The Festival Director's Guide : Week Two

We don’t believe in sleeping or taking things easy at New Annual – it's 10 days and we want you to go hard! We have programmed every night right through the festival and you can pick and choose shows to see each night so you can squeeze them in! I've done all the hard work for you and chosen some of my favourite shows for you to enjoy this week! 

Monday night kicks off with the second last show of POV by re:group performance collective. It’s such a moving, unique and unpredictable show. And the best part, it’s pay what you can night. Bargain!

Tuesday night takes us to Ravella for Ghosts Between Streams II by Tom Avgenicos and his 8-piece ensemble, featuring a fusion of jazz and strings. This is a night of sonic storytelling with audio visuals by renowned multimedia artist Jordan East (Rufus Du Sol, The Freedom Collective) coupled with field recordings and archival footage of the Hunter/Coquun River. This will be a special tribute to this incredible waterway and a chance to see some of the best local and national jazz musicians around.

Wednesday is a dilemma – two of my favourite shows are featured! Alvin Sputnik by The Last Great Hunt is one of my favs and it’s the case for many others who have seen it around the world. It’s gorgeous storytelling for adults and those young at heart. I’d do Alvin Sputnik on Wednesday night or even sneak out to the 2pm show on Thu 2nd Oct if you can. Then you can't miss Chicken by Sunday's Child playing from 1 - 4 Oct. It's bonkers, brilliant, a little bit deranged but so clever and funny.

Thursday night - back it up with some more music.  You can go to SOAK: Live at the Baths for sunset, catch viral sensation Joel Sunny playing the violin (that doesn’t do it justice really) and still make it in time for Adam Manning and the Australian Art Orchestra for First Rhythms – another unique collaboration between First Nations musician and composer and the renowned creative ensemble from Melbourne – this will be a treat. Another night of incredible musicians. Phew!

Friday is busy but don't forget - it's a long weekend! See Night Night by the same company as Alvin Sputnik – again this is for adults and older children (13+). It’s incredibly inventive theatre – more like watching a film being made in front of your eyes with miniature models, screens and sound effects all playing into a gorgeous and moving love story – you will want an albino penguin after this show. Then stick around for SURGE at the Museum – a punk take over by Tantrum Youth Arts.

Saturday you can squeeze in Meet Me at the Baths in the morning at 11am. If you haven’t seen it yet – where have you been?! Or you can do Chicken if you missed it, or Night Night – consider this your last warning. Then go to the Newcastle Ocean Baths for the final night of SOAK and have a dance, or go to Beaumont St Hamilton for Global Gathering where you can eat plenty of delicious food, watch demonstrations from Aussie Masterchef superstars, along with great music and performances – all free.

Sunday – you are nearly done – take it easy and do the public art trail slowly, eat food, have a swim and enjoy strolling the city with plenty of fun stops along the way. One final go on the Mini Putt Putt course and call it a day. Then you can sleep.

In amongst all of the above – make time to catch Seance or Flight by Darkfield – these are 20 minute shows and I swear Seance is incredible – be prepared to be spooked.

Thanks for coming on the wild journey that is New Annual 2025. I hope you take a punt on a new show, find a new artist you love, try some of the workshops and have fun.

Thanks for being here!

Tory Loudon, Festival Director