Welcome to this week's edition of The Newy List!

It's Mother's Day weekend, Great Southern Nights is in full swing, and somehow Ross Noble is also in town, so there's genuinely no excuse to spend the week on the couch. If you're after a reason to leave the house on Sunday morning, the Mother's Day Classic is back on the Stockton foreshore for a 5km walk or run with a view that'll make you feel like you've earned brunch. There's also a record fair at Kotara High School on Saturday if you need a last-minute gift that says "I know you." Full list below, have a read.

Ross Noble: Cranium of Curiosities

The Wizard of Waffle is back on the road with his latest show, a typically unpredictable evening of stand-up from one of the most genuinely funny people working in comedy today. Running time is around 1 hour 45 minutes. Strictly 15+.

•When: Thursday 7 May, 8pm

•Where: Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter St, Newcastle

•Price: From $64.90 (Groups 10+ from $59.90)

•More info: civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Under The Awning 2026: Great Southern Nights

A free outdoor afternoon of live music under the Civic Theatre awning, with three acts across three hours: psych-country from Bree Rusev, folk-punk from Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers, and indie-rock from Midnight Chicken. All ages welcome; under 13s free.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 3pm–6pm

•Where: Wheeler Place (under the Civic Theatre awning), Newcastle CBD

•Price: $20 (Under 13 free)

•More info: civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Homegrown Markets: Mother's Day Market

Newy's biggest handmade and design market takes over The Station just in time to save you from buying Mum another generic candle. Expect street food, excellent coffee, and genuinely unique local gifts.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 10:00am – 2:00pm

•Where: The Station, Newcastle

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Homegrown Markets

Dancing in the Shadows of Motown: Flamingos Live

A 10-piece band recreating the live performances of The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and more, with hits including My Girl, Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Signed Sealed Delivered. Dinner and show packages available; being promoted as a Mother's Day night out. Book ahead.

•When: Saturday 9 May, doors 6pm / showtime 8:30pm

•Where: Flamingos Live, 31 Morehead St, Lambton

•Price: Dinner & Show from $103 / Show only from $59 (plus booking fee)

•More info: flamingos.live

HighSchool: King Street Warehouse

Sydney indie-rock duo Rory Trobbiani and Luke Scott bring their debut LP to Newcastle, augmented by live members Lily Trobbiani and Lucy Lamb. Their hazy, cinematic live show has been drawing comparisons to the late-2000s American indie scene. 18+.

•When: Wednesday 6 May, 7pm

•Where: King Street Warehouse, Newcastle West

•Price: From $39.50 (incl. booking fees)

•More info: kingstreet.oztix.com.au

Tigerlily: Great Southern Nights

Australia's #1 female DJ three years running, Tigerlily plays an exclusive Great Southern Nights set at King Street Band Room. Expect high-energy electronic and feel-good pop from an artist who has headlined Lollapalooza, Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland. 18+.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 9pm

•Where: King Street Band Room, Newcastle West

•Price: $13.80 (incl. booking fees)

•More info: tickets.oztix.com.au

Beethoven's Ghost: Musica Viva Australia

Experience an intimate evening of chamber music as Musica Viva presents "Beethoven's Ghost." A stunning classical performance featuring world-class musicians.

•When: Tuesday 5 May, 7:30pm

•Where: Newcastle City Hall

•Tickets: Book via Musica Viva

CraftAlive Newcastle

Australia's largest travelling craft show returns to Newcastle Racecourse for three days of exhibitors, workshops, demonstrations and supplies. Covering quilting, knitting, embroidery, paper crafts and more. Your ticket is valid for any one day of the three.

•When: Thursday 7 – Saturday 9 May, 9:30am–4pm

•Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Darling St, Broadmeadow

•Price: $16–$30

•More info: craftalive.com.au

Sashi Perera: Pear Tree

One of Australia's fastest-rising stand-up comedians performs her new show about Sri Lanka and Australia: family, love, homes, knives, kids and cats. An intimate Sunday night set at the Newcastle Comedy Club. 16+.

•When: Sunday 10 May, 7pm

•Where: Newcastle Comedy Club, 139 Maitland Rd, Islington

•Price: Ticketed (see website)

•More info: events.humanitix.com

LitUp Presents: Dub Leffler at Wallsend Library

Award-winning Aboriginal author and illustrator Dub Leffler hosts an all-ages workshop, kicking off with a special Aboriginal Dance performance.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 11:00am

•Where: Wallsend Library

•Tickets: Free (Waitlist only)

It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley

An exclusive advance screening of the brand new documentary from Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg. Features never-before-seen footage and accounts from Buckley's inner circle.

•When: Screening throughout the week

•Where: Tower Cinemas, 183-185 King Street, Newcastle

•Price: Standard cinema pricing

•More info: Five Star Cinemas

Atelier Collective: 2026 Staff Exhibition

See what the teachers are creating. This exhibition showcases the diverse and impressive works of the staff at the Newcastle Art School.

•When: Opening Tuesday 5 May, 4:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Art School Gallery, Hunter Street TAFE Campus

•Price: Free entry

•More info: The Novocastrian

MAC yapang: 30 Years of Hear the Art Exhibition

Celebrate three decades of artistic excellence at the Museum of Art and Culture yapang. A fantastic free cultural outing for the weekend.

