Armidale’s much-loved community celebration, the Black Gully Festival, is back this Saturday with a full line-up of music, art, workshops, and family-friendly fun that celebrates creativity, sustainability, and connection.
The free festival will take place from 10am to 7:30pm on Saturday 8 November at Black Gully Reserve, behind NERAM.
Festival committee member Annette Kilarr said this year’s program promises something for everyone.
“An entertaining and creative experience is promised for people of all ages,” she said.
“The beauty of this event is that you just don’t know what interesting new offering is going to turn up on the day.”
The 2025 program features a vibrant mix of live performances across two stages, with genres ranging from jazz and salsa to rock and soul. Performers include O’Connor Jazz Band, Alejandro & Armidale Salsa, Blakk Dynasty, OhMaSoul, Dusky Buzz, The Chads, and more.
An acoustic stage at NERAM Café will run from 9am to 4pm, featuring Judith Betts, Barney St Band, Khaleel Jundi, Firebirds Choir, and Saturday Magic Theatre performing Pandora & the Dragon.
The festival’s collaboration with NERAM this year will include the major exhibition How to Weather Together, which explores climate adaptation through installations, interactive elements, and workshops.
Rachael Parsons, Director of NERAM, said the exhibition complements the festival’s theme of connection and creativity.
“This year the festival will co-present ‘How to Weather Together’, a major exhibition featuring installations, interactive elements and workshops, exploring what climate adaptation looks like when guided by the concept of ‘weathering’,” Ms Parsons said.
Throughout the day, festivalgoers can also take part in a range of workshops and community activities, including a clothes swap, weaving installations, seedball making, and talks on sustainable living. The event will open with a Welcome to Country and official ceremony at 12pm.
Music will run all day, livestreamed by 2ARM Community Radio, showcasing the region’s diverse musical talent.
Dave Carr and the Musicians of Armidale said this year’s festival would deliver a high-energy finale.
“We have an incredible mix of sounds – country, pop, folk, rock ’n’ roll, rap, world music, plus performances from dance and theatre troupes, and young jazz ensembles,” Mr Carr said.
“This year our headline act is The Chads! An exciting new funk, progressive rock band sure to end the night on a high.”
There will also be plenty of stalls, demonstrations and workshops, and the signature Black Gully Festival Clothes Swap for the sustainable fashion fans.
The fun doesn’t stop when the music ends, with an Astronomy Night from 7 to 8:45pm at NERAM Café, hosted by UNE and the New England Astronomical Society.
For the full program of music and activities, visit the Black Gully Festival Facebook page or the event listings on the NERAM and Sustainable Living Armidale websites.
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