Something big is building in Newcastle
The first wave of the NOVUM Festival programme promises large-scale performances, immersive installations, family activities galore and unexpected delights around many corners
The first big wave of programming for the return of Newcastle’s NOVUM Festival has been announced.
The free three-day festival will run from August 7-9 and is sporting a determined mission to turn the city centre into one big open-air playground.
Since launching as part of Newcastle City Council’s long-term cultural events strategy, NOVUM has occupied a distinctive place in the city’s cultural calendar, with a blend of big spectacle, community participation and joyful chaos.
This year’s line-up promises plenty of all three.
Among the standout performances are:
BLOCK by Motionhouse, an eye-catching outdoor dance and circus show performed on and around 20 huge moving blocks.
Spanish street arts outfit Sound de Secà bring their explosive percussion-led performance Possê to the city
North East artists Lizzie Klotz and Luca Rutherford present Fabric of Us, a piece exploring connection, community and collective joy through movement, music and one giant white parachute.
A ‘playful band of rebels’ promise to bring laughter, surprises and mischief to the party with TRUTH
Other highlights include walkabout performances like Blockbuster Factory which encourages passers by to join the cast and crew of a ‘film shoot’ and gold trike disco, Wheelie Proud from Curious Arts; a Silent Disco-cum-walking tour and a brass band street party like no other from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
We’re particularly looking forward to the Bird Rave.
Families will find plenty to keep small people busy too, with free activities centred around the Civic Centre including den building, giant swings, mud kitchens, bubbles and outdoor games.
There will also be interactive installations and collaborative art projects across the city, from giant colouring experiences to flower-filled creative spaces and reimagined versions of Newcastle landmarks.
But while the newly announced programme offers plenty to look forward to, the festival’s centrepiece remains Dominoes Newcastle - the ambitious large-scale public artwork we first told you about earlier this year.
Created by internationally acclaimed artists Station House Opera, the spectacular finale will see thousands of breeze blocks arranged across Newcastle city centre before toppling in a vast chain reaction on Sunday, August 9.
Built with the help of hundreds of volunteers, it promises to be one of the most visually striking public art events the city has seen.
If previous NOVUM weekends have proved anything, it’s that the festival thrives on surprise - on those moments when an ordinary walk through town suddenly turns into something else entirely (in a good way!)
Jane Tarr, Director North East, Arts Council England said: “NOVUM is a fantastic opportunity for people across the North East region to enjoy artists’ work, performances and creative events as part of a celebratory free festival programme in Newcastle.
“I’m pleased that we have supported the festival through our National Lottery Place Partnership programme and I’m sure the weekend will bring together creators, participants and audiences to create memorable experiences for people of all ages.”
More announcements are expected in the coming weeks, so it seems to sensible to suggest that if you’re planning a trip into Newcastle in August, you might want to schedule it for a weekend where a giant domino rally (figuratively) collides with a golden trike disco, secret parades and eight suitcase-travelling travellers who are curious down to their toes.
For details of the full programme - WHICH IS FREE, REMEMBER - visit novumnewcastle.com