You’ve introduced the Friday Night Vibes event to Newtown. Did you have a guiding philosophy in place when you began curating the program?
Yes! The idea for Friday Night Vibes (FNV) was born from public concerns around a changing ‘vibe’ in Newtown. Our aim is to curate a program that showcases the weird, wonderful and diverse talent this community has to offer. Over the weeks you’ll see Newtown locals (and honorary locals) doing their thing to support the Newtown Vibe.
What do you think makes Newtown special?
Can you take a guess? Its vibe! Newtown is a place where your individuality is not discouraged, but rather, celebrated. A place for musicians and accountants to form unlikely friendships over their shared passion for a particular local burger joint on Mary Street, or whilst belting out a karaoke song together in a Toyko-themed basement bar (stay weird, Newtown).
There is a live music element to Friday Night Vibes. What kind of artists are appearing?
The artists will be as diverse as the suburb. Rockabilly band and best-dressed-in-the-Inner-West The Cruisin’ Deuces kicked off the first FNV with their take on 1950s classics. Upcoming genres will include indie rock, acoustic and vaudeville.
Much has been written about the way Sydney has altered in the wake of the lockout laws. Is that something you have seen the effects of in Newtown?
There’s certainly a different feeling on Friday and Saturday nights with crowds looking for an alternative destination to Kings Cross. Both friends and myself have experienced incidents of aggressive, sexist or homophobic behaviour along King Street during these times and think that’s why it’s crucial to take action now.
Friday Night Vibes was funded in part to tackle anti-social behaviour. Do you find there’s particular merit in a positive approach to such issues?
Absolutely, you catch more flies with honey – or in this case, flowers (keep your eye out for the Newtopians distributing flowers at each FNV). I think it’s important to lead by example, so hopefully the good vibes at FNV will spread and remind King Street punters to look after each other – and stay weird.
[Friday Night Vibes photo by Diana Shypula, Prema Photo]
Friday Night Vibesruns until Friday April 1 in Newtown Square.
