BEST EVENT TYNESIDE

Jan 26 2009 The Journal

ENCHANTED PARKS

ALTHOUGH it has only being going for two years, Enchanted Parks has already managed to embed itself into the festive cultural calendars of people of all ages.

For those who weren’t lucky enough to get one of the thousands of free tickets for the 11-night event, Enchanted Parks offered a free evening of artistic delights and discoveries along an illuminated winter trail spread throughout Gateshead’s Saltwell Park. Offering an after-dark winter walk in a fairystory-inspired wonderland, the basic concept (which was a nice slice of the NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival) was to allow a group of artists to transform an area of park in response to a collective theme.

The latest theme was stories of wintertime and suitably inspired the 20 or so artists involved in the dozen installations to create great work.

There were trees wrapped up warm in multi-coloured woollen stockings, Yoko Ono’s Wish Trees, the first meeting of Red Riding Hood and the Wolf; an Ice Queen in her palace and a bandstand filled with snow flakes faces ... and that really is only an icy slice of what was on offer.

Stella Hall, creative director of culture10, said: "To win an award would be a huge way of saying thank you and to give recognition to the artists, local people, organisations, schools and the Friends of Saltwell Park, who worked so hard to create a truly enchanting event in Saltwell Park for the many thousands of visitors who came."

EAT!

A FLEET of trawlers sailing down the River Tyne signalled the start of the 2008 Eat! festival.

The fishermen were delivering their catch of the day to an army of chefs from top local restaurants waiting on the Quayside to turn it into special suppers.

This Fish on the Tyne, which spanned a weekend, served as a worthy starter for the second Eat! NewcastleGateshead food festival which ran throughout May.

The festival showcases the best of our region’s produce and culinary delights from shops, restaurants and hotels.

Throughout the festival, people were presented with an arm-length menu of delicious opportunities, including the chance to forage for their suppers; sample the delights of the Food Heroes Market; dine out in the dark; go for a meal in the Secret restaurant; try out a slice of a giant Angel of the North cake; and find out the 10 Things to Eat Before They Die.

Festival director Simon Preston said: "Eat! is remarkably different from any other food festival in the UK, which often focus on enhanced markets and restaurant-based discount schemes and events, so there is a certain amount of risk involved in establishing an untested format.

"For these reasons it is hugely gratifying to receive a nomination which is a reward to all those who worked hard and an affirmation that the unique nature of the festival is appreciated. We're really pleased that so many people who enjoyed the events back in May have shouted for Eat!"

SHIPLEY LATES

FOLLOWING the success of The Late Shows, when selected North-East galleries and museums opened out of hours one Saturday night in May 2008, the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead decided it couldn’t wait another year to embrace the fun of night-time opening, and so the Shipley Lates were born.

Offering a series of events to encourage visitors to enjoy the gallery in "sophisticated style", each was designed to complement the new Designs for Life gallery.

Wallpaper, Out of China, Africa and Lighting were the chosen themes – each explored on the last Friday of the month throughout the summer.

As well an exhibition, the evenings offered talks, performances (including music from Mutandi, Beth Jeans Houghton and DJ Lucasz Haras), hands-on activities and the obligatory after-hours bar, of course.

A free bus service ran between Newcastle and Gateshead hourly so visitors could take full advantage.

More than 800 people attended the Shipley Lates and doubtless hope it will be returning in 2009.