Twisted: Night Flowers Party

Twisted takes over Bartholomew's Restaurant & Bar on Saturday 26 September, a one-night party that's part of New Annual 2026, the sixth edition of Newcastle's flagship arts festival run by the City of Newcastle with NSW Government funding. The night is built around Night Flowers, a series by photographer Damien Frost that's spent 14 years documenting London's alternative queer nightlife. Frost was one of the original founders of Newcastle arts organisation Octopod back in the late 90s, and he calls the city his spiritual home. He's showing a collection of Night Flowers images at Watt Space Gallery alongside new portraits of Newcastle's own queer and alternative communities. He describes the work as being as much about community and chosen family as personal expression.

On the night, DJs Annabelle Gaspar and Harry Court will keep things moving, with performance artist Justin Talplacido Shoulder (aka Phasmahammer) in the mix. There's a long list of artists involved too: Cleo Rapture, Abork, Benjamin Fraser McKenzie, Vandoll, Evie Bopper, Orlando Gloom, Rachel Maria Cox, Miss Stress, Oda Mae, Leeha Tart, Ménage Atart, Genevieve Unicorn and Louisa Magrics. The party is co-produced by WE!RD The Party and hosted by Fox Pflueger and Sticky Waffles, with Frost supported by The Lock Up's Artist in Residence Program. Costume is encouraged, so it's a good excuse to dress up if you've been looking for one.

It's a one-off, and there's more to it than just the party. Entry to the companion SOAK sessions at Newcastle Ocean Baths and the Night Flowers exhibition is free, so you can work your way through the exhibition and the baths before the night kicks off. The party runs from 7:00pm to midnight on Saturday 26 September at Bartholomew's Restaurant & Bar, with tickets at A$50 standard, A$40 concession and A$35 student via MOBTIX.