NE Online Magazine Issue 46

Hi Chris and welcome to NE Magazine, for the few readers who must be living in a cave somewhere and don’t know who you are how about giving th em a quick l ow- down o n yourself?

- Hello! Can’t help but think I’m writing your interview introduction for you here, oh well… I’m a stand-up comedian from South Shields and I’m also a bit of an actor now and then… but mainly a comedian… that might not come across as well as it should in print form, but I am.

So there.

At the moment it’s hard not seeing you on the TV when we switch it on as you’re everywhere, but what has been the highlight for you so far?

- Not everywhere though am I? If you turn on QVC and I’m selling a frying pan, just assume you’ll find me floating face down in a river very soon. The highlight for me so far was probably being in Hebburn. Since starting comedy I always wanted to try my hand at being in a sitcom too so I was over the moon to do one with my mate and so close to my heart, and I got to work with Vic Reeves.

I know you had a bit of a crazy time with fans wanting pics and autographs when you were having a few drinks in a South Shields bar recently, how are you finding this, does it put you off going out?

- Not at all. Any person in that position who has been on TV or whatever and people want photos (I’m trying my best not to say celebrity here!) who pretends they hate the attention is a liar. You don’t go for a career on TV because you don’t want anyone to notice you. As long as I’m not eating or having a shit when you want a photo then it’s no problem at all… I meant, like on the toilet, not just in the middle of the dancefloor.

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Have you had any weird fan requests or incidents?

- Not really. The odd person will show up to a gig with my face on a T-Shirt, or bake me a cake, or send me a dead animal in the post but other than that it’s just photos and autographs. A little kid in Hebburn when we were filming asked me to sign his micro scooter… that was a bit weird.

As well as being a bit of a regular on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 out of 10 Cats you are now starring in the North East based sitcom Hebburn, how did that come about?

- My mate and fellow comedian Jason Cook decided to write a sitcom about the town he was from, Hebburn, and he actually wrote me a little side part which he named after me. But when it came to being made the BBC asked me to read for the main character, and when I got it, Jason took the part that he’d written for me! It came about so gradually that I didn’t really realise the enormity of being lead role in a BBC2 sitcom until I saw the advert on TV. I nearly passed out.

How has the response for Hebburn been so far?

- Overwhelmingly positive.

And we just won Best Drama at the RTS North awards too. And we’ve got a second series!

You are now embarking on your biggest tour to date, how do you feel about this?

- Yeah incredible! It’s an extension of my last tour, Feeling Lucky. I did 60+ dates in 2012 but the demand for tickets was so high and people enjoyed the show so much that I’m doing another 40 odd dates this year in much bigger venues. I can’t wait to get back out on the road.

Are there any venues on the tour that you are looking forward to playing or any you’re quite nervous about?

- The Theatre Royal in Newcastle. I absolutely can’t wait. I used to watch panto there when I was a kid. I’m

We l c o m e N o t e .

L i fe i s s l o w l y s t a r t i n g t o g e t s o m e sort of normality back, but we still n e e d t o s t a y s a fe a n d b e c a r e f u l .

A big thank you to all of our Front L i n e s t a f f a n d K e y Wo r ke r s , y o u a r e all amazing. Not All Heroes wear capes!!!

As always, if you have something you want to see in a future issue then d o n ’ t fo r g e t t o d r o p u s a n e m a i l t o wayne. groves@neonlinemagazine. com P l u s r e m e m b e r t o fo l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k , Tw i t t e r & I n s t a g ra m fo r our regular updates on events and competitions.

Till next time Ta ke c a r e Wa y n e

EDITOR & DESIGNER Wayne Groves wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine.com

O2 Academy Newcastle/City Hall www.o2academynewcastle.co.uk Sage Gateshead www.sagegateshead.com Ocean Beach Pleasure Park www.oceanbeach.co.uk Quasar Elite South Shields www.quasarsouthshields.co.uk For all queries or if you would like to feature or advertise in NE Magazine email wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine.com Unless stated otherwise all competition entries should be sent to win@ neonlinemagazine.com Plus you can catch up with us online for news, events, blogs, competitions and more at www.neonlinemagazine.com Follow us on Facebook - www.facebook. com/pages/N-E-Online-Magazine Join us on Twitter @NEOnlineMag1 And Instagram @neonlinemagazine

CONTRIBUTORS Peter Mann BSc Inside Mann Media & PR insidemannmedia.wordpress.com petermann78@hotmail.com Madhouse Media www.madhousemedia.co.uk SPONSORS Playhouse Whitley Bay www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk Cineworld Boldon www.cineworld.co.uk The Theatre Royal Newcastle www.theatreroyal.co.uk/

OUT JUNE 1ST CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO IT

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{THIS} {ISSUE} P6 Peter Mann & Joe Wear P12 Shaun Barry’s Pumpkin Car P18 Leon Ryan P24 Elizabethtown P32 Neil Sims – The 77 P40 NE Artist Of The Year Zoe Gilby P48 Cineworld P52 Scott Michael Cavagan P58 EVENTS 4 COVID 19 P62 Audrey’s ‘Reflections in Blue’ P70 Will Jennison 5

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Peter Mann & Joe Wear

Getting Fit: A Personal Journey, in Lockdown Having battled with depression, sleepless nights, financial worries and quite possibly a number of other ailments as well over the past two decades, one of the main things I’ve had problems with has been my fitness and weight.

Five or so years ago, I moved to Eastbourne on the South Coast, and I was tipping the scales at a rather unimpressive 22 stone; at the time I knew I was overweight, I just wasn’t aware, or willing to take notice, admit, to the full nature of the problem at hand.

Whilst down on the South Coast, sunnier climes, beach, the sea, I took to Slimming World and lost a huge amount of weight, dropping down to around 13 stone, but, in all honesty, I wasn’t feeling good in myself and with my body, more as I could see and feel my ribcage etc.

for me and the weight started to go back on, and on it continued.

Upon returning north I continued with the weight-loss programme but again, due to voices in my head, and a few other external factors, it was no longer working

Fast-forward a few years and into 2019, and it’s visibly obvious that the weight increase was again taking its toll, not as bad as it had been in the years

preceding 2014/15, but it was there. The prime example is in the comparison image (pictured) where shirted, on the left, I’m seen immediately following an interview with the Russian violinist, Viktoria Mullova, at Sage Gateshead in May 2019,

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whereas on the right, twelve months on, following a mid-May exercise session, realising as to how much of a change there had already been.

Yes, an exercise session!!

I’ve always had a vested interest in, passion for sport, sport psychology, sport science and sport nutrition and, once the current, global pandemic took hold, I guess it suddenly became a sink-or-swim scenario for myself.

Early doors the black dog of depression was beginning to take hold, I was taking (too many) painkillers to stem the numerous stress headaches that were gradually increasing by the day, and then I received a little extra nudge that I wasn’t expecting, but one that I’ll be forever grateful for.

One thing most certainly led to another and I decided to lose weight, and to get fit and healthy again.

First up I embarked on a Couch to 5k programme, building up running and walking (with the dulcet tones of Jo Whiley for company in my ear), but with my carrying well over 18 stone of timber (weight to the uninitiated) made it somewhat difficult, tedious, and add the fact I’d not done any serious exercise for over twenty years, it was going to take its toll quite

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quickly.

To receive the support that I did though, also quickly, and not just from friends but also people within sports performance was, well, something I’m immensely grateful for and it really helped push me along just that little bit more and I’ve continued documenting the journey throughout on my social media, and via my website.

With the Couch to 5k being a nine-week programme I was, in all honesty, unsure as to how things would progress with it. At the end of the day the targets/goals I set when starting out were to (1) get fit and feel healthier, (2) lose weight, (3) challenge myself and run regularly, and (4) improve my health condition, and I guess I can say I’m hitting each of those targets when passing the six/ seven week mark.

Something else happened during the course of the programme though, and I’m not talking those personal issues. It was becoming more and more obvious I needed to strengthen the muscles, my lower legs, the longer I progressed, and, although I hit a ‘glass ceiling’ so to speak during week six and

attempting a twenty-five minute straight run in turn making the decision to step back a little and repeat (not quit), I was also approached by Joe Wear Fitness and the North East Athletic Development.

