For one weekend this summer, Newcastle’s streets, squares and public spaces will become a stage as NOVUM returns with three days of free performances, installations and interactive experiences. Taking place from Friday 7th until Sunday 9th August, the city-wide festival brings together artists from across the UK and beyond, delivering performances, installations and pop-up experiences in some of Newcastle’s best-known spaces.
Among the most intriguing experiences is ‘You Are Here: NOVUM’, an immersive walk that combines audio with live performance. Rather than simply guiding participants from A to B, it encourages people to slow down and notice the stories hidden in places they may have passed countless times before. It’s a simple idea, but one that perfectly captures the festival’s approach to reimagining familiar surroundings and seeing Newcastle from a different angle.
If there’s one performance likely to stop people in their tracks, it’s ‘Possê’ by Brazilian company Grupo Tápias. Blending live percussion, contemporary dance and theatre, the outdoor spectacle uses the city itself as its stage, bringing an infectious energy that is bound to draw a crowd.
Getting involved is just as much a part of the festival as watching. String and Strong’s Great Big Gameathon swaps traditional entertainment for oversized games and playful challenges, while The Secret Parade encourages people to explore in search of hidden artworks, stories and unexpected discoveries. It’s the kind of event where wandering without too much of a plan often leads to the best moments.
There will be plenty more to experience throughout the weekend too. Pop-up performances, installations and family-friendly activities will appear across Newcastle, with music, theatre and circus all featuring as part of the programme. Some events are worth seeking out, while others are best discovered by chance.
Among the weekend’s most ambitious events is ‘Dominoes Newcastle’, a large-scale artwork that sees hundreds of giant dominoes weave through the city before toppling in one carefully choreographed chain reaction. It’s the sort of event that brings people together, with artists, volunteers and local communities all playing a part in making it happen.
What makes NOVUM so appealing is not just the scale of the programme, but the feeling that there is always something waiting around the next corner. With so much of the festival free to enjoy, it’s the kind of event that rewards curiosity.
For further information, head to novumnewcastle.com.
