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OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE BEST EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE REGION THIS WEEK…
Image: Lost Lot
Every week we pull together some of the best events taking place across the region, from music and theatre, to comedy, art and film. Read more on these, and other events, in the latest issue of NARC. magazine in print and online.
STAGE
Triple Bill: Everywhere at Newcastle’s Live Theatre is a trio of brand-new short plays from emerging British African heritage writers that promises a journey like no other—taking audiences from a futuristic maternity ward to an escape room and beyond. Produced by award-winning company tiata fahodzi and directed by Roy Alexander Weise MBE, the plays tackle big socio-political themes, digging into discrimination in fresh, thought-provoking ways.
Wednesday 2nd April @ Live Theatre, Newcastle
ART & LIT
Collective Pulse: Art In Action
Pink-collar Gallery is to present a series of exhibitions up until July, with 16 artists creating works inspired by a range of themes. This month’s theme is environment, and showcases work by Kasia Parker, Kerry Lowes, Stephanie Pau and Dean Turnbull. Runs until 5th May.
Thursday 3rd April @ Hills Arts Centre, Sunderland
ART & LIT
Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery is hosting Division, an exhibition blending works from their collection with pieces by four contemporary artists. Opening on 28th March and running until 7th May, it dives into themes of division through some seriously creative perspectives. Featuring work from Anthony Fry, Yan Wạng Preston, and Vassily Kandinsky, it’s curated by the MA students and totally free to check out. Swing by Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm!
Until 7th May @ Hatton Gallery, Newcastle
MUSIC
Police Dog Hogan hit Hutton Rudby Village Hall on April 3rd for what promises to be an unmissable gig. Known for their blend of humor, heartfelt lyrics, and top-tier musicianship, the band has built a cult following through festival slots at Glastonbury and Cropredy, alongside sold-out shows at iconic venues like Shepherds Bush Empire.
Their new album, recorded in just three days with vintage pre-1971 tech, mixes live favorites like Old Guitar with fresh tracks such as Lightning Strike. Expect a night packed with pathos, energy, and unforgettable songs
Thursday 3rd April @ The Ship Isis, Sunderland
STAGE
Newcastle based surrealist duo Pelican Theatre bring their debut full length production -Kylie Jenner’s Private Jet -to Dance City on Thursday 3rd April. Combining movement, comedy and theatre, the show explores all of the complex emotions surrounding the climate crisis: guilt, powerlessness, frustration, and dread: and it does it all through a sharp, darkly humorous lens.Set against the backdrop of Gen-Z’s climate anxiety, Kylie Jenner’s Private Jet asks how we’re supposed to face the overwhelming reality of environmental collapse while being told it’s all our fault. The show delves into the contradictions and irrational decisions we make under pressure, using dry humour to balance the bleakness and keep despair at bay.What power do we really have as individuals when celebrities and corporations contribute to environmental damage on an entirely different scale? Pelican Theatre navigates this uneasy question with a surrealist approach, blending inventive movement and biting humour to examine the futility -and occasional absurdity – of personal responsibility in a broken system.
Thursday 3rd April @ Dance City, Newcastle
Kylie Jenner’s Private Jet by Joe Haydon
MUSIC
The inimitable indie folk rock pioneers headline Sunderland for the first time at the cosy Ship Isis. Their personal and cleverly crafted songs will be introduced by two equally remarkable supporting talents – Welsh folk legend Ruby Kelly and incredible soft folk power duo watersmeet. A night for fans of folk and great songwriting!
Friday 4th April @ The Ship Isis, Sunderland
MUSIC
Kamasi Washington is something of a quiet titan. Many were first introduced to the saxophonist through his compositions on Kendrick Lamar’s exalted TPAB that rolled out the red carpet for his appropriately titled debut The Epic (featuring an astonishing rendition ofClaire de Lune),and he hasn’t stopped impressing since. His performances exist midway between a plainchant and the boxing ring, and his most recent work, Fearless Movement, features full-bodied funk and hip-hop, decked in colourful collaborations with the likes of George Clinton and Andre 3000. Still, he often permits himself to completely undo his own meticulous weavings with powerful wails and riffs, putting him at the very forefront of artists still engaged in the brisk winds of play. While contemporaries might spar through contrail clouds, Washington seems to mount a hoof-angled renaissance with an entire round-table of precisely loosened musicians. His is big, big, band breath, somehow a decorated gong that never loses its fighting talk, and jazz that promises to be so pulse racing live when it’s performed at The Glasshouse on Saturday 5th April.
Saturday 5th April @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead
CULTURE
North East-based charity Curious Arts champion and develop LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and communities and are hosting a fundraiser to help pay the rent for the charity’s headquarters. Fundraising through a series of elaborate events, audiences can enjoy a dazzling Catwalk Extravaganza at Alphabetti Theatre on Friday 4th April, and a fabulous brunch at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 5th April.The catwalk extravaganza in Newcastle promises to be a joyful and jam packed evening of fundraising hosted by ‘fully qualified therapist disguised as a drag queen’ Niche Lorraine. With special guests, games and a Catwalk Extravaganza judged by Ghetto Fabulous, they are truly going all out to help continue their work to support the queer community within the North East. On the same weekend, Curious Arts and Pride In Tees Valley join hands to present Brunched Up In Boro! Join Niche Lorraine, Skankii Kandl and Monarchy for the brunch of a lifetime, where the queens will serve you a healthy portion of cabaret, lip syncs and games, whilst special guest Ghetto Fabulous serve up a feast of fashion and dance.
Friday 4th April @ Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle & Saturday 5th April @ Middlesbrough Town Hall
Image: Curious Arts Events – Niche Lorraine
