Burger Queen
Award winning performer Michaela Burger returns to the Brunswick Picture House for an intimate afternoon of song and story.
It has been quite the year for internationally acclaimed cabaret performer Michaela Burger. Like all other performers in the industry, which has been hard hit by the COVID-19 lockdowns and public health restrictions, she lost all her touring work, which equates to losing an entire year’s income. Not to be beaten by the pandemic she started an online concert series called Sequin Sessions, running for six weeks and entertaining people far and wide. It was an amazing way to stay connected to people during the first stressful months of lockdown, and also kept Burger focused on her music and giving back – which was a life saver for her.
After Sequin Sessions wrapped up Burger took some time out to regroup and digest the impact of what had happened – and contemplate what was next. A scenario many will relate to. The ever-resourceful Burger was fortunate enough to be getting the odd gig – delivered in a whole new way. She performed a live streamed show of her original music from Geelong Arts Centre and presented her highly esteemed stage show, Exposing Edith at Hammer Hall for Melbourne Arts Centre in front of 2500 empty seats, live streamed to their patrons.
Add to this a role in a new TV series that was being filmed in Adelaide, which required a midnight dash across the SA border from her home in Melbourne. Followed by a two week quarantine upstairs in her parents’ house – receiving Italian and Greek home cooked meal deliveries left at the bottom of the stairs. And then, when her parents spontaneously up and bought a new house, she had a five month extension of her stay; cleaning and packing up her family home of 31 years… all this time separated from her husband in Melbourne.
So when Brett from the Picture House rang to ask if she would come back to Bruns to perform, she was neck deep in packing boxes and said ‘YES!’ before he could finish his sentence.
‘I’ve missed the excitement and thrill of preparing for a show, finding music to perform and pulling a show together,’ Burger said.
And based on her year, she is certainly going to have a lot to say and very different to her two previous sold out Picture House shows, Exposing Edith and A Migrant’s Son.
‘I decided to create a new, fresh, intimate show for the Brunswick Picture House. Something I haven’t done before, and probably won’t do again. I’ve pulled together some of my favourites from the past and put in some of my recent favourites. Some you’ll know, some you won’t. But it’s sure to be a fun night with lots of laughs. I can’t wait to get back on stage in front of one of my favourite audiences’, Michaela said.
Join Michaela as she returns full-force to grace the Picture House stage for an intimate afternoon of her award winning style of song and story. Sunday at 4pm.
Tickets on brunswickpicturehouse.com
Brand New Kaye!
Lockdowns, face masks, flight cancellations, toilet paper shortages… the list goes on and on and as we look ahead to 2021, and who doesn’t need a little filth and a whole lotta camp?
Start planning your 2020 to 2021 NYE with something bloody fabulous. God knows we need something with a twist… and Brunswick Picture House are offering one of the best ways forward, with Reuben Kaye ringing in the new year with his show Anus Horribilis – Goodbye 2020!
Obscenely intelligent, beautifully filthy, and rib-crackingly funny, cabaret superstar Reuben Kaye is what happens when you tell your children they can be anything they want to be. Having tantalised audiences as the special guest host of the international hit show sensation Club Swizzle – from the team behind the Brunswick Picture House – the full Reuben Kaye experience is a dazzling explosion of big notes, high camp, lashes and teeth.
In a simply delicious mélange of energy, acid wit and casual sensationalism, Reuben Kaye’s own brand of melodramatic showmanship has wowed audiences and critics around the globe. Kaye’s delivery is flawless as he seamlessly blends lavish storytelling into gilded song, incorporating an impressive repertoire that ranges from Kurt Weill to Kate Bush, regularly punctuating his monologue with rich cultural critique.
Thursday 31 December | Doors 8.30pm, show starts 9pm | brunswickpicturehouse.com
Giving COVID the Nudge!
Oh my god! After a year of sitting down we are allowed to dance! Can we still remember how? Will we be able to keep up? Get your dance back on – big time – at Nudge!
Nudge Nudge Wink Wink returns for a special one-off gig on Sunday 20 December, 3.30–9.30pm! Just in time for the holiday season. The Cunning Stunts team and the Billinudgel Hotel bring you the COVID Safest Nudge Nudge experience in the fastest possible way!
This special one-off Sunday edition sparkles with a stellar line up of the beloved Nudge and Curious DJ’s: residents Dale Stephen and Lord Sut, joined by guest regular, the godfather of Australia’s dance music scene, Stephen Allkins.
Future Nudging dates are Saturday 9 Jan, 2021 thereafter on the first Saturday of each month.
The organisers say, ‘In line with all conscience activities Cunning Stunts represent, a percentage of the cumulative profits from the Nudge Nudge Wink Wink and Curious events will be donated to local charities. Cunning Stunts have donated $325,371 to 28 local charities through our Nudge Nudge Wink Wink and Curious events since December 2015, let’s keep that growing!’
Sunday 20 December, 3.30–9.30pm
This is a ticketed 18+ event and tickets will sell out!
Tix on cunningstunts.com.au
Little Noble for Lismore
Comedy lovers are in for a treat in when Tommy Little and Ross Noble make their way to the Lismore stage. This Thursday sees Tommy Little present I’ll See Myself Out. Always dishing out the gold, this is a chance to hear what’s been going on for one of the regulars on The Project. And then on Sunday it’s a show with the master – Ross Noble, when he presents Humournoid. Noble is incredible. His prepared work looks like impro and his impro looks prepared. He’s a genius. I could listen to him talk all day.
