ENTERTAINMENT PFFFFT FOR PM
WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS Hailing from the UK, Henge are 7-piece space-ravers from Manchester and they are bringing their brand of PLUR*infused post-rave prog pop to perform exclusively at a few local venues. Fresh from performing the UK/EU festival circuit (Shambala, Blue Dot, Boa Bla), and their very own regular crazy club event Space Cassette, Henge are primed and ready for OZ, and they want to be your friends. Their music is laced with the essential principles of the PLUR ravers’ code: *PEACE LOVE UNDERSTANDING + RESPECT Brunswick Picture House Saturday from 7pm.
HERE TODAY… Byron Youth Theatre cast members are looking forward to sharing their last production for 2017 community audiences on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby. Gone Tomorrow, funded by Northern Rivers Community Foundation and with financial assistance from Cunning Stunts, is a linear play that looks at the devastating effects of youth suicide, how compounded mental health challenges can severely affect young people, and how and where to access help.
NOEL AND LIAM DO IT FOR DEAN
As indifference turns to anger, Mark hits the hustings to tickle and provoke – if not a riot, then dancing.
‘We have been through a huge process developing this production,’ shares director Lisa Apostolides. BYT members have interviewed people affected by suicide, shared their personal experiences with mental health issues, as well as conducted supported research with Headspace, Beyond Blue, Black Dog, Social Futures, Peter Chown (psychologist), Open Minds, Well Ways and the Mental Health Association of NSW. Script development advice was sought from several of these organisations. The production will include live music performed by cast members and a mixture of realistic and stylised scenes. ‘We really hope the community support this production by coming to see a performance. It is so important for all of us to become more aware of the issues that can lead to suicide, and assist each other in getting help,’ says BYT cast member Oberon.
For Dean Lewis, it all really started when he was sitting with his younger brother years ago and his dad put on a DVD called Oasis Manchester Live 2005. ‘I remember watching Liam Gallagher walk out with this hat and red jacket and watching him with Noel; they were just the coolest guys ever. I spent the next five years watching every Oasis video; Noel Gallagher basically taught me how to write songs.’ Dean’s Oasis obsession also stirred some older musical memories in him, as his newfound lust for rhythm and melody took him back to the sounds of his childhood. ‘Some of my earliest memories are of my dad showing my brothers and me his guitars and telling us when we’re old enough he’ll give them to us,’ says Lewis. ‘My dad is a massive music fan. He had a big CD collection and was always playing The Beatles, Oasis or Van Morrison.’ As he began to feel his way into creating and crafting his own music, Dean continued to be inspired by mostly UK artists – Richard Ashcroft, The Kooks and, more recently, Catfish and The Bottlemen. ‘I’m just obsessed with his songwriting,’ Dean states. ‘It’s so simple and melodic. He doesn’t overthink it, and that inspires me. But more recently it’s certain songs that I get obsessed with. I consume music obsessively but it’s kinda focused. I’ll be so inspired by a song, then listen to it on repeat and only want to listen to that one song!’
A new Slightly-Drunk-Ted-Talk, Alternative Prime Minister, from Mark Swivel, Accredited Near Dead White Male™.
BYT members wish to thank the Mental Health Association of NSW, Wellways and Open Minds for funding their production Mind Made Me, which they performed at Lismore City Hall and the Drill Hall, Mullumbimby, recently. ‘The response was amazing,’ says cast member Lae. ‘The audience were really moved and touched by each scene. I learnt a great deal doing this production and our company has become even closer.’
Expect banter, singing, fiscal rectitude… full-costed silly buggers that strays close to common sense! Alternative Prime Minister plays Sydney before coming to Mullum. We all know we need an alternative PM, but who among us would want the gig? Well, sometimes stuff gets so bad, even those of us manifestly unfit for public office have to take one for the team. Join Mark’s cabinet and help him create a Country Worth Living In, using nothing but a hula hoop, Venn diagram and barbecue tongs. Half the $20 ticket price to Beata, Mengistu and the crew working with refugees and asylum seekers in Dutton St, Dutton Park, at the Romero Centre https://romero.mercycs.org.au/. They do valuable work for people left to fend for themselves in our allegedly civilised society – providing food, counselling, legal referrals and more. Mark performs in a tasteful Hugo
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This event will be on at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby, Saturday at 2pm and 6pm and Sunday at 6pm.
LOOKING FOR A NIGHT OUT?
We have hundreds of gigs from around the north coast in the region’s BEST online gig guide
echo.net.au/gig-guide
Be inspired by Dean at the Hotel Great Northern 8pm Sunday.
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ALL THRU FROM 5PM WITH
MUSICAL BINGO 7:30PM DIFFERENT FOODIES EVERY TUESDAY
netdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo December 6, 2017 57