Great Ways to Kickback This Weekend
Get into the swing of 2024 with lots of different things to do this weekend
Take in a show…
There’s plenty of live theatre fun for the whole family this weekend. At Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre it's your last chance to catch Red Riding Hood performed by Huddersfield Light Opera Company this Friday and Saturday (19th–20th). For something a bit different, ditch the kids and catch the adults-only version of the show on the evening of Friday 19th instead. This is the opening weekend for Jack and the Beanstalk at Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds which will run from Friday 19th until Saturday 27th. Further north, you can also catch Jack and his magical beans at Whitley Bay Playhouse until Sunday 21st. Beginning this Friday (19th) at The Alnwick Playhouse, you can watch Adventure in Pantoland, showcasing a range of classic pantomime stories all wrapped into one to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Alnwick Theatre Club. At Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, prepare for fun and frivolity with Stock Aitken Waterman’s hit musical I Should Be So Lucky, full to the brim with all of your favourite singalong classics including Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and Bananorama. The show will run until Saturday 20th so get your tickets now.
Hungry eyes…
Newcastle Restaurant Week is in full swing and will run until Sunday 21st, so this is the perfect time to take advantage of some delicious, discounted meals. More than 100 restaurants are taking part this year with offers of either £15, £20 or £25 on food. Understandably the week is wildly popular but if you can’t decide where to go we’ve picked the best places to book for a bite to eat here.
Laugh out loud…
Laugh the January blues away this weekend with a comedy show (or two). At Newcastle’s The Stand Comedy Club, you can watch Stephen K. Amos perform his brand new show Oxymoron on Sunday 21st. You may know him from QI, Live at the Apollo and his recent stint in My Fair Lady in the West End. At Middlesbrough Town Hall this Saturday (20th), you can watch BAFTA-nominated Guz Khan on his celebrated comedy tour, which has now extended its run. You may have seen Guz’s impressive comedy chops on Channel 4’s Taskmaster and Live at the Apollo, so prepare for a night of fun.
Learn a little…
Get out of the cold and spend some worthwhile time inside this weekend at a local museum. On Saturday 20th, Abbey House Museum in Leeds is launching its The Power of Persuasion exhibition. This will take visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of advertising and branding in Leeds and further afield, including a critical look at how companies have convinced us to buy their products over the years through the use of imagery, design and slogans. Want something for the kids? At Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens this Saturday (20th) you can join the team for Bear’s Museum Adventure: Find the History Heroes. Follow along with storyteller Hannah Graham as you read about Bear defeating the Wear Monsters, before exploring a story trail through the museum and creating some Sunderland Superhero artwork.
Art attack…
In 2024, Wakefield is committing to putting themselves firmly on the map with a range of events planned for the full year. Beginning Thursday 18th, artist Andy Singleton will be exhibiting their work INTERNAL at Tileyard North. The large-scale paper installation explores the complexity of the human body and how it connects with the world. Best of all? The exhibit is free to attend. This is also your last chance to enjoy an art and landscape twilight tour around Yorkshire Sculpture Park, led by the visitor experience team, which includes a visit to the popular Light Organ in the 18th-century Chapel.
Get your steps in…
Winter walks are one of the best ways to power through the January blues so pull out your boots, wrap up warm and head on out. If you don’t want to travel far out into the countryside, Tynemouth is one of our favourite places to start from. Head straight along the main street towards the coast, which will give stunning views over King Edward’s Bay and the historic Tynemouth Priory. Walk north from there, sticking to the coast, and you will pass through Cullercoats and Whitley Bay in quick succession. If you like, you can turn into the town here to hunt out one of its many coffee shops. Otherwise, continue north along Whitley Bay’s coast to St Mary’s lighthouse. There are plenty of great walks across the region to enjoy, and we’ve rounded up some of the best (and the coffee shops to make a pit stop at) here.
Musically gifted…
Head to The Glasshouse in Gateshead on Saturday 20th for the European Concert Hall Organisation’s Rising Star event. The event celebrates four hand-picked, up-and-coming classical artists, including The Glasshouse’s very own Rising Star and Artist in Residence Faye MacCalman who plays saxophone, clarinet and also composes. The musicians will be performing a range of music during the day to showcase their impressive talents. Marking 75 years of Peterlee, The Lubetkin Theatre at East Durham College will be hosting a range of events to celebrate. Highlights include fusion band Smoove and Turrell on Friday 19th January, The Futureheads on Saturday 20th and Paul Smith on Sunday 21st, so book now while you can.
