The New South Wales Mining and Engineering Expo will be held at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday and Thursday, October 8 and 9.
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Oktoberfest Saturday. Where else in Newcastle can you find beard competitions, strong woman battles, the miss Oktoberfest pageant, a Burlesque show and all kinds of local and imported beer and German food. As part of Oktoberfest, listen to traditional German music and take the chance to learn about Bavarian culture and history. The Great Northern, Scott Street, Newcastle. From 6pm. Tickets $20 at the door.
Mattara Festival Saturday and Sunday. Saturday features fashion and creative uncovered, with saltwater markets from 9am to 4pm, fashion parades from noon to 2 and drag queens Kara Zmatiq and Indi Pendant from 3.30pm, while Sunday features stage entertainment including Maxi Jazz dance studio, Starshine the Fairy and Newcastle Music Academy from 10.30am to 3pm. Nobby’s Beach and Newcastle Foreshore. Free.
Tiger Moth Air Race Saturday and Sunday. Almost 50 Tiger Moth bi-planes will take to the skies over the Hunter on their way to and from Sydney and Taree from Luskintyre Air Field. The planes will fly over Nobbys and Fort Scratchley at 9.40am on Saturday, getting a gun salute on the way past. Then on Sunday, catch them at Luskintyre, Gloucester and Taree from 9.15am. Free.
Animal blessing service Sunday. All creatures great and small can get blessed at Christ Church Cathedral to encourage pet owners of all denominations to make lifestyle choices that avoid cruelty. Any pet welcome as long as they stay restrained. Church Street, Newcastle. From 6pm. Free.
Fighterworld Open Cockpit Day Sunday. Sit in the cockpit and get a 15-minute tour of planes while a qualified pilot explains the controls to you. Adults $15, children $10, pensioners $12. 10amto 4pm. Bookings essential. 4965 1810.
Walk-a-thon Saturday. Raise money for the Cancer Council with an 8km walk-a-thon from Nelson Bay to Fingal Bay. Starts at Coles Nelson Bay carpark, finishing at Barry Park, Fingal Bay. 9am to 1.30pm. Gail or Robert, Coles Tanilba Bay, 4980 5300.
This Is Not Art Festival Saturday and Sunday. From a breakfast book club to politics panels and everything in between, this event includes the National Young Writers’ Festival, Electrofringe, and lots of art and culture. Visiting panellists include Benjamin Law, Lawrence Leung, Luke Ryan, Amy Dale and Fairfax commentator Clementine Ford. For sessions visit tina2014.floktu.com or go to page 30 of Weekender.
Music and wine in the vines Sunday. Experience fine wine, great food and funky jazz at Littles Wines in Pokolbin. Pippa Grandison (Wicked, Mary Poppins and Underbelly), performs. 1pm to 5pm. Tickets $30 from littleswines.com.au. Palmers Lane, Pokolbin.
Canoe For Conservation Sunday. Take a canoe trip down the Hunter River and its tributaries and work on remote ecosystems within. Leave from Windeyers Reach, Ash Island at 8.30am departure and returns at 3pm. Must be 18 years of age and know how to swim. Bookings essential at 4951 6466. Free.
Mad Hatter tea party Saturday. Read some of the best passages from Alice In Wonderland and enjoy a tea party with correct etiquette, suitable from 8 to 13-year-olds. At Thornton Library, TaylorAvenue, Thornton. 10am to noon. Call 4933 6952.
Disney’s Alice In Wonderland Jr Lively adaptation for young performers of the musical film in which Alice chases the White Rabbit and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. National Theatre Company, at Singleton Civic Centre. Saturday, 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: All 4 You, Town Square Shopping Centre.
SPORT
Newcastle Hill Climb Sunday. Watch cars spin around King Edward Park for the 57th year as part of the Mattara Festival. Sunday sees the final round of the NSW State Hillclimb championship, plus food and drink are on offer in the park. 9am to 4.30pm. Continues on Monday. Tickets $20 Family, $10 Adult.
NRL Grand Final Watch the NRL grand final in style at The Lucky Hotel on Hunter Street, starting with a performance by bluegrass band Good Corn Liquor from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, or cheer on the Bulldogs and the Bunnies on the big screen at the Grain Store from11.30am, with the main game kicking off at 7.15pm. Free.
