Byron Bay

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 [...]

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 [...]

FLICKERFEST CONTINUES TODAY AND TOMORROW! Saturday 26th Jan – 3 Sessions as follows 2.30pm – ‘FlickerLab‘ Concept to Market: presented by SAE Come and join us for an interesting and enlightening workshop on distributing your short form content across various platforms to audiences far and wide. Panellists include Damian Walshe-Howling, who will share his experiences of the prestigious Locarno Film Festival where Suspended screened in Official Competition, ABC Open Producer Catherine Marciniak and Flickerfest Director Bronwyn Kidd. A must do for all keen film makers out there ! $10/8 conc (free entry for SAE students) 4.30pm – Byron All Shorts programme: Northern Rivers Short Film Competition supported by Southern Cross Credit Union & SAE Byron Bay; Sit back relax and [...]

BYRON ARTS CLASSIC OPENING NIGHT IS TONIGHT! The Byron Arts Classic Awards Night is all about the celebration of local artists and their work. The Byron Theatre becomes the three tiered Dawkins Gallery with a floor to gantry central sculpture garden surrounded by paintings, photographs and works on paper. This extends to the upper level where many of the smaller works are intimately displayed. Upstairs and down the foyers and other gallery spaces are filled with artworks from emerging  visual artists sitting side by side established artists. On opening night 11 awards are announced to an audience of friends and families, local art lovers, sponsors and supporters from the community. Throughout the event the Community Table Cafe & Bar is [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

PCYC TO CALL THE BYRON REGIONAL SPORT AND CULTURAL COMPLEX ‘HOME’ The Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) will soon take up residence at Byron Shire Council’s sport and cultural complex. Mayor Jan Barham said the Council decision to agree to the PCYC’s expression of interest to operate from the new facility would see a memorandum of understanding (MOU) initiated. The MOU will then trigger a lease and participation agreement to be drafted. “The draft lease agreement will be reported to the new Council in October, forwarded to the PCYC for signing and hopefully the PCYC will be in the building soon afterwards,” she said. Mayor Barham said the PCYC operates 57 clubs in NSW and is a leading youth organisation [...]

The 18th WOW (World of Women) Film Festival screens as two sessions from 11am to 4pm with a lunch break. This unique festival gives us glimpses of the world as seen through the eyes of women comprising the year’s best 17 short films primarily produced by women. Plus the very special screening of the two winning films from local female film-makes (under 18 & adult) in the Byron Breast Cancer Support Group ‘Women’s Short Film Making Competition’ Sunday 26 August Screenings: 11am & 1.30pm Tickets on the door: Day Pass (2 sessions) $15 / $5 student 1 session (11am OR 1.30pm) $10 Session 1 ★ 11am Slashed (11 mins) (Comedy) Graham Gates/Rogan Brown – Producer, Rebecca Thomson – Director, Claire [...]

FREE entry – book here Battle For Byron (52 minutes) Friday 10 August from 6pm to 7.30pm Byron Bay Community Centre Gold coin donations welcome at the door THE BATTLE FOR BYRON Back in the mid 90s for most Byron Shire residents it seemed that the arts and eco minded surfing Shire they lived in was about to become the next Gold Coast, or at least Noosa. A huge tourist complex, Club Med, was about to be built and the Council was overwhelmingly pro-development. Helicopters regularly flew overhead as developers looked for the next great site. And then something happened. David Bradbury’s classic 52 minute 1996 documentary tells the story of a community lead campaign that shaped the Byron Shire we enjoy today. Despite our many differences and unresolved issues we remain a model for planned sustainable development for many lin Australia. For its Byron Bay [...]

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 [...]

Award winning documentary I AM ELEVEN is coming to Byron Bay! Come to the special ‘Meet the filmmaker’ screenings and Q&A sessions this Sunday July 22 at 3.30pm and 6pm Pighouse Flicks 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay. Ticketing times and information click here or call (02) 6685 5828. Please note this film has been selling out all over Australia so we suggest you purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment. The cinema has limited seating. The film will play select sessions over the coming week so check the Pighouse Flicks website for details Or visit www.iameleven.com for more details and the trailer! Australian filmmaker Genevieve Bailey set off around the world to produce this documentary feature film and online project. [...]

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 [...]

“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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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

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 [...]

Organisers of the 2012 Splendour In The Grass, have this morning announced a totally HUGE line-up for this years festival! For three days in July, Belongil Fields will come alive with the awesome sounds of - Jack White, Bloc Party, Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In, Lana Del Rey, Azealia Banks, The Shins, Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks, Gossip, Miike Snow, Dirty Three, 360, Tame Impala, Explosions In The Sky, Ladyhawke, The Afghan Whigs, Missy Higgins, Wolfmother, Metric, Kimbra, Mudhoney, Band Of Skulls, Spiderbait, Django Django, Gypsy & The Cat, San Cisco, Last Dinosaurs, Electric Guest, Muscles, Angus Stone, DZ Deathrays, Howler, Lanie Lane, Wolf & Cub, Fun., Big Scary, Michael Kiwanuka, Seekae, Friends, Yacht Club Dj’s, Bertie Blackman, Jinja Safari, Blue King [...]

