Byron Bay Culture – a wealth of experiences

Spring is in the air around Byron Bay and the Far North Coast and many of us are looking forward to extending our evenings when daylight savings time kicks in again on Sunday, 6 October. For those already up early doing the Byron Lighthouse walk, it’s gratifying to see there are still a good number of humpback whales migrating along our coastline, despite having to dodge Japanese “research” vessels on their way back to Antarctic waters.

Here in Byron Bay there are plenty of harmless, entertaining and edifying activities to keep up with. Here’s a helpful roundup of some of the local events currently on offer.

Mullum Circus Festival (www.mullumcircusfest.com) is on over the coming long weekend from the 4-6 October. The festival is a celebration of 21 years of the Spaghetti Circus (www.spaghetticircus.org.au). Over 7000 performers from toddlinis, noodles and macaronis to adults have trained in the circus arts with the Spaghetti Circus since 1992. The Mullum Circus Festival is your chance to experience life under the big top with workshops and performances galore.

Evolve Yoga and Music Festival (www.evolveyogafestival.com.au) is coming to town on Saturday the 5th of October at Byron Bay Public School on Kingsley St in the heart of town. On offer are over 60 classes and workshops with top yoga teachers from around Australia and the world. Not up to standing on your head? Try Zen Aerial Yoga (www.zenaerialyoga.com) for a new spin on an ancient tradition. There will also be music, massage, meditation, satsang, dance and kids activities. Come relax and enjoy the outdoor concert and marketplace for all things yogic.

Mullm Music Festival (www.mullummusicfestival.com) will return to the region’s biggest little town this year from 21 – 24 November. With free concerts, street theatre, circus and yoga class happening between the regular concert events on at the various venues around Mullumbimby, the town will be awash in music and entertainment.

Byron Community College (www.byroncollege.org.au) is an amazing local resource with over 90 courses to choose from. You can learn anything from property investing to cheese making, computer skills to organic gardening. They also offer nationally accredited training courses for Certificate III, IV and Diploma qualifications. The program schedule for classes running from October to December has just come out and if you and a friend enrol together for one of the general courses you both save 25%. What a great incentive! Whether you’re interests lie in bee keeping or belly dancing you’re sure to find a class to suit you at the Byron Community College.

The Byron Bay Bluesfest (www.bluesfest.com.au) isn’t on until Easter 2014 but they have just issued their second round of artist announcements with a huge line up already including the Doobie Brothers, Greg Allman, Aaron Neville, Boz Scaggs and so many more. You won’t want to miss out on this 25th anniversary of Australia’s premier blues and roots festival.

The Byron Bay region has so many events it’s hard to find time to rest, but then again, isn’t that what the beach is for?

by Ed Silk Byron Bay

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