THE Highlights Rural Touring Scheme is back with a fantastic programme of high quality arts performances and creative experiences in Teesdale village halls and community venues.
There’s much to lift your spirits and bring rural communities and families together with a spring season that’s full of top-class theatre, dance and live music performances. From classic plays from regional companies and interactive family shows to live music from some of the finest performers to creative workshops with local artists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“We are really excited about the spring,” says Kate Lynch, director of the arts organisation.
“It showcases some fantastic live events and we are working with a range of brilliant artists and companies.
“We very much hope that the months ahead will be filled with lots of moments when rural communities can come together to share a really good night out, can bring their children to see vibrant new shows or can learn a skill from inspirational artists.”
Highlights works with an army of volunteer promoters in more than 65 community venues and village halls across the North.
Theatre highlights include a powerful and moving story of coal mining communities in Beneath the Banner at UTASS, Middleton-in-Teesdale, an evening of vibrant magic with Romany Diva at Mickleton, and getting down and dirty with the Ladies That Dig at Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall.
Hamsterley is finding its Happy Place in March, while Barningham welcomes the award-winning autobiographical show from North America in Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life, and an award-winning night of poetry and biscuits with John Hegley with Biscuit of Destiny at St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope.
Vienna based musician Peter Hudler will warm things up at Woodland with Cello on Fire. Woodland will also get its toes tapping with The 309s in April. Glasgow-based, award winning jazz band Rose Room come to Cotherstone Village Hall in May. And there’s fiery, energy fuelled acoustic music at Boldron Village Hall from Adam Bulley & Chas Mackenzie.
Ladies That Dig
A fertile blend of live music and intertwining tales from women who aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty. Based on the true life stories of local women, Ladies That Dig is about friendship and green fingers, isolation and community, nature, nurture and what it means to grow.
Sunday, March 5, 7.30pm. Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall. Bookings 01833 628343.
Up The Road Theatre – Beneath the Banner
Told partly through the words of former miners and their families, from fireside to pit bottom, pit nurse to Coal Queen, Beneath the Banner shines a light on the unheard, unseen and untold stories of coalmining communities.
Saturday, March 11, 7.30pm. Utass, Middleton-in-Teesdale. 01833 641010.
Peter Hudler –
Cello on Fire
Acclaimed Viennese cellist Peter Hudler takes his audience on a colourful journey through a wide range of styles and genres – the cello as you’ve never heard it before.
Saturday, March 25, 6pm. Woodland Village Hall. 0300 7727781.
Forget About The Dog – Happy Place
Everybody needs a break. Everybody needs a Happy Place. But what happens when you find yours occupied by strangers? Follow four individuals on an extraordinary journey in this comedic imagining of a world where happiness is commodified. Your happy place awaits.
Friday, March 31, 7.30pm. Hamsterley Village Hall. 07821 517991.
Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life
An inspirational true story about overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions and the healing power of music. Keith Alessi’s award-winning autobiographical show has been touring since 2018.
Saturday, April 8, 7.30pm. Barningham Village Hall,. 01833 621203.
The 309s
The 309s bring the music of the 40s and 50s alive with their own infectious songs and some classic covers. Fronted by two dynamic singers, backed by a steady swinging rhythm section and wild fiddle players, they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Thursday, April 20, 7.30pm. Woodland Village Hall. 0300 7727781.
Romany Diva – Believe!
Vibrant, glamorous, zany, funny and known one of the top entertaining magicion in the world, Romany Diva of Magic brings her warm personality and eccentric originality to make audiences laugh and wonder. 14-plus.
Friday, May 19, 7.30pm. Mickleton Village Hall. 01833 640909
Rose Room
Serving up a mix of 1930s standards, original music and gypsy jazz favourites, with their signature flair and fireworks, Glasgow based Rose Room are two time Best Band winners at the Scottish Jazz Awards.
l Friday, May 19, 7.30pm, Cotherstone Village Hall. 01833 651923.
Adam Bulley AND Chas Mackenzie
One of the most highly rated duos in the country, Adam Bulley and Chas Mackenzie deliver a fiery, energy fuelled array of acoustic music styles. Weaving effortlessly between bluegrass, gypsy jazz, folk and pop, their performance is sure to capture the imagination.
Thursday, May 25, 8pm. Boldron Village Hall. 01833 638210.
Jamie Barnes – Drypoint Engraving
A half-day drypoint engraving workshop with South Lakeland based printmaker Jamie Barnes, making prints using an etching press.
Thursday, April 20, 10.30am. Barningham Village Hall. 01833 621203.
Thursday May 4, 2pm. Woodland Village Hall. 0300 7727781.
Sara Cox –
Wings of Wire
A wire sculpture workshop inspired by the wetlands birds of the Pennines, with artist Sara Cox guiding you thought the process of using wire to make your own take home bird sculpture.
Saturday, April 29, 10am. Mickleton Village Hall. 01833 640909.
For more booking information visit www.highlightsnorth.co.uk
