SEPTEMBER PREVIEWS

MUSIC

CAMERON SCOTT RELEASES THE LAST LAUGH EP

Words: Beverley Knight

Recent times have generated reflection of one’s self. A great many have taken a different direction and approach to their lives, and this can certainly be said for the arts. Musician Cameron Scott has had the time to allow the work of Thom Yorke, The Blue Nile, Brian Eno and a dash of Kraftwerk shroud him during isolation. His go-to creatively is usually indie rock, but suddenly he found himself like a moth to a flame, drawn towards ambient pieces bordering on the electronic side.

“During isolation, the luxury to work in my mini home-made studio helped me focus my time and not go too stir crazy with boredom. In the past month, I ended up with three tracks, which I consider the peak of my creativity during lockdown, and two of them I decided to fit some lyrics around that complimented their aura.” He explains.

Final Boss Round is bizarrely fun, creating a sci-fi language with a hint of medieval atmosphere, topped with a chilling laugh to end. In The Good Times, we strongly hear the Eno influence, with the song shifting velocity when the organ-backed lyrics hit, and Watch Me Smile As I Cut You Off is a moodier song with the repetition of the profound title. The trio of songs are an eclectic bunch, which provides an interesting documentation of Scott’s lockdown experiences.

Cameron Scott releases The Last Laugh EP on 4th September www.facebook.com/cameronkscott

MUSIC

SOCIALLY DISTANCED SUPPER CLUB: THE LAKE POETS @ WYLAM BREWERY

Words: Jonathan Coll

The region’s adaptation to the new normal continues with a truly unique occasion at Newcastle’s Exhibition Park on Friday 11th September. The North East has so far led the way and helped to pioneer the socially distant gigging experience, but Wylam Brewery’s Socially Distanced Supper Club is the absolute antithesis of the arena-sized mega gigs down the road in Gosforth.

Having already showcased funk maestros Smoove & Turrell at an August show, their next event features Sunderland favourite, The Lake Poets. The moniker of Sunderland’s Marty Longstaff, a multi-instrumentalist who has become known for his emotive music and goosebump-inducing voice, Marty also recently found notoriety for his song Shipyards which hit the mainstream as the soundtrack to Netflix series Sunderland Til I Die.

Ticketing will be done by table rather than by general admission, and as the title of the show suggests, food is included in the price of the ticket (so don’t be alarmed when we tell you a table for two will set you back £66). The venue will be operating at under 20% of its licensed capacity, making for an intimate and exclusive event.

The Lake Poets perform at Wylam Brewery, Newcastle on Friday 11th September www.wylambrewery.co.uk

STAGE

ON THE LINE FESTIVAL

Words: Claire Dupree

As with the rest of society, the academic world has had a pretty rough time of late. The Class of 2020 will have much to remember this year for, but many are determined to put their newfound knowledge and skills into practice, no matter the situation. We’ve seen a series of successful and engaging virtual final shows from art students over the last couple of months, and now Northumbria University’s Theatre and Performance Arts MA students are getting in on the act, staging a new online festival called On The Line, taking place from Wednesday 23rd-Friday 25th September.

Taking the form of a bite-sized programme of contemporary theatre, performance art, multisensory installations, audio experiments and talks, taking their final projects online will enable a wider audience to access the work, and with a diverse range of themes and provocations, it’ll be an essential look into the new generation of theatre makers. Highlights include Rebecca Johnston’s spoken word piece Their Words Not Mine, which explores the Black Lives Matter movement and its relation to LGBTQ+ culture and white privilege; Daniel Dryden’s film Centre Stage is a cabaret-style love letter to amateur musical theatre; John Scott’s film Towers uses multiple characters, text and images to examine social justice; Isabell Dawson’s audio experience delves into prison life, while Kyla Dean’s short film showcases a collection of stories exploring the lies we tell, hide and hear.

A series of live panels and talks will discuss the theatre making process throughout the festival, providing additional valuable insight.

On The Line festival takes place from Wednesday 23rd-Friday 25th September via their website www.onthelinefestival.co.uk

Imran Perretta, at BALTIC

ART & LIT

EXHIBITIONS @ BALTIC

Words: Claire Dupree

Having reopened their doors in early August, Gateshead’s contemporary art gallery BALTIC welcome back two exciting exhibitions; Imran Perretta’s film, the destructors, and Abel Rodriguez’s beautifully detailed paintings.