With that my training regime has taken on a whole new dimension, so much so that I’m now training five times a week (three times Couch to 5K, twice on the training programme), and I’ve also changed my diet to suit, eating more fruit and vegetables, better meals, smaller portions, the whole nine yards really.

The training programme in place for myself, via what is a great, specially designed app, details nine stages to be completed at my own pace going through Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Home Body Workouts.

At the ‘Beginner’ stage I’m doing a warm-up of High Knees and Bodyweight Squats, circuit of Bodyweight VMO Split Squats, Jumping Jacks and Press Ups, Core Workout of Flutter Kicks, Cross Crunch and Lemon Squeeze – and it’s blooming hard!!

Push ups, Pull Ups and Press Ups have always been difficult for me as I have next to no body strength, and I’ve found a new nemesis in

this with the Cross Crunch and Lemon Squeeze exercises so it’ll take me a good few weeks to get those ‘mastered’ and moving on to the next stage.

Joe is already being a great source of guidance as well, it is fantastic to have someone on the end of the phone (we’re in lockdown so face-to-face would be rather difficult) and he is both experienced and knowledgeable in Health, Fitness and Personal Coaching.

He carries over a decade of experience as a Strength & Conditioning Coach in a number of sporting disciplines at County, National and International level.

Graduating from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma with a BSc in Exercise and Sport Science (personally I’ve a BSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Teesside University) Joe is also accredited with two of the world’s leading S&C authorities, UKSCA (United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association) and NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) – hence the attraction when the offer was placed to help further my own, personal progression and development.

For me, now, I’m closing in on the end of the Couch to 5k and, although it’ll be longer than the initial nine weeks (I have to break that glass ceiling remember) I’m not seeing it as an end, it’s whole new beginning with

running, alongside the workouts, and hopefully more, taking me towards a more rounded, sportsorientated, future as I will look more at the sports sciences, nutrition etc in greater detail, after lockdown that is.

For now however, it’s on with the show and seeing where this journey takes me…

You can keep up-to-date with all my goings on via Facebook www.facebook.com/ petermannmedia/ and Twitter twitter.com/petermannwriter whilst updates of the whole journey can be found via insidemannmedia.wordpress. com/?s=getting+fit For Joe Wear Fitness check out

Facebook www.facebook.com/ personaltrainernewcastle/ and Twitter twitter.com/joewear5 and his website via www.joewear.co.uk/ with the North East Athletic Development on Facebook www.facebook. com/NEAthleticDevelopment/ and Twitter twitter.com/ neathleticdeve1 and the website at www.neathleticdevelopment. co.uk/

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Shaun Barry’s Pumpkin Car

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Hi Shaun, welcome to NE, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Thank you for the invite, my name is Shaun Barry, I live in Walker and I am the owner of Stepney Tyres and Stepney M.O.T. Centre.

more about that?

Yeah I certainly have, it’s a real eye catcher and a very good focal point. Everywhere I go there are eyes on it and when I stop I get flocked with onlookers.

You have been creating a massive buzz around Walker and in fact the North East recently because of a car restoration you have been doing, can you tell us all a bit

So what made you want to restore a classic MK1 Escort?

I actually learnt to drive or should I say had my first ever go in a MK1 Escort many years ago belonging

to a friend Paul Whitlie and since then have always wanted to own one but the cost of them is just out of this world and that’s if you can ever find one, so I saved and saved until I found a good project and I have went from there.

What has been the hardest part of restoring a classic car?

I don’t think anything has been hard restoring it as it’s been quite

enjoyable, although from time to time I thought to myself what have I done lol. I basically ripped the car apart and started from the bottom up, nearly everything has been replaced with new parts apart from the obvious engine etc, although I have put a faster one in ha.

How long has it taken you from start to finish?

I got the car in November and got stuck straight into it. But with having my own garage and ramps etc it made it ever so easy for me to tinker on, six month later it is shining and driving on the road.

As for finishing it I don’t think you could ever finish it as you can spend money on it every day and keep changing things, it’s a never ending project lol.

What does the family think of your little project?

The family know what I’m like so they leave me to my own devices; I’ve always tinkered on with something.

Because the car is bright orange you certainly won’t be missed driving it around, but what have people’s reactions been like when you have?

The orange colour is great, the car

is spotted from any distance and it takes some getting used to. People staring at you or pulling up alongside you and asking questions.. but the best thing about the colour is my kids call it the pumpkin car because of its colour, so that has kind of stuck, and I even say to them who’s turn is it this week to

come to see the pumpkin car?

Will you be keeping the car, if so do you have any plans for it to showing it off?

I do intend to keep the car and would love people to see it in local shows, but sadly it’s in my blood and everything is for sale for the

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right money!

You are the owner of Stepney Tyres and M.O.T. Centre in Wallsend, how has business been recently with all of the madness happening, has it affected you?

Yeah running two garages side by side can be a bit demanding and with the covid-19 going on it has really had an impact, but not just on me but everyone‌ and with a good bit of luck everyone will get back to normal and most of all be safe.

When you are not working on the car or working in the garage what do you get up to in your free time?

This is a good question.... free time, I never really have any as when I do I spend most of it teaching kids how to box and fight k1 style. I usually do this twice a

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week but this is on hold due to covid. It’s quite challenging as they are all at different levels but the kids love it and it keeps them off the street and gives them a bit of discipline.

https://www.facebook.com/teamstepney/ https://www.facebook. com/Stepney-test-centreMOT-2555500994522489/

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Hi Colin, welcome to NE, cAs

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Leon Ryan

from the Northern League, to Rugby Union a As a strong, cultured centrehalf Leon Ryan won numerous titles at places like Wembley and Anfield, now, at the tender age of 37, the former footballer has swapped playing football, for playing rugby.

In breaking into the Northern League during the 2002-03 campaign at West Terrace, the home of Esh Winning, Leon was but a teenager starting out, and he’s never looked back.

Spells at Whitley Bay (three times), Durham City, Sunderland Nissan, Spennymoor, and Sunderland Ryhope all followed, with his second spell at Hillheads, and the one at the Brewery Field, yielding a combined three FA Vase winning campaigns, all as captain, in 2009, 2010 and 2013.

During this period he also played Sunday League football, for the all-conquering Hetton Lyons side of the Durham & District Sunday League. One of only a handful of players to win three All England Sunday Cups, Leon lifting the trophy in 2006, 2008, and 2010, it’s been a rather distinguished footballing career….

And then he took off the armband, and the boots, and just, well, walked away!

“I’d won everything I could with both the Bay, and the ‘Moors,” began Leon.

“You really do get used to winning and there was a constant roulette of really good players at those two clubs, even when I was at Durham we had an unbelievable

side.

“After I’d captained the Bay though, to their first two Vase successes (2009 and 2010, they won it again the following season for an unprecedented three-in-arow), I was aware of the fact that Brad (Groves, Moors Chairman) and Jay (Jason Ainsley, Moors Manager) had always wanted me there.

“I’d always wanted to win a league championship as well and, bizarrely, in that 2011 season, I won the league at Spennymoor, and the Bay went and completed a hat-trick of Vase wins; even when I won the third All England with Hetton the previous season, the day before I lined up for the Bay, against Moors, in a 1-1 draw.”

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After a successful spell at the Brewery Field Leon returned to Hillheads for a short time before heading to Wearside to join former Hetton team-mate, Gary Pearson, at Ryhope.

session at Sunderland RFC, asking them if he “could give it a try,” and he’s never regretted a single moment, gaining a whole new lease of life, and circle of friends, into the bargain.

“We gained promotion (from the Northern League Second Division) in my second season there and I stayed on the following campaign to help them stabilise in the First,” continued Leon.

Now, still a few years shy of his fortieth birthday, Leon vows to play on for as long as possible, for as long as he can give his all for the firsts, both on, and off the field.

“I only went there because of Gaz and I was falling out of love with the game; I’d already done, and won, everything I could.

“It (football) had always been my sport but I just loved rugby which a few people knew about, from my mid-twenties, and I began to really start thinking about, and wanting to play, adult rugby – I just wanted a new challenge.”

And that’s exactly what he did; pre-season, three years ago now, a mid-thirties Leon Ryan turned his back on football and turned up at a pre-season training

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“I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved with the transition (from football to rugby),” explained Leon.

