HAPPENINGS AND WHAT’S ON

Starring Max Cullen as Henry Lawson and Warren Fahey as Banjo Paterson, a hit musical comedy not to be missed! 'Australia’s two favourite storytellers meet up at the Leviticus Bar & Grill, Heaven’s Gate, to swap yarns, sing, recite their poems and remember old times'.

Presented by the Pearl Beach Progress Association.

WHERE Beach Memorial Hall, 9 Diamond Road, Pearl Beach WHEN Saturday 9 May 7.30 pm MORE INFO $45 includes welcome drink. Bookings essential: pearlbeachprogress.org.au/events Booking fee applies. Proceeds to the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall renovations and upkeep.

MEET THE AUTHOR: PETER FOX Kincumber Library is hosting a talk by whistleblower and former detective chief inspector, Peter Fox, on his confronting and inspiring book, Walking Towards Thunder. It reveals the horrors our police face every day but also the cover-ups and the way sexual predators have been moved around.

WHERE Kincumber Library, 3 Bungoona Rd Kincumber WHEN Wednesday, 11 March 6–8 pm MORE INFO Bookings essential. Phone 4304 7641, visit your local library, or online eventbrite.com.au/e/peter-fox-author-event-tickets-89339901049

LOCAL STARS DANCE FOR CANCER COUNCIL Eleven locals are getting their shimmy on at Laycock Street Theatre this May for Stars of the Central Coast, an annual fundraising event for Cancer Council NSW–Central Coast. Now in its seventh year, this charity event has raised more than $750,000 — all of which stays on the Central Coast to support local cancer patients and their families.

The ‘stars’ for this year’s event include Playing in Puddles’ editor (and COAST writer) Katie Stokes, emergency department doctor Ash Bowden (aka Dr Move-it) and local state member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch. Following the format of Network 10’s hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, each performer will dance a routine — be it contemporary, Latin, Irish or ’80s — and will be scored by a panel of judges, including Nikki Webster and Chris King. This is a fabulously fun event with a lot of heart and a great cause.

Stars of the Central Coast Friday 15 May 2020. Tickets from $75. Find your favourite in their dancing shoes on stars.cancercouncil.com.au/event/stars-of-central-coast/home For tickets, phone 4323 3233 or visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/theatres/ whats-on

Ray Collins has had a lifelong love affair with the ocean, and a tragic accident in 2007 gave him the opportunity to transform that passion into a vocation. While working in an underground coal mine, Ray severely injured his knee, leaving him unable to walk for several months. During his rehabilitation, he bought a camera and spent hundreds of hours learning to take photos. Ray learned well and has become a very successful ocean photographer. His photos of wave formations – from above and below the water – are truly captivating. ‘My aim is to show the ocean as a living, breathing thing,’ says Ray. ‘And to document it in all of its intimidating strength and to bring awareness to its delicate fragility.’

WHERE Ken Duncan Gallery, Erina Heights WHEN 18 April to 10 May MORE INFO Entry to the exhibition is free. kenduncan.com

© RAY COLLINS AT KEN DUNCAN GALLERY © KENDELL TYNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Your dog (and you and the family) are invited to a picnic hosted by Street Paws and the Doyalson Animal Hospital. There are stalls, food trucks, kids’ activities, competitions, giveaways, as well as training, behaviour, agility, and medical advice. Bring a picnic rug and enjoy the yummy food. And don’t forget the pooch!

WHERE The grounds of Doyalson Animal Hospital, 423 Scenic Drive, Doyalson WHEN Saturday 21 March. 11 am–3 pm MORE INFO Entry is free. streetpawsfestival@gmail.com

HIT 101.3 will be helping one lucky couple say ‘I do’ with all the musthaves for the ultimate giveaway of a wedding live on-air, thanks to Paradise Botanical Gardens and The Party Hire Company.

