Archive for the 'Events' Category

Blue Mountains Arts Trail

Monday, February 29th, 2016

The Blue Mountains Artist Network have let us know they will again be running arts trails in 2016.

The first will be for the lower mountains from Lapstone – Linden on the weekend of 16 – 17 April.art_trail_logo_top

Subsequent trails will be      Woodford – Mt. Victoria 18- 19 June
Lapstone – Linden 20 – 21 August
Woodford – Mt. Victoria 22-23 October, so put them in your diary.

These events give you the opportunity to meet artists in their studios, where they create their work. It is a time to see first-hand the environment, tools and materials needed to make works of art. The trail has mosaic artists, photographers, painters, printmakers, ceramic artists and sculptors. It is a chance to purchase work, talk to the artists and find out what the art is about, or simply just take in the atmosphere.

Many of the artists will do commission pieces for you, so if you like their style, tell them your ideas and they may be able to create it for you.

The mountains have many talented artists and this is an excellent way for artists and art lovers to meet in the most personal of settings. So explore the beautiful Blue Mountains in a whole new way. Follow the trail of creativity and be inspired.

You can plan your weekend by going to www.artstrail.org.au. Here you can read about the artists and use the online map to guide you.

Our local community of artists deserves your support as they contribute substantially to our desirability as a tourist destination, as well as providing beauty and cultural depth to ur communities.

Roaring 20s back in February

Friday, January 31st, 2014

It’s time to celebrate the 1920s again in Leura with the annual Roaring 20s festival.
Highlights are the world record Charleston dance, where you can become a Guiness World Record holder, the vintage car rally and plenty of opportunities for fine local dining and entertainment.
Head to Leura on Saturday Feb 1st, or straight to the website:
http://www.roaring20s.com.au/eventsroaring20s-page

Renewable Energy Co-op officially launches August 10

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

The Blue Mountains Renewable Energy Co-op will officially launch with a presentation and discussion MC’s by retired Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox AO QC. The event, to be held at Lawson Public School Hall at 2-4pm on August 10 will provide a forum for interested community members to find out about renewable energy projects in the mountains.

BM Renew is a volunteer group of Blue Mountains people working together to create community-owned renewable energy projects.

bmrenew-launch

Mount Victoria Great Train Weekend 2013

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

If you look forward to the screech of the steam whistle and the smell of the coal smoke each May when Mt Vic runs the Great Train Weekend, you will be disappointed to hear the 2013 event has been cancelled.mt-vic-images

The Lithgow Mercury reports organisers struggled to get access to a steam engine at an acceptable cost, forcing the very popular event to be scrapped.

Hopefully the 2014 Great Train Weekend will return bigger and better than ever.

Ironfest goes Doctor Who

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

Whovians take note, this year’s Ironfest theme revolves around the Galifreyan time lord.

The festival is a fun day out for fans of medieval re-enactment, historical war gamers, competitive jousters and the thousands of visitors decked out in their finest fancy dress.

Press release below. More info.

Time travel to Ironfest

Medieval hordes meet Dr Who at Ironfest on April 20 & 21.

Last year celebrated the end of the Mayan calendar, but we’re all still here so Ironfest will re-live another year to embrace the theme Time Travel on April 20 and 21.

Now in its 13th year, the annual “festival with a metal edge” was the brainchild of artist/sculptor Macgregor Ross, who first held it in 2000 to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the birth of steel in Australia at Lithgow. About 400 people turned up.

Today Ironfest attracts more than 12,000 people and is recognised as an event of state significance supported by Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism, Destination NSW, Lithgow City Council, Delta Electricity and a host of smaller supporters.

 

Wentworth Falls Country Club NYE Fireworks

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

Wenty golf course is offering free fireworks again for 2012. A huge hit in previous years, the club is asking for a gold coin donation, a small price for one of the best New Year’s Eve events in the mountains.

As in past years, guests are welcome to bring a picnic and soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks will be available at club prices. The evening gets underway at 7pm, with fireworks at 9:30.fireworks-3

The club also has a dinner package and VIP seating on the club house deck, ph: 4757 1202.

If weather is bad, the fireworks will be postponed to Australia Day.