“However, I’ve got a good few years left in me still, I just wish I’d taken the leap a lot sooner; I’m just never fully content and always wanting to challenge myself so, doing this, the past three seasons now, it’s given me a sense of excitement, a

fascination, and I’m always learning something new.”

As the current season was cut decidedly short due to a global pandemic, Leon, and his Sunderland RFC teammates, have ‘enjoyed’ a somewhat muted promotion celebration.

Having spent the 2019/20 season battling with the likes of Ponteland (promoted as champions) and Guisborough (who slipped down to third via the count-back decision), Sunderland RFC leave the Durham/Northumberland Division Two as runners-up and will spend next season, whenever

that may begin, and Leon’s fourth in rugby, opposing Newcastlebased pair, Novocastrians and Medicals, from Benwell and Heaton respectively, Acklam, Stockton and Middlesbrough, among others.

“This was my third season (with Sunderland) having just rocked up at 35-years-old,” stated Leon.

“I did play some rugby as a youngster and I’m enjoying playing in every game, in fact in my second season I even won both the Player of the Year awards, which was superb.

“Now, because of the count-back

that has been used in order to decide this season, Sunderland have been promoted as runnersup to Ponteland so I’m already looking forward to getting back out there, whenever pre-season is, and getting next season started.”

Along with a new puppy in the family Leon is enjoying spending time with his wife Louise, and their two young children, Harry, aged nine, and Evie, aged five, with the hope that normality, whatever that may be, returns soon.

Image Credits - Football (Steven White); Rugby (Andrew Nelson)

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It has been several years since we last featured Elizabethtown in NE so welcome back. Can you please introduce yourselves to our readers who might not know you?

JC - Jen, I play violin and take on some backing vocals as well as some writing from time to time.

RJ - I’m Rich, I play double bass and backing vocals.

JB - I’m James, one of the new members of the band, and I play the banjo and harmonise.

JT – John, I play percussion.

SK - I’m Scott, and I fill in the

blanks with a bit of guitar and vocals.

You are about to release the new single “Yellow Lights”, can you tell us a bit about the single and what it’s about?

SK - The song was actually written by an amazing songwriter based in Boston called Marissa Nadler.

We’d play the song to sound check at live shows occasionally. It was complete chance that we recorded it in a little bit of spare time in the studio... but when we did, it just

felt right to release it as a single, it’s such a beautiful song.

JB - The single yellow lights is a sweet sentimental song about...

Yellow lights. And how the light is yellow. Yellow is a nice colour.

Was the single recorded before the lockdown or has this been something you have had to work on in a very unusual way to how you normally would?

RJ- It’s a mixture, most of it was recorded before lockdown then we added drums and banjo (recorded

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by themselves at home) and mixed them in.

JC - Yes and no….we usually bounce off each other when we practise ideas and improvise a lot of the time to begin with. We’ve been doing pretty much that, just rather than being face to face, we communicate via WhatsApp. JB - Only the parts of Jen, Scott and Rich were recorded pre lockdown. Luckily enough myself and John have some decent recording equipment at home so we were able to add our banjo, drums and harmonies to the mix during lockdown in the safety of our own homes. It’s amazing what you can do with technology these days!

SK - I’ve quite enjoyed working like this... weird as it sounds.

Where usually we’d be working out harmonies and trying new things in the studio with limited time, the pressure has been lifted a little. It’s been nice to discuss ideas with the rest of the band, and just let everyone do what they’re best at. Rich has probably had the toughest job, as he’s engineered the tracks for the release. We also recorded a slightly more acoustic video with a “live” feel from our houses.

JT - It was done during, and presented the challenge of all trying to play together from disparate locations. Because of the time discrepancy with platforms like zoom, instead of playing it all together Scott laid down his part first, setting the tempo and structure for the rest of us to react to and send in our parts, before Rich mixed the audio and James edited the videos together.

We spoke to you after your gig at the Cluny last year, which was amazing by the way, and you were telling us you were putting togeth-

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er the new album, but then covid-19 struck and everything has went into lockdown, how much of an impact has this had on making and releasing the new album?

JC - It’s been different and the camaraderie has been a real miss.

Practising and recording together is usually a right laugh so it’s been an odd experience sitting at the dining table with a set of head

phones!

SK - It’s a bit of an unusual situation to be in... we’ve had a couple of new songs written for the new album, but since lockdown, we’ve all been writing and creating more. It means we’ll probably have to reconsider what will be on the next album. But I’d rather have too much material that we think is worthy of letting people hear, than desperately trying to fill blanks in an album. I personally think a lot of our better ideas have been written in the last few months.

RJ- It’s not ideal but has certainly given us plenty of time to write.

JB - Blessing and a curse. A curse because it’s hard to get together and work on new material as a band, but all this extra spare time on our hands has been a blessing. we have had a chance to individually be more creative than we ever could be without the interruptions of every day life.

A big part of local bands like yourself releasing an album is being able to tour with it, so will you be waiting till you can before

releasing the album or will you be releasing it regardless?

JB - I think our motive at the moment is getting the songs written, rehearsed and recorded. We will hope to have an album release party in the works at a minimum RJ - We’re just releasing regardless, we can tour when we are allowed!

SK - We’re working hard to find the best fit for this album. The new songs written during lockdown are probably among our best, and with two new members, new ideas just keep coming. It’s a nice problem to have... we’ve got a lot of new songs to consider for the next release.

I prefer to own a physical copy of an album personally, but in this day and age releasing them to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Deezer can be a big help in getting your music out there, but is it worth it financially?

SK - I’m a fan of a physical copy too, so it’s a bit of a strange concept to me releasing a single as a stream or download only song.

But I think it’s important to have as many people listening as we can. We’re making music we’re really happy with now, and we’d love people to hear it.

JT - Releasing music on streaming platforms does not generate much money! You have to be in the millions of streams before you get any significant return on it.

However, if you aren’t on streaming these days, nobody is going to hear you. People are used to being able to simply click a Spotify link and have access to your back catalogue. If you have to dig any further or buy a CD, that will reduce your listenership a great deal.

It’s easy enough to break even on streaming, and is basically just a necessary thing for artists these days, and you can still choose to do CD runs or a vinyl pressing if you know the demand will be generated at gigs to sell them to those who like physical media JB - We are moving away from the usual convention of purchasing music more each day. Financially, selling music is not a viable way to make money in a band. The music itself now simply advertises the brand, and it’s the brand of “Elizabethtown” that we will be selling.

Be it in terms of t-shirts or gig tickets.

RJ – It’s not really worth it financially but allows us to reach a wider audience and hopefully build up a fan base.

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If we are still on lockdown with bars and music venues still closed when you release your album, will your fans be able to order a physical copy of your album?

JB - you can answer that one Scott!

SK - I’m feeling all nostalgic... I’m thinking vinyl, cassette... maybe even 8-track! Seriously though, I’d like to release it as a CD too. I still do a lot of listening in the car.

I hope a few other people would come see our shows, and take a listen to a CD on the way home.

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What has it been like for you all recording this album, has anyone been more awkward or demanding than the rest?

JC - I think we are all pretty chilled about the whole thing…. we have to be really considering everyone has their own lives to try and manage in a lockdown situation. Getting an opportunity to do recording is like a little moment of

bliss aside from technical issues.

I’d spent over an hour rehearsing and practising takes, it’s typical that during the best recording of the video, the phone began sliding southwards before landing on the floor, not to mention the times my twin 18 month olds kept on barging through the door with their electronic, singing toy cars.

JB - It’s usually Scott plays and I follow and build the song around him, so for me it’s not too demanding.

SK - I think I’m usually the demanding one. I’m sure most of the guys hate me for the duration of the recording session... maybe even before and after the recording session! But honestly, everyone is so tight with what they do, it’s hard to criticise. Rarely takes us more than a few takes. And Rich’s mixing just pins everything together so nicely. Our good friend Stevie Stoker has put the final

polish on the new single too, and done a great job.

When bands release a second album it can either sound like a continuation of the first album or they go in a completely different direction with the sound/style of the album, how different is the new album to your first album “Welcome to Elizabethtown”?

SK - With James and John joining the band, it already has a different feel. It’s not just the original members writing anymore, songs are coming from different sources... but we still try to keep the Americana feel in there.

