Streets will come alive
Alive After 5 will continue with day three on December 23 and will see performances from Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Afrortainments BIG NUZ, and the programme director for the day will be uKhozi FM’s Dudu Khoza and Newcastle Community Radio's Rev Koloko.
Newcastle came alive on Friday evening, December 11, with day one of Alive After 5, a summer festival hosted by the Newcastle Municipality.
Alive After 5 is an initiative which aims to expand daily activity patterns to include the night time economy of our CBD, and also aims to provide the community with a platform to drive activity and social cohesion after hours.
This initiative will gradually introduce late night shopping, while promoting cultural, entertainment and economic confidence, the municipality believes.
This is part of the broader programme of the municipality to revive the Central Business District (CBD).
The Alive After 5 slogan was adopted by a number of United Kingdom cities, including our sister city, with the aim of increasing our market share.
According to the Newcastle Municipality, it understands the CBD needs more people living, working, investing and visiting, and decided to create an environment which is inviting to all.
Even though day one of the festival was washed out by heavy rainfalls, resulting in scheduled performances and exhibitions being cancelled for safety reasons, retail stores successfully extended their trading hours and enjoyed large numbers of shoppers.
As the festival proceeds, stakeholders will be working closely with business people to ensure road closures do not affect normal trading hours.
Families from all walks of Newcastle came together to celebrate Reconciliation Day at the second day of the festival, which included performances by Monique Steyn, Dewald Wasserfall, Cherise and many more.
Alive After 5 will continue with day three on December 23 and will see performances from Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Afrortainments BIG NUZ, and the programme director for the day will be uKhozi FM’s Dudu Khoza and Newcastle Community Radio’s Rev Koloko.
The community can look forward to a firework display at 8pm, and are urged to look after their pets during that time.
Residents should also use alternative roads, as Scott Street between the Voortrekker intersection and Sutherland Street will be closed from 1pm on the day.
Allen Street will be closed for the duration of the event.
