Byron Bay Blog

Are you already in Australia and looking to buy your dream home?

Are you available and in a position to buy your new Australian home in January/February 2009?

Would you like the help of a dedicated team of professionals to find the house of your dreams in Oz?

Phil Down Under is a new property show for Channel 4 in the UK. Location Location Location’s Phil Spencer is searching for British couples looking to set up home Down Under! We’ll do the hard work and find you the best properties your money can afford.

It’s easy to Apply: Visit www.meontv.co.uk/phildownunder and fill out the application form.

Good Luck!

rick :: Sep.27.2008 :: Australia, Byron Bay :: No Comments »

The Grates are visiting Byron Bay as part of their record launch tour. I’ve enjoyed them each time I’ve seen them at Splendour, my kids are fans - so their CD is on high rotation in our car.

If you’ve seen them before - I’m sure you’ll try and catch their show at the Northern on October 5.

Here’s what their press release had to say;

The Grates’ live shows have now become stuff of legend. Patience’s dancing style has its own patent, Alana’s smile is always infectious and John is the captain of their musician-ship. You never know quite what to expect, as Winter Wonderlands, party balloons and colourful capers fill the stage. Their recent Surprise Parties where the unusual locations weren’t revealed until 48 hours before the show are testimony to the fact that The Grates never stick to the norm!

With their upcoming new album “Teeth Lost, Hearts Won” already getting young hearts a flutter ahead of its early August release, The Grates get ready to give fans a coronary with the announce of a major national tour throughout October.

rick :: Sep.24.2008 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

Every few months Ross & Eva Heath of Heath’s Old Wares & Collectibles in Bangalow send me an updated list of the regions ‘old wares’ shops which they call Local Trail.

I’ve finally got around to posting it as a PDF;

‘Local Trail’ Antiques & Collectibles Shops in the Byron Bay Region

This is an excellent resource listing the addresses and phone numbers of about 40 shops… plus, if you’re interested you can subscribe to their mailing list and receive the updates.

rick :: Sep.24.2008 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

I had a blast again this year - got a big kick from seeing DEVO. The rest of my family enjoyed The Grates, The Panics, Band of Horses, Operator Please, etc. The weather was warm & dry, the food was great… all up an excellent festival. Read the official Splendour wrap up and we’ll do it all again next year.

Here’s what the organisers had to say…

What a weekend! In what has been described as the biggest, best Splendour in the Grass ever, over 17,500 music fans congregated over the weekend in Byron Bay to celebrate a musical and cultural extravaganza featuring the very cream of international and Australia music artists, art, theatre, markets, food and culture.

Byron locals The Black Stars kicked off musical proceedings on Saturday and the vibe and the energy never stopped. At the Big Top stage, a cranked up crowd saw Gold Coast teen superstars Operator Please give us a glimpse of our musical future. Leeds funksters The Music and Scottish melody makers The Fratellis, and the world’s hottest new band US-based The Cold War Kids showed exactly why we should believe the hype, while rock gods Gyroscope and The Galvatrons performed storming sets that kept the Aussie flag flying against the bright blue skies. The Living End capped a comeback year with a set of epic proportions before Devo came, saw and conquered with a set featuring their old hits - complete with yellow jumpsuits and flowerpot heads, as if the eighties were reborn.

Over at the Grant McLennan Stage, indie favourites The Drones, powerhouse chanteuse Claire Bowditch and US bearded wonders The Band of Horses sang songs of breath taking beauty and depth. The Polyphonic Spree with their choir of 18, completed the evening with a hands in the air, hands on your heart spiritual experience.

Over at the Mix Up Tent, our socks were rockin’, our buns were shakin’ and our feet never stopped movin’. NZ’s Scribe and Bliss N Eso played music with a message, while Australia’s Pnau, complete with dancing fruit showed us why Elton John had recently become enamoured with their music. The enigma that is Tricky took the crowd on a dark and light musical journey to finish off the night.

On Sunday, the great vibe and brilliant weather continued. At the Big Top, Melbourne’s British India showed why they are Australia’s band to watch, US band Vampire Weekend had the crowd jumping with their afro beat while Liverpool UK’s The Wombats stormed home with a set which made them the most talked about band this weekend. Iceland’s Sigur Ros, whose epic tunes and soaring melodies lifted the audience to a higher place while Wolfmother, held their status as Australia’s top rock band.

At The Mix Up Tent, Katalyst lived up to his reputation of rocking the house right, while other highlights were the UK’s New Young Pony Club, and The Presets, who complete with pink tuxes and bowties showed why they are one of the biggest bands in Australia, with a cranking set.

