Never crowded (but mostly sold-out) this Mullum Music Festival weaves its magic throughout the town and the crowds.

For those of us who were there, down to every man, woman and child, this was a performance that will linger long into our lives.

Every performer is a star of their own making (tremendous effort by everyone) with classic facial expressions, voices lifted to give it their all, engaging the audience and drawing us in to their world.

What makes a place more than “just a place”? A town, more than “just a town”. Sure, most of us choose to live in an area because it is close to work, or close to friends and relatives, or, if you have no choice (which is more likely in these shrinking times) where you can afford to live.

Not only do we look forward to the music on offer at Bello WM, we commit to the whole ‘journey’ that is a four day weekend in Bellingen, a magical place indeed.

Connection to community is displayed in all its glory, with tears, laughter and a band that satisfies on every level.

Employing a minimal cast and set, garnering maximum momentum from the first words uttered, SHIT is cutting-edge theatre – succinct, provocative, evocative, packing a punch from the moment the three actors set foot upon the stage.

In a meet and greet with locals, Julian Louis, Artistic Director of Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) reveals plans for their latest work, Dreamland at the Bangalow A&I Hall.

As we drive from the Byron Hinterland to Mullumbimby on Thursday evening, my muso-partner and I have that feeling of anticipation and expectation. We are trekking out for this, the eleventh Mullum Music Festival.

How many of life’s hiccups are triggered by a series of events, out of our control, on their own trajectory to wherever they may land? One only has to watch the news – politics and mayhem – to see what can (and does) occur without any rhyme or reason.