Perretta’s film, which re-opens on Monday 31st August, explores ideas of state power, identity and biopolitics, all topics which are in the minds of many right now as we lurch towards Brexit at a rate of knots. the destructors (lowercase intentional) draws on Perretta’s own heritage as a young Bangladeshi growing up in the Tower Hamlets community; informed by conversations with young Muslim men, Perretta’s incisive piece looks deeper at the complexities of coming of age as a young British Muslim man in the UK.

Abel Rodriguez’ detailed paintings and drawings draw on the artist’s heritage and ancestral knowledge of the Colombian Amazon. An elder from the Nonuya ethnic group, Rodriguez and his family were ousted from their rainforest home in the 1990s due to armed conflict and the exploitation of natural resources. His artwork depicts in minute detail the fragile ecosystem of the rainforest; serving to preserve his memories of the region and display his ancestral knowledge, which has become highly prized by botanists.

Free tickets for both shows are available from the gallery’s website, and visitors are required to book in advance. www.baltic.art

COMEDY

CARL HUTCHINSON @ MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL

Words: Jonathan Coll

Stand-up comedy returns to Middlesbrough Town Hall, as Carl Hutchinson performs a socially distant live show on Saturday 19th September. It’s part of an extensive, countrywide tour for the Jarrow-born comedian, as venues continue to adapt to the latest guidelines.

Carl is well known on the North East comedy circuit, having made his name at The Stand in Newcastle, performing his own material and as compere at the venue’s open mic nights. His affable manner, charisma and storytelling style would lead him to prime time spots on Comedy Central UK, and on stage at some of the country’s biggest comedy venues supporting the likes of Chris Ramsay and WWE legend Mick Foley.

Comedy venues have found themselves in a fairly difficult position of late, as performers often thrive with an engaged crowd in an intimate setting. Tickets for this show will be limited so social distancing rules can be taken into account, so snap one up now and keep an eye on the venue’s website for future show announcements.

Carl Hutchinson performs at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 19th September www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

bigfatbig by Ryan Young

MUSIC

BIGFATBIG RELEASE NEW SINGLE, MILK AND VINEGAR

Words: Laura Doyle

Peanut butter and jelly, sweet and sour, milk and…vinegar? The best combinations sometimes don’t sound right. We might have to put a bit of blind faith in bigfatbig for this one, though. (Sidebar – milk and coke is a surprisingly legit duo.)

The North East all-girl trio’s new single doesn’t seem from its title to be especially tantalising, but thankfully its meaning is a delightful metaphor for those hardy friendships that spring from the unlikeliest of places. Unlikely combos stretch to bigfatbig’s sound too; you wouldn’t expect jangly pop vocals to go so well with punky riffs. I haven’t seen such fun, nonsensical but well-meaning pop rock since The Bangles; and the best thing about this track is that it is so undoubtedly fun.

After months of doom and gloom, lockdowns and restrictions, it’s nice to see that bigfatbig have grabbed 2020 by the ‘nards and not let it distract them from what matters. Call your pals, have a nice sandwich and pop on some tunes until we can all get back out there together. In the meantime, I’ll be Googling weird recipes to see if there’s anything that might surprise me.

bigfatbig release Milk And Vinegar on 3rd September www.facebook.com/bigfatbig

ART & LIT

INPATIENT LOCKDOWN @ BISCUIT FACTORY

Words: Laura Doyle

The last few months have largely been spent stuck inside twiddling our collective thumbs. If you’ve had the fortune to spend most of your time in your home, then count your blessings and spare a thought for all those essential workers who made your life just bearable enough.

Those essential workers, however, had to find new ways of making their lives somewhat enjoyable. Take NHS Occupational Therapist Dolores O’Doherty, for example, who saw employees and patients across the North East live and work amidst a crisis with very limited means for entertainment. She had a bright idea: a photography competition! Most of us have a phone with a camera in our pocket, making this little project widely accessible – and what quicker route is there to excitement than a bit of creativity and competition?

