This Week in Newcastle: Music, Markets & The Ultimate Weekend

by Nick Turner on November 25, 2011

There is so much happening around Newcastle this week, we’ve had trouble picking out just a few of the highlights! But, we’ve toughed it out and managed to pick the gigs & events that just might appeal to you…

Friday, 25 November

Tonight marks the launch of the physical copy of The Den magazine. The quarterly magazine is for “all the queers in regional & coastal areas”, and its launch will be brought to life with performances by Zoe K & the Shadow Katz, Boatfriends + Benjamin Fraser, Hats Bennett, Avant Hard, DJ Blind and other special guests at The Gateway Hotel tonight. Hand over your $5 on the door and head in for an Earl Grey Martini and get your photo taken in the photo booth, and don’t forget to pick up a copy of the mag. Kick off is 8pm. More info.

2011 is the year that will see the end of a television institution, Spicks and Specks and the team plan on going out with a bang. Spicks and Specktacular – The Finale is a brand new production, loosely based on the music trivia show, putting Adam, Alan and Myf back on stage together with surprises, laughs, memories, live music and appalling choreography. The show starts at 7.30pm with tickets available through Ticketek.

Local band 1929indian will be launching their much anticipated debut EP ‘The Dreaming’ tonight at the Cambridge Hotel. Layering ethereal trips with atmospheric jams, the bands unique style and sound is something worth checking out! Tickets for tonight’s gig are a bargain at $10 and include a copy of the EP. It all kicks off at 8.30pm with tickets available through Moshtix.

Saturday, 26 November

With their bombastic rhythms and melodic vocals, The Ride Ons are back in town to play at the Wickham Park Hotel tonight. The Sydney based band play a mixture of blues, country and rock and are perennial favourites at the Wicko. Entry is free with the guys hitting the stage at 9pm.

Canadian folk rocker Colin Moore teams up tonight with Brisbane based band Numbers Radio for a one-off gig at the Great Northern Hotel. With Moore playing tracks from his debut solo album ‘Leaving Home’ and Numbers Radio being former winners of the Triple J Unearthed competition, it is set to be a night of fantastic tunes. Entry is free and it all starts at 8.30pm.

Back for one night only, the Red Lantern Night Market is on tonight in the Hunter Street Mall. It’s set to be a buzzing evening with market stalls from local emerging artists and designers, lots of food and plenty of fun for those young and old. Come along to fill your Christmas stockings with the best local hand-made arts, crafts, jewellery, toys, homewares and fashion. For more details, check out their website.

Sunday, 27 November

Why not spend your Sunday afternoon enjoying Tapas at the beautiful Longworth House. Tapas is just about guaranteed to please everybody and Longworth House just happens to serve up some of the tastiest stuff in town. For more details about Longworth House and to have a look over the menu, visit their website.

The Variety Santa Fun Run is on today. Starting at the Fisherman’s Co-Op at Wickham and finishing at the Queens Wharf Brewery, the 3km run is a great way to spread a bit of early Christmas cheer. For starting times and info about registering, visit their website.

All the way from Canada, The Rosie Burgess Trio are playing this afternoon at the Lass O’Gowrie. Sliding from folk to blues to gypsy-roots and back, the trio cross more genres than state borders and take to the stage from 2pm. Entry is free.

Monday, 28 November

Have you put your entry in for the Ultimate Urban Insider Weekend? The competition gives you the chance to experience an amazing weekend in Newcastle and the Hunter with tickets to events such as Elton John and the Newcastle Jets/Melbourne Victory football match involving Harry Kewell. Entries close today at midday so for all the details, click here.

Tuesday, 29 November

Lizotte’s at Lambton tonight plays host to the talented students from Whitebridge High. Following on from the success of their showcase earlier in the year, the students are back again to wow the crowd with their multitude of talents. Tickets are a steal at just $14 and are available for purchase through the Lizotte’s website.

Wednesday, 30 November

The world’s biggest little play festival, Short + Sweet Newcastle presents the top 10 short plays from across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast in this annual competition. 10 productions of 10 minute plays with 10 cast members, 10 directors and one winner. Tickets are available through Ticketek and start at $35.

The Cambridge’s student night, Antics takes place each Wednesday. Tonight you can see  The Phat Controller and Spandex Moose with DJ Surian in the Red Bar and DJ Owen in The Glasshouse from 11pm. Free entry. Free pool. Cheap beer.

Fleetwood Mac front-woman Stevie Nicks comes to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre tonight as part of the ‘In Your Dreams’ tour. Selling over 140 million albums worldwide and with support from Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics) and Brian McFadden it is set to be a great night. For all the details about tickets, check out the Ticketek website.

Thursday, 1 December

Tonight at the Croatian Club in Wickham, there will be a  French Film & Dance Night. Starting at 7.30pm, the event will see the screening of Triplets Of Belleville followed by free drinks, cheap food and DJ’s playing French Pop Music. For more information about tonight’s event. check out the Croatian Club’s Facebook page.

Also tonight, New Navy will be lunching their new EP ‘Uluwatu’ at the Great Northern Hotel. Balancing crisp guitars with smooth vocals, plenty of people are talking about this promising young 4 piece. Doors open at 8pm with tickets available through BigTix.