- Play Hard
- 15th May 2024
- 0
- 9 minutes
The Late Shows is back for 2024 – here’s our pick of what to see
Newcastle and Gateshead’s famous after-hours culture crawl – The Late Shows – is back for 2024.
Award-winning, late night and completely free, The Late Shows takes over the Toon on Friday 17th May and Saturday 18th May – meaning museums, art galleries, heritage venues and private workshops will all come together to offer special activities, behind-the-scenes tours, performances and parties.
Whether you’re from the area or not, The Late Shows offer the perfect way to sample the very best of Newcastle and Gateshead’s cultural offerings in short taster visits – without you needing to spend a penny.
The Late Shows: Friday 17th May – Saturday 18th May
Venues across Ouseburn, Gateshead and Newcastle-upon-Tyne
ON FRIDAY – HEAD TO OUSEBURN
THE BISCUIT FACTORY
16 Stoddart Street, Newcastle, NE2 1AN
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Head to The Biscuit Factory for ROOTED; an evening of connection, community and climate hope. Experience a unique installation made of an eco-material found in fungus, watch Northern artist Laura Pedley live paint, enjoy the exhibitions and shop sustainably with RE:BOURN – a pre-owned clothing pop-up in the brand new event space, The Garden Room, before finishing your night with locally sourced food and drink.
HLN TOP TIP: Want to make a night of it? Enjoy an evening of wonderful food and wine at The Factory Kitchen’s Supper Club, as part of The Late Shows, surrounded by contemporary artwork and panoramic views of the Ouseburn. Head Chef Michael Waugh has curated an exclusive menu at £60pp with a single sitting at 6.45pm. View the menu and book your table here.
FLEA CIRCUS
210 Warwick Street, Newcastle, NE2 1BB
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Is there any cooler place to hang out on a Friday night than Flea Circus? This vintage and creative department store is run as a cooperative of artisans, makers and sellers.
Resident artist Dan McBean (Mr Watson Design) will be hosting a very special evening to support Music vs Cancer, with an exhibition of his signed limited edition fine art prints. Expect live music, Spinning Superiority on the decks, and a chance to own these exclusive artworks.
STAR AND SHADOW CINEMA
Warwick Street, NE2 1BB
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Star and Shadow Cinema is more than just a cinema – it’s an alternative social, cultural, arts and community hub run by a collective of volunteers. The World is Diving is a free evening of food, DJs, exhibition and cinematic showreels for your listening and viewing pleasure.
36 LIME STREET
Newcastle, NE1 2PQ (limited wheelchair access – only the street-level gallery is wheelchair accessible).
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Discover the charm of Newcastle’s oldest artist studio building, offering a peek into the working world of a diverse range of creators. Engage with artists, explore paintings, ceramics, sculptures, jewellery, furniture, and more while enjoying live music. This is a really unique glimpse into the vibrant heart of Newcastle’s art scene.
SEVEN STORIES
30 Lime Street, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Step inside this Grade II listed venue with an opportunity to explore the magical, historical building after hours. See never-before-seen pieces from the literary collection, interact with historical characters and sit down and relax for a spooky storytelling session.
VICTORIA TUNNEL
Ouse Street, Byker, NE1 2PF (no wheelchair access)
Open: 6.00pm – 9.00pm (booking required)
Explore Newcastle’s hidden heritage with a short 20-minute taster tour of the Victoria Tunnel – an underground wagonway running two and a half miles beneath the city. Find out how this ingenious feat of Victorian engineering was built, and what life was like for the thousands of citizens who sheltered here in WWII. To avoid disappointment book your tickets in advance.
ON SATURDAY – NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD
NEWCASTLE CITY LIBRARY
Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle, NE1 8AX
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Dance the night away with music from local DJs ‘Hidden Agenda’, a silent disco, board games and creative activities, short guided city centre walks and for the hardcore Newcastle United fans, visit the photography exhibition Toon Fans United by Hazel Plater which uncovers the deep sense of identity and community forged through a shared love of a football team.
