Byron Bay Blog

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 »

May through August each year sees Byron Bay host a wide variety of events & festivals - something for everybody.

30 April - 4 May : Byron Underwater Festival, visit www.underwaterfestival.com.au.

4 May : Winter Whales Ocean Classic, 2.2km Ocean Swim, visit www.byronswimclassic.com.

10 May : Byron Bay Triathlon, Olympic Distance Triathlon, visit www.byronbaytri.com.

May 24 - June 1 : FEHVA, The festival for art lovers and artists, visit www.fehva.com.

25-27 July : Byron Bay Writers Festival, visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au.

2 & 3 August : Splendour in the Grass, tickets on sale in May, visit www.splendourinthegrass.com.

So if you’re interested in the ocean, fitness, art &/or music - and looking for an excusse to visit Byron this winter, I suggest you start planning now.

rick :: Apr.09.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: Comments Off

“Rosella Jam” is a community a’cappella choir dedicated to creating an
opportunity for all people to experience the power of singing together.

It has only recently become common knowledge that the health benefits of
singing are outstanding, both physically and psychologically.

Rosella Jam hosts “SING OUT” Weekend Getaways which are open to the public
and are held at varying popular holiday locations throughout Northern N.S.W.
and S.E. Queensland.

“SING OUT” weekends provide a unique and valuable outlet for artistic
expression. They encompass singing, good food, excellent accommodation and
the opportunity to get away from it all for a couple of days.

The weekends are for people who wish to treat themselves, connect, have fun
and sing their hearts out while at the same time giving their immune system
a healthy boost.

ALL are welcome!

The next singing weekend will be held at the luxurious 4-star Peppers
Casuarina Lodge in the Byron Hinterland. The fun commences Friday night on
30th May at 7.00pm and finishes at 3pm on Sunday afternoon the 1st June.
This is an unbeatable value for money weekend.

Contact: Marsha Gusti 07 55982880 Email: mgusti@bigpond.net.au FOR MORE
INFO www.rosellajam.com

rick :: Feb.14.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Culture :: No Comments »

The Byron Bay Safety Committee has again been formulating the program for a safe community event for this years new years eve in Byron Bay.

With the success of recent years low key, community based, alcohol free, new year event, the same formula is planned for this year to ensure a safe night. said Chair of the committee, Mayor Jan Barham.

Council has again resolved to provide a safe environment by the use of alcohol prohibition on the streets and parks in both Byron Bay and Brunswick. The format for NYE in Byron Bay will proceed as it was last year, focussing the event on the beachfront reserves and minimise the impact on local businesses.

The committee is also calling for stallholders to make an expression of interest to have food and craft stalls on the night and an opportunity for community groups to have free stalls to showcase their work and activities. Details of how to apply are available on Councils website and via advertisements

The event will commence at 3pm with childrens activities and market stalls at the beach front. The popular parade will feature again and there is a request to the community to join in by starting to prepare costumes and group presentations

This year the support of Byron United is welcomed and there is a strong spirit of cooperation to provide for a safe, community friendly NYE in Byron Bay. Licensed venues in Byron Bay will again provide exciting events but these are ticketed and size limited, so those wanting to celebrate the night will need to get in quick to ensure they get a ticket. Many restaurants in town will also be open and also require booking said Cr Barham.

The committee thanks those local performers who have offered their talents for the night and buskers are invited to apply to perform on the night. The Safety Committee also appreciates the generous donations from businesses for prizes for the parade and is hoping that there may be other support offered to assist in the provision of necessary infrastructure for the night.

If you are still looking for accommodation over New Years Eve, visit our Still Available for NYE Accommodation Guide.

rick :: Dec.04.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

The 19th annual East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival (AKA Byron Bay Blues Festival) is on 20 - 24 March 2008.

The BIG NEWS is that the Blues Festival is moving (back) to Belongil Fields. A much bigger venue and the camping will be onsite.

However - like Splendour in the Grass has discovered, Belongil Fields is in the process of being re-zoned, so we can expect the move to be short lived.

With two great festivals in Byron each year- and Belongil Fields being re-zoned… a permanent festival site in Byron Shire has become an important issue.

The Splendour crew seem to be the most organised having purchased land at Yelgun and are in the process of consulting the community and lodging their DA. The Blues Festival organisers have bought land at Tyagarah, but as far as I know haven’t officially announced their intention to hold the Blues Festival on it.

rick :: Aug.13.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

will take place Aug 31 - Sept 2nd, and Sept 8th, in Bangalow, NSW.

