What’s on this weekend in Newcastle & the Hunter | July 15-16 2017

The Human Whale marks the end of Port Stephens’ annual NatureFest which celebrates the region’s many spectacular natural assets.

Grease – The Arena Spectacular Saturday and Sunday, Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Stars some of Australia’s biggest names alongside an amateur mass ensemble of more than 800 performers from across the Hunter.

Orchestra Nova presents An Afternoon with Fred and George 2pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. A program of French and English composers featuring Elise Kearney playing Borne’s famous tour de force flute solo from Carmen's Fantasia.  $20 adults, $15 concession. 

Snow Time in the Garden Final weekend, 10am to 9pm, Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin. 

NRL Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow. Gates open 1pm, main game kick-off 5.30pm. 

150 Years Under Lock & Key Tour 11am, Maitland Gaol, East Maitland. Discover the stories of heroes and villains. Cost $22.

Detonation Nine Boxing 6.15pm, Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre, 309 King Street, Newcastle West. Features Kyron Dryden, Darkon Drydon, Richard Smith, Blake Minto, Michael Upton, Daniel Ammann and Joel Griffiths. General admission $45.

Park Run Raymond Terrace: 8am, Riverside Park, Hunter Street, Raymond Terrace. Newcastle: 8am, starting near 1 Arnold Street, Carrington.

Australian Invitational Youth Games – Softball Saturday and Sunday, Stevenson Park, Stevenson Avenue, Mayfield West.

NAIDOC Youth Corroboree 5pm, Belmont Wetlands State Park. Traditional dance workshop. There will be markers/signs to indicate the walking track to the dance circle as well as people giving directions. Parking at the entrance to the wetlands.

Vintage Games on The Lawn 11am to 4pm, Market Street Lawn, Newcastle. An afternoon of vintage games including croquet, quoits and bocce; food and drink; music from Demi Mitchell and Deanna Rose Music. A selection of decorated rugs and a scattering of tables and chairs will be provided for BYO picnics.

Winery Running Festival 2017 8am to 7pm, The Vintage Golf Resort and Spa, Vintage Drive, Rothbury. Main races are a Winery Marathon, Half Marathon, 11km Vineyard Run, 6km Winery Wander and 2km Kids Marathon.

Escapes Tour at Maitland Gaol 11am, Maitland Gaol, East Maitland. Explores the various stories behind some of the documented escapes from Australia’s longest continuously operating correctional facility. Cost $22.

Pet Cuddling Day Timezone, Charlestown Square. Cuddle some gorgeous animals thanks to Hunter Animal Rescue. 

SplashDance Let’s Bop 1.30pm, Charlestown Bowling Club. Interactive show suitable for children up to age 7. 

Honda Race Pace School 9am, Cessnock MX Track. All bike sizes, and riders of all ages, welcome. 

Fire & Wine Noon to 5pm, Bimbadgen, 790 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. Wine, food and live music by the fire. 

Metro Muso Muster 2pm, Metropolitan Hotel, Maitland. Jam session for musicians of all ages and abilities.

Handmade in the Hunter Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Kevin Sobels Wines, corner of Broke and Halls roads, Pokolbin. 

Tea Gardens Village Market Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Myall Quays Shopping Centre, Tea Gardens.

Hunter Street Organic Food Market Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle.  

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

Hunter Wine Country Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, De Bortoli Wines, 532 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin.

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

Newcastle City Farmers Market Sunday, 7am to 1pm, Tighes Hill TAFE.

The Sunday Muster Sunday, 9am to 2pm, Mortels, Thornton. 

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Ngani Barray This Country: Wonnarua artist Lesley Salem; works by CatholicCare’s Indigenous Art and Culture Program for Teens and Parents of Teens. 

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Diane Arbus: American Portraits; Artist Focus: Pablo Tapia and Your Collection: Photo i.d.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery Derek Kreckler: Accident and Process. Until September 3. Make A Face; Showcase 4 Exhibition. Until September 10. Lionel’s Place: Lionel Lindsay from the MRAG Collection. Until April 8, 2018. Frank Murri: The Prime Ingredient in a Big Piece of Pi; Colonial Afterlives: A Salamanca Arts Centre Exhibition. Until July 23.  

Newcastle Museum One Million Stars To End Violence; RAD Exhibition; Australian of the Year Awards 2017; Shadows of Sacrifice. 

