Newcastle Digest: 20 November

Explore local treasures, catch up on the latest news, and plan your perfect weekend in Newcastle.

Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest. Today, we have another long one; there’s lots happening.

Next week, expect a shorter newsletter as I will be in a foreign country, any guesses as to where? I will reveal it next week.

Table of Contents

Quick hits

Source: Willy Weather

Newcastle News

Hunter’s Young Entrepreneurs recognised: Some of the region’s savviest youngsters have been honoured for their ideas at the 2024 Hunter’s Young Business Mind Awards (YMBA). Read the full story

Sad news as a 22-year-old man killed after stabbing in Hamilton: A family is in mourning after a 22-year-old man was fatally stabbed on Beaumont Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. Full story

Newcastle will host the first NRLW magic round next year. Newcastle will host the first NRLW Magic Round, which will consist of six games to be played at McDonald Jones Stadium. Full story

Eats

Best breakfasts

Autumn Rooms

Autumn Rooms is located on Darby Street. This cafe always seems to be busy and for good reason, the food and coffee are excellent. I have been multiple times now and each time, they definitely delivered. Although the food can be on the pricey side, the quality and service is excellent.

Food

8.9

Coffee

8.2

Service

8.0

Total

8.4

Autumn Rooms now takes the lead on the second edition of the ‘best breakfasts’ series.

  1. Autumn Rooms: 8.4

  2. Neighbours on Market St: 7.9

Openings

Rosie & Shell

Officially opened in October, Rosie & Shell’s coffee van is connected to Blanc Hair Studio on 10 Regent St, New Lambton. Serving up the delicious Supreme coffee bean, it is on my list to try soon. Check them out

Credit: Rosie & Shell

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Newcastle trivia

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Events

 🎸 Live Music

🎈Family

🧑‍🌾 Markets

🤣 Comedy

🙈 Adults

🎨 Art and culture

Thursday 21 November

  • 🎸 Open Mic Night - The Press Book House, 6:30pm

  • 🎸 Wagtail, PIT & Greg Bryce | The Showcase 2024 + Single Release - The Gal, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 Music Alchemica - Newcastle City Hall, 7:30pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Band Karaoke – AusMusic T-Shirt Day Edition | Drink Specials, Prizes & More - The Exchange, 8:00pm

Friday 22 November

  • 🎸 SoSo, King Street Band Room, Newcastle, 7.30pm.

  • 🎸 Longline The Ultimate Angels Tribute - Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 DARREN ROLLING KEYS - Windale - Gateshead Bowling Club, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 Hendo - Club Stockton, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 Rox – Boat Shed Bar, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 The Years - Blackbutt Hotel, 8:30pm

  • 🎸 GEN-R-8 - Club Charlestown, 8:30pm

  • 🎸 Boys Light Up & Oz Icons - The Kent Hotel Hamilton, 10:00pm

  • 🎸 Wicked - Mary Ellen Hotel, Merewether, 9:00pm

  • 🎸 Hat Fitz & Cara - The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 Danny Wright - The Central, Newcastle, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 Anyerin - Kahibah Sports Club, 6:00pm

  • 🎸 Thom Wootton - The Prince of Merewether, 7:30pm

  • 🎸 Tim Rossington, Phoenix Pritchard Duo - Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle, 5.30pm

  • 🎸 Electric High - The Wickham Park Hotel, 8.30pm

  • 🎸 Houseband Duo, DJ Dugo, DJ Elkay, Juddy - The Beach Hotel, Merewether, 6:00pm

Saturday 23 November

  • 🧑‍🌾 Homegrown Markets -The Station, Newcastle, 10:00am to 2:00pm

  • 😆 Saturday Night Showcase - Newcastle Comedy Club, 7:30pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸Aleksiah - King Street Warehouse, Newcastle, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 The After Party - The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton, 9:00pm

  • 🎸 Love That Hat - Mary Ellen Hotel, Merewether, 9:00pm

  • 🎸 Taylor Moss -The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 Nano - Kahibah Sports Club, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 Abi Yeo Duo - The Prince of Merewether, 7.30pm

  • 🎸 Nick Raschke, Leadbellies - The Wickham Park Hotel, 5:00pm

  • 🎸 Cory Jones, Jez & Nancy, Project Frenzy, Sammy Luke - The Beach Hotel, Merewether, 1:00pm

