Spark News
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The Stages festival kicks off this weekend in Sunderland, featuring electronic music, visual art and immersive experiences.Stages on the Square – the main event at Keel Square – begins on Saturday 27 September and includes a 360-degree revolving stage, digital installations and live performances from DJs Billy Gillies and Basshunter, and many more artists.Stages at […]
‘Wor’fare has broken out between two Tyneside breweries, after a trademark dispute over a key word in the Geordie vocabulary. Wylam Brewery has changed the name of its ‘Wor Beer’ to ‘NCL Flags’, after a legal threat from Anarchy Brew Co, which trademarked the same name in July 2022, legally claiming the sole right […]
Students from the University of Sunderland are hosting a 24-hour gaming live stream to raise money in support of the Alzheimer’s Society. A group of students has organised a night full of charity fundraising fun involving non-stop playing of popular video games including League of Legends, Valorant and Teamfight Tactics. There will also be donation […]
North East police and community leaders have repeated their commitment to the fight against knife crime in the region, with the relaunch of a task force this week. Politicians, police, community and charity leaders and all three police and crime commissioners from Durham, Northumbria and Cleveland gathered to reintroduce the Northeast Knife Crime Task Force […]
The 8992 Vintage Market returns to Wylam Brewery Newcastle, hosted by Matchaevents, on the 28th of September, 11am till 4pm. A ticket for the market is £2 and can be bought online or in-person, under 12s go free. The event is dog-friendly so you can bring your pets. The market has a range of vintage […]
NEW authors and independent presses have lost out, as the The 2025 Booker Prize shortlist heavily features books by mainstream publishing houses. From 153 submissions, six were shortlisted – none from debut authors – and five of those came from mainstream publishing houses. Chair of the 2025 prize, Roddy Doyle (Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha) […]
North East MP Bridget Phillipson will find out today (25 September) if she has secured the backing of the UK’s major unions to become Kier Starmer’s new deputy. Trade unions Unison and GMB are set to announce whether they will back Phillipson to become Angela Rayner’s successor as deputy leader of the Labour Party. Phillipson […]

From West End Tours to ITV’s Starstruck, talented Darlington-based pop artist, Jamie Dickinson, is a musical force to be reckoned with. Having recently released two new singles and with his third EP due out in November, I caught up with the singer-songwriter. “I wasn’t really able to express myself in a way, prior to starting […]
Friends! The Musical Parody is in Sunderland Empire this week, from 23 September – 27 September. During opening night, Sunderland gave Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Joey and Phoebe a massive welcome. The audience was loud for Chip, a host character for the evening who opened the show with vocal warm-ups for the crowd so they […]
Popular sitcom Friends which ended in 2004 still has a massive following of fans who regularly re-watch the show to catch up with Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey. Now audiences can enjoy a hilarious new take on the show – live on stage. Friends! The Musical Parody is coming to Sunderland Empire for […]