Octapod

The Loft Youth Venue has announced their School Holiday Program. Offering such events and workshops as: Aerosol Art Classes, Design for Ceramics, Radio Production & Podcastingf, Circus Skills, Breakdancintg 101, Self Defence and even a popcorn and pizza night, the Loft is sure to cater for any young people busting for something to do over the summer.

All activities are free for Youth Venue members. All registrations for workshops must be in at least 2 days prior to the workshop date so remember to book and secure your position.

For more information or to register for a course visit: www.myspace.com/loftyouthvenue, phone: 49742092 or email theloft@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Explore Ableton live with International Trance & Tech artist TOm Cosm(NZ) in this intensive 6 hour session.

Some experience with audio sequencing is required by participants.

Mon 19th January
Cost $25 per person [max 8 ppl]

@ the Loft Youth Venue
 

The National Portrait Gallery invites all young Australians between 18 and 25 to enter the National Youth Self-Portrait Prize 2009.

A selection of entries, including the prize-winning work, will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery and as an online exhibition from 23 July–13 September 2009. 

Kids Circus

Sessions will normally involve running games, a warm up and then group balances. Then participants work with whatever equipment they like for the remainder of the sessions. The photograph shows some of the equipment available. Unicycling, juggling, hoops, diablo, devil sticks, cigar boxes, balancing chair, rings, etc., Stilts, aerial ring, tissue, rope, aerial ladder and trapeze are also available for suitable students. Clowning courses are run regularly, but as separate sessions.

Wallsend Markets are looking for busking performers.

Market Dates are: 20th December 2008
January 10th, 17th, 24th 2009
Then every 3rd Saturday.

For details or bookings ring Karen or Garry
49656081

or email: superkarenpaula@hotmail.com

The musical talent of the Hunter will sing and play for charity on saturday, December 6, to raise awareness of depression and other mental illnesses.

Rockin the Black Dog, a free, all-ages music festival will include The Seabellies, The Boat People, Vaudeville, and the Newcastle Chamber Choir.

The event, at Camp Shortland, will honour the memory of Julie Firth, a volunteer high school mentor who lost her life on Mothers Day 2008, following her battle with depression.

University Cancellor Professor Trevor Waring said almost 800,000 Australian adults annually would experience a deprerssive illness.

Local poets have taken out the major awards in the 2008 Lake Macquarie Literary Award (formerly Roland Robinson Literary Award), with Kylie Rose winning first prize for her poem Bluebottles.

Bluebottles focuses on the relationship between mother and child while something much darker simmers under the surface.  In 2006, Kylie received second prize in the Roland Robinson Literary Award for her poem Shark Egg.  She is currently collaborating with poets and composers on a project commissioned by the Hunter Writers Centre.

The inaugural Roland Robinson Local Poet’s prize went to Martinsville poet, Magdalena Ball, for her poem Grandpa’s Birds.

 Mojo Juju of Mojo Juju & the Snake Oil Merchants

Former Newcastle arts personality Marcus Westbury has launched an ambitious plan to allow community groups to use vacant office space in the central business district.

What has started as  a plan for a small public meeting has exploded in the past week following its posting on social networking site Facebook.

Mr Westbury said it was time to put together some real strategies to turn Newcastle's "rotting CBD" around.

"We want community groups, artists, business owners, and concerned citizens to join the campaign to activate the Newcastle CBD through low capital, community driven projects"