Leura Shakespeare Festival Returns in 2013 with The Shipwreck Trilogy

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

Following on from previous successes, the Leura Shakespeare Festival returns to the Everglades in January 2013. This time, a trio of plays around a theme of shipwrecks, The Comedy of Errors, The Tempest and Twelfth Night.

Details and tickets at Sport for Jove.

Katoomba Community Christmas Fair – Sun 25th November

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Katoomba Public P & C and Connect Family Services are hosting a Community Christmas fair this Sunday 10-2pm (entry on Waratah St Katoomba). The Fair is focusing on community and trying to keep the dollars in the mountains as well as save people a trip to Penrith to do their Christmas shopping. There will be live music, food and a big FREE jumping castle for the kids (up to 12 years)as well as other kids activities so parents can shop whilst the kids play – yay !! Stall holders will be selling local and handmade products so some fabulous and unique gifts will be on sale and the P & C will be selling pre-loved clothes, books and bric-a-brac. Come along and support local artisans and some great Community groups including RFS, Men’s Shed and Women’s Health Centre.

Roller Derby Bout in Katoomba

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Blue Mountains Roller Derby’s first home bout is against HARD at the Katoomba sports and aquatic centre on Saturday the 15th September. Tickets are available at the door for $10 (kids 12 and under free). Snacks and drinks are available, and over-18s who get there early can get trackside in the ‘suicide seats’.

Local Council Elections – Australia First Party in Ward One

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

With Councill elections due this weekend, the SMH highlights the party of three of the candidates running in Ward 1. The article includes detail of the Australia First Party leader Jim Saleam’s past, and links to far right organisations.

“Mr Saleam spent three and a half years in the 1990s in prison, for supplying a gun to two skinheads who shot up the home of an African National Congress representative while his young family was inside. He was jailed for a further two years for insurance fraud. In the 1970s, he was involved with Australia’s Nazi Party – the Nationalist Socialist Party of Australia – and has been photographed on several occasions wearing swastika armbands. He also had links to the Patriotic Youth League at the time of the 2005 Cronulla riots.”

The NSW Electoral Commission maintains a list of all candidates in Ward One.

Katoomba FootLight Festival

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

The Katoomba FootLight Festival  – Promoting Sustainable Living. It’s all about a fun, family day out, while discovering new ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Stalls selling all manner of re-cycled, up-cycled, pre-loved, organic, fair trade, locally made and locally grown products. Entertainment including Snez, King Parrot Samba, Paco Peasants, the Fortunes, Crowd Around, Honey Stompers, Vocal Locals, Theresa West and David Tobin, Pete Maw, Little Sings and the Blue Mountains Roller Derby.

The FootLight Festival is an annual event run by Katoomba North Public School P&C. It will be held on Saturday 8th September 2012 from 12 midday to 6.00pm at Katoomba North Public School. Entrances to the school are in Barton Street and Mistral Street, Katoomba North.

Stalls and workshops on climate change, sustainable dream homes, solar chandeliers, solar cooking, making mosaics from recycled materials, slow food cooking, re-cycling bikes, foot powered wood turning, growing fruit and nut trees and permaculture blitzing.
Great food, including vego, vegan and organic. Great coffee and chai.

Sat September 8th, 12-6pm.
Katoomba North Public School
cnr Barton and Mistral Sts, Katoomba North

http://www.facebook.com/FootLightFestival

Dr Eric Dark Memorial Dinner and Lecture in Support of Varuna

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Varuna, the Katoomba writer’s retreat, is hosting inaugural Dr Eric Dark Memorial Dinner, held to honour the legacy of Dr Eric Dark and celebrate “Doctors Who …” create, innovate, advocate and collaborate for the “health of the nation”. Dr Dark and his wife, literary author Eleanor Dark, were the original owners of Varuna, prior to its establishment as a writer’s centre with the cooperation of their son, Mick.

The dinner will include the inaugural Dr Eric Dark Memorial Lecture by Associate Professor Grant Blashki as well as a Q&A panel featuring well known medicos such as Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans with a literary bent, allong with Dr Tanveer Ahmed: psychiatrist, author and opinion columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald acting as MC for the night.

The dinner is on Saturday 10th March at the Fairmont.

Full details at Varuna’s Doctors who…website

Join in a World Record Attempt in Leura

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

The VisitBlueMountains organised Roaring 20s Festival has come up with a novel way of promoting the event and the region – a world record attept for the most massed Charleston dancers in costume.