Staff and inpatients of local NHS Trusts were encouraged to take advantage of their daily exercise and look at the world anew, seeking something worthy of documentation along the way. Each ward competed to have their photo named the best of the bunch, and now the public get to see the fruits of their efforts in the resultant exhibition Inpatient Lockdown at Newcastle’s Biscuit Factory this month. One will be crowned winner, although I do believe in this case that all entrants have achieved wonderful things on their journey.

Inpatient Lockdown runs at Biscuit Factory, Newcastle from Saturday 5th-Sunday 20th September www.thebiscuitfactory.com

Nick Pride & The Pimptones

MUSIC

NICK PRIDE & THE PIMPTONES RELEASE NEW ALBUM, IDEOLOGY

Words: Beverley Knight

Their tightly arranged horn section has always been a powerful force of Newcastle funk and soul institution Nick Pride & The Pimptones, and with the addition of velvet-voiced Eliza Lawson and an all-new rhythm section, the Newcastle outfit are sounding lustier than ever. Formed in 2007, there’s a breezy subtlety to their fusion of funk and soul, jazz and blues, disco and dance, furnishing an air of class and grace. Now on their fifth release, Ideology presents twelve tracks that entwine their wealth of experiences with their reinvention.

Singles Don’t Turn Me Loose and Four Leaf Clover balance a retro aura with modern-day pop, creating a light and airy attitude. A grand horn opening sets the political scene for quick-paced Queens Are Stronger Than Kings, which pays tribute to Michele Obama and creates a vivid anthem which could hold a place in musical theatre. A Latin flavour washes over track UNITY with a thrashing, exotic instrumental, while Northern Soul fanatics won’t be disappointed with One More Tear. This LP has a lot to tell you about its optimistic hopes for a better future, while keeping its feet firmly placed on the dance floor.

Nick Pride & The Pimptones release Ideology on 4th September www.nickprideandthepimptones.bandcamp.com

STAGE

WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME @ ALPHABETTI THEATRE ONLINE

Words: Eugenie Johnson

Many of us will have felt that life has been turned upside down by recent events, as we have had to adapt to a new way of living and working. For others though, being in the wrong place at the wrong time might have already resulted in life-changing consequences. Wrong Place, Wrong Time, which follows its protagonist Nicky as he tries to navigate the world and find acceptance, explored that idea when it first premiered in 2016 as part of a double-header between the Alphabetti Theatre and homeless charity Crisis.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time was originally performed in response to Ali Pritchard’s How Did We Get To This Point?, which placed as its central focus the question of where the concept of compassion has gone. Its script was originally based on creative writing materials produced by Newcastle’s Crisis Skylight, who produced their own scripts, poems and short stories in a series of workshops hosted by Pritchard. These were then weaved together by Steve Byron to produce the short play. Now, the piece has been adapted into an audio play, which premieres on Wednesday 16th September and will be available online indefinitely. Despite being transformed into a different medium, it’s unlikely that Wrong Place, Wrong Time will lose any of the raw power and passion that characterised its original run. Instead, it’s likely to remain a vital piece on the battle between nature vs nurture, continuing to ask searching questions about contemporary society.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is presented via Alphabetti Online on Wednesday 16th September www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/onlineperformances

MUSIC

BRB>VOICECOIL RELEASES NEW ALBUM, ALMS OF GUILT

Words: Beverley Knight

Under the guise of brb>voicecoil, with sheer devotion teamed with dedication, Kevin Wilkinson has achieved the accolade of 21 releases over 30 years operating on the fringes of the UK experimental underground. Upping his total to 21, Alms of Guilt manoeuvres his vast library of field recordings via a feeding tube of granular software, producing a body of work that entices the listener to fully concentrate and unravel multiple tiers of noise.

Every sound in the five tracks, some nearing the ten minute mark, originates from a Zoom H1 or i-Phone sound capture. Stark, anxious, unforgiving and brutally detailed in its simplicity, Alms of Guilt aims to be a saddening reminder of the desperate lengths a fragile psyche will search for belief and forgiving.

