Each month we pull up a chair with a different local business to find out what's going on in their world, hear their story and introduce you to some of the brilliant independent businesses that make North Shields what it is.

For one night only, North Shields is gaining its own orchestra as part of its 800th anniversary celebrations. NXS800 – A Symphony in 8 Movements, takes place on Saturday 6th September at King Street Social Club, and showcases North Shields’ rich working-class history and traditions through live music and visual content. The event has been spearheaded by North Shields-born producer Geoff Kirkwood, also known as Man Power, and orchestral arranger Fiona Brice; together they have created the North Shields Temporary Philharmonic Orchestra, which has been formed specially for the occasion by an ensemble of global musicians. The music will be accompanied by archival sound and field recordings, as well as visual art from artist Jay Halim. There will also be a one-off performance by Man Power and Teesside punk band Benefits, combining spoken word with electronic composition. Also featuring will be art from photographer Eye On The Tyne’s recent Harvest of The Deep exhibition, which documented modern-day fishermen on North Shields’ Fish Quay. The evening is a new way to highlight North Shields’ identity, not only as a true working-class town, but also as a key cultural spot for musical artists.

In the post-pandemic years, North Shields has seen quite the resurgence in its music scene. Venues like The Engine Room, Three Tanners Bank and The Salt Market Social have hosted gigs for both local and national artists.

The 19th Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival returns to venues in the town from Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th March. Featuring world premieres by artists from nine different countries, with all films looking at liberation and freedom in a global context, the festival promises to be both relevant and emotional.

Ahead of the 96th Academy Awards in March, there’s been a lot of chatter about a ‘Barbie snub’ — but isn’t that a bit dramatic? In the year of Barbenheimer billions, some viewers are surprised to see Barbie (2023) miss out on the coveted Best Picture and Lead Actress spots – but why are we discounting their eight other nominations? What about the scores of other female directors and actresses finally getting their moment in the sun?

Sunderland Shorts Film Festival is back for its eighth year this October, showcasing a variety of local, national and global talent across the city. Between Monday 16th-Sunday 22nd October, screenings will be held at a number of locations across Sunderland. With over 160 films set to premiere, there’s a wide range of genres and styles to suit everyone. For those who’d like to get into the nitty gritty of filmmaking, there are opportunities to attend panel discussions with BFI Film Hub North an

Sarah Storer talks to event curator Nick Hodgson about the brand new North Shields festival hoping to shine a light on the area’s venues A brand-new music festival is set to take place this month on North Shields’ Fish Quay. On Saturday 19th August, Two Divided By Zero will feature new and upcoming artists at two of the Fish Quay’s most loved venues, The Engine Room and Three Tanners Bank.

“I, Daniel Blake teaches the audience to be kind to one another, to help one another, and reminds you that this is not a work of fiction” Sarah Storer witnesses an emotional stage production of Ken Loach’s timeless film Ken Loach’s timeless film I, Daniel Blake has been given a new lease of life in this powerful stage adaptation.

The ongoing insecurities of masculinity are brought to the forefront in Christian Petzold’s newest film, Afire. The film, recent winner of the Berlinale’s Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, brings four young people together, trapped by ever-growing forest fires. Leon (Thomas Schubert), a writer, and his friend Felix (Langston Uibel), a photographer, travel to Felix’s holiday home on the Baltic coast to get some much-needed work done. Things start to go wrong immediately when their car breaks down en

What happens when the patriarch of your family business dies? That’s one of many questions answered in Philippe Garrel’s latest film, The Plough. Art imitates life for Garrel as he directs his three children for the first time. Louis, Esther and Léna Garrel respectively play Louis, Martha and Léna, the children of a puppeteer (Aurélien Recoring) who directs their Punch and Judy-like puppet show, Le Grand Chariot.

Helen Mirren brings Golda Meir, Israel’s ‘Iron Lady’, back into the limelight in new biopic Golda. Depicting the first female Israeli Prime Minister’s perspective of the Yom Kippur War, Golda attempts to show a complicated character study of those not directly on the frontline. Doubts over Mirren’s casting were in discussion long before the film’s release. Criticism came from Jewish actresses such as Maureen Lipman over Mirren’s decision to play Golda Meir, as Mirren herself is not Jewish. In

Everybody will volunteer at one point in their lives. It could be for varying reasons: retiring, work experience, summer holiday projects. It may be volunteering in a charity shop, at a festival or with the local council.

The lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic meant social media became a lifeline. Unable to see loved ones face-to-face, people’s only choice was to interact online. We saw them as tiny figures on a screen. It was, for a moment in time, normality. And people were less lonely because of it.

University is meant to be the best three years of your life. But for many, it’s not. It can be a long, daunting and lonely time. Inspired by my own experiences with loneliness during my Undergraduate Degree, I spoke to two students, Eve Davies and Joeli Cansdale, to discuss how loneliness has impacted their studies.

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

Going to a gig always invites a variety of emotions. Excitement, adrenaline, pleasure. The endorphins of seeing a favourite artist are unmatched. Caught up in the electrifying atmosphere as an audience of thousands sings along to that artist. It is a magical experience, one that should be remembered as a highlight years down the line. Sometimes, all it takes is for one tiny, bad moment to ruin the atmosphere of a gig altogether. An anonymous hand groping, touching your back, arms, legs. An apat

Last night, the 94th Oscars took place, signalling the end of another Award Season. Dune took home the most awards, whilst Apple became the first streamer to win Best Picture, for indie feelgood CODA. However, in such a disjointed and painful ceremony, the winners were overlooked after nearly four hours of chaos. After two years without a host, the Academy decided to bring them back in the shape of comedians Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. All three didn’t seem to click, and not a sin