Reader’s Cafe and Larder Exhibition by Joanne Conder. Until July 28. 

The University Gallery Balnhdhurr: A Lasting Impression. Ends Saturday.

Newcastle Art Gallery Abstraction: Celebrating Australian Abstract Women Artists. Until July 23. The Phantom Show. Until August 20. 

Old Fire Shed Gallery It’s New Art 2017. Until December 18. 

Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre Contemporising the Modern: Australian modern and contemporary photography; Travis De Vries: Lost Tales – Walking with Gods. Until August 27.

The Lock-Up Stitched Up. Until August 6.

Newcastle Studio Potters & Back to Back Galleries Terra Obscura: Three Dungog artists explore obscure terrains. Until July 23. 

Cooks Hill Galleries What Lies Beneath. Until July 17.

Acrux Art Gallery Warm & Cosy. 

Timeless Textiles The Map Project: Where I Live. Until July 16.

Art Systems Wickham Matchbox Horse by John Turier. Until July 23. 

Cats (abridged) Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bright musical about cats meeting and talking about their lives as they compete for a special prize.

Young People’s Theatre, at its Hamilton theatre. Saturday 2pm and 7pm.

Disney Is A Wish Your Heart Makes A lively look at Disney musicals, with 28 songs from films including Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Frozen. Maitland Musical Society, at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. Saturday 5pm, and Sunday 11am.

Grease Rock’n’roll musical about two high school students who romance when they meet on a holiday, then find themselves at the same school; professional leads and an ensemble of 800 Hunter school students.

Harvest Rain, at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow. Saturday 2pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday 1pm.

Peter Pan Three children fly with the title character to Neverland, where they encounter lost boys, fairies, Viking women warriors and pirates; adapted by Craig Sodaro from J.M. Barrie’s novel. Maitland Repertory Theatre, at its theatre. Saturday at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Rockstar Condabalooza Fund-raising show for Newcastle’s CONDA theatre awards with performances, many amusing, by Newcastle actors, singers, dancers and comedians, and audience-involving competitions built around the theme Rockstar. Lizotte’s, New Lambton. Saturday 6pm.

The Age of Consent A teenage boy jailed for a murder and a young mother pushing her daughter to have a theatre career talk about their lives; gripping comedy-drama by Peter Morris. Two Tall Theatre, at the Civic Playhouse, Newcastle. Nightly at 8pm until July 22.

The Sea A fierce storm hits an English coastal town, affecting the people’s lives in many ways, with one believing aliens were involved; engaging comedy-drama by Edward Bond. Newcastle Theatre Company, at the NTC Theatre, Lambton. Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm.

Anna Bay Tavern Saturday, The Way.

Argyle House Saturday, Jay Z 4:44 album party.

Australia Hotel Cessnock Saturday, Gaz N Gaz.

Bar Petite Saturday, Kylie Jane.

Battlesticks Bar Saturday, Little Cents. Sunday, Pana, Elisa Kate.

Bay Hotel Saturday, Spank n the Monkey.

Belmont 16s Saturday, The Years, Max Jackson. Sunday, Norm Bakker.

Belmont Hotel Saturday, The Levymen.

Belmore Hotel Saturday, Sun Hill Drive.

Beresfield Bowling Club Saturday, Defaced. Sunday, Red Dirt Country.

The Bradford Saturday, All Access 80s.

Burwood Inn Saturday, DJ Timmy Coffey.

Cambridge Hotel Saturday, Just A Gent, Moza (Glasshouse), Rapaport, Mac Da Villain, Talakai, Verbal Mechanics, Hypenotic, Kale (Warehouse). Sunday, Steel City of Origin ft. White Blanks, Vacations, Jacob, PALS, Archy Punker, Totty, Nicholas Connors, Chimera, Belle Badi.

Cardiff RSL Club Saturday, Purple Rain.

Catho Pub Saturday, Darren Rolling Keys. Sunday, 4 Letter Word.

Caves Beachside Hotel Saturday, Anyerin. Sunday, Tom Blake Duo.

Central Bar Saturday 40UP ft. Steve Clisby & DJ Stephen Ferris.

Central Hotel Stroud Saturday, Ron Hattam.

Cessnock Leagues Club Saturday, The Big Bang.

Charlestown Bowling Club Saturday, Kevin O’Hara.

Clarendon Hotel Saturday, Bonny Rai.

