Byron Bay

Old & Gold Festival – Sat 8 June 2013 The Old & Gold Festival is back in Brunswick Heads and celebrating its 12th year. If you’re into collectables, antiques or anything secondhand or just on the lookout for a great bargain, the Old and Gold Festival in Brunswick Heads on Saturday the 8th June is for you! Please LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/brunswickheadsoldandgoldfestival Find a bargain in the much loved All Town Garage Sale, where 83 households will part with their pre-loved treasure. Three fairs will also be held in various locations around town: Collectables Fair at the Memorial Hall – BOOKED OUT Ye Olde Church Garden Fair with clothes and bric-a-brac – BOOKED OUT School Bric a Brac and Toy Fair [...]

The Nimbin Mardi Grass is set for a HUGE year this year, celebrating their 20th anniversary! Entry into Plantem Park and the Nimbin Hall where most MardiGrass events are held costs $50 for a weekend pass including Friday night, or $30 for a one day pass. With three nights camping a full ticket costs $100. Armbands are available at the Nimbin Hall and the Hemp Embassy. Camping sites and tickets can be booked online at www.nimbinmardigrass.com The 21st annual Cannabis law reform rally and gathering begins at midday on Wednesday May 1st when we march from Lismore Court House to the Police Station (Next Door), then to the office of our local Federal MP Janelle Saffin, and on to the [...]

INITIAL RESPONSE FROM THE SCHOOLIES HUB COORDINATOR, NICQUI YAZDI, TO THE NEWS OF BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL REMOVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE BYRON SCHOOLIES SAFETY RESPONSE HUB in 2013 – “With all of the current high profile alcohol issues in Byron, it comes as a serious blow to the community that Byron Shire Council have essentially pulled all of their support for the Byron Schoolies Safety Response HUB this year. For the last four years, the HUB has provided much needed assistance during this high traffic time, not only to the visiting schoolies, but also to the local community, in making sure that the safety issues of having 10,000 extra young visitors here, are attended to. To clarify for the community [...]

For the youth of Byron!! Hey it’s YOUTH WEEK this week and there’s some special events coming up at the YAC – the first of which is the Youth Week Youth Forum – “Things are getting dire * have your say about the Shire” – happening from 6-8pm at the Byron YAC on Thursday 11th April… The adults of Byron have been having their fair share of ‘community forums’ of late… now it’s time to hear from the young people!! Free yummy food too!! Get along and tell us what you think about the state of affairs in Byron these days!!

BOOMERANG FESTIVAL FOR BYRON IN 2013 Launched at Bluesfest 2013, Festival Director Peter Noble in partnership with leading Cultural Creative Rhoda Roberts, a Bundjalung women and Boomerang’s Festival Director & Curator announced details of an exciting new cultural event titled Boomerang Festival. To be staged annually over the October Labour Day long weekend at the Bluesfest site and featuring an eclectic line up of artists from around the globe, Boomerang Festival will be a unique world cultural exchange where audiences will experience living cultures through traditional and contemporary music. Featuring some of the world’s oldest instruments, dance and rituals along with traditional arts practices and workshops with a focus on mother tongues and first instruments. This multi-arts event is the [...]

Today is Harmony Day in Byron!! Lots of great food and entertainment happening in Railway Park… from 12-9pm… it also sees the last of the Artisans Markets happening for this season… Get along and enjoy the festivities!!

THE BYRON BAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 1-10, 2013 In 2013, the Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) celebrates its seventh year. The festival continues to grow, this year screening over 200 films from more than 30 countries with a program comprised of feature films, documentaries, animation and short films that support and celebrate local and international cinema. A large array of films and activities make up the 7th Byron Bay International Film Festival. Workshops, panels, parties and premieres form the backdrop for 55 public sessions in 4 venues across the Northern Rivers Region. In addition to our Festival HQ – The Byron Community Centre BBFF has partnered with what we consider to be some of the best and most [...]

