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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Entertainment in the Byron Shire for the week beginning 8 December 2021

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

Democracy on the ropes?

The ancient idea of democracy is under threat around the world. Today, there are only 63 democracies compared to 74 autocracies, and many of these democracies are highly problematic.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

The invitation is open to audition for Sprung!!

Auditioning for Sprung!!

Sprung!! is calling for expressions of interest from adults over the age of 16 to join its Dance Ensemble. This group of talented people work together twice a week to build their dance, theatre and movement skills, and to explore their choreographic talents under the guidance of Sprung!!’s experienced team of professional tutors.

If you are a person who identifies as having a disability, you live in the Northern Rivers or in Tweed Shire, you are passionate about dance, movement and theatre and have some experience in this creative art form, then we are looking for you! 

Sprung!! invites you to audition for this outstanding opportunity to join this emerging player in the national disability arts scene. Auditions will be held in a supported workshop environment during our Summer workshop in Ballina during the week of 17–21 January 2022.

Email [email protected] to audition and visit www.sprung.org.au or phone 0478 879 706 for more information.


A new NORPA season is coming

Get ready, get set…

NORPA is about to reveal some of the adventurous, world-class shows that will transport audiences to different worlds in 2022. The theatre at NORPA will sometimes transform entirely during the season giving audiences the feeling of being in the story.

NORPA 2022 also welcomes Bell Shakespeare, comedy, drama and circus.

NORPA Artistic Director and CEO, Julian Louis, says audiences will be taken to unexpected and wonderful places with NORPA in 2022 as they celebrate the power of live performance together.

‘The announcement of this first round of shows on 9 December is Act One of what is happening at NORPA in 2022. Act Two comes early next year when we announce NORPA’s theatre-making program, including First Nations works with Rhoda Roberts, our NORPA Youth program and new, ambitious NORPA works in creation.’ Says Julian.

The Echo Online will have the announcement of all the shows at 10am on Thursday.

NORPA’s 2022 Season shows are now on sale at www.norpa.org.au


The Eagles – Desperado at the Ballina RSL this Saturday.

The Eagles Desperado in Ballina

The Eagles are without doubt, one of the most popular bands worldwide. Their unique, melodic country-rock sound has spawned numerous hits, which are constantly played on major radio stations all over the world, with the most popular being the Hotel California album. Many believe this album was created well before its time. 

The Eagles broke up in 1980, and Desperado – The Eagles Show was formed some years later to fill the void left by one of the most prolific bands ever. The multi-award winning show skilfully, and meticulously, recreates the sound that flooded the world music stage. 

Desperado – The Eagles Show has authentically recreated their great musicianship coupled with precision vocals and harmonies, all of which are performed live. The band comprises of six talented musicians from Sydney Australia – Mark Anthony: guitar/ lead vocals, Brendan Tinker: lead guitar/ vocals, Ross Russo: guitar/ vocals, Trevor Walsh: bass/ vocals, Vern Aliberti: keyboards, Jason Rodziewicz: drums/ vocals. 

Together, they celebrate and faithfully reproduce and deliver to you the music of one of the greatest bands of all time. Audiences will be overwhelmed as they hear The Eagles hits from all the albums of this iconic band… hits like, ‘Hotel California’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Take it Easy’, ‘Best of My Love’, ‘The Last Resort’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’, ‘Heartache Tonight’, and ‘The Long Run’, plus hits from their solo careers… and so much more.

Ballina RSL. Sat, 11 Dec. Tix $36, 18+ Doors: 7.45pm, Show: 8.30pm.


Gorillaz are just one of the treats for 2022’s Splendour.

I’ll just leave this Splendour awesomeness here…

It’s finally here! The news we’ve all been waiting for, the complete line-up for Splendour in the Grass 2022 is now signed, sealed and set to be delivered to the festival faithful from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 July 2022. It’s been quite a ride and we’re all heading back to North Byron Parklands!

Splendour in the Grass will make its glorious return with heavyweight headliners Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator leading the charge.

Now, it’s time to strap yourself in for the full spectrum of international and Aussie artists ready to join you on your long-awaited adventure back to the country’s biggest celebration of music.

From British indie-pop legends and a controversial rock’n’roll star to seminal indie rock royalty, dance ready DJs, Grammy award-winning vocalists and acclaimed hip-hop stars, Splendour in the Grass returns with a mammoth team of international talent in tow. Combine this with Aussie rock icons and a ‘smathering’ of homegrown heroes, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate crew, ready to take over The Amphitheatre, GW McLennan and Mix Up stages. Plus, Splendour’s new PARK(lands) Stage which will feature carefully curated line-ups bought to you by the legends at Secret Sounds, Astral People and Love Police.

What a ride!