The current record is 250, so they rate their chances as good for taking the title at the February 4th event in Leura Mall. Everyone is invited to participate, although to be counted in the world record numbers you will need to be in 1920s attire. Details here.

East Timor Sisters Book Sale

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

The annual BMETS Book Sale is coming up Saturday, October 29 & Sunday, October 30, at the CWA Hall in Leura.

BMETS advise they have over 10,000 titles, with additional stock being added all weekend. Most books are $1, and the range is ordered by type and subject, so it is possible to find something in all those books.

More details:

Event date:
Sat, 29/10/2011 – 9:30am – Sun, 30/10/2011 – 4:00pm

Leura Garden Festival & Village Fair 2011

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

The blossoms are coming out on the cherry trees and the weather is tending to warm, and all around the mountains people are out in the garden.

For Leura though, spring means it is almost time for the Garden Festival (Oct 1-9) raising money for the local hospital, and the Village Fair (Oct 8 & 9) which sees the main street turn into a throng of stalls and visitors.

Reading Day 2011

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Paint the Blue Read and Megalong Books are organising Reading Day 2011 in Leura on Thursday, September 1st.
The initiative aims to involve the Blue Mountains community in developing literacy and the love of stories for the children of the
area. The first Annual Reading Day was in 2009. This involved community stakeholders from Glenbrook to Blackheath organising local businesses to open their doors to local pre-schools and read them picture books. The success of this day has confirmed the longevity of the program.
Annual Reading Day in Leura Village was met with such enthusiasm from both the businesses and the children that it has been continued on a bi-monthly schedule.
More details on this year’s Reading Day here.

Blue Mountains officially a disaster area

Friday, July 8th, 2011

It’s been a wild and windy week in the upper mountains, and with power finally back on to nearly everybody, things are settling back to normal.

Lots of damage still to be cleaned up, but a big thank you to hard working SES, power workers and Fire-ies. The best site for any more info on damage/blackouts is http://bluemtns.wordpress.com/

Photo below is from the South Katoomba Rural Fire Brigade on Facebook

Crushed train being removed

Permaculture founder David Holmgren to speak at Lawson

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Down the hill a little from the regular beat here, but an opportunity to hear one of the founders of the permaculture movement (with Bill Mollison) speak.

David Holmgren is the co-originator of Permaculture and ecological design pioneer. Through the spread of Permaculture around the world, his environmental principles have exerted a global influence. He is the author of The Fly wire House: a case study in design against bush fire and Future Scenarios

WHERE       Lawson Public School Hall, Wilson St entrance
WHEN          7-9.30pm, Tuesday May 31
COST           $20 ($15 for PBM members)

Permaculture pioneer David Holmgren will be in Lawson this month as a guest of Permaculture Blue Mountains. David – a leading thinker in ecological design and the author of Future Scenarios and The Flywire House: a case study in design against bushfire – will speak on disaster resilient landscaping and communities.

WHERE       Lawson Public School Hall, Wilson St entrance

WHEN          7-9.30pm, Tuesday May 31

COST $20 ($15 for PBM members)

Transition Blue Mountains to screen “Our Generation” film.

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Transition Blue Mountains will host a screening of Our Generation, which documents the lives of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory – the impact of the controversial intervention, being forced off traditional lands into townships crippled by social dysfunction, the removal of traditional languages from school education and unfair mining deals. Film makers Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis examine the issues of underlying disadvantage through the eyes of the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem and canvass solutions that respect Aboriginal culture and dignity. Music is by John Butler Trio, Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Gurrumul, and Goanna.

 

For more information, visit http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

 

WHERE        Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Station Street, Katoomba

WHEN          7.15pm for 7.30pm start, Friday April 15


Blue Mountains Pet Photography

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

For all Katoomba and Leura dog lovers, we’re celebrating our move to the Blue Mountains with a $50 session special. Previously based in Sydney, we’re proud to finally call the mountains home and so we’d like you to help us celebrate! If you have a pampered pooch or cat that you regard as a special member of your family, give us a call today.

All details and pet galleries are on our website:  www.redbirdphotography.com.au

All creatures great and small are welcome! We are also available for [human] family sessions, contact us to see a sample session. Be quick, book early to avoid disappointment!