Positive Change For Marine Life’s ‘Movie Under The Plastic Stars‘ is an evening of local and international music, delicious vegetarian/vegan food, a screening of the critically acclaimed ‘Bag It’ film, art installations and special presentations as we launch Phase II of our ‘Honour the Ocean’ marine debris campaign. Since May of 2012 we’ve collected over 100,000 pieces of trash from Main and Seven Mile beaches in the Byron Shire! Through sorting the trash and collating our data we’ve found that the majority of litter on Main Beach is a result of direct dumping and storm water outlets. This event will unveil our plans to make Byron Bay Australia’s most ‘ocean friendly’ tourism town and outline how we are turning this [...]

On Saturday January 12 the YAC Amphitheatre is set to come alive with with the sounds of 20 young hardcore and metal bands in the first festival of it’s kind, the Which Way Festival. It will feature many of the bands who have played at the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre on Friday nights throughout 2012. The Which Way Festival on Saturday January 12 was the brainchild of James Heath, member of local young hardcore band Like Cannons. James wanted to do a fundraiser to help to purchase more equipment for the bands to use on Friday nights. His idea spread like wildfire, with nearly 20 bands signing up to play the festival within a week! Currently the [...]

New Year’s Eve 2012 New Year’s Eve at Byron Bay’s beachfront this year features twilight beach market, amusements rides, entertainment and two fireworks shows. Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson said there is nothing more ‘Byron’ than watching the sun going down over the hinterland as you are sitting on the beachfront with family and friends. “It’s a wonderful way to say goodbye to the year and reflect on the superb place in which we live,” he said. The drug and alcohol free event starts at 4pm in Apex Park, Byron Bay, and is being held in partnership with Byron United. Mayor Richardson thanked Byron United for again supplying the fireworks for the New Year Eve’s celebration. “This year the businesses have very kindly [...]

Today Bluesfest, Australia’s multi award winning Festival held over the long Easter Weekend (March 28 to April 1) treats its Audience and all Music lovers across the country to a massive Easter Monday surprise. Yes, it’s time to take a breath and sit down!! Paul Simon, multi-award and 13 time Grammy winner, has today been added to the supreme Bluesfest line-up of 2013. Simon will be performing at Bluesfest on Easter Monday but there is more! Festival goers are in for a double treat: Taking the stage before Paul Simon will be the hugely gifted Canadian singer/songwriter & composer Rufus Wainwright. The 2013 Bluesfest bill is truly shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Already headlining the incredible Bluesfest [...]

The YACROCKCAFE will tonight host a Hardcore Party for the launch of Cringe The Binge – National Weekend Of Action! The YACROCKCAFE is a music based drop-in for high school and uni aged young people which happens every Friday night at the Byron Youth Activities Centre (YAC). Since it kicked off in March this year, the YACROCKCAFE has seen young bands from as far away as Launceston & Melbourne hit the stage each week, with many of the bands coming from Byron Shire, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. On average, each week, four bands play between 7 & 10pm. The YACROCKCAFE is supported by BUDDI (Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative – Community Drug Action Team), Byron Youth Service and [...]

THIS WEEKEND SEES THE LAUNCH OF A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO HAVE ALL AUSTRALIANS RETHINK THEIR BINGE DRINKING HABITS AND DONATE TO AN INITIATIVE THAT IS SET TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE ISSUES OF BINGE DRINKING. Cringe The Binge is the brainchild of Byron Youth Service, leaders in the field of providing essential youth programs and initiatives in Byron Shire for over 25 years. Following on from their massive success with Project U-Turn over the last few years, Byron Youth Service are launching Cringe The Binge – National Weekend of Action from November 9-11, which will be an annual weekend asking all Australians to Cringe The Binge and donate funds that will go towards developing education programs for young people, [...]

