Byron Bay Blog

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 »

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

The dates and venue for the 2008 Splendour Festival have just been announced: 2 & 3 August at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay.

Here’s the press release;

OK music lovers. It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes and put these key dates in your calendar for the much-anticipated SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event for 2008.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will return this winter, Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd, to be staged in the beautiful sub tropics of Northern NSW’s Byron Bay.

And despite efforts to stage the forthcoming event at the proposed new site of North Byron Shire Parklands, organisers can confirm that SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will for this year be held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, where it has been staged successfully for the past 7 years.

Now in its 8th year, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will continue to deliver performances by some of the finest music acts in Australia and around the world.

Tickets for the 2008 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will be on sale in May with first artists on the line-up to be announced late April. Watch this space for all this and more.

To keep up to date with festival information visit www.splendourinthegrass.com

For a wide choice of available accommodation visit our Splendour Accommodation Guide

I can’t wait!

rick :: Mar.19.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: 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 »

Ragga Muffin Show Added For Red Devil Park, Byron Bay

Sunday February 17 – RED DEVIL PARK, BYRON BAY, Corner Bangalow and Broken Head Roads (*subject to council approval)

Doors Open 4pm, music from 5pm. General Admission tickets $112.50

Put UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development together and what do you get? Well, first up, six hours of fantastic music! And that’s exactly the musical feast on offer at Raggamuffin, an innovative new event showcasing the best in reggae music, with a healthy dose of funk, dub, hip hop and soul!

Feedback to the Australian and New Zealand tour dates for Raggamuffin has been fantastic, and now, by popular demand, an extra show has been added at Red Devil Park, Byron Bay on Sunday February 17 (*subject to council approval).

Known as the long-time home to the Blues and Roots Festival, the venue is the ideal home for Raggamuffin and this first class line-up of bands!

Promoter Andrew McManus said: “I’ve toured UB40 three times through Australia and New Zealand and they never cease to amaze me with just how good they are and how much their fans love them. That’s where the idea of Raggamuffin came from. Reggae lovers rarely get a chance to see the music they love and that’s really the driving force behind putting this event together. We hope we can do it annually.”

Headlining the very first Raggamuffin will be UB40, arguably the world’s most popular reggae band. Their combined single and album sales are in excess of 70 million, which puts them in that elite category populated by the likes of The Police & Robbie Williams. They’ve had a staggering 51 hit singles, which is more than ANY other British outfit apart from Status Quo (and, yes, that includes The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, U2 and everyone else); and they’ve had Number 1 smash hits in virtually every chart on the planet.

There’s no doubt the eight boyhood friends of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage from the inner-city areas of Birmingham, have done as much to popularise reggae globally as Bob Marley himself.

UB40’s best-known songs – ‘One In Ten’, ‘Many Rivers To Cross’, ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, ‘I Got You Babe’, ‘Don’t Break My Heart’, ‘Rat In Mi Kitchen’, ‘Kingston Town’, ‘Red Red Wine’ – always have audiences in fine voice.

Their last album, the acclaimed ‘Who You Fighting For’ was nominated for a Grammy as 2006’s Best Reggae Album. The band are currently in the studio in the UK recording their new album, which will be out in time for the Australian tour.

UB40 are pleased to have the extraordinary THE WAILERS join them on the bill for Raggamuffin.

Famed for co-starring with Bob Marley on all of his hit records and stage shows, THE WAILERS are the most celebrated reggae outfit of all time. Their live show consists of classic hits like ‘Buffalo Soldier’, ‘I Shot the Sheriff’, ‘Is This Love’, ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Exodus’, ‘Jamming’, ‘One Love’, ‘Get Up Stand Up’ and the list goes on and on….

Raggamuffin is pleased to welcome veteran recording artist MAXI PRIEST to the line-up.

Born in Jamaica, and raised in the UK, Maxi first gained worldwide recognition with the release of ‘Maxi’ (1988). Recorded in Jamaica with legendary musicians Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and Willie Lindo, it contained the hit singles ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’ and a cover of the Cat Steven’s classic ‘Wild World’.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT lit up audiences when they were last in Australia supporting INXS and Simple Minds in March this year. The two-time Grammy winners are back in action with a great new album ‘Since The Last Time’. The eight-piece band’s music shook the bootys, hearts and minds of listeners across the planet with hits like ‘Mr Wendal’, ‘Miracles’, ‘Everyday People’ and ‘Tennessee’ along the way to selling five million albums - it’s good to have them back!

So there you have it …. four great bands providing a veritable musical reggae feast, welcome to Raggamuffin! Check out the website www.raggamuffin.com.au for all the details.

rick :: Nov.30.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

After a traumatic start to the year with a family accident the owner of Byron Bay KidzKlub put the business in cruise mode for a short while leaving her wonderful staff to work the business while she dealt with the incident. Just in time for summer all is well in the Kidzklub camp and the full team are back on board.

Leading up to Christmas Kidzklub is bombarded with corporate and private Christmas parties to host. While parents are winding down for the year with a few drinks and nibbles the kidzklub crew entertain the children with facepainting, active games and art and craft activities. The giant Parachute and Tug o war competitions often entices the adults to participate so these events become a total family affair.

