City of Newcastle has announced that it is dishing up a taste of the cultural delights on offer when its flagship arts festival returns later this year. 

Three performances originally commissioned by council for last year’s postponed New Annual have been rescheduled to March, allowing locals to whet their appetites for the official return of the festival from September 23 to October 2. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said maintaining support for the local arts community had been an important consideration when the decision was made to postpone last year’s event. 

“After the success of the inaugural New Annual in February 2021, City of Newcastle was looking forward to following it up bigger and better in September last year before we made the tough call to postpone it in light of the growing COVID-19 case numbers at the time,” Nelmes said. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Councillor Carol Duncan pictured with Aunty Debbie Dates, Aunty Theresa Dargin and four generations of descendants of the Dates family, Marringal Clan of the Worimay Nation, Janie Gibson (Voices of Joan) and Mitchell Rees (Curious Legends). Photo source: City of Newcastle

“Despite our disappointment, we were committed to maintaining support for the local arts community, who have been heavily impacted during the past two years as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.”

The Lord Mayor said that after consultations with the artists, City of Newcastle was “thrilled” to be able to include these performances and activities in March this year as an initiative of the COVID-19 Community and Economic Resilience Package. 

“This decision enables upwards of 50 artists, musicians and performers to remain involved with these three events and benefit from the exposure and performance opportunities they provide.”

Novacastrian’s have been invited to explore the Indigenous roots of Carrington Foreshore with towering, illuminated puppets created by Curious Legends, in partnership with local Worimi people.

The opportunity to meet local artists and take part in community art projects on the Studio Arts Trail in Hamilton will also be on offer, before the series of events will conclude with a “thought-provoking one-woman show” that summons the spirit of iconic French solider and Saint, Joan of Arc.

“This will give people a chance to soak up Newcastle’s live events atmosphere with a taste of what’s to come when the full New Annual festival returns in September,” said Nelmes.

More details can be found on the event website.

Information source: City of Newcastle