Free tickets for flood-affected people

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium Executive Director, Anita Bellman, is thrilled to announce that there will be free tickets for all flood-affected members of our community to attend the NRC 2022 Visiting Artist program, made possible with the support of our friends at Musica Viva and Southern Cross University.

The NRC 2022 Visiting Artist program, featuring Lior, was to be presented at Lismore City Hall but the damage sustained during the devastating floods means the venue is currently closed. It is extremely fortunate for the community that the Whitebrook Theatre at Southern Cross University is able to accommodate the program this year.

Hywel Sims, CEO of Musica Viva said that as a long-standing supporter of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium, Musica Viva Australia is delighted to provide support to this year’s concerts.

This performance is described as a musical narrative of love, loss and compassion which is a very fitting tribute to our beautiful community at this time.

Through Nature to Eternity will be held at Southern Cross University’s Whitebrook Theatre on Saturday 2 July from 7.30pm with light meals and refreshments for purchase from 6pm.

Lior will also present a songwriting workshop in the Music Block at 1.30pm.

For more information, visit: nrcac.edu.au/events

Carpet Snake Country

Gabul Jagun – Carpet Snake Country is an exhibition showcasing aspects of Arakwal Country in the Byron Shire through the perspective of Nickolla Clark, a local Arakwal Bundjalung artist living and working on Country.

‘Arakwal Jagun. My grandmother’s country stretches from the rainforest to the sea, including the rivers, sacred sites, our creator and home Ironbark at Tallow Creek. This is Gabul Jagun, Carpet Snake Country,’ says Nickolla.

‘My practice highlights our important, instinctive, sacred connection to Country through key symbols, features and knowledge that has been passed down through many generations. This brings me closer to understanding and expressing the energy, spirit, cultural lore and stories from Country and culture within each painting.’

‘The exhibition explores my personal connection to the land and sea with the many vibrant and subtle colours of my Country. The theme Gabul refers to my people’s totem, the Carpet Snake. This is a good reflection on my heritage. Jagun is Country, which is fitting as all my artworks reflect the land in which we live and care for.’

‘These pieces are a collection of my cultural expressions and I hope they evoke feelings of cultural insight and gratitude towards Country. Giving and receiving Garimaa – Respect.’

Lone Goat Gallery, from 25 June to July 30.
Exhibition open 24 June from 5.30–7.30pm with a Welcome to Country by Ngurungaeta Brown.

Artist in conversation: Nickolla Clark with Aunty Delta Kay, Saturday 2 July at 2pm.

Youth & Community Fair

The Byron Youth Service and the Byron Shire CDAT (Community Drug Action Team) are getting together to host a fun Youth & Community Fair on Wednesday. 

The CDAT is made up of a group of stakeholders that include BYS, The Buttery, Byron Police, Byron High school, Mullumbimby High School, The Byron Shire Council and NSW Health.

Lindy Lou, the event producer says that the Youth & Community Fair will host a bunch of activities including; live music, badge making, a giant games area, bubble creations, soccer and our local legends, Hooper’s, will be pumping out their delicious burgers!

The live music component will feature local bands: The Irreplaceables, Ratmongers, No Through Road, Wild Rocket, D.A.S.H., Billie Devine and Yazmindi who will be releasing her new single Man.

The Youth & Community Fair is being held at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall on Wednesday 22 June, from 3–6pm, and the first 100 young people to attend the event will receive a free burger and drink!
So, get in quick!

A magical year

Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir The Year of Magical Thinking is brought to life by Green Room Award-winning actor Jillian Murray in a critically-acclaimed solo performance that reunites her with director Laurence Strangio. 

The details will be different, but it will happen to you.

This highly personal account of loss through the lens of hope unpacks a surreal and overwhelming time in Didion’s life as she faces the sudden loss of her husband John, and later her daughter Quintana. 

Deeply moving, sometimes funny, and ultimately joyful, this is one woman’s story of the journey to find acceptance, and the lessons learnt in letting go. 

After a critically-acclaimed sell-out premiere season at Melbourne’s FortyFiveDownstairs this is a production that is a must-see for fans of great drama.

There will be a Q&A with Jillian Murray following the performance.

The Year of Magical Thinking is presented by Byron Theatre and Critical Stages Touring by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. and Concord Theatricals Company. 

