This Week In Newcastle: Fresh Food, Theatre, Art and Lots of Music

by Jenna Smith on February 24, 2012

Newcastle really is a fantastic city, everybody’s saying it! And with all these amazing gigs & events on every week, there’s no wonder people are falling in love with Newcastle every day. So have a look at these awesome happenings & gigs on in Newcastle this week & be sure to get amongst it Novocastrians!

Friday, 24 February

Kick off your weekend on a peaceful note as the Bodhi Festival begins tonight in Newcastle! The festival will start off this evening with a peaceful walk from Newcastle Beach to the Abode of Peace on Hunter Street, followed by a night market and electrifying entertainment. The festival will continue over Saturday and Sunday with an array of yoga, chakra, kirtan and healing workshops (click here for the weekend’s full program of events) sure to help Novocastrians find their inner peace. For more information on the festival and ticket information, visit the Bodhi Festival website.

The Cairo’s will return to Newcastle tonight supporting their latest single We All Buy Stars, playing at Newcastle’s Chino Bar! Having been one of the most requested songs on Triple J in recent weeks, The Cairo’s are stunning people across the nation and their show tonight at Newcastle’s finest (and only!) dive bar, Chino’s, will be no different. Supported by Chicks Who Love Guns and Young Pretties, the show will kick off at 8pm. Tickets are available now. More information.

Newcastle University’s 2012 O-Week fires up tonight at the Bar On The Hill with O-Party 2012 from 7.30pm till midnight! Featuring special appearances from Deep Sea Arcade, Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! and Newcastle band, The Zillers, this all ages event is the best way to start off your study efforts for the year! U-members get in for free, for students it’s $5 & everyone is $10. There will also be free buses available afterwards for the kick-on shenanigans in town. More information.

Saturday, 25 February

This evening, why not head down to one of Newcastle’s iconic locations and indulge in some short and sweet theatre? Nobby’s Lighthouse will host Short + Sweet by the Sea, brought to you by Livesites Programs, from 4pm to 7pm today! Take along your picnic rug and treats and watch five outstanding 10 minute plays selected from Newcastle’s 2011 Short+Sweet Festival while overlooking the picturesque Nobby’s beach. This is a free event with limited numbers, tickets are available through Civic Ticketek by calling 4929 1977 or visiting 375 Hunter Street Newcastle. More information.

Celebrate the start of O-Week and the beginning of the Uni year tonight as The Cambridge Hotel hosts its Back To School Party! Featuring some choice DJs plus Australian bands Step-Panther, Palms, Maids and Vulture Culture, dance your daunting Uni assignments away in your best school uniform on this night to remember (or not). The festivities start from 8pm and tickets are available now for $10 +bf.

Newcastle’s Grammar School will again host its annual Twilight Festival this afternoon from 3pm till 6pm. Watch the summer sun descend into the Newcastle horizon with refreshing drinks, great food, entertainment and stalls! Email RodS@ngs.nsw.edu.au for more information.

Kill City Creeps are performing at The Great Northern Hotel tonight from 8pm! Have a look at Urban Insider’s exclusive music review of Kill City Creeps, to see what all the fuss is about and why you should be there tonight! Entry is free. More info.

Custom bikes, hotrods, food stalls, drink stalls, kids rides, trade stalls, tattoo comp, burnouts, the chance to win your own Harley Davison and when the kids go home - adult entertainment. Does this sound like your cuppa tea? Then the 2012 Maitland Bike & Hotrod Show is your thing! On today at Maitland Showground from 1pm, this bikie spectacle has a little something for the whole family (depending on the time of day…). Tickets are available on the day for $25, and there is a free bus available for when the show wraps up to head to the Clubhouse and continue the party well into the night. For more information call 0419144497 or 0402499906.

Ever thought about learning the art of bellydancing? Wests Mayfield is tonight hosting the Newcastle Bellydance Festival - The Bellydance Evolution II! There are workshops designed to teach you how to wow your friends with how your belly moves, plus The Flames of the Phoenix dance spectacular! Doors open from 6.30pm and tickets are available now. More information.

Joel Ozborn has a resume boasting performances of 1,142 shows to over 340,000 people, travelling distances of more than 200,000 km, paying upwards of $4,500 dollars in excess baggage, eating approximately 1,300 meals with Arj Barker and watched 1 woman punch Akmal in the face! And now comedian Joel Ozborn is bringing his sell-out Melbourne International Comedy Festival show to Newcastle! Having appeared alongside Australia’s comedic best, Arj Barker, Akmal and Jimeoin, Joel will bring his laughs to Newcastle’s Civic Theatre tonight from 7.30pm. Contact Ticketek on 13 2849 for tickets ($26.90-$29.90) and details.

Head to The Lass tonight for a stellar lineup. Crazy Old Maurice (Disney anyone?) will kick things off, followed by Yae!Tiger, then Funkwit - it’s sure to be a fun night of funk & folk and whatever else anyone decides to throw into the mix.

