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It was great to welcome back to the 8CCC studios one of our regulars, Olive Pink Botanic Gardens Curator & Manager Sam Hussey. Already this week the Plant Society has begun it's talks and next Wednesday will start off the Field Nats talks. Buffel Beats are continuing on Fridays from 7am - join the fun vibe! We talked submissions for the Draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026-2036. The Garden is also looking for an Events and Volunteer Coordinator and welcome all queries - get onto their Facebook page for more details. 

On Arvos with Andy we have Melbourne based R&B sensation in Akosia. Akosia blends styles with pop, jazz, dance, and soul. Akosia is often describing her music as having a "voice like butter" and creating emotionally charged, genre-defying music. Akosia latest bares no apologies That’s What I Want.

Outdoor life is such an important factor to living in Alice Springs. What better way to appreciate outdoor life to have the owner of Ultimate Ride Chris Ravenhall on Arvos with Andy. Chris gave a comprehensive analysis of ways Bicycles provide significant health, environmental, and financial benefits by offering a low-impact, sustainable, and affordable mode of transportation and exercise. Regular cycling strengthens the cardiovascular system, aids in weight management, builds muscle, and improves mental health, reducing risks of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.

Magical musician, teacher, local leader and event opportunity organiser, Gleny Rae Virus visited our Brekky Show to release One Heartache Per Annum single off her Momentum album, debrief about the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival  - with some great ideas for improvement and spruik up this year's Top Half Folk Festival.Check out the single on Bandcamp!

Alice Springs Cinema General Manager René Sutton was back on 8CCC Brekky Show with news about the Travelling Film Festival 27 Feb - 2 Mar and how best to organise your tickets. The earlier the better so that any sold out shows get a chance to show on another screen too. Girls' Night Out this Friday is the classic Wuthering Heights with all the usual prizes and goodies.Brendan Fraser's Rental Family is on tonight and Sunday arvo - catch it before it goes! Just one of many great movies on now - Make sure to check the website regularly to catch new showings as they are scheduled!

On Arvos with Andy we have local pop Folk artist Klint Buzzacott.  Klint's music speaks from the heart and soul of who he is. It's deeply emotion and moving, often evoking strong feelings of personal connection. The diversity and variety of his tunes are characteristic of his story telling. Klint Buzzacott’s latest single is Rewind which tells the experience of having our time over again. 

Catherine Britt is a real country music luminary. Catherine Britt has well and truly lived her life, and it’s all laid bare on her ninth career album, “The Hardest Thing”. Released on Friday 23rd January 2026, the 1st song “One Divorce, Two Kids (& A Few Whisky’s Ago)” gives testament to the album. Catherine intends this album to be listened to from start to finish, and nothing is held back. It touches on the exploitation she endured as a young female in the music industry, her marriage breakdown, mustering the strength to heal, her road to sobriety and finding love again.  

What a year it has been for Mparntwe Alice Springs – and that’s just the first month!Once Mayor Asta Hill announced she would not be attending the Citizenship ceremony on 26 Jan,  much noise and action erupted in our community and resulted in a vibrant to overflowing attendance at the first Town Council for 2026. The socials were running almost as hot as the gruelling 40+ degree days that have ushered in the year, yet the proceedings went ahead with calm and respect and everyone agreed that the Citizenship Ceremony had been a great success and thanked Deputy Mayor Alison Bitar for officiating. One question time participant asked, "...doesn't the Mayor's stance show more consideration to ALL members of her community no matter what opinion they have on this issue?"Contrary to the mood in the room, a petition for the Alice Springs Mayor to resign had been set in motion and the Speaker of the NT Govt later went on the airwaves  of Mix 104.9 to announce that  ‘compliments of the Greens mayor, we now have a community split in half.” “…they got there early, they took all the seats- 70 Greens representatives and about 10 people  there to protest against the mayor. Robyn Lambley concludes that the Greens have taken over the Alice Springs Town Council.Here the Mayor speaks to these comments and takes a moment to talk through her decision based on a crisis of conscience. Other meeting business included the Council's formal submission to the Northern Territory Government on the Draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026–2036, and the progress into extending public library weekend hours.

Pete Rodgers is a genre-bending singer-songwriter whose music is a vibrant blend of county, rock and folk music. Inspired by artists like Lee Kernaghan, Marcus King, and Chris Stapleton. Pete Rodgers' latest single is The Place To Be. Peter started playing music at the age of 8 years old and competed in various regional Country Music festivals throughout Queensland. In more recent times, Peter has started writing his own music and is currently working on the release of his first album. Since Peter has rekindled his spark for music, he has just won the emerging artist / singer / songwriter competition at the 2025 Chapman Valley Country Music Festival, WA. 

8CCC Feature Album this week is George Ivens‘ Minotaur, released on January 4. Cover art is another gorgeous original oil...

Lucinda Moody from Reclink Australia NT has exciting news for people challenged from doing recreation activities due to disabilities, mental health issues, people effected by alcohol and other drugs and Domestic Violence. They are expanding after 2 years and are now running 18 different programs trying to welcome everyone in the community. Reclink Australia is funded Federally by the Department of Health and Aged Care. They are now running programs in Titjikala, Amoonguna, Ntaria and Areyonga.

On Arvos with Andy, we had the Alice Kings characterized by their high energy and messages that hit the mark about growing up. They have just finished a national tour accompanied by Dan The Underdog and Kirra Voller as share tour stories, embraced opportunities of seeing Kenrick Lamar live and discussed timelines for further tours in 2026.