EDGE GreenWay a huge success
Monday, 1 April 2019
Council’s inaugural EDGE – a series of five planned “creative precincts activations” – attracted thousands of people from across Sydney on the weekend.
EDGE GreenWay, a community celebration spotlighting the cultural “ecosystem” in Lilyfield, was a hive of activity from the 3pm starting time right through until the jaw-dropping finale performance by local physical theatre company, Legs on the Wall.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said he was delighted by the first EDGE.
“This initial event has put EDGE on Sydney’s cultural map, generating huge public interest and real momentum to build EDGE into an artistic presence that will rival Vivid.
“Thanks to EDGE GreenWay, so many more people, especially local residents, are aware of what is right on their doorsteps – this incredible precinct, including The Canal Road Film Centre and Legs on the Wall physical theatre company,” said Mayor Byrne.
“While the Inner West is home to more arts workers per head than just about anywhere else in Australia, this is an ecosystem that is endangered by a lack of affordable premises.
“EDGE shines a spotlight on not only all the amazing resourcefulness, but also the increasing challenges facing our creative communities.
“All I can say now is, bring on EDGE Sydenham in August, when the spotlight will turn to that fascinatingly gritty area of Sydney where the lanes and streets are full of artist studios and collectives, a live music scene and speciality food makers and retailers,” he said.
At EDGE GreenWay on Saturday, thousands of people took advantage of the free talks, tours and workshops, including Wild Edibles Walks with Diego Bonetto, Canal Road Film Centre tours and Words of Wisdom talks about local fishing and foraging with Gadigal Wangal elders.
A dedicated kids zone was heaving with small people taking advantage of the upcycled playground where craft workshops, sandpit play, bike-powered interactive dance and “native animal” performers and puppets all featured.
Kids especially enjoyed the Regeneration Lab grotto of installations, performances, music and exotica with local artists’ collective The Agar Dish.
Families were kept entertained for hours wandering the EDGE trails, inspecting the art installations as part of Art on the GreenWay, stopping at food stalls and making lanterns for the Lantern Parade.
A large crowd then gathered at various vantage points around Iron Cove Bay to watch the Lantern Parade, the Aboriginal Welcome dance and song and then, as Earth Hour approached, the Legs on the Wall performance before the Boat of Dreams sailed off into the night.
EDGE Sydenham is scheduled for 2 to 11 August, 2019.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath | Media and Communications Coordinator
P: +61 2 9392 5334 | E: elizabeth.heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au