EAST 08

From: 02/10/2008 - To: 31/12/2008 

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In the year that China hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the North East will host a number of events ‘looking east’. As global markets and power shift eastwards, and as London prepares to receive the Olympic torch from Beijing, these events are designed to make connections with Chinese, Japanese and South Asian cultures and countries, and receive inspiration, ideas and co-operation from them. EAST’08 is set to bring the finest art, dance, music and spectacle all the way from the east to the North East.

Begins Fri 23 May – with exhibitions continuing until end of August
FREE
Various venues, Tyne & Wear
www.wearmouth-jarrow.org.uk

BEDE AND BEIJING
Bede & Beijing is a festival exploring the links between Anglo Saxon Northumbria and Chinese culture at St Peter’s Church in Monkwearmouth, St Paul’s in Jarrow, Bede’s World, Monkwearmouth Station Museum, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and the National Glass Centre.

The programme features music, art installations and exhibitions including rare early Anglo-Saxon manuscripts from the British Library and an extraordinary Chinese carved ivory garden from the V&A. Work by leading Chinese artists will also be displayed at the six unique and historic venues.

All venues are partners in the Wearmouth Jarrow Candidate World Heritage Site bid, together with Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council, English Heritage and One NorthEast.


Sat 14 June – Sun 26 October
FREE
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
www.balticmill.com

YOSHITOMO NARA + graf
A magical new exhibition by internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, in collaboration with design unit graf. The exhibition will feature a village brought to life with Nara’s iconic characters, turning ordinary life into art.


Tues 15 - Sat 19 July
(£)
Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyal.co.uk

FLYING DRAGON CIRCUS
This show is a groundbreaking celebration of the very best of Chinese and European circus traditions, with circus artists, musicians and Kung Fu performers taking to the air. Newcastle’s Theatre Royal is very proud to host the show’s UK debut on 14 July following its premiere in Beijing in May 2008. Directed by the highly renowned Pierrot Bidon, whose previous creations include Archaos.

Also showing at Stockton International Riverside Festival Wed 30 July - Sun 3 Aug
www.sirf.co.uk


Fri 15 August – Mon 15 September
Grey’s Monument
www.hotelmonument.org.uk

HOTEL MONUMENT
Commissioned by Locus+

Hotel Monument by artist Tatzu Oozu proposed to be in place around Grey’s Monument in Newcastle this summer is to be delayed.  Click here for more information.


Sat 16 – Mon 26 August
FREE
Across NewcastleGateshead
www.picnicclub.org

PICNOPOLIS
Japanese art unit Tokyo Picnic Club (TPC) invites you to share 10 days of picnicking throughout the city. TPC will create two different kinds of picnic site, MOTHERPLANE and smaller BABYPLANES, providing a unique opportunity to enjoy summer in the city.

With one humongous grass-covered airplane and dozens of BABYPLANE installations around the city, TPC will bring together public spaces, the local food industry, and the people of NewcastleGateshead.

10 places have been selected to be transformed in August as the chosen Picnopolis sites.

During the 10-day event TPC will be on the look-out for the best picnic recipes brought to the sites. Your recipes will be recorded and on the final day of the event - Bank Holiday Monday 25 August - TPC will announce "10 Picnic Recipes for NewcastleGateshead" and the winner of the "Picnic of the Year" title.

All sites are open and free to everyone for picnics, so look out for details of where the planes will be appearing and of special Picnopolis events. Sites and details of the events will be announced here soon.

Visit www.picnicclub.org to find out more about Tokyo Picnic Club and to join NewcastleGateshead Picnic Club.


Fri 5 – Sun 7 September
(£)
The Botanic Gardens and Oriental Museum, Durham
www.festivalofjapan.co.uk

THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN
The Festival of Japan in Durham bring Japan to the UK with everything from martial arts, Japanese food, music, dancing, children’s entertainment and of course geisha!  

Two venues have been chosen this year. The main festival venue is the truly beautiful Botanic Gardens in Durham, world famous for its array of trees and plant life, butterfly house and alpine garden. The second venue is the wonderful Oriental Museum, a must for anyone with an interest in the Orient.

Throughout the day there will be something on every hour, the children’s corner will be open throughout with a Japanese storyteller, drawing and face painting (please note there will be an extra charge for face painting). Performers include Shamisen Player, Taiko drums, relaxing therapies, martial arts, street performers.


Sat 13 September
FREE
Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk

CHANGING CITIES – WANG QINGSONG
Award-winning Chinese artist Wang Qingsong collaborates with Northern Stage to create an exciting and innovative one-off installation. Stage 1 will temporarily become a giant photographic studio housing a team of over 300 local participants.  This new work will explore the notion of pain and healing and of theatre as a cathartic experience.

Don’t miss the unique chance to see one of the artist’s theatrical, grand scale installations come to life, as the process is transmitted live on to screens throughout Northern Stage. The finished photographs will form a spectacular exhibition in the theatre later in September.


Mon 6 - Sun 12 October
Some events are FREE
Across NewcastleGateshead
www.samafestival.org

SAMA South Asian Festival
Building on the success of last year's inaugural South Asian Festival, SAMA returns to Newcastle and Gateshead in 2008 bringing with it the spirit and spice of South Asian music, arts and culture. There's an exciting programme of events and festivities, including this year, a major Indian literature strand as well as stunning performances by some of the finest musicians, DJs, artists and dancers from across the UK and South Asia. There'll also be workshops, exhibitions, a film and food festival and spectacular outdoor finale on Sun 12 October when Baltic Square will be transformed into a Meena Bazaar, with colourful stalls, thrilling street performances and amazing activities for the whole family to enjoy.