Curtain lifts on Wangi Wangi entertainment precinct

Hotel Wangi will host a series of live music events during April

Wangi Wangi venue owners are about to host their biggest weeks of entertainment in years, as Lake Macquarie City Council launches a special entertainment precinct in the area during April.

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Live music gigs, comedy nights, outdoor cinemas, sunset yoga, food trucks and family-friendly events will form part of the event series, called Wangi Live.

Deputy Mayor Jason Pauling said the special entertainment precinct was a pilot program run in partnership with the NSW government, aimed at boosting live music and performance after two challenging years brought on by COVID-19.

“By supporting this initiative, we are creating opportunities for the next generation of musicians and live entertainers,” Cr Pauling said.

“Wangi is a unique pocket of our city. It’s on the water and is filled with a wide variety of venues, and we’re excited to showcase the area’s potential through this program.”

Hotel Wangi owner Peter Coyne said his venue was hosting nine local artists during April after they were held back by the pandemic.

“It’s the musicians that have really missed out,” he said.

“We were closed for two periods of three months, but the live entertainers have been locked out for a lot longer.”

“I think it’s just going to be great to have live music back in venues where you can actually sing and dance, and where you don’t have any restrictions on numbers.”

Dogs are Talking bassist Wendy Hood said her band was excited to perform on the opening night.

“COVID-19 impacted us immensely. We had a full year booked with gigs and everything was cancelled which was pretty devastating,” Ms Hood said.

“I think the more live music we see in Wangi Wangi, the better, especially after what the pandemic has hit us with over the past two years.”

Lake Macquarie was one of three NSW councils selected to run the program.

Inner West Council and City of Sydney were also selected by the state government for the Special Entertainment Precinct program.

If the pilot is successful, the program will be rolled out to councils across NSW.

All free and ticketed events held from Friday 1 April to Sunday 24 April can be found online at lakemac.com.au