  • 🎸#RO551 - Wests New Lambton, 8.30pm

  • 🎸 Newy Boiler Room featuring Dosco -The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham, 9:00pm

  • 🎸 ELECTRIC SUMMER TOUR: Thirsty Merc - Belmont 16s, 8:30pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Run 4 Cover - Club Charlestown, 8:30pm

  • 🧑‍🌾 Handmade in the Hunter Markets - Sobels Wines, 9:00am - 2:00pm

  • 🎸 Project X - Wests New Lambton, 8.30pm

  • 🎸 Grimeland, Lu Quade, The Sneaks, Salty Season -The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 Honest Crooks, Shinto Katana, Mindshank, Wetwork, Under Siege, Ironbark - The Newy, 7:00pm

  • 🎸 Hat Fitz & Cara - The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield, 8:00pm

  • 🎸Woodstockton - Stockton Bowling Club, 1:00pm - 8:00pm

  • 🎸 EASTSIDE FEST: Local bands on the green - Mayfield Bowling Club, 2:00pm - 8:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Dial 999; Take Warning! - The Hamilton Station Hotel, 4:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Live Music with Rox - Swansea Workers, 5:00pm

  • 🎸 Ian Sandercoe - Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar, 7:30pm

  • 🎸 CC Lee & The Groove - Thirsty Messiah Brewery, 7:30pm

  • 🎸 Running in the Shadows of Fleetwood Mac - The Art House, 8:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 The Years - The Bradford Hotel, 8:00pm

  • 🎸 Hayden Johns – The Boat Shed Bar, 8:00pm

Sunday 24 November

  • 🧑‍🌾 Emporium Newcastle -Museum Park, Newcastle, 8:00am to 2:00pm

  • 🧑‍🌾 Homegrown Markets - Rowlands Park, 10:00am - 2:00pm

  • 🎸 Sunday arvo at The Wicko - The Wickham Park Hotel, 3:00pm

  • 🎸 Cherri Jam Trio - Swansea Workers, 1:30pm

  • 🎸 Big Band, Jazz & Swing with Brass Band Newcastle - EARP Distilling, 2:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 CC Lee - The Queens Wharf, 2:00pm

  • 🎸 The High Andies - The Oak Tighes Hill, 2:00pm

  • 🎸 Celebrating 70 years of John Williams Music - Warners Bay Theatre, 3:00pm. More info

  • 🎸 Marina Prior & Michael Cormick - The Art House, 3:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Valley Sounds - Club Lambton, 3:00pm

  • 🎸 Sunday Afternoon with Witchlock - Croatian Wickham Sports, 3:00pm

  • 🎸 Sunday Blues in the Beer Garden - Wickham Park Hotel, 4:00pm

  • 🧑‍🌾 Alternative Clothing Market - Bernie’s Bar, Newcastle, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

  • 🧑‍🌾 Handmade in the Hunter Markets - Sobels Wines, 9:00am - 2:00pm

  • 🎸 Jack Davies - The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield, 8:00pm

    Crawfish Stew, Catfish Soup, Road Hogs - The Wickham Park Hotel, 1:00pm

  • 🎸 Niamh Watson, Rudderless Records, Matt Shepherd, The Beach Hotel, Merewether, 7pm.

  • 🎸 Lois Ferguson, Montana -The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham, 5:00pm

  • 🎸 Loose Surface // Fist // Grub - The Oak Tighes Hill, 6:00pm

  • 🎸 Jack Davies - The Stag & Hunter Newcastle, 7:00pm. Get tickets

  • 🎸 Ignita LIVE - Sydney Junction Hotel, 8:00pm

Activities

Families

Let’s Fish Lake Mac - Lake Macquarie | Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 November 2024

Head out for a spot of fishing with your kids. Let’s Fish Lake Mac, Lake Macquarie’s own fishing competition is back in 2024. This is a fun, kid-friendly event, with prizes to be won, so get together with friends and family and register for this fishing competition. This year, four $25,000 tagged fish have been added to the lake. Plus, all entries go into the draw to win in the Prize Draw. You don’t even have to catch a fish to win! Website

Maitland Brickfest - Maitland High School | Sunday 24 November 2024

Rainbow Bricks is excited to announce their return to Maitland, NSW, for the annual Maitland Brickfest, a LEGO Fan Event. With over 30 exhibitors, 80 tables of LEGO creations, and a LEGO collection, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Lambton Pool Community Open Day - Lambton Pool | Sunday 24 November 2024

Join Newcastle Pools for a FREE pool party! With free entry, kids activities, sausage sizzle and prizes. There’s a wide range of fun activities planned for everyone in the family. 

