� IN FOCUS l NORTH EAST


North L


auren Laverne, Kaiser Chiefs and Turner Prize 2017 winner Lubaina Himid will


be part of the Great Exhibition of the North this summer. The line-up for the 80-day free


festival (June 22-September 9) includes art, culture, design and innovation from across the north. Laverne will curate a series of gigs, and there will be displays by pop art pioneer Richard Hamilton and sculptor Antony Gormley – as well as the original character models of Postman Pat. The Great Exhibition of the North


is expected to bring a £184 million boost to the north east – including £120 million from direct visitor


This summer, the Great Exhibition of the North in NewcastleGateshead will showcase northern creativity and attract 1.5 million visitors. Samantha Mayling reports


stars


our diverse programme tells a pioneering story and one that will help change the way the world views the north.” Three key venues are taking part


spending on accommodation, attractions, food and drink. The remainder will come from


indirect and induced spending from the businesses and employees of those businesses spending in the supply chain and local economy. The estimated number of visitors is 1.5 million, 60% of whom are expected to be local, 20% non- local visitors, and 20% overnight visitors.


� Inspiring talent Sir Gary Verity, chairman of Great Exhibition of the North, said: “As well as being a showcase for some of the best creative and inspiring talent from the north of England,


– Great North Museum, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Sage Gateshead – and there will be three interconnected trails through 30 other locations and public spaces along the river Tyne. As part of the opening event on June 22, audiences will watch the UK’s largest water sculpture from the Quayside, a new film about a journey across the north of England, performances from Kaiser Chiefs and a live presentation by Lemn Sissay of his new anthem for the north.


The inaugural evening will also bring together art, design, culture and innovation and will reveal more content for the 80-day exhibition. On September 9, the world’s


largest half-marathon, the Great North Run, will form the centrepiece of the closing weekend. getnorth2018.com


NEED TO KNOW


WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE NORTH EAST


� Maker Faire UK (April 28-29) Life Science Centre, Newcastle, Family-friendly festival of invention and creativity.


life.org.uk/events/maker-faire-uk


� Gateshead Beer Festival (May 4-6) Music and beer plus gins, whiskies, premium lagers, fizz and food.


gatesheadbeerfestival.co.uk


� The Enchanted Garden (June 23-October 7) Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle. Artists include Beatrix Potter, Pissarro, William Morris, Francis Bacon and Claude Monet.


laingartgallery.org.uk


� The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018


(July 11-14) Sunderland will welcome a fleet of tall ships as part of a festival of culture and entertainment.


tallshipssunderland.com


Quayside water sculptures will be on display during the opening weekend of the Great Exhibition of the North.


24 TravelGBI | April 2018 8 travelgbi.com


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