E N T E R T A I N M E N T MANDY NOLAN, IN FULL SWING AS THE MC AT THE BYRON BREWERY ON THURSDAY 19 DEC , MC AT THE BIG GIG NYE COMEDY FESTIVAL, WOODFORD FESTIVAL AND FALLS FESTIVAL. BUSY DAYS FOR THE BIG GIRL. wonderful collection of their work! Wendy’s paintings of Tallow Lake are colourful and unique to this area, while Candy’s ecoprinting is a process using foliage gathered in the local area. There is something for everyone in this exhibition, from paintings to silk scarves, cushions, Merino tunics and beautiful handmade journals and cards. Their exhibition will be held at Lone Goat Gallery in the Library Complex in Byron from January 2 to January 16.
NEW W YEAR RS EVE COM MEDY FEST TIVA AL New Years Eve at the Ballina RSL has fast gained a reputation for being one of the best-value nights on the HUNG LE AT THE coast. Comedian Mandy BALLINA RSL FOR THE Nolan who hosts the BIG GIG THIS NEW regular monthly Big Gig YEARS EVE comedy nights puts on the glitz for an all-out hands-down knock-out comedy show that will see audiences laugh their way into 2014. This year she welcomes internationally renowned Hung Le, ex-Casino boy Chris Radburn and comedy hypnotist Wayne Donnelly. ‘I am hoping we can get a few people to go off like crackers at midnight!’ she laughs. ‘This is a great night, and you not only get three amazing acts that take you through until midnight, you also get a two-course meal.’ Headlining this year is Hung Le, the world’s best, first and tallest Vietnamese comic. He promises to spin your mind, dazzle your imagination and awaken your funny zones. On 29 April 1975, the last day of the Vietnam war, a nine-year-old boy jumped onto a leaking prawn trawler on the Saigon River with a box of dried biscuits and some seasick pills. He managed to survive thirst and hunger and to cheat death to become one of the first Vietnamese boat people to land in Australia. He has made a name for himself in the comedy scene, a favourite at Montreal Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He has also made numerous TV appearances – the most notable being in The Wogboy, Fat Pizza, True Love and Chaos and Sensitive New Age Killer. Hung is also an author, musician, clown and actor and his first
NEW RESTAURANT BAR
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Taking Children to the Moon‌ and back I DO A LOT OF DRIVING. I DO A LOT OF DRIVING with my four-year-old in the car seat – the hostage to my daily routine. She doesn’t want to be in the car. These days she does. In fact, she enjoys the ride because we have a growing collection of storyteller Jenni Cargill Strong’s fabulous CDs thus allowing Ivy to enjoy the wonder of story while I concentrate on the road. I also have that lovely warm feeling that my daughter isn’t in the back on a DVD; she’s ensconced in the creative and wondrous process of listening to story. It’s funny because I listen too, I am kind of forced to. And even though they are children’s stories, there’s a deeper narrative in what Jenni creates herself or the folk stories she chooses and adapts for a new, young and contemporary listener. I was driving the other day and I had this small but slightly profound realisation about story and its importance. I watch my daughter in the car listen to the same story over and over, like a mantra, and I wonder what it is that has her transfixed? It occurred to me that story isn’t just amusement; it serves a much more valuable role. Stories tell children about their world, it tells them about human behaviour, about sadness, joy, disappointment, anger. It tells them about consequence. It creates a pathway of understanding, a kind of emotional and intellectual anchor in the overwhelming sea of existence. Story is the way we pass on mythology. It’s why it was so important to indigenous peoples. Story teaches us things that can’t be told in a scientific factual linear nature. It tells us about spirit, or place, or feeling, and about connectedness. Alongside heroes who triumph in the face of danger, story also shows us the landscape of loss, fear and despair. I wait anxiously for Jenni’s next story albums, and I’m thrilled that she seems to be keeping up with my Ivy’s passion for story consumption. This Christmas Jenni has released Reaching for the Moon, a book, The Yellow Peril from Sin City, was released through Penguin. His second, a children’s book, BarryNoodles & DAKillerBs is with Random House. Also appearing is former lawyer Chris Radburn – an Aussie comedian who has earned a reputation for clever and cheeky observations that are relatable, original and hilarious. Chris was handpicked to perform with US comedy superstars Weird Al Yankovic and Rob Schneider on their Australian tours in 2011. Internationally, Chris has impressed audiences in America, at the world renowned New York’s Gotham Comedy Club, in New Zealand, Malaysia, on P&O Cruises in the South Pacific and as part of Three Forces Entertainment tours to the Solomon Islands, Egypt and Dubai to entertain the Australian troops. Chris was invited to perform on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in Miami, USA, where he finished as an international finalist in 2008. As a Casinoborn boy, Chris always looks forward to his home gigs! As a bit of a special treat Big Gig lovers get a little taste of their subconscious minds with hypnotist Wayne Donnelly. Of course while we all adore sitting back and watching our best friends fall in love with a mop, or dance like a chicken, there is some fear for volunteers that they might embarrass themselves. ‘No-one is in control of your mind except you,’ says Wayne. ‘I am making suggestions. If I suggest anything that goes against your personal values, you won’t do it. I can’t take over control of people’s minds – and as far as embarrassing or humiliating people – why would I do that? People wouldn’t come back!' Find yourself laughing your way into a brand-new year at the Ballina RSL on Tuesday 31 December. Doors 6.45pm. Two-course dinner and show at 7.30pm. Tix $62.90 and table of 10 $59.90 p/p. Tix at 6686 2544 or ballinarsl.com.au.
