Civic and community commemoration

The people of Sunderland are invited to two events in the city commemorating international Holocaust Memorial Day (27 Jan). Both will be attended by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Lynda Scanlan, demonstrating civic and community support for the annual...

A happy eventful new year!

While hugely popular annual events such as the Sunderland Airshow, Illuminations and Festival of Light and Penshaw Bowl will already be on many family calendars, there will be many other dates to follow as a huge range of sport, music and cultural events are confirmed...

Students learn design skills inside the ‘glassroom’

STUDENTS from a Sunderland academy have been learning first-hand the skills of working with glass and ceramics, thanks to a collaboration between National Glass Centre (NGC) and the Victoria & Albert, the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance....

Major boost will bring museum collections to life

Jan 14, 2019 | Arts and Culture, Things to do

ONE of the region's top visitor attractions is to get a new flexible learning and performance space aimed at attracting new visitors and bringing museum collections to life. The development at Sunderland Museum, Library and Winter Gardens is being made possible thanks...

Drama, Comedy, Music and Art in Spring Programme

Dec 27, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Good vibes, Things to do

DRAMA, stand-up comedy, live music and an exhibition from young local artists help make up a busy spring programme at Arts Centre Washington (ACW). Theatre highlights include I, Malvolio, a one-man show written and performed by Tim Crouch. The show explores the...

Plans for a more musical 2019

Dec 21, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Good vibes, Things to do

Following a successful year of events in Sunderland in 2018, plans are underway to expand the event programme to include more live music. With aspirations to grow the city’s status as an 'events' city, it will be important to have a range of events that attract people...

The King & I comes to Sunderland Empire

Dec 20, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Good vibes, Nightlife, Things to do

Following the critically acclaimed Broadway smash hit run of the The King and I and its box office sold out record breaking season at the world famous London Palladium, comes the announcement that the multi Tony Award winning production will now embark on a major UK...

Dom Joly to star as Narrator in Rocky Horror Show in Sunderland

Dec 13, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Things to do

Trigger Happy TV star Dom Joly will take to the Sunderland Empire stage to perform the iconic role of Narrator in the legendary musical extravaganza Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show. Dom said: “I'm soooo excited to play the part of the narrator in The Rocky Horror...

It’s time to Have a Ball in Sunderland

Dec 13, 2018 | Food and drink, Good vibes, Things to do

Three of Sunderland’s leading organisations have teamed up with one goal in mind – to showcase how everyone can have a ball in Sunderland this Christmas. The city’s Business Improvement District has joined forces with Sunderland AFC and MAKE it Sunderland to highlight...

Legendary musical extravaganza returns to Sunderland

Dec 13, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Good vibes, Things to do

Are you ready for the anticipation? Trigger Happy TV star Dom Joly will take to the Sunderland Empire stage to perform the iconic role of Narrator as celebrity narrators are announced for the new national tour of the legendary musical extravaganza, Richard O’Brien’s...

Peter Pan relaxed performance at Sunderland Empire

Dec 12, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Things to do

Special effects will be tuned down and lights will dimmed at Sunderland Empire this festive season to ensure families have a more relaxed theatre experience of their swashbuckling pantomime, Peter Pan. The Relaxed Performance will take place on Thursday 27 December...

Benidorm Live: enjoy a dose of sunshine at Sunderland Empire

Dec 12, 2018 | Arts and Culture, Things to do

The festive season may be upon us but Sunderland Empire are set for a dose of fun in the sun when Benidorm Live checks in for one week only next month. Derren Litten's smash hit ITV comedy is set to bring sunshine and smiles to the Sunderland Empire stage from 14-19...