Third Artist Announcement Bluesfest 2013: It’s A Bluesfest Dream Come True Today Bluesfest, Australia’s multi award winning Festival, held annually over the long Easter Weekend (March 28 to April 1) announced its 3rd sensational Line-Up for 2013! Headlining this announcement is ROBERT PLANT, the legendary front man of the band Led Zeppelin, presenting Sensational Shape Shifters. Led Zeppelin came to Australia in 1972 and a Robert Plant Tour of Australia has been long awaited by his Australian fans.  He last toured in 1996 with Jimmy Page. Plant was voted in the Rolling Stone Readers Pick in 2011, ‘The Best Lead Singer of All Time’. Even greater is the news that he has been performing 8 Led Zeppelin songs on stage [...]

New initiative from Byron Youth Service – Cringe The Binge – was launched nationally last Friday, with hundreds of people turning up to the official media launch in Apex Park in Byron Bay. Pictured here is BYTE member (Byron Youth Theatre in Education), Lily Jo Smith with posters for the RISE event, happening as part of the Cringe The Binge National Weekend of Action from November 9-11 What is Cringe the Binge? Cringe the Binge is a grass roots initiative that aims to reverse youth binge drinking by supporting individual and community action. It is time for all of us to work together – families, communities, young people and government agencies to change the culture of binge d inking in [...]

Reclaim the Night is a global women’s protest against men’s sexual violence held, on the last Friday in October each year. The date for 2012 is October 26. The philosophy of Reclaim The Night encourages grass roots participation in the organisation of events by as many women as possible. In this way Reclaim The Night is able to draw together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work together in addressing issues of men’s sexual violence against women and children. With the tragic death of Jill Meagher in Melbourne recently, the timing for Reclaim The Night has never been more important. This year’s Reclaim the Night will have a special focus on young women. We would encourage all mothers to [...]

A major protest and concert at Murwillumbah to kick off the Lock the Gate Alliance “National Week of Action” against coal and coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers. Come and join with other Northern Rivers residents to send a strong, clear message to local, state and federal governments that the Northern Rivers Community says “Lock the Gate” to coal and coal seam gas. Gates open at 9.30am for a 10am start. March through the Murwillumbah CBD from 12 noon. Concert starts at 1pm back at the Showgrounds. Please wear yellow.

JINGI WALLA! Join us for a celebration of native culture, language, music, art and food as we gather to support the Indigenous Elders of the Rainbow Region. The first in a monthly series, Bunjala Day is being established to create ongoing opportunities for the people of Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous Culture while directly supporting their communities in need. Entry is BY DONATION with all funds going directly to the Elders SUNDAY OCTOBER 7th PROGRAM 2pm: Meet the Elders / Kids Arts and Crafts 3pm: Storytelling with Pop Harry Walker 4pm: Indigenous Language Class 5pm: Traditional Song and Dance 6pm: Family Dinner – Kangaroo Stew + Vegetarian Options 7pm: Concert for the [...]

Last year, the inaugural Sample Food Festival welcomed a massive 10,000 visitors through the gates at Bangalow Show Grounds. This year is set to top that! Restaurants and food producers from the Northern Rivers will showcase their culinary delights at this today’s Sample Food Festival in Bangalow. Stall holders will offer $5 and $10 tasting plates. When: Saturday October 6th, 2012 Time: 8am to 8pm Where: Bangalow Show Ground Program- cooking stage 8.30am Brookfarm: Bircher Launch 9.00am Ben O’Donoghue & Donna Harper: Farmers Market Breakfast 10.00am Belinda Jeffery: Book Launch/Signing 10.30am Clayton Donovan & Gavin Hughes: Cooking with Kids 11.30am Garden to Kitchen Show: Cooking with Macadamias 12.15pm Madura Tea: Tea Tasting 12.30pm Steven Snow : ‘Chilli as Anything’ 1.30pm [...]

