Byron Bay Bluesfest at Belongil Fields, 9 - 13 April 2009

The Bluesfest: the East Coast Blues and Roots Music festival is 20 years old and still going strong with its birthday bash on the 2009 Easter Long Weekend at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay.


A new stage has been added dedicated to indigenous artists and fully endorsed by the local Arakwal community.
Claiming this space this year will be artists such as Saltwater Band, Christine Anu, Dan Sultan, Marlene Cummins and Ngaiire.
They will be joining a spectacular festival line-up of over 100 artists across six stages.

2009 Playing Schedule.

More info here.

Digital Liberty Coalition anti-censorship march, Canberra 21 March 2009

March in March is an upbeat event to give people an opportunity stand up, be heard, and hold the government accountable for their plans of forcing mandatory censorship on a very unwilling public.

With a mix of live entertainment of bands and DJs, speakers from all sides of the political spectrum and other special guests, the day will be topped off with the annual Canberran Skyfire Festival, just for us ... okay, maybe not.
So whether it's the social activism, the free gigs, or the big bangs in a V for Vendetta-esque climax in prime position at the front gates of Parliament, come along!

This is YOUR opportunity to stand up, your TIME to say no to censorship, your chance TO BE HEARD!

Where and When?
1pm at Federation Mall, Canberra ACT on Saturday 21 March 2009

Exclusive Brethren take a political hit

This was sent out by The Greens late on Wednesday 18th March. Thought I might pass it on.

The so-called 'Exclusive Brethren clause' in the Fair Work Bill was knocked out by a 33-31 vote in the Senate tonight.

Moved by Greens Leader Bob Brown and supported by the Government and Senators Xenophon and Fielding, the long-held provision for Exclusive Brethren businessmen to refuse union entry to workplaces has been removed.

A large contingent of Exclusive Brethren elders left the Senate gallery after the vote.

Senator Brown thanked the Government and Senators Fielding and Xenophon saying parallel provisions privileging the sect which exist in all states except Victoria should also be removed.

I looked up Hansard and found that the senators who sided with the Exclusive Brethren were all from the Coalition - Abetz, Back, Barnett, Bernardi, Birmingham, Boswell, Boyce, Brandis, Bushby, Cash, Eggleston, Ferguson, Fierravanti-Wells, Fifield, Fisher, Heffernan, Humphries, Joyce, Kroger, Macdonald, Mason, McGauran, Minchin, Nash, Parry, Payne, Ronaldson, Ryan, Scullion, Troeth, Williams.

Mackie's Mate
Maclean, NSW

Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at live dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.

The Big Joke Comedy Festival, Bangalow 26-29 March 2009

Poster from The Big Joke website

Bangalow is holding its third annual comedy festival at the A & I Hall between 9am to 6pm daily on the 26-29 March 2009.

Details of the comedy line up, times and ticket costs are here.

Come along and blow those global recession blues away!