1. 12 13
ART&LIT
ART&LIT
HIGHLIGHTS
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST UNTIL SATURDAY 21ST
SEPTEMBER
LEARN TO READ DIFFERENTLY
Including work Information As Material have published alongside
related artworks by Kenneth Goldsmith, Garry Neil Kennedy,
Greville Worthington, personal correspondence by Carl Andre and
Laurence Weiner and an online collaboration between Nick
Thurston and Robert Fitterman.
Northern Gallery For Contemporary Art, City Library & Arts
Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland
www.circaprojects.org
WEDNESDAY 14TH AUGUST
CONSTRUCTING THE 20TH CENTURY: CELEBRITY
CULTURE & GOTHIC HORROR
Fortnightly lectures covering a wide variety of topics, from
children and families through history, Gothic horror and vampires
to tales of Newcastle locals and their influence across the globe
throughout history. This event centres on celebrity culture and
gothic horror, presented by Rowan Bowman and Helen Green.
The Lit & Phil, Westgate Road, Newcastle
www.northumbriasummerspeakerseries.wordpress.com
FRIDAY 16TH UNTIL SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST
TEA-TOTAL
New creative collective Run Of The Mill present an exhibition of
visual art. On Friday 16th join in with live music, chat with some
of the region’s creative talent and get up to hi-jinks with Tea Owl.
Enjoy the exhibition in the gallery and cinema space until the end
of the month.
Quilliam Brothers Tea House, Claremont Buildings, Newcastle
www.quilliambrothers.com
THURSDAY 29TH AUGUST
BISCUIT FACTORY LATE
Taking place on the last Thursday of every month, the Biscuit
Factory Late events offer exclusive views of local artists’ work,
workshops, a glass of fizz, snacks and all-round cultural
goodness. There’s also a 10% discount on all shop items.
The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle
www.thebiscuitfactory.com
FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST
BEHIND THE SCENES COLLECTION STORE TOURS
Held on the last Friday of every month, these tours offer a
fascinating look at Middlesbrough’s collection of art and craft held
in MIMA’s stores. Find out more about the works and artists that
make up the collection.
MIMA, Centre Square, Middlesbrough
www.visitmima.com
UNTIL SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
MINIMAL PRINTS
Minimal Prints produce high quality poster art, with modern,
subtle designs from your favourite films. This exhibition
showcases a few of artists Hannah and Dave’s favourites, and
best of all, they’re all on sale for a mere tenner each.
The Cluny, Lime Street, Newcastle
www.minimal-prints.com
It’s unusual in the North East to see an event catering for fans of
anime, manga, fandoms, Japanese fashion, sci-fi, cult TV and
gaming all in one place, where likeminded people can meet and
discuss their obsessions. However ONECon, held at
Middlesbrough’s MTLC Conference & Training Centre on
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August, is working to change all
that by becoming a one stop shop for geeky goodness.
This is not to say that ONECon is the only convention for fans of
Japanese culture within the North East – although it is the only
North East convention to be open to people aged 13+. SunnyCon,
the Sunderland-based Japanese culture convention, has been
running for the past three years and various smaller events such as
the North East Manga and Anime Convention, have been held in
venues across Newcastle and Gateshead.
What ONECon aims to do is encompass all aspects of geek
culture, rather than focus on one specific area, as chairman and
creator of ONECon Dave Hodgson explains. “We wanted to try to
do things differently and include more of the fandom aspect that is
happening as well as the Japanese culture.
“We found there were a lot of Doctor Who and Sherlock fans at
conventions and we thought by giving them the space to do their
own panels, we could foster some more interest as people wanted
to get involved in those things as well as the anime and manga,
associated with Japanese culture.”
The convention is aimed at both long term members of the
community as well as those who want to learn more about
Japanese culture, gaming or fandoms (people obsessed with
particular cult TV shows).
“We have a variety of things going on so you might discover things
that you weren’t aware of before.” In fact, across the weekend there
is so much going on it’s hard to keep up.
