With the weekend upon us - not before time - it brings a chance to enjoy the fun we've been missing out on all week.
With work, for most, over for a precious two days, the social scene beckons and the only difficulty can lie in deciding where to go and what to do when we're faced with so much choice. There is something for everybody to enjoy in and around Newcastle and here we have picked out just a few ideas to offer some food for thought.
Among them is beer - always a popular choice - as well as bowling, comedy and music.
Read more: North East guide to music festivals throughout 2022
The Friday Show - The Stand
Comedy is always a good way to set the mood for the weekend and the regular Friday night show at the Newcastle comedy club is guaranteed to cheer you up after the working week. It has a changing bill of four stand-up favourites and featuring this time will be headliner Mark Nelson plus Lauren Stone, Anja Atkinson and host Jay Lafferty.
The club asks people to remember to take lateral flow test before going and promises refunds to anyone who has symptoms. Doors open on April 8 at 7.30pm and the 90-minute show starts at 8.30pm. For tickets see here.
The Masked Singer Live - Utilita Arena
Fans of the hugely popular ITV series will have a chance to put their own powers of deduction to the test this Friday night as this live touring version of the show visits Newcastle. They can take part in guessing the identity of singing celebrities behind those masks during an evening which promises a colourful array of TV characters, quirky costumes and song and dance numbers.
Celebrity judges will add to the glamour and included are Denise Van Outen and Aston Merrygold with host Joel Dommett. It starts at 7pm. For tickets see here.
Go bowling - Eldon Square
A new bar and bowling venue is opening on Saturday and the good news for families is that it is offering freebies on its launch. Gorilla Bar and Bowling takes the place of the original bowling venue upstairs in Newcastle's Eldon Square and a huge refurbishment has introduced a whole new look.
That includes UV and neon grafitti art which glows with a night-time vibe - as well as 10-pin bowling and the likes of pool, arcade games, darts and big screen sport plus food and drink. From 10am until 2pm on Saturday, it will be offering free bowling and soft drinks for families.
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10cc - Sage Gateshead
Fancy a blast from the past? These enduring rockers will be stopping off in Gateshead on Saturday night from their Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour.
With co-founder Graham Gouldman leading the current line-up, the band no doubt will delight fans with the likes of number one hits Rubber Bullets, Dreadlock Holiday and I’m Not In Love. Support will be from Paul Canning. For information see sagegateshead.
Newcastle Cider and Beer Festival
Having launched on Wednesday, the festival - which is making a comeback for the first time since 2019 - is now in full flow and those with a thirst or even a passing interest in beer will find plenty to enjoy.
Housed in the Students' Union building at Northumbria University, where it is running up to and including Saturday, it has a well-stocked bar serving up craft ales and ciders but also gin as well as a programme of live music that ranges from Spanish-inspired rhythms to rock and acoustic sets. See here.
Simple Minds - Utilita Arena
Also at the arena in Newcastle, another enduring band will be taking to the stage this weekend, with two original members: Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill.
The Don't You hit-makers, who formed in Glasgow in 1977, are finally in the city after previous dates were cancelled due to Covid. Their rescheduled date is Sunday and show time will be 8pm: see here.
