Culture Digest 23.05.25
Our regular round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention over the past seven days
Future of North East music festivals in doubt as ticket holders await clarity
Uncertainty surrounds the future of several major North East music festivals this summer, as organisers of Lindisfarne Festival (Aug 28-31), Northern Kin (Aug 1-3), Kubix (July 12) and Monument Festival (July 19) have yet to confirm whether the events will go ahead.
It seems all four festivals are now in doubt, with growing concern among ticket holders and performers.
A statement from organisers issued this week across each of the events’ social media channels reads: “We are aware of growing speculation regarding the status of this year’s festival... discussions are ongoing behind the scenes. We hope to share more concrete information very soon.”
Ticket holders are advised to keep an eye on the respective social media accounts for updates.
Lineup for Summer Streets unveiled
In better North East music festival news, organisers of the much-loved FREE two-day Sunderland event, Summer Streets have revealed the 2025 lineup.
Taking place on July 5 and 6, a crowd of acts are peppering the poster, including Smoove and Turrell, Martin Stephenson and the Daintees, Lizzie Esau, Paul Smith, The Cornshed Sisters, Kema Kay, Nadedja, Nev Clay and Royal Northern Sinfonia.
There will also be stages for BBC Introducing and Northern Academy of Music Education as well as silent discos, music workshops and loads more. Full details and updates via the website.
Mik's Coal Town photos on permanent display at Woodhorn
A little bird tells me the new permanent exhibition dedicated to Mik Critchlow’s Coal Town photographs is going to be a Woodhorn attraction on a par with the famous Pitmen Painters collection – worth a visit all on its own.
Knife Angel to bring powerful message to County Durham
The striking 27ft Knife Angel sculpture, created by artist Alfie Bradley will arrive in Newton Aycliffe on June 1 - its first visit to County Durham.
Created using more than 100,000 seized and surrendered blades, the artwork aims to inspire change and highlight the devastating impact of knife crime. Its arrival coincides with a month-long blade surrender scheme launched by Durham Police.
Lightbox attraction marks special anniversary
It opened with the millennium and now the Life Science Centre in Newcastle, known just as Life, is celebrating its 25th birthday with a new exhibition exploring light, colour and sound.
Lightbox, a £1.5 million attraction two years in the making, features 14 interactive exhibits created by celebrated artists and designers. One of the most eye-catching is String Wave, a sculpture created by kinetic artist Paul Friedlander who trained as a physicist and is credited with inventing a technique called chromastrobic light (light that changes colour super-fast). This is his largest permanent UK installation.
Chief executive Linda Conlon said it was “fantastic to be celebrating 25 years of Life and to do so in style with the opening of Lightbox.”
She added that the people of the North East had shown great support over the years, ensuring an average annual attendance of 250,000.
As a thank you, entry prices are being reduced by 25% during the May half term holiday (May 24 until June 1). Find details on the Life website.
Look out for a full report from Life’s 25th birthday celebration in the coming days.
Endangered Newcastle baths named among UK’s top ten at-risk buildings
A listed “time capsule” building which offers an insight into Tyneside life more than a century ago has been placed on a national endangered Top Ten list.
Forum Cinema fundraiser success
An Art Deco cinema has staged thousands of shows in its 88-year history.
But the latest show – of support – has delighted the Forum community cinema in Hexham in Northumberland.
A six-week Lights! Curtains! Action! fundraising campaign run by the Forum Cinema Supporters Association has exceeded its original target of £25,000 to restore, repair or replace time-worn wall drapes and lights, and the screen curtain. within the auditorium.
REVIEW: Mother Courage and her Children, Horden, County Durham
What a journey Lee Hall’s been on, I was thinking: all the way from Easington Colliery, where the roots of Billy Elliot lie deep, to Horden where he was bull…
Northumberland bookshop shortlisted for world’s most beautiful bookstore
Barter Books in Alnwick has been shortlisted for the title of ‘Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World’ in the prestigious 1000 Libraries Awards 2025.
