My 10 Things to Do this weekend

A SPRING weekend on the Northern Rivers is a licence to kick back and enjoy not only the lush surroundings but a bit of football, a cold beer and some of the country’s best music and art.

I don’t know what city people are doing this weekend, but with so much to choose from right here, who cares?

So if you’re wondering how to entertain yourself, or the family, check out my top 10.

Saturday

1. Go Sports Mad

CATCH a closely fought game around the coast. At Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, Northern United lines up against Ballina at 2.45pm in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League preliminary finals. The winner will claim the dubious honour of playing Grafton Ghosts, a tough team to beat.

Whether you’re wearing black and orange or red and white, at Fripp Oval, Ballina at 2pm today will depend on whether you’re a Tweed Coast or a Lismore Swans supporter. The word is Tweed Coast is the one to beat at the Summerland AFL grand final.

Union fans can expect some red-hot action at Crozier Field, Lismore, for the Far North Coast rugby union grand finals from 6.30pm. Lennox Head is shooting for their third-straight premiership and Ballina is trying to stop them.

Later on, settle into the sofa with a cold beer or three for the big game – the Wallabies versus the All Blacks at Olympic Stadium, Sydney. The Wallabies haven’t beaten the Kiwi team for nine games so be warned, there may not be a happy ending.

2. Get Back to Nature

WALLOW among exotic blooms at the Byron District Orchid Society Spring Orchid Show at Mullumbimby Ex Services Club from 10am to 4pm. Don’t miss the champion Cattleya specimen that features a cluster of at least five blooms in brilliant gold.

While you’re in the hippy haven that’s Mullum, take the kids to Sharon Gibson’s garden at 22 Stuart Street, from 10am to 11.30am, for a look at the organic veggie patch, chickens and bees. It’s all part of the Sustainable Streets program being run by Byron Shire Council and mayor Jan Barham will attend. Expect future events at South Golden Beach, Ocean Shores.

Finish off with a mouthwatering, all natural iceblock in strawberry, coconut, chocolate or fruit salad from Santos in Burringbar Street.

3. Chow down by the sea

TAKE a family drive to the picturesque village of Brunswick Heads – dogs welcome, too – for some fresh food that tops the region’s favourites.

You can buy local seafood like snapper and monkfish and get piping-hot fish and chips at the Brunswick-Byron Fisherman’s Co-operative at the marina. It’s open from 9am to 7.30pm.

Don’t forget your swimmers – the whole area is popular for swimming, surfing and snorkelling.

The Main Ocean beach at Brunswick Head is also dog-friendly, from a point south of the surf club extending south 1kn, so you can throw a tennis ball or just enjoy some sand time with your mutt.

If you’re staying for dinner, get a Mick Jagger – a prawn pizza – at local favourite Sticky Fingers, 26 Mullumbimby Street.

4. Make Your Own Art

ALWAYS fancied yourself as a bit of a Monet or Picasso? Sharpen your pencil and get down to Lismore Regional Gallery in Molesworth Street from 10am to 2pm. Margaret Brown, from the Richmond River Historical Society, will run a drawing class looking at some of the area’s notable buildings to coincide with NSW History Week. Info: 6622 2209.

5. Catch a Bestseller

IT’S the series that has topped the bestseller charts for weeks. For a strictly adults-only respite – and if you’re not keen on seeing the Wallabies get a thrashing – buy a ticket to The Girl Who Played With Fire, at the Dendy, Byron Bay, at 6.30pm. It’s faster than reading the book but, be warned, this is a grim and bloody adaptation of the second volume of the late Stieg Larsson’s bestselling Millennium trilogy. As with the Twilight franchise, fans of the novels will eat it up - the movie and a large-sized popcorn.

6. Community concert or Aussie Rock?

CASINO sings, dances and plays for East Timor at a community concert organised by the Social Justice Group from 7.30pm. Get along to the Relihan Centre in Canterbury Street for the entertainment, including the Richmond Valley One Voice Choir and the Senior Casino Festival Dance Academy. $5 single, $10 for a family, bring a plate to share for supper. More info: 6662 2330.

For something more mainstream, head to Tommy’s Tavern in Molesworth Street, Lismore, and hear cover band Fat Albert tear up some tunes from Powderfinger and Silverchair. It starts at 9pm and there’s no cover charge.

At the popular Bangalow Hotel, catch American born and Australia based guitarist, singer and songwriter Bo Jenkins, from 7.30pm.

Sunday

7. To Market, to Market

IT’S one of the liveliest days out on the Northern Rivers. Lennox Market is held on the banks of Lake Ainsworth and features more than 100 stalls with local and exotic products, healers, buskers and yummy food. Tomorrow’s entertainment’s from one-man band Juzzy Smith.

If you want to venture into the alternative fringe, then take a drive in some rollicking countryside. The Channon Craft Market will also draw a crowd.

8. Indulge Your Inner Critic

IF YOU don’t know much about art but you know what you like, you’re already on your way to becoming a critic. The Northern Rivers boasts one of the best regional galleries in the country – the Tweed River Gallery that offers a both a permanent collection and a changing array of great art. Check out the permanent Artists by Artists exhibition that features a self-portrait by Archibald Prize winner Michael Zavros as well as work by photographer David Moore and painter Josonia Palaitis (for whom former Prime Minister John Howard has posed). Grab a latte at the cafe that overlooks the river. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm, 2 Mistral Road, Murwillumbah.

9. Get Funky

IT MUST be at least 12 hours since a cold beer. Cure that and get a dose of funky, soulful, rhythm and blues in the jam band tradition from the Mini Crew at Lennox Pub from 4.30pm. Once you’re in the mood for music, don’t miss Harry Manx at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall at 8pm. Manx blends Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues, a sprinkle of gospel and some compelling grooves. You’ll be addicted. Tickets $45 from Fairy Floss, Byron Bay, and Mullumbimby Bookshop.

10. Hit a Home Run

IF YOU’VE heard of Babe Ruth, arguably the best baseball player of all time, you may like to catch some fastballs, curveballs and sliders at Baxter Field, Lismore from 12pm. It’s the Baseball FNC Baseball (Major League) Grand Finals and East Redbirds will line up against Norths. After a big weekend, it will be a relief to let someone else do the running around.