Maitland Riverlights

Post

Subscribe

Sat 12 Oct 2024

Immerse yourself in over 30 different cultures and celebrate diversity through food, music, dance and interactive experiences when the Maitland Riverlights festivities hit this October.

In the heart of Central Maitland, The Levee will transform into a global village that will have you experiencing a trip around the globe as you visit the Global Kitchen, the Language Lounge, the Groove Fusion Stage, the World Stage and the cultural villages in this shared zone.

Event ambassador and Masterchef Australia winner Adam Liaw (season 2) will be headlining and presenting the perfect pancakes with a multicultural twist in the Global Kitchen, along with other experts cooking up the likes of coconut rice and dry eggplant curry, Tibetan dumplings, Argentinian lentil stew, Nigerian Puff-Puff snacks and so much more to inspire your inner chef. You’re sure to learn some top cooking tips and tricks too.


It’s one thing to learn but tasting all the delicious delights on offer is even better. Many local businesses will participate in Eat Around the World and have extended opening hours and offerings, such as Acacia Dining with an African feast, Aloi D Thai with $15 lunch specials, Bikesmith Espresso Bar with French pastries, Fifi’s Takeaway with Maltese food, Just Fry with Korean fried chicken, the Imperial Hotel serving up a Guinness pie special, Jubilo Gelato, The Pourhouse with International beers on tap and the Belmore Hotel dishing up Nepalese chicken curry.

There’s also a dedicated Riverlights Eatery food area which will feature local and regional food trucks and stalls that include Little Tokyo Japanese Eats, Viet Yum, Antico Woodfired Pizza, Elevated Kitchen, Yiayia’s Honey Balls, Churros Madness and The Kofte Lab.

Food aside, make a stop and express yourself at the Language Lounge as you learn songs, common words and greetings, play games and puzzles, and hear stories and poetry read in different languages. From Sudanese Arabic to Russian, Spanish and French, Iranian and Samoan, you’ll come out with some new-found knowledge.


When it comes to music and dance, you’re spoilt for choice as well. The Groove Fusion Stage will have you feeling the rhythm like never before with a world of soul-stirring beats, infectious melodies and sensational performances where innovation meets tradition.

The dynamic fusion of dance styles here will push the boundaries of movement and you’ll be dazzled by the talents of different cultural performers in colourful costumes promising you a night of fun. You can also participate in a Macedonian folklore dance workshop and a Brazilian art lesson.


Head to the World Stage for more vibrant song and dance performances, a cultural fashion parade and a citizenship ceremony or visit the 20 cultural villages to learn about traditions, sample food offerings, play board games, listen to music and explore a variety of henna art. You’ll find yourself embracing the lives of the communities of Ethiopia, Indonesia, South Africa, Tonga and the Fijian Islands, to name just a few.

Be sure to snap a photo with the roving performers throughout the event. These include the Hunter Shimmy Sisters, SambaFrog, Soulfire Circus LED dragon, the Wish Dragon and the Giant Puppets.


For more photo opportunities, stop by Wonderworld. It’s an interactive art installation/photobooth located inside a shipping container which visitors can use as a backdrop for their pics. It uses masses of lights and decorative objects as art materials to create a vivid kaleidoscopic spectacle that intermingles culturally-specific events, such as Christmas, Lunar New Year and Diwali.

In collaboration with a number of artists, you’ll also find a Sound Garden installation that is a walk-through immersive cultural ‘garden’ experience connecting to the sounds, patterns, colours and aromas of local multicultural communities.


Come evening, you’ll be treated to some stunning light displays in the precinct around the Riverlink building and the adjacent riverbank. Utilising state-of-the-art lights that include moving-head gobos, powerful fusion bar colour washes and sky tracker beams cutting through the night sky, the landscape will be transformed to celebrate diversity through a rainbow of colours and movement working together in a synchronised display. Across the water on the far bank, beautiful hues and patterned lights will glow as contrasting colours highlight the trees and reflect in the river.

There’s a lot to eat, see and do but don’t miss the main event. Further shining the night bright is the grand Riverlights Finale on the riverbank. It’s a multi-layered sight to behold with the popular festival parade departing from The Levee Shared Zone, a lantern river flotilla on the Hunter River, music and dance on the Riverlights Stage and a dynamic light show at the end for headline act Amaru Tribe that will be the closing showpiece drawing inspiration from the high energy of the performance and their strong use of saturated colours.


All of the above can be enjoyed on the 12th of October, however, there are a number of activities in the days leading up to Maitland Riverlights. These include workshops around lantern making, drumming and well-being, as well as a foreign movie night, an Around the World trivia night, A Culinary Journey with Adam Liaw and more, from 8th-11th October.

There’s a lot to love for all ages here, so bring the family to the heart of Maitland and make the most of all that’s on offer.

Entry: Free
When: 2pm-9pm (see specific timetables for different presenters and performers, etc. on the website)
Where: Most of the action is at The Levee in High St and the riverbank (plan ahead and check the website for other locations)
Website: www.maitlandriverlights.com.au
Ph: 02 4931 2801

#events
#festivals
#cultural_performances
#music
#dancing
#food_drink
#things_to_see
#art
#workshops
#family_friendly
#maitland
#october
%wnmaitland
%wnnewcastle
%wnsydney