11:38AM, Fri May 18, 2012

Venues Prepare For NewcastleGateshead Late Shows

By India Adams Location: NewcastleGateshead

Video: Dancers limber up for Late Shows performance

More than 50 cultural attractions in Newcastle and Gateshead are preparing to stay open late this weekend as part of the UK's largest Museums at Night event.

The Late Shows is set to return with many cultural venues opening their doors from 7pm until late, showcasing a range of exhibitions, events and activities.

A host of museums, galleries and heritage sites will stay open late right across Newcastle and Gateshead.

Shipley Art Gallery will be hosting a specially-commissioned dance piece by students from Gateshead College inspired by its African-themed fashion exhibition.

The show has been choreographed to electronic African music and will be performed twice at the gallery's Late Show event on Saturday May 19.

DJ Vamanos will provide a soundtrack of African house and electro music while the gallery is submerged in African patterns as projected images cover the ceiling.

The Shipley will also be offering three exclusive workshops with local artist Frances Keay, where visitors can explore the art of textile painting and create collars inspired by the beadwork from the 'Journeys in Beadwork: Culture and Tradition in the Eastern Cape' exhibition.

Also on offer is the Gallery's first ever BBQ inspired by the traditional South African 'Braai'.

Elsewhere, over 50 other venues are preparing to come alive after dark with behind the scenes tours, open studios and short performances all featuring in the line-up.

Returning to The Late Shows programme for the second year running is art gallery Unit 44.

The refurbished warehouse unit at Hoults Yard, Newcastle, will be showcasing their collection one year on, with over 100 pieces from all over the world incorporating different methods, from stencils, screen-printing, emulsion, and acrylic.

Unit 44’s White Walls Project around the exterior walls of Hoults Yard, well on the way to becoming the largest outdoor gallery in the UK, will also be showcased.

Visitors can join a late night carnival with samba dancers and street drummers at the Great North Museum: Hancock or practice their circus skills at Discovery Museum.

New additions to the line-up for 2012 include Holy Jesus Hospital, where visitors can experience the great outdoors in the heart of the city; and Moorbank Botantic Garden at Newcastle University, which is offering visitors unique access to the indoor tropical rainforest and desert house.

For visitors who want to stay up even later, The Late Late Shows will return once again with Tyneside Cinema, Star & Shadow Cinema, The Sage Gateshead, World Headquarters and Northern Stage offering special events and discounted tickets from 9pm until the early hours.

To find out about the full line up or to join the mailing list, visit www.thelateshows.org.uk or find The Late Shows on Twitter, Flickr or Facebook.