Funfair – Sage Gateshead turns 10

In the week before Christmas, 6 days of celebrations are planned to mark a decade since Sage Gateshead first opened its doors. Some of it may be a surprise, but then, Sage Gateshead is doing a few things differently these days.  Who’d have expected an appearance (on the 19 December) from internationally renowned trance DJ’s Above and Beyond, for example - who will turn the Norman Foster designed white concourse into an all night superclub. It’s a direction that may raise a few eyebrows for people who think the venue only deals in classical music, but even there things are changing. Late November, Royal Northern Sinfonia will be performing with John Grant – whose record ‘GMF’ can’t be unabbreviated in a family newspaper. And with upcoming concerts from Nick Cave, Underworld, Sharon Van Etten and more it becomes clearer that variety, and all genres, are welcome within the Sage’s shiny walls. Funfair will showcase just how diverse Sage Gateshead’s programme is, connecting with existing audiences and reaching out to new ones.  Getting the party started on 16^th December will be soul queen and star of west end musical Memphis, Beverley Knight. On the same evening, The Platform will celebrate the very best of hip hop and graffiti writing with a break-dancing battle. Royal Northern Sinfonia, the ‘best chamber orchestra in Britain’ will be getting in on the act with not one but two concerts and there is a choice of ceilidhs for both the family and adults to enjoy.  Paul Smith for Maximo Park will join forces with Peter Brewis from Field Music to perform their spectacular new album ‘Frozen by Sight’ and folk wunderkind Eliza Carthy along with 10 former Folkworks’ summer schools attendees will be in town to show why folk music continues to be vibrant and exciting in 2014. Fun is high on the agenda too during the weekend of 20 and 21 December with a day of making, doing, eating and laughing. One thing is clear, you can certainly expect the unexpected as Sage turns ten.  Over the next year there will be more fun to be had with special treats running right through until next summer.  For more details go to: www.sagegateshead.com/ten