31 JULY
Treat your tastebuds to a day out at Saltburn Food Festival this summer. The fourth annual food festival, organised by the seaside town’s Farmer’s Market team, will see Saltburn transformed into a vibrant venue of local food and family entertainment throughout the day. The street market will feature more than 80 of the best independent producers and pop-ups of the area, and there will also be special guest chefs including Mark Greenaway from BBC2’s Great British Menu and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch will be cooking up a live treat for visitors to devour.
1 AUGUST
The Stand Comedy Club is giving North East audiences the chance to preview comedian’s John Gordillo and Ben Van der Velde ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. The exclusive comedy show presents John Gordillo’s ‘Love Capitalism’, discussing how weird and needy capitalism is getting, packed with comical examples, and Ben Van der Velde’s ‘Barbarians’, the story of evolution – big questions require big answers. And so long as you don’t equate big with accurate, you’re in for a treat.
THROUGHOUT JULY & AUGUST
Art lovers are invited to The Biscuit Factory throughout July and August to celebrate its brand new Summer Exhibition, bringing together an electric mix of contemporary art, craft and design work from over 200 exciting artists. Chris Forsey will be headlining the exhibition, with his new works exploring the beautiful Northumbrian landscape. He covers everything from light filled riverscapes, to dramatic coastal scenes, showing off the magnificent area in an incredible light. Other exhibition highlights include Richard Stainthorp’s intricate wire sculptures.
1-13 AUGUST
A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, and a cell block filled with sin. This is the story of murder, greed, corruption, adultery and treachery. Based on real life events in the 20s, Chicago tells the tale of Roxie Hart, who shoots her lover and joins a cell-block filled with female characters who fight to dodge a death row sentence. EastEnders and West End star, John Partridge is Billy Flynn, the smooth talking lawyer. Chicago’s sassy score includes, All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle.
4-7 AUGUST
Stockton International Riverside Festival returns this August with a packed-out schedule of stunning street theatre, dynamic dance routines, breathtaking circus performances and many more family-friendly goings on. The 2016 opening show slot will be taken by Furious Folly, focusing on the conflicts of WW1, combining music, performance and mechanical creations. Furious Folly will be taking place at Preston Park on Thursday 4 August, with a repeat performance the following evening. This will add to a busy programme of events and entertainment throughout this thrilling weekend on Stockton’s riverside.
6 AUGUST
Blackfriars is encouraging foodies to get baking this summer. At this summer’s Artisan Bread Making Workshop, a master baker will help foodie pupils make up to four artisan loaves to take home, a perfect addition to a summer BBQ. The workshop is fun, relaxed and informative.
8-14 August
Loosen the buckle on your belt – NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is back this August with more restaurants than ever taking part. As the city’s restaurant scene expands with planned openings for over 20 new restaurants in 2016, Restaurant Week allows the city to celebrate its award winning restaurants giving foodies a great excuse to try out some of the city’s new eateries. The winning formula of fixed price offer for only £10 or £15 per head is emulated in weeks held elsewhere in the country, but there is still only one true NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week. The week is tremendously popular with restaurants booking up fast so reserve your table early to avoid disappointment.
9 AUGUST
The Crowne Hotel, Harrogate invites you to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s favourite storyteller. Roald Dahl experienced enough excitement to last a lifetime and wrote to his mother to tell his tales on a weekly basis. Sturrock – Dahl’s official biographer, had exclusive access to his letters, giving insight into his exciting life first hand. From flying as a World War 2 fighter pilot, to meeting presidents and movie stars, you will get to know Dahl in a light never seen before – in his very own words. An intriguing event that will tell you all about the incredible life of the celebrated author.
harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
14 AUGUST
Nothing says summer like an all-singing, all-dancing, BBQ’ing afternoon on the terrace. This August, Rockliffe Hall invite you to join in on a sizzling summer BBQ celebration, making the most of outdoor dining. The BBQ will be served on the Rockliffe Suite Terrace and entertainment will be provided by Hayley McKay, an extremely talented local singer/songwriter. A fantastic foodie family day-out in the sunshine.
26-29 AUGUST
Some of the world’s largest and most spectacular Tall Ships will sail into Blyth this August. The North Sea Tall Ships Regatta welcomes a fantastic maritime celebration to the region. The four-day event will attract thousands of visitors to the North East, who will get the chance to access the ships, enjoy spectacular live music and experience a Crew Parade, Eve of Sail celebration and Parade of Sail. With its first class amenities, which can accommodate the largest Class A ships, The Port of Blyth is the perfect destination for the Tall Ships. So set your sails for the Port of Blyth this summer, for what promises to be four-days of sea-fuelled fun.
10 SEPTEMBER
Rockliffe Hall invites you to an evening of Bollywood dreams this September. You will be transported into another world with a delicious Asian buffet and a colourful Bollywood performance. You’ll even get the chance to try out some of the Bollywood moves for yourself at the disco following the meal. The event includes an arrival drink, a two course buffet, and an exclusive Bollywood performance. It promises to be a thrilling evening of Bollywood traditions, tasty food and dazzling entertainment.
10 & 11 SeptembeR
The historic fishing village of Staithes throws open the doors of its quaint and quirky cottages to welcome visitors to its fifth annual Festival of Arts and Heritage. Over 100 artists will exhibit their paintings, prints, sculpture, jewellery, glass and crafts for sale in pop-up galleries all around the village. After dark an outdoor cinema shows images and film footage of the village’s rich past with live piano accompaniment. Then, down on the beach to help light artist Mick Stephenson create the biggest and best glow stick installation in the world…. ever! Industrial sculptor Andy Shaw’s fire basket installations, including a flame-breathing Fire Dragon, will keep you warm if it’s chilly. The light generated will throw spectacular shadows onto the cliffs of dinosaurs created by sculptor Emma Stothard.
There are various workshops throughout the Festival, including a class with Teesside artist and Eton drawing master Ian Burke whose own work will also be on show. If all this makes you hungry and thirsty, all the better. As well as the excellent local hostelries you’ll find food and drink to suit every palate in pop-up tearooms, cafes and restaurants throughout the village. Chef Lisa Chapman, who established the Endeavour Restaurant back in 1989, is returning to her old kitchen for the weekend to delight a new generation of diners with her scrumptious fare.