Saltwater Saturday, 9am to 4pm. Mattara Festival, Newcastle Foreshore. Sunday, 9am to 2pm, Swansea Public School.
Olive Tree Saturday, 9am to 3pm. The Junction Public School.
Maitland Harvest Saturday, 8am to 11am. Maitland Showground.
Hamilton Clocktower Saturday, 8am to 2pm. Beaumont Street, Hamilton.
Newcastle Farmers Sunday, 8am to 1pm. Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow.
Adamstown Lions Sunday, 7am to noon. Glebe and Brunker Road, Adamstown.
Art Systems Wickham As Is, recent work by Mandy Robinson and Edwin Rush, to October 19.
Cooks Hill Galleries 40th Anniversary exhibition; 27 new works by career artists to October 6.
Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery A Very Fine River: Convict Stories from the Hunter, to October 19. The Antipodean Steampunk Show, to October 19. CLICK: Schools in Focus, to November 30. And on a special book reading by Courtney Collins from her novel The Burial at 2pm this Sunday. High Tea included. $25 non-members $20 members. Bookings essential: 4965 8260.
The Lock Up, Hunter Street The Future’s Knot, official exhibition of Critical Animals, to October 26.
Morpeth Gallery Living legend Gordon Hanley exhibition, to October 6.
Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre Hanna Kay: Trajectory; Tony Phillips: Veil II; Mark Mohell: Kerbside; Max Watters Collection: Study, to November 2.
Newcastle Art Space Abstraction NOW, curated by Ahn Wells; The Walking Thread, solo exhibition by Olivia Parsonage, until October 19.
Nobby’s Lighthouse Coastal Journeys exhibition. Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
University Gallery George Gittoes: I Witness, to October 25.
5 Sawyers Saturday, DJ Patsan. Sunday, DJ Jonathan.
Anna Bay Tavern Saturday, The Piranha Brothers.
Bar 121 Saturday, LoKo.
Bar Petite Saturday, Kirsty Larkin.
Bellbird Workers Club Saturday, Cool Change Duo.
Belmont 16 Footers Saturday, The Years. Sunday, Backbeat Duo.
Belmore Hotel Saturday, Moonlight Drive.
Beresfield Bowling Club Saturday, Mardmax.
Blackbutt Hotel Saturday, Rubber Bullet.
The Bradford Saturday, Purple Hearts.
The Brewery Saturday, Arley Black. Sunday, Frets with Benefits.
Cambridge Hotel Saturday, TINA Fest: Young Writers Festival. Sunday, TINA Fest: End of Festival Party.
Cardiff RSL Club Saturday, Cover 2 Cover.
Catho Pub Sunday, Dirty Deeds: The AC/DC Show.
Caves Beachside Hotel Saturday, The Rub.
Central Hotel, Stroud Saturday, Radio Waves.
Cessnock Rugby League Supporters Club Saturday, Hummdinger.
Charlestown Bowling Club Sunday, Jake Folbigg.
Clarendon Hotel Saturday, Troy.
Club Lemon Tree Saturday, Jim Overend.
Colliery Inn Saturday, Pete Sneddon.
Commercial Hotel Morpeth Saturday, Marriah.
Cricketers Arms Saturday, Jon Matthews.
Criterion Hotel Carrington Sunday, Troy Kemp.
Crown And Anchor Hotel Sunday, Ryan Daley.
Customs House Newcastle Saturday, Jon-T. Sunday, Howard Shearman.
D’Albora Marina Saturday, Howard Shearman. Sunday, Darren.
Delany Hotel Saturday, Loose Bazooka.
Denman Hotel Saturday, Graeme Mills. Sunday, Graeme Mills.
The Depot On Beaumont Saturday, Tom Blake. Sunday, Jason Singh.
Duke Of Wellington Saturday, Dane Fitzsimmons.
East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, Overload.
Entrance Leagues Club Saturday, Jack Derwin.
Exchange Hotel Saturday, Phase III.
Finnegans Hotel Saturday, Janey’s Alibi. Sunday, Resident DJs.
Forster Memorial Club Saturday, Shivoo.
George Tavern, Greenhills Saturday, The Remedy.
The Grain Store Saturday, Scotty Gelzinnis With Harry Gelzinnis. Sunday, JJ King.
