A chance to refresh your wardrobe while giving pre-loved clothing a new home will be among the attractions when the Black Gully Festival returns to Armidale on Saturday, November 7.
The popular clothes swap is a highlight of the free, family-friendly festival, which will fill Black Gully Reserve behind the New England Regional Art Museum with music, art, food and hands-on activities next weekend.
For anyone with clothes sitting unworn in the cupboard, the swap offers a reason to have a sort-through and embrace the festival’s spirit of sustainable living. It is an opportunity to discover something different to wear, keep useful clothing in circulation and make a wardrobe refresh part of a day out.
Now in its 15th year, Black Gully Festival celebrates Armidale’s creativity, community spirit and natural environment, with activities running from 10am to 7pm.
“From jazz to rock, folk to funk, and everything in between, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy,” said Annette Killar.
Live music will fill three stages throughout the day, with regional performers presented by the Musicians of Armidale and livestreamed by 2ARM Community Radio.
The main stages will keep the music going from 10am until 7pm, while the NERAM Café Stage will offer its own program until 2.30pm. Visitors can settle in for a favourite style or wander between performances to discover something new.
At noon, Festival Stage Central will host a special acknowledgement of Uncle Cyril Green as the 2ARM Musical Patron.
The nearby Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place will then host performances by the Sharnae Smith Dance Troupe and the Lyãmbay Dance Group at 12.45pm. At 3pm, the Saturday Magic Theatre Company will bring Tiddalick the Greedy Frog to life.
Between performances and a visit to the clothes swap, festivalgoers can browse artisan stalls, choose something tasty from the food vans or try a range of craft and nature activities.
There will be opportunities to explore the creek’s smallest inhabitants through bug collecting, learn more about ecosystems and sustainable living, and take part in wool dyeing and permaculture workshops.
People-powered bicycles will also turn a little pedal power into fruit juice smoothies, adding a hands-on twist to getting a refreshment.
Inside NERAM, visitors can explore Oracle of Time, an interactive installation by Laura Jade and Leslie Marsh that invites participants to dial a year and travel through local time.
More than 100 volunteers are helping bring the event together, creating a day with room to listen, learn, make something or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
“Brought to you by a team over 100 volunteers, come along, soak up the natural atmosphere and enjoy a fantastic day of local music, dance, art and community spirit!” said Annette Killar.
As the music winds down, attention will turn to the skies. UNE and the Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society will host night-sky viewing outside the NERAM Café from 7pm to 8.45pm.
Entry to the Black Gully Festival is free. Full music and activity details, along with updates about the clothes swap, are available through the Black Gully Festival Facebook page and the Creative Streets and NERAM websites.
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