A new website capturing everything happening across Newcastle has been launched by City of Newcastle to help locals and visitors make the most of the city’s entertainment options.
Inspired by popular ‘What’s On’ websites in Melbourne and Sydney, What’s ON Newcastle is now the official home of all events across the city, providing an easy to use one-stop-shop for locals and visitors with functionality to search for events according to category, date, accessibility, venue or geographic location.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the website is one of the priority initiatives under City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan to create a more vibrant city that supports the arts and cultural sectors.
“Newcastle is an events city, and whether it’s live music, theatre, sports or cinema, there’s always something to do, no matter your interests,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle’s Events Strategy has seen Newcastle continue to grow jobs and expand our visitor economy during the last six years.
“From 2015-2019, Newcastle’s visitor economy moved ahead in leaps and bounds, with a 62% increase in domestic day-trippers and a 16% increase in international travellers, while the value of the tourism economy expanded significantly to be worth $1.127 billion in the 12 months to March 2019.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen, who is the Chair of City of Newcastle’s Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee, said the events economy is an important local job creator.
“Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy, which is why we set out to develop a comprehensive Destination Management Plan, along with an updated Events Strategy,” Cr Clausen said.
“These strategic measures are designed to raise awareness of Newcastle and showcase the city’s unique strengths by attracting and developing signature events, as well as growing the business and conferencing events sector.”
City of Newcastle has also awarded the second round of the $20,000 Live Music Grants program, providing incentives of up to $500 per event to encourage 11 Newcastle venues to host live acts during April as part of a commitment to delivering the Live Music Strategy
Thirty live music events funded by the program are taking place between 9 and 20 April to coincide with other significant events across the city, including the World Surf League’s Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, Newcastle SailFest Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Women’s Rugby 7s, New Run and Newcastle Food Month.
Councillor Carol Duncan said live music events were being promoted on the What’s ON Newcastle website under the ‘Locally Made and Played’ banner, making it the perfect integration of the City’s initiatives to support Newcastle’s live music, events and cultural sectors.
Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au to check it out for yourself. You can also subscribe to the regular What’s ON Newcastle newsletter to receive the best events and updates direct to your inbox.
Live Music grant recipients and gigs
The Rogue Scholar
LaHi, Sunday 11 April, 6-9pm
Daniel March, Saturday 17 April, 7-10pm
Max De Groot, Sunday 18 April, 6-9pm
Beach Burrito Company
Catch live music on Friday 9, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 of April
Wickham Park Hotel
Riff Raff, Saturday 10 April, 7.30pm
Rose Carleo Band, Saturday 17 April, 7.30pm
Flyod Vincent, Sunday 18 April, 6pm
The Duke of Wellington
Greg Bryce, Friday 9 April
Dean Kyrwood, Friday 16 April
Karen O’Shea, Saturday 17 April
The Mark Hotel
Nano, Saturday 10 April, 8-11pm
Daniel Arvidson, Friday 16 April, 8-11pm
The After Party, Sunday 18 April, 5-8pm
The Beaches Hotel
Komiti Levai, Friday 9 April, 6-9pm
Kylie Jane, Wednesday 14 April, 3-6pm
Pete McCredie, Sunday 18 April, 6.30-9.30pm
The Kent Hotel
Catch live music on Friday 9, Monday 12 and Monday 19 April
Racecourse Hotel Wallsend
Coral Lee, Friday 16 April, 6.30-9.30pm
Dave Javier, Saturday 17 April, 6.30-9.30pm
Chloe & Alexine, Sunday 18 April, 3-6pm
The Exchange Hotel
Sound About, Saturday 10 April
Mak Band, Friday 16 April
TBC, Saturday 17 April
Babylon
Half Nelson, Sunday 11 April
Cool Jazz Trio, Sunday 18 April
The Base Health
Thursday 15 April and Friday 16 April, 7pm
Prickly Pear is a multidisciplinary arts performance supporting women and gender diverse creatives of Newcastle. Featuring local and original artists such as Caitlin O’Reilly, RENYEN, Mia Sifflet, Brigitta Dance Projects, Jacinta Rose, Janette Hoppe, Monique Humphreys, Happy to be Here Ceramics, Kodivine, and H.H Art
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