RJ - Similar sound and style but we now have new members who will bring their own ideas.

JB - I’m hoping my new contribution to the band will mix it up and but and change things to the sound.

Tell us a random fact about each of you?

RJ - I once had a dog called Louis Armstrong, he sang like him too but couldn’t play the trumpet very well.

JT - Before becoming a full-time musician, I almost gave it up to go to art college instead. I made the right choice, I think.

JB - I’m a middle child, so naturally I worry about being ignored, so naturally I play an extremely loud banjo.

JC - When walking in the lakes, I found a deer skull which I took home and named Bernard. I then used to put Bernard in random places through the house such as on top of the toilet or at the wheel of my stepdad’s kit car for an element of surprise.

SK - I’m absolutely terrified of moths. There’s currently one in the little studio I’ve set up in the house, and I’ve not been in for

days in case it eats me or something.

How can people follow you and keep up to date with all things Elizabethtown?

JB - Facebook and Spotify are the two main ways to keep in touch.

SK - You can also follow the band on BandsInTown, and a couple of the guys are hiding on Instagram, if you can find them!

You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Elizabethtownband/

And click HERE for Spotify or search for them with Elizabethtown where you can listen to the new single ‘YELLOW LIGHTS’ And click HERE for Bands In Town Is there anything you would like to add?

JB - 5 + 9 SK - That sums it up... Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and hope you enjoy the new single... let us know how you find it!

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NERG is the biggest retro gaming event in the North East, held at Gateshead Stadium over the course of 2 days, this event is as big as it gets for retro gamers or just the big kids re-living their youth playing the games they used to play, after all, they don’t make them like they used to. 2017 will be the fifth year of NERG and it will be a big one. With 100 video arcade machines, 35 pinball machines and 60 consoles and computers this really is an event you do not want to miss!.

The event is held over the weekend of 1st & 2nd of July.

Entrance is £15 per day or £25 for the full weekend. Children aged 5-13 years can also get in for only £10 on the Sunday.

All the machines are set to free play so once you pay the admission fee, it’s free gaming all day., so no need for those pockets full of change.

CLICK HERE TO TICKETS ONLINE.

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PURCHASE

or you can pay on the day if the event hasn’t sold out.

More details can be found at w w w.northeastretrogaming. com Machines are announced on a regular basis through the social feeds so make sure you keep checking to see what games will

be there, though with so many we are sure your favourites will be there.

CLICK HERE FOR FACEBOOK For Twitter - @NERGOfficial

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Neil As a comic book fan I was very excited to hear that my friend, Neil Sims was going to be doing the artwork for a comic on Kickstarter, so obviously I went on and pledged in the hope that it would hit its target and the comic would be published, after all, you have to support your friends…plus I love comics so win win. Fast forward several months and ‘The 77’ landed on my doorstep and it’s safe to say I am not disappointed! Looking through it I am reminded of being 10 years old picking up my first copy of 2000AD, a comic filled with several short stories or parts of a story that would be continued in the next issue.

‘The 77’ has that feel, with its variety of incredible artwork, some in colour and some in black and white, from moody and atmospheric to quirky

Sims

and cartoony, each story is a completely different style.

This is an anthology comic that really does take you back to your childhood, to the feeling you got when you first picked up a similar anthology type of comic, there was plenty of them around back then. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t a kids comic, it just has that retro feel, the same way that Stranger Things takes people born in the 70’s and 80’s back to their childhood, yet a teenager picking this up will still enjoy it, this could be their first anthology comic!

Now I am not going to review ‘The 77’ because I think that is pretty pointless, as it’s subjective. The strips I like may be the ones you hate, and vica versa. That’s the joys of comics, we don’t all have to like the same things or get the same feeling from reading

it. I think you should all read it for yourself and make up your own mind. Instead of a review I wanted to chat with Neil and find out more about him and his 77 journey.

Hi Neil, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, I’m Neil Sims I’m born and bred in South Shields and I am a professional artist and designer for the past 24 years.

You are well known for your Tattoo’s, being the owner of Body Art Tattoo Studio in South Shields, but your most recent venture is a brand new comic called ‘The 77’, tell us about the comic and how you got involved?

‘The 77’ is an anthology comic created and edited by a man called Ben Cullis (Benksy) he also is the admin of a page on

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Facebook called the77-2000ad which is a fan site for people who like the comic 2000ad, I became involved because an appeal was put onto the page looking for artists who were familiar with SVS (sequential visual storytelling) I’ve been a fan of comics forever so I thought I’d give it a go! You can find the group on Facebook here https://www.facebook. com/groups/4727793513/

Neil Sims

How did you find doing the art work for the comic compared to doing a commission piece or normal sketch?

Sequential art is a challenge, it’s not just about the pictures, a story must flow from the previous panel to the next and character has to be identified visually which can be a difficult process.

If you could do the artwork for any comic, what would it be and why?

A comic I’d really love to work on is sadly out of production; it was released in the 80’s and was called ‘Scream’, a very cool horror anthology comic.

Some specials are still made but the main comic was cancelled amid mysterious circumstances.

The writer I’m working with right now, Barrie Tomlinson, used to pen tales in ‘Scream’ so I guess I’m half way there!

Will you be involved with future issues of ‘The 77’?

Yes I’ll be involved in future issues of ‘The 77’, I’m committed to it for the foreseeable future.

‘The 77’ was funded by fans on Kickstarter, where people pledge various amounts in return for various goodies, everything from signed copies to posters and even a one off sculpt, what people may not know is you are an amazing sculpture too and actually created a piece as one of the rewards. How long did your sculpture take?

Ah sculpture is a real love of mine I’m glad you noticed, the Philthy Luca sculpt I did for ‘The 77’ took about a month of work.

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You also recently did a sculpture

for another comic created by the legend John Wagner, tell us more

about that and how it all came about?

The Rok of the Reds sculpt came about by contacting the creator John Wagner, who also created Judge Dredd. I was cheeky and just asked him if I could make something. I didn’t actually think he’d say yes but he did!!! It was a great experience working with John and Dan Cornwel, the artist on the strip.

John Wagner

What does it mean to you to finally have your work in a printed comic?

I’ve always wanted to be a pro comic artist, but life kept on getting in the way, but finally I achieved my dream with ‘The 77’ and I must say there was no other feeling like it! A great sense of accomplishment and a satisfied feeling that all my artistic persistence had paid off.

Due to Covid-19 you are not yet able to do any tattoo’s, are you doing commission work instead?

If so how can people get one done?

Absolutely taking commissions, yes!! I can be contacted primarily on Facebook messenger, send me a pm and I’ll see what I can do for you, any media really I can set my hand to most things that have an artistic or design element.

How can people follow you and keep up to date with all of your projects?

My personal Facebook is

htt p s : / / w w w.fa c e b o o k . co m / neilblackbirdsims My tattoo studio Facebook is htt p s : / / w w w.fa c e b o o k . co m / BodyArtCustomTattoo Please contact me on any of these if you would like some custom artwork or sculptures.

You can see previous examples of artwork on both pages.

it HERE www.kickstarter.com/ projects/the77comic/the77-thesummer-special

Can people still buy Issue 1 of ‘The 77’?

‘The 77’ issue 1 is still available from the editorial team and some of the creators best bet would be to visit ‘The 77’ Facebook page HERE and send a message.

‘The 77’ Issue 2 Kickstarter will be launching on the 13th June 2020, so make sure you sign up to be notified as some of the rewards will be very limited and will go quickly. You can follow

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NERG is the biggest retro gaming event in the North East, held at Gateshead Stadium over the course of 2 days, this event is as big as it gets for retro gamers or just the big kids re-living their youth playing the games they used to play, after all, they don’t make them like they used to. 2017 will be the fifth year of NERG and it will be a big one. With 100 video arcade machines, 35 pinball machines and 60 consoles and computers this really is an event you do not want to miss!.

The event is held over the weekend of 1st & 2nd of July.

Entrance is £15 per day or £25 for the full weekend. Children aged 5-13 years can also get in for only £10 on the Sunday.

All the machines are set to free play so once you pay the admission fee, it’s free gaming all day., so no need for those pockets full of change.

CLICK HERE TO TICKETS ONLINE.

36

PURCHASE

or you can pay on the day if the event hasn’t sold out.

