Newcastle’s New Annual Kicks Off with Vibrant Celebrations of Music and Dance

Newcastle’s premier cultural festival, New Annual, has officially begun, bringing a lively mix of music, dance, and art to the city’s iconic locations. Kicking off tonight with the First Night Street Party at City Hall, the festival promises to showcase the best of local and national talent over the coming weeks.

The event, headlined by First Nations performer Mitch Tambo, will feature a blend of traditional Aboriginal music and contemporary beats. Tambo will be supported by local acts such as Tower Divas and the duo Chain Daisy, creating an electric atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Friday’s highlights include a performance by Gomeroi hip hop artist Kobie Dee at Honeysuckle Marina, in collaboration with Newcastle Art Gallery’s Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House. Dee will be supported by Maanyung, a Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl singer-songwriter.

For those looking to join in the fun, Wheeler Place will host Ten Minute Dance Parties, an interactive performance created by Joseph O’Farrell (JOF). Participants can expect dance-offs, record-breaking attempts, and ten minutes of pure movement, designed for all ages.

Adrian Burnett, Senior Producer and Curator of New Annual, expressed excitement about the festival’s diverse offerings. “This year’s festival is filled with local and national artists, with free and ticketed events for all ages. There’s something for everyone, including workshops, immersive exhibitions, and live performances,” Burnett said.

Notable attractions include a timber sculpture workshop at the historic Soap Factory, led by local artisans Jonathan Everett and Hannah Cheetham, and Khaled Sabsabi’s exhibition at The Lock Up.

The Civic Theatre will host Dancenorth Australia’s performance of Wayfinder, a collaboration with Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin. This high-energy performance promises a sensory experience combining music, movement, and collective exhilaration.

For a celestial journey, MZAZA will perform The Birth and Death of Stars on Saturday evening at Newcastle City Hall. This world music group blends history, culture, and science in a mesmerising show featuring live music, vocals in multiple languages, and captivating animation.

Meanwhile, the Newcastle Youth Orchestra will take the stage at the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music with Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite. This unique performance features brand new works by emerging local composer Jacob Cummins.

The weekend will also see Shakespeare fans treated to a fresh take on Romeo & Juliet at the Civic Theatre Playhouse, part of the UpStage program. The production offers a bold reimagining of the classic tragedy.

For a more hands-on experience, WonderCity, developed by Tantrum Youth Arts, will lead participants on an adventure through Newcastle’s CBD, blending performance, wayfinding, and game elements.

In addition to the performances, The Big Picture Fest will feature street artists creating new large-scale murals across the city, with live painting sessions open to the public.

New Annual runs from 27 September to 6 October, with a full program available at newannual.com.