Dangerously Poetic Workshop 29th Jan

Just what I need to start the year with – a Dangerously Poetic workshop being held near Byron Bay that might inspire most anything.  It’s not just for poets, more about connecting to your inner creative.

A one day retreat into stillness and the power of the word…

After the parties and holiday festivities, why not bring your soul to gentleness? Come into the still pastures of Possum Creek for a day of mindful connection with yourself and your inner voice.

“Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”
–Anne Sexton

“A Feather on the breath of God”:
All spiritual traditions have called on the rhythm and repetition of language to communicate with the Divine.  Whether it be prayer, psalms, petitions, songs of praise, sutras— all these are forms of poetry.

For both those new to putting words to the page and more seasoned writers, this workshop is an opportunity to access inner wisdom and express it. Working together in a safe, nurturing circle, this is a practice and not about perfection. Through meditating on sacred poetry, exploring sound and silence, we will open to our own divine voices.

Sounds great to me – hope to see you there!

When: Friday, 29th of January 9:30-4:30 pm.

Where: Possum Creek Retreat Centre off Possum Creek Road
Tuition: $ 75. Or $65. DP members

Facilitator: Laura Jan Shore, author of historical novel, The Sacred Moon Tree, and poetry collection, Breathworks, is President of Dangerously Poetic Press. Her poems have appeared in The Weekend Australian, Blue Dog, Famous Reporter, Five Bells, Yellow Moon, Eucalypt, Verandah, Poetrix,Takahe and Radio National’s Poetica. Co- editor of 8 poetry books, she has taught poetry and creative writing for 25 years both on the North Coast and in the U.S.

To enrol: Contact Laura on 66801-967 or email-lshore@linknet.com.au

Dangerously Poetic is an incorporated community group seeking to encourage, publish and promote quality poetry from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.

For more information about Dangerously Poetic Press click here

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Byron Bay

Byron Bay on the north coast of NSW, is a very unique town with magnificent beaches and spectacular views to the mountains.

What I always realise after travelling overseas is that Australia has many beautiful stretches of unspoilt white sand beaches and I am lucky that I don’t have to travel far. My husband and I often take day trips to Byron Bay and always enjoy our visits. On our last visit I took alot of photos, but have just a few on show here.
Can you guess what this picture is of?

Byron Bay Art

View from The Pass Carpark

Respect the Bay

Overlooking Tallows Beach

For more of my posts about Byron Bay click here

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OUR GENERATION: Preview Screening in Byron Bay

I got the message from fellow TAFE student Dale Simone Roberts to spread the word about the preview screening of OUR GENERATION, the long awaited documentary on Aboriginal rights in Australia at the Byron Bay Community & Cultural Centre on Tuesday December 8th.

This will be followed by Q & A with the filmmakers and a special free gig by dub groove favourite Oka. To check out the sounds of Oka click here

This project started out in June 2007 and is being independently funded, so that its message can stay clear, truthful and uncompromised. There will also be special screenings across Australia (including remote Aboriginal communities), as well as educational outreach through schools and universities.

Date: Tuesday 8th December
Venue: Byron Bay Community Centre
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: $15 from venue box office (02) 6685 6807 and Planet Corroboree

For more information and to view the trailer for the film click here

 

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Mullum Music Festival kicks off!

The Mullum Music Festival kicks off with the Gala Opening Night Performance tonight at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall at 7.30pm with Vince Jones, Lucie Thorne & Hamish Stuart, Sal Kimber & The Rollin Wheel, M Jack Bee, Ange Takats, Leah Flanagan, Domini Forster & some very special surprise guests. With 50 acts over 4 days it will be unforgettable!

Music festivals are not only great for the local community to come together and have a fabulous time, but are very important for the local artists to share their talents with the community. One third of the acts are local and will be performing amongst international acts.

You never know what talents are in our midst. I enquired about the Mullum Music Festival to my TAFE teacher Tony Hogan – who is also a musician and runs the very popular Acoustic Guitarist blog – and found out a fellow IT student is playing there on the weekend.

Sal Yates is a multi talented and highly motivated guitarist and vocalist in the band Ghost Mountain. They are releasing a new album soon “Art Without Audience”, and Sal is fired up!! 
To preview one of the new tracks “Animal”, click here

This is what she had to say about her Mullum Music Festival experience.

