Culture Digest 01.08.25
A round up of some arts and culture stories from across the North East which caught our attention this week
Dave Stewart brings Dylan-inspired homecoming gig to Sunderland
Dave Stewart is heading back home this autumn for a one-off UK live show at The Fire Station in Sunderland on September 5 - performing songs from his acclaimed new album Dave Does Dylan.
The album, a personal tribute to Stewart’s longtime friend Bob Dylan, features acoustic reinterpretations of Dylan’s most iconic tracks, stripped back and reimagined in Stewart’s unmistakable style.
An intimate love letter to one of music’s most revered songwriters, the project was recorded entirely on Stewart’s iPhone and released with minimal studio intervention.
Originally released as a limited-edition vinyl for Record Store Day in April this year, the collection has now been reissued digitally and on a second vinyl pressing.
***Extra date added - September 7***
Call out to be part of Berwick sound artwork in 2026
In Berwick-upon-Tweed, where extraordinary things happen in the arts, they’re looking ahead and asking all-comers: “Would you like to be part of an exciting SoundScape planned for 2026?”
The aim is to record people from Berwick and the surrounding villages talking about contemporary spiritual life.
It’s another chance for people to participate, as they did with Berwick Parade, Matthew Rosier’s projection artwork which drew big crowds to Berwick Barracks earlier this year.
The artist behind this new project is Gareth Hudson who will be working with his frequent collaborator, sound recordist Toby Thirling, to create this aural artwork scheduled to go public early next year.
FLOCK to take flight in Newcastle
A new piece of theatre piece created by young people from across the North East will premiere later this month (August) in two public locations in Newcastle city centre.
FLOCK, directed by Rosie Bowden and produced under her company Rosy Cheek, brings together original music, movement and spoken word to explore the idea of staying or leaving the North East - and what it means to belong.
The 45-minute performance is free to attend and takes place in the Grainger Market on August 30 and at Leazes Park bandstand on August 31. Both performances are at 4pm.
Drama school bootcamp aims to give North East performing arts students a break
A new programme aimed at helping aspiring North East actors get into top drama schools is launching in Newcastle this summer.
Breaking in: The Drama School Intensive will run from Monday 4 to Friday 8 August 2025 and is designed to prepare young people for the notoriously competitive audition process. The week-long training course will be led by experienced facilitators and theatre professionals, and is the brainchild of Teesside-born actor Sol Taibi.
Sol, a graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, said: “There is a huge lack of opportunities like this in the North East of England.”
Festival of Thrift set for 2025 return
Billingham will once again host the Festival of Thrift this September, with organisers promising a packed weekend of free performances, workshops and pop-up events designed to inspire sustainable living.
The two-day festival takes place on September 20-21 across Billingham Town Centre and John Whitehead Park, with over 90 traders, 17 live installations, and a full programme of family-friendly creative activities. This year’s edition includes ten North East premieres and a host of new commissions.
Slow Fashion Alley returns, with highlights including life is short. buy that dress, a vibrant theatre piece about fast fashion, and Pan~// Catwalk, which playfully challenges how we judge people based on their clothes.
Wayne Hemingway will host the ever-popular Best in Show, awarding rosettes for the most stylish thrifters.
In John Whitehead Park, visitors can explore nature-themed installations and live performances, from circus feats with bamboo scaffolding (BAMBOO by NoFit State), to birdwatching-inspired storytelling (The Hide) and climate-conscious puppetry in Like a Tree.
Co-creative directors Dominic Somers and Tanya Steinhauser said this year’s festival “brings people together in joyful encounters… through the work of artists, performers and hands-on workshops we can all enjoy and explore imaginative ways to live well and more sustainably.”
Seaham prepares for top chefs and street food take over
Seaham Food Festival is back this weekend, promising two days of delicious food, live music, and famous faces on the County Durham coast.
Taking place at the weekend (August 2 and 3), the free event will see more than 100 traders offering everything from gourmet cupcakes to global street food.
There’s also a packed programme of crafts, comedy and cookery demos.
The open-air cookery theatre will be hosted by TV presenter Chris Bavin. Saturday’s guests include Dean Edwards, Chris Baber and Bake Off’s Nelly Ghaffar, while Sunday welcomes chocolatier Paul A Young, Bake Off winner Georgie Grasso, and MasterChef’s Ping Coombes.
Cllr Lyndsey Fox said: “We’re all set for two days of fantastic food and entertainment… events like this create a sense of togetherness.”
Park and ride is a great way to get to the event - buses run from 9.30am. For full travel details, visit the website.
Something in the Water sequel booked for 2026
Joe McElderry’s fundraising show, Something in the Water will return to the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in June 2026, following a successful debut earlier this year.
The one-off production in May, which welcomed a flurry of North East stars to the stage for a mixing bowl of music and comedy raised more than £28,000, which was split equally between the Theatre Royal’s youth programme for 16–20-year-olds (TRY) and North East Music Opportunities (NEMO).
Lorraine Crosby, Rosie Ramsey, Carl Hutchinson, Danny Adams, and host Steph McGovern all gave their time and talents for the show, which was co-produced by McElderry and Michael Lavery, who also fronts the event’s soul-soaked house band, Groovetrain.
Now the South Shields singer - and the venue’s long-time panto favourite - has announced a 2026 date.
“Bringing Something in the Water back to the Theatre Royal feels like coming home,” said Joe. “It’s such a special show, rooted in the heart and humour of the North East, and I’m proud to see it grow here.
“Supporting and developing young talent from our region is so important - our communities are full of incredible voices and stories, and they deserve to be heard on the biggest stages.”
Two shows - a matinee and evening performance - will take place on June 28. Tickets are on sale now from the Theatre Royal website.