Culture After Hours: The Late Shows 2019
Calling all culture vulture of the North East! The Late Shows returns to the Toon this May, and we've got you covered with all of the best bits...
17 & 18 May 2019
The Late Shows is the ultimate weekend of after-dark culture in NE1. It’s a unique opportunity to see some of the city’s finest events, experiences and exhibitions in a new light as Tyneside’s top venues open up after hours.
We’re incredibly excited about this year’s culture crawl, guiding visitors from Ouseburn, across the city and over the bridge to Gateshead.
This year’s new addition is the Twi-Lates sessions, where tots are invited to visit the venues from 4pm until 7pm, packed full of special activities for tiny culture-vultures!
Back for its 13th year, The Late Shows’ unique programme of events packs in everything from open art studios and performances, to food, museum mooches and interactive events.
The event is facilitated by our friends at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM), and brings together 60 cultural venues, attracting over 35,000 visitors each year.
Whether it’s a historical tour in Ouseburn, a sneak peek at the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the Dinosaur - arriving at the Great North Museum this May, or a Twi-Late session at Newcastle Castle, there’s plenty to fill your diaries - and there’s certainly something for the whole family to enjoy.
Follow our guide to some of the cultural highlights across the city at this weekend’s Late Shows...
CENTRAL STATION / QUAYSIDE
WHAT: Floorboards
WHERE: Alphabetti Theatre
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Don’t miss the final evening of Geordie writer, Steve Byron’s new dark comedy, Floorboards at the Alphabetti Theatre.
WHAT: Dance Taster Sessions
WHERE: Dance City
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 5pm - 11pm
Get your boogie shoes on and learn a range of sassy dance styles at Dance City. From Afro Mix and Bollywood to Flamenco and Salsa, you’ll be hitting the stages in no time!
WHAT: Lee Symons Live
WHERE: The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Experience the incredible sounds of Lee Symons as he performs live within the stunning setting of the city’s St Nicholas Cathedral. Breathtaking tunes twinkling in the night...
CITY CENTRE & HAYMARKET
WHAT: Dippy the Diplodocus
WHERE: Great North Museum: Hancock
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Don’t miss out on the chance to see Dippy the dinosaur as he arrives at the Great North Museum, all the way from London’s Natural History Museum. An iconic cultural landmark takes to the Toon!
WHAT: Divine Nothingness
WHERE: Abject Gallery
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Check out Stuart Herring’s spectacular solo exhibition reflecting his own rituals as he attempts to make sense of being in this world in this moment.
WHAT: Women of Tyneside
WHERE: Vane
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Cultured women are invited to participate by noting the stories behind their ‘worth it’ outfits on to postcards to be displayed within the Vane’s exhibition.
WHAT: Get Creative
WHERE: Laing Art Gallery
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Unleash your inner potter and have a go at clay-making with the Laing’s Clay Team, as part of Hey Clay and the Get Creative festival.
GATESHEAD
WHAT: THE CITY IS WHERE WE ARE GOING NEXT
WHERE: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Discover an alternative landscape in Simon and Tom Bloor’s exhibition at BALTIC.
WHAT: Street Artists at the Backyard Bike Shop
WHERE: By The River Brew Co.
WHEN: Saturday 18 May, 7pm - 11pm
Check out this uber cool container village, showcasing the work of some of the best street artists on the circuit for just one night only!
OUSEBURN
WHAT: Glitter-arty
WHERE: The Biscuit Factory
WHEN: Friday 17 May, 7pm - 11pm
Where contemporary art and literature meets all things disco!
WHAT: Night Garden
WHERE: Ouseburn Farm
WHEN: Friday 17 May, 7pm - 10pm
An interactive UV experience as you delve deep into the farmyard valley.
WHAT: Art, Music, Food & Drinks
WHERE: Star and Shadow Cinema
WHEN: Friday 17 May, 7pm - 11pm
Visit this volunteer-run cinema for an evening of art, music, DJs, food and beer!
WHAT: Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choir
WHERE: Seven Stories
WHEN: Friday 17 May, 4pm - 7pm
A fun-filled singing workshop featuring a fine selection of unforgettable 80s hits!