Please check the web site for the huge program of nonstop concerts, panels, workshops, exhibits, activities, resources and more!

Attached you’ll find the press release about the first event - the Fatherhood Concert on August 31st featuring LIOR & KEV CARMODY.

Keep your eye out for info on the special panel on September 8th featuring 2006 Father of the Year TERRY HICKS.

Visit: www.fatherhoodfestival.com for all ticket info and schedules.

rick :: Jul.20.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

It was a cold and stormy night… but still plenty of people turned out for the annual lantern parade and fiery finally in Lismore (Northern NSW, Australia) last Saturday night.

This Northern NSW festival started in 1994, it’s got a ton of community support - a great night out for the whole family.

rick :: Jun.25.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Video :: No Comments »

The fourth annual Fatherhood Festival, to be held in and around Bangalow and Byron Bay over the weekend of August 31st - Sunday September 2nd (Father’s Day), got a jumpstart last Tuesday when Channel 7’s Sunrise program recorded live to air from Bangalow. Ken Bright ran a tool box workshop for Dads and Kids, Lisa Parkes had dads in wild relay races with their kids, and the Nappywrap founds had babies and dolls safety-pin free while attending to a parents most important task.

The full weekend program of concerts, workshops and activities for the whole family will be announced shortly. Keep informed at www.fatherhoodfestival.com

rick :: May.17.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

Bangalow Music Festival 2007 – a paradise brimming with the blissful music, 17-19 August.

Standing ovations and superb playing saw last year’s Bangalow Music Festival packed with full houses.

This year the 6^th annual magical weekend festival of music happens in the Byron hinterland paradise of Bangalow between Friday 17 – Sunday 19 August.

Lush green rolling hills, tranquility and a charming Federation village combine with welcoming warm winter sun, a friendly atmosphere and Australia’s finest musicians for an unforgettable escape from the pace of modern life.

Legendary Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe has described this Festival as “the most exciting festival outside a capital city that I have ever attended”.

Festival Artistic Director and Leader of the Southern Cross Soloists Paul Dean has created a musical feast that takes audiences on a melodic journey with much loved works by composers such as Mozart, Ravel, Bach, Liszt, Chopin and Debussy and newer works by Australian composers.

The masters of composition will be matched by masters in performance, with ensembles and soloists including the Flinders Quartet, Whiteley Piano Trio, Sydney Chamber Choir, jazz ensemble the Con Artists and wonderful young pianist Jayson Gilham as the featured “Star of Tomorrow”, and of course event organisers the Southern Cross Soloists.

Tickets: $250 for all 9 concerts, with group discounts for bookings of 6 or more. Single tickets will be available for $40 per concert from 16 July.

If you require more information on the festival visit the Bangalow Music Festival website.

rick :: May.17.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay News, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

23 June - 1 July, A&I Hall Bangalow

Early bird tickets for FEHVA are now on sale and this includes early bird tickets for the FEHVA art auction if you purchase before May 20th. The evening includes food and wine.

Special guest Sydney Morning Herald Art Critic John McDonald will stir up pre bidding interest with a brief address on ‘The role of the art critic in forming the art market’ Art auction will be conducted by maestro of the hammer Robert Bleakley. 50% of the sale price will go to the artist and 50% to the New Buttery Centre of Excellence in Addiction Recovery project. Keep a watch on the FEHVA website for artwork updates each week full selection available for viewing by June1st.

We thank all artists, audience and art buyers who continue their support of The Buttery arts program through the auction, sale and week long arts festival.’ said Ms Tipping.

For program details and booking information visit: www.fehva.com ph 02 66871 623.

June 23 - 25 - FEHVA portrait workshop and prize, subject Mungo MacCallum
June 24 - FEHVA art exhibition opening and Grace Knight in concert 24th June
June 23- 29 - FEHVA seminars, workshops and master classes
June 28 - FEHVA art auction and sale. Special guest art critic John McDonald
June 29 - FEHVA art lovers lunch, Utopia Café, Bangalow
June 30 –July1 - FEHVA 48 hours of visual art. Panel discussions and In Conversations. Special guests include: artists Wendy Sharpe and Fiona Hall

rick :: May.04.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Culture :: No Comments »