20.4 C
Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Entertainment for the Byron Shire and beyond for the week beginning July 14

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Seas the Day in Kingscliff this weekend

This weekend the fourth NRMA Insurance Seas The Day women’s surf festival is back at Kingscliff Beach with Surfing...

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Northern Rivers clubs shine at Clubs & Community Awards

Club Lennox and Twin Towns were among Northern Rivers clubs recognised at the Clubs & Community Awards, held last Thursday in Sydney.

Marine Rescue volunteers assist disabled dive boat

Volunteers and two vessels from Marine Rescue Point Danger safely assisted thirteen people to shore on Saturday afternoon after a commercial dive vessel experienced engine issues and was unable to safely cross the Tweed Bar.

Early childhood educators to receive 15pc pay rise

The federal Labor government says it is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in the historic 15 cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

Morrison Avenue a ‘disgrace’

Local Mullumbimby residents are saying Byron Shire Council (BSC) needs to step up and fix Morrison Avenue properly.

Byron Ballet presents a triplicate of wonderful dance.

Byron Ballet revives French classics with triple bill

Byron Ballet Company’s soirée will transport you on a powerful journey through the incredibly fertile world of musical creation in France from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
Don’t miss out on this triple bill at the Byron Theatre, including the iconoclastic ballet The Rite of Spring, the passionate love duet from Carmen (excerpt) and a new original creation based on Matisse’s famous painting ‘La Danse’ with soprano and musicians on stage.
‘This season is particularly exciting as we have a new creation inspired by the famous paintings of Matisse,’ says director Yvonne Hall. ‘Matisse’s ‘La Danse’ is conceived by Vianney Pinion and co-created with the senior dancers of the company.’
The famous love duet from Carmen will sweep audiences off their feet with its passionate themes of love and betrayal. Principal dancer Micheal Braun and Nicole Corea from New York will be appearing as special guests. ‘Add these two dynamic performers to the backdrop of George Bizet’s famous hypnotic musical score for an evening of sensual delight,’ says Yvonne.
The program reaches its climax with the iconic contemporary piece Rite of Spring in one of the most influential performance masterpieces of the twentieth century. ‘Stravinsky’s avant garde score and Nijinsky’s modern choreography caused outrage at the Paris premier in 1913. It was the beginning of the modern era, and one of the most famous nights in art history. We will be presenting an original family-friendly version of the piece,’ says Yvonne.
Join Byron Ballet Company as they make a tribute to these masters and take you on an unforgettable journey of suspense and sensual beauty.
July 23, 24 & 25. Tickets on sale at www.byrontheatre.com.


Jock Barnes plays The Rails this weekend. Image by Carol Zatt

Jock and Sugar Game at the Rails

A life spent travelling the world can be the catalyst for a great story. Jock Barnes spent his youth travelling the world as a professional surfer and now continues his travels as a working musician, singer and songwriter. He has collected a world of inspiration to create original lyrical content and a fresh spin on his musical influences of blues, rock and pop.
Having performed his music to audiences the world over and having shared festival line-ups with the likes of Groove Armada, De La Soul, The Darkness, and Everything Everything, Jock’s music reflects influences as diverse as the audiences he has played to.
As well as his own original compositions he also performs a blend of covers spanning Jimi Hendrix to Bernard Fanning, Ray Charles to Johnny Diesel.
Sugar Game are like the love child of Karen Carpenter and Stevie Ray Vaughn. But the love child was spirited away to save face, lived with vagabonds in a travelling medieval fair, then grew up and realised that the villagers that raised them, while lovely, were complete lunatics. The music that followed makes some sense in that context.
Combining energetic performance with raw talent, Sugar Game and their music are paving the way as an influential band for the modern generation. Since joining forces in 2020, the members of Sugar Game have captivated fans with their signature sound and unique performances. You will be hooked from the first note.
Come to the Rails this week Friday and Saturday to see Jock Barnes and his band, Sugar Game.


The fund raising and fun are rolled into one at the Billinudgel Pub on Saturday.

Fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease and ME Foundation

The Billinudgel Pub are hosting a fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Me Foundation.
The MND and Me Foundation delivers support programs for people and their families living with Motor Neurone Disease in Queensland. The Foundation also funds research into treatments and the search for a cure for MND.
The MND and Me Foundation was established by Scott Sullivan, a husband and father of two children, who was diagnosed with MND in 2010 at the age of 38. Sadly Scott died in April 2014.
The fundraising event is a chance to support the continuation of his important work.
Artists on the day include Dan Hannaford, Andrew Morris, Ray Essery, Hubcap Stan & the Sidewalk Stompers, and The Real Jarrah Band. MC for the event is Stan Ceglinski.
There is a handcrafted guitar as well as thousands of dollars worth of donated prizes going into one massive raffle.
Come along, buy a raffle ticket, or donate a few dollars; there will be extremely tasty food on offer, as well as the coldest Stone & Wood beer on tap.
The fund raising and fun are rolled into one at the Billinudgel Pub on Saturday. Gates open at 2pm, show Starts at 2.30 pm.


Lindsay Webb (left) headlines July’s Big Gig Comedy at Ballina. Sandeep Totlani (right) is a pizza-loving joker from India.

The Big Gig free live comedy

Every month, Mandy Nolan presents a free comedy night at the Ballina RSL with local, national and international comedians.
The July Big Gig features Lindsay Webb. Lindsay is truly an International Act worthy of the capitals and italics, with a unique, homespun story to tell. From humble beginnings on a sheep and cattle station, Lindsay learned the art of humour young…
Lindsay has supported many great acts, including Wil Anderson and Jim Jeffries, Brad Garret,  Martin Short, Wayne Brady, and Jimeoin, and was a guest comic on The Darren Sanders Show on Chanel GO. With a seemingly endless skillset, Lindsay can also be found doing the  crowd warm-ups for many TV shows.
With an impressive and diverse dance card it’s no wonder Lindsay Webb is one  of the most in-demand comedians in this country. His experience in club, festival and  corporate comedy is second to none, but more importantly – he loves what he does. With  a record of 289 gigs in a single year, that’s obvious, and it’s because of this that he  continues to get accolades and awards everywhere he goes.
The support for July is Sandeep Totlani. Born and raised in India, Sandeep is a pizza eating competition winner and a trained dentist (because some stereotypes are good). Sandeep discovered stand-up comedy by accident when he watched Russell Peters on YouTube and entered Australia’s prestigious RAW comedy competition while on a student visa. Since then he has fallen in love with all things funny and been a regular at Australian comedy venues.
His perspective is fresh, his stage persona likeable and his style of comedy, both intriguing and hilarious.
Thursday 29 July, 8pm, Ballina RSL Level 1
Booking is not required – limited capacity so first come, first in applies.


 



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.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.