“Last year the Festival was awesome. It is such a community event that everyone enjoys in a relaxed way. Moving from venue to venue through the streets of Mullum and running into every random you could imagine makes the experience like a home coming. Everyone is in top spirits and there is a sense of pride from the locals and their friends alike.

The music last year was amazing, artists from all over Australia and beyond. I was extremely proud to be a part of it and very impressed by the work that Glen Wright and his team from Vitamin Records put in to make it happen. For Glen the whole Festival is a labour of love. He is a true music appreciator and this especially made the whole event be the success that it was.

We play on Saturday at the RSL at 6pm and would love to see you there!”
Cheers,
Sal

To check out Ghost Mountain, click here

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Mullum Music Festival 2009

The Mullum Music Festival is almost here!

Starting on Thursday 26th November till Sunday 29th November.

4 Days      8 Venues     50 Acts

Over 100 performances and workshops!

The Mullum Music Festival has a great website with all the Artists listed with buttons that go to their websites and YouTube videos so you can check them out.

Here’s a taste of what it had to say about the Opening Night Gala Performance:

“Every festival has it’s blue ribbon event. At Adelaide Festival it’s the opening night cabaret, at Melbourne Comedy Festival it’s the Gala Comedy night and at our very own Mullum Music Festival it’s the Opening Night Gala Performance.

The opening night is about short / sharp tastes of the festival and the line up is a snapshot of the diverse cross section of International, National and Local acts. This is a chance to catch the best of the fest, to see your favourite artist in a cabaret setting, collaborating and creating in the spirit of community created by that magical phenomenon we call ‘festival.’

With performances by Australia’s leading Jazz Vocalist Vince Jones, Lucie Thorne & Hamish Stuart, Sal Kimber & The Rollin Wheel, M Jack Bee, Ange Takats, Leah Flanagan, Domini Forster & some very special surprise guests.”

For more information about all the artists, events and to purchase tickets click here

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Mullumbimby Library invites you for Poetry and Tea.

Dangerously Poetic Press is a community group from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, that encourages, publishes and promotes quality local poetry.

Author Laura Shore is one of the main driving forces behind this organisation as she is very passionate about poetry and the written word. Laura is also very eloquent and expressive when it comes to poetry readings and fires up the audience with her enthusiasm!

Dangerously Poetic Press have 2 upcoming poetry readings that are sure to be uplifting and inspiring.

Laura Jan Shore and Bev Sweeney will read selections from Dangerously Poetic’s latest anthology

All the Way Home, Poetry From Byron Bay and Beyond.

Enjoy a cuppa.

Check out the library’s free flowing poem.
You might like to add a line.

Laura Shore, Katherine Boorman and Mayor Jan Barham at the Book Launch

2pm  Thursday November 19 Mullumbimby Library. Station St . Mullumbimby.
This is a free event.

Also, Mark your calendars for our last 2009 reading

A Celtic Christmas Celebration

This will be held at the Yogalates Centre in Bangalow on Sunday, the 29th of November at 3:30 pm.

Our own local Irishman, Karl Farren will regale us with his original songs.
Poetry on the Celtic theme will be performed by local actress, Susan Hayward and poet, Paul C. Pritchard.

Open Reading…

You are invited to share your favourite poem on the theme of celebration or a Celtic poem either classical or contemporary. Or share a poem you have written.

Please bring a plate to share for afternoon tea. Pre-wrapped books perfect for holiday gifts will be available at sale prices as well as Karl’s cds so save some shopping for Sunday afternoon.

Admission $5.

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Byron Events Calendar

Have you heard about the Byron Events Calendar? It’s an on-line Community Noticeboard and Directory for the Rainbow Region. If you’re into dance, music, art, meditation, yoga, martial arts, personal development, you name it – there’s always something going on, in, and around Byron Bay.

The Byron Events Calendar is a great resource of workshops, retreats and events happening around Byron Bay, plus, it includes some events at other major cities on the east coast of Australia. I have found it worthwhile to peruse the Byron Events Calendar for interesting activities as it lists some events that are not advertised in the local Byron Shire Echo newspaper and around the traps.

Late last year I was excited to find a workshop listed on Byron Events Calendar and I knew instantly that I needed to attend it. It was a 3 day workshop on voice and self expression with Maniko from America and it helped me to find my real voice through the medium of writing.