More details can be found at w w w.northeastretrogaming. com Machines are announced on a regular basis through the social feeds so make sure you keep checking to see what games will

be there, though with so many we are sure your favourites will be there.

CLICK HERE FOR FACEBOOK For Twitter - @NERGOfficial

37

just been crazy, it can’t make up its mind and some days we are seeing all the seasons in one day. The recent visit from the “Beast from the East” saw the country come to a

standstill as we just can’t cope with such extremes in this country.

Granted, places like Russia and Canada cope with a hell of a lot more and they manage, but people seem to forget that we don’t get that kind of weather often enough to need to deal with it.

Granted the blizzards did cause a lot of misery for so many people, be it lost wages, stuck in traffic, plans cancelled and more, myself included, but the one thing that really stood out for me was the amount of fantastic pictures I saw shared on social media, the beauty of the views of snow covered plac-

So far this year the weather has

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[2020 Artist of the year] [Zoe Gilby]

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[mike Gilby]

Jazz Musician, and Artist of the Year, Zoe Gilby, looks back on her father’s lasting legacy, Mike Gilby Mike Gilby and Zoe Gilby, father and daughter, a generational game in jazz music that continues to span a number of decades.

In father Mike, his career lasted for over forty years and an oft regular at The Corner House in Newcastle, a place he made his home during a seventies and eighties heyday, daughter Zoe has carried on his supreme talent and, maybe even, taken it up a few levels.

Of the tributes following his passing in late 2010 it’s obvious as to how much of an impression Mike made on others, primarily as part of the Newcastle Big Band, the Harper’s, Bill & Anne, say-

ing at the time that: “He was the archetypical Glaswegian, fiery & awkward almost to the point of being perverse at times, but always passionate about his music.

“We worked together harmoniously & successfully for many years in the Sid Warren Quintet & the Art Mowatt Big Band where we both shared an interest in writing for the Quintet.

“The quality of his writing & arranging was always superb & exciting to play & I learned quite a few pointers from him in my own writing.

“We also shared a “black” sense of humour for substitute song titles & I can still remember some of the titles on his Songs for Swinging Scotsmen compilation--”Gorbals,

Bangles & Beads”--”Fly Me To Dunoon”--”Peebles Will Say We’re In Love”--”Mighty Like Montrose” etc.

“He had an exceptionally good sensitive sound on flugel but if the spirit moved him, he could really “burn” as we say.

“Anne & I were aware of how much he missed being involved in the music scene due to his degenerative illness but he was able to give help & support to his daughter Zoe in the formative part of her career.

“He was extremely proud of Zoe & her subsequent success; Mike was a unique “voice” who will be greatly missed & not forgotten,” a tribute indeed, but not the only one to refer to his grumpiness, an

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been for Zoe Gilby to carry on, something which she has achieved with incredible tenacity, and amazing musicianship, one which ultimately led her to being named the All Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Vocalist of the Year for 2019.

Remembering her father in what is nearly a decade on from his passing, a huge loss to the regions jazz scene, and even beyond as well, Zoe looks back on her father and the legacy in which he built for her to carry on in his name.

“I guess I didn’t think my dad was any different to other people’s dads, “explained Zoe. “You just don’t know anything else when you’re a wee kid, but he was very different indeed.

“A jazz musician where music was his life; he lived and breathed music and jazz.

ongoing part of his demeanour throughout life on stage.

Another tribute, this from Andy Hudson, who was with Mike in the Newcastle Big Band in the seventies, adds: “Mike could be grumpy!

“And the lunacy and sometimes the concentration on fun and occasion and not musicianship that underpinned the success of the Newcastle Big Band, was the sort of thing that could make Mike grumpy.

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“There were though, those times when, for whatever reason the Big Band, just clicked - perhaps our collective Sunday morning hangovers were, for once less interventionist.

“On those such mornings on a Flugel horn solo, Mike Gilby was unsurpassable.

“He made such a wonderful soft almost hissing round broad sound in solos such as in Neal Hefti’s L’il Darlin - you just HAD to listen, beautiful!

“Always to rapturous applause (Big Band audiences were brilliant and incredibly appreciative) Mike would give a quiet nod to the audience - a wry grin at the floor - blow out the dribbles from his horn and was grumpy no more.

“As we know his mellifluous legacy carries on through Zoe.” And a meticulous legacy it has

“He said he got to the stage where he listened and analysed that much music, he forgot how to listen and just enjoy music.

“He was an arranger for big bands too, so he was often employed to sit and write out huge scores of music for large ensembles.

“His knowledge of harmony and theory was astounding; he was

super intelligent, a bit of a geek really, and he loved dissecting something, understanding all of its inner workings, then putting it all back together again.

they showed creative overtures.

“He was a thinker,” (not a tinker then, just grumpy).

“Describing him as being ‘unconventional’ is the biggest understatement in the world!

With Zoe one of three siblings, the only girl with two brothers, Michael and Scott both older than she. Zoe’s father helped his daughter’s own progression into the world of music, and jazz, blossom, the same with her brothers, when

“He was an unusual father, caring and loving in his own way,” continued Zoe.

“He liked a bit of banter and supported us (his three children) wholeheartedly if either my two brothers or I wanted to do something creative.

“Once I got into singing, well that really got him going.

“He absolutely loved that I could sing and that I was interested and passionate about music; but he certainly didn’t dress anything up for me.”

Although Zoe, who herself studied music for two years at Newcastle College prior to furthering her vocal sound at Fionna Duncan’s

Jazz Workshop in Glasgow, Mike never handed her the silver spoon so to speak, she had to work hard to ‘live up to the family name.’

“He said it plain and straight,” she explained, “He could be quite close to the bone with his ‘constructive criticism’ but I thank him for that now, in the long run.

“He pushed me to be myself and made me test my limits.

“He gave me an introduction to jazz, he exposed me to the talents of Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae, and all the Great American Songbook classics.

“He made my mold but he also let me grow as an individual, letting me develop, and did loads of groundwork for me as well; basically writing out all of my repertoire, all of my chord charts so that I could perform.

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“He gave me my first jazz gig and I was so nervous, but I loved it and I was on a high.

“I went on to meet some young gun jazz musicians, students at Newcastle College, and I was away, gigging and cutting my teeth.

“What I hadn’t realised though was that my dad was a bit of local jazz hero and that many of the ‘young jazzers’ really loved meeting and talking with my dad.

“He LOVED that though, sharing his knowledge and his experience.

“He gave great advice and I often wonder what he would have thought about this and that.

“I can still hear his voice even though he passed away nearly a decade ago, I just wish I sit down with him one last time, for a hug and a good old music rant.

“RIP dad hope you like what I’m doing.”

TRIBUTES VIA LANCE LIDDLE WEBSITE, BEBOP SPOKEN HERE – FOR A REVIEW OF THE TRIBUTE SHOW AIN EARLY 2012, VISIT https:// lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot. com/2012/01/tribute-to-mikegilby-take-2-corner.html GILBY GOES ALL PATREON In light of a current, ongoing viral pandemic, a lot of artists, across the world, are taking to social media and doing gigs from their home studios, even living rooms.

For most this is a major source of income and Zoe is no different; with that in mind she has set up a Patreon account for her followers, jazz lovers, in fact anyone who

44

likes good music, to check out her and double bass playing husband, Andy.

Living Room Gigs on Patreon.

A lot of artists are trying to keep themselves financially and creatively solvent in these difficult times, whilst providing our lovely audiences with regular live music.

This is how it works * One gig (creation) per week in our living room * Audience (patrons) choose to pay £5 or £3 or £1 per gig. Maximum once per week * Safe PayPal set up * Song requests * Patrons can cancel anytime and

set their own financial cap * Unlimited viewing. Once Patrons have paid for that gig (creation) they can enjoy it again and again. I won’t take them down * Discounted merchandise Sign up here and become a Patron https://www.patreon.com/ zoegilby?fan_landing=true Keep up-to-date with all things Zoe Gilby via her website www. zoegilby.co.uk/ and social media outlets Facebook www.facebook. com/ZoeGilby/ and Twitter twitter.com/ZoeGilbyMusic To purchase her music visit https://zoegilby.bandcamp.com/ or the shop on her website…

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Unlimited Card Love Cinema. Join the club - £17.90 a month. You will receive...

