Updated 5:59am 17 May 2012

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Sam Wonfor

Sam Wonfor

Stephen K. Amos

Reasons to be really cheerful

WHEN it comes to reasons to be upbeat, I’d venture “working hard” would be up there on any list Stephen K Amos decided to make.Read

Artist Nick Fox

Wanted: letters from the heart

NICK Fox is looking for love ... or at least evidence and mementos there of. The artist, who is completing a residency at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, is creating what he calls a Longing Archive and is appealing for contributions to it.Read

Bobby McFerrin

A one-man wonder band

KNOWN best for the "little song" he wrote, Bobby McFerrin has spent 30 years amazing audiences with his vocal acrobatics. Sam Wonfor talks to him ahead of his upcoming Tyneside gig.Read

Donald McBride as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington

Roaring success for region’s pantos

TWO of the region's theatres are reporting off-the-scale Christmas success when it comes to pantomime audiences.Read

Last chance to win in the Culture Quiz

ENTRIES for the this year’s Culture Quiz have been coming in thick and fast... much like the snowfall.Read

The Gala Theatre in Durham

What's in store for spring at Gala Theatre

ALTHOUGH there’s still time to catch a pantomime or two before the festive curtain comes down for another year, the arrival of the Gala Theatre’s spring brochure on the Culture desk offered a welcome look ahead.Read

culture review 2009 part 2

2009 Cultural review - part 2

FLICKING through the pages of The Journal and the Culture magazines printed during what became my allotted third of 2009 (May-August), something struck me, as it often does at this time of year.Read

The Enchanted Parks event at Saltwell Park Gateshead. Pictured Artist Gloria Ronchi with her artwork

An enchanted Christmas to be had at Saltwell Park

I’M not an artist, but I would imagine that the prospect of coming up with an idea for an installation, based on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas in Gateshead’s Saltwell Park is a pretty exciting one.Read

Enchanted Parks event lights up Christmas

THE 12 days of Christmas may not officially kick off for a while yet.Read

Review: The Prince and the Penguin, Northern Stage

THE afternoon had not started well. An onset of Christmas shopping craziness meant it would have been easier to find a Go Go Hamster in Toys R Us than a parking space within a snowball throw’s distance of Northern Stage.Read

Another take on life

JOHN Bishop is now the same age as Elvis was when he died.Read

Gary Phelan

Old blue eyes is back for three new shows

IT has been six years since Gary Phelan sang his 21-year-old heart out to the nation on the BBC1 talent show, Fame Academy.Read

Review: Arctic Monkeys, Metro Radio Arena

I DON'T usually play favourites, but Matt Helders deserves whatever plaudits are available to drummers.Read

Twenty artists taking part in Christmas tour

THE Christmas Art Tour will run during weekends from today until December 20. Twenty artists are taking part in the festive tour, which offers art lovers the chance to peruse the creative offerings of North East artists in an atmosphere soaked in originality, goodwill and the odd glass of mulled wine.Read

Retirement couple heading for the hills together

A NEW life is starting at 60 for a couple pursuing their individual passions, while figuratively holding hands. Sam Wonfor reports.Read

Demonstrating the power of friendship

Urban folk outfit The Band of Holy Joy return to Newcastle this weekend for a very special gig. Grace Scott talks to frontman Johny Brown about friendship, loss and coming home.Read

Time flies with single Simon

ANYONE who had come to see Simon Amstell on the back of his TV presenting prowess may have left the theatre a little confused.Read

Author Terry Deary

Busier than a bee with a honey deadline

IT’S not easy to talk to Terry Deary about one project. The Durham-based author must be one of the world’s most prolific writers.Read

Auf Wiedersehen Pet stars sing Blaydon Races for Sir Bobby Robson

AUF Wiedersehen, Pet stars Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail have been tunefully reunited in a very special tribute to Sir Bobby Robson.Read

Artists brush up on their shopping skills in town

ARTISTS have been exhibiting their work in shops in Barnard Castle as part of the Teesdale Open Studios Week.Read

Author Profile

Sam Wonfor is an award-winning arts and entertainments writer who has worked in North East journalism since 2001.

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