Culture Digest 07.02.25
Our weekly round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention over the past seven days
Sunday for Sammy gigs to return in 2026
The beloved biennial Sunday for Sammy fundraising concerts will be back in 2026 following a five-year hiatus.
The announcement was made at a special breakfast event on Thursday (Feb 6) - exactly 25 years since the first event was held at Newcastle 02 City Hall in memory of North East actor, Ronnie ‘Sammy’ Johnson.
Founder Tim Healy and longtime producer, Ray Laidlaw came together to reveal the next Sunday For Sammy gigs will take place on February 15 next year.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we’re delighted to be able to say that Sunday For Sammy will be back on February 15, 2026,” said Ray who has been working behind the scenes for the past six months, plotting a year of celebration and activity in the run to its on-stage return.
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Monet painting to go on show in South Shields as part of National Gallery tour
A partnership between South Shields Museum & Art Gallery and The National Gallery will see the arrival of a Monet’s masterpiece in the region.
The painting, The Petit Bras of the Siene at Argenteuil (1872) has only left the National Gallery once in the past 20 years.
It will go on display at the South Tyneside venue in early 2026 as part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is one of just four partners selected to host the tour, which is described as ‘a three-year transformative opportunity to bring world-class art to the North East’.
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Darlington writer’s hit comedy wins Broadcast Award
BBC comedy, Ludwig, which was written by Darlington writer, Mark Brotherhood has been named Best Comedy at the Broadcast Awards 2025.
The series, starring David Mitchell as a brilliant and introverted puzzle writer who steps into the shoes of his detective twin brother when he mysteriously goes missing, proved a ratings hit and has been renewed for a second series.
Ludwig was Mark’s first original series for BBC1 and also starred award-winning actress, Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty, Until I Kill You).
Some of his many other credits include The Trouble With Maggie Cole (ITV starring Dawn French; Mount Pleasant, Shameless, Cold Feet and Benidorm.
Congratulations!
North East artist's work is blowing up in China
For North East artist Steve Messam, it’s been a double helping of New Year celebrations thousands of miles apart.
On New Year’s Day, having seen in 2025 at his County Durham home, Steve flew out of Newcastle Airport for the Chinese city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province.
There he has installed one of his trademark inflatable artworks between two footbridges in the city’s Tiangfu Art Park - an installation which has become part of Chengdu’s Chinese New Year events.
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Robson finds more places to escape to on the telly
North East actor and presenter, Robson Green is back on the trail of Weekend Escapes across the North East, Cumbria, the Borders and North Yorkshire with a series full of new friends who have signed on to go with him.
Kicking off at 6.30pm on BBC2 this Monday (Feb 10), episode one sees Robson team up with his Grantchester co-star Kacey Ainsworth for a break along the Tyne in Northumberland.
Other episodes will see him going surfing on the Northumberland coast with actor Rupert Penry-Jones; canyoning with Mark Benton; river cruising with comedian Rosie Jones; trimming sheep with singer Joe McElderry; kite making with Emmerdale star, Laura Norton; and sailing at Kielder with Hexham-born chef, Chris Baber.
During the 15-part series, which offers a lovely way to escape into the outdoors from the comfort of your sofa, Robson also catches up with his siblings and wider family in various scenic locations in the region.
‘Music City anthem’ released by Tom A Smith
Sunderland singer, Tom A Smith has surprised fans with a new track written to celebrate Sunderland’s new Music City status.
Video credit: Tynesight
Music City got its premiere in The Peacock pub in Sunderland city centre before being shared via Tom’s Instagram account, where he said: “Congratulations to my hometown Sunderland on achieving Music Cities Network status.”
Tim Minchin announces North East date for new tour
Australian comedian and musician, Tim Minchin will bring his latest tour to Newcastle 02 City Hall in June.
Songs the World Will Never Hear: Celebrating 20 years of FKN Hardcore Rock N Roll Nerding will be ‘an evening packed with unforgettable songs and stories’.
Tim said: ”Incredibly, many of my UK fans have been by my side for two decades.
