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ARIES: This week’s about values: what you value, by
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Stars This week’s emphasis in take-it-easy Taurus shifts life to a lower tempo, more easygoing flow, shorter days and cool-weather pleasures…
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LEARNING HULA
Traditional Hawaiian cultural teacher Kanoelani Davis will be offering a unique insight into the ancient style of Hula – Hula ‘Kahiko’ – rarely performed let alone shared outside of Hawaii, as part of a series of talks and workshops at Kulchajam this weekend. From Molokai, the island known as a stronghold of traditional Hawaiian culture, Kanoe was raised by her grandparents and renowned hula teachers gaining recognition as a Kumu – accomplished teacher of Hula Kahiko (ancient style of traditional dance and teachings). This coming weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information contact Kathryn 0407 877 309 krobertsau@yahoo.com.au.
CHARLIE’S COUNTRY Multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer will be the special guest speaker at a Screenworks event at the Byron Bay Community Centre on 12 May, when he joins local Indigenous journalist and arts professional Rhoda Roberts in conversation after a screening of his most recent film Charlie’s Country. Typically Rolf de Heer’s films explore the human condition and question conventional wisdom. They are low in budget but high in impact, and his fourteenth feature film is no exception. Brilliant Indigenous actor David Gulpilil stars in, and co-wrote, this highly topical and semi-autobiographical drama with Rolf De Heer, their third collaboration after The Tracker and Ten Canoes. The birth of the film came about with Rolf de Heer’s concern for David Gulipilil’s situation. Rolf wanted to help his friend find his way, and the only way he knew how was to make a film with him and renew his sense of purpose. In Charlie’s Country Blackfella Charlie is getting older, and he’s out of sorts.
whom you’re valued, where best to invest your valuable energy and expertise. Also your inner worth: with the emotional storms and awkward interactions of recent weeks on the wane, it’s time to exchange negative trains of thought for more positive personal perspectives. TAURUS: This physically invigorating week packs a power surge guaranteed to bring a smile to the Tauran face. Your ruler Venus in Gemini’s a delightful butterfly – symbol of ephemeral pleasures – and the trinity of sun, Mars and Mercury in your sign suggests this week’s business will be most successfully conducted over food… GEMINI: An auspicious week for discussing mutual finances, deciding on what practical changes to make and repairing rapport with friends or colleagues. Venus in your friendly, flirty sign loves busily buzzing about, shopping, buying and acquiring, but saying Why Not? to indulgent offers and frivolous merchandise could mean post-purchase billshock.
CANCER: This let’s-get-physical week likes its creature comforts: food on the table, cash in the bank, fuel in the tank, homies to hug. It enjoys thread count, high-ply absorbency and hearty helpings, all of which restore a feeling of reassurance and earthy stability to you inhabitants of Planet Cancer.
The Intervention is making life more difficult on his remote community, what with the proper policing of ‘whitefella’ laws that make little sense, and Charlie’s kin more interested in going along with things than doing anything about it. So Charlie takes off, to live the old way, but in so doing sets off a chain of events in his life that has him return to his community chastened, and somewhat the wiser. The film is powerfully moving not least because there are many parallels between the life of Gulpilil and the character Charlie. Gulpilil was also a gifted dancer and was for a time one of the most renowned traditional dancers in Australia; and he, like Charlie has struggled to reconcile the two cultures he lives within. For an evening with Charlie’s Country and director Rolf de Heer at the Byron Theatre on Tuesday 12 May, tix are $18 for concession and Screenworks members, otherwise $25. Available at Byron Theatre – 6685 6807.
ST PATRICK’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Mt St Patrick College Murwillumbah is proud to present Disney’s High School Musical On Stage! Evening performances are on Friday and Saturday, 7.30pm start, showcasing the school’s most talented actors and musicians. Disney’s High School Musical On Stage! tells the story of Gabriella, a new student at the school, and Troy, the school’s star basketball player, and how they encourage the school to be true to themselves and not always ‘stick to the status quo’. It’s a fun, light-hearted show filled with humour, vibrant music and dancing, a live band and drumline. Tickets are on sale now: adults $15, concession $12. Tickets can be purchased through the front office and online through the school’s website: www. mursclism.catholic.edu.au. Tickets will not be available at the door. Doors open 7pm.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
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SAGITTARIUS: As general energetics take a slide from rambunctious to sensible, generous to careful, wildfire ideas to the empire of the senses, this budget-aware week favours organisation over inspiration. Dull? Not when it offers practical, can-do know-how for manifesting your latest project into real-world here and now.
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CAPRICORN: Stomach acid can dissolve razor blades; anxiety makes it even more erosive. A pretty compelling incentive to find a comfort zone with your name on it and put your hooves up, wouldn’t you say? Lessen stress levels even further by hanging out with people who aren’t hard work.
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LEO: Following early week’s sparkling Leo moon, this transit shifts into maintenance mode, servicing personal and co-worker relationships so they’re more smooth and efficient. You might find letting go of having the last word and playing the charm card the smartest way to deal with others just as stubborn as you are. VIRGO: Being organised scores major points this week. Since you’re already masters of micro-management, make time during midweek Virgo moon to soothe any emotional burns from the spot fires of recent weeks. A nurturing break’s perfect for rebooting your enthusiasm, replenishing your self-esteem and topping up your love tank. LIBRA: There are always invisible influences, unseen ingredients and so much stuff we have no control over operating in every situation, so this week you’ll just have to trust your gut, listen to your intuition and follow your nose. Refuse to be bulldozed by citizens with inflexible agendas – consider alternative options.
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SCORPIO: As this week segues from intense emotional territory into sexy pleasures of the senses, urges for instant satisfaction give way to long-range planning, and quantum leaps gear down to slower, step-by-step progression. There’s motivation, determination and support for breaking a habit you know isn’t working for you.
