What's On

WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO BE CORRECT, HOWEVER EVENTS DO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ONLINE BEFORE PLANNING.

THURSDAY 3 MARCH

■ Lake Mac GLAM at Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba. Lake Mac GLAM (Galleries,

Libraries, Archives and Museums) is a conference showcasing the latest initiatives of cultural experiences. Keynote speaker

Dr Terri Janke, will address First Nations:

A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous

Engagement in Museums. This conference includes discussions on how regional organisations can build trust and ensure authenticity in programming. 2 Day Passes $279 with single day passes available from $110. 3–4 March ■ Welcome to Costa's World at Civic Theatre.

Celebrate the launch of the Newcastle Writer's

Festival at a special event with Gardening

Australia host Costa Georgiadis. Tickets are $27.50, available now at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au ■ Music at the Museum at Newcastle Museum.

Free, family-friendly, outdoor live music event. BYO picnic rug and chairs, food and drinks available on site, no bookings required. 5pm–8pm, 3 & 10 Mar FRIDAY 4 MARCH

■ A League Women at No. 2 Sportsground.

Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar, 7:45pm ■ RAW Comedy at Civic Theatre. The country’s largest and most prestigious open mic comedy competition is on again. Catch the newest faces as they take to the stage armed with their best five minutes of comedy. Tickets from $31, available from www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au ■ The Newcastle Show at Newcastle

Showground. See pg 10 for more information. 4–6 Mar SATURDAY 5 MARCH

■ Family Night of Fun at Lambton Park.

Goodlife Church presents a big night of fun with food vendors, pony rides, face painting, jumping castles, free glow pancakes and an outdoor cinema. Free entry, from 4pm ■ The Great Poetry Debate at The Base.

Five Hunter based feature poets will perform original work. Hosted by Queen

Marie-Antoinette (aka Helen Hopcroft) and including an open mic session, the event is a celebration of poetry in all its forms. Dressing up in costume of any kind encouraged!

Afternoon tea provided. For more info visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au ■ Saturday Night Showcase at Newcastle

Comedy Club. Newcastle's only dedicated comedy club showcases some of Australia's best comedians. Tickets available via

Eventbrite. 6:30–9:30pm, 5 & 12 Mar TUESDAY 8 MARCH

■ International Women's Day Picnic at

Civic Park. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, performance and guest speakers. THURSDAY 10 MARCH

■ Hot Potato Band and Luna Menta at

Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba. Enjoy a fabulous, energetic and interactive musical performance. Tickets $40 pp. Discover

Service NSW Vouchers can be redeemed at this event. Visit www.lakemac.com.au for more information FRIDAY 11 MARCH

■ Lake Mac Women's Sport Festival

See pg 10 for more info. 11–13 Mar SATURDAY 12 MARCH

■ Nitro Circus at McDonald Jones Stadium.

An explosive, high adrenaline action sports

WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE AT MCGUIGAN

Immerse yourself in the flavours of the Hunter in this exquisite Wine, Cheese & Chocolate tasting. Relax in a private tasting area with a dedicated wine expert who will help you explore the exceptional wines that have made McGuigan one of the most awarded wineries in the world. You will enjoy a selection of the best seasonal, hand-crafted cheeses from the artisans spectacular starring the best athletes in

FMX, BMX, Skate, Scooter and more! Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.au ■ This That at Wickham Park. SUNDAY 13 MARCH

■ Friends of Palliative Care Annual

Walkathon & Fun Run at Maitland Regional

Sports Centre. Take part in the 10km or 5km fun runs or 5km walk to raise money to support FOPC. Money raised from the event will go towards supporting individuals and their families in end-of-life care as well as supporting health professionals to attend training and seminars relating to end-of-life care. Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au for tickets and more information

MONDAY 14 MARCH

▲ Monday Fondalicious at The Station. Take part in an aerobics class set to 80s tunes.