Sunday, 26 February

Grab your produce straight from the paddock onto your plate today as Newcastle City Farmers & Makers Market is on today from 8am to 1pm at Newcastle Showground! You’ll get the chance to get to chat to farmers and find out where your food is made, how to cook it and even taste-test while you shop in the pavilions and around the village green atmosphere of the showground. There’s also artisan stalls selling the Hunter’s best range of quality goods, from clothing made from vintage material to potters, jewellery makers and painters! Head down this Sunday to see exactly why farmer fresh is best!

Monday, 27 February

Just in case you’ve missed it and really want to get out of the house this Monday, check out Urban Insider’s Guide to Monday’s for the latest scoop on what’s hot in town every Monday!

Tuesday, 28 February

Politics, pool, pizza, pasta, sangria, cocktails and Surf ‘N Turf? Just your typical Tuesday night every week in Newcastle. Have a look at Urban Insider’s Guide to Tuesday’s in Newcastle to suss out where you can find all these cheap and tasty treats tonight!

NIMA‘s Jazz at The Underground returns tonight, featuring The Jeremy Borthwick Quartet (Ben Hauptmann - Guitar, James Hauptmann - Drums, Brendan Clarke - Bass & Jeremy Borthwick - Trombone). The night runs from 7:30pm - 11pm and entry is  $10.

Wednesday, 29 February

This day only rolls around once every four years, so it only makes sense to really make the most of our extra calendar day! Take your pick from our Guide to Wednesday’s in Newcastle and never spend another Wednesday night in again.

With sold out shows nationwide along with record sales fast approaching 25,000, Mark Wilkinson is quickly reinventing the paradigm of the independent musician and leaving his mark on the Australian cultural landscape. Tonight, Mark will present his first album recorded live on stage, I’m Alive, tonight at Newcastle’s Lizottes! His raw acoustic songs will be supported by local Newcastle talent, Ashleigh Grace and is sure to be a treat for all who attend. Tickets are available for just $20, book your table now.

Keen for a night of fantasy pop? Newcastle University’s Bar On The Hill will host Owl Eyes tonight, as she serenades students and the like with her otherworldly sounds and soulful voice. Featuring support from Set Sail, the show starts from 7pm through to 10pm. Ticket are $10 to $15 and are available from U Contact (Shortland Building), Bar on the Hill, www.bigtix.com.au or the Rock Shop on Hunter Street.

Thursday, 1 March

Lizottes Newcastle is hosting its Think Rock n Food Trivia tonight! Sure to be fun for the whole family, there is wine and food tasting, lots of prizes to be won and live entertainment from Jason Hicks and Troy Henderson! Book your table now ($14 with a la carte or bar menu available) for what is sure to be an amazing night at Lizottes!

Calling all of Newcastle’s creative creatures for the Lass O’Gowrie’s Creative Creatures Open Mic Night! Tonight features special guest Tim Kellaway for an 8.30pm start! Enjoy a few bevvie’s and revel in Newcastle’s best talent! More information.

Friday, 2 March

Newcastle Lizottes is bringing you a delicious Greek banquet accompanied by authentic Greek entertainment from Tommy Tsonis tonight from 8.30pm. This fun-for-the-whole-family event is not to be missed! Book your table now.

The four-piece indie band Fushia, are renowned entertaining audiences with their energetic and fun-filled shows. Tonight they bring their alternative sounds to Hamilton Station Hotel! Kicking off from 8pm, visit the Hamilton Station Hotel website for contact information.

Saturday, 3 March

First Saturday of the month, you know what that means… The Olive Tree Markets are back on at The Junction Public School! For those of you not lucky to have made it in the past, these markets showcase the very best in Newcastle’s contemporary art, craft and design practitioners! With an arena of stalls on show from 9am-3pm whether its raining, hailing or shining, there’s sure to be some hidden gems for everyone. Want to see what all the fuss is really about? Check out Urban Insider’s Gallery of the 1st Olive Tree Markets for 2012. More information available from the Olive Tree Market’s website.

Newcastle Art Gallery in conjunction with Livesites presents to Novocastrians, Twilight Masterpieces, tonight from 5.30pm! Celebrate the life, art and legacy of Margaret Olley with art activities for all ages including live music, flower arranging, family tours and an exhibition talk - allowing all to engage and interact with art in a FUN way. General Newcastle Art Gallery exhibition fees apply.

Fresh from making a name for themselves internationally, The Fearless Vampire Killers will exclusively be performing tonight at The Great Northern Hotel! Dubbed as one of Australia’s greatest hidden gems, do not miss the chance to see this retro surf-rock inspired band - all for free! More information & tickets.

Sunday, 4 March

Does your wardrobe need updating? Try a different tact to picking up your latest threads and head along to Raid My Wardrobe today. It’s a fashion event where women can buy and sell quality pre-loved and vintage clothing as well as accessories all under one roof! Sounds amazing right? It’s on at Newcastle Basketball Stadium from 10am - 1pm, entry is $4 & there’s free parking. Here are some tips from founder Rachel Prest on getting on the most out of your day at Raid My Wardrobe.