Adults

Music in the Podium - Warners Bay Foreshore | 22 November
Unwind on a Friday evening as the sun sets across the lake while you catch up with friends and family, listening to a fantastic mix of popular covers, rock, jazz, and blues at this free family-friendly event.

Twisted Dark & Funny - The Magic Hour - Civic Playhouse | 21 - 30 November
Described as Little Red Riding Hood meets Trainspotting, The Magic Hour is a dark take on Grimm’s fairy tales inspired by the stories of real women and performed with black humour, white-hot rage, and a magical, musical joy.

RocKwiz Live - Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 21 November
RocKwiz is heading back on tour! Hitting stacks of regional spots around the country.

The Kate Bush of Early Music - Newcastle City Hall | 21 November
The Australian debut of "the Kate Bush of early music," Spanish violinist Lina Tur Bonet. Tur Bonet will perform as part of her debut Australian tour with Musica Viva Australia.

Bimbadgen Wines at the Chef's Table - Local Connections, Callaghan | 22 November
Savour the flavours of Bimbadgen Wines as the hosts bring the cellar door experience to your table.

Alder Park Sportsmans Luncheon - Alder Park, New Lambton | 22 November
This event will include a 3-hour drinks package, a 2-course meal, and speakers, including Kurt Gidley and Matthew Gidley, both Newcastle and NSW representatives in Rugby League, with Stephen Crowe as MC for the day.

Serious Danger - Newcastle Comedy Club | 23 November
Come join filthy commies Emerald Moon and Tom Ballard (and producer Michael "The Griff" Griffin) as they talk and joke about people coming together to stop the dirty business of the largest coal port in the world, what with the planet being on fire and everything. Get tickets

Sydney Hotshots - The Gallipoli Legion Club, Hamilton | 23 November
Prepare to be captivated by the sensational entertainment that the Sydney Hotshots bring to the stage! As the premiere Magic Mike-style show in Australia, they’ve become a nationwide sensations. Get tickets

Isaac Butterfield - Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 23 November
A lethal combination of razor-sharp wit and unapologetic humour, Isaac fearlessly delves into the realities of modern life. From hilarious observations on everyday absurdities to fearless takes on controversial topics, this is a night of forbidden comedy.

Murrook Cultural Festival - Murrook Culture Centre, Williamtown | 23 November
Celebrate Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council’s 40-year anniversary on the sand dunes with dancers, food, entertainment, cultural activities, and fireworks. From 2pm-9pm.

Home Brewing Masterclass X Grainfed Brewing - Noble Barons, Lambton | 23 November
Join Noble Barons for Grainfed’s Brew Shed in a home brewing masterclass.

Celebrating 70 Years of John Williams Music - Warners Bay Theatre | 24 November
Relive the excitement of Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, The Magnificent Seven, and Jurassic Park during this orchestral concert of favourite works by the great composer John Williams. Two sessions: 3pm and 7pm.

Long Lunch Event - Urban Deli and Bar, Cooks Hill | 24 November
Urban Deli is excited to announce their November "Long Lunch" event, a 6-course menu inspired by the flavours of France, paired with matching French wines. A glass of bubbles on arrival. Cost: $195 per person. Find out more

Miscellaneous

Christmas Countdown

Lake Macquarie Christmas Twilight Market - Warners Bay Foreshore | Tuesday 26 November 3:00pm to 8:00pm

The annual Lake Macquarie Christmas Market on the beautiful Warners Bay Foreshore. We have all your favourite vendors to handle your Christmas shopping needs. Dinner will be sorted with an array of fabulous Street Food trucks.

Christmas Lights Spectacular - Hunter Valley Gardens

Christmas Lights Spectacular returns to Hunter Valley Gardens this summer. Create lasting memories as you stroll through magical-themed light displays! Get tickets here

Fancy prawns for Christmas?

If anyone has any Christmas events, please let me know by replying to the email.

Get in touch

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Thanks for reading. If there is anything in particular you would like to see me include, please reply to the email. Talk next week!

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