LAING ART GALLERY
New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 8AG
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Everyone is talking about Laing Art Gallery’s new exhibition – Turner: Art, Industry and Nostalgia. This year’s Late Shows evening celebrates it with an evening of creative activities exploring industry, mapping and celestial navigation. Normal admission charges apply for the exhibition.
NEWCASTLE ARTS CENTRE
67 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 1SG
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (over 14s only)
Newcastle Arts Centre will come alive as its resident artists open their studio doors to welcome visitors behind the scenes. In the gallery, enjoy an exhibition and performance by puppeteer Marc Parrett. While you’re there, head down to The Black Swan which is hosting a celebratory jam to mark a decade of the popular Jazz sessions. Enjoy live music and pour out into the bustling courtyard to find street food and outdoor seating.
DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Join in lots of activities on the theme of ‘light’ at Discovery Museum for this year’s Late Shows – including a game of Laser Tag amongst the exhibits in the popular Science Maze.
DANCE CITY
Temple Street, Newcastle, NE1 4BR
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Put on your heels (yes, take your own) and dive into taster dance sessions like commercials heels (18+) and cabaret heels (18+). Plus, enjoy a Ballet Taster for all ages. Engage with artists, sit in on rehearsals, and delve into dance discussions. Witness performances by the Senior and Youth Company, including aerial acts. While you’re there, grab a bite to eat at The Seven Bridges café – a unique collaboration between Dance City and The West End Refugee Service.
BLACKFRIARS
Friars Street, Newcastle, NE1 4XN
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Immerse yourself in the history of this historical restaurant as performers, writers and composers present a video projection, ballad and immersive soundscape charting the history of Blackfriars. Expect the weird and wonderful, with looped saxophone soundscapes, using traditional biblical mystery stories as three people tell the history of a city. Plus, poet Dearest Haley will bring the history of Blackfriars to life with on-the-spot micro poetry performances. The poems will also incorporate your thoughts and responses as you explore the 13th-century building, afterwards, you’ll receive a handwritten copy of the poem as a memento.
GRAINGER MARKET
Grainger Street, Newcastle, NE1 5QQ
Open: 6.00pm – 10.30pm (last entry 10.00pm)
Is that a glint in a doll’s eye? A record spinning? A synthesiser playing itself? Are those naughty robots making a run for it? Digital artists, Multiminded, alongside illustrator Deborah Snell will be using projection mapping to animate the Grainger Market, imagining what happens when everyone has gone home. There’ll also be plenty of special classes and activities, music, dancing, free tasters, art and discounts on offer – all under cover in Newcastle’s oldest surviving retail destination.
DUNSTON STAITHS
Dunston, Gateshead, NE8 2GS
Open: 6.00pm – 9.00pm (limited wheelchair access)
The historic Dunston Staiths will be open, weather permitting, until sunset (9.00pm). This is a rare opportunity to soak up the unique view along the Tyne from the historic structure. Wear sensible shoes and walk up to the top deck where there’ll be short heritage talks running at 6.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.00pm.
Wheelchairs can access the lower deck and top decks separately although the two are connected by stairs on the structure itself, so access to the top deck is via the wagonway.
BALTIC CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
Open: 6.00pm – 10.00pm (last entry 9.30pm)
Baltic’s doors will be staying open later for an evening look at the Open Submission 2024 with over 100 works by artists and makers from the North East of England. Join in with a creative artist-led session in the Front Room with two of the artists featured in the exhibition. You can also enjoy a guided tour of the exhibition by Baltic’s friendly Crew team.
SHIPLEY ART GALLERY
Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4JB
Open: 6.00pm – 10.00pm
Enjoy a night of crafting and creativity led by Gateshead-based makers, creators and organisations. The evening will be a showcase of activities that take place both within the gallery and beyond. You’ll also be able to enjoy live music, and there’ll be opportunities to make your own artwork to take home.
Please note: In as many venues as possible, there will be dedicated quiet spaces available for any visitors who need a place to relax.
For the full schedule, check out The Late Shows 2024 website – https://thelateshows.org.uk/2024
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