Review: Riverbeats Festival

Riverbeats Festival
Parramatta River
Saturday 10 November

First published in The Daily Telegraph.

The public transport wasn't an option and the parking was a nightmare but neither of these factors was enough to deter anyone attending the second inaugural Riverbeats Festival on the riverside in Parramatta.

While the hustle and bustle of a Saturday night crowd enjoyed the culinary delights of Church Street, down next to the river a festival of water,of lights and of culture was exploding.

The heavy rain in Sydney throughout the week threatened to put a dampener on the proceedings but come the morning of the weekend, the sun burst through the ominous front and created a beautiful spring day. Accordingly, the people of Parramatta emerged in their thousands to celebrate.

Picnic blankets, bottles of wine, laughter and applause greeted the casual observer as you surrounded yourself in a spectacle of beautiful music and a light show that captured the essence of a city that truly honours its creative pulse.

On one side of the river, a stage was set, framed by four enormous inflatable balloons that acted as projection screens for footage, film and the worlds best in digital art.

It was a festival like no other in Sydney. Outdoor sculptures adorned the passage ways into the riverside, the esoteric sounds of CODA filled the estuary and ERTH puppeteers created a magical world that captured the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to be in attendance.

And all this was then supported by the sounds of Paul McNally and the astonishing work of New York based animators Motomichi Nakamura.

Sure, the official speeches dragged things down, but it was clear that this night was for the people. It was a celebration of the spiritual beat from the river and it honoured the forbears of this beautiful land. Parramatta really is the centre of this magnificent city and even more so during this stunning public event.

For more info about Riverbeats CLICK HERE.