This Week In Newcastle: Back to School, Yoga & Lots of Music

by Jenna Smith on February 17, 2012

As Summer comes to a close, you have probably been back at work for a while now, started back at school or are dreading the start of Uni. Take a break from all these realities & get amongst these fun & exciting gigs & events happening around Newcastle this week!

Friday, 17 February

To get up close and personal with the best creative arts that Newcastle has to offer, head to fashion art studio, Before It Began on Darby Street tonight! Kicking off from 6pm, the Cleopatra’s Snatch Meets Jasmine’s Hooch launch, will be displays of local designer Jhonnzie Bechet’s new collection as well as images from local photographers, Bonnie-Grace Dwyer & Kwaku Atuahene. The Before It Began store is located at Shop 5 113-125 Darby Street, right behind Darby Raj and the launch is open for all from 6-9pm.

After a grueling twelve months in the studio, Luke & Joel are ready to unleash their music to Novocastrians tonight at The Cambridge Hotel. These Newcastle-bred rockers will be supported by 1929 Indian, Broadway Mile & Baby Grand. The show kicks off from 8pm and entry is $10 at the door.

Newcastle’s own inner city winery, Inner City Winemakers in Wickham, will be opening it’s exhibition of works by Catherine Bargwanna and tastings of their Street Art Series wines tonight. Starts at 5.30pm. To make a booking call (02) 4962 3545.

Join Brian and the crew at Newcastle Lizotte’s tonight as they host Brian’s famous Chilli Crab & Jazz Night! Listen to the funky jazz sounds of The Andrew Geraughty Trio alongside a generous serving of chilli crab. What a way to unwind from the week that was. Tickets are available now, $61 +bf for main meal and show,  $19 +bf for show only upstairs with bar menu available.

Head to Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club tonight to see the Rebel Rousers showcasing the best in rock n roll music from the 50s to the 80s! Overlooking the pristine waters of Lake Macquarie, see this hard working rock and roll band at their best. Entry is free and the shows starts from 8.30pm.

Newcastle’s finest (and only) dive bar, Chino’s Bar is hosting the Jungle Rump Live Band Karaoke tonight! Ever wanted to front a real live band? Tonight is your chance! This takes karaoke to the extreme as you can choose from a list of 80 songs to perform & feel as though you are part of a real life band. Songs to choose from include rock and roll hits from ACDC, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Michael Jackson and many more. It is sure to be a hilarious night, so even if you’re not so keen on performing head down & have a laugh as Novocastrians have their shot at the big time. Visit Chino’s website for more information.

Saturday, 18 February

Start your weekend off with beer, beer and more beer as Newcastle hosts it’s second annual Taste of the World Beer Festival, kicking off this evening at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club in Broadmeadow! Tonight is race night with tickets getting you into the races, a sausage sizzle and 5 tasting tokens so you can treat yourself to some of the world’s best Craft Beers. The Saturday night festivities kick off from 6pm till 10pm & entry is $15 paid at the gate.

Newcastle Panthers will tonight host the Real Deal Thai Kickboxing presented by Murdoch’s Workshop! Held in Auditorium One room, doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Various tickets are available now (ringside, standing and VIP) from Fighters Domain by calling (02) 4943 9642. Click here for more information, or call Rob Murdoch on 0408 508 474.

ARIA nominees and Australia’s premier ‘Rocky Steady reggae got soul’ act King Tide, will be appearing at Lizotte’s Newcastle tonight! Fresh from festivals such as Peats Ridge,  the release of their latest self-titled album, King Tide will be treating Novocastrians with their ‘fattest, deepest grooves’. Tickets are available here, for just $25 +bf with a la carte or bar menu’s available.

Following fantastic responses from tours in 2011, rockers HELM are gracing The Cambridge Hotel tonight from 8pm. The band are showcasing their latest release, Under The Sun alongside special guests Quiet Child, Shinobi, Drawcard & Like Thieves. Tickets are available now from moshtix for $15 +bf. Do not miss this opportunity to witnessa truly unique outfit that represents a very relevant chapter of modern Australian Rock!

The Great Northern Hotel will tonight host instrumental rockers, Sleepmakeswaves from 8pm till close! Following airplay on Triple J Unearthed as well as on the BBC, these guys have a bright future ahead of them. Pre-sale tickets are available now.

Sunday, 19 February

Today the 2012 Taste of  the World Beer Festival really kicks off at Broadmeadow Race Course, with a range of Craft Beers, food tasting and fun activities! You can expect to taste the best international and  Craft Beers as well as Hunter Valley wines, enjoy live cooking demonstrations from My Kitchen Rules winners, Sammy and Bella, dabble in unique flavours from international and local cuisine, Sumo & Putting competitions, live entertainment and much, much more! Standard tickets are now $25 +bf & includes entry, Souvenir Tasting Glass & 5 tasting tokens, or you can upgrade to a Premium ticket with all that plus 10 tasting tokens for $30 +bf. Buy your tickets now and get out in the sun to enjoy this last bit of summer we have left!

