Weekend planner July 30-31, 2016

Winter Rose Pruning at Hunter Valley Gardens  Saturday and Sunday. Demonstrations and talks throughout the day will help teach you how to care for your roses correctly. Don’t forget to pick up your complimentary rose cutting on departure.

Healthy Lifestyles, Wellness, Leisure and Fitness Indoor Expo Raymond Terrace Bowling Club Auditorium, 9am to 3pm.  Check out local sporting, recreation and leisure groups with information and demonstrations including Tai Chi, rock and roll, line dancing and more. Try out circus skills, yoga, boot camp and kids’ Zumba, and browse stalls selling locally produced goods. Entry is free.

Newcastle Memorial Park 80th Anniversary Open Day Newcastle Memorial Park, Beresfield, 10am to 3pm. Crematorium tour, life art coffin display, hearse display, family history and more.

Georgian Christmas In July Tomago House, 7pm to 10.30pm. Open fires, simple Christmas decorations and good, wholesome food. Cost: members $60; non-members $70. 

Book Sale Toronto Uniting Church, 9am to 1pm. Browse a huge variety of books and find some bargains. Retro jewellery on sale and light refreshments available.

Australian Ice Hockey League Newcastle North Stars vs Sydney Bears 5pm at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, Warners Bay.

Peek Into The Past Tocal Homestead, 10am to 3pm. Tocal Homestead comes alive with the sights and sounds (and smells) of yesteryear at a wonderful old-fashioned day out for all the family. The sounds of working horses, heritage tractors and machinery will mingle with the aromas of scones and apple pies baking in the old wood stove. Watch the blacksmiths working at the forge and enjoy a piece of damper from the camp fire, try your hand at the ancient art of water divining or a traditional bush game, and watch the local straw broom maker at work. Keep an eye out for the soldiers of the 73rd Regiment of Foot. There is a heritage clothing parade, machinery demonstrations, farm animals, cart rides with Harry the Clydesdale, tractors at work,  sheep shearing as well as working vintage machinery. Adults $10, concession $8 and school children free.

Sunday Soul Sessions The Maryville Tavern, 3pm to 7pm. Newcastle selectors Anthony DJ Tone Dobson and Dan Phelan will be spinning funk, soul and rhythm and blues records in the front bar where it’s nice and warm. Entry is free.

Benefit Day for Damian Jobson Lake Macquarie Tavern, 2pm to 8pm. Damian was injured in a rugby league game on May 21, suffering several fractures in his neck which left him a quadriplegic. This benefit day will raise funds for medical expenses and support for Damian and his family. Raffles, auctions and entertainment. 

Peter Read’s Adult Life Drawing Workshop Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, 10.30am to 3.30pm. Back by popular demand, you can enjoy a one-day life-drawing workshop with artist and tutor Peter Read. Bookings essential.

Lazy Sunday Lunch With Gyan Lizotte’s Newcastle, noon onwards.  In her first outing since her sell-out Sydney Opera House multimedia shows with Michael Leunig, Gyan will be joined by James Cruickshank (The Cruel Sea), Tim Gaze (Morning of the Earth), Simon Greaves (Museagency) plus a string quartet with players from The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

National Tree Day Event Orchard Street, Cardiff, 9am to noon. The Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group will be helping Cardiff South Wetland Landcare Group to plant trees and weed out invasive pest species. Wear outdoor clothing and a hat, bring a water bottle; also at Stevenson Park, Mayfield West, 9am to 1pm, free BBQ. 

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Parts I & II Script Book Publication Day One of the most hotly anticipated days of the publishing year is the publication day of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II Script Book. More than 90 bookshops around Australia will host parties to celebrate, including Dymocks Charlestown, QBD Charlestown and QBD Kotara.

Belmont Sporties Family Fun Day 10am to 3pm. A family fun day with a raffle supporting Bears of Hope pregnancy and infant loss support. There will be a jumping castle, face painting, DJ and outdoor disco, plaster painting, sausage sizzle, lucky dips and more.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, in partnership with Wrap With Love Inc, will host the annual Hunter Knit-In on Friday, August 12. Knitters from far and wide will gather at the gallery between 9.30am and 4pm to knit hundreds of squares for cosy wraps. The wraps will be distributed all over the globe by this committed volunteer organisation to enhance and even save lives. Wrap with Love Inc. is a non-profit organisation with more than 25,000 volunteers throughout Australia. This year, local volunteers are asked to create designs that relate to the theme “birds of a feather flock together” on their knitted or sewn squares. Some of these finished wraps will be on display in the gallery’s education. Individual knitters welcome. Call in for half an hour – or feel free to stay and knit all day. Endurance knitters (who stay longer) will be fuelled by the delicious morning and afternoon tea provided. If you are unable to attend on the day, you can also participate by knitting squares at home and dropping them into the gallery before the event.

Hunter Wine Country Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, De Bortoli Wines.

Hunter Street Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle.

Clocktower Markets Saturday, 8am to 2pm, James Street Plaza, Hamilton.

