Kicking off the Byron Bay Surf Festival tonight is the Australian premiere of Bella Vita, featuring surfer, artist, and environmentalist Chris Del Moro on a pilgrimage back to his ancestral homeland, Italy, exploring a culture where old-world-convention and traditional craftsmanship have matured into a modern surf lifestyle and destination.
The film follows the event’s opening ceremony at Apex Park from 6.30pm tonight.
And that’s just the start of a weekend choc-a-bloc full of events including Start Me Up youth art and busking comp at Byron Youth Centre, an art and photography show on Main Beach foreshore, fitness, yoga and pilates classes, shaper exhibits and a surf swap meet at Wategoes.
There’s a range of films and talks at the Byron Bay Community Centre and parties every night at the Beach Hotel (Friday and Saturday from 9.30pm and Sunday from 8pm.)
Last but not least local legend Rusty Miller presents his photographic epic Turning Point of surf stories from Bells to Byron 1970 – 1971 in the Surflit Lounge, part of the Tipi Village Saturday afternoon from 2pm. The event is part of a range of surf literature chats that include notaries such as Keith Malloy, Bob McTavish, Nat Young and Ian Cohen.
For a complete list of events, places and times, visit the Byron Bay Surf Festival website.
