E N T E R TA I N M E N T THE SOUND OF EGYPT
THE SULTAN IN TOWN
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.
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.
WEDNESDAY 21
Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, DAVE DEBRECEN Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 7PM COMEDY AT THE BEACHY – RASH RYDER & ELLEN BRIGGS – MC MANDY NOLAN, 9PM ADAM BROWN Q BYRON THEATRE 7PM THE LOVEYS
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
STARS
BY LILITH
THE BANGARRA STORY The Byron Bay Film Festival is one of the first major events to make its way back onto the social calendar, opening on Friday at The Palace with a sold out session of Firestarter. There will be other screenings over the festival, as it is a film that everyone should see. Director Wayne Blair shared some of his story with The Echo. What was it about Bangarra that inspired you to make a documentary? Nel Minchin, the film’s co-director, and Ivan O’Mahoney, our producer, asked me to co-direct and I said ‘Yes’. I thought Firestarter was a story that needed to be told, and also I had worked for the company back in 2000 with a show called Skin and I have worked with Stephen Page in many forms; film, dance and theatre. Were you worried that you’d be able to encapsulate the story in a way that did it justice? Yes – it’s very hard to tell a story of over thirty years. I wish we had another hour up our sleeves! I am interested, as a filmmaker that you manage to navigate the painful and sensitive areas of the story – especially the deaths of David and Stephen? Nel, Karen and I, and Nick – one of our editors – were very respectful of the balance of these moments in the film. Always careful communicating about how to best translate the time and experience. Collaboration was key with people of experience and heart. We shared the film with family members and company members as well for feedback and changes. How did you approach telling this story? As we began filming the story three years sgo, on and off mind you, because of the schedule, the story started to tell us how to tell it. The heart became apparent, and the story of how the company began and where the company is today. What archival footage did you manage to find to tell the story of the beginnings? We had access to personal Page family archives, archival material from news sources from Australia and the world and from the Bangarra Dance Theatre. What do you think, in the telling of this story, underpins the power of Bangarra? What can dance do sometimes that talking can’t? Dance is an art form that educates and inspires like no other. It can cross cultures and be performed by anyone. Dance is as old as time itself. Dance is my culture so it’s very important when you are born to it, when you travel to the other side. How do you want people to leave this film? What do you want them to take back into their worlds? It is a story about dance, family, culture and human connection and how that is important to us all. For the program and screening details of all films over the festival (starting Friday 1 Nov) go to bbff.com.au
www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
GIG GUIDE
With the Sun and retro Mercury in Scorpio, this week talk turns from trivial to deep – though truffling for the truth inevitably ruffles some feathers…
ARIES: If people seem to be withholding information, they have their reasons, but rather than getting steamed up, think laterally and look for what you want elsewhere. Ditto when coming up against control issues: step sideways, offer constructive alternatives, and if they’re not accepted, don’t get in a snit. Stay positive, move on. TAURUS: With plenty of passionate planetary energy intensifying Taurean partnerships, plus Venus in your house of fun, this could be a week of alchemical connections wilder than your usual norm. A Saturnian reality check brings unblinking clarity to outdated hopes and wishes that you can now ditch in favour of what’s actually, currently workable. GEMINI: Someone getting on your nerves, which are likely to be pricklier than usual? With Mercury retrograde, rather than critiquing, focusing on the positives will get you through this week’s rough patches. Don’t over-think things, and try to avoid making any coursealtering decisions for another couple of weeks. CANCER:Forget small talk and casual convos, this week dives in the deep end. You might be emotionally volatile and easily unsettled, but with Mercury in the sign of the stinging tongue, don’t be tempted into the verbal crab nip. Just keep a low profile – your best work will be done behind the scenes anyway. LEO: Yes, it’s hard to make clear arrangements, but no need to get your knickers in a twist if you don’t get what you want this week. And you probably won’t. Accept that some things are admirable, but not presently feasible, steer clear of drama queens, and don’t be a diva yourself. VIRGO: With your planet ruler Mercury in reverse, cracks could start appearing in collaborations with people who seem overbearing and under-delivering, except for their Pandemie-worthy performances. But taking your turn to lose it won’t be pretty, and definitely not in your best interests. If you’re feeling furious, do a debrief with someone you trust.