The GW McLennan Tent continued to showcase the world’s best songwriters. The crowd gave it up for former Go-Between Robert Forster and home grown favourites The Panics, while Mr Ben Lee, with his quirky charm rounded off the night with a beautiful soulful set of soaring beauty.

This year Splendour upgraded their medical response team by using Queensland’s largest provider of first aid services, Emergency First Aid Services, to provide a comprehensive care package for patrons.

Stephen Barnes (Emergency First Aid Services Representative) said, “Most treatments were for minor complaints, such as blisters, cuts and abrasions. A doctor was on hand to care for a few pre-existing medical conditions that presented throughout the weekend, and thanks to this, transports to hospital were well down on last year’s event.”

So as the sun sets on Splendour’s final year at Belongil Fields before we move on to our new home at Yelgun for 2009, we say goodbye to another year of amazing music, incredible vibes and the most fun you can cram into a weekend.

See you next year & thanks for the memories!

Splendour in the Grass Team

rick :: Aug.05.2008 :: Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

Presented by;

SCHOOL OF PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT AND SPIRITUAL ONENESS

August 31st till September 5th

This training is to discover and develop your psychic skills. You will receive your own ‘psychic life reading’ prior to the start of the training and will find out how you can fully use your psychic abilities. Learn about the 7 chakras, the inner man/inner woman, the inner child and about the higher self. Come to understand how you create your own reality.

Learn how to give your own psychic reading! Become a scientist of the inner world.

Rago Dahlsen has worked internationally as a psychic reader for over 20 years. She has been part of Mystery schools in India and the USA. Now she is very happy to pass on her gifts to you.

Visit their website for more information;

www.byron-bay-health-retreat.com.au

rick :: Jul.15.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay :: No Comments »

The fourth East Coast ‘Movers & Shakers’ Backgammon Tournament will be held at the Bangalow Bowling Club on 18 and 19 October 2008.

The Backgammon Tournament is the idea of local backgammon players; Hamish Whetstone, Jake Rozenthal and Neil Young, and like last year, they hope to attract interest from interstate backgammon players but they also hope to bring together all the backgammon players living locally in the shire. “There are many backgammon tournaments played over the internet, but we felt like a real competition between real players sitting opposite each other would be a lot more fun” said Hamish from his Mullumbimby home, where he plays backgammon every week with a group of friends “We hope it will bring together the local backgammon community like it has for the last two years”.

The tournament costs $70 to enter with all entry fees returned as prize money once costs are covered – this is a not for profit event. There will be two days of backgammon competition. Day one is a ‘Swiss Qualifier’ where everyone plays six opponents and then the 16 players with the most wins qualify for a Knockout Final on day two (this is a double-elimination final, which means you are not knocked out until you have lost twice). There will be a state representative competition and on day two there will be a consolation competition for those that didn’t quality and plenty of blitz rounds (small round robin competitions) for those that are knocked out or can only attend for one day.

Contact bbblot@hotmail.com for more information or phone Hamish on 0413 564 838

As Tim from PLANULA Bed & Breakfast Retreat in Byron Bay is a keen Backgammon player and part of the tournament, PLANULA offers 10% off accommodation for tournament participants for any stay including the tournament dates - and if you beat Tim during the tournament (in Backgammon that is) you will get another 10% off - now that’s confidence. But better be quick …

Planula :: Jul.14.2008 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Community, Entertainment :: No Comments »

A selection of the best entries from this year’s Visions of the Valley photographic competition will be on display in the foyer of the Byron Shire Council offices at Mullumbimby for two weeks from Tuesday July 1. The popular competition, which attracted more than 160 entries this year, is held as part of the Brunswick Valley Nature Festival.

Adrian :: Jun.28.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

An inspired paradise brimming with blissful music

Described by legendary Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe as “the most
exciting festival, outside a capital city…” the Bangalow Music
Festival combines world-class musicians with captivating programming,
delicious food and a festive atmosphere all surrounded by the
sub-tropical beauty of the heritage township of Bangalow, NSW.

Opening on Friday 29 August and running through until Sunday 31 August,
the program for the Festival comprises a colourful and dramatic range of
musical styles, from renaissance song, through the delights of Haydn,
Beethoven, Chopin and Schubert, to the drama and electricity of Hartmann
and contemporary Australian music by Brett Dean, James Ledger (Southern
Cross Soloists’ Composer in Focus for 2008) and Gerard Brophy.

The Festival welcomes several top performers making their debut at
Bangalow this year, including Ian Munro, piano; Graeme Jennings, violin;
Julian Smiles, cello; Kees Boersma, double bass; and young pianist,
Denny Liu, from New Zealand.