We had to write a song, which was overwhelmingly daunting to me, but after breaking through the barriers of self doubt, I gained confidence in my ability to write and explore more avenues of writing expression. I also attended her second 3 day workshop that really opened me up to freely express myself in many ways.

I was encouraged by Author Laura Shore of Dangerously Poetic Press to explore poetry, and through my web design course I was introduced to blogging which I enjoy. It has given me an outlet to express my creativity and hopefully be of service to the community.

Here’s a YouTube Video of a West African Dance Workshop held in Byron Bay

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Bangalow Markets

I have found that the Bangalow Markets are the most aesthetically pleasing markets as people enjoy a leisurely stroll around the beautiful grounds taking in all the sights and sensations that the market offers. The large Camphor Laurel Trees create a lovely atmosphere and provide shade, which is a pleasant relief from the heat of the day.

The Bangalow Markets have been on the 4th Sunday of the month since the early 80’s and are still very popular for locals and tourists alike. It’s also pleasant to stroll into the historic village of Bangalow and explore the unique and boutique shops.
For information and Bangalow Markets website click here

A website has just been launched to provide an online business hub for market stall holders near and far, and promote the alternate market place as a viable growth industry. Byron Bay Market Place enables Stall Holders to exhibit their product profile and source other stall holders. It already has an eclectic range of stallholders products profiled and more will be added.

North Coast Markets - A Great Day Out for the Family

The website contains individual market stall profiles, a chat room, and a blog for stallholders to publicise their stalls, which includes a comprehensive local monthly market schedule. It even has a link to the Bureau of Meteorology to check the weather – which is very important for outdoor markets!

The north coast is renowned for its monthly market circuit which has been established for over 30 years so it’s fantastic that a website has been gifted to the community for the huge amount of stallholders to connect and share resources.
Byron Bay Market Place now online  click here

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Cape Byron Walking Track

Our gorgeous 13 year old son went to Sydney to sing in the Schools Choral Festival at The Opera House, so my husband and I decided to go to the beach at Byron Bay and enjoy the early morning sunshine.

Unfortunately the northerly winds beat us to it, and even though there was a very strong wind blowing there was still a lot of activity going on: people paddling kayaks furiously against the wind, scuba dive boats going to Julian Rocks, sunbathers, people enjoying a morning walk, desperate surfers – but it was perfect weather for the kite flyer’s!

View of Mt Warning and Border Ranges from Cape Byron Walking Track - Kayaks in foreground

We decided to park at Wategoes Beach at the bottom of The Cape, and take the Cape Byron Walking Track and climb uphill to the lighthouse. It’s always nice to be reminded how friendly people are when sharing a beautiful walk and fantastic scenery. It’s like being on holidays for the day – I’d recommend it to anyone!

Sometimes when you are lucky there may be a pod of dolphins frolicking near by, or in the Whale Watching Season you may spot a whale. My legs were in a bit of shock at first, but it was worth the fantastic views and seeing how they’ve improved the track since I last traversed it years ago. The walking track is part of the Cape Byron Headland Reserve. Click here for more information

It used to be a goat track – which reminds me – there are no mountain goats on the headland anymore. Does anyone remember seeing the mountain goats on the steep cliffs years ago. I think they were taken away because they were not environmentally friendly!

For more information about Cape Byron Walking Track click here

Cape Byron Lighthouse

Byron Bay is always a fabulous day out, and take the tip about parking at Wateoges Beach if you prefer to save yourself the $7 fee to park at the lighthouse – and have a good workout too!

To view a travel site about Byron Bay with lovely photos click here

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Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, Byron Bay

I have often been entranced by the ostensible beauty of Julian Rocks, sitting there majestically while scuba divers explore it’s surrounds. I’ve had no urge to go Scuba Diving, but after looking at videos of the underwater life at Julian Rocks, and reading about the thrill people get from experiencing the beauty and power of the underwater world – I’ve put it on my must-do list.

Julian Rocks

A story from the Bundjalung people is that a jealous husband threw his spear at the canoe of his wife and her lover. The canoe broke in two and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Only the back and the front of the boat stuck out of the water, creating a rock formation just 2.5 km off shore.

Named by Captain Cook in 1776, Julian Rocks became part of Cape Byron Marine Park in November 2002

Here’s a YouTube video showing the beauty of the underwater world at Julian Rocks Marine Reserve

For more information about Julian Rocks and the marine life click here

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