•When: Ongoing until 24 May

•Where: MAC yapang, Lake Macquarie

•Tickets: Free entry

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience: 4 Pines at the Farm, Hunter Valley

Basil, Sybil and Manuel descend on Hunter Farm for a fully immersive, 70% improvised dining experience with a three-course meal and two hours of chaos. The world's longest-running tribute to the BBC sitcom, it has sold out at the Sydney Opera House and London's West End. All ages.

•When: Thursday 7 May, 7pm–9pm

•Where: 4 Pines at the Farm, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin

•Price: $109.37 (incl. 3-course meal and booking fee)

•More info: eventfinda.com.au

Hunter Record Fair

Dozens of stalls selling thousands of vinyl records and CDs at Kotara High School. Early bird entry from 9am gives you first pick before the doors open to the general public at 10am. Bring cash.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 9am–4pm (Early bird 9–10am)

•Where: Kotara High School, Lexington Parade, Kotara

•Price: $5 early bird / $2 general

•More info: newcastlelive.com.au

Mother's Day Wine Tastings: Margan Wines, Broke Fordwich

Celebrate Mother's Day with a tasting at Margan's cellar door in the Broke Fordwich wine region. Choose between a curated five-wine Seasonal Favourites tasting or an eight-wine Reserve tasting. All wines are estate grown, with fruit from vineyards on the volcanic soils of the Fordwich Sill. Bookings recommended.

•When: Sunday 10 May, from 10am

•Where: Margan Wines, 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW

•Price: Tasting fees apply (see website)

•More info: margan.com.au

Pokolbin Market

The weekly Sunday market in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country. Local produce, artisan goods, handmade crafts and gifts. A reliable Sunday morning option, particularly if you're already in the valley for Mother's Day.

•When: Sunday 10 May, 8am–2pm

•Where: 691 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: winecountry.com.au

Wine & Dine Dinner: Huntlee Tavern x Margan Wines

Indulge in a gourmet evening as the award-winning Huntlee Tavern teams up with Margan Wines for a specially curated food and wine pairing experience.

•When: Tuesday 5 May, 7:00pm

•Where: Huntlee Tavern, Branxton

•Tickets: Book via Humanitix

Mother's Day Classic: Newcastle

A 5km walk or run along the Stockton foreshore, raising funds for breast cancer and ovarian cancer research. Family-friendly, all ages, and a genuinely lovely way to start Mother's Day morning before brunch. Registration is at Griffith Park, near the Stockton Ferry Wharf.

•When: Sunday 10 May (morning, check website for start time)

•Where: Griffith Park, Stockton Foreshore

•Price: Registration fee applies (children under 3 free)

•More info: mothersdayclassic.com.au

Cork & Fork Cup: Château Élan at The Vintage, Hunter Valley

A golf day combining food, wine and 18 holes at The Vintage Golf Club. Start the day with barista coffee and a light breakfast, then play a full round with wine matched to the course. A good option if you're treating a golf-playing parent this weekend.

•When: Saturday 9 May, from 10am

•Where: Château Élan at The Vintage, Pokolbin

•Price: $240 per player / $209 Club Members

•More info: golfgenius.com

Earp Presents: Novotone's 10th Birthday

Six-band lineup celebrating a decade of Novotone: one of Newcastle's most important independent music and creative spaces. Held at Earp Distilling Co. in Carrington, with the distillery's courtyard and bar as the backdrop.

•When: Saturday 9 May, 4pm–7pm

•Where: Earp Distilling Co., 41 Darling St, Carrington

•Price: $30

•More info: earpdistillingco.com

Elias Bartholomeo: Australian Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso, Flamingos Live

Elias Bartholomeo is one of those performers who makes you wonder why the room isn't packed. A fingerstyle acoustic guitarist with a fearless, physically demanding technique, he plays a dinner show at Flamingos Live (formerly Lizotte's) in Lambton on Thursday night. Show-only tickets are available from $40, no three-course meal required, just a seat and a drink. Worth knowing about.

•When: Thursday 7 May, 8:30pm

•Where: Flamingos Live, 31 Morehead St, Lambton

•Price: From $40 (show only; dinner packages also available)

•More info: flamingos.live

The Merewether Fats Blues Jam

Tucked away on the first Thursday of every month, this is a genuine local institution. It's a raw, authentic blues jam where local musicians get up and blow the roof off the pub. No pretension, just excellent music and a great crowd.

•When: Thursday 7 May, 7:30pm

•Where: The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Facebook

Ovation

Jack River: Great Southern Nights, King Street Band Room

Singer-songwriter Jack River (Holly Rankin) headlines the closing weekend of Great Southern Nights at King Street Band Room. She's one of the most consistent live performers in Australian indie-pop, and this is a proper sit-up-and-take-notice show. Coming up Thursday 14 May, tickets are on sale now and these shows tend to fill up.

•When: Thursday 14 May, 7pm

•Where: King Street Band Room, Newcastle West

•Price: $51.55 (incl. booking fees)

•More info: kingstreet.oztix.com.au

That's your week, Up the Knights! 5-4. See you out there. 🙌

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