What's on in May

Hope Estate Beer & BBQ Festival

SUNDAY 1 MAY

• The mima Concert at Multi-Arts Pavilion mima, Speers Point Park. Conductor Christopher Bearman OAM will delight the audience with a newly commissioned piece. Book your tickets at www.eventbrite.com.au

• Newcastle Colour Frenzy at Newcastle Foreshore. Walk, jog or run and experience the perfect blend of fun, excitement and an amazing collection of different colours

THURSDAY 5 MAY

• Urzila Carlson at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Treasured award-winning Kiwi-South African comedian Urzila Carlson is coming to Newcastle with her brand-new show, It’s Personal!

• Live Music Lake Mac at Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba. Sit back and relax to the sweet sound of live tunes from Mark Wells Big Band with supporting artist Amy Vee. Book tickets online via www.lakemac.com.au

• Open Night of A Capella Singing at Southlakes Anglican Church Hall. Any man who loves singing is welcome to join the Southlakes Harmony Chorus. 7pm

FIRDAY 6 MAY

• Craft Beer Tasting at Wanderlust Bar the Bay. A professionally guided journey through five exceptional beers from The Grifter Brewing Co.

SATURDAY 7 MAY

• Port Stephens Triathlon Festival at One Mile Beach. Swim, bike and run in the picturesque Port Stephens.

• All German Day at Newcastle Foreshore. This showcase event of fine German motor cars including Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, BMW and VW is coordinated by the (Mercedes Benz) MB Classic Car Club Inc. Newcastle and Hunter Valley. Now in its 15th year, this not to be missed event supporting Nobby's Surf Lifesaving Club, attracts entrants from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Canberra. Registration cost is $15 per vehicle (on the day) from 8am

• Jimeoin at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Described as a comic masterpiece, Jimeoin heads to Newcastle as part of his new smash-hit Turn it Up! To book tickets visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

• Maitland Station After Dark at Maitland Railway Station. Head along from 4pm to 10pm to discover the free pop up roller rink, Neon Garden lighting installation, roving performers, food trucks, DJ’s and more. Take your own skates or borrow some on site, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the station as you have never seen it before.

SUNDAY 8 MAY

• Mother’s Day Gin High Tea at Babylon Newcastle. Babylon's Executive Chef Jeremy Fahy has collaborated with locals Earp Distillery and resident mixologist Ryan Duck to create an enticing offering that defies the traditional concept of high tea.

• Mother’s Day Brunch at 48 Watt St. Treat mum to a morning of live music, a gold tower of bagels, smoked salmon, creme fraiche, fresh fruit and pastries. To book visit www.48wattstreet.com.au

• Love Grows: Paint Your Pot with Pinot and Picasso. Spend quality time with Mum this Mother’s Day as you paint your very own pot. You’ll laugh, paint and sip your way through the 3 hour session. To book, visit www.pinotandpicasso.com.au

THURSDAY 12 MAY

• Celeste Barber at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Australia's Queen of Comedy is bored of being stuck at home so she’s coming to Newcastle! Her brand-new tour Fine, Thanks is on sale now. For tickets and more information visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

FRIDAY 13 MAY

• Friday Night Feast at The Station. Immerse yourself in the best street eats the Hunter Region has to offer. 5pm–9pm

• 100 Years of the History of Dance at Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba. Bursting at the seams with fascinating facts, wild stories and dance moves to die for, this show follows a schoolboy presenting a report on the topic of his own choice – 100 Years of the History of Dance! Exploring the lives of influential choreographers Jacob not only talks about them, but demonstrates their signature style at the same time. Don’t miss this brilliant, hilarious and fascinating show! Tickets available via Eventbrite for $20–$45

SATURDAY 14 MAY

• High Tea with Friends at Merewether Surfhouse. Supporting Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, join the amazing team of volunteers and special guests for an afternoon of fantastic food, fashion and amazing friends to help raise critical funding for Friends With Dignity. Cost is from $89 plus booking fee. To book tickets and more visit www.friendswithdignity.org.au/events/

• The Big 90’s Party at Hope Estate. Jump in your Mario Kart and dust off the double denim, Australia’s biggest outdoor 90’s Party is hitting the picturesque Hope Estate. Visit www.hopeestate.com.au/thebig90sparty

• Divine Diva Duets at Iona on Robert. This very special event brings together two of Australia’s award-winning artists. Monique Montez and Wayne Rogers will unleash their amazing talents as they perform some of the great songs and duets from Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Adele and many more! To book your ticket visit www.trybooking.com/BXLBN

SUNDAY 15 MAY

• Sunday Sessions at MAC. Grab a wine or beer, enjoy some local music and artmaking. Tickets are $20, and cover a cheese platter, all art materials and live music. For more information visit www.lakemac.com.au

FRIDAY 20 MAY

• Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Kick off Newcastle’s biggest month of comedy with a celebration of non-stop laughs. For more information visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

• Maitland Taste at The Levee, Central Maitland. Enjoy great food, wine and produce that comes from the Hunter Region. The program will include gourmet food and artisan markets, food trucks, cooking demonstrations, live music, kids activities and more, and will also extend into the night for the first time with vibrant lighting installations and pop up restaurants. Visit www.maitlandtaste.com.au for more information. (20–22 May)

• Human Remains at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub performs Human Remains, a critical and playful glance at humanity in the 21st century. For tickets and more information visit www.catapultdance.com.au

SATURDAY 21 MAY

• King Street Heritage Festival in Raymond Terrace. Step back in time, dress up, and enjoy old-fashioned activities, music and dance, and historical displays along the original main street of Raymond Terrace which is closed to traffic for the day.

• Back to the 80’s at Shoal Bay Country Club. Party like it’s 1989! Dust off your leg warmers, start teasing your hair and get ready for a night packed full of the biggest hits by your favourite 80’s legends.

• Belmont Beers Blues & BBQ Festival at Ken Lambkin Reserve, Belmont. A lake front festival bringing you the best craft brews, barbecue and live music from across the Hunter and beyond. Tickets range from $54–$60. To book visit www.lakemac.com.au

SUNDAY 22 MAY

• Christ Church Camerata at Christ Church Cathedral, 2:30pm. David Banney conducts "Serenades for Strings", with favourites by Vivaldi and Elgar. The Camerata will also perform a brilliant new Serenade by Paul Groh and Banney's own Concerto for 2 Violas. Visit www.cccamerata.com.au

• Lake Macquarie Food & Wine Festival at Rathmines. With over 100 stalls , gather your tastebuds and prepare to drink, eat and enjoy the day with friends and family with local and national leaders in food and wine production exhibiting on the day and guaranteed to delight your senses.

SATURDAY 28 + 29 MAY

• Beer & BBQ Festival at Hope Estate. Over two big days, the festival will showcase all that’s great about beer & BBQ. With over 40 varieties of beer to taste, cookoffs and BBQ food. For more information visit www.hopeestate.com.au/hvbeerbbqfestival