As usual the Kids Adventure Tours will be running all school holidays and a team of babysitters and Nannies are poised ready for all the holiday makers with little ones. Art and Craft and Active sports workshops hosted by KidzKlub will be run in the surrounding areas of Brunswick heads and Ballina. Keep an eye out for the purple t shirts, you are bound to see the crew out and about having fun.

Kidzklub are back and racing!
Thank goodness the horse flu drama is nearing an end. Byron Bay Kidz Klub are the main providers of children’s entertainment at all the Northern Rivers Family promoted racedays and have certainly missed these regular events. KidzKlub are back in the saddle on the in Grafton on the 2nd of December for their Annual Christmas Raceday. KidzKlub will be hosting all the children’s activities like giant volley ball, parachute games, soccer, continuous cricket, 3 legged races, a tug o war competition and poison ball to mention only a few. KidzKlub also provide a creative area at the races for all those budding artists. There are 6 tables of varying art and craft activities and there are mats with toys for the little ones. It is a day for all the family so bring along a rug and join the fun. Exciting for kids, relaxing for Parents.

For more information on KidzKlub services please contact Trudi on 0429770147 or email kidzklub@kidzklub.com.au or visit www.kidzklub.com.au

rick :: Nov.12.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

If you’re planning to come to the Byron Bay Blues Festival for the first time - or even if you’ve been before, there are a few things you should keep in mind as you’re looking for your ideal place to stay.

Before we get to the ‘tips’, the thing to remember is that Byron Bay is a small town - the larger annual festivals do attract more people than the town can accommodate… particularly when you take into account that the festival’s artists and crew are also staying here. Plus many people who come every year - re-book the same place each year.

Here are my 5 tips to booking accommodation for the Blues Festival;

1. People : You need to know how many people are staying with you. Accommodation in Byron is very strict on maximum numbers… sneaking a few extra friends in to sleep on the floor won’t be tolerated and could result in loss of bond &/or eviction. There are places to stay that sleep one to a limited number of places that sleep up to 10 people. Most places have 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms.

2. Duration : It’s a five day festival, most of the accommodation has a minimum stay of 5 or 7 nights. There are a few properties with 3 or less minimum night stay - if you can only come for a few nights, grab one of these ASAP.

3. Location : For 2008, the Festival has moved back to Belongil Fields - which is located on Ewingsdale Rd (the road you take from the highway into Byron Bay) about 2.5 km from the centre of town. Shirley St and Belongil offer a 2-3 km walk to and from the festival, all of Byron Bay is serviced by shuttle buses, with accommodation in the hinterland and nearby villages offering their own charms.

4. Price : The Easter long weekend is just about the most expensive time of year to stay in Byron Bay. As a rule of thumb the closer to the festival or Beach and the shorter you stay - the more expensive it will be. In Byron Bay expect to pay $75-$125 per person per night - more for luxury, less if you stay out of town.

5. How to Book : The sooner you start the wider choice you’ll have. You will have to secure your booking with a deposit (often 50%), and you may loose it for a late cancellation.

–

This information is based on my experience from publishing Byron Bay’s largest Accommodation & Visitor guide since 1997. Visit our 2008 Blues Festival accommodation guide for an up to date list of available accommodation.

rick :: Sep.01.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, 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 »

The Splendour crew have announced the final main stage acts for the popular (sold out) festival in Byron Bay the first weekend in August.

Here’s the complete linup for Saturday 4 August

ASH + THE HORRORS + LOST VALENTINOS + OLD MAN RIVER + THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS + DAMIEN RICE + WILD MARMALADE + PAUL KELLY + THE PANICS + THE HERD + SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM + EDITORS + PLANET ASIA + OPERATOR PLEASE + HOWLING BELLS + MUSCLES
+ DJ sets from CUT COPY (in club mode), RIOT IN BELGIUM, PURPLE SNEAKERS DJs and SEAN CANDY aka AB.

Joining the previously announced POWDERFINGER, KAISER CHIEFS, LILY ALLEN, SARAH BLASKO, TILLY & THE WALL, GRINSPOON, HOT CHIP, CAT EMPIRE, BLUE KING BROWN and SARA TINDLEY

Here’s the complete lineup for Sunday 5 August

TEENAGER + SPIDERBAIT + GOTYE + MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS + CUT COPY+ HOLLY THROSBY + MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO + OK GO + BUMBLEBEEZ + KISSCHASY + MELLOW GOLD ROLLING THUNDER REVUE
+ DJ sets from FUNKTRUST DJs, MARK MURPHY and SEAN CANDY (aka AB)

Joining the previously announced ARCTIC MONKEYS, BLOC PARTY, HOODOO GURUS, HILLTOP HOODS, KLAXONS, THE SHINS, THE DIRTY THREE, EXPATRIATE, JOSH PYKE, AIRBOURNE and THE RIDE

I’m sure everyone with tickets is getting pretty excited - if you’re going for the first time I’m sure you’ll love it.

Now - an extra treat for me (the blog poster) I’ve got a legit reason to post YouTube’s 6th most popular video ever. Ok Go are peforming on Sunday - here’s there v.popular (and funny) clip for their song ‘Here it Goes Again’.

rick :: Jun.29.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment, Video :: No Comments »