Kevin explains: “Faith meets faithless, wrongs offset with bank transfers and PayPal, history erased, and the realisation that the denial of all internal struggle replaced by consumer belief mechanics, is a false hope.” Opener The Cost of Redemption features an unnerving effect, giving the impression of a mythical beast resting, not to be disturbed; while the most melodic of the collection is Seven Swords To The Heart, and Buried is a creaking, bustling piece. Give yourself time with this release to close your eyes and visualise your narrative.

brb>voicecoil releases Alms of Guilt via Opal Tapes/MuzaMuza on 7th September www.brbvoicecoil.com

Throughout the Fragment of Infinity That We Have Come To Know by Chris Alton

ART & LIT

NEWBRIDGE PROJECT REOPENS

Words: Nicola Owen

The NewBridge Project on Gateshead High Street re-opens on Tuesday 1st September and you have around four weeks to get down there to see the exhibition by young creator Chris Alton. The exhibition was cut short when lockdown hit, however the gallery has managed to negotiate an extension to the fascinatingly eclectic and playful piece named Throughout The Fragment Of Infinity That We Have Come To Know.

Throughout The Fragment Of Infinity That We Have Come to Know uses science fiction as license to imagine alternative value systems and questions the capitalist belief of infinite growth on a finite planet. Alton has imagined alien species and their divergent concepts of money, value, debt and memory and displayed these fictional works alongside existing human currency. The collection of objects and texts is accompanied by a video essay tracing connections between classical mythology, British colonialism and contemporary tax avoidance. To visit the exhibition, book a time slot using the gallery’s online booking system.

In addition, the gallery shop will return with a selection of ‘zines, gifts and artist publications. The shop is open to new stock and relevant launches so if you are a creator who has been working on a project during lockdown this might also be a good time to get in touch and discuss your work.

Throughout The Fragment Of Infinity That We Have Come To Know is at NewBridge Project, Gateshead from Tuesday 1st-Friday 25th September www.thenewbridgeproject.com

ART & LIT

MUSHROOM WORKS OPEN NEW SHOP

Words: Caitlin Disken

Ouseburn-based studio Mushroom Works is re-opening its venture, SHOP at Mushroom Works, from Saturday 5th September. The studio, which supports seven different artists, has been working in tandem with its resident artists to curate the wares on offer.

From furniture to jewellery, the shop will stock a unique range of items created by Mushroom Works’ artists over lockdown. SHOP will give its visitors the chance to get their hands on distinctive items, all whilst supporting local creatives during this difficult period.

Amongst the items up for grabs is jewellery designed by Bronwen Deane, an artist who has been in residency at Mushroom Works since 2005. Bronwen uses both traditional and innovative techniques to create her intricate earrings and necklaces, including acrylic print methods.

Furniture from designers Nick James and Majid Lavasani will also be available to purchase; James, founder of Mushroom Works, uses traditional woodworking techniques to create his furniture, designing everything from coffee tables to shelving, while Lavasani also utilises traditional woodworking techniques to create his hand-made bespoke furniture. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a gift, be sure to take a look at a.musing’s work, an independent designer who specialises in art that has an emotional message. Other artists whose work will be sold include Bethan Laker, Amanda Rabey and Lucinda Kelly.

SHOP at Mushroom Works opens from Saturday 5th September www.mushroomworks.com

Mushroom Works Shop

EVENTS

STOCKON’S ARC REOPENS

Words: Claire Dupree

As life is returning to our town and city streets, our precious arts venues are beginning to re-emerge. A highlight of September’s reopenings will be Stockton’s ARC, which initially kick their programme off with film screenings and workshops beginning from Monday 7th September.

The local community is at the forefront of ARC’s plans, and a new exhibition will feature work created as part of the We ARConnected programme which saw local people invited to submit work created in response to fortnightly themes throughout lockdown.

The arts venue have been quick to adapt to the current situation; in temporarily removing the seats from the theatre they’re able to restart workshops and classes in a socially distanced manner. Classes for adults and youngsters include such diverse practices as tai chi, ballet pilates, creative writing, arts and crafts and filmmaking.

Movie fans who have missed the lure of the big screen during lockdown will be able to catch up on a variety of flicks from Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite to David Attenborough’s climate change documentary A Life On Our Planet.

All the expected measures will be in place, including one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations and socially distanced seating in the cafe. New opening hours are: Mon 10am-4pm, Tues 10am-7pm, Wed-Sat 10am-10pm, with the building closed on Sundays. www.arconline.co.uk Mushroom Works Shop

STAGE

CONNECT LD+ 2020 FESTIVAL

Words: Eugenie Johnson

Formed in 1986, the Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company has been run by and for people with learning disabilities, dedicated to researching and developing new ways of working and supporting spaces where people can develop their futures. Undeterred by recent global events, the company are set to continue to showcase the work of artists with learning disabilities or those attached with the community in Connect LD+ 2020, a digital festival set to take place on Monday 7th September.