Treehouse On Belongil before the fire in March (Photo by Nadine Vaas) Byron’s Iconic Treehouse On Belongil to reopen by Xmas! After a devastating fire ripped through Treehouse at Belongil cafe, in Childe Street back in March this year, they are now set to reopen. Their DA has been approved and they have Council’s full support with their plans to redevelop the site. Many Byron locals and visitors alike, were saddened by the news of the fire, as Treehouse on Belongil is literally part of the colourful history of Byron Bay. The cafe has played host to hundreds of musicians over the years, and many will fondly remember the old sunset drumming circles after the markets of years gone by. [...]

FULL DAY OF CREATIVE WORKSHOPS! SPECIAL GUEST TEACHERS! DANCE (Hip Hop, Contemporary, African) CIRCUS (Tumbling, Acro Balance, Aerials, clowning) SONGWRITING (singing, rapping, beat production) PERFORMANCE There will be food and drinks available all day. and a SHOWCASE at the end of the day for participants that want to perform! bookings essential – please contact them through FB https://www.facebook.com/creativepeoplescollective or email: connect@thecpc.org.au or call: 66802273 $40 for the whole day you can book for individual workshops as well. Family and Group discount options. DONT MISS OUT – BOOK EARLY!

The Beachside Markets are a 100% make it, bake it, grow it market held on the Byron Bay beachfront near the surf club at main beach. Open from 8 – 4pm this market showcases a diverse and exciting collection of high quality art, sculpture, ceramics, glass, home wares, fashion, craft, toys, clothing and music created by local artists and designers as well as an array of services offered by our health and wellbeing practitioners. The focus and emphasis of the Beachside Market is on authenticity and fosters both originality and sustainability. Its conception echoes the worldwide popularity and growing demand for direct-from-the-artist-to- you handmade, high quality and affordable art and design. This Artisan Market provides an unparalleled opportunity for artists, [...]

Yes, it’s the earliest announcement in the history of Bluesfest – 6 weeks sooner than usual and it marks the beginning of FOUR exciting announcements to be released in the upcoming weeks. “This is our Year” says Peter Noble, Festival Director. “We are delivering one of our absolute best artist line-ups ever, and the first announcement is only the beginning. Any Festival in the world announcing Ben Harper with his Band, Santana, Iggy & The Stooges (on their final tour), Chris Isaak, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Glen Hansard with the Frames, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Playing for Change and lots more on their first announcement – has GOT to make everyone everywhere sit up [...]

THE BYRON SCHOOLIES SAFETY RESPONSE ARE LOOKING FOR SCHOOLIES HUB VOLUNTEERS FOR 2012. THERE IS A SIGN-ON AND REUNION AT THE OWL & PUSSYCAT ON SUNDAY 9TH SEPT 4-6PM Schoolies is fast approaching again. This year the Byron Schoolies Safety Response is once again recruiting volunteers for the Schoolies HUB in order to help make the young visitors welcome and ensure that they enjoy a safe celebration. The HUB will be open 24/7 for the duration of School Leavers Celebrations from November 16 til December 3. Volunteers are rostered on for shifts of 4 hours around the clock. This year the aim is to find 100 local volunteers who would like to give some of their time to the HUB. [...]

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR BORED TEENS IN BYRON BAY ON FRIDAY NIGHTS! THE YACROCKCAFE IS GOING OFF! The YACROCKCAFE is a music cafe for high school and uni aged young people, at the Byron Youth Activities Centre. Open every Friday night, music teachers and mentors are available in the Loud Room from 5-7pm some Fridays, followed by jam sessions and performance opportunities for young bands and musicians on the YAC stage from 7-10pm… There are also special gig nights with special guest artists… The Byron S.A.E. provide sound engineering students on work-placement to manage the sound for these events and a full PA is set up onstage every week for performing artists to use. Young bands and musicians can [...]

On your marks…Get set…Go! The writers are flying in, the workshops are running, the school students have meet their idols. The week of the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival has arrived, the weather is superb and the festivities are underway. Take a break from the Olympics and head down Jonson Street – you may well see your favourite author wandering the town and getting acclimatised. There’s still time to join in. Tickets for the festival are available online at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au or you can buy day passes on site at North Byron Events (Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay) on any of the three festival days, starting Friday 3 August. While some feature events have sold out, there are still seats available for the [...]

