News

First Friday 1 October Special Events - Take your own tour [24.09.2010]

On the First Friday of each month the Renew Newcastle shops and galleries stay open late and put on something special to tempt you into the city.

Its an extra special First Friday of the month on 1st October, coinciding as it is with the This Is Not Art festival weekend. Which means there’s lots happening across the city and lots of visitors coming for some R & R in Newcastle – including Marcus Westbury (and his new little baby) who will lead a soap-box style launch of what’s new in the Renew Newcastle spaces.

Meet up at 6pm outside the newest RN property 14 Thorn St – home to Before It Began and Odditorium – where Marcus will give you the lowdown on all that’s happened with RN over the past year, a guide to all the special events happening on the night, and send you on your way for your own self-guided tour of any of the spaces that take your fancy.

Here are some reasons to come along:

1. Your last chance to catch the Sticky Fingers illustration exhibition at ARThive.

Featuring works on paper and walls, from 11 local artists and illustrators. (Upstairs, 111 Hunter St, off Morgan St)

2. Mad Hatter Millinery are hosting a special soiree from 6-8pm, and invite you to Leave Your Hat On…

They are welcoming their newest local hat designers to the studio. Wear a hat & dress elegantly to make the most of their hospitality… (Shop 18/19 Market Square)

3. Run Amok Dance Clothing are presenting their first runway show, featuring lycra costume creations by Kerrie Fletcher as well as rockabilly & swing fashions by their newest local designer Lesley’s Little Shop and a vintage inspired swimwear launch. 6-8pm (Shop 16/17 Market Square)

4. A shop opening party from 6-9pm for our newest project, the Odditorium Vintage & Portrait Parlour.

Transforming an old jewellers into an installation of curiosities. (Basement, 14 Thorn St)

5. A shop re-opening party from 6-9pm for our most mobile project, Before It Began fashion/art/studio.

They have just moved into their 3rd temporary Renew Newcastle space, and are celebrating From Russia With Love feat. Trine Deans, Christian Kauter & Kelly Sharpe (14 Thorn St)

6. Catch the Makespace ladies staying up late for bubbles and cake from 5-7pm.

A trove of handmade kids clothes, womens clothes, homewares, jewellery, cards and bags all by local designers. Makespace…where art and craft spoon. (19 Wolfe St)

7. Opening night of Figuratively Raw, an exhibition of large scale photographic nudes, at Newcastle’s only dedicated photography gallery. 7pm

Gallery Raw Newcastle House of Photography. (202 King St)

If you finish your tour at Gallery Raw, its just a hop, skip and a jump over to the This Is Not Art festival club on King St, where you can retire for a Ginger Beer!