Northeast Music Guide

CHRIS RAMSEY COMES TO BARNARD CASTLE Sitcom star will bring his latest show to the Parish Hall for one night only Following a sell-out tour of the UK , Hebburn star Chris Ramsey comes to Barnard Castle for one night only.  Ramsey, who played lead Jack Pearson in the hit BBC 2 sitcom, will head to the intimate Parish Hall on Thursday 14 August for a special performance of his latest show, The Most Dangerous Man On Saturday Morning Television. The event, organised by Funny Way To Be Comedy Club , comes just two days before Ramsey takes the show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a limited, eight-night run. Peter Dixon, of Funny Way To Be, said: “If I’d been told four years ago when we set up Funny Way To Be Comedy that one of the country’s top comics would ask to perform in Barnard Castle a couple of days before a major run at the world’s leading comedy festival I would not have believed it.  “This is an incredible opportunity to see a leading theatre show i...

         It’s Gonna Live Forever        Darlington Civic Theatre presents a brand-new production of FAME: The Musical - like you’ve never seen it before from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 June A dynamic, all-new production by Bill Kenwright - re-imagines and re-mixed for 2014! Based on the Oscar-winning musical film and hugely successful TV series, FAME – THE MUSICAL will take you on a hi-octane rollercoaster ride through dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star-struck wannabes embark on their quest for the ultimate accolade – fame. At the world famous High School for Performing Arts New York, young talented hopefuls undertake the journey of their lives. Ambition, triumph, heartbreak and romance conspire to steer them off course, and the pressure is too much for some. But these kids are determined to live forever and as they rocket through breathtaking dance routines and show stopping tunes FAME i...

A Tasty Combination of Alex Dobson and Real Ale  on Sunday 25th May - Bank Holiday Weekend Alex will be playing a combination of covers and his own original songs, old and new, at the Dolly Peel in South Shields. The music starts at 8.30 pm but allow yourself time to relax with a pleasant drink before that. The bar boasts a range of tasty real ales and if the beer is not your thing there are plenty of other beverages to refresh you. After all, it's a bank holiday the next day, but enjoy your beer responsibly, of course. Of the real ale, the Dolly Peel says, "Remember you can have a taste of any of our ales before buying a pint. We have been awarded the Cask Marque to show our ales are of a consistently high quality. Stored, chilled and pulled to perfection." This sounds like our kind of pub! Alex Dobson has been busy writing new songs but you can get a taste of his music  in his videos for Kites and Louder . Alex also has a talent for making a well-known...

A Simply Souper Evening A night to discover the answers to such mysteries as: "What is purple?" and "What happens when a gay lad from the country moves to the city and comes out as , shock horror, vegan?" Phil Ogg took full advantage of the intimate surroundings and attentive audience with his folksy pastiche filled with the calm remorse of relationships that have gone sour. Phil's long relationship with the acoustic guitar showed in his artistry with the instrument. Asa J Maddison , stepping in to cover an absent comic's slot and starting in a Jesus Christ pose, explained emphatically that he is NOT the second coming, despite his appearance. He gave a full, loud, energetic poetry performance that flew off the stage and drew the audience in. However, nothing prepared us for the sublime madness of Jeff Potts , who captured the tyranny of the mad world we live in with a full-on act that had some people flinching, in a good way. Dominic Berry  broug...

  COMEDY FEATURE FILM WORLD PREMIERE IN NEWCASTLE THIS JUNE     You’ve all heard of “The Summer Of Love” - now brace yourselves for “The Summer Of Stagg!”   A raucous new Geordie comedy feature film, The Stagg Do , ( www.thestaggdo.com ) will receive its World Premiere at Newcastle’s o2 Academy, Westgate Road on 26 June, 2014. This will be one of several screenings planned in venues throughout the UK.   The Stagg Do was shot entirely on location in the North East of England and features well-known North East actors Bill Fellows (United and Wolf Blood) and Craig Conway (The Descent and Doomsday). Two non-actors from Walker, Martin Paterson and Andrew Stagg, star in the lead roles of this bawdy, low-budget comedy which is being touted as the Geordie ‘Hangover’ .   The Stagg Do follows two lifelong mates from Walker, one of whom is about to get married to a ‘posh bird’. Best man, Pob, w...

Time Travelling Treats The Mining Institute is becoming a favourite venue of mine. Whether in the large stain glass windowed library or the small room we were in, the Institute has a number of interesting old rooms and is well worth a visit. This room was particularly suited to this launch party, due to its "large living room" feeling and the handy adjoining, reasonably priced bar. First on was Ani Sandwith, a young singer songwriter with a lush bluesy voice, an ability to write good tunes and very busy piano fingers. Ani can be heard playing as a part of Michael Blackwell 's band and so will be involved in the recording of his album as well as her own new EP. So What Robot came on and blasted through a number of their older and newer tracks including their latest single In Love With Love with their usual enthusiasm winning themselves a few new fans in the process. This was developing into a really fun evening.  Peculiar Disco Moves have been gracing...