Newcastle Fringe Festival will kick off with a big-hearted, boots-on-the-bitumen welcome when Fringe FEAST takes over Beaumont Street, Hamilton on Saturday, 14 March.
The event will turn the iconic strip into a free, five-hour street party from 4pm to 9pm, setting the tone for a Fringe that’s stretching its reach across the city, from pop-ups on Darby Street to family takeovers in Port Stephens and a festival lineup featuring 24 brand-new works.
Fringe FEAST will see Beaumont Street become one massive shared table. It’s part street party, part open-air dining room, part creative playground, with music, comedy, cabaret, dance and kids’ activities spilling across the closed-off strip between Lindsay and Cleary Streets.
Children’s favourite, the Pretty Amazing Jono will be on hand to keep the young ones entertained. There’ll be a dance workshop with Top Rock Studios, a Creative Creatures’ playful visual spectacle, face and portrait painting, and a Silent Disco to boogie off all that delicious food you’ll be enjoying.
The Upcycled community art project Little Hands – Big Fringe, is also inviting young creators to help build a giant Newcastle Fringe sign during the event that will later tour children’s venues during the festival.
As daylight fades, MC and comedian Eddy Rockefeller will bring the energy to pump up the crowd before main-stage sets from 3Degrees, Les Divine Folles à Newy, Ark Hive and KehdiDoofi Disqo.
Fringe FEAST will take over Beaumont Street on Saturday, 14 March from 4pm until 9pm. Come for the local food, stay for the unexpected moments, and leave with the sense that Fringe has well and truly arrived on the street. For more information visit newcastlefringe.com.au.
