Culture crawl brings 'different people together'

6 hours ago

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria

News image — The Late Shows have been running since 2007 and have included silent discos, medieval taverns and ceilidhs

The Late Shows A pink lit up sign which reads 'I bet you look good on the dancefloor' in a clear, square casing. There is a small disco ball to the left and a young boy with short hair and lit up over-the-ear headphones looking at the sign. He is partly in shadow. The photo is slightly on an angle and the sign is lighting up the room in a pink light. — The Late Shows have been running since 2007 and have included silent discos, medieval taverns and ceilidhs

An after-hours culture crawl is set to return for its 19th year, showcasing a city's creativity.

Bill Griffiths, head of programmes and collections at North East Museums, said The Late Shows was developed as part of a Museums at Night festival to attract a younger audience to cultural spaces in 2007.

But instead of just focusing on museums, it was opened up to involve other spaces and Griffiths said he had to beg people and businesses across Newcastle and Gateshead to take part in the first year, with just 14 venues involved.

Taking place again on Friday and Saturday, there are now about 70 venues involved with more than 30,000 visitors expected.

"I didn't know 70 venues in the area that could open," Griffiths said.

"So it's been brilliant for me to see just how much cultural offer there is across Newcastle and Gateshead.

"People now come every year and say it's one of the high spots on their calendars, but through the first 10 years I would turn up on the first night and go 'I wonder if anyone would come this year'?"

The Late Shows A woman on the right holding a black cut out of an owl. She has her hair tied back and is wearing an oversized denim jacket and dangly earrings. Red, blue and green lights are being projected on the wall to the left, in a blue light. There is a wall behind the woman with various picture frames — Creative workshops will be taking place across Newcastle and Gateshead

Griffiths describes the event as either "cultural tapas" or a "culture crawl," giving people the opportunity to wander around different venues to see what is on offer.

On Friday, the offering is largely based across Newcastle's Ouseburn, with folk stories, printmaking and candle pouring.

Ouseburn Farm will be open after hours with traditional games, meanwhile Cobalt Studios is hosting a free party and the Cumberland Arms takes over the Toffee Factory with a disco.

"It's almost impossible to hold the programme in my head now," Griffiths said.

"It's utterly impossible to see everything, which is kind of the point."

On Saturday the crawl opens up into the city centre and Gateshead.

Dunston Staithes will be open to the public at sunset, meanwhile Newcastle Castle will be transformed into a medieval pub and the Grainger Market will be open until 22:30 BST with food, music and drinks.

Creative workshops will also be taking place across the two days.

The Late Shows A man in a black top hat and red coat and waistcoat holding a silver chain which is on fire. He is looking down at it. Behind him there is a glass wall with a black sign which reads 'The Late Shows' in yellow writing — The Late Shows have been running since 2007

Griffiths said the reason The Late Shows were special was because none of the venues were in competition with each other.

"It's all a big collaborative night, and, you know, it's about a shared sense of just look how much there is here, look how many creative people are here, look how much history and heritage are here, look how much fun and playfulness there is in our sector here," he said.

"At first you had to beg everyone [to get involved].

"I don't have to beg, everyone knows what is it now.

"It really does bring a lot of different people together."

The Late Shows Two lambs leaning against each other while lying down. The one on the right is looking into the camera while the one on the left has its eyes closed as it rests on the other's chest. They are on top of some hay with purple boxes behind them. — Ouseburn Farm is one of the venues opening into the evening with games and entertainment

Gateshead Council's service director for economic development and regeneration Lindsay Murray said the Late Shows provided "a brilliant opportunity to shine a spotlight" on the its venues.

She added the event supported the local economy and fostered "a real sense of pride in the borough's vibrant cultural offer".

Principal advisor for events and culture at Newcastle City Council, Jim Mawdsley said The Late Shows "has been transforming how people experience culture" in the city for two decades.

"It's now one of the most anticipated events in our cultural calendar, and this year promises to be better and more inspiring than ever," he added.

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