One of the biggest events in Newcastle and Gateshead’s cultural calendars, The Late Shows returns for its 16th year on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May.
The free after-hours culture crawl will feature over 60 music and performance venues, art studios, galleries and museums hosting fun and intriguing events.
The programme features the addition of five new artist commissions: The Common Room will be transformed by multimedia artist Emma Tominey’s augmented reality art trail, where historical figures come to life. Artist Theresa Poulton celebrates the African American choreographer and activist Pearl Primus with a large-scale installation at Dance City. Delve into Blackfriars’ past through micro-poetry performances by Dearest Haley and The Ballad of Blackfriars, an immersive video-ballad by Tim Dalling, Jeremy Bradfield, and Faye MacCalman. And digital artists Multiminded, with illustrator Deborah Snell, use projection mapping to animate the Grainger Market, imagining what happens when everyone has gone home.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved for adults and children alike. Let loose at the Great North Museum: Hancock with giant inflatables or dive into a world of light at the Discovery Museum, with a thrilling game of Laser Tag and other illuminating activities. Learn about celestial navigation while creating art inspired by the new exhibition Turner: Art, Industry and Nostalgia at Laing Art Gallery.
The Biscuit Factory invites you to ROOTED, featuring a pop-up eco-bookshop, live painting, a photography exhibition, a sustainable clothing pop-up, and artist Laura Pedley’s solo show. There is also a chance to support Music v Cancer at Flea Circus with live music, DJ sets, and a chance to own signed art prints by resident artist Dan McBean (Mr Watson Design).
The fun continues in Gateshead as Shipley Art Gallery will host a night of crafting, live music, and takeaway art creation led by Gateshead creatives.
Explore the historic structure of Dunston Staiths, enjoy panoramic Tyne views, and attend heritage talks at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. ‘People and Place’ is a thematic exhibition that brings together creative work by students from Gateshead College, Newcastle University, and Northumbria University alongside artists drawn from Orbis Community (High Street) and (West Street) and those working with Vane Gallery. Or why not Get creative with printmaking, embroidery, and badge-making workshops at Gateshead Riverside Partnership and enjoy live music afterwards?
For further information, head to lateshows.org.uk.
