An exhibition and book launch celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival will feature at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival from Thursday to Sunday, August 1–4.
The book, Rainbow Dreaming: Tales from the Age of Aquarius will be launched by NSW MP Jan Barham, a former Greens mayor of Byron Shire.
The launch will take place at the Rainbow Dreaming marquee at 4pm on Saturday 3 August.
The book paints a mosaic of the sustainability movement in the rainbow region and comprises the work of over 100 of the region’s best-loved photographers, writers and cultural visionaries.
The event will be hosted by Echonetdaily columnist S Sorrensen, and includes: readings by Nimbin poet David Hallett; Nimbin muso and cyber guru Neil Pike on the Aquarius legacy; John Seed, founder of the Rainforest Information Centre, on activism in the rainbow region; and former US pro surfer and current Byronian Rusty Miller on riding the alternative wave in Byron.
Also featured on the day are bellydance troupe Barefoot Gypsies and Byron’s hot new Latin combo Bancoloco.
Doors open at 3.30pm for the free event, brought to you in association with Byron Bay Writers’ Festival and supported by Regional Arts NSW and Chris Dean/Organic India. Just ask for the Rainbow Dreaming Marquee at the main gate or look for Benny Zable’s iconic flags!
The landmark exhibit, which featured at the 40th anniversary of Nimbin’s Aquarius Festival in May this year, also toured the US for the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock festival.
The book is available via bookshops and retail outlets in the region, as well as online at www.rainbowdreaming.org.
All proceeds from the sale of Rainbow Dreaming go to power Nimbin’s Sustainability Hub.
There will also be an after-party to celebrate the book launch on Saturday 3 August, Doublebassment, 144 Jonson St, Byron Bay, behind Byron Music, next to Mitre10, 7pm onwards.
Featured acts include: Barefoot Gypsies, Neil Pike, John Seed, Jamie Pattugalan, Dinkum Bohos, Pure Velour and Bancoloco. There will be food and drink available and your donation of $10 will help support this project.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
