Culture Digest 04.07.25
A round up of some arts and culture stories from across the North East which caught our attention this week
A brace of beguiling shows to brighten Baltic
Two new exhibitions open at Gateshead’s Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art this weekend, each inviting visitors to step inside imagined worlds of myth, magic and possibility.
The ground floor gallery space, where art and play often overlap, has been sumptuously transformed by Harold Offeh who was born in Ghana, grew up in London and is based in Cambridge.
He has created what Baltic describe as a ‘sci-fi playscape’ under the title The Mothership Collective 2:0.
Using sound, text and objects, it’s an invitation to visitors of all ages to engage in activities designed to explore what different futures might look like.
Meanwhile, London-based Spanish artist Saelia Aparicio has given the soaring box-like gallery on Level 2 a fairytale vibe which is beguiling and also a little disturbing in places.
Saelia, who uses found and recycled materials, calls her newly commissioned installation A Joyful Parasite. It features hanging light sculptures, floor-mounted structures and intriguing figures painted directly onto the walls.
The exhibitions open at Baltic tomorrow (July 50 and run until February 1, 2026.
Interviews with both artists will be published in the coming days on our website.
North East strikes twice at Broadcast Digital Awards
Two productions from the North East have taken home top honours at the prestigious Broadcast Digital Awards 2025.
Smoggie Queens, a BBC Three comedy series charting the adventures of a tight knit group of friends from the LGBTQIA+ community in Teesside, won Best Comedy.
The Hat Trick production, which is currently filming a second series, was applauded for its combination of both character work and physical comedy, with creator and star, Phil Dunning - who clocked up a trio of BAFTA nominations for the series earlier this year - receiving particular praise from the judges.
In the Short Form Documentary category, Newcastle-based Northern Child took the top spot for I Printed a Gun: Plastic and Deadly, an investigative documentary for Channel 4, examining the rise of 3D-printed firearms.
The Matthew Bourne show they call "silky, sexy, intoxicating"
The North East love affair with Matthew Bourne has endured since his famous production of Swan Lake brought the house down at the Theatre Royal in the 1990s.
It was reaffirmed in April when his reimagining of the ballet, with its flock of male swans, returned on its 30th anniversary tour.
But now comes something different from Bourne’s New Adventures dance company – a foray into the world of Patrick Hamilton whose novels, with names like Hangover Square, recall the pubs of London’s Soho in the inter-war years.
Grammy-nominated country star to play intimate Newton Aycliffe gig
Country singer Jeremy McComb will perform an exclusive, intimate show at Steam Machine Brewing Company in Newton Aycliffe on August 26, as part of a limited three-date UK tour.
The Idaho-born artist, known for his energetic shows and heartfelt lyrics, has toured globally for over two decades - but this will be his first-ever appearance in Newton Aycliffe.
“In the UK, I’m only there for three shows… to play such a great venue, that’s right at the heart of the community, really hits the spot,” said Jeremy.
The event, part of the singer’s Running These Roads tour, follows his last North East show at NX Newcastle, which drew 2,000 fans.
Steam Machine’s Amy Taylor said: “It’s not every day a Grammy-nominated artist plays on an industrial estate in Newton Aycliffe!”
Support comes from British country star Gary Quinn and tickets are available here.
Newcastle Pride and Theatre Royal to host free family celebration
Newcastle Pride has teamed up with Newcastle Theatre Royal to host a free day of celebration for LGBTQIA+ families and young people on Saturday, July 19, just ahead of the annual Pride festival.
The Family & Youth Zone, open from 12pm-4pm inside the Grey Street venue, will feature face painting, storytelling with Bookwrym, a live set from Urban Kaos, and interactive events including an ‘Express Yourself’ workshop and a Lip Sync Battle by Curious Arts.
Stalls from local organisations such as Action for Children, Newcastle Mela, YMCA and ATOMS will also be on hand with support and activities. The day will end with a teen disco hosted by cabaret artist Gloria Love.
Marianne Locatori, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said: “It’s great to be providing a creative space where families can join in on the festivities… there’s something for all members of the family.”
Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, added: “It’s important that Pride is inclusive… and our Family & Youth Zone offers so many exciting ways for families to celebrate in their own way.”
For full details of the Family & Youth Zone programme and lineup for Newcastle Pride, visit www.northern-pride.com.
Go-ahead Blyth prepares to celebrate
Regeneration can be fun is the message from Blyth as the Northumberland town prepares to celebrate with a wide ranging programme of events and attractions.
Blyth Celebrates will burst into life with a launch weekend in August and run into next year with a film festival and a festival of energy.
A busy programme of free events, festivals, performances, activities and creative experiences for all ages is promised – and it’s all part of the wider Energising Blyth initiative.
This is the £95 million regeneration programme designed to bring new jobs and learning opportunities, boost the renewable energy industry, improve transport links and attract visitors.
Turn it up! NE Volume’s 10th Anniversary Gig
NE Volume celebrates its 10th anniversary on July 19 with a day-long gig at its own Music Bar in Stockton. Born as a free monthly magazine, the platform has grown into a hub for North East music and culture, adding a live venue in 2020.