Preferential Discounts Unlimited members get 10% off all food and drink bought in-cinema at any time of day, every day!* Plus, you’ll also receive discounts for all nonfilm screenings such as Live Opera in HD, Live National Theatre, Live sport in 3D and live gigs etc. (All discounts subject to terms) Get access to Exclusive advance screenings

As an Unlimited member, you can be among the first to see great movies at our special screenings. Just keep an eye on our Unlimited newsletter for your invitation.

Discounted Meals & Shopping Unlimited members benefit from exclusive deals set up by their local cinema*. These offers vary from cinema to cinema, but are a great way to save pennies. (All deals are subject to terms) *Until further notice

Watch as many films as you like Are you mad about movies?

Feed your fascination by watching as many films as you like at Cineworld every month from just £17.90.

There’s literally no limit to the number of times you can visit!

Apply for your card now at www.unlimitedcineworld. com/uk/pages/apply. aspx?step=1 using promo code RAF-63KG-29XM-00SB31WU.

49

NERG is the biggest retro gaming event in the North East, held at Gateshead Stadium over the course of 2 days, this event is as big as it gets for retro gamers or just the big kids re-living their youth playing the games they used to play, after all, they don’t make them like they used to. 2017 will be the fifth year of NERG and it will be a big one. With 100 video arcade machines, 35 pinball machines and 60 consoles and computers this really is an event you do not want to miss!.

The event is held over the weekend of 1st & 2nd of July.

Entrance is £15 per day or £25 for the full weekend. Children aged 5-13 years can also get in for only £10 on the Sunday.

All the machines are set to free play so once you pay the admission fee, it’s free gaming all day., so no need for those pockets full of change.

CLICK HERE TO TICKETS ONLINE.

50

PURCHASE

or you can pay on the day if the event hasn’t sold out.

More details can be found at w w w.northeastretrogaming. com Machines are announced on a regular basis through the social feeds so make sure you keep checking to see what games will

be there, though with so many we are sure your favourites will be there.

CLICK HERE FOR FACEBOOK For Twitter - @NERGOfficial

51

52

Scott Michael Cavagan releases free, live EP Tyneside rock musician, Scott Michael Cavagan, has released a free, five-track EP, entitled ‘Live at Trillians.’

Containing five tracks, including a Manic Street Preachers cover, and a previously unreleased track, ‘Live at Trillians’ is just that, recorded live at Newcastle’s hub of all things rock, Trillians, and recorded and mixed by venue owner, Dave Hills.

Speaking of his release Scott, who released his debut album 21st

Century Love (released on Sapien Records) just shy of twelve months ago, said: “I probably wouldn’t have released anything until later this year as I was doing a ‘proper EP’ but we already had this in the bank so thought, why not.

“This was something that easily done and the opportunity has presented itself so we thought, why not put it out, and release it for free – it’s also helping to pass the time for me as well.”

Joining Scott on ‘Live at Trillians,’ the rock maestro providing his usual vocals and guitar, are Andy Metcalf (guitar), Brian John

Nicholson (bass) and Phil Bell (drums), a quartet line-up solidified for Scott for the first time.

“I had loads of different people performing on the album, something which was a pop rock love affair,” continued Scott.

“Whereas on this EP, and for the past year since the album released really, I’ve had a more stable band line-up and been able to introduce the new sounds and embraced a much rockier feel.

“With the lads that are in the band, I’ve known them for years really, kind of like a super-group

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proper live session from when we performed there back in December and Dave has done a great job with it as well.

“He’s got a studio at home and I think he’s had it for like twenty years or so, and it was a good project for him to get stuck into as well, more with the current situation and the bar not being able to open.”

With ‘Live at Trillians’ out now, what’s in the mind of Scott moving forward, a difficult scenario considering current happenings?

“Another EP hopefully, later in the year, through Sapien Records, that’s the plan. But we’ll have to see what happens first.”

when you think of it, but I’m chuffed that we’re all able to do this together, now.”

the Soul, Scott adds: “The Manics’ are the biggest influence on me and my career.

Of the five tracks in which ‘Live at Trillians’ has, Scott opens with Weapons of Choice followed by the previously unreleased Lies, a track Scott says “sounds great, I’m just not sure that it’s one I’ll record.”

“I originally shied away from it to be honest but more and more people liken me to the bands’ lead, James Dean Bradfield that I’ve embraced it more as I’ve got older which is cool.

Third up is Hurts, the opening track from his debut album and the one which he began the promotional campaign for over twelve months ago, this is followed by the cover of the Manics’ single, From Despair to Where, before closing with Hold – overall a five-track rock down of goodness.

Speaking of ‘From to Despair to Where,’ something Scott relates to due to the influence provided by the Welsh alt rockers, a track which was the first from their second studio album, Gold Against

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“This release though, I love it, a

Keep up-to-date with all things Scott Cavagan via his Facebook www.facebook.com/scottmichaelcavagan/ and Twitter twitter.com/ cav81 WATCH FROM DESPAIR TO WHERE, RECORDED BY INGRID BALINT, AUDIO AND MIXING BY DAVE HILLS HERE Get your FREE copy of Live at Trillians via https://scottmichaelcavagan.bandcamp.com

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Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8 the region’s Lucinda Grange (formerly of Hartlepool, now New York City) saw some of her finest work, from the project ‘Backwards and in High Heels,’ included in the Donna Karan – Urban Zen exhibition in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.

Beginning on March 8 and running through until April 7, Ms. Grange’s most prized project, entitled as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ included in the exhibition ran by the ArtLead Her platform, a vision founded by Mashinda Tirfere.

Supporting and promoting only female artists, ArtLead Her aims to help level the field in the art world, where the gender bias is very strong and, being part of what is Women’s History Month will help envelope that consensus.

Speaking of her prized project, ‘Backwards and in High Heels,’ Lucinda said: “It is a quote in reference to Ginger Rodgers.

“Fred Astaire, her male dance partner, would get more fame, fortune and attention than she did, yet she did everything he did, backwards and in high heels.

“This project started with two selfportraits on the Chrysler Building (Midtown Manhattan, New York) and gradually grew as I photographed women I know and admire in places you wouldn’t expect

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to see anyone - let alone a woman, looking strong and extravagant in a dress!

“The aim of this project was to question stereotypes women are often subjected to, and instead highlight the strength and power

of these women.”

To be included within the exhibition, for Lucinda, is something she is excited about and follows immediately after her solo exhibition, ‘City Cross-Section’ which was held at the Lyle O. Reitzel Contemporary Art Gallery and finished late-February.

In the new exhibition at the Urban Zen Lucinda exhibited an image, ‘King Woman,’ which depicts Ingrid Silva, lead dancer for the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

“In this picture, Ingrid is on point on the ladder of a water tower on a NYC rooftop.

“Ingrid grew up in Brazil, a very humble beginning, and now she’s the dance company’s top dancer, traveling the world, following her

passion.

“She is now performing to crowds of thousands despite the many obstacles that have been in her way.

“Not only is she Brazilian, she is also black and petite, very far from those who one might expect to see as the lead dancer.

“Her sheer willpower, dedication and determination got her all the way from living in Brazil, to being one of the top dancers in this city.

“My aim was to capture the feeling of this inspiring person and her story in this one single image.”

Women’s History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the U.S. the U.K. and Australia, coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8.

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EVENTS 4 COVID 19 - UK NORTH EAST Connecting event industry resources to support those on the Covid19 frontline.

The COVID-19 virus had a devastating impact on the events industry and its suppliers in the North-East. Many companies have had to postpone or cancel their events and the industry has come to a halt leaving thousands of suppliers, service providers and freelancers out of work and fully resourced. As a result, a network of event organisers and suppliers of all sizes across the North of England have joined forces to successfully expand on the initiative’s initial efforts across the North West, so now organisations, charities and the NHS can be served across the North East & Yorkshire.

Events 4 Covid 19 is here to help care homes, hospitals, organisations, workplaces, local councils, charities, NPOs, and BIDs who require assistance in sourcing infrastructure or services to adapt to the current restrictions, these include but are not limited to; furniture, comms equipment, medical equipment, ambulances, venue dressing, tents and marquees, outdoor and indoor audio equipment, outdoor and indoor lighting, transport services and vehicles.

