This Week in Newcastle: Bastille Day Celebrations, Gigs, Circus Fun & Christmas in July
Image courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
There’s no shortage of gigs & events this week in Newcastle! Whether you want to get your French on for Bastille Day, catch some live music or head to the theatre - it’s all happening!
Friday, 15 July
For the Francophile’s in Newcastle, there are a couple of opportunities for you to get out and celebrate Bastille Day tonight. First off, Silo is hosting a Bastille Day wine dinner. The dinner will satisfy your French cravings with a seven course degustation banquet matched with seven french wines. The feast begins at 6:30pm and you can book your seat by calling (02) 4926 2828. More info.
Bar Petite is mid-Bastille-Day-celebration and the fun will continue throughout the weekend. There are French specials for lunch (quiche, charcuterie and French onion soup) and a 3 course Parisian Brasserie menu for dinner. If you head in on Saturday night, make sure you dress up because there will be prizes for the best Napoleon, best Brigitte Bardot and most fatal femme fatale. There will also be French-inspired entertainment throughout the weekend, from Parisian bistro music through to a special Moulin Rouge-esque show. For more information & to book, check out their website.
Vents is one of Australia’s most respected MCs and tonight will take to the stage the CBD Hotel to launch his new album, Marked for Death. Tickets are $14.50 from Big Tix.
It’s a big night for gigs tonight, check out last week’s guide to see where to find reggae, pop-rock and forest rock tonight!
Saturday, 16 July
It’s Christmas in July at Bimbadgen Estate’s restaurant Esca, which has developed a Christmas-inspired menu with a local touch. The menu is available for lunch or dinner throughout July in addition to the regular offerings & includes pork belly and treacle pudding (yum!). The set menu is $55 per person or $70 with matching wines. The restaurant is open for lunch every day and dinner Thursday - Saturday. Bookings are essential, call (02) 4998 4666 to reserve your spot & enjoy some mid-year Christmas cheer.
Sunday, 17 July
Roots-rockers the Agents of Peace are having a homecoming gig at The Wickham Park Hotel tonight from about 5pm. The band features outstanding musicians including former Screaming Jet Grant Walmsley, new drummer Rob Grosser (who has played with members of Deep Purple, White Snake, Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel & Muddy Waters’ band), Newcastle musician and create force Allon Silove, national harmonica authority Merewether Fats & kid wonder/bartop guitarist Huw Jones. Free entry.
Tuesday, 19 July
Tonight the Newcastle Improvised Music Association (NIMA) presents The Collective at The Underground in the Grand Hotel as part of their weekly jazz program. The band features Paul Issacs (sax), Peter Gray (bass), Gavin Ahearn (piano/keys) & Ben Elliot (drums). You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant and then head downstairs at around 7:30pm. Entry $10.
Wednesday, 20 July
The circus has arrived! Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco will be on show in Newcastle from today until Sunday 24th July. Saltimbanco is italian literally for ‘jump on bench’ taking the audience on a ‘acrobatic journey through the city’. Tickets are available here.
Thursday, 21 July
Tonight Lizottes Newcastle presents an amazing double bill featuring vocal looping extraordinaire Mr Percival & The James Valentine Quartet. Mr Percival’s sets are filled with his substantial vocal range and a lot of humour, he manages to fill a stage with simply himself, a microphone and of course his looping pedals. James Valentine, formerly the sax player from The Models, has brought together a jazz quartet to take on Australian rock classics from Midnight Oil, The Divinyls, Crowded House (yes, claiming them as Australian) and more… The end of the night will see the 2 acts take to the stage together, a rare opportunity to see Darren Percival away from the loops and out the front in full voice. Tickets are $25 and available here.
A night of many firsts, tonight Sarah & the King Bees will give their debut performance in Newcastle at The Wickham Park Hotel. Melodic rhythms and smooth vocals make for a refreshing, feel good vibe. Entry is free & kick off is 8:30pm.
Friday, 22 July
Busby Marou have had crazy success in the last year or so - they received the Federal Government’s “Breakthrough” funding, their album reached #4 on the Australian Independent Music Charts, and sits in the top 20 in the Songwriting category of the iTunes chart, they were awarded a Deadly and a Q Song award and featured on the Finn Brothers tribute He Will Have His Way (Better Be Home Soon). And now the boys are in Newcastle! To see what all the fuss is about, get to the CBD Hotel on Hunter St tonight! The night will kick of with Jackson McLaren at 8pm. Tickets are $12 + booking fee pre-sale through Big Tix or $15 at the door.
Nikko, whose music has been described as “post-murder-ballad-rock”, will be performing in the Merchant Bar at The Great Northern Hotel tonight. They’re touring to promote their second full-length album and to escape the Brisbane rehearsal rooms they’ve been holed up in while recording. Melody Pool will also be performing folk/country songs like those found on her newly released EP. Free entry, kick off at 8pm.
Saturday, 23 July
Catch Mojo Juju at The Great Northern Hotel tonight for a set of hoodoo blues described as “smooth, shiny & full of sin”. Joined by special guests, don’t miss this local favourite - stunning voice and great performer! Tickets are available here and doors open at 8:30pm.
Newcastle Festival Opera will present Leonard Bernstein’s Candide tonight at the Civic Theatre. This comedy production includes a full orchestra, 100 voice chorus and wacky characters taking on a quest to find Candide the perfect bride. There is a dinner package available for Bar Petite, so you can enjoy some tasty eats before heading to the show at 8pm. More info.
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