Blue Monday today? This is probably the most different cover you’ll hear of New Order’s epic masterpiece youtu.be/wa4JWzEPJe8?...

Saw Ballet Cymru's performance of Giselle at Dance City Newcastle last night. First time I've seen this ballet. Bloody great.

Harry, Prince of Wales...

Was at @theyounguns.bsky.social 20th anniversary Big Boro Bash last night at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Enjoyed the night including great support from Janice Burns, @jondoranmusic.bsky.social and @jezlowe.bsky.social . Here's to the next 20.

Enjoyed the first lecture this morning in a series about Ramsey McDonald by @nickcott.bsky.social for Explore Adult Education in Newcastle.

Went to see Dear England at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle last night. A very lively and talented cast and ingenious staging made for a great night. It's on tour for some time yet. Go and see it - and I say that as someone who is Welsh/Cymro!

Stewart Lee was on magnificent form tonight at Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle tonight. I've seen a few of his shows but this was the funniest. If you've got tickets for any shows on this tour you're in for a treat - especially if it's for Coventry.

Emma-Jean Thackeray at the Glasshouse, Gateshead on Friday night. Superb performance and good support act Sol Paradise.

Great night at @thefirestation.bsky.social last night to see @juliefowlis.bsky.social . Full house too!

Fantastic "Widows and Bairns" sculpture in Eyemouth by Jill Watson Commemorates the 1881 disaster when 189 fishermen died. Each figure represents a widow or child bereaved on that day.

Went to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland earlier in the week. Some great pieces of work and information about the history of glass making in the region. I was particularly impressed by the artworks by Anthony Amoako-Attah.

‼️ tour dates are here!!! To celebrate release of new solo album I’ll be touring this autumn I’d love it if you would come. The QR code takes you to the ticket links . Please like and share the post so it gets seen x#youguysarethebest❤️ #live #gig #songwriter #uktour

📷 New Beer Alert! 📷 We’ve teamed up with the brilliant Wylam Brewery to bring you Nature’s Path – a fresh new brew with purpose. For every can sold, 10p goes directly to support our vital conservation work across Northumberland! 🍻 beerstore.wylambrewery.co.uk/products/Nat... #NaturesPath

It was hot last night and even hotter at the Cluny in Ouseburn. Fantastic gig by John Allen and the Luna Kings supported by John Rush. Seek out their music - you won't regret it.

'World-class' recording studio planned for Newcastle Quayside. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Saw this last night at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Brilliant dance and the staging was amazing.

www.wallacecollection.org/whats-on/exh... Really great Grayson Perry exhibition at the Wallace Collection in London. Recommend it.

Start with some volcanic just, add a Durham graduate and some 'field work' from Newcastle University, and you have a cheap way to increase crop yields by 20%, suck carbon out of the atmosphere - and has just won a $5m award. eyesandearsnortheast.substack.com/publish/post...

Explore Lifelong Learning in Newcastle. New term starts on Monday www.weareexplore.org.uk/Explore_curr...

Looking forward to my next course for Explore Lifelong Learning in February / March. Explore is a great programme of learning for anyone interested. They have a fabulous Newcastle city centre venue and availability online as well for some of the courses, including mine.

Alan “Fluff” Freeman has been released from his cryogenic pod & fully thawed. He’s in the Vatican as we speak, standing behind a set of double decks in front of 70 cardinals. And he’s about to lower his shades & utter the all-important words: “Greetings, Pope pickers”

Went today to Woodhorn museum @northeastmuseums.bsky.social . Apart from the usual great display of miners' art there's also the Northumberland Open Exhibition on until the beginning of June. Some good stuff available - nearly all for sale.

Visited the Romance to Realities landscape exhibition today at the @northeastmuseums.bsky.social Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. A sizeable collection of quality paintings. It's on until 26th April so still time to catch it.

Saw John Simpson last night at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Fascinating insight into the characters of upteen world leaders. Who hasn't he met! Catch him while you can.

Good night at Newcastle Arts Centre last night. The F word is their monthly folk night and was headlined yesterday by Bubamara playing a lively mix of Balkan and Italian songs. All enjoyed by a good crowd who were up dancing. Next F word is on 8th May.

The 47th NCL Beer & Cider Festival kicks off in just 1 week at @northumbriauni.bsky.social. As well as our Battle of the Beers entry 🤐, you'll be able to enjoy Grainger Ale, Northern IPA & They Win Trophies Here. We'll be there on Wed for the opening day, so come and say hello if you spot us! 🍻

Full house at Hall 2 in the Glasshouse Gateshead for Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders last night. Played a great range of songs from throughout his long career. Good night.

Went to see Swan Lake by @sirmattbourne.bsky.social at the Theatre Royal Newcastle last night. Fantastic how it keeps being reimagined. Brilliant dancers and sets. Go and see.

At @gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk last night to see Danny and the Champions of the World and @anniedressner.bsky.social . Excellent night. If you can catch them on the rest of the tour id recommend it.

DRAW! supported by David Hockney is a nationwide project to get everyone drawing. In February, internationally-renowned artist Adébayo Bolaji is inviting us all to draw a portrait. Tag us in your portrait drawings, or send them in to us at bradford2025.co.uk/draw

My curated round-up of North East news - all in one place, once a week. You can subscribe for free at [email protected]

Brilliant night at @thefirestation.bsky.social in Sunderland last night. Kan supported by the Reiver Divas to a packed house. A quality night