What's On in April
FRIDAY 1 APRIL
Newcastle Writers Festival returns with a program of 70 events featuring 120 writers including Julia Baird, Tony Birch, Emily Bitto, Trent Dalton, Helen Garner, Hannah Kent, Tom Keneally, Ellen van Neerven, and many more! There are free and ticketed events, panel discussions, readings, interviews, and book launches. 1–3 April. For more information visit www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
Civic Bar Beats at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Wind down on a Friday afternoon at the Civic Bar and discover an array of local talent. There’s drinks, music, pizza & more from 5pm. Happy hour is on from 5–6pm. 1+8 April
Jessica Mauboy at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Multi-ARIA award winning singer-songwriter, actress, and Voice Coach, Jessica Mauboy brings her ‘The Boss Lady Tour’ to Newcastle. For more information and tickets visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
SATURDAY 2 APRIL
Anh Do at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Anh brings his ‘The Happiest Refugee’ stage show to Newcastle. The show combines standup comedy with real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell his amazing story. For more information and tickets visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
SUNDAY 3 APRIL
NewRun Running Festival in Newcastle. Get involved and get fit! The festival has something for everyone and includes the new flat Marathon (4 X 10.5km loops), Half Marathon which climbs the famous King Edward Park, the Hill to Harbour run from Bar Beach to the Harbour and the 5 and 2km runs. Register online at www.newrun.com.au
TUESDAY 5 APRIL
BaRK Reading Program at Tomaree Library & Community Centre. Primary school aged children can practice reading aloud on an one-on-one basis to a trained Delta Society Therapy dog.
Opera at the Pub at FogHorn Brewery. Does your partner’s telephone get in the way of your relationship? It seems that it is not a new problem, and is captured delightfully in this short comic opera, The Telephone (Gian-Carlo Menotti). $89 pp for two course meal, drink on arrival, and performance.
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL
Paul Kelly at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly will be joined by his band to embark on their On The Road Again tour. For more information visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
FRIDAY 8 APRIL
Live Music Lake Mac - Kyle Lionhart and James Bennett at Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba. Join Kyle Lionhart with special guest James Bennett for a special night of music. Neo-folk/soul/singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart boasts one of the most incredible new voices in Australian music. From humble beginnings busking on the streets and beachfronts of Byron Bay, Lionhart has built a sizeable and extremely loyal fanbase, releasing two highly acclaimed EPs, garnering over 17 million streams, and performing sold-out headline shows and tours throughout Australia and in the UK. Tickets $40 per person. Visit www.lakemac.com.au/Eventsdirectory for more information.
Sneaky Sound System at Shoal Bay Country Club. Dance the night away to all of your Sneaky Sound System favourites including UFO, Pictures, I Love it and Hip Hip Hooray! Book tickets online at www.shoalbaycountryclub.com.au/sneakysoundsystem
Paint a Pooch with Helene Ruma at Wangi Library Creative Hub. Helene will teach you how to sketch out a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and use loose brush strokes to give the impression of depth and detail. You can apply the skills you learn to paint your own furry friend. This class is suitable for beginners and the ticket price includes all materials needed to create a masterpiece. Tickets available from $50 via Eventbrite.
SATURDAY 9 APRIL
Newcastle Spinners & Weavers at St Luke’s Uniting Church. Head along to the trading day and stock up on all your fibre needs. There will be everything from raw fleece to beautifully coloured roving, yarn, dyes, needles and other fibre tools. 9.30am-1pm – Narla Road Belmont.
SUNDAY 10 APRIL
Pictures From The Past at Miss Porter's House Museum, Newcastle West. A picture really is worth a thousand words. Family snaps, prints and commercial photographs in the Miss Porter’s House Museum collection paint a vivid portrait of Newcastle life in the early years of the twentieth century. The special display of Pictures From The Past will include examples from courting post cards and holiday snaps to street scenes and local landmarks. Visitors can also help identify several mystery photographs. Adults $10, Concessions $8, Family $25, children under 5 free. 1pm–4pm
WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL
Seed Saving Workshop at Newcastle Seed Library, Hamilton South Community Hall. Build your seed saving skills by learning how to save the right seed, prepare seeds for storage, monitor seed quality and grow from seed. This is a free event for Newcastle Library Members however places are limited. Book online at www.eventbrite.com.au
THURSDAY 14 APRIL
Movies @ Your Library at Raymond Terrace Library. Each month the library will pick a film for screening. This free event is suitable for adults.
FRIDAY 15 APRIL
Easter Celebrations at Hunter Valley Gardens. Head to the Hunter Valley Gardens over the Easter long weekend for some Easter fun! In addition to experiencing the incredible Mega Creatures on display, there will be a special appearance from the Easter Bunny and a Giant Easter Egg Hunt with thousands of brightly coloured eggs to collect. If you find the one extra-large Easter egg you could win a family pass to Snow Time in the Gardens! 15-17 April
SATURDAY 16 APRIL
Easter Fun Day at Hunter Wetlands Centre. Enjoy craft, storytime, a reptile display, bunny trail and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Book online at www.wetlands.org.au
TUESDAY 19 APRIL
LET IT GO – The Songs of Frozen in Concert at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Enjoy all of your favourite Frozen songs as you watch Elsa and Anna in full costume with some of their friends.
FRIDAY 22 APRIL
The Gum Ball at Dashville. The Gum Ball brings a selection of the best musical acts from around Australia and showcases them in an intimate setting one by one. Enjoy the incredible music alongside comedy, pro skateboarding, markets, workshops, camping and more. Book tickets online at www.dashville.com.au 22-24 April
Kitty Flanagan at Civic Theatre Newcastle. After a year at home drinking hand sanitiser & tonic, Kitty Flanagan is finally back on stage doing what (she thinks) she does best, solving the world’s problems. 22+23 April
SUNDAY 24 APRIL
Hunter Events Wedding Fair at Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre. Whether you are just starting to plan your big day or looking for the final touches of inspiration, the fair will include an array of vendors including photographers, cake artists, hair and makeup specialists, just to name a few. For more info visit www.huntereventsnsw.com.au
TUESDAY 26 APRIL
Jazz at the Pub at FogHorn Brewery. Three of Newcastle’s favourite performers, Sue Carson (vocals), Heather Price (vocals, bass) and Terence Koo (keyboard) perform their best-loved songs. $89 pp for two course meal (alternate serves), drink on arrival, and performance.