Culture Digest 06.12.24
A round up of some arts and culture stories from across the North East which caught our attention this week
Double check your Christmas Market plans
In the latest instalment of weather not sticking to the script, Storm Darragh is playing havoc with festival market schedules.
We’re not going to a) provide news on all North East Christmas Markets; and/or b) attempt to offer any kind of up to date information as we reckon decisions are probably still being taken.
But safe to say, if you’re planning to attend a Christmas Market this weekend (as I am), then take two minutes to check whether it’s happening/been postponed etc.
North East photographs captured for Tate exhibition
Three celebrated photographers who graphically captured life in the North East are part of a new exhibition at London’s Tate Britain.
The 80s: Photographing Britain, runs until May 5 next year and focuses on a time of social and political upheaval, the Thatcher years, deindustrialisation, deprivation, community life, Orgreave and the miners’ strike, Greenham Common; the Toxteth riots and the Troubles; Poll Tax, dole queues and the Aids crisis.
The work in the North East of Chris Killip, Tish Murtha and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen features in the exhibition, which the Tate describes as a display of “powerful images that gave voice and visibility to underrepresented groups in society and which considers the decade as a pivotal moment for the medium of photography.
Read more: Hallelujah! Wild Arts to Make North East debut with festive classic
Last remaining tickets for Fire Station fundraiser
The Futureheads, Field Music, Paul Smith of Maximo Park and many more are coming together on stage for the Music Against Child Poverty LIVE gig in Sunderland on Sunday. (Dec 8)
And a few corking seats have been released in the run up to the event at The Fire Station, which will also feature Liz Corney of The Cornshed Sisters, Slug, Stockton Road Hit Squad, Isabel Maria, Nadedja, Lottie Willis, Ruth-Ann Boyle and Chat.
All profits from the concert will go to charity Love, Amelia, which supports families in Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
Choose your seats (if there are any left) here.
Read more: Review - Beauty and the Beast at Gala Theatre Durham
Kynren’s 10th anniversary tickets on sale
Hot on the hooves of its successful 2024 season, tickets are now on sale for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England which will celebrate its first decade in 2025.
Bishop Auckland’s epic open-air show will celebrate its 10th birthday next year and has booked an expanded schedule of performances and new highlights for the coming milestone season.
The UK’s biggest outdoor show, the County Durham spectacular is t performed on a seven-and-a-half-acre stage featuring pyrotechnics, stunts and a 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew.
Record audiences turned out during 2024 - enjoying the new Viking Village pre-show area - and it is hoped that 2025 will top that.
Still time to snap up tickets for Liam Fender’s gig at The Exchange 1856 in North Shields tomorrow night (Dec 7). Tickets can be booked here.
Farewell to the mac: Dates for the end of a Vera confirmed
The 14th and final season of long-running North East detective drama, Vera will air in January 2025.
The cosy crime ratings winner will draw to a close with two feature-length episodes entitled Inside and The Dark Wives on New Year’s Day and January 2.
Promising to “weave together past and present” and “make for a compelling and emotional farewell” the episodes will offer the last chance to see Brenda Blethyn’s portrayal of North East author, Ann Cleeves’ iconic DCI.
The farewell story will see David Leon reprise his role as DI Joe Ashworth, along with Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart and Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards.
On January 3, a documentary Vera: Farewell Pet will air at 9pm on ITV1, charting the history of the much-loved series, which has all been shot in the region.
Read more: Review - A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage
Life Science Centre Christmas show goes global
A festive 360° fulldome show produced by the creative team at Life is gaining international attention after being bought by planetaria across the world.
What Santa Sees, was devised to merge the magic of Christmas with science to introduce youngsters to astronomy.
The animated show has already captivated local audiences visiting Life and is now being enjoyed across the world after being bought by planetaria in Lithuania,
Poland, Australia, Scotland, Bristol as well as Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, USA – which has the third largest dome in the world.
Written by Life’s head of public engagement Elin Roberts and animated by Life’s digital producer Tommy Howell, the show follows Santa and his reindeer as they travel from the North Pole across the globe on Christmas Eve, using the stars to navigate.
An accompanying book featuring hand-drawn illustrations has also been produced, to allow youngsters to follow Santa’s adventures from home.
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive at Life said “We knew that the team had produced something special with What Santa Sees and it’s wonderful to see that audiences around the world can now enjoy it.
Find out more about Life’s festive programme via the website.
Read more: Review - Present at Live Theatre
Kings of Leon confirmed as second headliner for Come Together festival
Rockers Kings of Leon will take top billing on the last night of the Come Together Festival on June 8. They’ll be joined by The Courteneers.
Organisers of the inaugural event, set to take over Newcastle Town Moor from June 4-8 have already announced Robbie Williams as the headliner for the opening night.
Find tickets via the website.
Read more: Preview - Seagulls and Sad Sad Stories at Laurels Theatre
Sunderland community groups prepare for showcase music performance in 2025
Preparations are underway for a major celebration of Sunderland’s people and music.
At the end of April next year, Public Record will be performed by community members alongside well known figures from the city’s music scene, artists and professional dancers.
The performance will take place at The Fire Station and will be produced in collaboration with Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire as part of National Theatre Public Acts, a nationwide programme creating extraordinary acts of theatre and community.