Discover Sydney’s most pulsating suburb
Do you want to find out which celebrity your dog looks like? Or drink locally brewed beer from the popular brewery Young Henry`s, while you jam to the beats of Deep Sea Arcade, who have played sold-out tours across Australia and been on the road with Noel Gallagher? Or maybe you want to release your inner writer in the writers tent? No matter what gets your pants on fire, the Newtown Festival has something for you.
Thriving Newtown
Newtown has been a hub for live music for decades. During the 1980s the many pubs in the area became great platforms for new artists to grow and play their music in front of an audience. Throughout the 1990s the suburb also became particularly known as a center for indie rock, and today the Newtown area have the highest concentration of independent theaters and live performance spaces in Sydney. And as a side note (if you didn`t know already) the music video for Coldplay`s single Sky Full of Stars from the Album Ghost Stories was shot in the streets of Newtown. How cool is that?!
Not only about the beer!
It might not seem like it, but the Newtown Festival is not only about enjoying the best local and national music, arts, drinks, food and entertainment. Even though it is an important part (after all, it is a festival..) The festival was founded by a group of concerned residents during the late 1970`s, who wanted to provide community services to local residents. Therefore, they established the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (NNC) so that the aged, people with disabilities, people with mental illness, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people on low incomes could benefit from community services. The NNC also acts as an information service, providing advice on community and public services, emergency accommodation and a variety of other support services.
Free entry
Everyone can enjoy the festival cost-free, but in order to raise funds for the important work provided by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, they rely on your support and generosity.
“It would ensure the festival`s long term viability. Newtown Festival is the primary fundraiser for the NNC, so dig deep please festival goers- you can make a difference”, says Sue Andersen, Festival Director of Newtown Festival.
Newtown Festival Week
If you want to celebrate the Newtown suburb for more than one day, you can join local businesses as they celebrate Newtown Festival Week from the 1st – 9th November. The week-long event holds gigs, workshops and week-long specials that showcase the unique nature of Newtown`s creative, energetic and diverse community.
Here`s a selection for things you can eat, drink and watch at the Newtown Festival 2014. Don`t miss it!
MUSIC
The Lulu Raes – Indie rock band (Federation Stage)
The Morrison`s – Old-timey 6-piece string band (Federation Stage)
Tigertown – Punk band where all of the band members are family (!) (Federation Stage)
Deep Sea Arcade – Plays psychedelic indiepop and are known to be one of the best bands in Australia. (Federation Stage)
The Upskirts – Post-punk and garage pop grooves (Essential Stage)
Daily Meds – Rapid flow, lyricism, large bass driven beats rooted in hip hop ethos (Essential Stage)
Straight arrows – This Aussie band have been touring the USA, played in the Sydney Opera House and released singles in Italy. This punk-band has an outstanding reputation for being the band that will make you start your own band.
Deep Sea Arcade
FOOD AND DRINKS- NEWTOWN LOCALS
Mary`s – American restaurant
Bloodwood – They specialize in creating seasonal menus designed for sharing, cooking food that they love to eat, sourcing the best produce they can find.
Hartsyard – Owned and operated by husband/wife team Gregory Llewellyn and Naomi Hart, this restaurant focuses on tasty food and also address the way we consume.
Young Henry´s – Consists of passionate beer brewers who have united for the love and good of beer.
Newtown`s local brewery Young Henry`s
ENTERTAINMENT
Newtown Festival Dog Show – Bring your dog, or just simply watch dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages compete in this hilarious Dog Show.
Earthbeats – Inspires and educate children and their families with a happy experience they may take with them for the rest of their lives.
Laughter Wellness – A simple body-mind exercise system that helps you to laugh, breathe deep and enjoy the benefits of playfulness.
The Social Outfit Fashion Show – They work with people from new migrant and refugee communities in the areas of employment and education in fashion, design and retail work.
Newtown Festival Dog Show
What: Newtown Festival 2014
When: 9th November (Festival Week from the 1st-9th November)
Where: Camperdown Memorial Rest Park