Coastal Culture: Hit These Central Coast Events For a Weekend Adventure This April
Bookmark these family-friendly events for any upcoming trips up north.
Coastal Culture: Hit These Central Coast Events For a Weekend Adventure This April
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Bookmark these family-friendly events for any upcoming trips up north.
The Easter long weekend may have come and gone, and the clocks may have shifted back an hour to herald the end of summer, but that doesn't mean you have to stay locked indoors for the next few months.
New South Wales is as full of entertainment now as it is at any other time of the year. As if to prove this point, the Central Coast has lined up a series of family-oriented events that everyone will love.
If you're a Sydneysider, a drive up to the Cenny Coast really isn't that far, and you'll be rewarded with a cluster of towns that are quiet enough that you won't feel crowded while also being big enough that there's always something going on.
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As part of the Central Coast’s Creative Spaces program, painter, photographer and illustrator Grace Agnes is taking up residence at the Gallery Container in the Village Green, Toukley, to give insight into her artistic process.
The Central Coast native, who also sells prints and posters teaching the Fijian language through her Etsy store, will curate a photographic studio, host drop-ins as she creates her beautiful pieces, and offer a range of interactive experiences from Wednesday, April 1, to Friday, June 28.
The series includes painting classes, music events, exhibitions, mini-markets and more. A good number of these events are designed specifically with children in mind, so if your little one wants to take part in a flower workshop or learn how to paint their own pet in a family-friendly environment, then Grace Agnes has got you covered. Following successful residencies over the past few months from sculptor David Hough and the Central Coast Creatives Collective, the program is going out on a high for its season finale, with Grace Agnes’ multi-disciplinary creations truly offering something for everyone.
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You think origami, you think folding paper. But this April, put your assumptions to one side and think about what else could possibly be folded. At the Gosford Regional Gallery and Edogawa Commemorative Garden, an incredible visual spectacle will take place on Saturday, April 13, with a host of musical acts, including DJ duo Stereogamous, pop artist Tessa Thames, and circus performer Ray Matthews.
Attendees of Origami – Folding Light and Sound are advised to come dressed for a garden party (flowers in your hair, plant-themed accessories and the like), albeit a garden party that features a traditional Japanese teahouse, delicious Sichuan dumplings, and aerial cabaret. It’s all the brainchild of the not-for-profit Naughty Noodle Fun Haus collective, which, since 2018, has been organising community entertainment events with a strong focus on inclusion, diversity and acceptance.
In the collective’s words, it “proudly embraces renegade artists and thought-leaders who are courageous, outrageous and mind-blowing”. All you have to do is bring a picnic blanket, lawn furniture and an open mind, and you’ll be treated to a sunset experience where you can dance to your heart’s content, find quiet contemplation in nature, and everything in between. Origami promises to turn Gosford into a tactile, audio/visual wonderland, giving you an evening that you’ll never want to forget.
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Across the Central Coast, venues have been hand-picked for a free outdoor screening of Disney family classic Lilo & Stitch. Catch a screening between Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 20, at Memorial Park in The Entrance, The Village Green in Toukley, Kibble Park in Gosford and The Chapman Lawn in Wyong to enjoy an evening of family fun and watch a beloved movie in picturesque surrounds.
It’s not just a film screening, though — two hours before the main event, there will be lawn games, circus fun and face painting to get the kids in the mood for an animated adventure. A limited number of chairs and picnic blankets are available, so it’s recommended that you bring your own. There is also a wide range of food options close to each of the four sites. Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Toukley have their share of foodie havens (Wyong even has a Foodie Day Tour you can embark upon), so there’s no excuse not to make an outing of it and experience an evening under the stars.
For more information on what’s happening on the Central Coast, you can visit the Central Coast Tourism website.