David Whetstone

Newcastle upon Tyne

Editor at CULTURED. North East

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Articles

Miners’ Picnic a chance for commemoration and fun

3 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

Preparations for this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic are well underway and it’ll take something drastic to stop it. The event was first held in 1864 at Blyth Links and it has been a fixture in the county’s calendar ever since – apart from during the two world wars, the strikes of 1921, 1926 and 1984, the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and the Covid pandemic which put paid to 2020 and 2021.
North Shields gallery honours local Plasticine inventor

3 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

The Globe Gallery’s Plasticine project has been simmering for decades but is now proceeding apace with an exhibition planned for September as part of North Shields’ 800th anniversary celebrations. Funding has been allocated by Historic England via the Linskill Trust to this and another North Shields 800 project led by nearby Helix Arts. Globe director Rashida Davison said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this can now happen. It has been such a long time coming.
Something for everyone in the Laing’s new exhibition

3 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

As keeper of art for North East Museums, Esmé Whittaker is well acquainted with the Laing Art Gallery’s collection of fine art paintings and the Shipley Art Gallery’s treasure trove of 20th Century craft. As well as being the inspiration for With These Hands, they also provided the bulk of what’s on show in the Laing’s two adjoining rooms, although there are also loans from other galleries and institutions.
Northern Stage announces a new chief executive

3 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

Michael Slavin has been appointed as the new chief executive of Northern Stage in a restructuring of the leadership team at the region’s largest producing theatre. When he joins in October, he will work “in close partnership” with artistic director Natalie Ibu, according to a statement released by Northern Stage.
Goodbye to the North East Culture Partnership

3 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

The North East Culture Partnership (NECP) is to be wound up on July 1. A forum for those working in the arts and heritage and a driver of best practice, it was established in 2013 by the Association of North East Councils. Today’s formal announcement (on Wednesday, June 4) was trailed in a briefing letter from NECP co-chair Jane Robinson, pro-vice chancellor of engagement and place at Newcastle University.
Eric’s milestone concert season to end in style

1 month ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

Newcastle Bach Choir’s forthcoming concert in Hexham Abbey will set the seal on Eric Cross’s 40th anniversary season as conductor and music director. “It’s been really good,” he says, although he points out that he has no plans to relinquish what has clearly been a four-decade labour of love. “There’s no farewell tour,” he says.
Young singing stars bring opera to The Fire Station

1 month ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

Anything touched by the Samling Institute for Young Artists tends to come up smelling of roses which is why its summer production of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas promises to be blooming marvellous. The fully staged and costumed production is taking place in July at The Fire Station, Sunderland’s versatile music venue which can still be called new – and in terms of opera is brand spanking new.
Region’s fiddlers prepare for toe-tapping festival gig

1 month ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

They enter singly or in small groups, some announcing their arrival with cheery greetings and others quietly self-absorbed, but most carrying fiddle-shaped packages. All are members of the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance and the presence of a few interloper cellists demonstrates its accommodating nature. Anyone might walk in, says Hugh Firth at the table which has been positioned near the door. “We’re a drop-in group,” he explains.
Life celebrates 25 years with a major new attraction

1 month ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

Life goes on… and will do so with the help of a whizzy new Lightbox attraction which was unveiled at a party to mark 25 years of the science centre next to Newcastle Central Station. With admission prices reduced by 25% over half term (which is to say until June 1) now is a good time to get involved in its entertaining manipulation of light, colour and sound. Many will have fond memories of the 4D Motion Ride which was a thrilling feature of the place for many years.
REVIEW: The Bench, Gala Durham and touring

1 month ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | David Whetstone

It’s a big weekend for football, with Sunderland and Newcastle both facing a crucial, season-defining match and transfer wheeler dealing about to kick off. But when isn’t it? Do agents like Mike, smoothing the path for the sport’s human commodities as they coin it in, ever put down their phones? Do the fans, addicted to the heady brew of ‘Super Sunday’ style TV coverage, ever lay their passion aside? Mike will tell you. Any footballer’s agent would tell you. Nah… course not.