As Andrew McLeod says in a video about the festival: “LD+ means learning disabled people plus their parents and carers, plus friends and families. But plus also means to me reaching out to the wider community, with our personal communities and with the wider world, and it’ll allow a wide range of other learning-disabled companies to be able to join us and celebrate the work we do and the work they do.”

Through a recent open call, the company asked people to put forward their work to contribute towards the festival, whether it’s in archive footage, pre-recorded or live material. Through showcasing the wide variety of works, Connect LD+ will continue the Lawnmowers’ tireless work in celebrating and raising awareness of the artistic achievements of the community. Activities will include work by Twisting Ducks, who lead a live script writing workshop; a movement workshop with Hubbub Theatre Company; Lawnmowers’ theatre ensemble present the making of retake, remake; and their youth hip-hop team will lead a dance workshop before the Krocodile Krew Zoom Klub ends proceedings.

Connect LD+ 2020 takes place on Monday 7th September www.lawnmowerstheatre.com/connectLD+

Mitch Laddie

MUSIC

MITCH LADDIE RELEASES NEW ALBUM, WAVE OF ILLUSION

Words: Beverley Knight

Feeling retrospective, creator Mitch Laddie looked to his past to frame his future, heading back to classic records from the 70s and 80s to produce electronic record Wave Of Illusion.

Through his nine songs, influence from Prince and Stevie Wonder fuses with contemporary artists such as Frank Ocean and Dabeull. As he was born into the blues/rock scene, this was a bold move for Laddie. He reveals: “What came out was something bigger than I ever could have hoped for, and this is a project I can say I’m truly proud of. It’s me. It’s an album that flirts with sexuality and morality, as well as accepting that life’s too short.”

It was paramount that Wave Of Illusion exuded an atmosphere of going out, dancing and having a blast. In Dig A Little Deeper you hear French Touch and Janet Jackson style, with a powerful guitar solo which surprises near the end. A fuller bassline plays out in Real Thing, and stripped back Musk is a steady piece of funk. Dirty Kink has an edgier attitude than the rest, but like all of the tracks, is not overly political, which was always Mitch’s intention: “The album is about coming together to be better, to live and feel. Not just for ourselves but for us as a collective. Facing issues and growing – together.”

Mitch Laddie releases Wave Of Illusion on 24th September www.mitchladdie.com

ART & LIT

DISCOVERY MUSEUM & GREAT NORTH MUSEUM: HANCOCK REOPEN

Words: Nicola Owen

Tuesday 1st September sees the re-opening of two Newcastle museums: the family favourite Discovery Museum and the stately Great North Museum: Hancock.

The Discovery Museum brings to life the story of Newcastle and champions the spirit of the North East. A wandering panel gallery explores the contribution of Tyneside’s female population to the region in the Discover Her Story exhibition and, if you visit with people in your support bubble, you can try out the newly acquired Red Arrows capsule simulator.

Great North Museum: Hancock has been able to secure extensions of two special temporary exhibitions. Other Worlds: The Art of Atomhawk and a British Museum touring exhibition Ancient Iraq: New Discoveries will now run until 1st November. The permanent exhibitions of Fossil Stories, Ancient Egypt and Living Planet are also well worth a look.

Both museums are stuffed full of loads of other brilliant treasures and offer a coffee and a bite to eat, as well as activities for the young and young at heart. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended and if you don’t feel like braving the outside world just yet both museums have virtual tours available online. www.discoverymuseum.org.uk www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

STAGE

CREDIT ONLINE PREVIEW + Q&A

Words: Laura Doyle

Serendipity is a curious thing. When playwright and community creative Laura Lindow started a project on the experiences of people living on Universal Credit, she wouldn’t have expected the finished theatre piece to be performed under such unusual and difficult circumstances. We’re not just talking directly about Miss Rona here, although her antics mean that Credit has been pushed to an online preview. Just last month, we hit a record-breaking recession. With the economy not doing so great, now is exactly the time to take a look at the benefit system meant to catch those made most vulnerable by this circumstance.

