THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Blues Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 Fest [email protected] [email protected] Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #41 TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2008 22,700 copies every week IRONY MEANS WHAT IT SAYS Printed on 100% recycled paper Photos page 25 Lights out for 2008: A Blues Fest odyssey Earth Hour Jann Gilbert Byron Shire Council is urging I set sail among a sea of people, all residents to participate in Earth intent on the same course. They’re Hour 2008 by switching off their heading for a musical Mecca, to lights and other energy consuming dance and writhe, experience the devices between 8pm and 9pm on ecstasy (with or without artifi cial March 29. assistance) and commune with Mayor Jan Barham said reducing their favourite (or soon to be) greenhouse emissions is a shared melodious demi-god. responsibility and local residents This year it’s a different path but can help make a difference. ‘How- many of the same feet, and plenty ever, I encourage Shire residents to of new ones or the re-initiated, go beyond the Earth Hour event religiously tread it. and make ongoing changes by Programs are studied, along with becoming more conscious about the sky that is hung with high, dark energy use on a daily basis.’ clouds. Despite the prevalence of Last year Council was one of the gumboots, and Mecca’s rainy rep- fi rst non metropolitan councils to utation, the heavens hold back and support Earth Hour, and this year many devotees bear witness to a Welcome to Country that’s set many more have joined in. against a blazing sunset backdrop. A recent study by the University It’s official; the pilgrimage has of Chicago revealed that in order begun. to make a substantial difference for For the next four days more than Earth Hour people should delay as 15,000 novitiates tread the path to many energy consuming activities until after peak energy demand Mecca each day. Fairies in tutus, Local Tex Perkins sings up a Cruel Sea at the blues festival. Photo Jeff ‘Blind Lemon Sorbet’ Dawson parents dragging children and chil- periods between 6pm - 8pm by, for dren dragging parents, diaphanous It’s easy to see how they become Later that night I’m being led up confi rm they are still the masters example, turning on the dish- girls with sequinned eyes and fedo- separated. There’s so much music, the holiest of paths that leads back- of the heart-gripping, painfully washer before they go to bed rather ras, blind men and their dogs, they’re driven to distraction. Even stage. Front of stage, Sinead ordinary ballads of life, and Rod- than immediately after dinner. straw-hatted, be-thonged and croc- the visiting demi-gods in the VIP O’Connor and her band have the rigo and Gabriela send hips swirl- Other effective energy saving tips footed disciples, and time-trapped tent are reeling; it’s a veritable sea of devotees enthralled. The ing like dervishes with their fast include turning appliances off at devotees from the 70s wearing high feast. stage lights fi lter through the crowd and furious Mexican guitars. the wall instead of leaving on pants, bare chests and vests – they On day one, when Keith Urban and an unforgettable violin with a But it’s when Gotye comes on standby mode and investing in all come, wearing a look of blissful comes on stage, the female disciples fl ute for a friend drifts along with that the energy communes with the solar hot water heating. anticipation, and leave sated. go wild. There’s a collective nod of it. Nothing compares. divine. He’s playing a computer Council’s Sustainability Offi cer Surprisingly, the pilgrimage is understanding for Ms Kidman’s Backstage, it’s a different story. and the devotees, crammed to Graeme Williams said that Council without the usual traffi c chaos and taste in men. No doubt about it, Amp stacks, instruments, and mike- capacity, are screaming their is about to finalise its revised many of the other not-so-enter- you’d pick Keith over Mum’s lamb stands that look oddly like fl amingos approval. It’s a new age of music Greenhouse Action Strategy which taining elements that accompany roast every time. He looks, sings waiting in the wings, proliferate. A and he’s already the master. It’s is designed to assist Council and it. It’s the new Mecca and it seems and plays like an angel. cast of anonymous but relevant hard to believe that ‘Wally’ is the the wider Byron Shire community to work for almost everyone. If Next day, and Jeff