Splendour in the Grass

22 to 24 July

North Byron Parklands

For more information, visit: splendourinthegrass.com.


Get your glitter on at the Byron Community Centre this NYE.

All that Glitters is gold this NYE

Tickets are on sale for the first annual Glitter Love Ball, a New Year’s Eve charity bash raising funds to support locals in need at the Byron Community Centre.

Bring in 2022 at Byron Bay’s night of nights – the place to be if you want to make your New Year’s Eve one to remember. Get your glitter on and celebrate as a stellar line-up of DJs pump out the bangers.

On the decks will be a collection of Byron’s best DJs including sparkly duo Lunar Disco – who have been turning heads at all the best parties over the last few years. Man about town, Reiflex, will be giving it a 24 carat spin, with more acts to be announced soon.

A complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival will get the party started, the Theatre and Verandah Bars will be open till late, and the dance floor will be pumping as we bring in the New Year in style.

The Byron Community Centre is the beating heart of the Northern Rivers. As well as running one of the best theatres in the local area, they provide essential services to those doing it tough in our community, so come and shake off 2021 knowing that your party dollars are going to a good place.

The Glitter Love Ball
– Byron Bay NYE 2021,

31 December, 8pm–2am.

Byron Theatre, 69 Jonson St,
Byron Bay NSW 2481.

Early bird tickets $134.50 from www.byrontheatre.com.au


Cloud Catcher and The Swamps at The Rails.

Byron’s earned a bit of a knees up

In a celebration of what the best this town can do, the folks at Stone & Wood are coming together with the Rails to put on a night of great local music, good food and chilled beers with a Cloud Catcher tinnie bar in operation. 

Kicking off the event mid afternoon is acoustic reggae and roots artist Ooz, who’s hoping to send the Rails dance floor into a smooth shimmy.

Following on are retro-rockers The Soul Movers who have a new ’60s tinged single out – Not Putting It Down. Headed by the fabulous Lizzie Mack and former Red Wiggle, Murray Cook, The Soul Movers are have a deft touch for sunny good times.

Rounding out the night is the bourbon-soaked blues and rock duo The Swamps. Playing the dankest of tunes deep into the night, if you can’t have a socially distanced get-down to these guys, you need to check yourself.

Get your head in the Clouds from 2.30pm this Saturday, December 10.

For more info visit: therailsbyronbay.com.


La Familia has new open mic night on Wednesdays.

A new weekly open mic night in Mullum

La Familia Cantina Bar is launching a weekly open mic night to be held every Wednesday in the heart of Mullumbimby from 15 December. 

Reminiscent of the old Byron Bay Brewery days, the buzzing beer garden will give a platform for local and touring musicians to showcase their talents.

There will be $5 Stone & Wood tap beers all night and a weekly raffle giveaway from the legends at Byron Music. 

Hosted by Byron local musician Harry Nichols. Sign up from 6.30pm. 

Support local live music!

For more info, visit: lafamilia.com.au.


Cézanne – Works on Screen at the Byron Theatre.

Cézanne: Portraits of a Life

Exhibition on Screen is thrilled to bring back one of its most successful films ever, offering a unique and fascinating exploration of the life and times of Paul Cézanne.

One cannot appreciate 20th-century art without understanding the significance and genius of Paul Cézanne.

Filmed on location at the National Portrait Gallery London, National Gallery of Art Washington, and Musée d’Orsay Paris, this film features interviews with curators and experts, and correspondence from the artist himself; taking us beyond Cézanne’s portraits to the places he lived and worked, and sheding light on an artist who is perhaps the least known of all the Impressionists – until now.

December 8 at 3pm. Byron Theatre.

byroncentre.com.au


Calling all artists

Calling local musicians, artists, volunteers for Byron Bay NYE

Organisers of this year’s New Year’s Eve event at Byron Bay are putting a call out for musicians and artists to be a part of the entertainment on 31 December 2021.

Two entertainment precincts are planned for the town, with markets to start in Jonson Street at 4pm on New Year’s Eve.

There will be an interactive lighting installation at Dening Park from sunset, with entertainment to start at 6pm.

Musicians, artists and people interested in volunteering to help with the New Year’s Eve event should go to the Soul Street website for more information.

Organisers say this year they are activating Dening Park as well as Jonson Street to give the event a refresh, but the aim is still to ensure we have a family-friendly, community focus for celebrations in the town.

‘Council, with the support of NSW police, is activating Dening Park on NYE as part of a safety strategy where people are more spread out across the town.

‘The hope is that families and residents come out in force on NYE because there is something for everyone. As always, this NYE Byron Bay will be family-friendly and there will be no tolerance for anti-social behaviour.

