The evening of Saturday 7th June was brisk: a sharp, cool breeze blew across Newcastle, with dark, ominous clouds gathering overhead. Crossing Civic Park, I drew my jacket closed, and quickened my pace to reach the warmth of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the venue for the evenings entertainment. Upon entering the Church, I discovered the performance had already begun, so I gathered up a program and discretely sought out a pew. An audience of approximately 60 spectators had gathered to take in the aural delights of classical guitarists, Eric Cathan and Guiseppe Zangari, for a ‘one night only’ style performance.

Despite predictions of inclement weather, the 17th May saw Newcastle bathed in sunshine, blessing the Festival with a perfect Autumn day. The rain was kept at bay by the Festival’s themed homage to the water gods, and people flocked to Civic Park to enjoy the cultural pleasures that have become synonomous with the Festival. Following in the tradition of the previous 10 Festivals, there was a celebration of diversity and the potency of arts and culture in recognising and furthering issues of social justice and shared community values. To set the mood for the day, Andrew Spannenberg injected some rib tickling laughter and frivolity with his “Laughter as an Exercise” at the Four Eyes Forum. The infectiousness of the activity was palpable, touching even those who chose to just look on.