Gateshead Council initially commissioned research into life on Universal Credit in the North East which was completed by academics from across the region. Unsurprisingly, the report concluded that it kind of sucked. Lindow draws on this comprehensive research to bring it to the stage in a drama that delves deep into the experiences of those let down by our government. A rehearsed reading of Credit will be recorded at Alphabetti Theatre and streamed on Wednesday 16th September, followed by a Q&A session with those responsible for bringing the disparities to light. While an academic report may have limited reach, there is the hope that this play will bring wider accessibility and in turn, greater discussion.

Cap-A-Pie present the online preview of Credit + Q&A on Wednesday 16th September at 2pm and 7pm www.cap-a-pie.co.uk/credit

Classes at Dance City

STAGE

DANCE CITY’S CLASSES RESUME

Words: Claire Dupree

While performance may be slow to return to our theatres, there are still art forms which can operate relatively well in a socially distanced setting. Newcastle’s Dance City will be reopening their doors on Monday 7th September and, while performances aren’t on the cards just yet, their world-class tutors and classes are on offer.

The city centre venue will be offering a reduced timetable of hybrid classes, available to join both in the building and via Zoom. Classes span all abilities and age groups, and provide an ideal opportunity to try something new. Of particular interest is the Afro Mix dance work-out, comprising a mixture of dancehall/reggaeton, coupé décalé and azonto styles (Wednesday); Contemporary dance lessons offer a fusion of styles including ballet, modern dance, African and jazz (Thursday-Saturday); Fitsteps, a dance and fitness programme choreographed and designed by the professionals on Strictly Come Dancing (Tuesday); the popular high-energy hip-hop dance class (Wednesday/Friday); and Meditation, which uses mindfulness to achieve a sense of calm and flow (Monday); as well as more traditional forms of dance including ballet (Wednesday/Saturday), ballroom, Latin and tap (all Tuesday).

Dance City reopens for classes on Monday 7th September www.dancecity.co.uk

ART & LIT

SUNDERLAND CULTURE VENUES REOPEN

Words: Helen Redfern

It’s been a busy time at Sunderland Culture, the organisation which operates National Glass Centre, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and Arts Centre Washington. The teams have been moving exhibitions online, delivering workshops via Zoom and producing fun and accessible cultural resources, such as free Takeaway Packs. Now, they’re reopening galleries and exhibition spaces with an exciting programme for all ages.

From Monday 7th September at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, the free exhibition Castles: Paintings from the National Gallery, London features Bernardo Bellotto’s The Fortress of Königstein from the North, accompanied by five works featuring castles both real and imagined, alongside artworks from Sunderland Museum’s own collection, including L.S. Lowry’s drawing of Bamburgh Castle. The extended Received Wisdom exhibition challenges the notion that creativity, boundary-breaking and dynamism are the preserve of youth by presenting a body of work created by artists working in their later years.

Sunderland Culture is also launching Art Crush, an exciting free mobile app available to download from Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Art Crush allows you to swipe through hundreds of artwork images by the biggest names in British Art to discover what your art personality is and create your own digital art collection.

At the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art the exhibitions No Strings and Chad McCail: Toy have been extended until 2021. Toy, at NGCA, is a monumental cityscape populated by gigantic mythical creatures battling for its future freedom; while NGC’s No Strings features the work of seven international artists working with glass beads in unconventional ways, including a beaded burger and coke by Faranak Sohi and a beaded chicken showing his gymnastic prowess on the rings by Felieke van der Leest! National Glass Centre will also soon be opening a brand new online shop showcasing a striking selection of glassware made on site in the Hot Glass Studio.

While Arts Centre Washington continues its online programme of classes and exhibitions, you will be able to visit in person from September the new exhibition of photography, text and installations from artists Sally Southern and Nicola Lynch. Looking Out, Looking In is inspired by feedback from the local community reflecting on their lockdown experience.

For full visiting information and activities visit the Sunderland Culture website www.sunderlandculture.org.uk

EVENTS

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

Words: Laura Doyle

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for history fans across the UK – Heritage Open Days are back this month, reformed and reinvented to best suit current conditions. Sure, we have to maintain a safe distance and get masked up indoors, but that doesn’t mean we have to forgo a bit of cultural spice. There’s still plenty that can be done with minimal risk, especially thanks to this year’s theme: Hidden Nature. Our history can be found anywhere, not just in museum halls and libraries; instead, we are given the chance to explore lesser-known historical hotspots buried in natural landscapes and landscaped gardens.

