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NARC. E-ZINE

The place to be for multimedia diversions, the 10th edition of our E-ZINE is online now, featuring exclusive videos, playlists, mini-documentaries, sound clips and much more

SUN 13 B.O.P FEST

The award-winning Building Our Planet festival is a free one-day wonderland of live music, art and street theatre set around the theme of ‘going green’. A variety of live performances will span CubanBrazilian music, hip-hop rhythms and more, plus there’s junk instrument making, art murals, flower garland creating and B.O.P Fest t-shirt designing, all with intrinsic links to raising awareness of our planet and the benefits of recycling and reusing. Glenholme Park, Crook www.facebook.com/bopfestival

ART & LIT

Sat 19

Newcastle University Master Of Fine Art Degree Show 2023

Bringing together the work of a wide range of artists across a variety of disciplines, materials and individual responses, this MFA degree show will feature work by both mid-point and graduating artists from Newcastle University. Runs until Saturday 2nd September. Hatton Gallery, Newcastle www.hattongallery.org.uk

Music Tue 22 Common Courtesy

Having gained serious praise from the likes of BBC Tees Introducing (as well as this very publication) for their varied and vibrant sound, Darlington-based genre-fluid four-piece Common Courtesy are serious ones to watch. Support comes from Dailo & The Ransoms. The Forum Music Centre, Darlington www.instagram.com/commoncourtesy.band

Thur 24

Hayley Ellis

Having wowed audiences as tour support for the likes of Sarah Millican, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor and John Bishop, comedian and actress Hayley Ellis brings her new show, Hayley’s Comic, to Darlington. A show full of silly stories, observations and audience interactions, she expands on subjects including body confidence when ageing, family holidays and dinosaurs.

The Forum Music Centre, Darlington www.hayleyellis.com

Music

NARC. TV

Our magazine-style programme features performances and interviews with North East artists, filmed in venues across the region

+ ALSO THIS MONTH…

INTERVIEW: MOUSES

The Billingham lo-fi duo make a welcome return to our airwaves as they prepare to release their brand new single, Illusion, ahead of a new album next year. David Saunders chats with Ste Bardgett to find out more

INTERVIEW: NE-O

Sat 26 Up Tees Telly

Dedicated to providing a valuable platform for rising artists in the region’s hip-hop, grime and associated genre scenes, the Up Tees Telly collective present a showcase of talent from hip-hop artists Brad Robinson, Conn Ramsey, Robson and Chris Sayer, grime/drill artists J Trussy, Gee Planter and Ricki Frost, plus emo/trap sounds courtesy of Omnei and p33.

Pineapple Black, Middlesbrough www.facebook.com/ pineappleblackarts

Fast rising Newcastle rapper NE-O unveils his new melodic drill single, Blessings, in August. David Saunders has an in-depth chat with him to find out more about the track and his ambitions for the yearand her passion for working with unrepresented artists

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ART & LIT

ALL THE WOMEN WE COULD HAVE BEEN @ ARC

Words: Claire Dupree

A group of disabled female artists who bonded over shared experiences during lockdown will present a landmark exhibition at Stockton’s ARC this month.

All The Women We Could Have Been is the brainchild of Teesside-based artist and activist Vici Wreford-Sinnott, with the artwork on display presented by the IN/Visible Disabled Women’s National Arts Collective which comprises of Michelle Baharier, Samantha Blackburn, Caroline Cardus, Honor Flaherty, Pauline Heath, Cheryl Martin, Julie McNamara, Lynne McFarlane, Dolly Sen and Vici Wreford-Sinnott.

Having got together for a short project during lockdown, what started as a temporary group burgeoned into a supportive network, in which the women explored narratives around disabled women, intersectionality, activism and ideologies which impact them. All the women are aged over 50 and have been activists or campaigners for equality for disabled and older people, as organiser Vici explains: “Being disabled doesn’t mean we have nothing to contribute, and being older does not mean you get a ticket to the scrap heap along with your bus pass – this vibrant, dynamic group of women has been a real lifeline through difficult times for me.” www.littlecog.co.uk

The exhibition will be a powerful exploration of what life might have been like for disabled women had external limitations not been in place; taking a call-to-arms celebratory approach, the artists are keen for viewers to interact with work by some of the Disability Arts Movements leading disabled women artists and thinkers, and the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to enjoy works which are witty, poetic and provocative, across a multitude of mediums.

All The Women We Could Have Been is displayed at ARC, Stockton from Wednesday 2nd-Wednesday 30th August.

MUSIC CARL EATON @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE

Words: Maria Winter

On Saturday 19th August Middlesbrough songwriter Carl Eaton launches his new album, The Illusion of Age, at The Georgian Theatre in Stockton.

As a firm member of the Teesside music scene for many years, Carl has profound experience in all aspects of music: whether that be writing and releasing albums and EPs, or as an accomplished live performer. His way of storytelling through music is magical, and represents his immense skill as a singersongwriter.

Featuring an astounding twenty songs, The Illusion Of Age includes ten fresh tracks, along with ten reworked versions of some of his finest previous work. Aside from showcasing Carl’s signature lively pop sound, additional musical inflections have also been carefully embedded, resulting in album which spans country riffs and bluesy undertones. www.facebook.com/carleatonmusic

The event also features two other artists who will be debuting their new albums; comedy songwriter Derek Wafer reveals his new album, Cheese Salad; while instrumental artist Silent Voice present On Reflection: An Anthology.

Carl Eaton launches new album, The Illusion of Age, at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Saturday 19th August.

MUSIC JOHNNY MARR @ MIDDLESBROUGH EMPIRE

Words: Cameron Wright

There’s no introduction needed for the heavyweight icon that’s making his way to Middlesbrough’s Empire on Friday 25th August. Having delivered an absolutely phenomenal show at the venue back in 2019, Johnny Marr, genius songwriter, guitarist and composer is making his way back to Middlesbrough to demonstrate exactly what makes him such an institution in British music history. The Smiths legend rose to prominence in his teens as the mastermind behind some of the biggest hits of the indie rock genre in the 80s, crafting elaborate, literate and notoriously engaging riffs that captured the heart of a generation. Though the vast catalogue of The Smiths is rife within a Johnny Marr set-list, as he steps up to take over vocal duties on these solo tours, the set is also a showcase of his vast array of work since then. Having collaborated extensively with a range of indie bands and artists from The Pretenders, Talking Heads, The Cribs and Modest Mouse, as well as work with Hans Zimmer, the musical hero has a vast well of music to dig into. www.johnnymarr.com

With his 2022 album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 offering up an hour of Mancunian magic, the giant takes to the road to share his array of delicately detailed yet righteously anthemic tracks. Johnny Marr is a force of nature and it’s essential to watch this hit maker live.

Johnny Marr plays Middlesbrough Empire on Friday 25th August.