Dressing brightly in your best 80s aerobics attire is highly encouraged. Class is $10, pay cash on the night or pre-pay via Eventbrite. THURSDAY 17 MARCH

■ Newcastle Fringe Festival (NFF) is back from 17–27 March! It’s edgy, diverse, inspirational and super creative and it’s the biggest little fringe in Australia. The Fringe is committed to bringing as much variety in entertainment options as possible to cater

at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, plus carefully selected hand made chocolates by artisan chocolatier Maître Pâtissier complementing a range of premium McGuigan dessert and fortified wines. Cost – $25pp pre-paid reservations for parties of 1 to 6 people. Visit www.mcguiganwines.com.au and click on Visit Us to book.

for all interests – comedy, theatre, children’s theatre, music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, spoken word, performance art and circus.

There is something for everyone. VIsit www.newcastlefringe.com.au for more info ■ NFF – Recorder Artist Alana Blackburn at

Royla Exchange (REX) FRIDAY 18 MARCH

■ Dead Poet's Society at Rathmines Theatre,

Nawayiba. Enjoy the film with a glass of wine. Tickets $25, includes all drinks and catering. Dine & Discover vouchers accepted.

Bookings essential. Tickets and more info at www.lakemac.com.au ■ Write Here! Festival at Lake Macquarie.

Discover new reads from popular Australian authors Chris Hammer, Tea Cooper, Barry

Maitland, Sandie Docker, Lee Christine, Sami

Bayly and Fiona McArthur plus many more.

Hear tips, tricks and tales from bestselling local and visiting authors across three days of workshops, discussions and presentations.

Visit www.library.lakemac.com.au ■ NFF – Triple Threat Comedy with Peter

Burner, Tommy Dean & Darren Sanders at Lizotte's SATURDAY 19 MARCH

■ Under the Awning at Civic Theatre. Dashville brings their famous brand of cosmic country and good times to the space outside the Civic

Theatre Bar. Tickets are free but registration is essential. Book now at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au SUNDAY 20 MARCH

■ Sami Bayly – Storytime and Drawing session at Warners Bay Theatre. Meet

Australian author and illustrator Sami Bayly, complete a line drawing and learn about the amazing animals in her latest book. Ages 5+.

Gold coin donation. Bookings Essential. Visit www.lakemac.com.au for tickets. ■ My Kids Market Newcastle at Newcastle

Showground Exhibition Centre. The perfect place to buy, sell and recyle pre loved kids goods. $4 entry, 9am–12noon ■ The Tap Pack at Civic Theatre. The Tap Pack mix slick humour, high energy entertainment and world class tap dance. A show of pure entertainment inspired by the legendary kings of swing, The Rat Pack, freshly created for the audience of today. Tickets available at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au ■ NFF - Henry Wagons Old Fashioned Nights at Lizotte's WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH

■ Repair Cafe Pop-Up: Make and Mend

Session at Belmont Library, Ngarrabangba.

Join Repair It Lake Mac for this free event and have items mended by our expert repairers, whilst learning new skills in a fun and friendly environment. 10am-1pm THURSDAY 24 MARCH

■ NFF – Catherine Britt at Lizotte's. Catherine will showcase her new album Home Truths SUNDAY 27 MARCH

■ Newcastle Chilli Festival at The Station,

Newcastle. A free event for all chilli lovers with loads of chilli products and food. There'll also be food trucks, wine & beer, stalls, live music, a kids zone and the all important chilli eating competition. ■ Pork Ewe Seasonal Long Lunch at Rustica

Restaurant. Join the Pork Ewe Deli team for an afternoon of delicious dining celebrating the flavours of Europe over a leisurely Sunday lunch. Tickets are $179, available at www.porkewe.com.au

THURSDAY 31 MARCH

▲ The Spiegeltent Newcastle at Civic Park. the highly anticipated Spiegeltent Newcastle program returns with incredibly talented performers and some big surprises. Taking up residence in the opulent Spiegeltent is Blanc de Blanc Encore: the ultimate hedonistic night out – champagne-soaked, breath-taking, hilarious and adults only. To book tickets, visit www.strutnfret.com/spiegeltentnewcastle

From 31 Mar–1 May

COMING UP...

