This Week In Newcastle: Music, Movies & Theatre

by Nick Turner on November 11, 2011

With an early Summer seemingly upon us, it’s a great excuse to get out and about amongst the beautiful weather this weekend. As usual, there is lots of gigs & events happening around Newcastle so here are a few of the highlights…

Friday, 11 November

With their much hyped debut album Forever So released last month, Melbourne outfit Husky come to Newcastle tonight to play at Hamilton’s Northern Star Hotel. Fresh from supporting Gotye, Kimbra and Noah and the Whale, the Melbourne boys are riding high and are touring their way round the country. Tickets are a steal at $14.50 and are available through BigTix.  Husky hit the stage at 8pm.

Also on the music scene tonight, The Grates are in town and will be taking to the stage at the Cambridge Hotel from 8pm. Back from recording their brand new album Secret Rituals in New York, the band are ready to roll straight into their Summers Breath Tour. Tickets for tonight are $30 and can be purchased via Moshtix.

Take a step back to an era of cocktails and kitsch finger food and when platters that matter ruled the airwaves. Reggae Got Soul is celebrating its first anniversary in the Great Northern Hotel’s new tiki bar, the first of its kind in Newcastle. In the tradition of a bygone musical era, it will be a party like you’ve never experienced. As well as the great music, there will be prizes for the best hairstyle and best dressed in vintage 50s & 60s style. 8pm-late, entry is free!

Saturday, 12 November

Head up to the gorgeous Hunter Valley for the day and make tracks to the Wyndham Estate winery for a Shiraz master class. Indulge your senses with award winning wines and a selection of cheeses to match. Spots are limited with the event beginning at 2pm. For more information, visit their website.

Dancing in the Streets is back again for 2011 and is on tonight at Wheeler Place between 5-9pm. The free outdoor event includes dance lessons in the styles of Zumba, belly dancing, African and Latin as well as dance demonstrations, live music and lots more. No experience required, just bring a picnic, your friends and make a night of it. For more details, visit the Livesites website.

Sunday, 13 November

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. Car parking costs $2 and make sure you get in early to avoid the crowds. For more details, visit their website.

Australia’s Silent Film Festival comes to the Greater Union Cinemas on King Street today. With the films fully restored, the sessions feature the genius and artistry of many of the titans of this golden age of cinema. Today you can catch two films, Harold Lloyd Comic Genius and Nosferatu. For ticketing details and session times, visit their website.

If silence isn’t your thing, put on your Sunday best and spend your afternoon at the Great Northern Hotel. 1960’s and 70’s reggae, soul, r’n’b, rocksteady and ska will be spun by DJ’s from 5-10pm. Entry is free.

The Newcastle Dance Collective invite you to attend their London Dance Tour Fundraising Pamper Day at Cardiff. A day of raffles, auctions, prizes, massages, make-up, skin care and of course, all finished off with a traditional English High Tea. $10 entry will get you all of these exciting goodies, with a gold coin donation getting you the High Tea. It all begins at 10am and for more details, click here.

Sunday also marks the 100th anniversary of the 6inch Mark VII guns at Fort Scratchley. To celebrate this significant anniversary, a large program of events is planned including discounted tunnel tours, photographic, vehicle and museum displays, re-enactments and gun firing. A highlight will be the evening re-enactments of the WWII attack on Newcastle. Check it out here.

Monday, 14 November

Not keen on cooking after a tough start to your working week? Well, why not head into Darby Street to enjoy the always bustling and exciting restaurant strip. Not sure where to go? Have a look at our Insider Map from earlier this week and if we’ve missed your favourite dinner destination, feel free to add it to the list!

Tuesday, 15 November

Make your way to Lizotte’s in Lambton tonight to catch some of the regions brightest young musicians for Uni’s Got Talent. Adele Weekes, Grace Turner, Jordann Christie and Scott Gelzinnis are four students on the verge of completing their Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Newcastle and are performing their last undergraduate recital at Lizotte’s. Tickets are $19 with more details about the evening to be found here.

Wednesday, 16 November

Get along to Wickham’s Lass O’Gowrie tonight to catch the soulful sounds of Dan Southward. Infuenced by artists such as Bon iver and City & Colour, Southward performs tonight with support from Rein Room and Adam Miller. Kicks off at 8pm.

Thursday, 17 November

Newcastle’s Tantrum Theatre is celebrating its 35th birthday and is showing off its high quality arts programs and bold theatre in a feast of performances called Theatre With Guts. Beginning tonight, you can catch a whole host of special performances featuring some of this city’s emerging artists. Tickets are available through Ticketek and start at $18.

Friday, 18 November

Tonight at the Northern Star in Hamilton, Adelaide’s Lachy Doley will be performing from 9.30pm. With a vocal style that sits somewhere between Otis Redding, Jack
Johnson and Elton John, Lachy draws from personal experience and looks to his favourite artists to produce his unique sound. Fresh from touring with Powderfinger for their farewell run of shows, you can purchase tickets through Big Tix.

Also on tonight, take the trip up to Maitland’s Grand Junction Hotel to catch The Bon Scotts. The Melbournian’s have just released an album of 11 folk-rock tracks that are bound to have you up and dancing in no time. The gig starts at 7pm and best of all, it’s free!

Saturday, 19 November

The Hunter Barn Markets are set to kick off the 2011 concert season, coinciding with Dolly Parton’s performance in the vineyards today. With an array of gourmet food, local produce, arts & crafts, entertainment, a garden bar and music it sounds like the perfect excuse to nip up to the vineyards for the day. For more info, visit their website.

Have you got an event coming up? Make sure you let us know!