Bayway Village Market Day Saturday, 8.30am to 12.30pm at Fern Bay. Variety stalls including BBQ sausage sizzle, cakes, craft and more. 

Adamstown Lions Market Sunday, 8am to noon, corner Glebe and Brunker roads, Adamstown. 

Newcastle Hunter Vietnam Veterans Markets Sunday, 7am to 1pm, at Wickham Park, Islington. 

Newcastle City Farmers and Makers Market Sunday, 8am to 1pm, Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow. 

5 Sawyers  Saturday, DJ Benny B. Sunday, Nick Raschke & Luke Bellows.

Argyle House Saturday, Aftr Hrs.

Bar Petite Saturday, Jerome.

Beach Hotel Saturday, The James Thompson Band.

Belmont 16s Saturday, The Big Bang Quartet, Daniel Arvidson. Sunday, Franky & Johnny.

Blackbutt Hotel Saturday, Silverhair.

The Bradford Saturday, Rock OZ. Sunday, Prestige Inc, Soulplay.

Burwood Inn Saturday, DJ Timmy Coffey.

Cambridge Hotel Saturday, Ruby Dee and The Snakehandlers, Bad Luck Kitty.

Cardiff RSL Club Saturday, The Blues Bombers.

Catho Pub Saturday, Murray Byfield. Sunday, Smokin Rosie.

Central Charlestown Leagues Club Saturday, Beth Gleeson.

Charlestown Bowling Club Saturday, Phil McKnight.

Clarendon Hotel Saturday, Todd Schmoo.

Club Kotara Saturday, Rendezvous Duo.

Colliery Inn Saturday, Pete & Kate Sneddon.

Criterion Hotel Carrington Sunday, Zane Penn.

Crown & Anchor Hotel Sunday, Ryan Daley.

Customs House Saturday, Matt Saxon. Sunday, Jerome.

Duke Of Wellington Sunday, Kim and Mik.

East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, Code Red. Sunday, Phil McKnight.

Edgeworth Bowling Club Sunday, Boney Rivers.

Edgeworth Tavern Saturday, Siren. 

Exchange Hotel Saturday, Hornet.

Foghorn Brewhouse Saturday, Melody Feder. Sunday, Beth Gleeson.

Gallipoli Legion Club Saturday, Pam and Lez Tucan with John Bond.

George Tavern Saturday, The Steves.

Great Northern Teralba Saturday, Pistol Pete.

Hamilton Station Hotel Saturday, Hack The Mainframe, Kang, Meth Muscles, The Cereal Picnic. Sunday, Jen Buxton, Dog Tired.

Harrigan’s Pokolbin Saturday, Kellie Cain, The Trade-Ins. Sunday, Dai Pritchard. 

Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday, Hummingbirds. Sunday, Jessica Cain, Chris Ah Gee & Jazzella.

Hotel Delany Saturday, The Urge.

Iron Horse Inn Saturday, DV8.

Jewells Tavern Saturday, Lennie Live.

The Junction Hotel Saturday, Aqwa.

Kent Hotel Saturday, Purple Rain. Sunday, Giant Blues Band.

King Street Hotel Saturday, Jesabel. Sunday, AGS.

Lake Macquarie Tavern Saturday, Matt Gaudry.

The Landing Saturday, Tim Harding. Sunday, Holly Wilson.

Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, East Coast Low, Creatures of the Black Leather Lagoon, Lachlan X. Morris. Sunday, World Music Ensamble, Adam Cupitt.

Lizotte’s Saturday, Wendy Matthews, Luke Antony. Sunday, Gyan, Ross Wilson.

Lucky Hotel Saturday, Sundays Record. Sunday, Joel Proctor.

Mark Hotel Saturday, Bobby C. Sunday, The Jungle Kings.

Mary Ellen Saturday, Love That Hat. Sunday, Peta Evans-Taylor.

Maryland Tavern Saturday, 2GoodReasons.

Merewether Surfhouse Sunday, Jerome.

Mezz Bar at Wallsend Diggers Saturday, The Years. Sunday, Matt McLaren.

Murray’s Brewery Saturday, Amy Fredes. Sunday, Jim Overend.

Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Janey’s Alibi.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sunday, Mark Wells.

Northern Star Hotel Saturday, John Larder.

Pippis At The Point Saturday, Chad Shuttleworth Duo. Sunday, Peta Evans-Taylor.

Premier Hotel Saturday, Michael Passfield. Sunday, Shooting Molly.

Prince of Wales Hotel Saturday, Bel Enks. Sunday, Matteo Verde, Todd Schmoo.

Queens Wharf Hotel Saturday, Max Jackson, Eoin Smith. Sunday, Ben Travis.

Shortland Hotel Saturday, Pete Hibbert.

Small Ballroom Saturday, Incentives, Diamond Constructs.

Spinning Wheel Hotel Saturday, Zane Penn.

Stag and Hunter Hotel Saturday, The Lazys.

Star Hotel Saturday, Adrianna Mac Trio. Sunday, Dave Carter.

Stockton Bowling Club Sunday, Pistol Pete.

Stockton RSL Club Saturday, Be Bop A Lula.