The gig reflects its DIY ethos and support for grassroots talent, with a lineup including George Bailey and The Callows, SHDE, James Leonard Hewitson, Aidan Feners, Sky Parker, Jake Diaz and Glad Town Ghost. Music starts at 2pm. Tickets are £8 from nevolumebar.co.uk
Fish quay in the frame
Away from his main work as a wedding photographer, Pete Robinson pursues a rather different line in capturing pictures.
For the last 10 years he has also taken around 10,000 photographs which explore life at sea and on land of the North Shields fishing industry.
Pete, who lives in Cullercoats, takes to the boats at a quiet time for weddings from January to March, which also happens to coincide with the North Shields prawn fishing season.
He also documents the shore-based aspects of the fishing community, from fish markets to fishmongers.
Now a selection of his fishing pictures haul is going on show at North Shields Fish Quay as part of the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
Newcastle gears up for free fun times in the sunshine
Newcastle’s Quayside is transforming into a giant playground for all ages, as NE1’s Summer in the City returns with a packed lineup featuring more than 75 free events.
Whether you're into yoga, kayaking, storytelling or cake decorating, there’s a decent chance you’ll find something in the programme to get you excited.
Now a staple of the city’s summer scene, the programme has been running since 2021, offering six weeks of fun during the school holidays. And it’s all completely free.
You could find yourself doing downward dog with a view of the Millennium Bridge, trying your hand at a ukulele in a kids' music session, or joining a guided tour to uncover Newcastle’s dark medieval past.
Why the future looks bright for historic Tyne Theatre
The 1867 Café Bar on Westgate Road is back in business after a recent break-in, resuming its role as the new and welcoming face of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House - and the place where you can buy tickets.
This unfortunate blip – not the first in its chequered history – doesn’t mean things aren’t looking up for the Grade I-listed Victorian theatre.
Ambitious plans are afoot to secure its long-term future and make it a community resource not just in the evenings but throughout the day.
Crucially it’s at the heart of Creative Central NCL, the creative zone funded by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and Newcastle City Council where culture is seen as the means to economic regeneration.
My Austen sequel and a tiger who came to dinner
What better time to publish a sequel to Pride and Prejudice than during this anniversary year with Jane Austen fans worldwide marking 250 years since the author’s birth?
The timing, explains Irene Waters, owes more to luck than planning. Had it not been for Covid, her Letters from Lydia might have pre-dated the anniversary.
But the book’s out now, described on the back as “a fascinating sequel to Lydia’s story”, merging fiction with fact and “perfect for Austen fans and readers who enjoy historical fiction”.
Liberally illustrated, it juxtaposes Lydia’s imagined letters home with author’s notes giving context to her references to trips, new acquaintances and society balls in 18th Century Newcastle.
Footie-loving fashion student kicks off career in style
Newcastle United fan Liv Ashton’s passion for fashion and football has proved a winner.
Her longstanding love of football strips features in her collection which earned a highly commended award in Northumbria University’s Graduate Fashion Week.
Football jerseys acquired from a North Shields charity shop were transformed into a poncho by Liv, 23, who graduates in fashion later this month.
She also used football scarves to create a jacket in her ‘Giz a Fiver’ collection, which was included in the Northumbria Catwalk event held in London.
Exhibition celebrates 60 years of the Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is 60 years old – or it was, to be absolutely precise, on April 24. It would be older if the long campaign for such a trail by journalist and inveterate rambler Tom Stephenson hadn’t borne fruit earlier.
Franz Ferdinand frontman celebrates Sunderland’s rising music scene
Lead singer of Franz Ferdinand, Alex Kapranos has praised Sunderland’s growing musical energy after a sold-out homecoming gig last month.
Part of the Sunderland Year of Music 2025–2026, fans from across the UK and beyond packed The Fire Station to see the band perform ahead of their slot at Glastonbury.
Alex, who spent part of his childhood in Sunderland, said: “What a great venue The Fire Station is… the atmosphere is very good, and the sound is remarkable. I just had a bloody good time. I loved it. Very happy to be back home.”
Local band bigfatbig, personally selected by Franz Ferdinand, opened the night. Frankie Francis, Sunderland Music City’s music officer, said: “The gig really helped to reaffirm Sunderland as a Music City… Franz Ferdinand are an incredible live band.”
The show followed Emeli Sandé’s headline set which marked the official launch of the Year of Music, itself a celebration of Sunderland's global Music City status, awarded in January 2025.
More than 500 events are planned across the year. For updates, visit musiccity.uk/year-of-music.
Green light for North East corridors of nature
Three Green Corridors will connect urban populations in the North East with nature, history and culture in the first project of its kind in the UK.
Exhibition tells stories of quiet strength
A powerful new exhibition at Arts Centre Washington is shining a light on the often-unheard voices of South Asian women.
Where Were You Last Summer?, created by artists Padma Rao and Sehr Jalil, explores resilience, protest and identity in the wake of last August’s unrest.
Blending personal stories with visual art and archival material, the exhibition brings together deeply emotional narratives of women who have endured and resisted violence - often in quiet, everyday ways.