Newtown Festival 2019 Focus: Jannah Beth

Presumably you’ve been to the Newtown Festival before, what’s your favourite memory? First that comes to mind is local performer and artist Stelly G dancing on a balcony next to the park to a cheering crowd of other local legends. Generally, the atmosphere of having the town together.

Lots of suburbs put on festivals, but Newtown Festival is always particularly huge - why do you think that is? Newtown is home to the artists, musicians, dancers, 'weirdos', the creatives and foodies. Its culture has been carved by those people, naturally any time there is a community-wide event, the community gets down.

Favourite spot at the festival to chill and watch the world go by? I'm a roamer - park up for a little bit over here, a little bit over there, better check what's happening at the hub, now I'm at a pub, go with the flow kind afternoon.

What would be your entry into the dog show? I'm a cat person turned dog lover with the newly formed bond with my housemate's dog Alfy. I'm not sure I'd enter him in the competition, I'd have to get permission (from him) but I didn't want to give up the opportunity to talk about him. He is special.

This year's musical line-up is entirely from the Inner West - what is it about the area that inspires so much creativity? I still think of Newtown as this enchanting, fairytale community that values its residents for their ability to be bold, express who they are, create things, wear whatever, love whoever. Newtown is iconic; if you're like me and stumble into Newtown as a teenager it'll put a spell on you.

What's your go-to food stall at the festival and why? If Clem's doesn't count, then Mary's burgers and a schooie of Newtowner for sure... and Clem's after.

Will you extend your Newtown Festival celebrations into the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Festival Series in the weeks leading up to the big day? I do love the cult classic film The Princess Bride, watching it down in Camperdown Park would be cute, cute, cute.

When and where are you performing on the day? Essential Stage, 12.30pm. See you there!