Dizzybeat may just seem to be a gig listing at the moment, but that's what happens when life takes over for a while. With the choice of staying home in front of the puter or DJing at Garage Land, I choose Garage Land.

This month's event features The Versionaries and Trench Town, making it a big night of reggae. Lovely.

Drinks and tunes kick of at 5, with the first band on at 8 pm. Best thing is, it is free! Get along to UTS's Loft Bar on Thursday September 10 for some top sounds.

Dizzybeat.com is very excited to be supporting a big event in Melbourne in November. It's the second annual Ska Nation event, and it offers something for all ska tastes, from early JA sounds right through to ska-punk. Held over two days, the event brings together some of Australia and the world's great names in ska music.

It is One Night Band from Canada with their dirty reggae sounds that has Dizzybeat particularly interested, but also it will be the first time we'll catch the relatively new High Tides and The Ska Vendors will be doing a once-off comeback gig. Update: 80s 2-tone act Loonee Tunes have joined Sunday's line-up!

Add to that Area 7, Dan Pothast from MU330, The Resignators, King Cannons, Addiction 64, Calico Jacks and The Reefs, and you have a huge weekend of ska music.

Night one is on November 1st @ the Evelyn Hotel and night two is on November 2nd @ the Corner Hotel. Tickets for night two are available from cornerhotel.com.

For those coming from interstate, ensure you book accommodation asap as it is Melbourne Cup weekend and is particularly busy.

More info: http://www.skanation.com

The opening night of Garage Land was a great do, and it returns on August 13 @ UTS's Loft Bar. The Shake Up and Bunt will be joined by Andy Razor, Snap! DJs and myself on the decks playing the best ska, reggae, soul and punk. Free entry makes for an even better evening. Get down early for the cheap beers.

Sydney's annual soul weekender (not be confused with the National, which varies its home city) is on during August. In its third year, it is going from strength to strength, and promises to be a great event for soul lovers, as well as lovers of mod and Jamaican music (particularly on the Friday night).

Friday - City of Sydney RSL Club, 585 George Street, Sydney 9.30- 2am
Saturday - Oldies all-nighter 8pm - 5am - Gaelic Theatre, Surry Hills
Sunday all-dayer - 4pm - 12am Kings Cross Hotel

Weekend tickets can be purchased for $35, and individual event tickets can be bought on respective doors.

For more info check out the facebook event.

The Blue Mountains' newest night, SNAP! returns this Friday, July 17th.

The lineup includes The Paper Scissors, Jordan & the Original Six, Bunt and One Bollock Peep Show + Snap DJs. The venue is the Baroque Bar in Katoomba.

This is the same mob that bring you Garageland, so it is bound to be a top night!

Two videos from Sunday night's gig at the Vanguard. With a house full of Melbourne's Ska Vendors, we had a great weekend, part of which was captured by my partner in crime, Gen Murray. Both songs feature the Simon Smith led backing band The Aussie 2-tone Allstars.

Sarah Heffernan - Friday Night, Saturday Morning

Ska Vendors - Rude Boys Outta Jail

The folks who bring you SNAP! in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney have something new in store and they're taking residence smack back in the middle of Sydney town. Garage Land is the name of the new night to be held once a month on a Thursday night at UTS's Loft Bar on Broadway. The first night is July 9, 2009 and it's FREE!

I'll be DJing the opening night with the SNAP! boys, but more importantly, The Rumjacks and The Booby Traps will supplying the sounds. Doors open at 5pm (with cheap beer for an hour), but the sounds run long into the night. Please come along and help support punk, ska, reggae, rock and soul in Sydney!

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=91486794083&ref=nf

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/garagelandnight