The 20th Lavazza Italian Film Festival
Palace Byron Bay | 26 Sept–13 Oct
The 20th Lavazza Italian Film Festival celebrates Italian cinema and filmmakers at their very best. With a programme featuring 26 of the best new Italian films from the past year as well as classic cinematic gems, Special Presentations, aperitivo nights, receptions and galas, it is Palace’s biggest event of the year! The Opening Night selection, The Champion (Il campione) is a beautifully balanced blend of the spectacular and the intimate – a story of friendship, and learning whom to trust. There are also special presentations from the director of Indivisible, Edoardo De Angelis’ powerful and award-winning new film The Vice of Hope (Il vizio della speranza) and following last year’s presentation of the international theatrical cut of Loro, this year, audiences have the opportunity to see the director’s cut of one of the most-talked-about opening night films in the festival’s 20-year history. The festival also hosts the world premier of Promised with red carpet screenings in Melbourne and Sydney. Directed by Nick Conidi and featuring a stellar Italian-Australian cast, including Daniel Berini, Antoniette Iesue, Paul Mercurio and Tina Arena, this is a romantic drama that is certain to hit home. The Closing Night selection is the Australian premiere of Ron Howard’s highly anticipated biopic Pavarotti. Howard’s access-all-areas documentary looks back at the life, relationships and remarkable performing career of the world’s most famous tenor, who became an international superstar from the early 1960s, until his death.
With many more films on – check out italianfilmfestival.com.au
Screening at Palace Byron Bay 26 Sept–13 Oct.
Byron Live with Mandy Nolan
Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby | Saturday 5 October | 8pm | $35
You want to find out what a yoni map is? Well after making jokes about it Mandy is putting her money where her who-ha is and she’s going and getting one done and then chatting with the gorgeous Karlyn Boyter about what it all means, and how yoni mapping became a ‘thing’ here! Karlyn is one of the guests on Byron Live, along with penis painter Pricasso, Damon Gameau, Space Cowboy and Áine Tyrell.
Don’t miss it! Drill Hall Theatre, Saturday 5 October at 8pm.
Book Tickets mandynolan.com.au
Yoi no myōjō
Kokomo Gallery at Secret Garden, 121 Jonson St Byron | Friday 5–10pm | Free
A special gathering entitled Yoi no myōjō (evening star) will take place at Byron’s Kokomo Gallery at the southern end of Jonson Street on Friday. Open to all, the evening celebrations will feature live music, Gypsy Coast Wagons, food by One Green Acre, a cocktail bar, and the latest works by Karlee Mackie, All under the gaze of Venus.
A new collection of eight large paintings are Karlee’s tribute to her recently passed Japanese nan Masako. An internationally renowned Shiatsu master and yogi, Masako worked as healer to many, including the late Kerry Packer.
To welcome guests and the rising planet, accomplished fifteen-year-old, Russian-trained pianist Paloma DiDia will be floating her fingers across the keyboard. And later in the evening DJ Lachlan Rhys will keep the sounds flowing in the garden.
BANG presents: Nit Boy
Byron Theatre, Community Centre | 3,4 & 5 October | 10am & 1pm daily
Mention the words nits and most people have vivid memories of nervously waiting to have hair pulled and heads scratched. Much loved Bangalow author Tristan Bancks cleverly uses these fond memories in his hilarious book Nit Boy, a story about a kid called Lewis who has the worst case of nits in world history. Lewis has thousands of nits. His teachers and mum want to shave his head but Lewis has had nits so long that he’s kind of attached to them. He sees them as his pets.
BANG! is passionate about providing local children the opportunity to learn performing arts in a professional environment whilst collaborating with local artists to celebrate the richness of our local creatives / artists. Tristan shares his thoughts on this production; ‘In the time since I wrote Nit Boy, nits have become no less popular. Kids still seem to love them, so it’s pretty exciting to me to have my words on a page come to life in the form of giant nits on a stage. I’ve met the cast and I love Anouska’s creative vision and energy. I’m so happy to be collaborating with her again. I only wish this opportunity was open to me in my town when I was a keen kid actor.’ The production of Nit Boy is proudly engaging a local costume designer, author, director, producer, actors, and sponsors.
The combination of this inspiring local author and the creative passion of Anouska will undoubtedly be hilariously funny and nit-wittingly contagious, this stage adaption is sure to entertain all ages and hair types! Performance dates are 3rd, 4th and 5th October. 10am and 1pm daily at Byron Theatre, with tickets now on sale at byroncentre.com.au
Country Club Comedy with Mc Mandy Nolan, Feature Luke Heggie. Support, Brad Oakes
Ocean Shores Country Club | Tuesday 1 October | 7pm | Free
Multi award winning comedian Luke Heggie dazzles with his straight-up, tell-it-like-it-is comedy. Sharp as a tack with an ever-active comedian’s eye, Luke finds hilarity in the everyday, relationships, friends – workplaces, it’s all rich comedy content for Luke Heggie.
Past winner of Melbourne International Film Festival’s coveted RAW award for his debut performance in 2010, and hand-selected for the MICF Comedy Zone; a yearly showcasing of the four most-promising rising stars of comedy, Luke’s unique material and easy-going style won audiences over right away. His first hour-long show, Master Of None got him nominated for the Best Newcomer Award, with MICF Comedy Zone, in 2012. Later that year he ended up winning Time Out Sydney’s Best Comedian, leading to a gig at The New York Comedy Festival.
Since then, Luke has written new hour-long shows each year for the festival circuit in Australia and NZ, with regular tours to the US and Europe. Never far from the podium Luke has kept his winning streak up with the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Directors Choice Award in 2015 for his show You’re Not So Special and in 2016 his show Anything Is Possible was filmed, winning an Aria award for Best Comedy Release.
He headlines at the Ballina RSL on Thursday, 8pm with Mandy Nolan as MC and Em O’Loughlin as support and at Country Club Comedy, Ocean Shores on Tuesday at 7pm, with the legendary Brad Oakes as support. Free Events. Tix $35 at mandynolan.com.au
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