Bluesfest is Back!
Last Easter the unthinkable happened. A Hen’s party took out Bluesfest just one day before the gates were about to open. One transmission and it was game over. But almost two months later the festival with the most indomitable spirit is announcing a rescheduled event. Midnight Oil will be headlining opening night of Bluesfest 1–3 October – restoring the faith of festivalgoers in a three-day event. Also appearing are Tash Sultana and Paul Kelly. This forms what festival organisers call ‘the holy Grail of an all Aussie lineup’.
Midnight Oil are following up on last October’s collaborative album, The Makarrata Project, by launching their first Midnight Oil studio album in nearly 20 years around Bluesfest time – and it will feature their new songs plus a greatest hits set.
ARIA Hall of Famer and National Treasure, Paul Kelly returns to co-headline Bluesfest for the 8th time. It’s a certainty that Paul, as always, will bring his full band and deliver a unique live set for the Bluesfest audience.
Tash Sultana‘s latest album Terra Firma shot up to #1 on the ARIA album charts and has already spawned five singles. You can expect Tash to showcase that album at Bluesfest.
And the legend himself, Jimmy Barnes will Barnestorm Bluesfest with an explosive set, jam-packed with songs from his new album Flesh and Blood, as well as his classic hits.
Tickets on sale now for this 1–3 October Byron Bluesfest event.
For tickets and program info go to bluesfest.com.au
Teapots are Beautiful
Prepare yourself for something special. Quilla Design Emporium, created and curated by Amanda Bennett, presents their first collaborative exhibition Tea and Beauty. The exhibition features a fabulous teapot collection handmade by artists from North Coast Ceramics, along with artworks from exceptional local talent, Kellie North, Bianca Gardiner-Dodd, Rachel Favelle, Chelle Wallace (Chelle and The Fig), and Rhiannon Power. The exhibition is part of the Murwillumbah Arts Trail and features works from a mix of genders; unlike the gallery, which Amanda says accidentally became a place for female creatives.
‘Featuring local works is of the utmost importance to us, and even though the intention wasn’t originally to have an all female gallery, as the artworks arrived, it kind of just happened. We then knew at this point that Quilla (which actually means Goddess of the moon) was created as a space to give back to women and showcase the amazing talents that we all have.’
Teapots & Beauty – on show at Quilla in Mooball, from Friday to Sunday.
Love and Murder
‘Love is what interests me. It’s just that love is indivisible from murder…’
Following on from an electrifying sold-out season of SHIT, the Drill Hall Theatre Company is thrilled to present Joanna Murray-Smith’s gripping psychological thriller Switzerland.
Arguably Murray-Smith’s greatest work to date, the play is set in the Swiss Alps where the acerbic and ageing novelist, Patricia Highsmith, is holed up, drinking away her twilight years in her Modernist bunker. Enter Edward Ridgeway from New York, a supposedly naive underling from Highsmith’s publisher’s office, sent to persuade the great writer to pen one last Ripley novel.
This tense and sharp-witted two-hander stars veteran actor/NIDA teacher Liz Chance (Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Tender Hooks ) and newcomer Charlie Burton, under the direction of multi award-winning actor Toni Scanlan (Stop Girl, Dreamland, Water Rats).
Whether you’re a Highsmith fan, or you’ve never heard of her, this is edge-of-your-seat theatre; you’ll be chilled, gripped, and seduced.
18 June–4 July at the Drill Hall. NSW Dine & Discover vouchers are able to be used until 27 June. Tickets drillhalltheatre.org.au
The Naked Magicians
From a Las Vegas residency, a season on London’s West End, and seen in 250+ cities across the globe… comes Australia’s very own; The Naked Magicians and it is undoubtedly the world’s funniest and naughtiest magic show! Witnessed by over 50 million on TV (NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS), including America’s Got Talent, it’s the Aussie smash hit that’s taken the world by storm!
The creators and co-stars of this R-rated magic show are the two hot and hilarious Aussie performers who deliver world-class magic and non-stop laughs while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile.
Described by The Huffington Post as ‘the wildest night ever’, this tantalisingly satisfying magic show strips away the top hats, the capes and other magic show stereotypes, bringing a whole new meaning to ‘now you see it’.
Good magicians don’t need sleeves, and great magicians don’t need pants. This show proves it!
18+ only. Includes full frontal nudity, sexual references and coarse language… strap yourself in (or on) for a hilarious and unforgettable night.
Saturday at the Ballina RSL. 8.30–10.00pm. Doors: 7.45pm – Show: 8.30pm
Tickets: $60 Group of 8 or more: or $51pp. Tickets at ballinarsl.com.au
Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
Vincent van Gogh’s five Sunflowers paintings are among his most famous works, and some of the most iconic paintings in the world. In an extraordinary exhibition, the Van Gogh Museum took a new and revealing look at the five publicly-owned versions of Sunflowers in a vase. They are immediately recognisable, but one film goes beyond the surface to explore the many questions and mysteries that surround these works.