Swansea Hotel Saturday, The Levymen. Sunday, Loko.

Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Time Slip.

Sydney Junction Hotel Saturday, Loko.

The Unorthodox Church of Groove Saturday, Adam Miller.

Warners At The Bay Saturday, The Rumour.

Westfield Kotara Saturday, Jake Folbigg.

Wests Cardiff Saturday, The Klassics.

Wests New Lambton Saturday, Misbehave. Sunday, If Elvis Can Sing starring Mark Anthony. Tuesday, Angamus.

Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Backfire, Brien McVernon Duo. Sunday, Meags Hill, Voodoo Express.

Absolutely Fabulous The Movie (M) Edina and Patsy are blamed for a major incident at an fashionable launch party and become entangled in a media storm and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi.

Alice Through The Looking Glass (PG) Upon Alice’s return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and is transported back to the fantastical realm of Underland. 

A Month Of Sundays (PG) An Adelaide real estate agent finds himself invigorated by an unusual friendship with an elderly widower. (Regal)

Andre Rieu's 2016 Maastricht Concert (E) Set against the stunning medieval backdrop of the town square in André’s Dutch hometown, the Maastricht concert features his world-famous 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra. (Event Newcastle)

Central Intelligence (M) After he reunites with an old pal through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage.

Finding Dory (G) The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family along the way.

Ghostbusters (PG) 30 years after Ghostbusters took the world by storm, the beloved franchise makes its long-awaited return. Director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople (PG) This cross-country comedy follows a defiant young city kid on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. (Regal) 

Florence Foster Jenkins (PG) Based on the true story of a notoriously talentless singer in 1940s Manhattan, who dreams of playing Carnegie Hall. (Lake Cinema)

Harry & Snowman (G) Harry deLeyer journeys to the US after World War II and develops a transformative relationship with a broken down Amish plow horse he rescued off a slaughter truck. (Lake Cinema)

Jason Bourne (M) Now remembering who he truly is, Bourne tries to uncover hidden truths about his past.

Lights Out (M) A woman is haunted by a creature that only appears when the lights go out. 

Maleficent (M) The events that hardened the villainous Maleficent's heart and drove her to curse young Princess Aurora.

Me Before You (PG) A girl in a small town forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she's taking care of.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (MA) Two brothers place an online ad to find dates for a wedding and the ad goes viral.

Money Monster (M) Financial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor takes over their studio. (Regal)

Now You See Me 2 (M) The Four Horsemen resurface only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet. (Lake Cinema)

Star Trek Beyond (PG) The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

The BFG (PG) A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers refuses to eat boys and girls.

The Legend of Tarzan (M) Having acclimated to life in London, Tarzan is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.

The Man Who Knew Infinity (PG) The first movie to ever be allowed to film inside the hallowed halls of Trinity College, this is an uplifting tale of shared visions and overcoming adversity. (Regal)  

The Meddler (M) After the death of her husband, a woman (Susan Sarandon) moves from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter (Rose Byrne). (Regal)

The Nice Guys (MA) Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling are an odd couple forced to team up in 1970s Los Angeles in this comic crime caper. (Regal)

Wild Tales (MA) An Argentinian film with six short stories that explore the extremities of human behavior involving people in distress. (Regal)

Big Cats Romantic comedy about an elderly widow facing her home’s demolition and Love and Other Flushes, a comedy with a wise-cracking plumber trying to help a young couple resolve marriage problems. DAPA Theatre, Hamilton. Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2pm and 7.30pm, from July 29 to August 13, plus a 2pm matinee on August 7.

Noises Off Actors in a second-rate touring company have as many problems offstage as on in Michael Frayn’s witty farcical comedy. Newcastle Theatre Company, Lambton. Saturday at 8pm (final show).

Suicide, Incorporated Dark comedy by Andrew Hinderaker. Knock And Run Theatre, at the Newcastle Community Arts Centre Black Box Theatre, Hamilton.Saturday at 2pm and 8pm.

The Ghosts of Operas Past Gilbert and Sullivan emerge from portraits and help a musical company stage one of their works. Trial by jury; premiere of musical comedy by Maitland’s Paul Causley. Maitland Musical Society. James Theatre, Dungog, Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm.

The Three Little Pigs The title characters amusingly battle the inept Wolf in this bright children’s musical show. Young People’s Theatre, Hamilton. Saturday 2pm.

Pumphouse School of Design  Children’s Book Design student exhibition. July 30.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Watching Clouds Pass The Moon; Your Collection: Presence And Absence. Until July 31. 

Newcastle Art Gallery Black White & Restive – Cross Cultural Initiatives in Australian Contempporary Art. Until August 7. 

Newcastle Art Space Pop Art & Reframing our Flaws. Until August 14.

University Gallery Shade: Artists of the Desert. Until August 6.

Wallsend District Library Showcasing projects by 24 of last year’s best HSC tech students, Shape brings together projects from the previous DesignTECH showcase and the InTech and Texstyle showcases. Until August 13.

The winner of tickets to see Arj Barker at Wests New Lambton on August 21 is A.Frith, of Waratah.