A collection of charming and eclectic songs about a modern girl's life and her world awaits the audience on May 1st at The J. Modest and gorgeous, Kate's fresh, innovative and slightly loopy folk/pop softly melts the insides of her enchanted listeners and establishes her as one of Australia's most exciting musical talents. Idiosyncratic pianist, compelling vocalist and enchanting songwriter, Kate has made some of the most captivating musical entertainment we've seen from a solo artist this decade - both in the studio and on stage.

The first weekend in May sees the launch of the inaugural Noosa Wedding Expo, part of the Noosa Mayfiesta program where visitors to Noosa can enjoy a range of fantastic events plus discounts on accommodation, tours and dining experiences.

The cream of Noosa's wedding service providers extend to you an invitation to come and visit this first ever itsmywedding Noosa Wedding Expo supported by the Noosa Journal and Zinc Radio 96.1.

Forever Bridal presents the exciting new Henri Josef 2008 collection of designer wedding gowns and occasion dresses!

After the 2.30pm Fashion Show there will be a draw for the winning brides who stand to win one of these fantastic prizes - a 2008 Henri Josef designed wedding gown and a 5 day beachfront honeymoon at Culgoa Point Resort in Noosa.

Many exciting door prizes will be won during the day – prizes drawn every hour.

The exhibitors comprise of honeymoon destinations, exciting travel packages, stunning reception venues, experienced and professional wedding planners and decorators, florists, photographers, beauty hair and make-up, wedding cake designers, formal wear, fitness, limos, jewellers, gift registry, invitations and celebrants.

Everything you need in One day, in One place at One time – in style in paradise!

Images gratefully supplied by Jim Brownett.

The Panics are riding high after taking out Triple J's Album of the Year award for "Cruel Guards". Their first single "Don't Fight It" has immediate appeal and lasting beauty. Here come The Panics: deliriously catchy, not quite dance, not quite pop, and totally infectious.

The 2008 Street Feast on Thomas will provide a fun family style event with fine food and dynamic entertainment for locals and visitors to enjoy. Thomas Street will be closed to traffic for the event to take place between 4.00pm to 9.00 pm on May 10th.

Local restaurants will showcase their fine cuisine in market stall settings and international street performers will bring creativity and enjoyment to a festival which has become part of the Noosaville culture.

Open wood competition, demonstrations, crafts and timber slabs for sale.

For the fifth year the Settler's Cove Celebration of Australian food and Wine, Noosa Style will be back from the 16-18th May 2008. During this event Australia's top chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs and general food lovers mingle to learn, taste and explore the best of Australian and local produce. Join a food trail and enjoy the freshest food from the paddock to the plate, partake in a cooking class with a celebrity chef or enjoy the results when guest chefs take over local Noosa restaurants. Don't miss this delicious weekend highlighted with some of Australia's best known entertainers. Book early and see why Noosa is a foodies delight.

The Noosa AUSSI Challengers Swim Meet is for all registered AUSSI Masters swimmers and will be held on Saturday 17th May 2008. The meet is held in a 50m outdoor heated pool in the excellent council run facility at the Aquatic Centre at Sunshine Beach. Competition includes all strokes and medley in all age groupings from 50m to 200m distance. The day ends with relays and there is always a fun event at the midday break. Prize winners are presented with awards on the day and there is always a wholesome meal provided at the end of the day and all day BBQ located on site.

As always the meet coincides with the Noosa Blue Water Swim which is an open water swim held on the Sunday of the same weekend. This gives all competitors an opportunity to swim in the two events on the same weekend. The Masters meet and the Blue Water swims are part of the Noosa Council’s Aquatic month of May when several organised in and on water events including cultural and social functions occur. This gives all attendees at the two swim events an opportunity to stay over in beautiful Noosa and also to bring their families who will be well entertained by swimming as well as the other interesting activities and entertainment in town at the same time.

Now in its fifth season, the Noosa Blue Water Swim is gaining momentum with each passing year and continues to win over swimming enthusiasts looking for a great destination event heading into the more temperate season – and what better place to escape then Noosa. The now famous annual event takes advantage of Noosa’s fabulous climate, sublime lifestyle and relaxed atmosphere.

