This Week in Newcastle: Old School Bikes, Mad Men & Music Galore

by Jenna Smith on February 3, 2012

Another week & another month through the year already! Newcastle has so many events that are causing us to soar through 2012  & don’t expect that to change this week. We’ve collated just a few of the most exciting events, gigs & happenings in Newcastle & surrounds for the first week of February..

Friday, 3 February

Tonight is your chance to see Cortisone live following a massive 18-month break from performing any gigs! Be one of the first to see them back in full force as they are supported by The Big Empty, Sydney based Age of Menace & level 8 at The Cambridge Hotel from 8pm. Tickets are just $8 & are available here.

Following sold out shows in Melbourne earlier this year, folk band The Paper Kites are set to play at The Great Northern Hotel tonight. This is a unique opportunity to see the band perform their EP, ‘Woodland’, in an intimate environment before they embark on tour with Boy & Bear. This is an 18+ event, and tickets are available now from Oztix.

Celebrate the upcoming end to Chinese New Year celebrations in style tonight as the hybird performing arts theatre, The Royal Exchange hosts a Chinese Year of the Dragon-style Club Sandwich Cabaret. You can guarantee that tonight, dubbed as a ‘double decker cabaret’, will be filled with laughs, live music, quizzes, prizes & all-round general mayhem. Tickets cost $20 for the two hour show (including interval) & acts vary from 5 to 30 mins. More information & tickets.

Art lovers need look no further for entertainment tonight than the opening of Frank Murri’s exhibition Inscription, a collection of wall hung timber relief sculpture works. Head along to Newcastle Art Space between 6 - 8pm. If you can’t make it, the exhibition is showing until 19 February.

Tonight from 6pm, Newcastle Art Gallery, in conjunction with Silo Restaurant & Lounge will be hosting the Masterpieces, Mad Men & Martini’s Night! The theme is derived from the popular show, Mad Men - so dress up in your sharpest 60’s style suit or frock & sip a few martini’s while Aussie legend Kamahl talks about his favourite pieces from the Newcastle Art Gallery’s Australian Modern Masterpieces exhibition. Laughs for the night will be provided by Newcastle funny man, Steve Abbott (probably better known as The Sandman). On top of the martinis, 60s-style canapes will be served (provided by Silo Restaurant & Lounge), while guests will also be treated to guided tours of the exhibition amidst the rhythms of local jazz trio, Ultra Swing Lounge.  Tickets are $45 & are available now from Newcastle Art Gallery. More information.

Saturday, 4 February

Katie Noonan fans, has this weekend got a treat for you! Katie will host an exclusive 90 minute workshop, offering invaluable insight and ready to answer your questions. Kick off is 1:30pm and the workshop will take place at Boulevard on Beaumont, Hamilton. Tickets are $35 - $45. To book, call Gian on 0434 827 058.

In the mood for some more sweet, sweet jazz? Head to Lizotte’s for an appearance from Katie’s band, Elixir. The trio’s release, ‘First Seed Ripening’, took out the 2011 ARIA Award - Jazz  & Elixir will take the stage tonight following the release of their album in September last year. Described as reflective, brooding & hauntingly beautiful, the band has been known to throw in all manner of tributes in the mix of their live shows. Supported by the talents of rising Australian artist, Daniel Champagne, don’t miss this opportunity to see great Australian talent at it’s best. For more info or to make your booking click here.

The Cambridge Hotel is hosting the Saving Face Launch tonight - a non-for-profit organisation established to provide the youth of Australia with an organisation they can turn to for information & help relating to depression & anxiety. To help launch this fantastic cause, Ghosts On Broadway, Local Resident Failure and I, the Hunter will be performing in the Cambo’s Glasshouse from 8pm. More information & tickets.

Newcastle based band, The Delta Lions will be playing tonight at the Great Northern Hotel from 8pm. With an interesting mix of Austalian country, blues & punk tunes along with strong guitar driven riffs &  lyrics about the good old days, the band reach diverse audiences of young & old. With support from Leadfinger, Hazards & Landon Elliot River, this is a great opportunity to see The Delta Lions in all their sincere, soulful & unique glory. More information.

Monday, 6 February

Stuck for something to do tonight but just need to get out of the house? Check out the Urban Insider guide to Mondays in Newcastle.

Tuesday, 7 February

After selling out their last show of 2011, NIMA has kicked off their Tuesday jazz nights at The Underground for 2012! This week, local jazz favourite Holly Clayton will take to the stage with Adam Miller on guitar, Nic Cecire on drums & Matt Jeffs on keys. They’ll be supported by Peter Bottaro, and you can catch both acts for just $10. The night runs from 7:30 - 11pm.

Wednesday, 8 February

With a desire to reignite the world’s love for classical music, the Vivaldi Bach Mozart is coming to Newcastle tonight. Featuring classical ensemble Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, you can expect to hear all the familiar classics like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi, plus many others thrown into the mix. The popularity of this ensemble is reflected in the fact that the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne perform about 300 concerts a year around the globe - so this is a perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons & enjoy some classical music.  Vivaldi Bach Mozart begins in Newcastle City Hall tonight from 8pm. This is an all ages event & tickets range between $30 to $50 & available here.

Perth punksters The Decline make a guest appearance at The Cambridge Hotel tonight. Drawing inspiration from the best punk bands in the world, The Decline are currently touring nationally & are set to rock the Cambo’s student night, Antics. Team all of this with free entry, support from Local Resident Failure & Prevailing Disorder & $4 drink specials & you are basically bound to have a good night! More information.

Friday, 10 February

Tonight, the Great Northern Hotel presents Electric Mary playing Rock ‘N Roll the way it used to taste! They have supported some of the biggest rock bands in history such as Deep Purple & Alice Cooper & tonight is your very special chance to see them with doors opening at 7.30pm. Supported by Broadway Mile, Secret Whisper & Jade Gannon, pre-sale tickets are available now for just $12 +bf.

Saturday, 11 February

Supporting his breakthrough release The Nebulizer, Kerser, will be playing two shows tonight at The Cambridge. With an afternoon all ages show from 4pm, followed by an 18+ special later on at 8pm, every Novocastrian has the chance to see one of Australia’s fastest rising hip hop stars in the flesh. Kerser’s brutally honest & skilfully charismatic lyrics have the hip hop community buzzing with him reaching over 120 000 views on YouTube & being touted as one of Australia’s hottest prospects. For more information & ticket info on both of these shows, go to The Cambridge website.

Do you love a good old sing along to ‘When You Say Nothing At All’? Well tonight is your night, the Irish superstar behind this late 90’s hit, Ronan Keating, is coming to Newcastle Entertainment Centre! Stepping away from his X-Factor judging panel, Keating will performing his best hits from his career alongside a string quartet & seven-piece band. Sharon Corr from international super-band, The Corrs, will be supporting Keating on his tour, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of this special evening. More information & tickets.

As it’s the first Saturday of the month, head down to the Olive Tree Markets at The Junction Public School. Showcasing over 100 stalls with everything from photography, textile arts, illustration, fashion, home wares, jewellery and much more, you are sure to find some hidden gem to take home, new or old. The market will happen rail, hail or shine so head to The Junction between 9am to 3pm & experience this vibrant cultural diversity in the heart of Newcastle.

Sunday, 12 February

You might notice a concentration of retro bikes around town today for the Newcastle Old School Bicycle Show & Ride. If you’d like to check some out, head to the show at the Wickham Motorcycle Cafe in Throsby St from 9am. If you bring your bike, make sure you stick around til lunchtime for a ride around the Foreshore. For more information, contact Daryl on 0434 956 892.