Admittedly today is a special morning in the life of Mullumbimby. We travelled north to the Mullum Music Festival to surround ourselves with music, colour and community and that’s exactly what we found. Mullum hummed with a vibrancy that made my insides dance.
It was all about the music, of course. I didn’t take many pictures of the performers, I never do. When I’m somewhere that I really want to be, I rarely remember to get my camera out unless it’s to take pictures of the kids. Living in the moment is far too important to me. That said, Tracy McNeill and the Good Life absolutely rocked the Rhythms Texan BBQ. Great tunes and great slow-smoked bourbon brisket made for a mighty fine lunch time. Check out the flaked out Badoo who downed an entire brisket sandwich on her own and then couldn’t get off the mat…
The Spaghetti Circus – a kids’ troupe based in Mullum – were absolutely fantastic. It reminded me just how many exciting opportunities there are in country towns for kids to get involved in unreal stuff. I’m itching to find something similar for my kids here in Sydney… something tells me I’m going to have to look long and hard.
The girls spent a long time at the natural crafting tent, creating the most beautiful artworks out of found materials. What a beautiful thing this tent run by local maker Kim Tait was, so full of bits of nature just waiting for small hands to weave. I found it incredibly inspiring.
Now, I couldn’t resist the call out for average Joes to attend an 80s dance workshop with Marissa Treichel of The Cassettes at midday – rehearsing for a crazy flash mob at 6pm that night outside the Civic Hall! I don’t know how I managed to convince Bart to get involved, but before too long he was doing the running man with the best of them. Oh how I love that man o’ mine! I must say, taking part in the class and the performance as a family was one of the most special things I’ve ever done. Sadly I didn’t get any pictures of the actual flash mobbing – too busy being part of the mob – but here we are having a lovely time in rehearsal…
I’m going to have to make this a very long ‘morning’ in the life of Mullumbimby because we closed the day with the most amazing fire dancers I’ve ever seen (‘course there was fire dancing!). This guy was wielding a fire whip! I did wonder whether the strip of party lights he had set out in front of the firey arena was enough to keep the kids from going up in flames! Eek!
There was magic in the Mullumbimby air and something tells me that it wasn’t just conjured up for the music festival. I went to a beat boxing and spoken word workshop with the most awesome CR Avery who was mysteriously very inebriated (it was 1.30 in the afternoon, after all), but still ten times more articulate than most people I know (the experience wasn’t dissimilar to watching an episode of Drunk History), and he said, “to remain truly creative, you’ve got to surround yourself with creativity. If you get caught up in the reality television circuit, you’re going to start thinking that’s what real is. Real is living from the inside out, not looking from the outside in.” Cheers to the amazing CR Avery and cheers to the amazing Mullumbimby community.
Do you ‘festival’ with the family? This was totally new for me, but we’ll definitely be doing a lot more!
Josefa @always Josefa says
Oh my goodness Bron this looks simply amazing! Your images are stunning and I just want to dip my toe into the screen and fall into the incredible adventures you all had! We have never been to a festival as a family, but golly this certainly does make me want to go to one – ummmm right now! Oh and this, just love this “Real is living from the inside out, not looking from the outside in.”
Maxabella says
It’s an awesome approach to life, isn’t it? Festivals – I’m all in now. I’m doing a ‘best festival’ round up post for next Monday so check it out and take your pick for next year, Josefa. Your family will love it. x
Kelly Exeter says
I just love that you did this Bron. I can’t wait till Mia is a bit older and we can start doing stuff like this as a family. What a special thing!!
Maxabella says
It really was all sorts of crazy fun, Kel. I thought “We’re not really festival people”, but now I realise that EVERYONE is a festival person. x
Lila says
This is just gorgeous Bron, so glad you went and I can live vicariously through the lovely images, and look forward to my chance to live from the inside out!
Maxabella says
You ALWAYS live from the inside out, Lila! x
Lisa Barton-Collins says
CR Avery sounds like a very wise man! I feel like the only person in Australia to have never been to Mullum. My goal next year is to take the fam on more short trips, so hopefully that will be rectified in 2015. x
Maxabella says
There are so many cool places to be up that way, Mrs BC. I think you’d really love it so much. x
Belinda @ Save Mum's Sanity says
Lovely photos and post about my old stomping ground. I grew up in nearby Brunswick Heads and went to High School in Mullum. It’s a place that never leaves you and I love that the simplicity and creativity I experienced growing up has affected the life I want for my own family. Love the flash mob!!
Maxabella says
You’re really lucky to have grown up in such a creative community, Belinda. I really fell in love. x
Sophie Isobel says
Oh Bron, thank you thank you for sharing these beautiful photos! I would so love to be there, fingers crossed one day our little family will be closer. I just love how you were able to capture the true spirit of beautiful festivals like this. I loved going to festivals as a kid (of course I love them even more now) and I can’t wait to take Tallow to Confest next year. Oh and I just adore that quote too about living from the inside out, a beautiful reminder for the day.
Much Love
Sophie xx
Maxabella says
As soon as I saw “Peaches” the tea caravan I thought of you, Sophie. x
KezUnprepared says
I love these community events – I am so excited I have a kid now to share the experiences with. I used to help organise some for my council and it’s just so much fun and a great way to learn so much about what people think and feel about the place they live in. You learn some great things about places this way! I love the aspirations board idea 🙂
Maxabella says
I read that whole board and felt insanely jealous of the community spirit in that sweet town. This was our first festival as a family and I honestly don’t know what took us so long! x
Lisa says
Love a good community festival-we now live near a few places that always have these sorts of community events over the whole summer…must share them on the blog. Love your photos Bron xx
Maxabella says
Please do! I’m also doing a little round up for my blog because I want everyone to experience the magic! x
colleen | hello olive designs says
Wow, looks like an amazing day out with the family!
Maxabella says
It was one of my best-ever experiences, Colleen. x
Holly Hollyson says
Lovely photo of the gentleman balancing an ice cream on his nose – v clever!
Maxabella says
My eyes boggled! x
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
Oh Bron that looks absolutely divine. So glad you guys had such an awesome time although we missed you at dinner xx
Corinne says
How fab! My cousin lives in Mullum (actually she’s an artist and owns a shop there too) and I loved seeing all her Instagram pics from the festival.
What a wonderful thing to go and experience! Did you get to Milk & Honey? It’s our all-time favourite family restaurant – I dream about their pizzas.
Maxabella says
We didn’t get to many places at all in Mullum, so it’s still on our list of places to visit again. Your lucky cousin being part of this vibrant place. x
Penny at Mother Natured says
Bron, those the are most spectacular images! I felt like I was right there. You really capture the magic. I wish I WAS there! Creating with natural materials, hmm, i think I’d like that!
Maxabella says
You would have loved that gorgeous little craft tent, Penny. x
bluebirds of happiness says
Love, love, love these photos, you all look like you had such a great time. And a flash mob!!! I would love to be in a flash mob!
Maxabella says
It was a huge buzz and so much fun doing it with my fam. You’ve gotta track one down!! x
Michele says
Look out Woodford!
Maxabella says
🙂 ‘nother year… x