Club Kotara Saturday, Peter Stefanson.

Club Lemon Tree Saturday, Karen O’Shea.

Commercial Hotel Morpeth Saturday, Arcane.

Country Club Hotel Shoal Bay Saturday, The DuoTones.

Criterion Hotel Carrington Saturday, Kim. Sunday, Greg Bryce.

Customs House Saturday, Brendan Murphy. Sunday, Matt McLaren.

Cypress Lakes Saturday, Jessica Cain.

D'Albora Marina Sunday, Kim.

Denman Hotel Sunday, Hendo.

Duke Of Wellington Saturday, Jungle Kings Duo.

East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, Shooting Molly. Sunday, Emile.

East's Leisure & Golf Club Saturday, Pistol Pete.

Edgeworth Sport & Rec Club Sunday, Viper Creek Band.

Edgeworth Tavern Saturday, Pete & Kate Sneddon.

Exchange Hotel Saturday, Gen-R-8.

Finnegans Saturday, DJ J-Smoove, MC Bone$, DJ Lionette, Benny B.

FogHorn Brewhouse Saturday, Howard Shearman.

Gateshead Tavern Sunday, Paul Watters.

George Tavern Saturday, Dan Runchel Band.

Grain Store Saturday, Logan Wolfgang. Sunday, JJ King.

Grand Junction Hotel Saturday, Demi Mitchell, Katie Brianna. Sunday, Ahern Brothers, Ahlia Rain.

Great Northern Hotel Teralba Saturday, Troy Kemp.

Gunyah Hotel Saturday, Phonic. Sunday, Defaced.

Harrigan’s Pokolbin Saturday, Greg Bryce, Dos Eager. Sunday, Arley Black.

Hexham Bowling Club Saturday, The Snape Trilogy.

Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday, Hurricane Fall. Sunday, Bandditts, Bobby C.

Hotel Cessnock Saturday, Bob Allan.

Hotel Delany Saturday, Misbehave.

Jewells Tavern Saturday, Mark Wells.

The Junction Hotel Saturday, Jason Bone.

Kent Hotel Saturday, Hellrad. Sunday, Grant Walmsley & Friends.

King Street Hotel Saturday, Slice N Dice.

Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, Red City, Lady Petrol, Repeaters.

Lizotte’s Saturday, Condabalooza. Sunday, Toni Childs – lunch & dinner shows.

Lochinvar Hotel Saturday, Scully. 

Lucky Hotel Saturday, Bandditts.

Maitland Leagues Club Saturday, Let Loose. Sunday, Isabella Crebert, Ryan Hemsworth.

Mark Hotel Saturday, 2 Good Reasons. Sunday, The Years.

Mary Ellen Saturday, Redline. Sunday, Todd Schmoo.

Maryland Tavern Saturday, Counterpart.

Mavericks On The Bay Saturday, Matt McLaren. Sunday, Reg Sinclair.

Mavericks On Darby Saturday, Jackson Halliday.

Mayfield Ex-Services Saturday, Mark Lee.

Metropolitan Hotel Maitland Sunday, Metro Musos Muster jam session.

Mezz Bar Saturday, 4 Letter Word. Sunday, Flattrakkers.

Murray’s Brewery Sunday, Jim Overend.

Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Mick Jones.

Neath Hotel Saturday, Hellbent.

Nelson Bay Diggers Saturday, Paparazzi. Sunday, The Andy Show.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sunday, The Big Bang.

Newcastle Jockey Club Saturday, Bonny Rai, Max Jackson.

Newcastle Entertainment Centre Saturday-Sunday, Grease – The Arena Experience.

Newcastle Leagues Club – The Vault Saturday, Toxicon, Final Form, Lavidius.

Northern Star Hotel Saturday, Jye Sharp.

Pedens Cessnock Saturday, Shivoo. 

Pippis At The Point Saturday, Chad Shuttleworth Duo. Sunday, Lauren Arms.

The Pourhouse Saturday, Murray Byfield.

Premier Hotel Saturday, Tre Soul, Big Night Out. Sunday, Love That Hat.

Prince of Wales Hotel Saturday, Tim Rossington.

Queens Wharf Hotel Saturday, Iguana, Anyerin. Sunday, The Years.

Raymond Terrace Bowling Club Sunday, Pistol Pete.

Regal Hotel Kurri Saturday, Pete Gilchrist.