Also performing at the Festival for the first time will be Southern
Cross Soloists2, an initiative of Southern Cross Soloists and the
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Students of the same
instrumentation as Southern Cross Soloists are auditioned to take part
in this mentoring program, creating a ‘mini-version’ of the existing
music ensemble, with the addition of a flautist.

Favourite Bangalow guests returning to the stage this year include
guitarist Slava Grigoryan, the renowned Grainger Quartet, violist
Patricia Pollett, the Queensland Choir and members of the Bangalow
Festival Chamber Orchestra.

BANGALOW MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008

Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August

Concert Venues:

Concerts 1 to 8: A&I Hall, Station Street, Bangalow, NSW,

Concert 9: St Kevin’s Church, Deacon Street, Bangalow, NSW

Seating is limited to 300. Tickets range from $45 (single ticket) to
$260 (single nine-concert subscription)

W: www.southernxsoloists.com

rick :: Jun.25.2008 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Culture :: No Comments »

The Brunswick Valley Nature Festival on Sunday (June 1) will be a fun day out for the family with activities for everyone. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of the Brunswick Valley - the rich tapestry of life that makes the environment of our region one of the most unique in the country - and why it is under threat. Speakers will explain why we must protect the biodiversity of the Valley and what we can all do to help. There will be sessions on native gardening and what to plant to attract native birds, keeping native bees, getting rid of cane toads, and making use of the diversity of life that exists beneath the soil. There will be an early morning bird walk along the banks of Mullumbimby Creek and other creek walks with experienced leaders talking about butterflies and fish habitat. There’s even a slippery session on what to do if you encounter a snake while you’re gardening. If you need help with weed identification, bring the weeds along. Experts will be on hand to give advice. The Festival is at the Shearwater Steiner School, Left Bank Road, Mullumbimby from 9am to 4pm (Birds for Brekkie bird walk at 7.30am). The Nature Festival is a World Environment Day event. Entry is by gold coin donation which will go towards the purchase of trees for Landcare. More information on the Brunswick Valley Landcare web site http://www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au

Adrian :: May.29.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

The 2nd Byron Underwater Festival was a massive success. Sell out events and activities, glorious weather and calm seas made this an event to remember for everyone. Almost 60 people from all over Australia came to participate in the annual underwater photo and video shootout competition, making it the biggest event of this kind in the whole Australasia region. Over 20,000 dollars worth of prizes including cameras, underwater housings, dive gear and a dive trip for two to Papua New Guinea were handed over to winning participants in 7 categories. Biggest winner was Ballina resident Mark Gray who scored both first prize in the SLR camera category as well as the Underwater Portfolio. Two local school groups went out with sponsor cameras to take underwater photos for the first time and the winning students walked away with an underwater photography course, diving vouchers and books.

The Marine Visions open medium art competition held as part of the Underwater Festival in conjunction with Retrospect Galleries saw over 100 entries including sculptures, photographs and some amazing fine art. Over 300 people attended the launch event on Friday and it was pushing room only to get close to the works. Winner of the fine art prize was Paul Colby with his work titled “Marine Playground”. Some works can still be seen at Retrospect Galleries this week and will remain on display on the Underwater Festival website - underwaterfestival.com.au

Part of this year’s Byron Underwater Festival was also the Australian premiere screening of the anti-JAWS documentary “Sharkwater” by Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart. The screening was held as a fund raiser for “Australian Seabird Rescue” in Ballina and organised in collaboration with the BayFM “Generator” program at Byron Cinemas biggest screen on Saturday night. The night was a sell-out and the personal introduction to the film by world renowned underwater cinematographer David Hannan made the screening a huge success. Certainly a film everybody should go and watch when it get released Australia wide on May 15.

Other highlights of the festival were the underwater photography clinics by Mathieu Meur, who flew in for this festival all the way from Singapore. His clinics were sold out quickly and participants were putting their new learned skills to test immediately. Mathieu who authored 3 books on digital underwater photography promised to be back next year for more workshops.

Last years guest of honour, Australia’s own underwater pioneer Neville Coleman was back this year to launch his new book the “Nudibranchs Encyclopedia of Asia and Indo-Pacific”. Neville is the author of over 60 books and well known for his passion for the underwater world and the small and unusual critters it contains. Listening to him talk about his many decades of exploration is an inspiration and for those who managed to meet him during the festival or hear his radio interview on BayFM on Friday will realise what an amazing person he is.

The Byron Underwater Festival is an annual event and not just for divers. Aimed at everyone wanting to experience our marine environment for themselves it encourages all to participate - whether you want to learn more about it, dive it, snorkel it, kayak it … or even paint it. Only one year to go to the next one …

To see all the winning photographic entries of the shoot-out and the artworks of the Marine Visions contest visit the Byron Underwater Festival website

Planula :: May.08.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »