‘Where culture meets coastline:’ A stage for art, food and community is coming to the Beaches
Block out your calendar for 5 to 7 December, because Avalon, Whale Beach and Palm Beach are set to transform into a vibrant stage where music, art, food and community converge. The Deep North Festival, backed by council and the NSW Uptown Grant Program, will showcase numerous local businesses, artists and live events.
Avalon has made ongoing attempts to stimulate its local economy and encourage visitors over the past few years, with the Deep North being the latest and boldest new initiative trying to highlight the numerous local talents, including businesses, musicians and artists.
Local businesses involved in the Deep North are coming together to form the Avalon Business Collective (ABC), with the intent of ‘a long-term ongoing strategy to support and promote business on the Northern Beaches.’
“The Deep North celebrates community, connection and creativity,” said Sally, one of the organisers. “It has been several years in the making. Three days of world-class performers, from circus artists to virtuoso musicians and leading thinkers, are igniting this special corner of Sydney.”
Many local businesses have joined the ABC and are set to open their doors and present themselves in new, unforgettable ways for the Deep North. Popular local stores and makers are among those creating festival-only offerings.
The leadup to the event has seen organisers take to social media to promote it, with their pages featuring content ranging from program teasers to thanking those who have signed up and showing off the beautiful local landscapes. There have even been some behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of the organisers at their ‘magical tent venue in Dunbar Park.’
The highlight of the promotion has been their Local Legends series, where they have been spotlighting some of the artists, makers and other Avalon talent in short reels.
From artists, photographers, authors and the entrepreneurs behind the businesses, the videos show ‘their Avalon in 60 seconds.’ They reveal what they’re most looking forward to at The Deep North Festival alongside their favourite parts of Avalon as a place to foster such creativity.
“I feel like it’s the determination to try and hold on to relationships with nature, creativity, family,” said local artist Josh Yeldham in one reel. “I think the festival will demonstrate all our skills, talents and our desire to maintain this way of life that we’ve all worked so hard to have.”
The vast majority of the program will be free to access, including performances from virtuoso Indigenous composer William Barton, beloved songstress Katie Noonan, jazz master James Morrison and Sydney’s hottest DJs. There will also be world-class musicians including Joseph Tawadros – and a ‘secret Saturday headliner’ to be announced in November that ‘sparks mystery, intrigue and an unforgettable surprise.’
Alongside them, exhibiting artists Tim Georgeson, Cybele Cox, Sarah Ducker, Tim Schultz and Mika Utzon Popov are scheduled to show their playful, thoughtful and inspiring works.
Environmental pioneer and former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown also plans to visit the festival, in conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning writer and journalist Geraldine Brooks.
The Deep North promises to be an unforgettable experience and important local initiative, celebrating local culture and aiming to open it up to a wider audience.
As program highlights are being revealed in the buildup to the festival, there’s even more to get excited about, so keep an eye on the festival website and socials.
For the latest news on the festival’s program and participating businesses, visit deepnorth.au