Grand Junction Hotel Saturday, The Cat Canteri Band Album Launch. Sunday, Ngariki (from 2pm).
The Great Northern Saturday, Dead Eyed Suburbanites, Run Squirrel, The Jimmy Bazil Project, Ancient Sadness. Sunday, Acoustic Music.
Gunyah Hotel Saturday, Jungle Kings.
Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday, Kylie Jane. Sunday, Hire Hats.
Iron Horse Inn Saturday, Tom Buckley.
King Bill IV Maitland Saturday, Dave Wells. Sunday, Brendan Murphy.
King Street Hotel Saturday, J-Trick. Sunday, Laneway Party featuring Tenzin.
Kurri Kurri Workers Club Saturday, Outerphase.
Lakes Hotel Saturday, The V Dubs.
Lambton Park Hotel Saturday, Gabriel Emilia Duo.
Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, The Worriers, The Hedonists, Riley Warren. Sunday, Kira Puru DJ Set.
Lizotte’s Newcastle Saturday, Mental As Anything.
Long Jetty Hotel Saturday, Bob Allan. Sunday, Open Mic Day With Kate Keighran.
Mark Hotel Saturday, Hayden Johns. Sunday, DV8.
Mattara Hotel Saturday, Showtime Disco & Karaoke.
Mavericks On The Bay Saturday, Pistol Pete. Sunday, Zane Penn.
Merewether Surfhouse Sunday, Kylie Jane.
Metropolitan Hotel, Maitland Saturday, The Crawfish Stew Band. Sunday, Simon King, Laura Morgan.
Moonshadow Cruises, Nelson Bay Saturday, Edie Love.
Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Hey Poncho.
Nelson Bay Diggers Saturday, Daley Holliday. Sunday, Dave Live.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sunday, Mick Jones.
Northern Star Hotel Saturday, Allon.
Ocean Beach Hotel Sunday, Sean Frazer.
Ocean View Hotel Dudley Saturday, Defaced. Sunday, The Nat Bland Duo.
Old Pub, Woy Woy Saturday, Tres Hombres.
Pearl Beach Cafe Saturday, Jack Dawson.
Pedens At Cessnock Saturday, Rock N Roll Scarz. Sunday, Voodoo Express.
Pippis At The Point Saturday, Deuce. Sunday, Brooke Harvey.
The Pourhouse Saturday, Kate Keighran.
Premier Hotel Saturday, Howard Shearman. Sunday, Hornet.
Prince Of Wales Saturday, Matt Mclaren. Sunday, Bearded Gents.
Racecourse Hotel, Wallsend Saturday, Kim.
Regal Hotel, Kurri Saturday, The Hepburns.
River Royal Inn Morpeth Sunday, Matt Mclaren.
Royal Federal Hotel Saturday, Maddison Jay.
Royal Hotel Denman Saturday, The Flicks.
Royal Hotel Singleton Sunday, Rock N Mash.
Royal Inn Waratah Saturday, Brooke Harvey.
Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Good Grief.
Salamander Tavern Saturday, Michael Mills.
Searock At Shoalbay Saturday, James Naldo.
Settlers Arms, West Gosford Saturday, Dexter Moore.
Seven Seas Hotel Carrington Saturday, Full Throttle.
Shinnies Boolaroo Sunday, Full Throttle.
Shoal Bay Resort Saturday, Misbehave, Darren Rolling Keys.
The Small Ballroom, Islington Saturday, Untaymable.
Soldiers Point Bowling Club Saturday, Snape Trilogy.
Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield Saturday, Ngariki.
Stockton Bowling Club Sunday, The Liars.
Stockton RSL Saturday, Mitchal Capone and the Wise Guys.
Summerland Sporties Sunday, Bob Allan.
Sunnyside Tavern Saturday, Mick Jones.
Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Rok Candy.
Swansea Workers Club Saturday, M T Pockets.
Tilligerry RSL Saturday, Lennie Live.
Toronto District Workers Club Saturday, Talk Of The Town.
Vues On The Bay Saturday, Whisky Lane.
Wallsend Diggers Saturday, Silverhair.
Wangi District Workers Club Saturday, Beach Boys Tribute Band.
Wangi Hotel Sunday, Katrina Burgoyne.
Warners At The Bay Saturday, Incognito.
Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, Rock Oz.
Wests Leagues Club New Lambton Saturday, Stuart Hamilton, The Big Bang.
