The Late Shows

With DJ sets, hands-on art, behind the scenes tours, open studios and short performances all featuring in the line-up, visitors of all ages will be spoilt for choice during this free weekend of late night culture. The warm-up event for The Late Shows will take place on Friday 18 May with a special programme of events exclusively in the Ouseburn Valley. On Saturday 19 May, museums, galleries and heritage sites will stay open late right across NewcastleGateshead. Bill Griffiths, project manager for The Late Shows, says: “The line-up for this year’s event is more impressive than ever before and we are delighted to welcome lots of new venues to The Late Shows for 2012. “The Late Shows is one of the most popular events in NewcastleGateshead’s cultural calendar and we want visitors to move around the venues and see as much as they possibly can over the weekend.” Visitors to the Ouseburn Valley will be able to step into an intriguing cabinet of curiosities at Mushroom Works, try their hand at Raku firing at The Biscuit Factory or take part in a round the world printing challenge at Northern Print. Visitors to The Late Shows in other areas of NewcastleGateshead can take an exclusive late night tour of the new artwork ~Flow on the River Tyne, explore all things sci-fi with creative activities and interactive workshops at The Shed, or join a night time carnival at the Great North Museum. For art-lovers, the new contemporary art gallery BALTIC 39 will be opening after hours for the first time; Unit 44 at Hoult’s Yard will be showing over 100 pieces from all over the world; and the Shipley Art Gallery will be hosting a spectacular African-themed event. New additions to the line-up for 2012 include the Toffee Factory, which will be hosting a vintage tea party; Bessie Surtees House, where visitors can take a look behind the scenes of this five-storey heritage site; and Moorbank Botantic Garden at Newcastle University, which is offering visitors unique access to the indoor tropical rainforest and desert house. Bill continues: “With such a diverse mix of events on offer, we hope that visitors will take this opportunity to try something new, experience their favourite attractions in a different light and discover new places that they’d never thought of visiting before.” 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. Once again, free City Sightseeing buses will link up venues on the Saturday night, making it easier for visitors to experience as many venues as possible. To find out about the full line-up or to join the mailing list, visit the website or find The Late Shows on Twitter or Facebook. www.twitter.com/thelateshows www.facebook.com/thelateshows