double CD of wisdom tales that get kids to think about their connection to the environment and to inspire them to believe that they can make a difference. Environmental issues are one of Jenni’s passions and something that she manages to weave effectively into her stories, helping nurture the compassion and consciousness of our younger generations. Filled with song, music, and a lively sense of humour, Jenni’s lovely new CD will play for 111 minutes. That’s a trip to Brisbane. That’s a decent afternoon nap. Compared to popping a DVD in the recorded, Jenni’s story tree CDs are the food equivalent to choosing a McDonald’s thickshake or a delicious organic mango smoothie. Now what kind of brain food do you want to feed your kids? Jenni’s new CD is available on line at www.storytree.com.au or at the Mullumbimby Bookshop.
SAC CRE ED HEAL LING G CER REMO ONY Together in this sacred healing ceremony we will let go of the past, activate our spiritual life-force, and strengthen our connection to Mother Earth and unity consciousness. Chicchan has created sacred ceremonies, within the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge, at the equinox, solstice and full moon and wedding ceremonies, as a marriage celebrant. Discover your true voice. Everyone is born with a beautiful voice! You can naturally express with a voice that is beautiful, unique
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LATE NITE VIDEO
CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS: 9am - Late every day except Christmas Day CLOSED New Years Eve 9am - 7pm New Years Day 10am - Late
VISITORS WELCOME Shop 8, North Woolies Plaza, Jonson St, Byron Bay
6685 7699
www.latenitevideo.com.au
WHAT’S ON
Free admission Gallery open Wed-Sun 10am - 5pm (DST)
Boob’n’Bra Drive and Special Movie Screening of ‘Umoja’
On display until 19 January 2014
Presented by Byron Breast Cancer Support Group Wed 18th Dec 1:30pm. Gold coin donation at door
Designing Craft/Crafting Design: 40 Years of JamFactory
White Ribbon Walk Wednesday 18th December, 6pm. Starts at Railway Park, Byron Bay. Please wear white to symbolise No Violence; No Silence
a’s campaign op violence nst women
A JamFactory and Country Arts SA touring exhibition
www.myoath
Charles Conder: The Lithographs
r never to commit, excuse or r
HEADLAND Soundtrack Vinyl Launch Saturday 21st December, 7:30pm Tickets: Full $23
A Maitland Regional Art Gallery Touring Exhibition
Soul St New Years Eve
"REAKFAST s ,UNCH s $INNER s $RINKS ,IVE MUSIC s -ODERN -EDITERRANEAN CUISINE !USTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL WINES s #OCKTAILS OPENING PARTY Friday 20 December DJs from 7pm RADIO JUPITER Sunday 22 December from 3pm KINGDOG AND THE CATZ Friday 10 January
Cnr Fletcher Street & Marvell Street www.gingerpigrestaurant.com.au s INFO GINGERPIGRESTAURANT COM AU North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
First Sun New Years Day Wednesday 1st December, 5:30am Event held at Main Beach Free Event Community Table Cafe & Bar now open an hour before all events
Byron Theatre Byron Community Centre 69 Jonson Street Byron Bay )V_ 6MÄ JL OYZ! 10am–3.30pm Phone 6685 6807 tix & info I`YVUJLU[YL JVT H\ Like us on Facebook – Byron Theatre
December
OPEN EVERY DAY
Tuesday 31st December, 2pm Event held in Railway Park Free Event
With a pencil in my pocket Charles Conder The Sea Wall 1905 Lithograph on paper 22.7 x 30.5
Rosemary Upton
Until 12 January 2014 Artists of the region: a collection focus Until 16 March 2014 Drawing Margaret: Nicholas Harding Until 6 July 2014 An elemental approach: works from the collection PUBLIC PROGRAM (DST) Sat 21 Dec 2013 - 26 Jan 2014 Kids Summer Art Treasure Map and Trail Explore the Gallery’s collection exhibitions and artworks on display with fun activities and questions in a special map with directions. Finish your journey you can claim your treasure - Free The Gallery will be CLOSED on Christmas Day and OPEN on Boxing Day
(02) 6670 2790 | 2 Mistral Road Murwillumbah NSW 2484 artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
The Byron Shire Echo December 17, 2013 63