What are the dates and venue for Splendour 2012 Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay, where Splendour took place from 2001-2009. For 2010 and 2011 the festival was temporarily relocated to Woodfordia, near Woodford Qld, but the intention was always to return to Byron Shire. What happened to the planned move to the new North Byron Parklands site at Yelgun? Since 2006 Splendour In The Grass has been part of a group working toward establishing a permanent sustainable event venue to stage the festival. The chosen 660 acre site received approval from the NSW Planning Assessment Commission on April 26th 2012 but will not be ready for the 2012 event. Please visit www.northbyronshireparklands.com if [...]

Byron Bay’s premier wedding specialists invite you to taste, sample and delight in all things wedding at Ewingsdale Hall on the 20th and 21st July 2012. The free boutique showcase features some of the area’s best event stylists, photographers, videographers, florists and more! A must-see event for any couple planning their wedding in Byron Bay. BYRON BRIDAL ByronBridal.com is a community of wedding vendors who service the ever growing Byron Bay wedding scene. They are Photographers, Stylists and Hire companies, Caterers, Florists, Wedding Gown Designers, Cake decorators, Events Managers, Stationers, Musicians and more. You won’t find a more passionate and diverse bunch of people ready to help make your Byron Bay wedding everything you hoped and dreamed it would be. Within the pages [...]

Since it started on March 9, the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre, has seen over 100 young musicians and bands take to the stage. For many, it has been their first public appearances. The YACROCKCAFE is a music-based safe-socialising weekly drop-in program for teenagers, that happens on Friday nights from 5-10pm. The YAC stage is set up each Friday with a full PA system, which is managed by sound engineering students from the SAE, on work placement. The idea of these nights is to encourage young bands and musicians to get together and play music to a live audience in a drug and alcohol-free youth-friendly space. There have been a number of special party nights, including workshops from [...]

On Thursday July 26, UKE MULLUM has been presenting the monthly UKE NIGHT at Mullum’s Courthouse Hotel for a whole year!!! Prepare yourselves for a UKE-TASTIC FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION with special guest performers:  MAE WILDE, THE THREE LITTLE SISTERS, STARBOARD CANNONS, JOEL SALOM, PLUS newcomer PETER HADDOCK and even more. Some of the songs for this month have been chosen by you in our poll. The most popular song was… you guessed it… You Are My Sunshine followed closely by Pumped Up Kicks and Lonley Boy by the Black Keys. (nice one peoples!) Download the July Song Book Here. Remember, Uke Mullum nights are on the last Thursday of every month at the Courthouse Hotel. Be sure to mark the [...]

“WILD FOOD FEAST” The Wild Food Feast is a collaboration of a million good things. A feast for your bellies, your hearts and your ears. Wild Foods are thriving all around us in our Urban setting and, under the enthusiastic guidance of Peter Hardwick, you’ll adopt the eyes to see them. Learn with him as he forages for, cooks up and devours the incredible edibles of our landscape. On another level, your attendance will mean your participation in a beautiful, youthful community initiative. You will be helping the Byron Youth Nature Consciousness raise funds for solar panels for the Mullum Civic Centre. They’re almost on target, come help them over the line… And, what’s more, the whole day through you’ll [...]

BLUESFEST CLAIM VICTORY IN COUNCIL ROW Organisers of the Byron Bay Bluesfest are claiming a “huge win” after the Director General of the NSW Government’s Planning and Infrastructure department advised Byron Shire Council to scrap a controversial “major events” clause. The latest development in an ongoing saga between Bluesfest, and its director Peter Noble, and the Byron Council, the dispute surrounds the Byron Events Policy and its restriction on events to be held in the region. The letter from Sam Haddad, Director General of Planning and Infrastructure, reads, “I have decided… that the Byron Shire proposed “Major Events’ Clause, should not proceed. “I have formed the opinion that the proposal is not in the public interest, I believe matters of [...]