Royal Federal Hotel Branxton Saturday, StateFX.

Royal Hotel Singleton Sunday, Kellie Cain.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto Sunday, Georgina Grimshaw.

Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Dean Kyrwood.

Seabreeze Hotel Saturday, The Fedz. Sunday, Dos Eager, Kelly Griffith.

Shenanigans at the Imperial Saturday, Brent Murphy. Sunday, Murph.

Shortland Hotel Saturday, Jon Matthews.

Singleton Diggers Saturday, Rendezvous.

Small Ballroom Saturday, Japandroids (CAN), Paper Thin.

Soldiers Point Bowling Club Saturday, Deuce.

South Newcastle Leagues Club Saturday, Kaylah Anne.

Stag and Hunter Hotel Saturday, The On & Ons, Monkeypig. 

Star Hotel Saturday, Dr Zoom Trio. Sunday, Bruce Mathiske.

Stockton Bowling Club Saturday, Picture Book – The Simply Red tribute show.

Stockton RSL Club Saturday, Voodoo Rhythm Shakers.

Sunnyside Tavern Saturday, Ryan Daley.

Swansea Hotel Saturday, Zane Penn. Sunday, Mick Jones.

Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Venus 2.

Tanilba Bay Golf Club Saturday, Whiskey Business Duo.

Tea Gardens Country Club Saturday, The Hitpit.

Tea Gardens Hotel Saturday, Nathan Cole.

Tilligerry RSL Saturday, David J Bull.

Toronto Diggers Saturday, John Noble.

Toronto Workers Saturday, Solid Gold Party Night. Sunday, Max Jackson.

Town Hall Hotel Saturday, Jayde Corner.

Unorthodox Church of Groove Saturday, Comedy at the Black Malabar with Confetti Gun.

Victoria Hotel Hinton Saturday, Arley Black.

Wangi Wangi RSL Club Sunday, Brendan Murphy.

Warners At The Bay Saturday, Greg Bryce.

Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, Outlaw Avenue.

Wests Cardiff Saturday, Anthology.

Wests New Lambton Saturday, Loko Trio. Sunday, 1927, Psuedo Echo.

Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Grant Walmsley Unplugged, The Cassettes. Sunday, Jye Sharp, Justin Ngariki & the Dastardly Bastards.

Windsor Castle Hotel Saturday, Matt Semmens.

A Dog’s Purpose (PG) A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. (Regal)

Baby Driver (MA) A talented, young getaway driver relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. When he meets the girl of his dreams, he sees a chance to ditch his criminal life and make a clean getaway.

Cars 3 (G) Lightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he’s still the best race car in the world.

Churchill (M) A ticking-clock thriller following Winston Churchill in the 24 hours before D-Day. (Lake Cinema)

Despicable Me 3 (PG) Balthazar Bratt, a child star from the 1980s, hatches a scheme for world domination.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (PG) Greg convinces his family to take a road trip to attend his great grandmother's 90th birthday, so he can attend a nearby gamer convention.

My Cousin Rachel (PG) A young Englishman plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. (Regal)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (M) Capt. Jack Sparrow feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing when deadly ghost sailors led by the evil Capt. Salazar escape from the Devil's Triangle.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (M) A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero.

The House (MA) A dad convinces his friends to start an illegal casino in his basement after he and his wife spend their daughter's college fund.

The Met Opera: Eugene Onegin (E) Dmitri Hvorostovsky stars as the title character, who rejects Tatiana’s love until it’s too late. (Tower)

The Sense Of An Ending (M) A man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life. (Regal)

The Zookeeper’s Wife (PG) The account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion. (Regal)

Their Finest (M) A British film crew attempts to boost morale during World War II by making a propaganda film after the London bombings. (Regal)

Transformers: The Last Knight (M) Humans are at war with the Transformers, and Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving the future lies buried in the secrets of the past and the hidden history of Transformers on Earth.

Viceroy’s House (PG) Lord Mountbatten is tasked with overseeing the transition of British India to independence. (Lake Cinema)

Welcome To The Sticks (M) A French public servant from Provence is banished to the far North. Strongly prejudiced against this cold and inhospitable place, he leaves his family behind to relocate temporarily there, with the firm intent to quickly come back. (Regal)

Wonder Woman (M) An Amazon princess leaves her island home to explore the world and, in doing so, becomes one of the world's greatest heroes.