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Gateshead Summer Tyne Festival

Posted by Jill Bowen on Thu 3rd July 2008 at 01:46 AM, Filed in Europe, July

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This years Summer Tyne Festival held in Gateshead runs from 18th to 27th July 2008 and is certain to brighten up even the dampest of English summers, though here’s hoping the sun shines all week.

To whet your appetite here are some of the highlights of what it sure to be a fun filled event:

During the first weekend there is a free outdoor programme of family events including; and more freebies during the following week

Workshops in Salsa, steel pans and capoeria
film screenings
live sets in the American Lounge
a celebration of the building of Newcastle and Gateshead’s eighth bridge – constructed from bamboo during July by the Australian artists Babuco.

To celebrate the project on Friday 18th there will be an event featuring a new piece of music by the Irish flautist Brain Finnegan of ‘Flook’. The piece will use a large range of instruments with bamboo connections – including flutes from China, India and North America. You will be able to visit exhibitions explaining the construction of the bridge in more detail – not to be missed. This is a free event – you will even be able to take part in a bamboo instrument-making workshop.

Love the sound of steel bands? I do! Then make your way on the 19th for a bit of the Caribbean to listen to the Steel Pandango, a mass of bands for a vibrant afternoon of this wonderful uplifting music being performed in the open air or Performance Square. At 5.00pm here the Steel Pan solo competition, the soloists compete for two performance spots later in the evening in the Gala concert Hall. You are spoilt for choice this evening, there is also a concert being held in Hall One of the Sage Gateshead featuring some of the best bands in the region, Tickets £7.

If you want to take part – and not just listen, then head for Vamos, the late night Latin dance party, a twelve piece Salsa Orchestra will keep you on your toes all evening, with hard hitting Salsa and vocals from three superb performers. Tickets £7 in advance, £9 on the door.

Sunday 20th; a free afternoon of Caribbean music on the outdoor stage, with big bands, vocalists, Ninety minutes of reggae featuring Earl 16, one of the greats of Jamaican music and the voice of Dreadzone, plus, making his debut at Gateshead Price Malachi who many regard as the future UK of UK reggae. Later in the evening there is a Bob Marley tribute show. Also this evening there is a Latin double bill with the winner of the 2008 BBC World Music awards in the newcomer category – Mayra Adrade, plus Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione – know as the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar…you are spoilt for choice as to who to see!

Other events during the week include;

Workshop for children 7 plus in steel pans
Workshops on the Brazilian art for of capoeria – combining dance, music, martial arts
Choirs
Musical tours of the buildings – fun, educational and amusing
Under 5’s music making sessions
Sinead O’Connor
Northern Sinfonia
Roots of Salsa
Sea songs and shanties
New Orleans Boogie nights
K.D Lang
Brandi Carlisle

The list of events goes on and on!!!! Far too many wonderful concerts to mention here; do visit the web site thesagegateshead.org.whats-on/festival for full details and prices of the events.

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