In Gawndy and Ash Pollard’s biggest Bouquet Toss, whoever tosses the bouquet closest to the big target can get hitched in May at ‘paradise on Earth’, the picturesque Paradise Botanical Gardens at Kulnura. So gentlemen grab your boutonnieres, and ladies grab those bouquets for the giveaway of a lifetime.

WHERE Friday, 13 March WHEN Central Coast Stadium, Gosford MORE INFO Register online at hit.com.au, and tell them your love stories to get the chance to come along for the Biggest Bouquet Toss. It will be a mini bridal fair too!

As well as The Australian Reptile Park‘s own real-life superheroes — from the armoured Echidna who could give Iron Man a run for his money, to Elvis the Crocodile who looks more like the Hulk than his own namesake — the popular Zooperheroes Superhero Stunt Show will be making a return during the school holidays. It features popular ‘superhero’ characters doing impressive flips, tricks and fun audience interaction, and there’ll also be the chance for visitors to get a photo with the heroes after the stunt show.

You can also catch the daily feeding of Elvis the saltwater crocodile, and enjoy a family picnic with the Park’s friendly freerange kangaroos.

WHERE Australian Reptile Park, Pacific Highway, Somersby. WHEN School holidays 10–26 April, daily at 1.30 pm MORE INFO reptilepark.com.au Ph: 02 4340 1022

© MERRILLEE REDDEN

Terrigal Sails.indd 1 30/10/19 4:22 pm

Women in Art Exhibition The Tuggerah Lakes Art Society will showcase a large range of art and installations from women across the coast in celebration of International Women's Day. They encourage people from across the Central Coast and Sydney to join in the celebration of women in art, craft and culture on the coast. The exhibition will feature seven categories to be voted on, and a People’s Choice Award. WHERE The Entrance Lake House, 27 The Entrance Road, The Entrance WHEN 3 March MORE INFO www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/events/women-in-art-exhibition

Girrakool Blues Festival and BBQ Get ready for an international and Australian Blues line-up, over three days, starting with #guitarfriday, live music all day Saturday, plus Sunday Family Funday. Immerse yourselves in our First People’s culture with traditional ceremonies, basket weaving, earth ovens and much more.

WHERE Mount Penang Parklands at Kariong WHEN 6–8 March MORE INFO https://girrakoolblues.com.au

Mulga the Artist, hosted by The Glass Onion Society A pop-up dinner and drinks event, with Mulga the Artist creating original works on The Glass Onion’s walls, among other entertainment. Known for his unique style of intricate line-work and bright colours, Mulga’s art brings to life a world where tropical bearded men run rampant, lions smoke tobacco pipes, tigers wear diamond encrusted sunglasses and gorillas rule the world like some kinda funky planet of the apes. His art pulsates with an untrammelled use of colour and textured shapes.

WHERE The Glass Onion Society, 308 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty WHEN 7 March MORE INFO www.facebook.com/events/576651729399956/

Rayon Riot II, by Naughty Noodle Fun Haus An International Women's Day Cabaret with an evening shining a spotlight on the breathtaking diversity and voice of female-identified women unleashed. In this 2020 episode of Rayon Riot II, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry as it crashes through the repackaging of feminism, the ultimate countercultural movement. Rose-coloured glasses will be easily removed, seamlessly busting

COAST through absurd media portrayals of women and spinning your inner compass. Recalibrate with intent to save the world in a multi-generational riot of Body, Sex and Gender Positive Performance of the Fringe kind.

WHERE Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, 5 Broken Bay Road, Ettalong Beach WHEN 7 March, 7 pm till 10 pm MORE INFO www.facebook.com/events/604601086968062/

Flavours by the Sea Taste your way around: enjoy the spices, tastes, sights and sounds of the world as the sun sets over Memorial Park, The Entrance. Celebrate Harmony Day at this live multicultural event, celebrating the region’s diversity with a taste of the world’s best food, music and art. There will be new artists and experiences to encounter over the weekend including a few hidden gems for this year's line-up.