Each painting is different and has its own unique story, spanning one of the most famous and turbulent periods in art history. Only in this film will you have a chance to see that on the screen – ina virtual Exhibition On Screen.
Screening at 3pm, Wednesday 2 June at Byron Theatre. Book now: byroncentre.com.au
Global Beats Byron Bay 2021
Byron Bay artists reflect our cultural diversity in a festive celebration of music, rhythms and dance, leading into National Refugee Week.
Performers of Japanese, Brazilian, Cuban, Indonesian, Hebrew, Chinese, Pacific Islander, Indigenous Australian, and many other cultures, will showcase their unique artistic influences, as well as observing the 2021 Refugee Week theme ‘Unity’, by coming together to create a shared event.
Presented by Byron Multicultural, a local organisation supporting cultural diversity, this event at Byron Community Centre will begin with cultural food in the Courtyard, at 12.30pm, leading to three hours of performances in the Theatre starting at 1.30pm.
At Byron Community Centre, on Sunday, 13 June, 2021.
Bookings: www.byrontheatre.com.au
Tickets $12.50; Conc $8.50; Youth (under 18) $6.50 – incl. booking fee
Questions about Koalas
How much do you know about koalas? The SEPP is diminishing the chances of koala survival – and we need koala lovers around the country to speak up for this highly significant and iconic species. So the Byron Greens have invited MPs Cate Faerhmann and Tamara Smith to lead two teams on Koala Hard Quiz – a comedic knock-out of koala knowledge. Hosted by Federal Greens candidate, Mandy Nolan, and featuring an In Conversation with Mandy and Cate to bone up on some of the hard facts.
The event is on at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services on Wednesday 2 June at 7pm.
Tickets from https://contact-nsw.greens.org.au/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=9016
Having a Peek East
East of Everywhere is the latest group exhibition at Byron’s Peek Gallery, running from June 11 to July 11, 2021. The show features local artists: Ben Hellewell, Bill Undery, Cameron Foggo, Craig Parry, Davide Uliana, Gabrielle Pool, Jimmy Kearns, Libby Pool, Rhonda Armistead, and Warren Fox.
Opening night, on 11 June 2021, will include live music by Miss Renee Simone and eats by Karkalla Byron Bay.
Check for updates at www.peekgallery.com and follow us on Instagram @peekgallery. Peek Gallery: 7/8 Fletcher Street, Byron. [email protected]. 0488 646 464. Open daily 11–4pm.
Timbuktu to Dunoon
Like the reputation of the ancient city, Timbuktu plays grooves that exemplify sounds from ‘far away’.
Taking you on a polyrhythmic journey through afrobeat, highlife, Malian blues, Ethio-jazz and more, Timbuktu fuse traditional music styles from across the African continent.
After the live-music graveyard of 2020, Timbuktu are bursting to get back on stage. The full 8-piece lineup includes Joe O’Keeffe (guitar/vocals), Cameron Smith (trumpet), Byron Christie (Bari Sax), Julian Smith (flute), Brent Calcutt (keyboards), Anthony Mitchell (bass), Rod Evans (percussion) and Benji Keogh (drums).
See Timbuktu at the Dunoon Sports Club on Saturday 12 June from 7.30pm.
Tickets $15 non-members, $10 members.
Book online at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=752590
Uke with Vitamin D
The songbook for Wednesday 9 June 2021 UKE NIGHT hangs on artists whose first name begins with the letter ‘D’… ever wondered how Deep Purple’s Smoke on The Water sounds on the Uke? It’s terrifying! Other artists will include: Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Doobie Brothers, The Doors… all delightful, dubious deviants, deadly and dangerous!
This month we have a special – two adults for $30 if you book online at mullumexservices.com.au, otherwise $20 at the door. Kids under 16yrs $5.
Cheeky Close
It’s the final weekend at the Brunswick Picture house before they close for renovations so it’s gonna be a cheeky close!
When the Brunswick Picture House first opened back in Easter 2016, with a two-hour adult cabaret that showcased some of the best talent on offer, locals couldn’t believe the calibre of the work. Cheeky is world class.
And now, five years on, the Cheeky Cabaret has become the Bruns Picture House’s signature show. Sexy and dangerous, with tongue placed firmly in cheek, this is one party you will not want to miss!
This genre-bending cabaret is cheeky, clever and damn sexy; celebrating the weird, the wonderful and the wildly entertaining, leaving audiences gasping for more!