‘Many parts of the town centre and beach front will be alcohol-free zones and there will be a heavy police presence.

For more information visit: soulstreetbyronbay.com.au.


Renée plays Bluesfest

Renée is heading in the right Bluesfest direction

From 1970 when Renée Geyer started her career, to 1975 when she asked if she was ‘Heading In The Right Direction’, through to 1994’s Difficult Woman – when ‘…she can be cruel or so kind’ (her words, not mine – actually, Paul Kelly’s words) – to some new material in the making: ‘Hopefully – I’m working on it as we speak’, this Australian music diva is heading in the direction of the next edition of Bluesfest.

This is not Renée’s first time at Blues, which she feels is one of the greatest gigs, and after over 50 years in this industry, she’d know. Geyer says she has missed performing for audiences: ‘that’s what I love’. 

Flanking Renée will be Charlie Owen on guitar, Tony Floyd on drums, Jex Saarelaht on keys and Yuri Pavlinov on bass.

If you’re looking for the hits, she’s bringing those too and she’s excited! ‘People should come along to Bluesfest, it’s the best gig in the country, if not the world!’ she says.

Bluesfest – April 14 to 18, 2022.

Visit: www.bluesfest.com.au


CINEMA

No Time to Die

No Time to Die

Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

No Time to Die is on this week at the Ballina Fair Cinemas. For screenings and tickets visit: ballinafaircinemas.com.au.


Dune

Dune

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. 

As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence – a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential – only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Dune is screening at The Palace in Byron this week.

Visit: palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/palace-byron-bay/ for screenings and tickets.


Vandana Shiva just one of the special picks at the Byron Bay Film Festival.

An early Christmas gift

The Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) returns this month with a condensed program of eight feature-length films and a range of shorts designed to inspire hope and strength in a wider Northern Rivers community wearied by nearly two years of COVID-19.

BBFF director J’aimee Skippon-Volke says the festival will screen several films that carry a strongly positive message – of courage, resilience and optimism. ‘These films will inspire faith in the power of people to get through challenging times. Conversely, some also shine a light on the shadow side and fragility of humanity, prompting us to reflect and re-examine our attitudes and behaviours around concepts such as injustice.’

Providing a welcome diversion from the stress of Christmas busyness, they’re a satisfying alternative to the Christmas blockbusters.

Themed Shining Light in Darkness, BBFF’s 2021 offering includes: a mind-expanding documentary about the nature of consciousness; a study of young American men who resisted conscription to Vietnam; the story of one woman’s courageous battle against genetically modified crops in India; a candid portrait of Lennox Head artist Mark Waller; and a chronicle of how a top Australian metalcore band, Kali Yuga, took up the climate change challenge.

Originally scheduled for October, the 2021 festival has been tailored to restrictions imposed owing to the pandemic. The revised format allows filmmakers to connect with cinema audiences while giving film lovers the pleasure of watching their works on a full-sized cinema screen once more.

‘COVID-19 devastated the local arts industry and our aim is to keep creativity alive in a safe and enjoyable way –  the time is right for such films that provide uplifting feelings of hope and possibility following over 20 months of disturbance, division and despair.’ Says Skippon-Volke. 

BBFF 2021 opens with Meet the Wallers at Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Friday, 17 December, and continues for another four days at Palace Cinemas in Byron Bay. 

For more information and tickets, visit bbff.com.au and Palace Cinemas.


Save the date for January’s Bangalow Film Festival.

Save the date for the Bangalow Film Festival

As we approach the end of another weird and tumultuous year, there’s some good news – the Bangalow Film Festival is back for its second year, with more films, more locations and more of what you loved!

Get out the 2022 planners and lock in 13–29 January and start the year with guaranteed good times. In addition to a full week of screenings at the Bangalow Showgrounds, a carefully curated program of talks, showcases and workshops will take over the A&I Hall, aligning with the festival’s core theme: Sustainable Futures.

This year organisers are bringing the festival to more of the Northern Rivers with the addition of the beautiful Regent Theatre in Murwillumbah and Lismore’s Star Court Theatre, who will also play host to some unique film screenings in late January.

The 2022 full program will be announced in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peak of the opening night – the festival will kick off with the regional premiere of The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Written and Directed by, and starring Leah Purcell, the film is a post colonial reworking of Henry Lawson’s 1892 short story.

Molly Johnson’s husband is away droving sheep, leaving her alone to care for their four children in the remote Snowy Mountains. Despite being heavily pregnant, Molly keeps various threats at bay. But when Yadaka, an Aboriginal man on the run from white law enforcement, intrudes on the sanctuary she has carved out, the brutal hardships and secrets that have followed them both throughout their lives must be confronted.

For more information about screenings and tickets, bangalowfilmfestival.com.au.


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