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Following the huge success seen

in the North West, the initiative has now successfully expanded into the North East and Yorkshire regions from Monday 4th May, and in its first two weeks has seen the initiative successfully support the NHS Gateshead Trust, as well as multiple care home facilities. To further the good progress made, the team is wanting to reach out to more care facilities, front line organisations and trusts to help support operations and projects, and is willing and ready to support a range of initiatives from grassroots projects up to large scale regional operations such as NHS trusts.

Since Events 4 Covid 19 has expanded into the North East and Yorkshire, it has begun or completed 6 projects, ranging from providing physically distant entertainment for communities in care

homes, infrastructure for drive through testing centres, temporary power and lighting for temporary food banks and sanctuaries for staff in hospitals. Currently we have signed up over 75 suppliers who are ready and waiting to service the regions.

Partnering with Project Wingman at NHS Gateshead Trust The North East’s first completed project was at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, in Gateshead. After answering a request to improve a Lounge for the nurses and staff, we became aware of the work of Project Wingman. Project Wingman seeks to utilise furloughed workers from the aviation industry to support the wellbeing of frontline NHS workers, providing them an opportunity to unwind, decompress and de-stress before, dur-

ing or after their shifts. We were delighted to partner with Captain Tom Davis to bring this concept to life here in Gateshead.

Thanks to the support of Bobby Sagoo, Director at Grace & Tailor, we were able to transform the lounge into a tranquil haven and a space fit for a real first-class experience for the hardworking NHS workers, just in time for International Nurses Day on May 12th. #Songs4Smiles Initiative Our first completed Songs 4 Smiles was at Gledhow Care Home, in Leeds, where the fantastic Stealing Tamar entertained the residents. You can watch footage of this HERE. Some of our suppliers who have completed projects or are in the process of doing so include: 3D Productions Ltd Grace and Tailor Ltd Magnetic Events Buddha Group Ltd Hedonist Events R&M Productions Calyx Drinks Immersive Precision Ltd Red Bull Flow With Fallon LIVE LOVE LOGISTICS The Great Run Company FTS Event Power New Citizens Wellpleased Events Organisations can submit requests for resources HERE Event suppliers can submit a request to join the network HERE Email: us at hello@events4covid19.co.uk www.events4covid19.co.uk Twitter: @events4covid19 / #eventsforcovid19

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ALL ROUND TO THE HAIRY BIKERS’ FOR A NIGHT OF COOKING CONVERSATION WITH SI KING AND DAVE MYERS TICKETS ONSALE 10AM FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2018 National Treasures Si King and Dave Myers, aka The Hairy Bikers have announced a huge nationwide tour. With their irresistible enthusiasm, An Evening With The Hairy Bikers will be an epic night of cooking and conversation.

Big hearted, down-to-earth cooks with a love of good food, Si and Dave have been cooking together for more than twenty years. They have created haute

cuisine dishes with Michelinstarred chefs and travelled the world in the pursuit of great food. They’ve also explored the length and breadth of the British Isles to discover brand new recipes and create their own fresh takes on cooking classics.

The stars of several hit television shows, they are the UK’s most popular cookery duo with series including The Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure, The Hairy Bikers’ Cook Book; Best of British; The Hairy Bikers’ Mississippi Adventure; Everyday Gourmets; The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of and two major prime time series of Mums Know Best all drawing millions of audiences.

No strangers to the live arena, The Hairy Bikers performed their sell-out Big Night Out show in theatres across the UK in 2010 and completed another ambitious nationwide theatre tour in April 2013.

Tickets for The Hairy Bikers are on sale Fri 28 Sep from 10am

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and can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).

ROMESH RANGANATHAN COMES TO THE CITY HALL FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2019 WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2018 Romesh Ranganathan is back with a brand-new show, The Cynic’s Mixtape, and it’s his most brutally honest show yet.

Fresh from The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, A League Of Their Own and Judge Romesh, he’s putting showbiz aside to deliver a carefully-curated selection of all the things he has found unacceptable since his last tour, including why trying to save the environment is a scam, why none of us are truly free, and his suspicion that his wife is using gluten intolerance to avoid sleeping with him.

EVER EVER WANTED WANTED TO TO LEARN LEARN TO TO PLAY PLAY THE THE DRUMS? DRUMS?

Romesh’s cynicism has become his trademark, but since being nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Awards this deadpan humour has become one of Britain’s most respected and popular comics.

Now, though, it’s time for the Asian Provocateur to return to his stand-up roots for a while – there’s things he needs to point out, discuss and have a good moan about. Care to join him?

Show drops 2019, don’t miss it.

Tickets for Romesh Ranganathan are on sale Fri 28 Sep from 10am and are £26.50.

Tickets can be purchased online at www. theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge)

www.rossgardnerdrums.com

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Audrey’s ‘Reflections in Blue’

Be it the Halle Orchestra in 1952 at the City Hall, Newcastle, or the Lady of the Camellias with Vivien Leigh in 1961 in Australia, to Let’s All Go Down The Strand at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle in 1968 to The King and I with Yul Brynner in New York in 1979 and Sweet Bird of Youth with Lauren Bacall at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1985 this is most certainly a story well-travelled.

Alongside husband, and partner of four decades, Eric, Gatesheadborn Audrey Ross (nee. Cullen), has seen the world of theatre during its golden heyday, and much more besides.

Born and raised in Eighton Banks, Gateshead, in the early thirties

to Isabella and Michael Cullen, Audrey’s family was already steeped in history, that of a military kind, her grandfather (William Potts) having been a private in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, and her uncle was captured by the Germans during the Second World War.

Audrey and Eric would become regular theatre-goers at the City Hall and Theatre Royal in Newcastle, before heading Down Under, to Australia, for four years, between 1959 and 1963, returning on-board the same ship as Hollywood legend, Vivien Leigh.

It would be a prompt for a young Audrey, as a late teen, to enlist herself, joining the RAF Auxiliary in 1950, and in turn meet her future husband (pictured left and above) before forging a long and successful career in accountants with the Ford Motor Company having studied psychology, mathematics and accountancy.

Residing in Chester-le-Street,

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OF LIBERATION (REFLECTIONS IN BLUE, P19) Time forgotten, Within the blue, Reduced to one Glorious moment.

Suspended in time, Colour sapphire, The terrifying Monotony, The pale Transcended At last Unto An exuberant Rich.

Itself That was Entombed Now liberated Looking back on her mother’s long and fruitful life, Audrey’s daughter, award-winning jazz artist and journalist, Fiona Ross, stated that, although Audrey, and her brother, Bill, were born in the northeast, her mum didn’t speak Geordie due to having had elocution lessons.

Growing up in a working-class family, in the thirties and forties, Audrey’s brother would say that his sister “although at one time,

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when she was nine-years-old, found a boy who broke her younger brothers bike and punched him in the face, but she was just being a tinker,” an early indication as to how she would take on life as a whole.

Wishing to start a family themselves prompted the Ross’ return

to Northern England in the early sixties and, on that return voyage, over the six weeks it took then, was when they shared some time with Vivian Leigh.

The decades from the fifties onwards would see the newlyweds venture out often, and not just locally either but across the globe.

Upon their travels Audrey, who loved the theatre and the opera, collected the programmes as keepsakes of their adventures.

An ongoing love of the theatre and opera, and the silver screen, Audrey’s meeting, and occasional conversation with someone like Vivien (Leigh) would have been a big deal for someone who’d also go on and see numerous stars of the day, Marlene Dietrich and Yul Brynner, Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney, Lauren Bacall and Cyd Charisse.

As for Lauren Bacall, she was one of Hollywood’s finest who was active from the early 1940’s right up to her passing in 2014, just six years ago; the wife of Humphrey Bogart, Bacall was one of the leadings ladies during the Golden Age of Hollywood alongside Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth starring in many a film, television and stage production including Key Largo (1948), North West Frontier (1959), Murder of the Orient Express (1974), and Dinner at Eight (1989), on television you would see her in The Rockford Files (1979), Chicago Hope (1998) and The Sopranos (2006), whilst on stage the credits continued to flow, Bacall taking the part of The Princess Kosmonopolis in the 1985 West End production of Sweet Bird of Youth (1985).