 

Blue Mountains Food Co-Op Community Fair Day

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

The Food Co-op in Katoomba is celebrating its 30th birthday, making it probably the oldest in NSW (Afalfa House in Enmore is the other co-op in the running) and on  of the oldest in Australia (Maple St Co-op in Maleny QLD was founded in 1979). Founded in a garage in 1980, the co-op has thrived in its current location in Ha’penny Lane since 1998.

To celebrate 30 years, a Community Fair at Philip Hall Blackheath is planned for Saturday 12th March with entertainment and events from 10am to 10pm.  Entry is free.

Roaring 20s – Katoomba and Leura Walking Tours

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Blue Mountains Tourism is running a “Roaring Twenties” promotion in the upper mountains and central west in February. It’s a nice idea with dinners, dances, accommodation specials and other activities all themed around the the 1920s era.
One activity that looks particularly interesting is the historical walking tours of Katoomba and Leura offered on the Thursday 10th – Saturday 12th in February. Recounting stories of the time and giving insight into the buildings left behind it looks to be educational and fun. Details on the Carrington Website.

Hats Off Dinner – Darley’s goes oriental

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Victorian Darley’s embraces the Orient. In conjunction with the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, for one night only on October 19, Darley’s is offering an exclusive six course degustation experience, with all with a taste of Asia.

Discover subtle Asian flavours, while dining in one of the most romantic settings in the Blue Mountains. Carl Middleton, the Executive Chef has prepared a unique menu to satisfy all food lovers.

Darley's Restaurant

Darley's Restaurant

What: Hats Off Dinner – Darley’s goes oriental

Where: Darley’s Restaurant, 3 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba NSW 2780

When: October 19, 6.30pm-11pm

Cost: $160.00

Bookings: Reservations are essential so for more information, contact reservations@lilianfels.com.au or call 02 4780 1200.

East Timor Sisters Book Sale, CWA Hall, Megalong St, Leura 30 & 31 October

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Good quality books, CDs & DVDs required now. Turn your unwanted books, CDs and DVDs into cash for East Timor. Deliver them to 8 Westbourne Street, Wentworth Falls or call Ruth on 4757 1953.

Co-housing in the Mountains

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Cohousing is a type of intentional community where a group of people have
organised to create a neighbourhood, an alternative way of living for ordinary
people which is based on mutual respect for each other & the environment.
Cohousing residents are consciously committed to living as a community without
scarifying the privacy of the individual households as such the physical design
encourages both social contact & individual space. The private homes contain all
the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive
common facilities such as open space, courtyards, a playground , workshops and a
common house.

The beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains, affordable
land and a sense of community which already exists
provides a great platform for establishing a Cohousing Community.

There is an introductory talk to which all are invited to be held in Lawson.

Introduction to cohousing talk
Saturday the 25th of September 2-4pm
Mavis Wood Hall, Mid mountains community centre
7 New st. Lawson

More info on our blog:
http://sydneycohousing.blogspot.com/

Katoomba, July 24, 2010: Film premiere and eyewitness report from the NT intervention

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Film premiere and eyewitness report from the NT intervention

A new short film about the controversial “NT intervention” – launched by John Howard’s government and extended by Rudd/Gillard Labor government – will premiere on Saturday, July 24, 2.30pm, at the Family Hotel bistro, 15 Parke Street, Katoomba.

The film reveals how the intervention has taken back rights won by the Indigenous people over the past 50 years. The NT’s Alyawarr people are fighting back. The Ampilatwatja community has established a protest camp. The film chronicles this important struggle and the solidarity it is receiving from trade unions and other activists.

Also attending will be Will Williams and Jess Moore, just returned from the NT, who will report on the NT Indigenous rights convergence in Alice Springs and the protest camp.

Phone Terry on 4787 7859 for further information.  Organised by Green Left Weekly and the Blue Mountains Socialist Alliance

Fruit and nut tree network workshop – Saturday 5/6/10

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

North Katoomba, NSW: 05 Jun 2010 – Fruit and nut tree network workshop

The Blue Mountains’ Fruit and Nut Tree Network will host a workshop on the maintenance and care of raspberries and other berry fruits.

