PICK OF THE WEEK
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Historic train ride Sunday. The Richmond Vale Railway Museum features historic train rides to teach kids and adults the railway and mining heritage of the Hunter Valley. The museum has a large range of artefacts, maps and photos. A return trip on the train is an hour. Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale. 10am-4pm. Under 5s free, 5-15 $7.50, Adults $16. richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org.
EVENTS
Teddy Bear Hospital Saturday. 10am to 3pm. Medical students from the University of Newcastle are promoting healthy living and a better relationship between kids and doctors, with the annual Teddy Bear Hospital. Kids can bring along their favourite doll or stuffed animal to be examined. Facepainting, games, music and a bake sale of delicious goods will be running to raise money for local charity Leap Frog. All ages welcome. Civic Park.
Exhibition launch for This Is Me: Self Identity Project. Saturday. Girls aged 12 to 15 completed a self-esteem and resilience building course at Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre and worked with photomedia lecturer Simone Darcy to produce compelling images. Free, 2pm to 4pm, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery. Exhibition runs to August 3.
Union Choirs Concert Saturday. Be regaled with songs of work, social justice and tunes to help beat the budget with performances by the Sydney Trade Union Choir, Solidarity Choir, Illawarra Union Singers and Newcastle People’s Chorus. The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, 14 Railway St, Wickham. 3.15pm.
Newcastle Trading Card Show Sunday. 9am to 3pm. Browse a wide range of trading cards from sport, TV and pop culture. Special guests Tyrone Roberts and Joey Leulia from the Newcastle Knights, who will auction off merchandise to benefit Alex McKinnon. Adamstown Uniting Church Memorial Hall, corner of Brunker and Glebe Road, Adamstown. Cost $4 Adults, $2 Seniors.
Fund-raiser Performance Saturday. 2pm to 3.30pm. The Australian Army Band, Newcastle are hosting a fund-raiser performance at The Adamstown Club accompanied by a host of Newcastle’s best jazz musicians. 282 Brunker Road, Adamstown.
Cake party Saturday. 9am to 1pm. The Raspberry Butterfly cake shop is celebrating its birthday with free demonstrations, cupcakes, lucky dips, lucky door prizes and free face painting, along with the launch of a new cake decorating school. 2/22 Portside Cres, Maryville. 49611112.
Historic train ride Sunday. The Richmond Vale Railway Museum features historic train rides to teach kids and adults the railway and mining heritage of the Hunter Valley. The museum has a large range of artefacts, maps and photos. A return trip on the train is an hour. Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale. 10am-4pm. Under 5s free, 5-15 $7.50, Adults $16. richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org.
Christmas in July boat ride Saturday. 11am. Experience all the fun and food of Christmas when this cruise departs from Lee Wharf. With a hot Christmas-themed lunch, live entertainment, captain’s commentary, Christmas carols, bon bons and more. Lee Wharf Pontoon, Honeysuckle. Cost $55. Kelly Burnet, 0400381787.
Exhibition opening BBQ Saturday. 2pm to 4pm. Enjoy a free barbecue in the grounds of Lake Macquarie Art Gallery to launch This is Me, an exhibition exploring self-identity of young women from around Newcastle. Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, Booragul.
Bargain Book Fair Saturday. 9am to 2pm. Plenty of pre-loved books, as well as vinyl records and DVDs at very reasonable prices. St Mary’s Anglican Church Hall, Church Street, Maitland.
Family History open day Sunday. 9am to 4pm. Lake Macquarie Family History Group is holding an open day and book launch, with guest speakers presenting topics including how to research your German ancestors and exploring convict ancestry. Marmong Point Community Hall, George Street, Marmong Point.
FOOD AND WINE
Evening amongst the vines Saturday. 6pm to 11pm. To support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, a four-course degustation dinner plus canapes and matching wines will be held at McWilliam’s Wines, along with a silent auction, raffle and wine tasting. $120 per person or $1100 for a table of 10. All proceeds directly to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. McWilliam’s Wines, Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin. rescuehelicopter.com.au.
ENVIRONMENT
Sunday. 9.30am. The Hunter Wetlands Centre’s canoe trail extends over two kilometres and provides visitors with an opportunity to explore Ironbark Creek. Paddle to the rainforest area and discover a fascinating diversity of wildlife above and below the water. $30 adults, $20 children. Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland. 49516466.
THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Beyond A Joke A young man causes chaos when he tries to cover up several accidental deaths at a country house, thinking foul play has been involved; comedy by Derek Benfield. DAPA, at DAPA Theatre, Hamilton. Friday, at 7.30pm, Saturday, at 2pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday, at 2pm (final week). 49623270; 0416252446.
MARKETS
Hamilton Clock Tower Saturday. Beaumont Street, Hamilton.
Newcastle City Farmers Market Sunday. 8am to 1pm. Newcastle Showground, Brown Road, Broadmeadow.
The Entrance Saturday. 8am to 1pm. Memorial Park, corner of The Entrance Road and Marine Drive.
Hunt and Gather Saturday. 9am to 2pm. Pacific Park, Newcastle East.
Raymond Terrace Winter Markets Saturday, 9.30am to 2.30pm. Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace.
Sacred Tree Sunday. 9am to 2pm. Corner of Station Street and New England Highway, Branxton.
All Saints Anglican Saturday. 8am to 12 noon. 24 Church Street, Belmont.
ART
Art Systems Wickam Confetti Landbulk by Liam Power. To July 27.
Brenner Studio Solo exhibition by Kelly Barlin, Ford Scholarship recipient 2013. To July 21.
Finite Gallery, Caves Beach Not a Drop to Drink. Selected works from the stock room with a water theme.
Gosford Regional Art Gallery Mirrored in the Earth. Paintings and monotypes by Helene Leane. To July 30.
Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery This Is Me: Self Identity Project. To August 3.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery Dick Watkins: Love of Women, Nola Jones. To July 13. Simone Paterson, 108: everything, nothing, infinity. To August 17.
Maitland Gaol All Tied Up. Presented by the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles. To July 20.
Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize. From Tears of Fire, Drawing Light, Max Watters Preview. To August 3.
Newcastle Art Gallery Novocastria, to July 13. Paperweight, New Acquisitions, The Tokyo Connection, to August 10.
Station Masters Cottage, Nobbys Lighthouse Transit Town, Chris Byrns, Liam Madsen, James Murphy, Adam Sandford, Dylan Smyth, Clare Weeks. Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Wattspace I Come From Newie/Nuie, Thadeous Ikihega; Urban Life, Kim Saberton; Chimera, Courtney Mathieson; Presence: Absence, Douglas Webb. To July 27.
MUSIC
Beach Hotel Saturday, Carousel. Sunday, Saving June.
Belmont 16 Footers Saturday, Love That Hat. Sunday, Bloom.
The Bradford Saturday, Crimson Tide. Sunday, Jumpin Jukebox.
The Brewery Saturday, Jerome. Sunday, The Remedy.
Burwood Colliery Sports Club Sunday, Floyd Vincent And The Temple Dogs.
Cambridge Hotel Saturday, Flyying Colours.
Catho Pub Sunday, The V Dubs.
Charlestown Bowling Club Sunday, Gareth Hudson.
Civic Theatre Newcastle Saturday, An Evening With Groucho.
The Depot On Beaumont Saturday, Garth Prentice. Sunday, Pat Capocci.
Duke Of Wellington Saturday, The Nick Raschke Duo.
Hamilton Station Hotel Saturday, Live It Up Karaoke, The Underground Architect. Sunday, Failure Unplugged.
Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday and Sunday, Kylie Jane.
Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, The Burley Griffin, Dan Southward Band, Milli Casey. Sunday, Munga & The Dog Boob, Sons Of Mr Green Genes, The High Andes.
Lizotte’s Newcastle Saturday, Katie Noonan, Jack Carty. Sunday, Mahalia Barnes And The Soul Mates, Scotty Gelzinnis.
Mary Ellen Saturday, Janey’s Alibi Duo.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre Saturday, Lorde.
Orana Hotel Saturday, Scar Tissue: The RHCP Show, The Lady Gaga Show.
The Pourhouse Saturday, Kieran Wicks.
Shoal Bay Resort Saturday, Sons Of Mercury, Tim Usher. Sunday, Kazzi Waters.
Ski Rider Hotel Saturday, The Hazels.
Sunnyside Tavern Sunday, Troy.
Warners At The Bay Saturday, Iguana.
Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, Cruisers. Sunday, Holly Wilson.
Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Floyd Vincent And The Temple Dogs. Sunday, Lennie Live, Steve Edmonds.