“They have never flinched as I’ve turned corners and reinvented myself, always engaging open-heartedly with whatever I have to offer. I’m the luckiest artist on the planet, and I can’t wait to be back to deliver a big joyous show, spanning the whole bloody thing.”
Tickets are on sale for the Newcastle date on June 24 from the website. Don’t tarry if you want one.
North East heritage projects lock in funding
New funding will highlight the importance of a Northumberland town in prison history.
The Grade I listed Hexham Old Gaol and Moot Hall is England’s oldest prison and with the town’s House of Correction, forms England’s oldest prison system.
Historic England has given an £18,000 grant to back a project led by Museums Northumberland, supported by partners, to raise awareness of these significant buildings.
An award of £23,000 has also been made to the When the Boat Comes In project, involving the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle.
The venture will explore stories of working class life on North Shields Fish Quay, uncovering the heritage of the town’s fishing community.
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Looking for harmony between kittiwakes and their urban neighbours
A study is to explore how the Tyne’s burgeoning kittiwake nesting colony can better co-exist with people, residents and businesses along the riverfront.
Every year, around 1,700-1,800 pairs of kittiwakes return to breed along the river.
While many welcome the birds as an increasingly famous wildlife addition to urban life, others object to the noise and mess caused with some businesses installing active deterrents.
Now, a groundbreaking research project aims to explore the kittiwakes’ role in urban ecology and propose innovative strategies to ensure the birds can breed successfully alongside people in the future.
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First chefs confirmed for County Durham food festival
A Sunday Brunch host, social media baker, and a MasterChef champion are among the celebrity chefs who will appear at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival.
Taking place over the weekend of April 12 and 13, the popular event will once again attract thousands of food lovers with more than 140 stalls, entertainment and demonstrations from a line up of top chefs.
These will include Simon Rimmer who co-presents Sunday Brunch and has appeared on countless other TV shows including Eat The Week and Something for the Weekend; food writer, photographer and blogger Jane Dunn (aka Jane’s Patisserie); and MasterChef champion 2024, Brin Pirathapan.
All three will be among those joining host and TV presenter, Chris Bavin (Eat Well For Less). Keep your eye on the website for more announcements, of which there are likely to be many.
North East archaeologist up for national award
Archaeologist and author Dr Clive Waddington has uncovered intriguing insights into the North East’s distant past in a long series of fascinating digs.
Now the graduate of and later lecturer in archaeology at Newcastle University has been short listed for the accolade of Archaeologist of the Year in the Current Archaeology magazine awards.
The awards are decided by public vote, which closes on Monday (Feb 10).
Michael Portillio to present special programme marking 200th anniversary of British Railways
Former politician and railway enthusiast, Michael Portillo will host a programme to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
September 27, 1885 marks the birth of the modern railway and as you might have heard, the S&DR Festival will see a whole programme of celebratory events running from March 29 to November 30.
The North East will be the focus of one of a two-part series, 200 Years of the Railways, which will air later in the year
Alex McLeod, commissioning editor for BBC Daytime, said: "The railways have been a rich part of our British heritage since they started, and who better to celebrate this momentous anniversary with but Michael Portillo, whose passion for trains is undisputed and infectious.
“The specials will entertain and educate and there is something for everyone to enjoy."
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An invitation for Tees Valley creatives to get connected
Clore Leadership, which aims to nurture and inspire future leaders in the arts and creator sector, is holding its Annual Gathering at Middlesbrough Town Hall on March 6.
The day-long event is the culmination of a three-year focus on the Tees Valley which has seen individuals and organisations operating in the sector brought together to cultivate leadership.
In store, according to Clore Leadership, is an “action-packed day of dynamic sessions to engage, connect and collaborate”, including talks, workshops and networking opportunities.
North Shields festival to help with 800th anniversary celebrations
Music festival, A Stone’s Throw which debuted in North Shields back in 2022 will return in May.
A busy programme of acts have already been announced for the day-long event on May 25 including Swim Deep, Shame, Katy J Pearson and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. The festival is part of the North Shields 800 celebrations.
Full details on the website