There’s a lot of incredible art to see in Sydney, but if you’re open to a getaway this springtime, we’d suggest heading up the coast to Newcastle – the coastal city that’s transforming into a creative wonderland for its multidisciplinary contemporary arts festival, New Annual.
Across 10 days (from September 25 until October 4), the festival will bring together 402 artists, 40 events and seven new commissions – celebrating the stories, landscapes and creative energy that make Newcastle (traditionally known as Muloobinba) so special.
This year, the coastline will take centre stage – with sunrise theatre, open-air exhibitions and works that (actually) shift with the tides. At Dixon Park Beach, acclaimed theatre-maker Roslyn Oades will present Sea Stories, an intimate sunrise experience exploring friendship and life by the ocean, while Penelope Green’s Ocean Rituals will turn the Bathers Way into an outdoor photographic exhibition. At Canoe Pool, Izabela Pluta’s monumental new commission Cavitation will evolve with the changing light, weather and waves, accompanied by live dance performances from Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub.
Come sunset, Newcastle Ocean Baths will once again become one of Australia’s most spectacular gig venues for SOAK: Live at the Baths. Curated by Urthboy, the free concert series will feature performances from Hermitude, Claire O’Brien, 92Wrld, Kobie Dee and Karen Lee Andrews.
Beyond the beach, the city’s pubs, parks and cultural spaces will come alive with unexpected performances and exhibitions. The festival will open with the free First Night Art Party on Laman Street, featuring future soul star Ngaiire alongside Pasifika artists Aleksiah and Djanaba, plus the opening of Newcastle Art Gallery’s major exhibition Muse by internationally acclaimed Newcastle artist Angela Tiatia.
We can also expect plenty for pop-culture fans, with AUTO-TUNE bringing Silverchair obsession and Y2K nostalgia to the stage in a rowdy gig-theatre experience, and Bizarre Newcastle uncovering some of the city’s strangest stories through film and live performance.
The super extensive program features everything from circus and comedy to food, fashion and visual art, including Circa’s gravity-defying Wolf, Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales’ beloved live podcast Chat 10, Looks 3, the punk celebration NM:PM PUNK! and the giant inflatable artwork BLOOM at Charlestown Square.
With free events, low-cost shows and a pretty top-tier foodie scene on tap, New Annual is the perfect excuse to make a weekend of your springtime trip to Newy.
Tickets are on sale now – you can check out the full program and score tix over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.