Lang wakes a thousands hurry back and forth only one on stage, commanding implement practical projects to only this poor observer had a dollar chilled-out afternoon crowd from intent on their work and, in some the throng with his talent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. for every time someone asked, their half-slumber. He’s got a big cases, keeping their pants up. They’re haunting Sting-like voice. Like Council also has a dedicated area ‘why isn’t this the permanent fes- Confederate beard, an even bigger mostly thin, wiry, and they’re wiring dots on a bromide, desperate to on its website to promote Sustain- tival site?’, she’d be a wealthy voice, and a wicked guitar that everything for sound. Nobody connect, he’s bringing them all able Living and provides informa- woman. reels out across the crowd. They’re would be here without them. together. tion all year round to encourage The crowd revels in the spa- on their feet; toe-tapping, hand- It’s day four and the devotee’s When it’s over, the fl ock reluc- individual action. See more at ciousness of the new Mecca, so clapping and captivated. steps are slowing but not their tantly move away still drenched in www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Sustaina- much so that, at fi rst, many of the By the time Seasick Steve takes enthusiasm. There’s so much still the glow of the performance. bility. lost souls need to ask directions. the stage water has made way for to hear. Guy Davis astonishes the Despite the grubby feet and To calculate out how much But they’re quickly back on the liquid amber and other intoxicat- congregation with his lightning lips hoarse throats, they’re tired but energy you use, undertake an right path, and Diana and Rae and ing nectar of the gods. The disci- and 60-a-day, gravelly voice. Who content. This is what they came to online energy audit, such as that the other tirelessly patient volun- ples are fl oored by his homemade, would have thought you could see: this and a list of other music found at www.nabers.com.au/ teers at the info booth spend much one-string ‘ge-tar’ and his Alabama make so many sounds with your luminaries too numerous to men- home.aspx. of their time happily reuniting the sense of humour. As Steve from mouth and a harmonica? tion. They came to live, breath, eat To add your support for Earth brethren with their (untouched) Byron says, ‘It’s cool as. About as Meanwhile, on separate stages, and sleep music. And they were Hour or for energy saving ideas, wallets, keys and mobile phones. grass roots as you can get.’ both Chris Wilson and John Hiatt not disappointed. visit www.earthhour.org. 29 jonson st byron bay 6680 8299 2 March 25, 2008 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News A sign of the chimes at Starlight Festival New MacBooks &MacBookPros Now @ Lightforce! New Apple With the New MacBook Pros Intel Penryn Processors The MacBook Pro, faster and more energy efficient with LCD backlit widescreen displays. New MultiTouch trackpad too. 15” 2.4 ghz 2GB RAM 200GB HD 256MB VRAM - $2699! 15” 2.5 ghz 2GB RAM 250GB HD 512MB VRAM - $3399! Elvina Munir performed many harmonic healings at Bangalow’s Starlight Festival over Easter. Photo Jeff ‘Avon Calling’ Dawson Publish and be damned, says NRWC The Publish and Be Damned writers about a subject dear you get one? Which pub- Self-Publishing Made series of publishing-related to all their hearts – how to lisher to approach and how Simple is a one-day work- New MacBooks- heaps faster & a price drop too! events kicks into serious get published. to sidestep the slush pile? shop that will examine the MacBook 2.1 ghz 1GB RAM 120GB HD Combo - $1499! MacBook 2.4 ghz 1GB RAM 160GB HD Super - $1799! overdrive in the month of The Agent and The Pub- Writing For Kids – Super nuts and bolts of the self- MacBook Black 2.4 ghz 2GB RAM 200GB HD Super - $2099! April. Hosted by the North- lisher launches next month’s Sessions offer local children’s publishing option for either ern Rivers Writers’ Centre, events. This seminar with writers an exceptional chance private or commercial pur- this series of workshops and Annette Hughes (the agent) to discuss their project, in poses. Lightforce - Byron Shire’s Only Apple Warranty Centre seminars is bringing key and Carol Davidson (the person, with celebrated Ran- To book call NRWC on m-th 10-6 • fri 10-5 • sat 10-1 www.lightforce.com.au book industry people to publisher) will canvass: Who dom House children’s pub- 6685 5115 or email susie@ 1/10 Brigantine St.