The annual 'culture crawl' that sees local galleries, museums and visitor attractions open their doors for free to evening visitors gets under way in Newcastle this Friday and will be welcoming a host of newcomers over its two-night run.
This is the 15th outing of the after-hours event, which is hosted by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, and will involve more than 40 venues - ranging from regulars, such as Laing Art Gallery, to the likes of Farrell Centre, a new research hub, gallery and commuity space which will be inviting in Late Shows visitors for the first time. Its first night will be focused, as usual, around the Ouseburn area and then the main event will take place on Saturday evening across Newcastle and Gateshead, with a wide mix of hosts, including Alphabetti Theatre; Dance City and Newcastle Castle, taking part.
On offer will be a full programme of tours, activities and performances, with a free bus service linking key venues. Other newcomers taking part this time around include D6: Culture in Transit, an arts producer in Newcastle's Charlotte Square; Ouseburn Studio, and Maker Space at the bottom of Gateshead High Street.
Read more: Tips to make the most of The Late Shows
Others are widening the offer to include food and drink spaces with - in the city - Full Circle Brew Co; Gingerino's Kitchen, serving up artwork alongside its popular pizza, and railway arch bar and events space Mosiac Tap, hosting a printing workshop; all set to be popular additions alongside Four Quarters arcade bar which will be offering retro games to play for free. Bill Griffiths, chairman of The Late Shows steering group and TWAM's head of programmes and collections, said: "Many of this year’s venues have been a part of the event since it started but we are delighted to welcome many new venues this year too."
Urging people to take advantage of the free nights out, he added: “The Late Shows is a rare chance to see the best of Tyneside’s daytime cultural scene, at night." Here is a pick of just a few events featuring on The Late Shows programme to give an idea of what to expect.
For full information about what's on offer, and details of the free accessible buses available, see the event's website here.
Friday-only events
Venues in the Ouseburn Valley will be open from 7pm to 11pm on May 19, offering a range of join-in art making, live music, behind-the-scenes tours and - in the case of Seven Stories - extras such as a cocktail-making class. Here is a pick of just five options.
The Time Bandits - Ouseburn becomes London’s Whitechapel of the 1880s as the performers invite people to follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper as Holmes and Watson set out to solve a crime. There'll be an hour-long performance from 8.30pm.
Ouseburn Farm - an 'Old West' theme night will be held in the farmyard of music, food, drink and music from the Byker Hillbillies. There'll be a bar and BBQ too.
Victoria Tunnel - taster tours will be held of the city's famous underground waggonways.
Toffee Factory - nearby pub Cumberland Arms is joining forces with the building for a ceilidh night.
The Biscuit Factory - a combo of art, folk music, poetry, theatre and food is on offer, with people invited to join in with a large mural painting too. There'll be pop-up scenes from The People's Theatre plays and book-signings with local authors.
Other Ouseburn venues taking part on Friday include Cobalt Studios, Hotel Du Vin, Biscuit Tin Studios; Flea Circus vintage shop; The Newbridge Project; Shieldfield Art Works, Northern Print, Gingerino's Kitchen, Seven Stories, 36 Lime Street, Jim Edwards Studio Gallery, Bottleworks, Mushroom Works, Full Circle Brew Co, Ouseburn Studio and The Board School.
Saturday events
Newcastle venues will be open from 7pm-11pm, while those in Gateshead will be open from an hour earlier, 6pm-11pm. Here are some highlights:
Gateshead
Bensham Grove Community Centre - guests can enjoy a night of Raku ceramic firing; take up an opportunity to try glass and other types of painting and find out about a Human Library project linking storytellers and community members.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art - Gosforth Civic Theatre’s Gaming Social will take over the gallery's Front Room for one night where gamers can play a large range of consoles including Mega Drive, Spectrum and NES.
Gateshead Central Library - a Flower Power-theme night will have artists on hand and will include a workshop to make a flower brooch or corsage alongside other craft activities.
Shipley Art Gallery - check out quilting demonstrations; a weaving demonstration (from 6pm-8pm); nature-inspired crafts and music from Sage Gateshead.
Other Gateshead venues inviting drop-ins on Saturday night include Maker Space and Orbis Community: see here.
Newcastle
Maple Terrace Masonic Hall - this 'hidden gem' dating from 1870 and still used for freemason lodge meetings is offering a guided tour and chance to see inside the Lodge Room with its masonic symbolism, stained glass and ornate furniture.
Alphabetti Theatre - the stage will be taken over with a jam night of drop-in live music.
Assembly House - this venue will be the dramatic setting for the Newcastle College University Centre BA (Hons) Fine Art degree show featuring painting, sculpture, photography and film plus workshops.
Newcastle Castle - the historic venue's cellar will be transformed into a Medieval Tavern with medieval ale, storytelling and medieval music.
Bessie Surtees House - here's a chance to tour private rooms of this Jacobean building on the quayside, which this November will celebrate the 250-year anniversary of Bessie's famous elopement, and to pre-book email Newcastle.Facilities@historicengland.org.uk or call 0191 403 1635. Meanwhile, the public rooms will be open to see a small display of wedding dresses spanning 100 years.
Newcastle Cathedral - the city landmark will be offering Tower tours which open up breathtaking views of the city.
The Hub Studios, Arcadea - an immersive exhibition can be viewed of glowing silk paintings by learning disabled and autistic artists.
Newcastle City Library - expect live music from acoustic roots duo Mambo Jambo plus a silent disco, board games, creative activities, craft beer and food.
Other Newcastle venues taking part on Saturday will be Laing Art Gallery, Farrell Centre, Gallagher & Turner, Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, Hatton Gallery, Dance City, D6: Culture in Transit, Mosaic Tap, Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Newcastle Arts Centre, The Black Swan Venue Bar, Four Quarters, High Bridge Works and Open Studios.
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