For a fun day out on Newcastle’s very own ‘eat-street’, head to the Hamilton Food, Wine & Music Festival on Beaumont Street today! Featuring performances from Mat McHugh from The Beautiful Girls fame, plus a range of market stalls and amusements for the whole family.

Recently making the top ten in the 2011 Triple J Hottest 100, San Cisco will be bringing their low-fi garage pop energy to The Great Northern Hotel tonight from 8pm. Supported by The Jungle Giants, this indie-pop double bill is sure to get Newcastle kids dancing with gay abandon in a way that is far from polite. Tickets are available now for just $15.30. This is an over 18s event.

Monday, 20 February

Go on, get out of the house! Check out the Urban Insider’s Guide to Mondays and live a little this Monday night in Newcastle.

Tuesday, 21 February

Cheap Tuesday? You know it! Know all the cheap eats and fun activities happening in Newcastle Tuesday night’s with the Urban Insider’s Guide to Tuesday.

Wednesday, 22 February

Boasting a roster of up-and-coming Australian talent, independent label Broken Stones Records is hitting the road for a roadshow extravaganza, and is stopping at the Lass O’Gowrie in Wickham on the way! With a suitcase full of local artists, the touring showcase of music and mixed-media art will feature performances from Sister Jane, Magnetic Heads, Caitlin Park and The Maple Trail accompanied by live footage VJ-ing and projections of their video clips. An exciting display of artworks will also be on show for audiences. Kicks off form 7pm, click here for tickets and more information.

Brave the swarms of Uni students on a Wednesday night as Urban Insider has collated the best, and cheapest, things everyone can do on a Wednesday night in Newcastle! Don’t miss out on the fun with the Day-by-Day Guide to Newcastle: Wednesday.

Thursday, 23 February

The Great Northern Hotel once again is hosting Jazz Factory tonight! Grab your saxophone and head down for the chance to win, or just go along to chill out to smooth jazz tunes. Entry is free and the acts kick off from 7.30pm. All ages and styles are welcome.

Regulars of the root music circuit, Karl Broadie and Caitlin Harnett, are featuring at Lizotte’s Newcastle tonight! Featuring songs the two artists have written together as well their own material from respective releases and the occasional mash-up, this is sure to brighten up your Thursday night! Show tickets are available with a la carte menu or bar menu’s, which are just $26 +bf. More information & bookings.

Friday, 24 February

Feeling like some music, yoga and healing after the week? Need to find your inner peace? Newcastle will be hosting the Bodhi Festival this weekend, kicking off from this evening. The festival will begin with a walk starting from Newcastle Beach through to the Abode of Peace on Hunter Street, followed by a night market and electrifying entertainment to kick off the weekend’s festivities! Saturday & Sunday of the Bodhi Festival will involve a range of yoga, chakra, kirtan and healing workshops, you can find the full weekend program here. Tickets are available to the Festival By Donation by registering online .For more information, visit the Bodhi Festival website.

Start off the Uni-year with a bang as Newcastle University’s Bar on the Hill hosts its O-Party 2012 from 7.30pm till midnight! This all-ages event will see special appearances from Deep Sea Arcade, Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! and local band The Zillers. U-members get in for free, for students it’s $5 & everyone is $10. Free buses will also be taking you into town afterwards! More information.

If you feel like getting out of Newcastle this weekend, head about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Wollombi Valley for the Foggy Mountain Jam. This unique music experience held over tonight and Saturday night, will see acts like Troy Cassar-Daley, Shane Nicholson, Kasey Chambers plus many more. Tonight sees the exclusive and intimate dinner show under the stars, and tomorrow will host the family fun day! More information and tickets.

Saturday, 25 February

Newcastle’s Grammar School on the corner of Union Street and Parkway Avenue in Cooks Hill, will host its annual Twilight Festival this evening from 3pm to 6pm! Boasting something for everyone with refreshing drinks, great food, entertainment, stalls and a wonderful location to watch the sun descend into the picturesque horizon. For further information email RodS@ngs.nsw.edu.au.

Want one last chance to bender before the ugly head of uni work rears its way into 2012? The Cambridge Hotel is hosting its Back To School Party with Australia’s coolest bands including Step-Panther, Palms, Maids and Vulture Culture plus some choice DJs. Don your best school uniform and head to The Cambo to farewell summer and have one last huge night to remember! Tickets are $10 +bf, available here, with the festivities kicking off from 8pm.