Summer is tempting us all outdoors as the North East basks in a spell of glorious weather which has arrived just in time for a busy programme of events to get under way.
With music festivals playing out across the region and a host of family entertainment on offer in and around Newcastle, we are spoiled for choice for ideas of what to do. Our theatres, galleries and musuems are all running full summer programmes.
In the midst of all that, it can be easy to miss some of what's happening outside of Newcastle so, as part of our occasional series bringing you a round-up of monthly events, we have listed here some examples of what's on offer this July.
Read more: Kynren reveals timings for summer shows
Besides a couple of central theatre shows, they include exhibitions and music events both north and south of the city. And keep your eye out for plenty more to come.
A MixTape Summer Sizzler
Cult comedy music quiz show MixTape is described by Live Theatre's executive producer Graeme Thompson as "one of the most unique performance experiences in our region". It involves a performance of comedy sketches, using only song lyrics, with teams battling it out to guess which tracks inspired them - in the hope of winning a Golden Mixtape prize
The Six Twenty’s MixTape Summer Sizzlers show will be among a number of summer music offerings at the Newcastle theatre where it will run from July 15-16. Expect non-stop hits from across the decades and genres aimed at getting the audience dancing and singing - while testing their musical knowledge. For more information and tickets see here.
Grease is the word
The Theatre Royal plays host to Newcastle Musical Theatre Company from July 19-23 which will be bringing back to vibrant life the characters of Sandy and Danny made famous by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the film version of the stage show.
Newcastle audiences can share in the mood of teenage romance in the company of Sandy, Danny and the rest of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds as they're transported back to 1959 courtesy of the rock 'n' roll classic show's hits including Hopelessly Devoted to You and You’re The One That I Want. See here.
Masala Festival
A 'mix and blend' of the best of South Asian arts and culture will be on offer throughout the city and beyond from July 18-24. The GemArts Masala Festival, now in its seventh year, will include dance performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, and plenty Indian food.
For the full programme and workshops see here.
Salvador Dalí masterpiece
An artwork by the late Spanish artist goes on show in the North East for the first time from this July 9 and it's quite a stunner. The painting of Christ of St John on the Cross might not be what many expect of the famous surrealist who said of it "I want to paint a Christ that is a painting with more beauty and joy than has ever been painted before."
It can be seen in The Auckland Project's Spanish Gallery in Bishop Auckland hanging alongside a similar subject by fellow Spanish artist El Greco: Christ on the Cross. The joint display can be seen until December 4.
Sounds Northumbrian
Celebrating Northumberland’s unique folk tradition, this free music festival will feature concerts between 10.30am and 4pm this Sunday, July 10 at Aln Valley Railway. Folk favourite Sandra Kerr will compere the performances of traditional Northumbrian folk music and dance in the Engine Shed in the Lionheart Station. Its cafe, shop and miniature railway will be open and a steam train will be in operation too. See here.
Foxy art
Artwork and words will come together in an exhibition due to open on July 23 at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland.
Featuring artwork by artist Jackie Morris and poems by writer Robert Macfarlane from the book The Lost Spells - which is the follow up to best-seller The Lost Words - it will also include soundscapes and interactive experiences so expect wild nature calls and acoustic music, summoning up a natural world of wonder. The exhibition - The Lost Spells: Listening to a Landscape of Voices - will run at The Sill until next summer.
Meat Loaf tribute at Durham Cathedral
It might sound an unlikely pairing but this unique night of music at the cathedral on July 22 will treat the audience to the rock band's hits including Anything For Love, Bat Out of Hell and Dead Ringer for Love - by candlelight. Singers - including stars of the West End production of Bat Out of Hell - accompanied by a rock band, promise to deliver "the ultimate tribute to Meat Loaf as you have never heard before". It's proving so popular that a new date has been added on September 1: see here to book.
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