FRIDAY
Friday is National Ride2School Day. Motorists are encouraged to take extra care, give kids plenty of space on the roads and paths and stick to 40km/h around schools as some students experience what might be their first-time riding to school.
The month-long free exhibition Social Fabric: Afghan-Australian Stories in Thread will launch on Friday from 6pm to 7.30pm at Lovatt Gallery, Newcastle Library. Hear live Afghan music and meet featured Afghan-Australian designers, Social Fabric Workshop participants, and friends and supporters of Shared World Collective. Celebrate the dresses, the stories, and the women at the heart of Social Fabric.
Metropolitan Players will be presenting the Newcastle premiere of the dramatic play 12 Angry Men at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre on Friday 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Saturday 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 7.30pm to 9.30pm. 12 Angry Men is a play by Reginald Rose adapted from his 1954 teleplay of the same title. First staged in a 1964 London production, it was revived on Broadway in 2004 then in the West End in 2013.
SATURDAY
The Hunter Valley Airshow 2023 is on at Cessnock Airport this weekend. The two-day program, on Saturday and Sunday, includes hair-raising aerobatics from local and international stunt pilots, historical warbirds, amusement rides, markets, beer and wine garden, delicious street food and entertainment. Activities run from 10am to 4pm each day.
Paralympics Australia and the Australian Sports Commission are hosting an afternoon of Para-sport at the University of Newcastle on Saturday from 1.30pm to 4pm. The NSW Multi-Sport Day offers an opportunity to have a go and learn more about the sports and programs in the local area, try a variety of Para-sports, and meet Australian Paralympians Brodie Smith (Goalball) and Luke Bailey (Para-athletics). Suitable for ages 10+ and for people with a physical, vision, and/or intellectual disability. Entry and participation is free, registrations are essential.
Queer & Now and Lake Mac Arts present unfurl: a queer celebration on Saturday. This free all ages event runs from 2pm to 9pm and is a choose your own adventure, day to night festivity. From 2pm to 4pm at MAC yapang an Artist talk will be held in the exhibition space. From 5pm to 9pm at MAP mima will feature SEAM artists in a poetry Night – Queer showcase including music, performances and DJs and Food by Zed. Bookings essential. Each booking will allow you to attend both sites.
SUNDAY
Jets fans will have their own day of hero worship on Sunday when the club hosts its Jets Fan Day at Speers Point Park from 10am to 2pm. Meet and greet players, take part in some games, activities, giveaways, face-painting, food, drinks and merchandise discounts. Entry is free, but you’ll need to register your attendance.
Maitland Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition showcasing the talents of Torres Strait Islander, and now Maitland, artist Toby Cedar. MIR GIZ KEMERKEMER OPGED LAM ZENADH KES (Stories from the Eastern Islands – Torres Strait) will run from 22 March to 28 May. This free exhibition will present new works celebrating Eastern Island culture by way of traditional and contemporary art forms.
MAC yapang in Booragul will be home to the Newy Youth Market this Sunday from 12 to 3pm. Two dozen stalls are expected to fill the space with arts and crafts, candles, leather designs, clothing, jewellery, upcycled gifts and roving entertainers.
CELLO at Christ Church Cathedral, 2.30pm on Sunday. Christ Church Camerata features two of its cellists: Anthea Scott-Mitchell & Gavin Clark, as soloists in works by Vivaldi and David Banney, plus Max Bruch’s evocative “Kol Nidrei”. The Camerata will also perform Wiren’s “Serenade for Strings”, and Coleridge-Taylor’s beautiful “Novelletten”.
For more entertainment inspiration:
- Survival stories feature in new exhibition at The Lock-Up
- Your guide to markets in our region
- Your guide to op-shops in our region
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