This July Byron Youth Service is celebrating 25 years as the primary provider of youth services in the Byron Shire.  Yay!  We figure that’s reason enough to put on a few special events and activities to celebrate and acknowledge that “Young People Matter” in our community. As many adults would recall, the teenage years are often a time of great change and turbulence for young people.  Not only are their bodies and brains rapidly developing, but their social networks and views of the world are forming also.  They are making sense of a rapidly changing and often challenging world.  They are thinking about their future and their place in the community – what they might like to ‘do’ or ‘be’ [...]

This coming Friday 6th July in Byron, there is a special fundraiser to send Dr Helen Caldicott to Roxby Downs. Happening at the Mullum RSL from 6pm URANIUM BOOM NUCLEAR DOOM will showcase a huge line-up of performing artists including: Fyah Walk Ras Bin Sam & Lion I The Lucky Wonders MC Mandy Nolan Lewis Walker Nakula Tara Murphy DJ Sheik Yerbooty David Bradbury films and a live hookup with Fukishima This event is supporting Lizards Revenge www.lizardsrevenge.net Supported by Byron Neighbourhood Resource Centre Fukishima: Made in Australia! Stop Uranium Mining! LIZARDS REVENGE – 5 DAY FESTIVAL 14-18 JULY 2012 Lizards Revenge is excited to bring their 5 day festival to Roxby Downs, to protest at the door of potentially [...]

RIVERJAM IS A FREE EVENT! Happening today from 12-4pm at the Brunswick Sound Shell. CARNIVAL THEME WITH CLOWNS , BALLOONS, FACE PAINTING, CIRCUS, MAGIC , GAMES, PRIZES AND…. DJ Deep Fryer Jessamine B – performing songs from her upcoming album! Mid North Coast Collaboration – Hip Hop SistaGurl – All Female Hip Hop Crew Penny Skehan – singer/songwriter + Open Mic Dance/ clown and circus performances and Dance and Aerial Circus workshop. Free Food!

Next week is NAIDOC Week and there are a lot of events happening in Byron to celebrate. MONDAY  2nd July – Flag Raising Ceremony at the Byron Shire Council Chambers, Stations Street, Mullumbimby, with the Bigal Nali Dancers at 10am TUESDAY 3rd July- FAMILY FUN DAY – Mullumbimby Neightbourhood Centre from 11am -2pm~ Indingenous Arts Exhibition Opening; Dancers; Yarning Circle; Kids Activities; Art Workshops; Craft; BBQ and more… WEDNESDAY 4th July – ARAKAL WEBSITE LAUNCH – 4-5pm – Byron Cultural & Community Centre FILM SCREENING – 6.30-8pm – Byron Cultural & Community Centre-  $8/$6 conc. – Arakwal documentary “Walking With My Sisters” & premiere of experpt from new film “Back to Country” in celebration of 20 years of Mabo. THURSDAY [...]

SLUTWALK IN BYRON BAY TODAY! TODAY… June 23, the streets of Byron Bay will see its first SlutWalk.  The main idea of SlutWalk is that it is a protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance. On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police, during a lecture to college students, gave shocking insight into the Police Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” The reaction to this statement has since started a world-wide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming and slut-shaming, and working to end sexual and domestic violence. Over the last 16 months, SlutWalks have taken place in [...]

The Human Rights Film Festival starts at the PigHouse Flicks in Byron tonight, with four sessions over four nights. The Island President – Tue 13 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/the-island-president-2 Australian Shorts – Wed 14 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/australian-shorts-home-grown International Shorts – Thu 15 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/international-mixtape Fantome Island – Fri 16 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/fantome-island Art is indeed a luminous language. When unbound by culture or borders, it becomes a powerful means of communication, transcending cultural, ethnic or linguistic differences. Harnessing such power, what sort of a world could be built when art is used to explore the difficult issues of human rights? This is the question that we at the Human Rights Art and Film Festival (HRAFF) 2012 seek to answer. In [...]

