Culture Digest 27.03.26
A weekly round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention
Brass at 20 - annual festival to mark milestone anniversary in signature style
Durham Brass Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary this summer with a characteristically wide-ranging programme.
From Nirvana-inspired chaos to cinematic brass, venues across County Durham will be playing their part in marking two decades of stretching what “brass” can mean.
Returning from July 12 to 19, this year’s line-up leans fully into that spirit.
Sam Fender prompts £100k boost for grass roots music in the North East
North Shields singer songwriter Sam Fender has donated £50,000 to Youth Music, with the total rising to £100,000 through match funding for projects supporting young people in the North East.
The donation, from ticket sales on his People Watching Tour, will contribute to Youth Music’s Rescue the Roots campaign, a £2 million drive to protect grassroots youth music across the UK.
Sam, who was previously supported by regional music agency Generator early in his career, said: “I’m proud to support Youth Music and their ‘Rescue the Roots’ campaign. Help for young people in The Arts is scarce - projects like these are so important.”
The funding aims to tackle regional inequalities, with Youth Music’s research showing fewer opportunities and lower confidence among young people in the north compared to the south.
Carol Reid, Interim co-CEO of Youth Music, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Sam for choosing to support Youth Music and young people in the North East.
“Music can change young people’s lives, but too many still face barriers to accessing it, just because of where they live. This crucial funding will help ensure opportunity isn’t dictated by postcode.”
Sunday for Sammy launches new funding round
Applications are about to open for a new round of grants supporting emerging performers across the North East.
The Sunday for Sammy Trust will begin accepting applications from March 30, offering financial support to young artists and help cover expenses such as training, specialist equipment and travel costs.
Open to those aged 16 and over who are from or living in the region, the scheme aims to remove barriers and nurture the next generation of creative talent.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an audition and informal interview with trustees on May 17 at Gateshead College, with the application window closing on April 24.
Lindisfarne drummer Ray Laidlaw, who is the longtime producer of the Sunday for Sammy fundraising concerts, said: “We are passionate about nurturing emerging talent from the North East and helping young performers overcome financial barriers.
“We encourage anyone with ambition and dedication to apply. This really could be the first step of an amazing career for someone from our region.”
TV drama is all wrapped up
The last shots have been filmed for Forever Home, the six-part drama for Channel 5 based on the novel by Graham Norton, which has been filmed in Northumberland.
Backed by the North East Production Fund and co-produced by FilmNation Entertainment (executive producer is North Easterner, Kirstie Macdonald) and The Mediapro Studio, the series is set to bring a darkly comic story of marriage, memory and buried secrets to screens later this year.
The production features a strong regional presence, with North East actors Kevin Whately, Denise Welch and James Baxter among the cast, alongside Amy Nuttall, Douglas Henshall and Samantha Bond.
Sharing her experience online, Denise said: “The North East will always be my Forever Home so to make a series there with this title was the perfect job for me. Filmed in beautiful Northumberland surrounded by Geordies was as good as it gets. Cast and crew, none of us wanted it to end. I hope you’ll enjoy what we created as we’re very proud of it.”
Groundbreaking show aims to heal division
A new immersive theatre experience combining virtual reality and live performance is set to explore the impact of last year’s unrest in Sunderland - and ask how a divided city can begin to heal.
The production, 3.1, has been created by Southpaw Company as part of Sunderland: Our Home, a wider initiative led by The Cultural Spring following the disorder that unfolded in August 2024.
Rather than offering a single narrative of events, the show will place audiences inside four different perspectives, each shaped by conversations with people across the city. Using virtual reality headsets alongside live performers, digital environments will be blended with theatre to create an experience that is as much about reflection as it is about storytelling.
For artistic director Robby Graham, the aim is not to provide answers, but to encourage audiences to question their own assumptions.
“We’re not interested in pointing fingers,” he says. “The piece asks how people arrive at their beliefs, how quickly we judge one another, and what happens when frustration turns into action. It also asks whether repair - personal and collective - is possible.”
Could you invent something to spread happiness?
A new project is inviting people across Wearside to unleash their imaginations - all in the pursuit of spreading happiness.
This might just be the news we’ve all been needing.
Launching in Sunderland and South Tyneside, JoyLab is calling on residents of all ages to answer one simple question: what could you invent to bring a moment of joy to someone’s day?
Participants are encouraged to draw and describe their ideas before submitting them via the project’s website. Every entry will be showcased online, with each inventor receiving a personalised response.
From the submissions, a panel made up of community representatives and creative experts will select 10 standout ideas to be brought to life. These inventions will then feature in two public exhibitions set to take place in Sunderland and South Tyneside in summer 2026.
The project is open to everyone – from children and families to community groups, schools and older residents – with a submission deadline of May 17.
Cherry Blossoms start to bloom in Alnwick
The first signs of spring have arrived at The Alnwick Garden, as buds begin to bloom in its renowned Cherry Orchard, marking the start of its annual Blossom Watch.
Home to the world’s largest collection of Tai-haku cherry trees, the orchard will transform into a canopy of white blossoms, expected to peak for around two weeks from mid-April.
Visitors who want to choose the perfect time to visit can track the progress of the blossom via The Garden’s live Blossom Watch webcam.
Here comes the bridal wear
A new exhibition exploring bridal fashion through the decades is set to open at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens this weekend (March 28).
150 Years of Wedding Dresses features more than 90 gowns displayed throughout the house and chapels, highlighting changing styles, materials and craftsmanship across generations.
Curated by designer and collector Kevin Thornhill, the showcase includes many dresses never before seen at Ushaw, alongside designs from names such as Bellville Sassoon and Oleg Cassini.
Andrew Heard, visitor programmes manager at Ushaw, said: “Following the incredible success of the exhibition in 2024, we’re delighted to bring historical and modern bridal fashion back for our visitors to enjoy once again.”
Running until August 31, the exhibition is included with general admission and open daily.
Writers prepare for Tees Valley event
New Writing North’s annual Writing Conference will take place in the Tees Valley in May, bringing together writers of all levels for a day of learning, networking and inspiration.
The event on May 17 will feature panel discussions, practical workshops and breakout sessions aimed at developing craft and offering insight into the publishing industry.
Tickets go on sale next week. Keep your eyes on the website for more details.