MOVIES
ADVANCED SCREENING
Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie (M) When market-trader Agnes Brown finds her stall under threat from a ruthless developer, she and her family embark on a campaign to save their livelihood. (Event Cinemas Glendale)
NOW SHOWING
22 Jump Street (MA15+) After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college.
A Small Family Business (G) Hailed as one of the best British plays, Alan Ayckbourn presents a riotous exposé of entrepreneurial greed in a comic romp that follows Jack McCracken as he takes over his father-in-law’s business. (Avoca Beach)
Belle (M) Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle and his wife, Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the colour of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar’s son bent on change who, with her help, campaigns to end slavery in England. (Lake Cinemas Boolaroo)
Belle and Sebastian (PG) Sebastian is a lonely boy who tames and befriends a wild mountain dog, Belle, even though villagers believe her to be killing sheep. At the same time, Germans arrive in the village looking for resistance members who are helping Jewish refugees. (Event Cinemas Newcastle)
Calvary (MA) After he is threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.
Charlie’s Country (M) Charlie is an Aboriginal man living in a remote community. The Government Intervention is making life more difficult, and Charlie’s kin and ken seem more interested in going along with things than doing anything about it. So Charlie takes off to live the old way, setting off a chain of events in his life. (Event Cinemas Newcastle)
Dawn of the Planet Of The Apes (M) After the simian plague wipes out a large portion of humanity, survivors trigger an all-out war between humans and chimpanzee Caesar’s growing forces.
The Fault In Our Stars (M) Hazel and Gus are extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on an unforgettable journey. (Hoyts Charlestown)
Frozen (G) Fearless optimist Anna teams up with Kristoff in an epic journey in a race to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Sing along to the words of the Academy Award winning film featuring on-screen lyrics with a bouncing snowflake to follow along. Adult session also available. (Regal Cinemas)
Good Vibrations (MA) Passion for life is the central theme of this offbeat and up-beat comedy set in ’70s Belfast. A cheeky account of the raucous, reckless life of real-life music promoter Terri Hooley (Richard Dormer, Game of Thrones) who united the un-unite-able by ushering in a new wave of music. (Regal)
How To Train Your Dragon 2 (PG) The thrilling second chapter returns to the fantastical world of the heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.
It’s A Wonderful Life (PG) An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed, in this 1947 black and white feature directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. (Regal)
Jersey Boys (M) From director Clint Eastwood comes the big-screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. The film tells the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (M) It’s World War I, Christmas Eve, 1914. Officers and soldiers from Scotland and France engage in battle against the Germans from trenches barely 100 metres apart. As midnight nears, soldiers put down their weapons and soccer games replace combat. (Regal)
The Lunch Box (PG) Housewife Ila tries to add some spice to her marriage by preparing a special lunch to be delivered to her husband at work. Unbeknownst to her, it’s mistakenly delivered to another office worker, a lonely man on the verge of retirement. This begins a series of lunchbox notes between the pair. (Avoca Beach)
Maleficent (M) Angelina Jolie stars in the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain, from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty. (Event Cinemas Glendale)
Rio 2 (G) It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they venture from the magical city into the wilds of the Amazon for a family reunion. Out of his element in a land he doesn’t know, Blu must face his most fearsome adversary – his father-in-law – while evading Nigel’s fiendish plans for revenge.
Sunshine On Leith (PG) A jubilant, heartfelt musical that follows one tight-knit Scottish family and the three couples bound to it as they experience the joys and heartaches that punctuate all relationships. Set to the music of the pop-folk band The Proclaimers. (Regal; Avoca Beach)
Thomas and Friends: Tale of the Brave (G) Thomas is working at the Clay Pits when a storm closes in and the rain makes the clay cliffs unstable. A flash of lightning reveals what looks like giant monster footprints on the slope above. (Hoyts Charlestown)
Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy (G) When Zarina steals Pixie Hollow’s Blue Pixie Dust and flies away, Tinker Bell and her friends sets on a journey to get them back.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (PG) A mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings Autobots and Decepticons – and a paranoid government official – down on them.
The Trip to Italy (M) The amusing banter of comedians Steve Coogan (Philomena) and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) makes them entertaining guides as we accompany them on the Grand Tour – and gourmet odyssey – of Italy. (Regal)
Yves Saint Laurent (M) A look at the life of French designer Yves Saint Laurent from the beginning of his career in 1958 when he met his lover and business partner, Pierre Berge. (Event Cinemas Newcastle)
WINNERS
The Pandora rings winners are Tanya Tiplady of Fletcher, Julie Sweetman, of Glendale, and Kristen Black, of Belmont North.
