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FEELING GHOST MODERN Ghost Modern is an exhibition of recent works by locals artists, sculptor Hayden Mathrick and painter Jake Jaquiss. The exhibition features moody pieces made with dark contemplation and organic inspiration. The exhibition opens on Friday at 6pm and runs through until 10pm. Also open on Saturday from 10am till 2pm at 45 Argyle Street, Mullumbimby. All are welcome!
ARTISTS OPEN THEIR STUDIOS A group of local artists of different genres are opening their own working studios to the public so that people can discover and experience the diversity of an artist’s craft and work. The inaugural Open Studios – Ballina, Byron & Beyond will be held over two weekends, Saturday 5 May, Sunday 6 May, Saturday 12 May and Sunday 13 May. Coordinator Paul Button says, ‘The sixteen working studios are generally located in the Ballina, Byron and Lismore local council areas
ENTERTAINMENT and include a fascinating spectrum of arts such as painting, drawing, ceramics, pottery, metal sculptures, wood-carving, etching, jewellery, textiles, printmaking, mixed media, mosaics and other visual arts practices.’ Learn more about the creative and production process, discover original creations or sign up to a workshop. Where feasible, the public may be offered the opportunity to try their hand at the production process, or experience demonstrations or talks by the artists to discover what’s involved in being a visual artist. ‘It is also an excellent opportunity to buy a painting or piece of art direct from the artist,’ Paul says. ‘With Mothers Day on 13 May, why not buy something special for her or better still take Mum for a drive in our beautiful area to experience it herself.’ Supported by the sponsorship of McGrath Real Estate in Ballina/Byron, the intention of the event is to welcome the public into the many studios across our region. This area is rich with artistic talent with emerging, established and award-winning and internationally collected artists. The Open Studio hopes to raise public awareness of our region’s outstanding artistry and craftsmanship and to introduce more locals and visitors to the artistic diversity of the region. A brochure on the artists with a map of the open studios is available at the Tourist Information Offices in Ballina, Byron Bay and Lismore, Art Aspects and Serpentine Gallery in Lismore, Artisans Gallery in Ballina, McGrath offices in Ballina and Byron Bay, and Macadamia Castle at Knockrow. Details are also available on Facebook: Open Studios – Ballina, Byron & Beyond.
WRITERS IN THE STREAM Sydney Writers Festival brings the world’s finest authors and esteemed thinkers to Byron Bay in real time through the Live & Local project. Streamed LIVE and delivered locally by Byron Writers Festival, Live & Local promises an afternoon of new ideas, debate and enthralling discussion. Held on Saturday 5 May at the SAE Theatre, Session One kicks off at 11.30am and will see foreign correspondent Peter Greste discuss his novel The First Casualty with Hugh Riminton.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PRUDENT Lyall Brooks has received three Green Room award nominations for his performances. In A Prudent Man he takes on a challenging role as a political psychopath; it’s a oneman-show that drills down into the very marrow of the man, artistic director of Lab Kelpie, a production company dedicated to performing work by new Australian playwrights. A Prudent Man promises to be something special. Lyall, what drew you to a career in the performing arts? As a boy I always wanted to be a performer, but never pursued it formally because I never considered it a viable career choice. (It’s amazing how influential those wellmeaning, responsible adults’ voices can be in souring dreams in a kid!) After working in ‘real jobs’ for a couple of years, I threw it all in and plunged into performing. I completed a full-time dance course (I’d never danced before!) and then just went from gig to gig, from dancing to acting to singing to voiceovers to whatever came my way, until I realised that’s actually
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what a ‘career’ in the performing arts looks like. And I couldn’t be happier. There’s something about being involved in the artistic exploration of what it means to… be human, I guess, and simultaneously sharing that with others, engaging people to do the same. Every single person has a role in the arts, and it’s a special delight when you see people discover that fact for themselves. Was there a particular event that caused the idea for A Prudent Man to crystallise?
Definitely for the playwright, Katy Warner. It was one particular family dinner back home in Perth, during which opinions and barbs from both ends of the table (and the political spectrum) were thrown, many tears were shed… and politics was forevermore banned from the Warner family dinner table. Tell me about how the concept evolved? After that barney, Katy asked herself how two intelligent and otherwise close (in this case related) people can have such strong, seemingly incompatible opinions… and
DANCING SNOW
Greste spent two decades reporting from the frontline in the world’s most dangerous countries before making headlines himself following his incarceration in an Egyptian prison. Session Two at 1.30pm invites four of the festival’s brightest minds – Masha Gessen, Alexis Okeowo, Mohammed Al Samawi and Sarah Krasnostein – to examine our evolving relationship with power. Entry to both sessions is FREE for Byron Writers Festival members or $10 for non-members. Tickets available through Byron Writers Festival |6685 5115 | www.byronwritersfestival.com/whats-on.