LIBRA: This week could be a pretty intense one for you Venusians. If you’re feeling fired-up, but not in a good way, make a list of all the things you’re grateful for and the people you appreciate – about fifty of each should take your mind off venting, which isn’t usually a good look. SCORPIO: Happy birthday Scorpio tribe! This week sees you taking the lead, and you enjoy that. While Mercury in your sign is fine, being retrograde is more of a mixed blessing. There’s plenty of research to show that people don’t usually give their best by being criticised, so try looking for points to praise. SAGITTARIUS: If it’s hard to get a clear commitment or straightforward answer this week, don’t let that lure you into over sharing, because TMI could attract unsettling feedback. On the upside, it’s a good news week for solo research and sussing out info on your own, and don’t overlook nonverbal clues and cues. CAPRICORN: Romantic date alert! Single or coupled, late week moon in Capricorn’s definitely a peak get-together opportunity for a bit of sexy sizzle. For the rest of the week, resist letting retrograde Mars and Mercury’s hair-trigger tempers tempt you into lashing out – no need to sew more seeds of suffering in our already frazzled world. AQUARIUS: Aquarius is a fixed sign, which this determined week makes even more stubborn, so while the flow mightn’t be all that easy to go with, do your best to flex and stay fluid. Another phrase to delete from your vocabulary is ‘ought to’… Try it for at least a week and watch what changes. PISCES: Sorry to say, but this could be a week of crankypants, niggles and general edginess. If it’s difficult to get consensus, focus on common ground and mutual goals; if that fails, then agree to disagree for the time being. A friend or colleague could provide the perspective or advice you’re looking for – just ask.
THURSDAY 22 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JON J BRADLEY Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM ADAM HARPAZ, 8PM PHIL & TILLEY Q OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB 6.30PM TRIVIA Q SLIPWAY TAVERN, BALLINA, 7PM JOSH HAMILTON Q BALLINA RSL, 8PM, THE BIG GIG WITH MANDY NOLAN AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST Q MARY G’S, LISMORE, 9PM KARAOKE Q LISMORE CITY HALL 7.30PM OH HOW I DREAMT OF THINGS IMPOSSIBLE Q SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 7PM THE RADIATORS
FRIDAY 23 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SOUTHWALL Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 3PM MYKAELA JAY, 5.30PM LEIGH JAMES, 8PM SCOTT DAY VEE TRIO Q PALACE CINEMAS, BYRON BAY, 6.50PM BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020 – RED CARPET OPENING NIGHT Q LISMORE CITY HALL 7.30PM OH HOW I DREAMT OF THINGS IMPOSSIBLE Q SLIPWAY TAVERN, BALLINA, 7PM PAINTED CROW Q KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL 7PM JOCK BARNES Q COOLANGATTA HOTEL 5PM MARK BONO, 9.30PM SHAWN MARKHAM
SATURDAY 24 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, PINK ZINC Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 1PM FERNANDO AREGONES, 4.30PM THIS IS LIVING, 8PM HARRY & SPIKE Q BYRON THEATRE 7.30PM BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020 – SPOTLIGHT ON BYRON Q WEMOVE STUDIO, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM, VOICE ALCHEMY CONCERT AND WORKSHOP WITH SOPHIA TUV Q BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 4.30PM, 6PM, 7.30PM, 9PM SPACE COWBOY Q WANDANA BREWING CO, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM DJ TAZ, 6.15PM DJ LORD SUT Q PARK ANE THEATRE, LENNOX HEAD, 7PM, DANIEL CHAMPAGNE Q DUNOON SPORTS CLUB, 5PM, ACOUSTIC JAM Q LISMORE CITY HALL 7.30PM SLIPWAY TAVERN, BALLINA, 7PM NEIL MCCANN Q MARY G’S, LISMORE, 7.30PM SCOTT DAY VEE Q KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL 7PM HARRY NICHOLS Q COOLANGATTA HOTEL 3PM MICK EVANS, 9.30PM LOCKY
SUNDAY 25 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, LEIGH JAMES Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 1PM ALISHA TOD, 4.30PM JOCK BARNES DUO, 8PM THE 4’20 SOUND Q BYRON THEATRE 5PM BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020 – IN CONVERSATION WITH JACK THOMPSON & WAYNE BLAIR Q CINEMAS, BYRON BAY, BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020 Q WANDANA BREWING CO, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM SARAH GRANT Q BURRINGBAR SCHOOL OF ARTS HALL, 3PM, DANGEROUSLY POETIC, 3PM BALLINA RSL PIANO BAR 2PM NARELLE HARRIS Q KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL 3PM THE JACKS Q COOLANGATTA HOTEL 3PM LATE FOR WOODSTOCK
TUESDAY 26 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SLIM PICKENS Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM HAYLEY GRACE, 8PM JORDAN MAC Q CINEMAS, BYRON BAY, BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020 Q RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JASON DELPHIN Q BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM JAY FRANCIS, 8PM HARRY NICHOLS Q BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 7PM DAN SULTAN Q CINEMAS, BYRON BAY, BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2020
wĈƐşćĕſ ǩǨǽ ǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 43