This Week in Newcastle: British Comedy, Shakespeare & Bike-Powered Cinema

by Anja Vogel on March 2, 2012

Friday 2 March

Want to watch a movie & burn off some of those beers all in one go? Head to Newcastle Skate Park tonight for Bag It Pedal Powered Cinema. Bring your own blanket, rug, small chair and of course bike!! The wet weather venue is King St Carpark. Tim Silverwood from Take 3 will also be giving a quick talk about his recent expedition to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This creation is from Greer Allen who has started Magnificent Revolution to bring attention to the need for greater awareness of renewable energies and the problems of climate change. We need four bikes running to power the night so there is a chance for everyone to have a go or just sit back and watch the show. This is a first for Newcastle - make sure you’re a part of it! More info.

If pop-punk & hardcore are your thing, head to The Cambridge tonight to catch local six-piece We Built Atlantis. They’ll be joined by Alice Vs Everything, Drawcard and Shoreline. Doors open at 8pm.

Tonight at The Lass, music from Heather O’Friel, The Jimmies and Bones Jones & The Skeletones from 8:30pm.

Sunday 4 March

Don’t miss out on 20 year Anniversary Celebration Show at the Lass O’ Gowrie, featuring an exciting lineup including local talent The Owls and The Young Pretties! With bands playing both inside and out in the beer garden, it will be a day of great music, company and atmosphere. For more details see here.

There’s more great music at Lizottes Newcastle, where Eugene Hideaway Bridges will take to the stage. Bridges brings beautiful blues, soul, funk, gospel sounds to stages all over the world year to year and is not be missed for fans of these genres. Tickets & more info.

Monday 5 March

Starting tonight, the Civic Theatre presents An Evening with John Cleese for 3 nights only! Legendary star of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, this comedic one man show is one which will have you in stitches! John Cleese describes his show as “an evening of well honed anecdotes, psychoanalytical tit-bits, and unprovoked attacks on former colleagues, especially Michael Palin.” To buy tickets visit the Civic Theatre Newcastle.

Lambton Park is presenting a premium Hunter Valley experience at the Wine & Food Festival. Held over two days, there will be over 50 food, wine and market stalls as well as a jumping castle for the kids and live music!

Tuesday 6 March

World renowned pop singer Belinda Carlisle is back in Newcastle, playing for one night only. Known for her hits “Summer Rain”, “Leave a Light On” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth”, this show is sure to transport you back a few decades. Playing in the Starlight Room at Wests New Lambton, tickets are $59 for members and $64 for non-members. For more details see here.

Wednesday 7 March

Newcastle’s legendary Surfest will kick off today with the Wandiyali ATSI Indigenous Classic at Merewether Beach. Surfest 2012 runs until the 18th March, and will see some of the worlds most elite surfers compete.

Chicks at the Flicks presents a special screening of Pretty Woman at Glendale Event Cinemas. The event starts at 6pm, with the movie starting at 7pm; every lady will receive a goody bag upon entry! Ticket prices vary from $26 for a Vmax ticket, $24 for a traditional ticket and $64 for a Gold Class ticket (with drinks, dinner and dessert included). The perfect way to indulge on a Wednesday night.

Stooged Theatre presents The Return at the Civic Playhouse, Newcastle. Directed by local talent Mat Lee, The Return is an intense character driven play, focusing on the dangers of public transport and is based on a true story. Starting tonight at 8pm, The Return will continue through to Saturday 10th May. For only $20, you can purchase a ticket here.

Thursday 8 March

Shakespeare in the Park kicks off tonight at 6.30pm at Carrington Park. Proudly presented by Tantrum Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park is back again with A Comedy of Errors, a contemporary re-imagining of the riotous comedy about mistaken identity. Performances kick off tonight at 8pm and continue through until Sunday 11th March, and again from Thursday 15th March until Sunday 18th March.

Friday 9 March

Don’t miss the Newcastle Jets play against Gold Coast United! Kicking off at 8pm at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium, get down there to support your local team!

For something a little more laid back, head to the first installment of The Folk Lounge at The Cambridge. It’s an intimate evening of unplugged folk indie acoustic tunes, set in a sea of couches and beanbags. Tonight you’ll see band comp winners Riley & Donna, Jen Buxton, De’May and Brad Vincent. You can grab a pizza & a beer and settle in. Entry is $5 & kick off is 9pm.

 Saturday 10 March

The Civic Theatre will be host to the Laughing Stock Comedy Gala! The Axis of Awesome, The Blanks, Claire Hooper and Rhys Nicholson are banding together to give you an unforgettable night of music, mirth and merriment. For $61.75 you can purchase tickets to the Laughing Stock Comedy Gala at the Civic Box Office or through Ticketek.