The much-loved second-hand bookshop, housed in the town’s historic railway station, is known for its cosy open fires, vintage model trains and vast collection of books.
The international awards celebrate unique and visually stunning bookstores and libraries around the globe, with winners announced this summer. Voting is open now.
Lulu books a date at The Glasshouse
Weh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eul! Music legend, Lulu is promising an intimate evening of songs and stories on Tyneside later this year, to mark the release of her knew memoir, If Only You Knew.
Eurovision, Bowie, The Beatles and The BeeGees are all likely to feature, as will live performances and exclusive photographs and footage from the 76-year-old’s archive.
Tickets are on sale for the evening on October 9. Visit The Glasshouse website for more details and bookings.
Textile artist Louise finally goes solo with pop-up show
Louise Goult wasn’t allowed to study textiles at school but she now styles herself textile artist, educator and community arts practitioner.
Heritage Lottery grant green lights new excavation effort
Excavations are to resume at one of Tyneside’ most historic sites.
The monastery at Jarrow was one of Europe's most influential centres of learning and culture in the Seventh century and home to the Venerable Bede, who is buried in Durham Cathedral.
From 1959 to 1978, Durham University’s Anglo-Saxon expert Professor Rosemary Cramp excavated at the twin monastery site of Jarrow-Wearmouth, with another dig taking place in 1984.
The team discovered remains of the Seventh and Eighth-century building at Jarrow, which are under the care of English Heritage.
Now Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum has been awarded £249,188 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to open excavations in Drewett’s Park adjacent to St Paul’s Church.
Bench honours couple’s century of service to Northumberland National Park
A couple who together devoted 100 years of voluntary service to Northumberland National Park have been remembered at their favourite viewpoint.
Late Shows launch for arts centre Crowdfunder
Hundreds of people annually head for Newcastle Arts Centre for The Late Shows which made it the ideal platform for launching a Crowdfunder appeal.
So says Mike Tilley who began fashioning the arts centre from a mish-mash of derelict historic buildings on Westgate Road back in 1981 and for whom it has been a labour of love and a constant challenge to ingenuity.
Now the aim is to raise £33,000 to enhance its currently limited disabled access. Newcastle Arts Centre Trust, established as a charity in 1989, plans to use the money raised to install a two-stop platform in The Black Swan, between its entrance foyer and the bar.
Northern Chords festival returns with a winsome threesome
Classical musicians at the top of their game will descend on Tyneside in June to perform in churches and an art gallery – and all because of one man’s wish to say thank you.
Another awards nod for Smoggie Queens
North East comedy Smoggie Queens has been shortlisted for Best Comedy Programme at the 2025 Broadcast Digital Awards, due to be held at the beginning of July.
The BBC Three series, created by and starring Middlesbrough’s Phil Dunning in a cast which also includes Mark Benton, Alexandra Mardell, Elijah Young and Patsy Lowe, follows a group of LGBTQ+ friends navigating life and love on Teesside.
Since its debut at the end of last year, the show has earned widespread acclaim, including three BAFTA nominations and a win at the North East Royal Television Society Awards.
Produced by Hat Trick Productions and supported by the North East Production Fund, the cast are set to begin filming the second series in June.
Festival aims to unearth and nurture bold new North East voices
Having launched earlier this week (May 20), Unearthed Festival at Newcastle’s Live Theatre is already setting its stall out as an important platform for fresh voices and bold storytelling.
Deadline extended for women’s playwriting prize
Laurels Theatre has announced a month-long extension for entries to the inaugural Rose Fisher Award for Writing.
Open to female and female-identifying writers who are aged 30 years and older, the winner will be awarded a £2,000 cash prize and will also be offered a fully supported performance run of the winning script.
Entries should comprise a completed script - and the deadline is now July 31 - so if you thought you didn’t have time - you have now!
For more information, email Alison Stanley at Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay via alison@laurelswhitley.co.uk