This Week In Newcastle: Lots of Lights & Plenty of Music

by Nick Turner on December 16, 2011

With the Christmas season in full swing, there’s plenty of gig & events happening around Newcastle for you to get out and enjoy! Here’s a few of the highlights…

Friday, 16 December

Why not begin your weekend at the Wickham Park Hotel tonight with local band Milestones. Playing a bit of classic rock ‘n’ roll from the sixties and seventies, as well as anything from the present day that has caught their ear, the band will hit the stage at 9pm. Entry is free.

Kid Kenobi is back on board touring his new EP “Bass Music” and is en route to King Street Hotel tonight. With a swag of ARIA nominations under his belt and having worked with some of the biggest names in dance, pop and rock Kid Kenobi kicks things off at 9pm. Tickets are $10 and more info can be found here.

Grooving out tonight at Bar Petite are local jazz duo Holly Clayton and Adam Miller. Playing from 6-9pm, do yourself a favour and allow these two talents to take you on a wonderful musical journey. For more details, check out the Bar Petite website.

Mojo Juju & the Snake Oil Merchants will be bringing the Mojo Juju Mofo Christmas Show to The Great Northern Hotel tonight. Think of the classic Christmas albums. Think Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Gene & Richard Simmons. Now imagine them singing Christmas songs. This will be nothing like that. This will be like Mojo Juju and some really awesome guests, being super awesome. Tickets are $15 on the door.

Local groovers Funkwit are launching their EP tonight at The Lass. They’ll be joined by Hells and The Hatty Fatners for another great Friday night of music! Kick off is 8:30pm.

Saturday, 17 December

Playing tracks from his debut EP “Moving On”, Ollie Brown performs tonight in the Tiki Bar at the Great Northern Hotel. The Lake Macquarie local has a sound that is somewhere between Ryan Adams, David Gray and James Taylor and displays talent well beyond his years. Entry is free and starts at 8pm. More info.

The Bacardi Band Search Grand Final is on tonight at the Cambridge Hotel. Sunset Exodus, Riley and Donna and Tired Minds are the 3 grand finalists battling it out for over $6,000 worth of prizes. Entry is free with the fun beginning at 8.30pm. For more about the night, click here.

Get some Christmas shopping out of the way local-style at the Olive Tree Markets today. Held at The Junction Public School, the markets will be extended today, running from 9am til 6pm.

Sunday, 18 December

The always popular Newcastle City Farmers Markets are on again today. From organic fruits and vegetables to arts, crafts and delicious baked treats, the markets are held at the Newcastle Showgrounds and are the perfect place to buy a few Christmas goodies! Car parking costs $2 and make sure you get in early to avoid the crowds. For more details, visit their website.

If you’re feeling like a pre-Christmas exercise is in order, the Nobbys to Newcastle 2000m Ocean Swim is on today. There will be 2 courses including the 2km course from Nobbys Beach to Newcastle Beach and also a shorter 500m swim. 9.30am start with plenty of prizes on offer. Visit their website for more details.

Adam Cousens, Jay Fraser & Teinne - 3 hard working songwriters on the circuit - have teamed up & hit the road, “Goin’ Out East” on tour and this afternoon, they come to the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel. Playing between 6-9pm, get along to check it out!

Monday, 19 December

It’s not Christmas until you have checked out the Christmas lights, so why not pop up to the Hunter Valley Gardens for the Christmas Lights Spectacular. Now in its fifth year of running, the spectacular has an amazing new music and light display plus over a million Christmas lights on show throughout designated areas of Hunter Valley Gardens. Open from 6.30-10pm daily, you can visit their website for all the details.

Tuesday, 20 December

If you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas gift, why not support a few of our local businesses and by something a little unique. There are plenty of local spots to drop in to so take a look at our guide to cool Christmas loot.

Get your jazz on & head to the final NIMA Jazz at the Underground gig of 2011. Tonight will feature the James Muller Trio with special guest Mike Rivett. Entry is $10 and kick off is 7:30pm.

Thursday, 22 December

For something a little different, head along to the Northern Star Hotel in Hamilton tonight for a bit of rockabilly provided by the Pat Capocci Combo. Recently signed to Australia’s leading Rockabilly and Roots label Press Tone Music, the band play the kind of music that won’t let keep you sitting down for very long. And best of all, it’s free! Starts at 8pm.

Friday, 23 December

New Years Eve is just around the corner and if you haven’t got anything planned as of yet, check out our guide to what’s happening around town on 31 December. Whether you’re after waterside cocktails, rockin’ live music or something the whole family can enjoy, there’s something for everyone!