SATURDAY PICNIC WITH THE SCOUTS An exciting Saturday afternoon awaits families coming to Brunswick Heads this weekend. This Saturday Brunswick Heads Scouts are hosting a free, family-friendly and community event Friends for Life at the Terrace Reserve over 11am–4pm. Event coordinator Sean Tonnet, a local relationship therapist, is a parent volunteer with Brunswick Heads Scouts and talked to The Echo about the fundraiser. ‘Friends For Life is the theme of next year’s Australian Jamboree (January 2019), and I think epitomises the significance of Brunswick Scouts in our community. It’s a place for young people to celebrate diversity, culture and most of all friendship.’ Tonnet believes scouts still hold important opportunities for our children. ‘They are learning a lifespan of skills and camaraderie. For most scouts the attendance at the jamboree is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a highlight of their scouting experience.’ Families are encourage to bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the fabulous treats, meals and shopping from our local business sponsors positioned across the road from the event site.
both utterly believe they, and only they, are right. So she set about devouring all the information she could to try to understand – memoirs, speeches, policies, interviews, things she never thought she would read (and never wants to again) – and created a character that held all these things to be true: a character who inadvertently comes face-to-face with the consequences of those beliefs. She wrote the role for me, which felt like such an honour until I realised it’s just because I play a good bastard! Did you self-censor in the fear of increased attention from ASIO or the FBI? Hahaha! I hope the character’s identity is ambiguous enough to avoid undue scrutiny! Is there a moral to the story? What I (and audiences) love about Katy’s writing is that although she asks herself strong, intriguing questions and leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit, she doesn’t come up with any neat answers. She’s wonderfully, refreshingly undidactic. People more often than not leave the theatre fighting amongst themselves about what they have seen and heard, what it all means, and how their feelings about our country, our elected leaders and, more
Snow White, a fairytale loved by both the young wand old, will spring to life in a full-length ballet spectacular at the Byron Theatre on 4 and 5 May. The Victorian State Ballet Company will be returning after their recent successful visit to Byron of Beauty and the Beast, which delighted local audiences. Yvonne Hall, the director of Byron Ballet, is currently auditioning some young ballet dancers for a role in the upcoming Snow White. ‘We are looking for dancers between approx 10 and 12 years to perform in a court dance at the king and queen’s wedding. ‘Two lucky students will also get to perform a solo as the young Snow White!’ said Yvonne Hall. With a cast of internationally recognised artists and enchanting choreography by Michelle Sierra, this performance promises to be a ballet treat for all. The lead role of Snow White will be performed by the well-known Robyn Begg, who is also training for the lead role of Sleeping Beauty in the Australian Ballet’s Storytime tour. ‘The Victorian State Ballet company is renowned for its artistry and excellent ballet technique and gives many up-and-coming young performers wonderful opportunities.’ To find out more about the opportunities for young dancers, email Yvonne at byronballet@gmail.com and for tickets to Snow White go to byroncentre.com.au.
BRUNS BUBS’ CLUB The Brunswick Picture House is keen to make itself an asset to the local community – and it’s certainly doing just that with a Bubs’ Club. This is a Saturday morning screening of a classic kids film and The Big Picture House Storytelling with big pictures up on the screen as the authors read. This Saturday you can drop the kids inside and enjoy a coffee at the Ballyhoo Kiosk with The Wizard of Oz onscreen! A classic film in the vintage surrounds. Saturday from 9.30am. Bus Clubbers can enjoy The Graduate on Wednesday at 11am for just $15 – and the buses are free! (To watch the film that is!) For more info go to brunswickpicturehouse.com.
widely, our place as citizens of the world have been challenged and changed. How do people relate to your character? What dimensions did you want to show? Is he relatable? Is he a monster? I absolutely love playing despicable characters; finding their charm, fleshing out their realness, making them sympathetic and recognisable. I want to make this ‘Man’ (he has no name in the play) both such a monster and so relatable that people feel really disconcerted at his almost mundane normality. I want them to feel unnerved – maybe a little frightened of themselves. What should we expect for your performance in Lismore? A tight, darkly comedic political thriller that will make you leave the theatre inspired and thinking and talking and maybe even arguing with your friends. I can’t stand theatre where you walk away with eyes half-glazed and saying, ‘That was nice, where should we go for coffee?’ because what’s the point?! Thursday–Saturday, 3–6 May at The Studio, NORPA at Lismore City Hall | $25/$36 | Bookings norpa.org.au or call 1300 066 772.
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo