Art boosts North's image

Jun 21 2005

By The Journal

Andrew Dixon, Executive Director, Arts Council England, North East reflects on how the opening of The Sage Gateshead signalled the next wave of new arts facilities to open in the region. While on a train journey recently, I saw a whole series of GNER adverts promoting their nationwide destinations. London was summed up with images of Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and the London Eye and Newcastle with images of BALTIC, The Sage Gateshead and the Angel of the North. While this may not have been geographically accurate, it is a perfect example of how the arts have played a central role in transforming the image of the North East. Across the length and breadth of our region, in our town and cities, in our countryside and by our rivers and coastlines, the North East is being transformed by artists. From landmark sculptures such as the Bottle of Notes in Middlesbrough to poetry in the pavements of Grainger Town and The Spirit of the Staithes in Blyth, art is becoming part of our everyday environment. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT The level of art commissioning in our region has never been higher with companies such as Northern Rock and Sage plc recognising the real value of making their workplaces more attractive through art. Even the Northumbria Fire Service and Inland Revenue have employed artists to enhance new building developments. Hospitals, parks, shopping centres, riversides, ferry landings, cycle paths and new housing developments such as West Park in Darlington have all joined the regional gallery of artworks. This trend only looks set to increase as the cultural renaissance in the North East continues apace. The opening of The Sage Gateshead in 2004 will be followed this year with the opening of Seven Stories: The Centre for Children's Books, DanceCity and Live Theatre. Over the next two years the region will see further new arts facilities open, including mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), Waygood and Northern Stage at Newcastle Playhouse. It really is an incredibly exciting time to be living and working in the North East, as we witness a sea change in opportunity for all of us to experience world-class culture, whether in our towns and cities, in our workplace, or in our own homes. ********** What's in store... Durham Brass Festival Until 14 July Various venues in Durham City and County Durham The programme includes three of Britain's finest brass bands - Grimethorpe, Reg Vardy and Brighouse & Rastrick; American trumpeter Abram Wilson; Scandinavian vocalist Karin Krog; and the brilliant Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, of the Buena Vista Social Club. The Bodies written by Peter Flannery Until Saturday 30 July Live Theatre, Newcastle Metro: Manors A passionate tale based on Emile Zola's classic novel, Therésè Raquin. Therésè (Jill Halfpenny) lives trapped in a loveless marriage to her weak and ineffectual cousin Camille, living with him and his overbearing mother in a claustrophobic and dingy apartment. When Camille's artistic and charming friend Laurent begins to call on the family, he and Therésè begin a turbulent and secret affair. Sunderland Waterfront Festival Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June Cliffe Park, Seaburn Metro: Seaburn This vibrant festival will present world-class performers, visual and creative artists and entertainers, with a host of free fun and entertainment for all the family. The Waterfront Festival opens with Saints and Singers a spectacular and unique new performance by renowned outdoor theatre company Walk the Plank, which tells the story of Sunderland through music and special pyrotechnic effects. Visitors will be able to enjoy a rare treat as the caves between Roker Beach and Roker Park will be opened for the weekend, featuring a digital art installation that will bring the caves to life with sound and light. Sand Sculpture Festival Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June Six locations on the Northumberland coast including Spittal, Bamburgh, Low Newton, Alnmouth, Druridge Bay and Newbiggin. Situated at various points along the Northumberland coast, members of the public will be invited to join the professionals to create stunning sand sculptures including a huge replica of Bamburgh Castle. There will also be a sandcastle competition, kite flying and watersports for all. Crimdon Dreams Wednesday 22-Sunday 26 June Crimdon Park and Dene, Blackhall Rocks, County Durham This exciting programme of open air entertainment in a coastal beauty spot includes a promenade production of A Midsummer Night's Dream; art and drama workshops; and a brass band concert on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday there's chainsaw sculpting, a coastal nature trail, music, juggling and a huge beach collage. Thursday 30 June-Sunday 3 July NewcastleGateshead Quayside Metro: Central Station/Gateshead Staged at BALTIC and on the Tyne, aboard Stubnitz, a German ship converted into a floating venue, Navigate is a four-day festival of live and performance art showcasing world premieres of several specially commissioned works and keynote presentations by leading writers and critics. Brinkburn Music Summer Festival Friday July 1-3 and Friday July 8-10 Brinkburn Priory, Rothbury, Northumberland The Brinkburn Music Summer Festival features sublime music ranging from early to contemporary classical in the beautiful setting of a 12th Century priory. Artists include the stunning Gabrieli Consort & Players; the Scottish Ensemble with Nicola Benedetti; the award-winning string quartet, the Lindsays; the ever popular King's Singers; exciting pianist Joanna MacGregor; and the dramatic Baroque ensemble, Red Priest. Amble Sea Fayre Saturday 2-Sunday 3 July Amble Marina The festival will celebrate Amble's fishing tradition and its relationship with the sea and coastline. There will be delicious local seafood, a trawler race and a street party. Samling Opera - Così fan tutte Wednesday 6, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July The Sage Gateshead Metro: Gateshead This exciting new production of Mozart's much loved opera, Così fan tutte, tells a tale of love and deception, heartache and betrayal and will be produced by The Samling Foundation in partnership with The Sage Gateshead. Featuring six outstanding young singers and Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair, it will be directed by The Samling Foundation's patron, the international opera star Sir Thomas Allen. Mouth of the Tyne Festival Saturday 9-Sunday 10 July North and South Shields Metro: North and South Shields This spectacular high-quality family entertainment includes street theatre, visual arts, river-based activities, music and dance and takes place along both sides of the River Tyne. The French company Malabar, with their ghostly ship, and Fantastic Fireworks will provide a memorable grand finale. Jimmie Durham - Particle/Wave Theory #2 Saturday July 16, 3pm (low tide) South Hylton, Sunderland Metro: South Hylton The River Wear's rich history gives rise to many curious facts and legends. Some of these stories lie buried in the river's bed. Artist Jimmie Durham will be adding to this heritage with a major new public artwork entitled Particle/Wave Theory £2. Durham is collaborating with the University of Sunderland's Reg Vardy Gallery and The Banff Centre, Canada, to sink a rowing boat in the Wear with an eight-tonne boulder. Northumbrian Alfresco Friday 16 July - Gibside Hall, nr Rowlands Gill, Newcastle Saturday 30 July - The Riverside, Chester le Street Saturday 27 August - Wallington Hall, Cambo, Morpeth The Northumbria Anthology is dedicated to preserving, celebrating and performing the aural tradition of the North-East. During this series of outdoor proms, Northumbria Alfresco will celebrate and perform traditional songs and poems. Zapcats Powerboats National Championships Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 July South Shields Metro: South Shields Zapcats, high powered inflatable catamarans reaching speeds of up to 50mph, will be visiting the North-East for the first time as part of the heats for the 2005 National Championships. This exhilarating watersport  is a must for all lovers of speed and agility. Saturday 16-Sunday 17 July Tees Barrage, Teesside Waterscape will include a range of fantastic watersports including bell boat racing, kayaking, slalom canoeing, white water rafting and dragon boat racing. In addition to these competitive events spectators will also be able to "have-a-go". Tyne River Festival Saturday 16-Sunday 17 July Newburn (16) & Walker Riverside (17) A celebration of community on and around the River Tyne. Festivals in Walker and Newburn Riverside parks will be accompanied by two days of boating and river-based displays including an opportunity to have a go at kayaking, bell and dragon boat racing. On dry land a mixture of sport, music and visual arts with an international theme will provide entertainment and spectacle for all. Boss Sounds presents Culture Saturday 23 July The Sage Gateshead Metro: Gateshead Direct from Jamaica, this is one of the most eagerly awaited reggae concerts of the year. Renowned for such hits as Two Sevens Clash, beloved by punks in the late '70s. If you only go to one reggae concert this year make it this one. Blyth Maritime Festival Saturday 23-Sunday 24 July With Tall Ships resting at Blyth Harbour before their race, there will be opportunities to see the Tall Ships close-up, enjoy the music and entertainment which includes a firework display on Saturday night and the huge spectacle of a parade of sail on Sunday afternoon as the Tall Ships leave for the Tyne. Tees Valley Tall Ships Visit Saturday 23-Sunday 24 July Hartlepool Historic Quay To celebrate The Tall Ships' visit to Tees Valley there's a chance to enjoy a host of events including tours of the traditional sailing vessels, sea shanty performances by professional musicians, maritime pursuits and shore-side entertainment. The centerpiece will be a performance by Spanish company Xarxa theatre with an outdoor theatrical and pyrotechnic spectacular using a 20-metre boat as a stage. Small Ships Race Sunday 24-Friday 29 July Alnmouth Bay The fleet will assemble at Amble where the Regatta begins in earnest with an Olympic-style race in Alnmouth Bay on 24 and 25 July, a race to Blyth on 26 July, continuing to the River Tyne on 28 July, to see the Tall Ships emerge from the river into the North Sea. The Tall Ships' Races Monday 25-Thursday 28 July NewcastleGateshead Quayside Metro: Manors/Gateshead Many of the world's most majestic ships will arrive on the River Tyne, culminating in the eagerly anticipated Cresting the Waves event on the evening of July 27. The show will feature stunning music, lighting, large scale projections and pyrotechnic displays using the ships themselves as an unforgettable backdrop. Source of the Tyne Festival Thursday 28-Sunday 31 July Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder Water The centerpiece of this festival will be four superb performances by Theatre Titanick, Germany's premier outdoor theatre company. Flotsam tells the story of the triumph of the human spirit surviving after a huge flood, using the lake itself as a dramatic stage set. The fringe festival will include music and entertainment ranging from a Reiver re-enactment, to the Northumbria Alfresco including Kathryn Tickell back home in Wark. Alnwick International Music Festival Saturday 30 July-Saturday August 6 Folk musicians from around the world gather for this highlight of the summer in the historic market town. Stockton International Riverside Festival and Fringe Wednesday 3-Sunday 7 August Stockton Town Centre The Festival includes a world-class programme of free comedy, music, magic and circus. The highlight will be a stunning performance on, in and above the River Tees from award-winning Israeli theatre company Clipa Theater. The amazing performance tells the story of the creation of the world as told by vagabonds aboard a rickety boat. The Fringe will focus on live original music, dance and visual art. River Opera Friday 5-Sunday 7 August Bill Quay Community Farm, Bill Quay Metro: Pelaw Monster Productions is taking its formula of musical theatre, modern myth and visual magic 'down onto the farm'. Our animal friends play host to an array of colourful characters as they tunefully muse and lyrically reveal their stories of the river below. Hexham Abbey Festival Friday 16-Wednesday 24 September Hexham Abbey, Hexham Hexham Abbey Festival features mostly classical music, but also includes world music, jazz, poetry and art. This year the festival will feature the Demon Barbers with devilishly fine singing; jazz from Acoustic Triangle; medieval music from Daughters of Elvin; top international ensemble London Sinfonietta with Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time; and the fabulously atmospheric Candlelight Concert.

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