Windier Up North: How Creatives are taking the Arts by storm in Tyne and Wear

Studying in Newcastle as a young creative is often met with confusion and raised eyebrows. When I moved here, I didn’t know what to expect, let alone such a fruitful Arts scene. To save you relying on word-of-mouth or social media scavenging like I did, we’ll be introducing a new feature to this section which keeps you updated on all the latest events/platforms to explore. I’ve spoken to people who are currently thriving in the North-East about their work to hopefully inspire you and promote them too.

Seeking diversity had a large part in why I began to explore the North-East scene. I felt isolated until, on the verge of wanting to move back home, I found community through the Arts. Like Athena springing from Zeus, from ‘Out of Your Head!’ sprung more open mics, theatre companies and websites than I had ever imagined.

Hosted by Amy Langdown, OOYH! is a ‘spoken word event in Newcastle for those of us who think too much and share too little.’ On the last Thursday of each month, there’s a themed call-out opportunity, two featured artists and an Open Mic. Whilst finding a home in Ouseburn’s Cumberland Arms, Amy faced many venue changes and found the problem in the Arts lies in “sustainability and retention” and Charlie Care agrees.

Cultural venues are the “lifeblood of the entire artistic ecosystem” and if they struggle to stay open, so do we. Charlie hosts Zoetrope on Tyne at Tyneside Cinema, doubling up as a fundraiser, with all ticket proceeds going straight to keeping its doors open.

An event connecting people through transport and art across the North-East is Yellow Lines Poetry, hosted by Haley. Following the metro’s yellow line to Whitley Bay station, you’ll find it at The Ticket Office the second Tuesday of every month. Being so small, the venue is perfect as “its all about being intimate”, releasing pressure at a free, truly open mic.

For the theatrical, SoreSlap is a company started by Rhian Jade and Papi Jeovani to “empower and develop artists to have their voices heard!”. As Black, Queer and disabled artists, they felt underrepresented in NE theatre and needed a platform to “speak our truth and play together”. I’d recommend checking out their ‘SketchSlap’ night, even if you’ve never written script/acted before!

Also created to “platform marginalized voices”, Navii Media.com is a diverse breath of fresh air among socials which have left people out for too long. Living in the North, Dami Fawehinmi found that being a Black and Queer person makes it “even more important to tell these stories and experiences so others know they’re not alone”. Via their website, you can submit videos, written content and art without a deadline, ownership remaining completely yours.

Needing and welcoming new minds, our Arts scene is about sharing a crowd. Likened to ‘group relaying’ or the improv ‘yes and’, Geordies pass the baton on and that’s why I love it here.

Note: When asking poets for an opinion, don’t be surprised if you get a load of metaphors/similes.