This Week in Newcastle: Food (and more food), jazz, RENT and touring acts

by Helen Henry on February 25, 2011

A collection of tidbits in Newcastle to get you out of the house and into the thick of it!

Friday, 25 February: Paul Greene will take to the stage at Lizottes Newcastle to perform one of his last shows for 2011 - after 10 years of almost solid touring, this former Olympian is taking some time out to spend with his young family. You can read our interview with Paul here and for more info/bookings, contact Lizottes.

Friday, 25 February: The Newcastle heat of the Global Battle of the Bands will take place at The Great Northern Hotel on Friday night. Come along and watch local bands to head to head, wail to wail, solo to solo to see who’ll represent Newcastle in the next round. More info. You can also read about The Tillegra Damned, the Newcastle band currently representing Australia in the world final in Malaysia here.

Saturday, 26 February: Don’t forget the Demo day at Empire Park Skate Bowl ft. profiled Aussie skaters & Newcastle’s Drift BMX team. Starts at 11am.

Sunday, 27 February: Hamilton Music & Food Festival will take over Beaumont St on Sunday. Get along for an assortment of tasty treats, market stalls, boutique shops complete with sales, entertainment and amusements for the kids. More info.

Sunday, 27 February: You can get your shimmy on and be part of local band Nova & The Experience’s music video! The band will film the clip on a walk back to their place for a housewarming party following their set at the Hamilton Food & Wine Festival. The deal is you meet at the stage near the Northern Star Hotel at 12:30pm, get your groove on during the band’s set and then join the crowd walking afterwards to get in on the action! More info.

Monday, 28 February: Live it up on the last day of Summer with The Dungeon’s Sax Blue! The four-piece + special guests will Sax Blue will be playing a range of popular jazz hits including Tiger Rag, In The Mood, Black Bottom Stomp, Moonlight Serenade, That’s a-Plenty, Caravan, as well as some 20s Brown Brothers tunes. Entry is $25 ($20 concession). Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre, 2 - 4:30pm.

Tuesday, 1 March: The first Jazz Underground at The Grand Hotel will kick off at 7pm. It’s $10 entry with a free beverage & will feature local jazz favourites Adam Ferrier, Daryl Aberhart, Peter Gray & Adam Miller. The event is present by the Newcastle Improvised Music Association. More info.

Wednesday, 2 March: Local singer-songwriters Marissa Saroca, Amy Vee & Marty Worrall are teaming up with the best in local theatre to bring this rock musical to life. More info & tickets.

JUST ADDED! Tonight! Wednesday, 2 March: The launch of the Newcastle Art School Staff Exhibition, Luminous will take place from 5:30 - 7:30pm.  Tonight’s launch will be opened by Associate Director of the Hunter Institute Christine Warrington and will remain on display until 18 March. You’ll find it in the Front Room Gallery of Newcastle Art School - 582 Hunter St, Newcastle West. For more info call 4929 0348.

NEW! Just added! Friday, 4 March: Renew Newcastle’s First Friday of the Month Event series will kick off with a launch/”We Heart Morgan St Art” party at Renew Newcastle HQ in Morgan St (off Hunter St Mall). There’ll be live entertainment from Angus Arley & tasty sushi & refreshments available. The Renew crew have teamed up Street Art Walking, so you can meet the artists behind the Morgan St Mural and find out about their plans for more legal street art in Newcastle. A number of other Renew projects are keeping their doors open late on the night as well including Before It Began, Odditorium & MakeSpace. Renew Newcastle founder Marcus Westbury and GM Marni Jackson will be in attendance. 6 - 9pm. More info.

Friday, 4 March: Little Red is performing at the Bar on the Hill! With Rock It! reaching #2 in the latest Triple J Hottest 100 list, these guys are on fire! They put a contemporary spin on trad r&b, doo wop and rock ‘n’ roll and their latest album Midnight Remember is a clear signpost of a band on the rise. Tickets are $32.50 (less for students & UCard holders). More info.

Friday, 4 March: A gig will take place at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club to raise funds in the name of recently departed young Novocastrian Conservatorium of Music student Laura Clark. More info.

Friday, 4 March: The gorgeous Irish beauty Imelda May will take to the stage with special guests Simon Kelly & The Lonely Wives at Newcastle Leagues Club. They’ll be supported by locals Pat Capocci and Zoe K. With a blistering review like this one, you’d be crazy not to check her out: “The problem with an artist like Imelda May is that she’s so good, it makes a critical review almost impossible to write; her performance is flawless.” – Clash Magazine.  More info & tickets.

Saturday, 5 March & Sunday, 6 March: Lambton Food & Wine Festival. 2 days of gourmet food & wine tastings, cooking demonstrations & entertainment. Entry is $15.00, which includes a cute little glass, 1 wine tasting and access to the demonstrations and entertainment. More info & tickets. We’re giving away a DOUBLE PASS so that you and a friend can indulge! To win, simply follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook and post this: “I just entered the draw to win free tix to Lambton Food & Wine Festival”. Remember to include @Urban_Insider for Twitter entries! Entries close Wednesday, 2 March.

Sunday, 6 March: Ray Mann Three will perform at The Great Northern Hotel. Described by MTV as the next best thing, and also as possessing the grit of the great Tom Waits, don’t miss this last Newcastle show before the band heads overseas. They’ll be supported by Newcastle favourite Daniel March and tickets are a mere $12 on the door.