Hello, and welcome to this week’s Substack. Funny how the Monday blues don’t seem quite so bad after two uplifting election results, right?
First off, I’m repeating my shameless plug, as I am doing a book promo throughout July, with four – four! – of my books available on Kindle for 99p. From the Newcastle-set romcom The Bridesmaid Blues to vampire romp Dark Dates to the much darker contemporary story Doll and my collection of short stories, No Love Is This, there’s something for everyone. I’d LOVE it if you bought one (for yourself! For a friend! For a doorstop!) If you have already – thank you! – remember that reviews are always helpful for us indies…
And if that’s not for you – WHY NOT?! They’re great! – you can buy me a Ko-fi, or become a free or paid subscriber.
[Image description: cross-stitch in sparkly thread - let your joy be an act of defiance]
Theatre to book now
It’s Shark Week at Alphabetti, with a host of themed screenings and shows to celebrate one of nature’s biggest celebrities, including family friendly screenings (eg, Shark Tales, on Saturday).
Highlights include the Hook, Line and Giggles comedy night on Thursday, and the Jaws (But Gay) Cabaret on Friday. The theatre will also be staging reaction pieces to Sharknado later this month, which promises to be a riot.
Also, if you want to watch the football but a rowdy pub isn’t for you, Alphabetti is screening select matches – check here for details.
One thing I’ve mentioned before that Newcastle is very good at is providing opportunities for artists to actually get on stage. I unfortunately missed the last Live Writes showcase – I actually had tickets, but the date got changed so I was on a train from London on the new night! – but they are making that a regular event, so I hope to catch the next one. And Alphabetti continues to offer a host of similar opportunities.
Curated by the ever-lovely Rosie Bowden (whose own show, A Mushy Soppy Show Where We All Get to be Friends, comes to Gosforth Civic Centre next week), New Folk on the Block is a mixed cabaret of new acts coming at the end of the month. I’ve been to these kinds of shows before and they are always a joy – the vibe is relaxed, inclusive and non-judgmental (albeit, tends to skew very young: I often find myself feeling like some menopausal Methuselah, very obviously the oldest person in the audience…) Though by their very nature, these events are unpolished, they offer a fun night out at an affordable price, and a chance to catch talent on the rise.
Alphabetti has also started programming its Let’s Create, Not Apply shows – and even has its new autumn season online (I will dive into this in a later newsletter) – so it’s worth keeping an eye out on the website.
Live Theatre
While I imagine the football will be the main attraction of the weekend, I am looking forward to We’re Not Going Back, Boff Whaley’s musical comedy about three sisters during the Miners’ Strike.
Live has also continued to add to its Fringe previews, with Ollie Hawes’ F*cking Legend (Hilariously, the title is asterisked out on the website’s programme page, but not on its booking page or weblink. As I have no idea what Substack’s algorithm’s approach to swearing is, I’m playing it safe, despite a personal hatred of asterisked titles). It’s billed as a ‘show about socks, sex, love, fear of death and cognitive dissonance… a rollercoaster show cutting to the core of modern masculinity’, so do check it out if that sounds like your thing.
Pride in the City
Newcastle’s Northern Pride weekend runs 19-21 July at venues across the city. Boasting a huge array of events, from a march to a festival stage to a closing night candlelit vigil, there’s so much going on I advise checking the website for all details – the site also highlights satellite events happening throughout the city outwith the official weekend.
While the concert – featuring loads of people I’m not cool enough to know about, plus, erm, Whigfield - will obviously be the highlight, it’s also worth knowing about the Sexual Health, Health and Wellbeing and Sport and Active Life Zones, which offer a range of practical services and advice.
Northern Stage will also be taking part again this year, hosting the Curious Arts Stage.
BBC Proms at the Glasshouse
If you can’t make it all the way to London for the Proms, Gateshead is probably a bit handier, so it’s worth checking out the programme. I can offer no steer here – what I know about classical music could be written on a Post-It – although the Fantasy, Myths and Legends night sounds fun.
Art, art, art
One of my favourite spaces in the city is the Hancock Gallery. Located in one of the fancy houses on Jesmond Road West (I spend as much time fantasising about what it would be like to live there as I do looking at the art), it’s a commercial gallery that nonetheless always feels welcoming even if you don’t look like you have a few grand to drop on a painting. (To be fair, they sell art at a range of prices, and stock books, cards and similar gifts).
They often stock pieces by well-known names (including Lowry, and even some Dali sketches) but what I enjoy most is discovering contemporary artists I was unfamiliar with but have since become firm favourites.
The gallery’s Summer Print Show runs until August 3, so do pop along if you can.
Speaking of art, The Biscuit Factory’s New Light Art Prize runs until 22 September and showcases North East Artists; there is also a sculpture prize this year.
[Image description: a frankly enormous plate of grilled halloumi, chickpeas and hummus]
Where I have been eating
While I will never be a fan of the name change – Flatcaps Coffee is a much better name! - Tiny Tiny remains one of the best spots in Newcastle. Large and off the beaten track enough (it’s in Carliol Square) that you can pretty much always get a table, it offers a frequently changing menu, great coffee and delicious food (usually with at least a few vegetarian options). I met a friend there this weekend and had the halloumi / chickpea flatbread that was super tasty, albeit in a portion size that defeated me…
Another handy coffee / lunch spot is Laneway & Co on Highbridge. This once compact venue has expanded, so is much more spacious, although it can still get very busy. They do a range of sandwiches and snacks and, again, have a focus on great coffee, so definitely worth your attention.
Speaking of specialty coffees, I notice that The Canny Goat in Monk Street is now Lagom coffee shop, so I look forward to trying the new place out. I was very fond of the Canny Goat (they did nice coffee and cheese toasties, and it was always quite a chilled place), so I’m hoping the new spot has a similar vibe.
Thanks again for reading – please do share with your friends! Every new subscriber (free or paid) really does give me a boost. And remember if you want to support my writing but a paid subscription isn’t for you (times are hard, I get it!), you can buy me a one-off Ko-fi or buy one of my books.
Remember: everything included is my personal preference / opinion, and while I strive to be accurate, I always advising checking with the relevant venue.