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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 & WearLatest details will appear on
www.NewcastleGateshead.com as they are confirmed.
BEDE AND BEIJINGBede & 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.
Thurs 15 – Sun 18 May
(£)
Dance City
www.dancecity.co.uk
EAST WINDAs part of
Dancing the World ‘08, coming to venues around the city and region throughout May,
East Wind is an exploration of contemporary dance from the East, curated by Pit Fong Loh. Kim Itoh’s company The Glorious Future will be headlining the programme.
Wed 28 – Sat 31 May 8pm
£7/£5
Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk
Yellow Earth Theatre present Running The Silk Road
Conceived and directed by David Tse Ka-shingA group of friends set themselves an epic challenge: to run the ancient trading route to China. Once on the road, complications and conflicts test friendships and soon threaten their chances of success.
Exhilirating, refreshing and richly visual,
Running The Silk Road blends East and West, telling a modern story highlighted by timeless and magical myths, spectacularly performed by artists of the Beijing opera Theatre.
The show will be performed in English and Mandarin with surtitles.
Sat 14 June – Sun 26 October
FREE
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Artwww.balticmill.comYOSHITOMO NARA + grafA 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 CIRCUSThis 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 Augwww.sirf.co.ukFri 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.
Mon 8 – Sun 14 September
Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk
CHANGING CITIES – A RESIDENCY WITH ARTIST WANG QINGSONGAward-winning Chinese artist Wang Qingsong collaborates with Northern Stage to create an exciting and innovative one-off exhibition. During Qingsong’s week-long residency in September 2008, Stage 1 will temporarily become a giant photographic studio housing a team of over 100 people. This is a unique chance to see one of the artist’s theatrical, grandscale installations come to life, as the process is transmitted to screens all over Northern Stage. The finished photographs will form a spectacular exhibition in and around the theatre.