Wests Cardiff Saturday, Dr Love.
West Wallsend Workers Club Sunday, Karen O’Shea.
Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Good Corn Liquor, Leeroy & The Rats. Sunday, Kirsty Larkin, Freebird.
Windsor Castle Hotel Saturday, Matt Gaudry.
OPENING
Annabelle (MA15+) After he buys a vintage doll for his wife, John’s house is attacked by members of a satanic cult who conjure the doll into a malevolent and unstoppable spirit.
Dracula Untold (PG) This film follows Vlad Tepes, a 15th-century prince who was later known as Vlad The Impaler, as he turns into Dracula.
NOW SHOWING
A Most Wanted Man (M) In one of his last movies, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman is the head of an anti-terrorism team in Hamburg. Also stars Rachel McAdams and Willem Dafoe. (Avoca Beach)
And So It Goes (M) A self-centred realtor (Michael Douglas) enlists the help of his neighbour (Diane Keaton) when he is suddenly left in charge of the granddaughter he never knew about. (Lake)
Begin Again (M) A chance encounter between a disgraced music industry executive (Mark Ruffalo) and a young singer songwriter (Keira Knightley) new to New York turns into a promising collaboration. (Regal)
Bethlehem (M) Explores the complex relationship between an Israeli intelligence officer and his Palestinian informant, who must negotiate competing loyalties and impossible moral dilemmas. (Avoca Beach)
Billy Elliot The Musical In a 1980s British mining town, a young boy struggles to make his dream of ballet dancing come true. (Tower, Avoca Beach)
The Boxtrolls (PG) Beneath the charming cobblestone streets of Cheesebridge dwell the Boxtrolls, monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear.
Boyhood (M) This drama, filmed over 11 years, follows fictional Mason Evans Jnr as he, and the actor portraying him Ellar Coltrane, grow up. (Tower, Avoca Beach)
Calvary (M) Black comedy set on Ireland’s west coast about a good priest (Brendan Gleeson) who is told by a parishioner during confession he will be killed in week’s time to atone for the sins of bad priests. Co-stars Chris O’Dowd and Dylan Moran. (Regal)
The Equalizer (MA15+) McCall (Denzel Washington) finds his desire for justice reawakened after he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a girl under the control of violent Russian gangsters.
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. Special school holiday encore.
The Grand Seduction (PG) A dying Newfoundland fishing village must convince a young doctor to take up residence by any means necessary. (Regal)
Guardians Of The Galaxy (M) In the far reaches of space, an American pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan. Stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel.
The House Of Magic (G) A cheeky and loveable cat, Thunder, sneaks into a mysterious mansion owned by a retired magician.
The Hundred Foot Journey (PG) An Indian family moves to France and open an eatery across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren).
The Little Death (MA15+) In a multi-story narrative, we peer behind the closed doors of a seemingly normal suburban street to explore the secret sex lives of five ordinary couples. (Tower Newcastle)
The Lunchbox (PG) A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. (Regal, Lake.)
Magic In The Moonlight (PG) A sceptical Englishman (Colin Firth) tries to unmask a possible swindler in this Woody Allen romantic comedy, also starring Emma Stone and Jacki Weaver.
The Maze Runner (M) A group of young boys trapped in a maze join forces to escape and unravel the riddle of who brought them there and why.
Planes: Fire And Rescue (G) When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.
Step Up: All In (PG) Dancers from previous Step Up instalments reunite in Las Vegas in one final face-off to battle for victory.
Still Life (M) Council worker John is laid off from his job finding the next of kin for the recently deceased. His final assignment leads to a blossoming friendship. (Avoca Beach)
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 heartache that punctuate all relationships. Set to the foot-tapping music of pop-folk band The Proclaimers. (Regal)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (M) Four martial-arts trained mutant turtles emerge from the sewers to fight crime in New York City.
What We Do In The Shadows (M) Vladislav (Jemaine Clement) is a vampire just trying to get by in modern society in this comedy from the creators of Flight of the Conchords. (Avoca)
Wish I Was Here (M) A struggling actor (Zach Braff) tries to find his identity and purpose in his life when he home-schools his kids. Also stars Kate Hudson. (Tower)
The winner of the Chicks at the Flicks pass for four people is Stacey Greentree of Adamstown.