This Week in Newcastle: All Things Wintery (And To Warm You Up!)
Are you looking for things to do in Newcastle this week? Here is a quick guide to gigs & events to get you out of the house and into the thick of it!
To get you started, check out our guide to Newcastle’s markets.
Friday, 24 June
If you’re in the mood for a scare, check out Newcastle Ghost Tours’ Winter Soup & Screamer Tour. The evening kicks off with a hot bowl of soup and crusty bread from Monet’s Restaurant. While you gobble that, you’ll hear about the history of the site - the James Fletcher complex - and then you’ll be able to peek into the haunted rooms. Bring your camera! The tour is $60 per person and begins at Monet’s Restaurant, 72 Watt Street, Newcastle. More info.
For the metalheads among us, get along to Club Led tonight. This monthly gathering of local metal bands and fans has been running for about a year. Tonight’s lineup includes Chambers of Insanity, Drop Bear, The Seer and Sabretung. The evening features cheap drinks, a DJ room and giveaways and takes place at The Newcastle District Tennis Club (cnr Curley & Lambton Rds, Broadmeadow). 9pm - after midnight. $10 entry.
Feel like heading out for dinner tonight? Tapas?
Saturday, 25 June
Check out our guide to Newcastle’s markets to see what’s on this Livesites will be hosting the final in their series of Winter Heat evenings tonight in Civic Park. Between 6 - 9pm you can check out a firewalking show, lantern-making workshop and classical music by Ensemble Arc. There will also be a bunch of tasty treats available to warm you up - hot chocolate, tea, coffee, mini Dutch pancakes, organic soups & breads & more! You can also bring your own picnic hamper and settle in for the evening.
Flash Sheedy & The Instromatics will bring surf rock (think Dick Dale) to the Seven Seas Hotel in Carrington tonight! It’s free and kicks of at 9pm.
Be transported back to a 1920s or 30s speakeasy at The Wickham Park Hotel tonight. Half Nelson will perform a diverse mix of jazz and blues from gritty Billie Holiday to super smooth Ella Fitzgerald. Add in Louis Armstrong & Fats Waller and you’re getting there!
Afternoon drinks on the cards today?
Sunday, 26 June
Here’s one for the snow bunnies! If you find yourself always having to take one more run, or sneaking around your friends and family to get your fix, it could be time for a Wintervention. Warren Miller Entertainment’s 61st film, Wintervention, is narrated by Jonny Moseley and focuses on cases of extreme snow-diction around the world. If you’re hooked already, get along to the Newcastle screening taking place at Wests New Lambton at 7:30pm (doors to The Starlight Room open at 7pm). Entry is $14 for adults and $12 for children (under 15 years). More info.
De Bortoli are putting on a Wine Lovers Breakfast in the Hunter Valley because “dinner is for wimps”. Kick off your Sunday morning with a 4 course degustation breakfast, with matching wines of course, all served up in the vineyard’s private tastings room. The brekkie is $50 or $35 without matching wines and there are limited spaces available. To book, call (02) 4993 8800.
Tuesday, 28 June
NIMA will be serving up their weekly dose of jazz at The Underground at The Grand Hotel. This week it’s The Briana Cowlishaw Quartet ft. Briana on vocals, Matt McMahon on piano, Brendan Clarke on bass & Nic Cecire on drums. Things kick off at 7:30pm and wrap up ’round 11. Entry is $10.
Wednesday, 29 June
She’s been crowned Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘Woman of the Year’, and Leonard Cohen is a fan, and now she’s here! The quirky Clare Bowditch will take to the stage at Lizottes Newcastle tonight. As we’d expect from Clare, this is no ordinary gig, instead Winter Secrets is a night of interactive inspiration between artist and audience. Clare will be supported by the gorgeous Lanie Lane. Tickets are $43 for the show only or $83 for show + meal & bookings are essential. More info.
The Cambridge will again play host to the Antics student night, which features free pool, cheap drinks (incl. $3 beers & spirits before 10:30pm) & free entertainment. It’s a great place to catch local up & coming original acts and tonight you’ll be entertained by The Hedonists + Jupiter Menace + The Earlybirds. 8:30 - 11pm.
Friday, 1 July
If opera takes your fancy or intrigue, get along to Newcastle City Hall’s Hunter Room tonight or tomorrow night to experience Blue Bottle Productions’ comedic The Bourgeois Gentleman. The company has taken the German opera and translated it to colloquial English and an Australian setting. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 concession (+ booking fee), available here. The show kicks off at 7:30pm.
Renew Newcastle are hosting a Winter Wander this evening. On the first Friday of each month, Renew’s stores stay open late to launch exhibitions & showcase their wares. You can join in on a guided tour if you head to Renew Newcastle’s HQ on Morgan St or just check out the various goings on yourself. This is your chance to be the first to hear about the latest projects, and discover more about the creative side of Newcastle. It’s free and there are tasty Winter treats on offer along the way to help you stay warm. Events happening on the night include Make Space’s Warm Fuzzy, which includes beginners crochet, mulled wine and sticky date pudding, and ARThive’s 2nd birthday celebration. More info.
For your fix of wailing blues guitar, check out The Steve Edmonds Band at the New Orana Hotel in Blacksmiths. The band kicks off at 8:30pm.
Saturday, 2 July
The Olive Tree Markets are on again this Saturday, so pack your purse and head along to check out some great local wares. You can also enjoy music by folk duo Nick & Liesl, who have been described as a grown up Angus & Julia Stone. This is their only Newcastle gig before they head off on a European tour, so don’t miss your chance to catch them! The markets take place at The Junction Public School between 9am - 3pm. More info.
Folk-rockers & winners of the 2010 Newcastle Street Music Festival, Post Paint will launch their debut EP “Amo Amas Amat” tonight at The Cambridge Hotel. The EP title is Latin for “I love, you love, they love’ and is a collection of warm and wistful recordings. Contributing to their eclectic hour set will be classical instruments like violin and bassoon alongside trad bass, guitar and drums. You might have seen the band at Livesites’ Winter Heat, or as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival, and alongside Newcastle’s The Owls. They’re now also venturing into the theatre side of things, writing a score for Sydney’s Little Ones Theatre. Tonight’s gig will also feature Boatfriends, The Si Claros and In the Dollhouse. Entry is just $8 and includes a free copy of the EP.
Helmet will bring LA post-hardcore rock to Level One, Newcastle Leagues Club, tonight. The gig is part of their first tour to Australia in three years and they’re promoting their 7th album “Seeing Eye Dog”. Tickets are available from the venue, Catfight Collections, The Rock Shop, Oz Tix & Big Tix. Door open at 8pm. Newcastle Leagues Club is located at 17 National Park St, Newcastle (near Muso’s Corner).
If you’ve got a gig or event coming up in Newcastle, be sure to let us know!
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