You can be part of the Noosa Blue Water Swim by competing in either the 2km Noosa Blue Water Swim from Tea Tree Bay around the headland to Noosa Main Beach or the 1km Ray White Ocean Swim from Little Cove to Main Beach. If you think those distances are a bit out of your league then we have the Viridian 500m Splash and Nipper Challenge along Noosa Main Beach.

RiverFest is in its 12th successful year.

RiverFest was initiated by the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club so club members and the community alike can enjoy the beautiful Noosa River.

The festival starts on Friday 16th with a golf day at Noosa Springs kindly sponsored by Reed Construction Australia. The Breakfast Crew of Zinc 96.1 will be broadcasting live from the clubhouse that morning.

Corporate Sponsorship is $500 which includes 4 players, motorised cart, on-course signage and post golf snacks. Format is Ambrose with a shotgun start at 8.30am so come and join in for a chance to interact with Noosa Notables and win fantastic prizes.

For bookings contact warrene@noosasprings.com.au or manager@nyrc.com.au.

Come down to the Club on Saturday 17th Sunday 18th to enjoy:

• Rowing and Sailing Regattas
• Fishing Clinics for the kids
• Fishing competitions on the River with major prizes
• A major prize will to be drawn on the deck on Sunday at 4pm and the fishing competition results in all categories awarded
• Aerial Bungee – for the kids 10am – 4pm
• Jumping Castle – for the kids 10am – 4pm
• Boat Show
• Mojo soul Bid Band on Saturday from 2.30pm
• The Big Easy with Barry Charles on Sunday from 2.30pm
• Race the Ferry takes place on Sunday at 1.30pm

Exhilarating, intriguing and absolutely hilarious, one of the world's most popular comedy shows is coming back to the J in Noosa. The Comedy Roadshow is a two and a half hour showcase reflecting the range, diversity and quality offered by the best of Melbourne's 2008 International Comedy Festival. The annual Roadshow travels the length and breadth of the nation (and even to Singapore) bringing Festival highlights to over 80,000 eager comedy lovers and is at The J for one night only. Do not miss out on a fun-filled night of belly-aching laughter.

The story covers the transition of Australian sport into Australian business. The culture and rituals of an old club are torn to shreds as the mighty dollar takes over. As one footy player remarks "all we got for joining was a Guernsey and a pat on the back. I've given the club ten years of my life and all I've got in the bank is eighty dollars".

The club is languishing near the bottom of the Victorian Football League (VFL) premiership ladder and has done so for a long time and an atmosphere of blame, backstabbing and desperation has resulted in a brewing tension.

The club has just paid an enormous sum of money for a young Tasmanian player, in a huge gamble that he will help change their fortunes. What they don't know is that he's rather disenchanted with "chasing a piece of pig skin around a muddy paddock".

"The Club directed by Bruce Myles, is big, broad and very funny; even if you know nothing about footy." Herald Sun and the Sunday Mail goes on: "John Wood's slapstick timing and obvious love of the material and the character make this a must see version of one of Australia's greatest plays".

The Ben Winkelman Trio have just won the AIR award for best Jazz album of 2007. An innovative and dynamic contemporary jazz piano trio drawing on diverse influences from Cuban and Brazilian music to stride piano and Jelly Roll Morton's "Spanish Tinge".

The trio's repertoire consists entirely of original compositions, some of which are modern reinterpretations of stride and early jazz with others based on Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Elements of Argentinean tango and contemporary classical music are also displayed in their music. The result of this mix is a dynamic and exciting meeting between the traditional and the innovative, with a balance between the structure of arrangements and the freedom of improvisation. These elements come together to form a sound that is unique in Australian jazz.

Just when we thought everything possible with jazz piano trios had been done, this Melbourne trio's debut album forces a rethink." - John McBeath, The Australian.

Brisbane-based DOCH storm the stage with a wall of sound, electrifying solos and an onslaught of Balkan gypsy rhythms that border on the diabolical. Brass, winds and strings romance, howl and serenade as DOCH deliver a genuine Eastern European experience with a luminous line-up featuring some of Australia's best artists. Full tilt musical assaults give way to heartbreakingly beautiful ballads and heart-stopping carnival riots as DOCH slides, soars and skids through begged, borrowed and originally composed tunes.