Novum - A Brand New Summer Festival for Newcastle
Novum - Newcastle Summer Festival, is a brand-new festival experience for Newcastle that launched today in the city. The multi artform event, taking place for the first time from 11-13 August 2023, promises to showcase local, national, and international talent making a significant addition to the city's rich cultural offering.
Curated Place will transform the Civic Centre and surrounding gardens into a cultural playground, where audiences can explore and engage with a myriad of activity, performances and installations.
At the heart of Novum is the captivating Monumental Construction. A bespoke, recyclable, architectural marvel designed by French artist Olivier Grossetête. The structure will be built from cardboard in collaboration with local communities, through workshop experiences open to everyone from 6 - 10 August. A temporary, celebratory monument to the city, this unique and vast structure will also act as a focal point for performances throughout the weekend.
The festival's evening music programme will offer unforgettable live experiences inside the Civic Centre for the first time, blending International connections and new UK voices with contemporary sounds and visuals. Tickets for confirmed shows are available now, including boundary crossing performer Mim Suleiman with Afro-Latin percussion & brass duet Hannabiell & Midnight Blue Collective. Iceland's most exciting new performer Gugusar joins the fashion world’s favourite DJ Lou Hayter who released her debut album, Private Sunshine, last year while the bold, cathartic, electronic sounds of the Faroe Islands' ORKA lead an experimental exploration into contemporary clubland.
Free activities available throughout the weekend will include ‘Stay and Play’ - hands-on, creative workshops delivered by local artists, as well as community-led performances that cater to art enthusiasts, music fans, families and children alike.
The event has been spring boarded by Newcastle City Council and will be supported by North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Jim Mawdsley, Principal Advisor, Culture and Events at Newcastle City Council said, “We’re excited to be able to officially launch Novum, Newcastle’s brand-new summer festival, here today.
“Our ambition is that Novum will become an annual event, created with and for the communities of the city, and wider North of Tyne area.
“As the event grows, it will spread out geographically from its original site at the Civic Centre, to ensure we have a festival that is truly city wide. It will give everyone the opportunity to access incredible cultural experiences on their doorstep, as well as attract more visitors to the region.
“This is an opportunity to boost the cultural reputation of the City but it is one we must do together which is why the festival slogan is clear – Together We Create.”
Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for a Vibrant City, Newcastle City Council, “The Newcastle Culture Compact has recently published the City’s Cultural strategy with people at its heart.
“This festival can be a leading example of how we can create opportunities for everyone to celebrate and engage with culture.
“By making sure Novum provides opportunities for our residents and communities to get involved in the design, development and delivery of this festival, we will take a fully inclusive approach.
“This city is a cultural powerhouse. The council wants to demonstrate its commitment to culture, by reinvigorating festivals in the city.
Don’t miss your chance to get involved - whether you want to volunteer, try your hand at something new in a workshop, enjoy free performances or book tickets for a night out with friends, there are so many ways to be part of Novum.
For full programme information and to book your Novum experience today, visit www.novumnewcastle.com.
Image: Courtesy of North News and Pictures / Novum
