Main image: Duane Gooden in The Smartest Giant in Town at Little Angel Theatre. Photo by Ellie Kurttz
Now the madness of the festive season is done and dusted for another year, we’re ready to tackle a new year and all the great events it’ll bring! January is always a great month for trying something new, so why not check out some of these wonderful events in Newcastle – there’s something for everyone!
Paul Smith @ O2 City Hall
Not to be confused with the Maximo Park frontman, this Paul Smith is a very funny comedian (although we’re sure the other Paul Smith has his moments). If you’re a social media fan, this Paul Smith will be familiar to you thanks to his viral clips of his lightning quick audience interactions and trademark Scouse banter!
Friday 6th-Saturday 7th January, tickets from £29.40
Transatlantic Bowie @ Wylam Brewery
The Transatlantic Ensemble are a group of amazing musicians who regularly perform at Wylam in a variety of guises. This show celebrates the Thin White Duke himself, and promises a masterful show featuring all David Bowie’s hits performed by amazing vocalists and a huge brass and percussion section. A must-attend night for any fans of Bowie.
Saturday 7th January, tickets from £20
Image: Abbie Finn Trio by Ken Drew
Abbie Finn Trio @ Prohibition Cabaret Bar
The North East jazz drummer is fast gaining a reputation for her astonishing talent, and this trio certainly set the standard high when it comes to musicality. Celebrating the release of their album On Pink Lane, it’s a decidedly North East affair, and they’ll wow audiences with their drum, tenor sax and double bass jazz sounds.
Thursday 12th January, tickets £10
Matt Reed @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Local funnyman Matt Reed’s new show – Local Funnyman Matt Reed – does exactly what it says on the tin. The North East comedian (he’s from Sunderland, but we won’t hold that against him) is renowned for his masterful way with the audience, his whip-smart repartee and ludicrous stories. You can be assured of a roll in the aisle or two!
Saturday 14th January, tickets from £13.50
Image: Joe Absolom & Ben Onwukwe by Jack Merriman
The Shawshank Redemption @ Theatre Royal
Adapted from Stephen King’s masterful novella Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption, and made into a smash hit movie featuring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the stage version of The Shawshank Redemption promises all the magic of the story of Andy Dufresne and prison fixer Red, live on stage. Themes of friendship, desperation and injustice are put under the spotlight by Joe Absolom (EastEnders, Doc Martin) and Ben Onwukwe (London’s Burning) in what promises to be a real theatrical treat.
Tuesday 17th-Saturday 21st January, tickets from £15
Bongo’s Bingo @ Boiler Shop
Why not kick your New Year off with a healthy dose of absolute mayhem courtesy of Bongo’s Bingo? The bonkers event is more ‘crazy party’ than ‘eyes down, look in’ and you can expect dancing on the tables, cheesy singalongs, dance offs, amazing prizes, live performance, full-on raves and cash money to be won (plus a bit of bingo).
Friday 20th January, tickets from £17
The Smartest Giant in Town @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
You can’t go wrong with the tremendous pairing of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and an adaptation of their bestselling book The Smartest Giant In Town is just the New Year tonic you and your little ones need. Find out how George got to be the smartest giant, in this heart-warming tale of friendship and helping those in need.
Tuesday 24th-Wednesday 25th January, tickets from £13
Visions of Ancient Egypt @ Laing Art Gallery
Laing Art Gallery’s big exhibition this Spring looks to uncover our enduring fascination with ancient Egypt in an engaging and exciting way. Taking the art and design of Egyptian culture as its starting point, Visions of Ancient Egypt looks at how paintings, sculpture, photography, fashion and jewellery has been influenced by the multiple visions of Egypt since the Roman period.
Saturday 28th January-Saturday 29th April, tickets from £9
Image: The 1975 by Samuel Bradley
The 1975 @ Utilita Arena
Having recently released their fifth album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, to critical acclaim, the indie pop group embark on a massive tour to bring their upbeat anthems to the live stage. Combine a smart aesthetic with innovative synth sounds and grand, playful pop ditties, and you’ve got a band which courts adoration from fans of intelligent, melodic indie pop.
Wednesday 25th January, tickets from £46
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Stowell Street
Newcastle’s Chinese community come together to celebrate Chinese New Year in January, and 2023 marks the year of the Water Rabbit. As always, you can expect firecrackers, lion and dragon dances, parades, lanterns and a whole host of amazing food. The city’s Chinatown is a wonderful place to enjoy at any time, but this is a particularly special occasion to visit. Don’t miss it!
Details TBC
No matter how you choose to see the first month of the year in - whether it’s doubled over in laughter at a comedy show, bopping along with indie rockers or dancing on the tables playing bingo - there’s always something exciting going on in Newcastle!
