places like the Piliga?
Piliga Rising is the new film made by the people who brought you The Bentley Effect. It is screening at Marvell Hall in Byron on Friday with Murder on the Reef.
Piliga is a land where farmers, emus, budgies, galahs, echidnas, and koalas thrive, 600km south of Byron. Just the spot for coal seam gas mining and a coal mine.
See coalition MPs laugh over the Reef’s destruction in Parliament, as unseen cameras film them in the brain-shocking Murder on the Reef. Makes you want to rush, not walk, to the ballot boxes. Murder was directed by scientist Dr Allen Dobrovolsky, who grew up near Chernobyl in Russia and now lives on the Gold Coast.
The directors of both films will be in attendance for a Q&A.
Also performing will be Tim Shanasy, a brilliant local deaf improvisational jazz pianist. Jim Beatson, chairperson of Marvell Hall, is enthusiastic about what’s on offer.
‘This will be our fifth night of Marvell Hall having something different to offer on a Friday in Byron Bay that is not exclusively music. We’ve had an original play, Wild Spirits, written by Suffolk Park playwright Christine Wilmott, looking at the lives of Mary and Percy Shelley, including Lord Byron on the creation of the book Frankenstein.
We’ve had two nights examining Byron Bay’s problematic Water Place issues. And another celebrating World Poetry Day. How is that for variety? We are always looking for new ideas!’
Marvell Hall, Byron. Friday 7pm. $12/15 at the door
Federal Films Present: Sweet Country
Saturday 6.30pm | Screening 8pm | Dinner & film $13 / film and tea/coffee & cake $5
This Saturday at Federal Hall, Federal Films presents Sweet Country. Screening at 8pm, Sweet Country (2018, MA) is directed by Warwick Thornton, best known for Samson and Delilah.
Set in the outback Australian frontier of the 1920s, it unflinchingly depicts the brutality of colonial justice in an unforgiving, sparse, and ancient landscape. Stars Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, and Hamilton Morris, who in his acting debut brings a quiet dignity to his role.
There will also be two short films by local filmmakers: Living Music, directed by Chasca Summerville, and Seeking Safety from Federal teenager Lizzie. Membership of Federal Films is available at the door.
This month’s caterer is Eureka Football Club, who will be offering a selection of delicious curries.
Dinner is available from 6.30pm, and is just $13, with tea/coffee and cake for $5. Federal Films – building community through film and food. Enquiries 66 849 313. www.federalfilmsociety.com
Melbourne City Ballet: Alice in Wonderland
Byron Centre | Sunday 28 April | 1.30pm
Join the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter as Alice ventures through Wonderland. This all-new ballet is perfect for all ages and is a magical portrayal of the classical story, over a year in the making. Melbourne City Ballet is set to bring a smile to both ballet and non-ballet audiences with its exquisite choreography and dynamic storytelling.
With 40 unique costumes and newly designed tour-able sets, this ballet is sure to be a colourful and playful rendition on this story. In true Melbourne City Ballet fashion the company brings a feast of movement to the stage.
Melbourne City Ballet presents Alice in Wonderland at the Byron Theatre at the Community Centre on Sunday 28 April at 1.30pm. Tix $36–42. byroncentre.com.au
Circus Bonanza at Bruns Picture House!
Brunswick Picture House | Friday 19 April | 2pm | $25/22 or kids $18 or family of 4 | $75
Wondering what to do with the kids over the Easter weekend? Well the Brunswick Picture House has the answer with the Picture House Circus Bonanza!
They’ll show you what you get if you cross family-friendly cabaret with circus and then throw in a bit of comedy and a good dose of hijinks and surprise. When they roll out the Circus Bonanza, you can expect things you’ve never seen before from a crazy, talented, hugely entertaining, and eclectic crew of performers from around the corner and throughout Australia.
Tailored for the young and tailor-made for the young at heart, this show will razzle and dazzle its way into your hearts and tickle your funnybones.
Friday 19 April at 2pm. Tix $25/22 or kids $18 or family of 4 $75
brunswickpicturehouse.com/our-events
