Edge is a series of arts festivals in Inner West neighbourhoods like Sydenham, Ashfield, Marrickville, and Balmain. In November, the cool-kid creative enclaves of Newtown get their turn under the spotlight with an art and activism themed festival. Expect edgy art and performance, site-specific installation, live music and a punchy talks program, all presented by local collectives and artists.
Head to the launch event on Thursday November 7 for interactive art experiences around Newtown Square.
One of the main highlights is the Edge Newtown Creative Trails (Damun and Djarrawunang), where you can tour the workspaces of artists and creative enterprises self-guided or in a group tour on Saturday November 9 and Sunday November 10. Throughout the festival you can also explore Newtown's famous street art and murals as you wander.
On Saturday November 9, rub shoulders with artists at the opening of the Urban Edge Contemporary Art Prize at Chrissie Cotter Gallery in Camperdown. The exhibition is titled Small Works in the Big City and you can vote for your fave to win the lauded people's choice prize. While you're in the mood for art wander on to Camperdown Park Rotunda or a performance by Gabrielle Bates and DJ Semper-Fi called Dub Circle, an immersive sound work made in collaboration with kids from Nnoosh Aftercare, Marrickville High School and Dulwich Hill School of Visual Art and Design that culminates in a ritual procession around Camperdown Park and beyond.
Continue your Edge journey over at Newtown Festival on Sunday November 10, where they'll be setting up their #IRLTalks tent with inspiring panels, discussions, and speakers all ruminating on art and activism.
Many of the events are free and suitable for all ages; check out the full two weeks worth of events on the Edge website.