LEIGH, BRYNNER & BACALL To name but a few, Audrey and Eric Ross had seen many-a-great upon their worldly travel – Ms Vivien Leigh burst onto the silver screen in the late thirties as the famed Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind although she’d been in many a film prior as well; the credits flowed after including roles as Cleopatra (1945), Anna Ka-

renina (1948) and Blanche DuBois (1951) whilst on stage her career ran from 1935 in The Green Sash through to 1966 in Ivanov – the Ross’ would see Vivien on her ‘Old Vic Overseas Tour of Australia and New Zealand’ for which she toured between 1961 and 1962 with The Lady of the Camellias…

Yul Brynner was an icon of the stage and silver screen during a career which spanned over four decades; film credits that included The King and I (1956), The Ten Commandments (1956) and Anastacia (1956), The Magnificent Seven (1960), Triple Cross (1966), and Anna and the King (1972) he would also tread the boards with roles in The King and I (1951, Broadway and US tour, followed by the same plus London in the late seventies and mid-eighties), Twelfth Night (early forties), and Home Sweet Homer (mid-seventies) – the Ross’ would gain their Brynner experience at the London Palladium in 1979….

In taking early retirement Audrey and Eric headed south, to North Devon, in 1990, Eric passing in somewhat unfortunate circumstances just six months after their arrival, suffering a heart-attack whilst out walking on Dartmoor.

One of many things, having already released a book of poems entitled ‘Reflections in Blue,’ and much to her daughters’ amusement, upon retirement, was

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Audrey learning piano, achieving a 100% Grade 1 at the age of 56, on Fiona’s own piano.

In wanting an idyllic, countryside home for their retirement, and with no family or friends in Devon, Audrey would soon become a significant figure in the area, retirement not quite being retirement at all.

AND COMES THE NIGHT (REFLECTIONS IN BLUE, P55) Broken goblet

Northumbria Police.

Alongside enjoying life and literature, Audrey developing a fascination with the area’s literary great The Bronte Sisters, Thomas Hardy and William Wordsworth, she would also write for the North Devon Journal, become the Chair for the Chulmleigh Society, also working as Area Chair with the Abbeyfield charity (provided sheltered housing for the elderly), and being treasurer at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Split red wine Scars now visual

came from mum.”

Etched upon The time Now past, Gone trumpet sound Impinging now The fatal light Superficial bright Carnival The glitter gone And comes the night A constant thread of creativity flowed through Audrey’s 87 years, be that at work, or at play but always serious about everything she did and it was during those latter years in Devon she would meet HRH The Prince of Wales, being recognised at Buckingham Palace for the work she was doing in the area, often regaling people of both her meeting the Prince, and of her nephew, Lee, who is PC with

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Just a few years back Audrey returned to her native north-east to visit family whom still reside in the area, spending time with her loving brother, Bill, (pictured).

An occasion, which, in getting them together was no mean feat, but when they did, it was great, just like the last time they travelled from the north-east down to Devon to visit her.

Speaking of her dearly departed mother, Fiona, adds: “Mum was certainly a fierce and non-compliant woman and nothing stood in her way of doing things when she put her mind to them.

“She was your old school, stage mum and I was brought up that way; highly disciplined and I have things that I say and do now that

Audrey’s funeral took place at St Mary Magdalene Church in Chumleigh, North Devon, on Friday 24 April; she is survived by her son Martin, daughter Fiona, and four grandchildren. A memorial service is planned in her native northeast at a later date.

In aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK, copies of Audrey Ross’ book of poems, ‘Reflections in Blue,’ can be purchased direct from her daughter, Fiona Ross’ website via http://www.fionaross.co.uk/ reflections-in-blue-by-audrey-ross with 100% of sales going direct to the charity, PayPal payment of £10 (NB, there are limited copies available).

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Will Jennison

Hi Will and welcome to NE, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Of course, hey everyone hope you’re keeping well in these mad times. My name’s Will Jennison and I’m a singer-songwriter from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and I’m 25 years old.

You have just released your first EP ’Still Young’, what has the reaction to it been like so far?

I’ve been elated with the response so far, everyone seems to dig it.

We’d only released singles in the past, so to finally make the jump and release a few songs at once was a great buzz. Nice to have a good chunk of music out there for people to listen to.

It’s fair to say that Covid-19 has affected lots of people including musicians like yourself with the closure of music shops and venues, how has it affected you, especially with releasing your EP? With the EP, it landed just before this all happened - me and the boys in the band had hoped to do a UK tour for the EP, with some bands we’re friend with, but obviously that had to be put on hold for the time being. It’s an insane time, but I just have everything crossed that our industry recovers quickly, I’m sure it will, people in our field are a formidable bunch.

How easy is song writing for you?

Song writing is such a strange thing for me, but I’m sure others are the same. I can go days where

my brain just doesn’t connect the dots. But then suddenly, usually at 4 in the morning, something just clicks suddenly and you have to grab the guitar and write it all down ASAP. It’s almost a bit other worldly, it just comes when it comes! Haha.

Was making your EP a fun process or was it hard work?

The EP was a dream, me and the boys just got together over the course of a week and just smashed out any ideas we’d came up with, and it all fell together quite well. I love the recording process; laying tracks and seeing it build up into what you’d imagined in that cold rehearsal room is a right buzz.

You have worked with some great

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names in music, tell us a bit more about how that came about?

Yeah, absolutely! All the tracks, released already or upcoming, were co-produced by Grammy-award winning songwriter Eliot Kennedy, who has worked with artists like Take That and Bryan Adams.

He’s a serious player, and he heard me perform at Newcastle City Hall a couple of years ago, and massively bought onto the songs. (It was Move by the way, which is already released, check it out!)

But from that initial chance meeting we built quite the relationship, like I say he co-produced all the tracks. He then invited me to perform at his 50th birthday party in Sheffield last year. I shared the stage with some big names, Gary Barlow, John Parr, Heather Small, Alfie Boe, Mark Owen. It was

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insane, and a seriously surreal experience.

If you could work with anyone who would it be and why?

I’d love to work with Sam Fender, he’s mint and he’s a fellow Geordie.

We usually chuck one of his songs in our live shows, and obviously it goes down well, because he only writes bangers. He’s living testament that northern boys can do it too.

Why should people listen to your EP ’Still Young’?

I just like to think it has a bit for everyone, big choruses in Still Young and Are We Dreaming for you to sing back to, nice chunky riffs in Something About You, and just straight up heart and soul put into Spotlight.

When you are not making music or performing what do you like to get up to in your free time?

I’m a big football fan, obviously it comes part and parcel with being a Geordie usually! So you can bet

on a Saturday I’m sat in-front of the TV watching the scores come in. Mind we’re usually gigging, so nowadays it’s a treat if I manage to get to St James Park.

I’m also a big gamer, me and the lads in the band hammer out nights on the Xbox. Especially given how much down time we’ve been gifted recently.

Tell us 3 random facts about yourself?

I’m absolutely terrified of deep water. Surely everyone is though?

Haha.

My favourite colour is pink, nothing wrong with that mind.

I set out to be doctor, and it was my complete focus until about 16 when I started to take music seriously!

How can people follow you and keep up to date with all things Will Jennison?

All important stuff like tour and gig dates, as well as day to day stuff is posted on Facebook, Instagram and all the socials, so if you wanna keep up with the lives of me and the lads in the band, Andrew (drummer), Angus (bassist) and Josh (rhythm guitarist) then come by, we’re usually being daft in some way shape or form.

You can find my main website with all social links at www. willjennison.co.uk.

Otherwise, find me on Facebook as ‘Will Jennison Music’ www. facebook.com/willjennisonmusic and Instagram www.instagram. com/will_jennison/ and Twitter twitter.com/will_jennison And how can they get hold of your EP ’Still Young’?

We have copies available to buy, but in the modern age, you’re probably streaming, in which case find it on wherever you stream your music, Spotify, Apple Music or whatever you use! We have all the music videos available on You-

Tube too, go check them out.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me, it’s been a dream! We have 3 singles released before the EP. They’re called, ‘Give It Up’, ‘Can You See It’ and ‘Move’. If you like catchy choruses and songs to have a dance along to, they’re perfect for you.

You can find Will on Spotify HERE You can watch the ‘Still Young’ music video HERE

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