Armidale Culture
Armidale has a truly international
flavour. Its educational facilities have attracted students,
academics and their families from all over the world adding a
multicultural dimension to the city and events hosted by different
ethnic groups add vitality, spice and colour, making life in Armidale
and enriching experience.
For artists, musicians and those who are
otherwise culturally inclined, Armidale offers unique opportunities. The
New England Regional Art Museum, one of ten museums, houses the
acclaimed Hinton and Coventry collections and regularly exhibits the
works of promising up and coming artists. The
Aboriginal Cultural Centre and
Keeping Place is just a short walk away. The Newling Centre provides
a focus for performing arts and the resident New England Theatre Company
tours regularly with professional productions. Numerous other theatres
represent quality live performances, which have included in the recent
past: Les Miserable, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum, Chicago, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, Pirate of Penzance, Music Man
and
Plague and the Moonflower,
which performed at Woodford 2003. The Armidale Playhouse and UNE
have regular performances throughout the year.
There is a
cinema complex and craft
centres. Jazz, modern and classical music are provided by the Armidale
Symphony Orchestra, Youth Orchestra, the New England Symphonia, Musica
Viva, New England Singers, New England Music Academy, ADMS (Armidale
District Musical Society) and an assortment of bands and visiting
ensembles. Highlights of the year include the annual carnivals such as "
Wool Expo " with the excitement of the TAWFA "The Australian Wool
Fashion Awards" which attracts entries from all round the South Pacific.
There is a Poetry and Music Festival and the Autumn Festival amongst
others. Armidale boasts a month long Eisteddfod and Dance Festival
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