AQUARIUS: This week’s astral bonanza packs plenty of warm fuzzies with your family clan and/or social tribe – those who know your quirks and foibles and love you anyway. Midweek moon may trigger what-if niggles, because this is more a ground-under-your-feet than piein-the-sky transit, during which common sense rules.
PISCES: While this week’s material-world emphasis suggests a financial upswing it could also present stubborn standoffs, along with the necessary planetary push to resolve them. Considering other people’s needs and motivations will go a long way towards defusing power struggles – and be less energetically expensive and emotionally costly.
WHEN LIFE IS A CABARET
The very sassy, the sensational and subversive Christa Hughes presents two nights of cabaret in her new show Cabaret Diva. Onstage at Lismore City Hall Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May. For a double pass to the Saturday performance simply email your response with subject header ‘Cabaret Diva’ to gigscomp@echo.net.au and you also get a subscription for our online Echo! SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL AT THE PALACE CINEMAS THIS WEEK! former girlfriend Tracy Marander, ex-bandmate Krist Novoselic and others with Cobain’s own words in an unflinching tribute to a contentious and contradictory talent, still revered by millions around the world 20 years after his tragic death. TIX NOW ON SALE FOR WOMEN LIKE US AT THE STAR COURT THEATRE WITH MANDY NOLAN AND ELLEN BRIGGS – ONE SHOW ONLY SATURDAY 20 JUNE. 8PM. TIX ON WWW.STARCOURTTHEATRE.COM.AU
HONOUR AT THE DRILL Tickets are now on sale for what is possibly Australia’s most successful play internationally of the last 20 years with several productions around the world: Honour. Director Penny Irving brings all her experience and passion to Honour, her first play at the Drill Hall in Mullumbimby. Joanna Murray-Smith’s 1995 work is an hilarious and uncompromising examination of marriage, delusion and ambition. Honour and George have an enviable life. George is a celebrated academic and Honour gave up her own ambition as a writer to raise their daughter Sophie. George is approaching the end of his career and is interviewed for a book by an ambitious young woman, Claudia. George is flattered at first and then falls for Claudia, hopelessly. He suddenly leaves Honour and chases a new idea of love. Honour is hurt and perplexed but soon begins her own transformation. Sophie rages at her father while Honour slowly constructs a new life. Will George and Claudia endure in their new love? Will Honour be able to recover a sense of herself? Honour is funny and honest, an excellent dissection of a long marriage and how a world can fall apart so quickly.
Peppered with one-liners, the humour is brainy but driven by the self-deception of all involved. Opening night Friday and running until Sunday 17 May. Performances 8pm Friday and Saturday, 5pm Sunday. Bookings ($20 & $15) at the Bookshop, Mullum or online at www.drillhalltheatre.org.au.
THE PALACE OF COBAIN Kurt Cobain, legendary lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Nirvana, remains an object of reverence and fascination for music fans around the world – and for the first time his story will be told in Cobain: Montage of Heck, a fully authorised feature documentary screening in limited release at Palace Byron Bay Cinema over 7–10 May. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Brett Morgen (Crossfire Hurricane, The Kid Stays In The Picture), the writer, director and producer was given unprecedented access to Cobain’s personal and family archives by the late rocker’s estate. Morgen weaves together moving first-person testimony from Cobain’s mother and sister, his widow, Courtney Love,
Visual artist Frances Bean Cobain, Cobain’s daughter, is the executive producer. Eight years in the making, fans and those of the Nirvana generation will learn things about Cobain they never knew while those who have recently discovered the man and his music will know what makes him the lasting icon that he still is today.
OLE! SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL! The 2015 Spanish Film Festival, screening at Palace Byron Bay Cinema from Thursday to Thursday 7 May, is a multicultural cinematic celebration, with productions filmed in Argentina, Mexico, Peru, France, Colombia, Italy, Brazil and of course Spain. And oh yes, Bollywood! Spain’s biggest-ever box-office hit Spanish Affair is the openingnight film. This comedic tale mischievously pokes fun at cultural differences as it tracks a young southerner who tenaciously seeks to win the heart of a Basque girl, making it a very Spanish affair indeed. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and winner of the Goya for Best Foreign Film, closing-night film Wild Tales sets out to prove that there is a little bit of animal in all of us. This black comedy has won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.
Romance lovers need look no further than the love triangle that is Get Married If You Can, a Mexican rom-com about the importance of staying true to oneself and the meaning of genuine love. Expect a lot of heart, humour and perhaps even tears from father-daughter tale Instructions Not Included, another film from Mexico – where it was the biggest Mexican hit ever at the local box office, as well as the highest-grossing Spanishlanguage film of all time in the US. Who doesn’t love the colour and exotica of a good Bollywood film? Traces of Sandalwood journeys through the universal themes of love and hope when Mina, a famous Indian actress in Mumbai, goes in search of her long-lost sister, taken to Spain for adoption. A budding romance that develops between Paula and a handsome Indian immigrant. Winner of 10 Goya Awards in 2015, including best film, best director (Alberto Rodriguez, Unit 7, best actor and best art direction, Marshland is an unmissable festival highlight that showcases brooding Spanish cinema at its very best, and is reminiscent of the TV series True Detective. Finding Gaston is a mouth-watering documentary about chef Gastón Acurio, an inspiring man with a hunger for social change who’s on a mission to change his country through food. Paco León has returned to directing his mother, cult figure and matriarchal tour-de-force Carmina Barrios, and sister Maria León, in Carmina and Amen. This time Carmina works furiously to conceal the surprise death of her husband from family and friends in order to allow enough time for his bonus pay cheque to clear.
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The Byron Shire Echo April 29, 2015 25