■ Gin & Jazz Festival 2–3 April ■ NewRun Running Festival 3 April ■ Newcastle Food Month April

SATURDAY 5 MAR

The Fabulous Caprettos Toronto Hotel Mardi Gras at The Star Star Hotel

SUNDAY 6 MAR

The Years Stockton Bowling Club Dan Mani Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar

SATURDAY 12 MAR

Lass Bash X Lass O'Gowrie Hotel Cormac Grant The Stag & Hunter Hotel FANGZ Hamilton Station Hotel Dreams-Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Tribute Belmont 16s

SUNDAY 13 MAR

Eric Grothe & The Gurus Adamstown Bowling Club Robbie Mortimer The Cambridge Phoenix Carrington Bowling Club

FRIDAY 18 MAR

The Vanns The Cambridge The Real James Ryan Band & Hyper Destrian Lass O'Gowrie Hotel Running in the Shadows - the Fleetwood Mac Show Civic Theatre Lachlan Edwards The Rum Diary Bar Alana Blackburn Royal Exchange (REX)

SATURDAY 19 MAR

Grooves on The Green Adamstown Bowling Club Nerds & Music Do The Fringe Rogue Scholar Luke Robinson Rogue Scholar Dai Pritchard The Wickham Park Hotel Birds of a Feather Toronto Workers Club

SUNDAY 20 MAR

Double Trouble: Candyland & OMGWTF Babylon Newcastle Noah Dillon Hamilton Station Hotel Johnny Bakerlite and the Subterraneans Royal Exchange (REX)

WEDNESDAY 23 MAR

Spacey Jane Bar on The Hill

THURSDAY 24 MAR

Allday The Cambridge Kim Churchill Civic Theatre

SATURDAY 26 MAR

Don't Change-Ultimate INXS Toronto Hotel Gambirra Mob City Hall Hard-Ons The Cambridge Australian Ukelele Orchestra Creative Arts Space (CAS)

SUNDAY 27 MAR

Sunday Jazz Babylon Newcastle Thomas James Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar The Majishans Royal Exchange (REX)

WEDNESDAY 30 MAR

Alex Lahey The Cambridge

WHAT'S ON AT Lake Mac

Join us for Lake Mac Women's Sport Festival! This inclusive event will offer something for everyone, with an umbrella program that caters to sporting newcomers, aspiring professional athletes, coaches and administrators of women’s sport. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the event is tied together by themes of empowerment, athletic excellence, community and support. Choose from a range events, including a networking breakfast with Australian Netballer, Sam Poolman, a twoday symposium featuring guest speaker, Kerri Pottharst and a family fun day out with sporting clinics, sporting stalls, food trucks and live music. To view the program and book tickets visit lakemac.com.au/Events

The Newcastle Show

> 4–6 MARCH

Celebrate 120 years of The Newcastle Show! Enjoy three days of action-packed fun, featuring over 100 high adrenaline, family amusements and games, live entertainment plus an animal nursery and competitions, you’ll find it hard to fit everything into your visit! There’ll be freestyle BMX, demolition derby, Hot Wheels Stunts, camel and lawnmower races and woodchopping (just to name a few). Fireworks will light up the sky on Friday and Saturday night at 9pm. Don’t forget to grab a show bag too! Book your tickets at www.newcastleshow.com.au/tickets

Gimbay Gatigaan

> 3–5 MARCH, CARRINGTON

In collaboration with the Newcastle Worimi Community, Curious Legends are creating a site-specific performance in the Carrington parklands for March of 2022. Aboriginal dancing, storytelling, and age-old wisdom combine with multimedia projections, shadows, and giant, illuminated, puppets.

A family friendly production, Gimbay Gatigaan (friendly Mudcrab in language) explores the Throsby Creek through an Aboriginal lens – that of the Dates Mob, who’s ancestors have walked this land since forever. Enjoy an evening under the stars, with food trucks, Aboriginal Art, and an opportunity to see this land in a new way. The site opens at 6:30pm with the show starting at 8pm. This is a free event, but registration is essential. Visit www.curiouslegends.com.au/ gimbay-gatigaan for tickets and more information.