WHERE Memorial Park, 1 Marine Parade, The Entrance WHEN 21 March MORE INFO www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/events/flavours-by-the-sea

Oyster Festival, hosted by Mooney Mooney Workers Club A celebration of the Hawkesbury River, with a sampling of local Pacific and Sydney Rock Oysters, live entertainment and more.

WHERE Mooney Mooney Workers Club, 5 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney WHEN 21 March MORE INFO www.mooneymooneyclub.com.au

Live Well Festival Want to know more about your health? Head along to Live Well at Gosford Waterfront and Central Coast Stadium, a festival purely dedicated to aspects of healthy living, nutrition and wellbeing. The event program will encourage you to discover the ways you can nourish your body. Participate in workshops and classes, eat at many of the healthy-food stalls and connect with local businesses that specialise in the health and wellbeing sector.

WHERE Gosford Waterfront, and Central Coast Stadium 14 Dane Drive, Gosford WHEN 5 April, 10 am to 3 pm MORE INFO www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/council/live-well-festival

Central Coast Airport Jack Grant Ave, Warnervale Jack Grant Ave, Warnervale

(02) 4392 5174 ccac.com.au

HIRE BOATS KAYAKS • SUPS • 7 days a week all year round • Boat hire fee includes fuel, safety gear, map, demo and fishing licence exemption. • Bait, tackle, drinks and more available. Operating for more than 70 years

AUSSIE BREAD BAGS let you say goodbye to single-use plastic bread bags

Aussie Bread Bags are your Australian-made, washable and freezer-proof option for reusable bread bags. Priced from $12.95. Use the discount code: COAST (for free postage)

4325 5530 I 202 The Entrance Rd, Erina

‘Under the Southern Stars’ concert Hosted by The Entertainment Grounds, including live performances from big-name bands including BUSH, Stone Temple Pilots, Rose Tattoo and more.

WHERE The Entertainment Grounds, 4 Racecourse Road, West Gosford WHEN 5 April MORE INFO www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/events/under-the-southern-starslive-stone-temple-pilots-and-bush

Gold Cup Race Day A day of premium Australian racing when, for the first time in the history of Gosford Race Club, Racing NSW has announced a stand-alone Saturday at Gosford. There's over $1.1 million in prize money on offer, including the $200,000 Gosford Quarries Gold Cup and the $150,000 De Bortoli Wines Takeover Target.

WHERE The Entertainment Grounds, 4 Racecourse Road, West Gosford WHEN 9 May MORE INFO www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/events/gosford-quarries-goldcup-standalone-race-day

French Country Markets Feel, see and taste the French experience. From designer fashions to vintage bric-a-brac.

WHEN Saturday 9 May 9 am to 3 pm WHERE Chertsey Primary School, Springfield MORE INFO $2 entry fee for adults only. frenchcountrymarket.com.au

Handmade on the Coast, Woy Woy This new market is a little treasure trove that embraces and sells handmade wares made by local creatives. You’ll find leadlight artwork, hand-poured natural soy candles, rose geranium body cream, ceramic plates, bees wax food wraps, resin boards and crocheted unicorns. There are abundant food options too, including Dan's Jerk Joint smoked meats, Opie Funk’s loaded Mexican beef nachos and Poppy & Myrtle’s chocolate almond bundt cakes.

2nd Sunday of each month (9 am–2 pm) on the Woy Woy foreshore (Brick Wharf Rd). umbalaevents.com/handmade-on-the-coast

Alive!, Gosford Alive! is the Central Coast's first plant-based market festival. Expect loads of food trucks serving dishes such as Vegan Street lasagna, Zaytoona Foods felafel subs, and The C Word’s “tall, dark and handsome double choc cookies. This event also showcases and sells a large range of vegan products, including cotton knitwear, cashew nut cheese smoked with Tasmanian applewood, fermented Spanish beetroot and Vegan Leather Co duffle bags.

For more information or to book call 02 4325 0461, email info@theeg.com.au or visit www.theentertainmentgrounds.com.au SATURDAY 9 MAY 2020