The Suitcase Royale in Zombatland. The hilariously inventive Suitcase Royale are back bringing you another masterfully-mad tale from the dusty-plains of the Australian outback. Welcome to the Blue Lagoon Caravan Park, an idyllic paradise some-where in the dead heart of Australia. Wombats are the main attraction, loved by all, until something goes wrong, something goes very wrong! A mysterious disease has turned the Wombats into blood-thirsty demons. Packed with smokin’ live music, junkyard sets and a caravan-full of The Suitcase Royale’s famous brand of twisted humour. “Visionary, emancipated and transformational…A work of theatre achingly undiluted joins the soul of madcap anarchy found in the best of the Marx brothers to the self-sufficient purity found in travelling tent shows”. Pittsburgh City [...]

Art, music, employment and grant funding for young people’s projects are key themes for this year’s National Youth Week activities in Byron Shire. National Youth Week is the largest celebration of young people in Australia and this year’s theme isImagine. Create. Inspire. Council’s youth activity officer Belle Arnold said the Byron Shire Youth Council has been working with staff and community groups to deliver a fantastic line up for Youth Week 2012. National Youth Week (NYW) 2012 is on from Friday 13 April to Sunday 22 April 2012, with events running all over the country. The first Byron Shire FREE event will be the Youth Arts Exhibition, Friday 13 April from 6 to 8 pm.  The evening will showcase 90 entries from the [...]

Friday sees the third Tweed Battle of the Bands kicking off at the Tweed Civic Centre. 10 young bands are competing in this years comp, coming from  as far away as Brisbane and Coffs Harbour. The heats on April 6, 13 and 20 will feature headline acts such as Double Lined Minority and Mason Rack. There will also be a graffiti exhibition, hip-hop and break dancing displays. The winners of the Tweed Battle of the bands will take away $2000 for first place, $1000 for second and $500 for third. It’s $10 at the doors… doors open at 6pm. Tweed Battle of the Bands is an initiative of the Safer Communities Alliance in partnership with Tweed Shire Council and National Youth [...]

As the commencement of Bluesfest draws near, the Bluesfest Busking Comp Finals are takingtaking shape to be one of the biggest events to hit the Beach Hotel, Wednesday 4th April will become the unofficial start of the 2012 annual Byron Bay Bluesfest.  Kicking off at 4pm we will see the three finalists for the Grommets take to the stage with guest judge Minnie Marks (the little pocket rocket that took out last year’s Busking Comp) joining the panel of judges to take on the difficult task of selecting  the cream of the crop. When dusk starts to settle be sure to see the Beach Hotel take on a whole new shape as the open finals kick into full gear commencing at [...]

With the 23rd BluesFest about to get underway, we thought we should give you a few tips on how to make it an easier experience… Take some sunscreen… The sun can be hellish if you’re spending 5 days out in it! Buy some gumboots! Available in every second shop in Byron! The BluesFest has another nickname in wet weather…. MudFest! And whatever you do, leave your thongs at home… there are thousands of them eternally buried in the ground out there from last year! Make sure you drink lots of water! There are hydration stations everywhere! Leave your dog at home… Unless you are a police person and your dog is a drug dog! And don’t try and pat the [...]

Grommet Busking Comp Bonanza – NEW IN 2012 Under 18′s Grommet heats 17th & 18th March @ YAC. – TODAY AND TOMORROW!!! For the first time, the Bluesfest Busking Comp will be including a Grommet Busking Comp where musicians under the age of 18 have an opportunity to reveal their abilities in their own exclusive category. The Grommet division will be set up in a similar fashion to the original Bluesfest Busking Comp offering heats in Byron Bay on a weekend prior to the Bluesfest with the finals to be held at the Beach Hotel prior to the adult finals. This is an exciting change to this year’s comp and is key to the expansion and development of the Bluesfest [...]

Do you want to volunteer to do some good things in the community? Then head on down to the Volunteers Expo at the Community Centre on Thursday… Keep your eye out for the BUDDI stall… BUDDI (the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team) needs volunteers for the new YACROCKCAFE, a teen music cafe at the YAC every Friday night; the Byron Schoolies Safety Response Schoolie HUB and other community events… Are you up for volunteering?? Head on down and sign up to be a volunteer! BUDDI – the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team BUDDI was formed under NSW Health Community Drug Strategies Program and is auspiced by Byron Youth Service. BUDDI Team membership [...]

International Womens Day Exhibition becomes an Annual Event International Women’s Day will be celebrated in the Shire with an exhibition of photos and artwork, recognising and celebrating the inspiring women from our community. The Exhibition and celebration has become an annual event of the Women’s Resource Service and Byron Shire Council, now in its third year, and continues to evolve into a unique celebration of the women in our Shire who have inspired, enriched and contributed to our community. Held annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. Globally there is a web of rich and diverse local activity that connects women from all around the world that mark the [...]