Judi Watts from Little Grey Station does an An Interview with Jennifer Gifford – Creator of the Byron Bay Bridal Showcase Since the announcement of Byron Bay Bridal Showcase just a little over a month ago, wedding vendors and soon-to-be brides from Noosa to Byron Bay and beyond have been frantic to find out as much information about the showcase. Well, I decided to go direct to the source and find our more about what we can expect at this glorious event. Brides get ready for a wonderful explosion of creativity and flare…. Jennifer Gifford from Jennifer Gifford Dress Designs is the empowering force behind this event, let’s hear a little about the showcase and why Jennifer felt it was necessary [...]

On June 23 the streets of Byron Bay will see it’s first SlutWalk.  The main idea of SlutWalk is that it is a protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance. On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police, during a lecture to college students, gave shocking insight into the Police Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” The reaction to this statement has since started a world-wide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming and slut-shaming, and working to end sexual and domestic violence. Over the last 16 months, SlutWalks have taken place in almost every country in the [...]

VIBADELIX One Earth ~Arts Music & Environment Festival For the third year running Vibadelix Arts, Music and Environment Festival will be presented by Rock the YAC Productions at the Youth Activity Centre. Our theme this year is One Earth – Get ‘Fracking’ Aware! – We are fundraising to combat Coal Seam Gas mining in the region. We are calling out to all interested performers, musicians, visual and creative artists and environmentalists to perform, exhibit or speak at the festival and run creative and environmental workshops. Vibadelix will be a vibrant celebration of community spirit, raising awareness on environmental issues featuring an eclectic mix of music, bands, DJs, Singer/songwriters, circus, theatre performances, market stalls, an art exhibition and creative workshops on [...]

Bangalow Lions Billy Cart Derby to be held this Sunday 20th May 2012 If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering or participating in the 2012 Bangalow Billycart Derby please contact Tony Heeson Phone / Fax 0266 87 2580 A/H 0266 884 236  Mobile : 0419 715 098 or email wallaby@nor.com.au Bangalow Lions Billycart Derby Sunday May 20th, 2012 EVENT PROGRAM (please note: times are approximations only) Cart inspections commence from 7-00am sharp! 7.00am – 9.00am Scrutineering & Registration 8.00am – 8.45am Practice Runs 9.00am Billycart Racing Commences 9.15am Junior Heats 10.30am School Heats 11am Junior Finals 12.pm Junior Presentations 12.30pm Street Parade 1.00pm Senior Heats Mothers & Tag Team Races Novelty & Celebrity Races 2.00pm Schools Final 3.00pm Senior Final [...]

Elsie Smith 14 from Yamba, Mali Dry 16 and Lily Smith 16 from Byron Bay, photographed just after they had won first place in the Open Hip Hop Choreography Competition at the CrankFest Xtreme Festival in Evans Head. Lily Smith, Mali Dry and Elsie Smith all met each other for the first time at the Beats N Roots National Hip Hop Summit and Youth Arts Leadership Conference in Lismore a few weeks ago. Although Lily and Mali both attend Byron Bay High School, they really didn’t get to know each other until they started dancing together at the Beats N Roots Summit. Elsie is from Yamba. But in just two days together, the threesome choreographed a hip hop dance routine [...]

ARIA VIVA – SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME – MOTHER’S DAY AT THE BYRON COMMUNITY CENTRE Following  a sell out performance at The Harvest Old Bakery in March, much loved classical duo Aria Viva present their new show Songs My Mother Taught Me. Described as magical and inspiring, the duo promises a memorable afternoon of sumptuous music featuring an eclectic mix of operatic arias, well known songs and harp and piano solos from the world’s favourite composers – the perfect way to spend a sublime Mothers’ Day Sunday afternoon. Soprano Lecia Robertson has performed over 20 operatic roles in Australia, Europe and the UK. She is currently a principal soloist with Opera Queensland, State Opera South Australia and Victorian Opera. [...]

