Arts and Entertainment

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT JEMMA DALEY TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WINTER ON THE COAST

DANCE

Sydney Dance Company: Impermanence

Choreographer, Rafael Bonachela’s powerful new production, accompanied by an emotional original score, is inspired by the tragedy of the Australian bushfires and the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris. With an exquisite recording by the Australian String Quartet, the performance is described as visually hypnotic, and is particularly poignant, given that its premiere was cancelled four days before its intended release in 2020.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. Friday, July 2. Adults: $49. Concession: $42. Members: $39. Under-30s: $35. Children: $25. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

CONCERTS

Marina Prior and David Hobson: The 2 of Us

Musical theatre and opera legends, Marina Prior and David Hobson, embark on their Encore Tour, The 2 of Us in which they perform a stripped back and intimate version of their classics from productions such as The Phantom of The Opera, Cats, Evita, Les Misérables, West Side Story and more, as well as favourites from their albums.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. Friday, July 16. Adults: $69.95. Concession/Students: $64.95. Group of 10+: $64.95. Members: $62.95. Children under 12: $34.95. Booking: thearthousewyong.com.au

Johnny Cash the Concert – Back to San Quentin

After Daniel Thompson’s acclaimed starring role as Johnny Cash in the January 2020 Melbourne season of Legends in Concert Las Vegas, Daniel returns to celebrate all things of the Man in Black. Reviews rave about his honey-like voice and stage presence artfully capturing the singer’s unique spirit. It would seem that Daniel Thompson is as close to Johnny Cash as we’re ever going to get.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. August 13. Adults: $65. Group of 8+: $60. Concession/Students: $60. Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

LIOR

Lior: Between You & Me

Aria-nominated Australia singer/songwriter Lior performs songs from his most recent album in an intimate, archetypal ‘salon’ concert. Lior is praised for his moving, passionate performances, and this is your opportunity to see for yourself why this young singer has been so successful.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. Friday, August 20. Adults: $42. Concession: $37. Members: $32. Under-30s: $25. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

AMPHIBIAN

Consertante Ensemble: Sublime Clarinet

Acclaimed clarinetist, Philip Arkinstall, associate principal clarinet of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, delivers a soulful program of masterworks by Brahms, Finzi, Mahler, Taneyev and Seletsky.

Greenway Chapel, 460 Avoca Dr, Greenpoint. Sunday, June 13. Adults: $40. Concession: $35. Group 10+ $35. Students: $15. Children under 12: Free. Bookings thearthousewyong.com.au

THEATRE

Amphibian

An unlikely pair – a young girl trying to fit in and an Afghan boy, each forced by their parents to leave home and face a new school – are thrown together, but will their friendship lead to further estrangement within the school? It’s a gripping story to captivate young audiences with a tale of displacement, loss and adaptation. Suitable for ages 12 and over.

The Art House Studio, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. August 26–27. Adult: $35. Concession: $30. Members: $25. Under30s: $25. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

MUSICALS

Gosford Musical Society: Mamma Mia!

Gosford Musical Society is producing a return season of the sold-out production Mamma Mia! The cast is ready to re-ignite our love for those classic ABBA songs. Nothing motivates musical theatre stars more than a year off, so this should be a good one.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. July 23–August 7. Adults: $48. Concession, Students, Children: $45. Group 10+: $42.

Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com »

COMEDY

Tommy Little: I’ll See Myself Out (selling fast)

We all fell in love with Tommy on Network 10’s The Project and now we get to see the man in action on stage as he brings his humorous experiences to life with seasoned charisma and a cheeky high energy where nothing is off limits.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. Saturday, June 26. Adults: $49. Members: $42. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour

Perfect for a night out with your friends, The Showcase Tour offers some of the hottest live acts for laughs with a mix of veteran entertainers and exciting emerging performers.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. August 14. Adults: $40. Group 10+: $36. Members: $30. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

HAMLET: PRINCE OF SKIDMARK

KIDS

Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark – A Badaptation of the Bard

This cheeky adaption may not please die-hard Shakespeare fans, but it transforms the Bard’s masterpiece into a hilarious show for children. The Listies playfully pull apart and turn the show into an utterly silly and enjoyable piece of all-ages theatre, where kids are encouraged to make as much noise as they want for a change. Recommended for ages 5+. Be prepared for pillow fights, pirates, ninjas and aliens.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. June 25–26. Adults: $25. Children: $20. Family of 4: $75.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au »

The Alphabet of Awesome Science

Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet. The show challenges the professors to conduct 26 quirky experiments onstage, relating to 26 scientific words, in under one hour. Perfect for kids who love learning how the world works; it might even teach the adults something as well. The kids will marvel at experiments like ‘smoke doughnuts’ and getting sprayed with water-blasters, and they’ll certainly enjoy this more than reading a science book. Hilarious, fascinating and gross!