Event details * Date: Sat 05 Jun 2010 * Time: 10:00am start * Location: Blue Mountains’ Organic Community Gardens, Victoria Street, North Katoomba NSW * Fee: free event *

Information: http://bmfruitandnuttreenetwork.blogspot.com/

Leura Village Fair October 10 – 11 2009

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The annual village fair is due to start on the 10th of October.  It provides the culmination to the Leura Gardens Festival that begins a week earlier on 3rd October.

The Garden Festival will showcase 9 private gardens, open for visitors to raise money for Katoomba Hospital. The separate Village Fair will see Leura Mall closed off to allow local shop keepers and others to setup stalls in the main block between Railway Parade and Megalong St.

More in fo at http://www.leuravillage.com.au/ and http://www.leuragardensfestival.com.au/

Six Foot Track Marathon this Weekend

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Australia’s largest off-road foot race, the Six Foot Track marathon returns this Saturday.

The course from the Explorers Tree to the Jenolan Caves is a 45km challenge over steeply varying terrain. Starting in 1984 with seven racers, this year 850 runners will compete to be first across the line in a race past some magnificent scenery.

More info, including guides for spectators.

Local Election Results – Ward 1

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

The primary vote results have been tabulated, and there is a pretty even spread. The Greens look to have lead the way, with the ALP and Independents Terri Hamilton and Janet Mays also polling well.

The close race means preferences will be very important in deciding who gets the nod for the three vacancies. See the latest results at the AEC website.

Local Food Sustainability Meeting

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

I’m passing this on to you who may be interested.  The meeting is
planned at 7pm, Thursday 26th of June, 1/110 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Dear Friends,

I have some passion around creating a truly sustainable Blue
Mountains food network and wish to hold a meeting where all
interested people can share their own vision of local food
sustainability and security and perhaps develop an action plan. I’d
love everyone who contributes to the food cycle to attend; growers,
buyers, sellers, consumers, compostors, etc. . .

Food security is the foundation of any healthy community and
ensuring we have local food to supply local demand gives us a much
better chance of surviving the effects of global warming and
declining economies. Already food prices are soaring and rice is
becoming scarce which puts a strain on other grains and will domino
down the line.

Can I suggest the 26th of June as a date for the meeting? Location
can be at The Studio, 1/110 Katoomba St. Katoomba, at 7pm. Please
email me back so I can have some indication of who can attend.

And please send this email on to other interested people and groups.

Thanks.
For the Earth
Gary Caganoff

http://www.bluemts.health-harmony.com.au/directory/gary-caganoff

Scrapbooking and Stamping Night

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

In The Pink

Scrapbooking and Stamping Fun Night at Lawson

Friday 6th June 6pm – Midnight

Beginners and experienced scrapbookers and stampers welcome.  Get together with your friends and make new friends.  Six hours of stamping, scrapping and work beyond the page.

$50 lucky door prize

$10 entry fee – includes tea and coffee and biscuits and donation to the pink ribbon appeal.

For more info go to theflamingoes.wordpress.com

Fleuralia – Leura Garden Festival

Monday, April 28th, 2008

The Leura garden festival, Fleuralia, will run Saturday 4th October 2008 to Sunday 12th October 2008 inclusive.
Gardens are open 9.30am to 4.30pm daily, and multi-visit tickets are available.

The first weekend will also see the Leura street fair.  This sees the block of the Mall just south of the station closed off for a selection of stalls and other tat. In the past there were rides for kids and a range of entertainment, but these days it is mostly about the generic “craft” stalls that trudge from Glebe to Paddington to wherever markets each week.

Details on the gardens open to visitors at:

http://www.leuragardensfestival.com.au/

EAST TIMOR GARAGE SALE – 19th April 2008

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

The East Timor Sisters Garage sales moved to Blackheath this year from the old site in Leura Mall. It’s a great fund raiser, that has delivered tens of thousands of dollars to projects in East Timor.

EAST TIMOR GARAGE SALE collecting now for 9-3, 19th April sale. Donations can be delivered to 66 Wentworth St, Blackheath. (deliver to rear of house via Prince George St). More info? Call 4787-6310. All funds raised support projects in East Timor.

Winter Magic Festival – 21st June 2008

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Katoomba’s Winter Magic Festival falls on the solstice this year, the 21st of June. More information at the official site: http://www.wintermagic.com.au/