MARDI GRASS… YOU KNOW WHERE… YOU KNOW WHAT FOR… THIS WEEKEND! For more information go to http://www.nimbinmardigrass.com/

@ ‘Stukelele’ aka Stu Eadie from ‘Uke Mullum’ and Steiner music teacher Tom Whitaker will be bringing a special free ukulele workshop to the YACROCKCAFE, followed by a whole night of funky young uke players taking to the stage! Ilona Harker is coming to play some tunes too!!! Cecilia Brandolini is also on the night’s line-up, fresh from taking off third place in the Tweed Battle of the Bands with her brother Gabe. Cecilia will be joined by her sisters Bridget and Monica, who also all performed in the Bluesfest Groms Buskers Comp this year and at the Bluesfest itself. Alexandra Dickson Matilda Dods, Leila Karni, Leah Garnett-Carol, Maya Duel, Giri, Billy, Lali Gill and more! are on the line-up [...]

BEATS N ROOTS HIP HOP SUMMIT AND CRANKFEST XTREME FINALE… Today marks day four of the Beats N Roots Hip Hop Summit and Youth Arts Leadership Conference, with a HUGE day planned at the Byron YAC today. Hundreds of young people have been involved in two days of dancing and making beats, keynote presentations, master classes, workshops and performances on Thursday and Friday at Multitask in Lismore, followed by CrankFest Xtreme in Evans Head yesterday. Sunday at the YAC 11am-2pm Special screening of Morganics Documentary with Q&A followed by a Hip Hop Community Worker Master class and artsworker round table forum in Byron Bay at the Byron YAC 2pm-5pm-Beats in the Bay Music Gig – featuring some of the best [...]

Crankfest Xtreme is the region’s largest celebration of youth arts and culture showcasing our young people’s talents and achievements gained as part of the National Youth Week Celebrations across the Northern Rivers. Running from 11am-5pm alongside the river in Evans Head the festival offers youth a chance to step up and shine at the Breakamove showcase stage, learn some hip hop moves or test your xtreme skills in the BMX or Skate competitions. If just kicking back and watching is more your style you can tune into the live sounds of youth bands at the Essential Energy Stage, funky deejays or enjoy the work of original songwriters and musicians. With creative workshops including tumbling, aerial circus and dance, heaps of [...]

UKE MULLUM special April gig at The Courthouse Hotel on Thursday 26 April. Sarah Grace Buckley From being mentored by Sara Tindley and performing at the opening night of The Mullum Music Festival 2011 to her recent appearance at the 2012 Bluesfest, at the ripe old age of 12 years old,Sarah Grace has been kicking goals in the past 12 months. Sarah, with her family (The Buckley Family), hosts the Alt-Country Music Club at the Billinudgel Pub every Friday Night. Uke Mullum is proud to have Sarah Grace as a guest vocalist this month. Look Who’s Back In Town – Joel Salom!!! To a lot of you local Mullumites, Joel Salom needs no introduction. He’s a mighty talented local who spends the best part [...]

YOUTH WEEK PARTY AT THE YAC!! Tonight’s the night!! Huge line-up of local young talent! Open mic happening throughout the night too, so let all your young folk know that if they wanna come down and play a few songs, they’re welcome to do so! There’s heaps of instruments available to use or they can bring their own! Artists playing tonight include Reilly Fitzalan, Chelsea June, Loki Hough & Elliott Cooper Brain, Vanessa & Arna Rogers and Ben Meek & the Paper Navitators!! MC for the night is Byron’s own Dancin’ Man Thomas Franklin, get out your dancin’s shoes and ROCK ON DOWN TO THE YAC and do some dorking- Tommy style!! They’re starting early, 5-10pm…. It’s a Celebration of [...]