Bar and dinner from 6pm, show at 8pm.
Tix on lismorecityhall.com.au
Abandon Proceedings
Abandon Proceedings is the culmination of three years of dedicated study in the Visual Arts and exhibits a very high standard of work from all involved. The title of this show, Abandon Proceedings, was chosen by the students as a play on the title of their 2019 group show, Proceed with Abandon. Through this difficult year, the Third Year students have cemented deep friendships, worked tirelessly and ultimately found ways of engendering a sense of optimism and hope.
Abandon Proceedings features works by Josephine Ehlers, Di Kelly, Andrea Portela Moreno, Gabe O’Neill, Belle Raine, Aly Ratcliffe, Zen Staff, Julia Stockhausen, Justin Telfer and Meg Walters.
On show at The BSA until 17 December.
byronschoolofart.com
Soul Fish
Soul Fish is a new collaboration featuring singer songwriter Chris Fisher, bassist George Urbaszek, and drummer Pete Wilkins, with special guest Julius Hofstetter on saxophone for the Sunday session at Williams Street Cafe & Bar – Lennox Head, from 4pm. Soul Fish will bring you smooth jazz/blues vibes, originals and covers.
Williams Street Cafe & Bar, 50 Pacific Parade, Lennox Head
Film festival for Bangalow!
A trio of Bangalow locals have banded together to bring the hinterland village its very own film festival this January.
It is an understatement to say that Christian Pazzaglia, Ben Alcock and Lyn McCarthy all have experience in organising film events.
Christian has worked internationally as a curator and producer of film programs and festivals; Ben is the co-founder of Bangalow’s Flicks in the Field, and a well-known travel writer and marketing consultant, and Lyn is one of the founders of the Dendy Cinema chain and ex-General Manager of the Sydney Film Festival.
Christian Pazzaglia is an experienced festival curator. He has produced multidisciplinary programs and special events for leading festivals and cultural institutions in Europe, Asia and Australia – including Dark Mofo and The Sydney Film Festival. It was during a walk through Bangalow, soon after arriving in early 2020 that the idea was sparked for a local film festival.
A few keystrokes into a search engine later, and Christian was connected with the Flicks in the Field, outdoor cinema team, who continued the flow of introductions through the local creative community.
When Christian was introduced to Lyn McCarthy, the idea became a reality.
From 14–23 January the festival will light up the Bangalow Showgrounds and the A&I Hall, and will showcase an exclusive line-up of world-renowned classics and new, critically acclaimed, films from around the world.
Full program and ticket sales available from 14 December at: bangalowfilmfestival.com.au
House of Loveys
The Loveys are having a house party to celebrate the year that was… it’s about divorce, dementia, online dating and septuagenarian sex. This is an intimate glimpse into the life of four women – inspired by The Heroine’s Journey! Just 30 tickets for this fabulous backyard Xmas party!
Friday 19 December.
Tickets from: loveysinthehouse.floktu.com
Audition for Switzerland
The Drill Hall Theatre Company is holding an audition for a talented young male actor to take a lead role in the play Switzerland. The audition is this Sunday 10am–1pm at the theatre.
Directed by Toni Scanlon, the Drill Hall’s guest professional director for 2021, the production requires an actor who can play mid-twenties with an American accent. This is a lead role in a two-hander playing opposite the Drill Hall’s artistic director Liz Chance. Rehearsals begin in April with the production set for May/ June.
Switzerland is a thriller inspired by the master crime novelist Patricia Highsmith by the Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. Highsmith’s books have inspired many cinematic adaptations – such as The Talented Mr Ripley and Strangers on a Train – but in Switzerland the tables are turned and it is Patricia Highsmith who becomes the central character when she hears a knock on the door…
For more information contact Liz Chance: [email protected]
All Shorts Film Comp
Now in its 13th year, Byron All Shorts, founded by iQ Inc celebrates the filmmaking talent of the Northern Rivers region and encourages audiences to experience the many amazing films and local stories that are produced here each year.
Filmmakers from across the region are invited to submit their short films, of up to 30 minutes in length, from all genres.
The best of local short films will screen in the Byron All Shorts finalists program at Flickerfest with the finalists from the Northern Rivers region contesting for prizes that recognise excellence in short filmmaking. Prizes and cash to the value of $3,000 will be presented for the iQ-Flickerfest Best Short Film Award, the SAE Institute Emerging Talent Award, and the Best Short Film Audience’s Award.
Byron All Shorts is part of Mullum Flickerfest’s three day film event, 11–13 February 2021.
Entries close Friday 8 January 2021.
Entry Forms and more info: iQ.org.au | 0414 779 881
Promising Young Woman
Palace Cinemas invite you to an exclusive preview event for the boldly provocative thriller, Promising Young Woman (MA15+) at a special Film Connoisseur Screening on Sunday.
Be there before the screening commences for your glass of prosecco and a Connoisseur gourmet ice-cream on arrival.
From visionary director Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve) comes a delicious new take on the theme of revenge.
Everyone said Cassie (played by Carey Mulligan) was a promising young woman until a mysterious event abruptly derails her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be; she’s wickedly smart, tantalisingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past in this thrilling and wildly entertaining story.
Sunday at Palace Cinemas:
108-110 Jonson St, Byron Bay
palacecinemas.com.au