With renovations closing the doors of the Brunswick Picture House for the next few months, these will be the last shows for a while. Stock up on sexy for the winter while you still can!
Thursday–Sunday at the Brunswick Picture House – tix on brunswickpicturehouse.com
Intimate and Eclectic
Steve Balbi heads to the Mullumbimby Ex-Services for one night only – Sunday, 6 June.
Celebrating the digital release of his new record, I Think I Know For Sure, Steve Balbi will perform an exclusive show in intimate, acoustic mode, featuring songs from his new record, alongside reimagined out-takes, hit picks and favourites from a colourful catalogue of words and music, which includes music from Noiseworks. He is joined by Lucie Thorne as support. For tickets go to mullumexservices.com.au
Lismore Jazz
Two quartets are playing at the Lismore Jazz Club on 6 June. They play instrumentals and vocal tunes from traditional to modern styles, as well as the blues. For the last gig the two bands will combine with two guest vocalists, Robynn Goddard and Jud Brennan. Expect a hugely entertaining and varied programme.
Sweet Voices of Song
The golden soprano of Gaynor Morgan, the brilliant tenor of Geoffrey Webb, alternating with Margaret Curtis’ shimmering harp-playing.
Gaynor Morgan will sing the exquisite, erotic, Ariettes Oubliées of Debussy; Geoffrey Webb will sing two Schubert songs from out of the depths – the Harper songs from Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister; and Margaret Cutis’s sizzling strumming strokes will bring to audible life an extraordinary piece by Salzedo.
Gaynor and Geoffrey then combine to perform some ravishing duets by Beethoven, Schubert, and the composer they’ve both so much admired, Rossini. Nicholas Routley, like Margaret Curtis, is well-known as a mainstay of classical music life in the Northern Rivers, and will play piano for the singers.
Mullumbimby Civic Hall on Sunday 6 June, 3pm.
Dying to Live Here
‘Byron is a great place to live, but it’s a really great place to die’, this is a quote from Zenith Virago at the Renew festival. Zenith is a Deathwalker, and the 2021 Byron Citizen of the Year. For 25 years Zenith has been busy in our community working with people who are dying, and assisting their bereaved families.
‘What we have created in a deathstyle here is now being emulated globally, as it is seen to be more beneficial, more meaningful. People are attempting to die well, and to have an easier bereavement, and that makes for a healthier community. We have great services here, and exploring them pre-need, rather than in a distressed and emotional state is a much smarter way to go’.
Zenith and the Natural Death Care Centre have invited other local and national organisations to be present at a community day for people to discover and get to know the many great services available in our Shire for dying, death and funerals, including the launch of a new home funeral service.
Held at the Mullum Civic Hall, 10am–3pm on Saturday 29 May. There will be speakers between 11am and 1pm. These will include: palliative care, medical services, local Hospices, End of Life and after death care services, trusted funeral directors, funeral celebrants and Death Cafes.
If you want to volunteer for the event, please contact Zenith or Jenny.
Free entry, food available. This event is part of national Palliative Care Week 24–30 May 2021. [email protected] [email protected]
The Travelling Film Festival comes to the Northern Rivers
The Travelling Film Festival (TFF) will be screening at The Regent in Murwillumbah and BCC cinemas Lismore, from 4–6 June 2021. The lineup of titles from Cannes, Venice, San Sebastian and other major film festivals, comprises five acclaimed feature films, two superb documentaries, and a delightful Australian short film.
‘TFF’s mission is to connect local audiences to Australia’s wider film community, and so it’s very exciting that the festival is able to achieve this through the addition of five new centres across New South Wales, including Murwillumbah and Lismore.’ says Sanam Rodrigues, Travelling Film Festival Manager.
Headlining the programme in Murwillumbah is My Name is Gulpilil, a brilliant new Australian documentary by Molly Reynolds that celebrates the personal story and remarkable film career of iconic Australian actor David Gulpilil.
Headlining the programme in Lismore, direct from Sundance, is the fabulous Australian documentary Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks by multiple Award-winning director, Sally Aitken. This engaging story mixes stunning imagery and archival footage to document the extraordinary professional and personal life of Australian living legend Valerie Taylor AM, who filmed most of the real-world shark footage in Jaws, and her subsequent efforts to undo the immense damage the film caused.
To further celebrate Australian cinema, TFF is proud to showcase the local premiere of Disclosure by director Michael Bentham. Inspired by real-life events, this is a thrilling and telling story of parents who will try anything to protect their own when pushed to the edge; the program will also include Australian short film Bama, by Northern Rivers local filmmaker, Jahvis Loveday, following the reflections of a young Aboriginal boy after his first day at school in the big city.
These are just some of the highlights. For more information, full program and bookings please visit https://www.sff.org.au/tff/program
