Firestarter – the Bangarra story opens Byron film fest
The International Film Festival kicks off at Palace Cinemas on 23 Oct. The glamorous red-carpet celebration will begin ten days of provocative and entertaining films and events, while adhering to safe covid practices. Festival Director J’aimee Skippon-Volke says that Firestarter is a perfect opening night film for the festival. ‘This film comes at a time when a story of triumph against all odds couldn’t be more relevant,’ says J’aimee. ‘The extraordinary tale of the Page brothers, whose influence on Australian culture has been tremendous, but perhaps still undervalued, has the power to educate and inspire us about the power of the arts to heal and bring about social change.’ Marking Bangarra Dance Theatre’s 30th anniversary, Firestarter tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers — Stephen, David and Russell Page — took a dance company in its infancy and turned it into a First Nations cultural powerhouse.
Time of the Tambah Getters
Tambah Project began as a casual conversation between two people wanting to change the world. The idea was to bring three Australian artists together once a year to collaborate on a song with the purpose of encouraging environmental change, to this end Tambah Project sees artists heading to Byron’s Rockinghorse Studios to co-create a unique song, written and recorded from start to finish in one weekend. Billy Otto, Kyle Lionhart and Nidala Barjer have recorded Our Song – an anthemic pop song about hope, connection and regeneration.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the project is that the songs are carbon neutral and the more people who listen, the greener it gets, with all profits going to Wild Ark — a non-profit working to conserve and rewild the Earth.
Our Song by Tambah Project is available on Spotify now.
Clothes Swap for Indian kids
Northern Rivers NGO WEIV is hosting a clothes swap to raise funds for established health and education projects in Bihar, India. Find out more about WEIV on Facebook @WEIVINDIA or their webpage www.weiv-india.org.au
You just need to bring along some clean, good quality men’s or women’s clothing, already on a hanger, or baby or children’s clothing on a mat or in a basket. The clothes swap will be held Saturday at Gondwana Community Hall, Prestons Lane from 2–4pm. $20 donation to participate. To register, text Francoise on 0404 728 450.
Arnot’s living alone
Dylan Arnot, a singer/songwriter from the Northern Rivers, releases Living Alone, the second single from his debut album Sapphire City, on Thursday. The track tells of a relationship disintegrating during the lockdown. But then again, it doesn’t. Evoking a Shins/Whitlams kind of vibe, with a brash Aussie accent, this one is a toe-tapper. Check out the new track on dylanarnotmusic.com
Speed of Light
While gigs are just starting up, local musos are starting to release their creative projects. Local multi-award winning musician, filmmaker and songwriter Tim Tonkin has just completed his long-awaited solo music project.
Love At The Speed Of Light, is a five track EP, infused with heartfelt stories. It can be streamed on all platforms, or you can buy it at Music Bizarre Lismore.
Comedy at the Beachie
The Beach Hotel is helping lift morale with regular free comedy nights hosted by Mandy Nolan. This month features Rash Ryder.
Jason ‘Rash’ Ryder, is a comedy talent for the ages, from high-end cruise liners, to dark stand-up rooms in outback pubs, Rash Rider has been perfecting the art of stand-up comedy for more than 30 years – a fair dinkum comedy legend in his own time who has headlined in all of the top comedy venues, events and festivals here in Australia, as well as in many of the prestigious comedy centres internationally.
He is supported by the gloriously funny Ellen Briggs – a woman who knows how to tell it how it is… and sometimes how it isn’t!
Beach Hotel Byron Bay, Wednesday 21 October at 7pm. Free but bookings ESSENTIAL!!! To book go to beachhotel.com.au/comedynight
On Your Bike
A feast of films devoted to the bicycle and all who ride is pedaling its way into Byron Bay for the first time on Friday 13 November.
‘The Big Bike Film Night’s mission is to share the best cycling short films from around the world,’ says the New Zealand-based curator/ film peddler, Brett Cotter.
The dynamic concept showcases cycling films from the shores of the Faroe Islands to the neighbourhoods of Auckland, to an epic bikerafting expedition, the selection offers plenty of appeal for pedal patrons and movie goers alike.
Byron Theatre, Friday 13 Nov at 7pm. For more info and tix, visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz, www.byroncentre.com.au or visit the Byron Theatre.
O’ How I Dreamt of Things Impossible
Five weeks ahead of opening night, tickets to Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre’s latest work called O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible, was sold out, but now, a second round of tickets have been released. Social distancing will still be in place, so tickets to the October show are limited and expected to sell quickly.
O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible is a physically dynamic and robustly hopeful show.
It asks the question: In a world that’s not built for you, can you dare to dream of life, love and a rightful place within it all? The work explores the kaleidoscope of emotions and day-to-day experiences of its dancers with disability.
Co-devised by the dancers it also brings together a host of highly accomplished artists including celebrated costume designer Jennifer Irwin, who has more than 39 years’ experience (Opera Australia, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company), composer Fred Cole, who has produced a full-length original score for the piece, lighting designer John Rayment, who recently worked on the Commonwealth Games, and some mind-bending artwork by award-winning digital artist Andrew Christie.
Artistic Director of Sprung!!, Michael Hennessy (a former Sydney Dance Company dancer), has been working with the dancers on a weekly basis for more than five years and is excited to bring their performance to the NORPA stage.
Thu 22 – Sat 24 Oct, 2020 at 7.30pm. Lismore City Hall, $20–49. For tickets and more information: norpa.org.au
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
