Entertainment in the Byron Shire for the week beginning 20 October, 2020

Mandy Nolan is MC at The Big Gig in Ballina. Free but book now

Big Surprise at Big Gig!

This month there’s a surprise guest performing at The Big Gig. This is a high profile comic who everyone is going to love. We just can’t tell you who it is. What we can tell you is that you won’t be disappointed – and the next day everyone who didn’t go is going to say, ‘Damn! I was going to go!’ Hosted by Mandy Nolan, the show is FREE – limited tickets available (because of COVID-19 you must register for a ticket! You can’t just rock up and get in!).

Thursday 29 October. Ballina RSL at 8pm. ballinarsl.com.au/event/the-big-gig-free-live-comedy

Mark comes to Brunswick Picture House to present an evening of tunes and stories

Singing Straight

Mark Trevorrow, the creator of Bob Downe, continues the musical journey he began when he performed as himself on Good News Week and continued with his 2004 ABC album It’s About Time — singing pop, jazz and show standards, from Bacharach and Lennon-McCartney to Sondheim and Coward, in the smoothly melodious style you’ll never hear from Bob! A relaxed and funny evening of great music and stories, with music director, Bev Kennedy, on piano.

Mark Trevorrow is singing straight at the Brunswick Picture House on Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Tix from brunswickpicturehouse.com

Space Cowboy! One of the wonderful performers at Brunswick Picture House.

The Covid Cowboy

The Space Cowboy returns to the Picture House for his first performance in seven months and his last show of this kind for 2020. His record-breaking stunts have astonished audiences from Helsinki to Hobart, and made headlines around the globe. One of the most innovative sideshow artists alive today, The Space Cowboy currently holds over 50 Guinness World Records – ranging from sword swallowing, unicycling and juggling through to blindfolded arrow catching, blowtorch flame swallowing and many more!

Be amazed at the Brunswick Picture House on Saturday. Tix from brunswickpicturehouse.com

Women Like Us at Kyogle Bowlo on Saturday.

Women Like Us Hit Kyogle!

Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan perform their all new Women Like Us show at the Kyogle Bowlo this Saturday. The girls have used the covid downtime to record a podcast and reimagine their successful touring show, which is now on its 150th plus show.

Bringing the house down wherever they go – tickets from womenlikeus.com.au or at the venue. Show starts at 8pm.

Rosie Kaplan in her studio – one of the many artists opening their doors during the Open Studio weekends, 28–29 Nov and 5–6 December.

Artists Inviting You In

Have you ever walked into an art gallery and wondered ‘How do they do that? How does the artist get that effect, that colour, that sculptural curve?’ Well, now you can find out! For the third year running, Open Studios Ballina, Byron & Beyond is your opportunity to meet the artists in their studios and discover their secrets! A rare treat offered over two weekends, with 34 local artists in a wide variety of artistic genres opening their working studios to the public.

So mark the diary: 28–29 Nov and 5–6 Dec. Visit www.os-bbb.com for details of participating studios.

Afterglow, Laura Jan Shore’s long-awaited third collection in the Burringbar School of Arts Hall.

The Poetry Afterglow!

Dangerously Poetic celebrates Afterglow, Laura Jan Shore’s long-awaited third collection, published by Interactive Press, Brisbane. This free event will be held in the iconic Burringbar School of Arts Hall, Burringbar. The talented singer/songwriter, Emma Lees will perform musical interludes. Kathryn Boorman will be the MC. President of Dangerously Poetic Press, Laura has facilitated readings, co-edited twelve poetry collections, and offered poetry workshops in the area since 1996.

See laurajanshore.com for more information. Book launch, Sunday at 3pm. Signed books $25.

Dan Sultan at the Brunswick Picture House on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Sultan In Town

Brunswick Picture House is thrilled to be hosting the incredible Dan Sultan for two intimate shows in October. Ever since Sultan delivered his debut album, Homemade Biscuits, in 2006 at the age of 22, music lovers from all walks of life have found a home in his ability to bare his longings and his wounds; his rich and soulful voice spilling all sorts of guts and glory over memorable rock, roots and blues hooks.

These will be the only Northern Rivers gigs for the multi-award winner – Tuesday and Wednesday 27–28 October at 7pm. Tix from brunswickpicturehouse.com

Christina Giorgio at the Brunswick Picture House on Thursday, 29 October.

Heart On Her Sleeve

Local folk-roots singer-songwriter, Christina Giorgio, will be bringing her show Heart on My Sleeve to The Brunswick Picture House on Thursday 29 October. Often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and always unflinchingly honest, it’s an evening of stories and songs about love, loss and getting wiser – the hard way. Christina will be joined by Steve Dixon on drums (Cold Chisel, Mental as Anything, Marcia Hines, Jonny O’Keefe, Brian Cadd) and Bobbe Thornton on bass (Stevie Wright, Phil Emmanuel). Tix from brunswickpicturehouse.com

Daniel Champagne at The Park Lane Theatre in Lennox on Saturday.

Champagne In Lennox

Live music is hitting the stage at Park Lane Theatre for the first time in almost a year – when Daniel Champagne performs this Saturday. Described as ‘the finest guitar player of his generation’, young virtuoso Daniel Champagne fuses the strong traditions of blues, folk and other roots music with his pop showmanship, poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies.

Numbers are limited to comply with COVID-19 safety requirements. To book your tickets, visit www.communityspaces.com.au/tickets and follow the links.

walk like an Eygption

The Sound of Egypt

After the international success of the first Power Of Sound Africa, local producers Mark Robertson and Chris Liddell bring their epic journey into the mysteries and peoples of ancient Egypt to the screen at The Byron Theatre this month.

Deep-diving past the veneers of translation and interpretation, The Power Of Sound Egypt offers insight and revelation direct from the wisdom-keepers and indigenous peoples of the Giza Plateau, Nile Valley and Nubian lands, along with Khemetian researchers, Sufi mystic musicians, Egyptologists and sound healing practitioners. Watch this new episode of the home-grown, award-winning documentary series at Byron Theatre, Saturday, 31 October.

Tickets $22 from The Byron Theatre box office or www.byroncentre.com.au.

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