What Not to Miss This Weekend
As we move into March, here are the best ways to put a spring in your step this weekend
Tale as old as time…
This weekend, head to Whitley Bay for the return of Bay Tales, a celebration of the very best of local writing with events taking place throughout the town over the weekend (1st–3rd). At Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday (2nd), international bestselling author Ann Cleeves will be kicking the day off with a fascinating talk, and you can also expect to hear from leading publishers like Simon and Schuster and Pan Macmillan. Other fringe events will be taking place including Noir at the Bay on Friday night (1st) and Northern Crime Syndicate on Saturday night (2nd). This year, you can be in with a chance of winning an on-set visit to the filming of Vera, including a lunch with the series creator Ann Cleeves. The competition is a closed auction and you can enter bids via social media, email and in person at the all-day event at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday (2nd). The money raised will go to The Bay Foodbank so be sure to get stuck in for a good cause. Read our interview with Newcastle author Emma Flint here – she’s at the festival on Saturday morning.
Dizzy for daffodils…
Friday 1st March marks St. David’s Day, celebrating the patron saint of Wales, and there are many traditions to mark the day, including proudly wearing a daffodil (or a leek!). To celebrate it your own way, why not make a day of it and explore the countryside to find some daffodils for yourself? In the North East, one of the best places to enjoy them is Warkworth Castle, where the fortress hilltop is transformed annually by a carpet of bright yellow flowers. Further south, Mount Grace Priory is another great place to find daffodils this early in the year. At the foot of the Cleveland Hills in North Yorkshire, this ruined medieval monastery is the best preserved Carthusian priory in England.
Read More: Five Reasons to Visit Living North LIVE in York and Newcastle this Year
Grub and grog…
There’s always time for good food and drink. This weekend, visit the Bradford Beer and Cider Festival running from Thursday to Saturday (29th–2nd) at Victoria Hall in Saltaire, which showcases some of the best beer and cider in the UK including more than 110 real ales and ciders as well as selected wines. There’ll also be live music and fantastic local food too. In Newcastle on Saturday and Sunday (2nd–3rd) Anarchy Brew Co is hosting the return of its Anarchy Food Market in Benfield Business Park. Head along to enjoy live music and plenty of food vendors, and there’s a drop-off point to support Newcastle West End Foodbank too. Fancy staying in instead? Why not keep the St David’s Day traditions going with this delicious chicken and leek pie – ideal for a cosy weekend treat.
Laugh out loud…
This is shaping up to be a great weekend for comedy. On Friday (1st), you can see the North East’s own Ross Noble at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Marking his 21st solo stand-up tour, join him for a night of complete nonsense and hilarious freewheeling rants. At Sheffield City Hall on Friday and Saturday (1st–2nd) catch Jonathan Pie (played by Tom Walker) as he rants and raves his way through the modern political landscape. Did you miss out on Daniel Sloss earlier this month? Now’s your chance to grab tickets as he returns to play Newcastle O2 City Hall on Sunday (3rd) as part of his critically acclaimed comedy tour: Can’t.
Movie day…
Escape the hustle and bustle of the week (and the miserable weather) with a movie this weekend. The Academy Awards are here again so take the time to catch up with some of the best films of the past year at an independent cinema near you. At Tyneside Cinema catch The Holdovers on Saturday (2nd) at 2pm. Watch as brilliant but troubled Angus Tully is abandoned at boarding school during the Christmas break with only a cranky history teacher and grieving cook for company. On Sunday 3rd, catch the latest Studio Ghibli feature The Boy and The Heron at 7.15pm, featuring all of the colour and stunning animation Studio Ghibli is known and loved for. Further south, historic Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds is showing the utterly bonkers Poor Things on Thursday (29th) at 8.10pm. Completely unique and tonnes of fun, the film has bagged a whopping 11 Oscar nominations. Don’t feel like going out? Have some friends over for a cosy movie night in with these homemade popcorn and chilli brownies.
Take a leap…
Leap Year’s Day has come around again, and with it come plenty of wonderfully weird traditions. Typically, this is the day where women are encouraged to propose to the man in their life. Seize the moment and head somewhere romantic to pop the question this weekend. For stunning seaside scenery, the village of Staithes in North Yorkshire is perfect, filled with quaint 18th century cottages that cling to the hillside and snaking cobblestone streets. Further north, Kielder Water and Forest Park is England’s largest forest so there are plenty of idyllic spots to get down on one knee.
Rock out…
Get ready for some great gigs this weekend. At Newcastle O2 City Hall on Saturday (2nd) be transported back to through time with Fastlove’s tribute to George Michael. Expect to hear all your favourite hits including Freedom, Faith, Careless Whisper and many more. For a more relaxed evening, head to Newcastle Cathedral, for a tribute to The Beatles by Candlelight (Thursday 29th to Saturday 2nd) or to Leeds City Museum for a Concerts by Candlelight’s tribute to Coldplay on Saturday (2nd) evening.
Fairytale fun…
Head to York Mansion House with the family this weekend for a fantasy-filled day of fun. Get the kids involved as you hunt through the house to find the stamp lost by the Hobs (household fairies who help with chores). They’ve been doing their spring cleaning and are all ready to sign it off, but can’t without the stamp, so help them find it before their hard work goes to waste. Take time to explore the history of the house including the Cabinet of Curiosities (filled with the weird and wonderful things found in the house over the centuries) and the restored, fully-functional 18th century kitchen.