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. Tuesday, July 6. Tickets: $15. Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

Just Live

Just Live brings to life the wonderfully entertaining Just series of books by Andy Griffiths that have been adapted for stage. Every year, young Andy enters an awesome, captivating, terrifying short story into the competition at the Northwest Southeast Central School. Unfortunately, Andy is robbed of winning the competition every year by – believe it or not – kittens and sunshine. Follow Andy as he pulls out invisibility pills, vomiting dogs and deathdefying balloon rides that will leave the kids in hysterics. Suitable for ages eight to 12 years.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. August 22–23. Adults: $25. Children: $20. Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE

ART

Janelle White: Life Stills

Accomplished Central Coast artist Janelle White captures the nostalgia of the 1950s with her colourful paintings inspired by vintage home movies and photographs. Janelle has been exhibited as a finalist in the Gosford Art Prize seven times, and won the Grandma Moses Art Prize in 2015.

Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford. June 26–August 4.

Australian Centre for Moving Images: Cleverman

Brought to Gosford by the Australian Centre for Moving Images, this exhibition explores First Nations’ storytelling, mythology, language and creativity through the lens of Australia’s critically acclaimed Indigenous, superhero TV series, Cleverman. It includes carefully designed costumes and props, as well as featuring artwork from the original comic book series.

Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford. May 22–July 11.

CLASSES AND COURSES

WORDS JEMMA DALEY

PAINT AND CREATE: SWEET CAROLINE

Every month, East Gosford’s cute and quirky cafe Sweet Caroline comes together with Styled by K Art to bring you a class where you can create your own set of four acrylic coasters. Sip bubbly and graze on delicious charcuterie while you create something beautiful for your home.

12/36-40 Victoria St, East Gosford. Price: $90. Bookings: sweetcarolinecentralcoast.com.au

HOUSE OF ELLERY: CHUNKY HAND-KNITTED THROW WORKSHOP

The perfect winter activity that lets you take home a beautiful throw of your own creation. This workshop teaches you how to make a knitted throw using only your hands. Get cosy and warm and settle in for a winter morning of knitting.

The Chapman Building. Shop 3, 14–16 Alison Rd, Wyong. Sunday, July 11. Price $89. Bookings: houseofellery.com.au

ROLLERFIT

Skating may seem like a nostalgic childhood memory, reminiscent of skinned knees and hot summer days, but RollerFit has reinvigorated skating for fitness. RollerFit caters to people who want to skate for recreation, fun and for a unique workout. When you arrive, you’ll learn roller-skating skills, skate tricks, fitness drills and even play a few games. It’s the perfect way to liven up your fitness routine.

Niagara Park Sports Stadium, 16 Washington Ave, Niagara Park. Non-member prices: Drop-in class: $25 (with your own skates). Skate hire: $5 per class. Member prices: Single class: $20 (with your own skates). Skate hire: $5 per class. (Class passes also available).

Bookings: rollerfit.com.au/niagara-park/ »

FORAGING AND MIXOLOGY AT FIRESCREEK BOTANICAL WINERY

There is something really fun about getting your friends together to create cocktails and unleash your inner mixologist. And sharing the result of your creative talents is always an amazing way to get people together.

From a private garden room overlooking Firescreek’s ponds and organic gardens, you’ll be provided with a wine tasting and wine appreciation of current vintages. You’ll get to forage in the beautiful gardens for your own organically grown garnishes, then, guided by a talented bartender, you’ll learn some simple but very effective tricks of the trade on how to put together some Instagram-worthy garnished cocktails.

There’s antique crystal glassware to showcase your cocktails, and a range of mixers to experiment with and concoct four mini cocktails to your own person taste.

Mocktail ingredients are also provided so that non-drinkers aren’t left out.

Firescreek Botanical Winery grows more than 30 species of fruit, 40 species of roses and countless other botanicals using small-scale, organic permaculture regenerative farming techniques. This means they can make wine (and cocktails) year-round, rather than relying on a single, annual grape harvest. Interesting wines that will be ready for winter include Blackcurrant, Coffee and Chocolate, Chilli Citrus, Elderberry and Vanilla, Pineapple, Lime and Grapefruit.

Workshops available Wednesday to Sunday from 2 to 3.30pm. Bookings: firescreek.com.au/foraging-and-mixology-workshop/

SHELLIE CHRISTIAN CERAMICS

Join Shellie in her private ceramic studio and create beautiful homewares that are unique and showcase your personal touch. Shellie loves to use ingredients found in nature, such as pods, sticks and seeds. You’ll make ceramics as impressive as any found in a boutique homewares store, with the added bonus of personal satisfaction that can only come from creating something yourself.

11 Manns Rd, Fountaindale. Class: $400. Mention COAST magazine for the workshop on July 16 at the price of $125. Bookings shelliechristianceramics.com

MACRAME DREAMS

Learn how to make your own beautiful macrame accessories, planter hangings, or just about any home decor item your imagination can run to. And while you’re knotting away, enjoy delicious tapas or a cheese platter, a cocktail or mimosa at the Avoca Beach House. Morning and afternoon classes run for four hours, and are available to suit all ages.

Avoca Beach House, 87 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach. June 10, July 18 plant hanger package. June 30 children’s workshop – wall hanging. Prices from $150. Bookings: macramedreams.com