Taking place from Friday 11th-Sunday 20th September, a multitude of venues open their doors, and highlights in our region abound. On Saturday 19th attendees have the opportunity to find out more about the refurbishment of County Durham’s Thorpe Light Railway, a historic miniature train that will hopefully be restored to full working order soon. Meanwhile, Alnwick’s Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery honours the heritage event with Helen Poremba’s Machine Stitch Art exhibition, which celebrates the natural world in textile art and also explores the social and technological history surrounding the simple sewing machine.

The history hidden in churchyards so often goes neglected: the online activity hosted by Sunderland Minster delves deeper into the mysterious features decoded by historians which give us glimpses into the past. St Hilda’s in Hartlepool got a similar memo about the joys of virtual exhibitions: they’re hosting their event online, with two pre-bookable presentations allowing culture vultures to gain valuable insights into the church’s architectural history, or perhaps learning more about the eponymous Saint herself.

Hardwick Park in Stockton have embraced new tech in the most productive way; check out their Love Exploring app on your phone for a bespoke audio tour of the grounds of this Grade II listed site. If, like me, you’re the kind of person who needs a bit of a nudge n the right historical direction, this sounds key to unlocking a whole host of knowledge about this gorgeous parkland.

New events and openings are being announced daily, so check the website for further updates.

Heritage Open Days takes place across the region from Friday 11th-Sunday 20th September www.heritageopendays.org.uk

ART & LIT

SHIPLEY ART GALLERY REOPENS

Words: Nicola Owen

The Shipley Art Gallery near Saltwell Park, Gateshead welcomes the public back through its doors this month. As with everywhere else, the experience will be a little more socially distanced, but there are still plenty of wonderful things for visitors to enjoy in this engaging space.

The current still life exhibition Excess And The Everyday showcases the Shipley’s stunning craft and design collections. These objects range from teapots to tequila glasses, lunchboxes to lanterns and chairs to candlesticks, and provide an entertaining way to see how design is everywhere in our lives.

For the first time in 50 years collections from the historic Saltwell Towers are brought together for the public to enjoy. The displays include glassware and ceramics, taxidermy, bird eggs, insects, minerals, fossils and geology, as well as objects donated from Gateshead residents. Highlights of the Shipley Bequest include Dutch and Flemish paintings as well as some important Victorian British paintings.

Craft groups still meet in the gallery space, and with activities ranging from jewellery making to basket weaving, there is the opportunity for children and adults to get creative with a range of materials and techniques under the eyes and hands of experienced and friendly local makers.

Shipley Art Gallery is open now www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk

Treasures from the Shipley Art Collection, image by Colin Davison

MUSIC

BAD AMPUTEE RELEASE NEW ALBUM, CONVENIENCE KILLS

Words: Lee Fisher

Nobody is going to disagree that this album has been a long time coming. Some Bad Amputee songs go back farther than 2017, when the current line-up came together, a Tyneside supergroup of sorts: Phil Tyler of Cath &… fame, but also reaching back into the last century with Spraydog; Claire Welford, who performs austere and powerful folk as Yakka Doon (along with Phil); and Robin Fry from the enigmatic Emergency Librarian among others.

Before lockdown, Bad Amputee were the best ‘new’ band in town and were getting to support all the right acts. Then The Awfulness came upon on us and their unstoppable momentum…well, stopped. But before that happened, the three of them had managed to hunker down in First Avenue Studios to record Convenience Kills with Bad Amputee by Robin Fry Dave Curle at the desk. It finally gets released this month (11th September on Ferric Mordant) and it lives up to expectations. Convenience Kills boasts six lengthy, killer tracks that are deep in a golden American nineties guitar sound – nods to Low and Codeine and the like – but with vocals from Welford and Tyler that are still rooted in their folk background. Hopefully we’ll get to see them live again soon. Meanwhile, be careful what you Google.

Bad Amputee release Convenience Kill via Ferric Mordant on 11th September www.badamputee.bandcamp.com