Byron Writers Festival are proudly supporting this powerful theatre event and we are therefore pleased to offer BWF Members a special discounted ticket price. 

One night only at Byron Theatre. Tuesday 28 June at 7pm. Use your Discover NSW Vouchers before they expire on 30th June! Book now at byrontheatre.com.

Crazy for dinosaurs

The Dinomaniacs is a highly interactive, energetic, dinosaur adventure suitable for the whole family!

At this family show spectacular let your imagination run wild as you embark on an awe-inspiring, exhilarating and gripping journey back in time with Toby the T-Rex, Trixi Triceratops, Ozzi & Oi! our Aussie dinosaurs, Tara (the Dino Queen), Shaun (the Dino Doctor), and many more prehistoric special guests!

Incorporating The Dinomaniacs original songs, including Rock & Roar, The Dino Dr and Dance with the Dinosaurs, there are some all time classic toe-tapping tunes that are sure to have everyone up and dancing.

There are plenty of surprises, songs, jokes and dancing, as well as exciting opportunities for the audience to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs.

So join in a prehistoric adventure that’s out of this world!

The Dinomaniacs Kids Show is on Thursday 7 July.
Doors 10am, show 10.30–11.30am.
Meet/Greet The Dinos: 11.30am–12pm
Tickets: $16.50pp (adults and kids are the same price), or family of four for $55.
Children under 12-months are free on the knee.

REBEL – a non-stop circus Bowie party

It is often hard to adapt to the loss of a well-known celebrity, but through tribute shows, it can become easier to mourn the loss and ensure that their legacy lives on. 

Such is the case with Highwire Entertainment’s tribute show, REBEL, an intricately crafted show that honours and pays tribute to the late David Bowie, through the mediums of circus and live music. 

A fun and exciting show suitable for all ages, REBEL features a live soundtrack of well-selected Bowie songs, which are complemented by stunning circus acts.

Each circus performer doubles as a musician, demonstrating excellence in both arenas. The band is led by charismatic performer and singer Stewart Reeve, who looks and sounds just like Bowie himself, and one who would make Bowie proud. His brightly coloured and sparkling Bowie-inspired costuming caps off this visual and aural feast.

Stage dive into the mosh pit for a night of live music, glittering glam rock, phenomenal acrobatics, breathtaking aerials and a spectacular heart-stopping sideshow. Live music combined with circus – and comedy – brings to life an incredible body of work that spanned over 50 years, and an aesthetic that broke ground and inspired generations.

Friday 1 July, at 8pm. Book tickets now at byrontheatre.com before it sells out!

NAIDOC Week short films 

The 15th Arakwal NAIDOC Week Short Film Fundraiser will be held in the first week of July.

The Arakwal Corporation, Flickerfest & iQ Inc are thrilled to present an inspiring evening of Aboriginal storytelling celebrating NAIDOC Week 2022 and this year’s theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’.

The program features ten multi-award-winning short films, with highlights including the moving and insightful Strange Country, Jarli and Shiny One.

The NAIDOC Week Short Films will screen on 5 July at 6.30pm at the Byron Theatre.

CINEMA

Top Gun: Maverick

More than three decades after his time at Topgun, Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (a.k.a Tom Cruise), without a hair out of place, is serving as a U.S. Navy test pilot. As Rear Admiral Chester ‘Hammer’ Cain approaches to shut down the hypersonic ‘Darkstar’ scramjet program and redirect the funds to drone programs, Maverick flies the prototype to its speed objective, then pushes further into high-hypersonic speed, destroying it. Cain wants to ground Maverick for his recklessness but instead sends him to NAS North Island as a Topgun instructor, under the orders of Maverick’s friend and former rival, Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet – Val Kilmer also returns to play his part.

Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.

Elvis

From Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann comes Elvis, starring Austin Butler, and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

The film chronicles the life and career of singer and actor Elvis Presley (Butler), from his early days as a child, to becoming a rock ’n’ roll star and movie star, as well as his complex relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).

The film explores the life and music of Elvis, seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager.

The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning more than 20 years; from Presley’s rise to fame, to his unprecedented stardom, and is set against the backdrop of an evolving cultural landscape and its associated loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’ life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

Catch both films this week at Ballina Fair Cinemas and The Palace, Byron Bay.