Byron Bay

The 2010 NCPIC Indigenous Music Competition received many thoughtful, creative and high quality entries from Indigenous Australians. The stories told in each song were heartfelt and dealt sensitively with the impact of cannabis on Indigenous communities in Australia.
This year it was won by a local Byron Bay youth, Coedie McCarthy with his song ‘Yandi Zombies’. Coedie is a Year 11 student at Byron High.
Congratulations Coedie!!
To have a listen to Coedie’s song go to the NCIPC website, you can also download the song from there. The following are the lyrics for Yand Zombies:
Verse 1
It’s not called weed for nothing and yes it’s nothing but a weed
If you love it so much then why don’t you go drop a knee
But not me oh [...]

Byron Mayor Cr Jan Barham and Bay FM president Ros Elliott at last week’s launch at Italian at the Pacific restaurant.
The Byron Shire’s community radio station, Bay FM has launched its annual subscriber drive which will run from August 16 to 29.
President Ros Elliott said it took more than $250,000 a year to keep the station on air.
Ms Elliott said Bay FM was not publicly funded or owned by commercial interests, but was run on volunteer energy and community spirit.
“We rely on annual subscriptions to allow us to keep broadcasting,” she said.
As usual, there are some great prizes on offer for new and renewing subscribers, including the major prize of a trip for two to the Kimberley region donated by [...]

Current festival director Jeni Caffin (left), author Shamini Flint from Singapore, and the new director Candida Baker at last night’s launch at the Byron Bay Surf Club
THE WHO’S who of the Australian literary scene gathered to officially open the Byron Bay Writers Festival last night.
The prestigious annual event kicked off at the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club with 250 locals, publishers, writers and VIPs in attendance.
Byron Bay Writers Festival director Jeni Caffin said this year’s official opening was less formal than in preceding years.
“In previous years it has been quite regimented where you arrive, have a glass of champagne, have a nibble and sit down,” she said.
“We decided this year it is all about the writers and the purpose was [...]

THINGS can get a bit wild when 32,000 music fans are thrown together in one place at the one time.
Especially when some of the best bands in the world are on the menu.
The crowd went into overdrive at Splendour in the Grass on Saturday night when American indie rock legends, The Strokes, took to the Amphitheatre stage.
Thousands sang along as lead singer Julian Casablancas stumbled around as he belted out classics like Last Night, Someday and New York City Cops.
Nick Drummond, of Adelaide, said The Strokes set was the best gig he had ever been to.
“The Strokes were awesome,” he said.
“I wasn’t actually expecting too much from them, but they completely killed it.
“The crowd went berserk when they played Last [...]

This Monday night, the 12th of July we are proud to present for one peformance only, The New Jamie Oehlers Quartet. Jamie is a Highly awarded and internationally acclaimed Tenor saxophonist touring Australia with his brand new group featuring some of Australia’s finest young musicians . The group will be performing at the Buddha Bar, Skinners Shoot Rd, Byron Bay at 7.00pm . The cost is $15.00 or $10.00 concession. Below is some more info on Jamie
The New Jamie Oehlers Quartet – Australian Tour
Having been living back in Perth now for two and half years, Jamie Oehlers returns with his new quartet made up of Perth’s finest young musicians. The past two years have been busy for Jamie. On [...]

NAIDOC Week will be marked across the Byron shire with celebrations at Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads.
A day of activities is set down today at Byron Bay’s Peace Park at Main Beach starting at 10.30am.
Hosted by the Arakwal of Byron Bay, there will be plenty of fun and food for all the family and lots of music, dance and culture to share.
Young people from the north of the shire will join together to celebrate NAIDOC week with Indigenous Fresh Chords at Bruns Soundshell on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.
Byron council youth activity coordinator Belle Arnold has enlisted Bruns CDAT team, Mullum Youth Recreational facility crew and Byron Youth Council to provide a family fun day with free activities for the [...]

Grace Hammond competes in the World of Dance Tour US Urban Dance competition in New York
Grace Hammond has big dreams. The former Byron Bay woman hopes to one day be a back-up dancer for Beyonce or Chris Brown. And she may very well realise that dream after the hip hop group she dances in won the World of Dance Tour US Urban Dance competition in New York in May.
Twenty-year-old Grace, who now lives in Sydney, was a member of the Psyde Project – a 15-strong hip hop group which competed at the competition. Psyde beat 49 other hip hop groups from throughout the USA and Canada to take out the title. They won a trophy and $1500. “It was amazing,” Grace said. “New York was amazing. [...]

photo: Vision Vipers at the 2008 Spirit Championships - Grand National Champions
Byron Bay’s very own Vision Vipers are ready to take the cheerleading world by storm on Saturday at this year’s AUS Cheer Internationals! Vision Dance Studio owner and Viper’s coach, Jill Wehner said after rehearsals last week “AUCHEER watch out, cause Vision is coming and ready to win!!!!”
If their previous form is anything to go by, this year’s AUS Cheer International competitors really had better look out! Vision took off the 2008 Spirit DownUnder Championships landing themselves three international titles and also the title of  Grand National Champions, beating teams from all around the world.
So, this weekend get ready for a taste of cheerleading from around the world! This [...]

Dear Friends of Byron Shire & Lovers of Lennox,
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS AND AMAZING ENTERTAINERS BY ATTENDING THE BYRON BAY BREWERY BLACK TIE BALL ON JULY 10 2010 FROM 5PM AND HAVE A BALL !!!
As attached is the poster for this funky fun filled event and please feel free to forward to your friends and family or share the events page on facebook !!!
This inaugural event offers our colourful community the opportunity to dress up and get down either elegantly or outragiously to raise funds for our local artists and entertainers and we invite our funky friends from all over the world to join us !!!
Each corner of THE BYRON BAY BREWERY will offer local Amazing Artists the opportunity [...]

SHADOWBOXING - Fri 25 & Sat 26 June 8pm & Sun 27 5pm
One mans journey through heartbreak and horror…and the fight is just as devastating.
Starring Aaron Jeffery. Shadowboxing is a knockout punch of raw theatrical energy - a perfect showcase for the talents of its remarkable one-man cast.
He skips at frenzied pace, throws an ongoing clutch of killer punches and ripples with almost demonic energy.
Suffice to say, opponents in the ring are not this man’s only problem. He must also take on cruel social prejudice - and the fight is just as bloody. All up, this is a knockout which will rivet both theatre buff and sports fan alike.
Tickets are $30/$25 conc. Tickets available online fromwww.byroncentre.com.au and from [...]