November/December Events round up

November and December events round up

Ouseburn Open Art weekend

http://www.ouseburnopenstudios.org/

The weekend of 24^th to 25^th November sees the opening up of creative studios in the Ouseburn Valley for those who are after some alternative and original Christmas gifts. You can find quality innovative home made products at ‘British by Design’s’ pop Up shop at the Toffee Factory, and the Biscuit Tin is showcasing great veggie food, an impromptu writing group, affordable art and vocal performances. There is a free shuttle bus from Gateshead Quays so you can leave the car at home, and get stuck into the mulled wine. Other venues involved include Northern Print, Mushroom Works, The Biscuit Factory and 36 Lime Street.

Winter Fair @ St Mary’s Sat 24th – Sun 25^th November

Get over to Gateshead for arts, crafts and traditional local food loveliness. Glass, pottery and textile stalls will be dotted between bread, cake and cheese stalls.

Continental and Christmas Markets - Newcastle (near Monument)

Need some diversity in your lunch break choice or looking for interesting offerings for xmas hampers? Check out the Continental Market near the Monument until Saturday 1^st December for European delights. I'm usually there practising my French on poor unsuspecting Gallic boys and girls who can't get a word in edgeways. Then there’s not much time to wait until the Christmas Market (Wed 5^th to Sun 9^th Dec) for local treats – think beers, homemade jams and stupendous cakes. Hey, I can’t not get into the Christmas spirit if I can see mulled wine and roast chestnuts on offer! I always get things early in an attempt to make a hamper for the parents but we end up eating it straight away and I have to go back and get more. It's a tradition. 

December Events

Festival of Fools – Alnwick Garden 18^th  - 30^th December

http://www.alnwickgarden.com/events/111/festival-of-fools

Bored with the usual Christmas market option and want something a little bit more challenging that doesn’t involve spending a tenner on a few pastries, even from a cute French guy/girl? Put your thinking cap on and hop over to Alnwick for a treasure hunt with a difference. Solve the riddles hidden through a beautifully illuminated winder wonderland, courtesy of Northumberland Lights.

Enchanted Parks, Saltwell Park - Wednesday 5^th – Sunday 9^th December (4.30pm – 9.30pm).

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/winter-festival-2012/enchanted-parks

My favourite bit. Saltwell Park. Light installations. Unnatural sounds assaulting your senses. A Victorian fairytale. In the dark. Trees with faces. Silhouettes. Saltwell Park Towers will pay homage to the creator of its magnificent stained glass windows with a light and sound show; choirs and brass bands will evoke the sounds of Christmas and we can all get merry on hot alcohol. Can’t wait.

Skating @ Life

http://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/skating-at-life

I'm trying to drag my workmates to go skating at the rink which comes to the Life Centre every year, they keep laughing it off, even though they are young and more agile than me! I think it should be in the middle of the square but it looks like they are putting market stalls or something there. You can't have Christmas without skating, especially after a bit of a drink, so when you topple over it doesn't hurt so much. I always vow to buy my own figure skates every year so I don't have to wear the big blue ones that hurt, but something else always comes up. My vision of myself one day being able to do jumps never matches up to the reality of the situation - hanging on for dear life to the barrier. You can't deny it's a good laugh and a bit scary/challenging at the same time, especially if you only do it once a year. 

Boulevard Christmas Show

http://www.boulevardnewcastle.co.uk/contact

I love Boulevard, it gives me a warm feeling in my stomach or is that the large amount of wine I've poured down my neck before the show's even started? Not sure. For the price you can't deny it's a great value night out - almost three hours of entertainment for £7 if you can stand up for that long. The routines are great and if you're into musical theatre you're in for a treat - great show tunes both familiar and not so well known. I love the portraits of old Hollywood greats around the place and the huge Fred and Ginger on either side of the stage. Nowadays, you might just see Faye from Steps!

Christmas at the Tyneside  

www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-tyneside

Cinema goers can expect a choc full calendar of events to cater for all tastes over December. The place makes me feel warm and at peace with the world, I could stay there all night (that's possible for their all nighters - the upcoming Lord of the Rings nightfest is sold out). There's quizzes, free festive films (Elf, Scrooged), a xmas arts and craft market and showings of the ultimate Chrimbo faves ever - It's a Wonderful Life with the equally wonderous Jimmy Stewart and Home Alone - I will never get bored of them. I'm there every year.



Cotton headed ninny muggin!

Winter Festival - New Year's Eve 

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/winter-festival-2012/new-years-eve

Pre fireworks at the Civic Centre at 6pm, hopefully the weather will hold out for the Viking themed Winter Carnival Parade. Internationally acclaimed outdoor arts company Walk the Plank is behind the celebration, which sees a giant Serpent snaking through the streets, and a flaming Viking Longship sailing up Northumberland Street. With amazing costumes and dance routines, the night promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

Have a wonderful Xmas and New Year  - please support the campaign against cutting arts funding in Newcastle.