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.
Wandering around the Park with camera and notebook in hand, I was struck by the diversity and variety of stalls, participants and people. It reinforced for me the significance of bringing people together to share their diverse experiences, passions and talents in a celebration of ‘community’ in all its facets. The Park played host to a selection of stall owners sharing their wares, including Kellie Jackson’s Bags a Record stall, with bags, coasters, and books all handmade using original vinyls. Kellie revealed her original inspiration – a chance sighting of a fabric bag sporting an image of a record. Kellie uses only original vinyls to maintain the integrity of the pieces, and creates custom pieces upon request. In recognition of the Festivals strong focus on and support for sustainability and the promotion of social justice, other stall holders sold items such as Surin’s beautiful handcrafted bags from Cambodia, the income from which provides sustainable business infrastructure and employment in Cambodia, and Hunter Valley Organics. The proprietor, Mark Curruthers, prides himself on stocking teas and coffees that are fair trade and organically certified. Whilst indulging in the visual spectacular that is the Civic Park water sculpture, I overheard the introduction of the Burgatti Indigenous Story & Dance performers on the main stage. They shared a traditional tale of a kangaroo leaping over a barbed-wire fence in an effort to evade the pursuing dingo, and all the while the kookaburra looks down from the safety of the gum to laugh at the spectacle. The Chai Tent Music stage hosted a plethora of talented and unique artists throughout the day, including Jolyon Briggs, Girl in the Picture and Amy Newton-Banks. But perhaps one of the most distinctive and unusual sounds was the all-female archipello ensemble, Tamarillo. These ladies delighted the gathering crowd (including 2 dedicated tweenie groupies) with an eclectic mix of traditional cultural harmonies from pulsating vocal renditions of African rhythms to haunting Chilean laments, in remembrance of the women lost during the Pinochet regime. Upon speaking to Lisa of the ensemble, she revealed that the original intention of the group was simply to encourage healthy mind and soul. After revelling in the brightly coloured spectacle of the Desert Moon Dancers belly dancing performance in front of the main stage, I felt the pangs of hunger and heard the call of the food stalls beckoning. Being indecisive at the best of times, I paced between the Hare Krishna stall, the Italian wood-fired pizza, Turkish gozleme and Dutch profiteroles. The blend of aromas was intoxicating and I was tempted to sample all four corners of the globe so to speak. But common sense prevailed and I found myself in front of the traditional Turkish gozleme stand, marvelling at the process by which this simple food is prepared. Opting for the spinach, cheese and mushroom with freshly squeezed lemon, I was not disappointed. Coupled with a spot in the shade and the easy listening melodies of Jolyon Briggs, I could quite easily have settled in for the afternoon. After my culinary detour, I returned to the fray, bumping into the Footlice Theatre fairy on her (reference to puppet and not puppeteer!) journey around the Park. I was amazed by the fundamental rhythms of the Drumming workshops with Benjie at the Stomping Ground. The intoxication of the beat instinctively has your body moving, and your hands tapping your thigh in time with the beat. I intentionally travelled from this venue to the Junk Percussion in the DIY Workshop space to enjoy Jacque’s “P-Earth percussive puppet party funk”! While making my way to the centre stage for the United African Boys Dance Crew, I passed the Capoeira performers swaying and bouncing with astounding fluidity and flexibility, while the air was punctuated by the sounds of Disco Defunk, dragging us back into the shamefully enjoyable 70’s. Despite the plethora of entertainment options and the accompanying sensory overload, the allure of the Hare Krishna food stall remained. I decided to join the cue and discover the appeal of the Halava pudding – roasted semolina, which definitely satiated my desire for a sweet injection. A woman needs to sustain her energy levels when undertaking such arduous duties! The United African Boys Dance Crew did not disappoint. The energy was raw and I found myself strangely envious of their connection to the intense penetrating vibrations of the African rhythm. In absolute contrast, Circus Avalon was vibrant and comical in its narrative display of the bodies flexibility and skill. While enjoying a coffee from the Hunter Valley Organics stall (there ain’t nothing like organic!), I ambled over to the Art Installation and The Loft plein air art displays. The contrast was evident. Angela Poole Wiley’s ‘Rain that never falls’ piece was texturally appealing, soft and iridescent, gently caressed by the breeze, while Melissa from The Loft created an impromptu grafitti display of linear angularity and bold, abrasive colour. In an ideal world I would loved to have stayed well into the oncoming evening, but the sensibilities of life beyond beckoned and I had to depart prematurely prior to the evenings events. I would however say that to miss this event is sacrilege. It is a staple in the entertainment diet of the Novocastrian and is frequented by many from far, for good reason. In its 11th year, Cultural Stomp did not disappoint. It was a feast for senses and celebration of the diversity and unity of the Hunter through the revelation of art and culture. Hope to see you there next year! Toni