Star guests include world-renowned voice actor Greg Ayres, who
has voiced the likes of BECK and Ouran High Host Club, specialist
bioware and armour cosplayer Ruthy Websdale (for the
uninitiated, a cosplayer is a person who dresses up as a fictional
character), who will be holding an armour workshop. Plus fight
Proof by Phillis Christopher, www.phyllischristopher.com
THE INAUGURAL ALL-ENCOMPASSING ONECON VISITS MIDDLESBROUGH THIS MONTH, BRINGING DELIGHTS FOR
FANS OF ANIME, MANGA AND FANDOMS OF ALL PERSUASIONS. RUTH EDMUNDSON GETS HER GEEK ON
choreographer Chris Jones, who has over 20 years experience in
TV and films and will be running a workshop on how to produce
your own low budget YouTube film.
For gamers there’ll be tournaments including Tekken Tag 2, Super
Smash Brothers Brawl and (my favourite) Mario Cart, on consoles
provided by GAME. Cosplayers can enjoy a skit and masquerade
contest, while anime fans can watch screenings of Japanese films
and popular anime series’ such as One Piece and Attack On Titan.
Along with a selection of anime, manga, fashion and art stalls to
browse and various fan panels to attend, there’s plenty to get
involved with.
As for the J-fashion fans an introduction to Lolita fashion will be
held on the Saturday, complete with a free beginners info pack,
with a more in-depth look on Sunday, plus a catwalk show.
“We are very keen on making it feel it’s open to all but at the same
time not excluding the girls who are experienced and don’t want to
hear the same basic things again, so there are panels and talks
about all levels of experience.” Said Kathryn Sanford, a ONECon
volunteer.
There will also be a Japanese maid café meets old English Tea
Room with a focus on customer service and creating a relaxed
atmosphere in which you can enjoy afternoon tea and some
traditional Japanese food.
So, even if you’re mildly interested or a total fanatic about
fandoms, Lolita fashion or gaming ONECon will offer a great
opportunity to meet people who have similar interests, and maybe
even discover something new.
ONECon will take place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th
August at Middlesbrough MTLC Conference & Training Centre.
Weekend tickets cost £20.
www.onecon.co.uk
WE WANTED TO TRY TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY
AND ENCOMPASS THE FANDOM ASPECT AS
WELL AS JAPANESE CULTURE TO MAKE IT MORE
INCLUSIVE TO A WIDER AUDIENCE
ONECON

2. 40 41
FEATUREFEATURE
The North East has one of the busiest rockabilly scenes in the
country, thanks to a high concentration of well regarded bands.
And, whether it’s the vintage fashionistas or the devoted music
fans, it seems there’s something for everyone.
Rockabilly is one the earliest styles of rock ‘n’ roll music, dating
back to the early 1950’s in the US, and comprised of a mix of
rhythm and blues and country and western. It’s important to note
that rockabilly is just one of many genres within the rockin’ scene,
as it is better known as, which encompasses rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and
psych rock sounds.
Miss Mary And The Mr Rights are a local act well known within the
R&B scene. Lead singer L’il Miss Mary, a classically trained singer,
found herself a part of the community after
joining a rock ‘n’ roll cabaret show. “It’s a very small community,
everyone knows each other, and we all put a lot of effort into
keeping the scene alive. It’s not uncommon for there to be a choice
of ten or twelve events to choose from all on one night. The local
musicians and DJs are some of the most talented in the country so
my advice to anyone who’s interested is to get out there and explore
everything the North East rockin’ scene has to offer.”
NORTH EAST
ROCKABILLY Good places to start musically are with hard hitting rhythm and
blues band The Revolutionaires; rockabilly trio The Skip Rats; and
rock ‘n’ rollers The Troubleshooters. A great resource for those
interested in finding out more about the scene is Sugardoll’s Diner,
a rockabilly group on Facebook run by Emma Lowes, otherwise
known as Sugar Doll herself. A DJ and radio host (alongside Mary
Ann on the Girls Gone Rockin’ radio show on Radio Teesdale) she
runs clothing and make-up stall Rockabilly Rosie, Little Red
Wagon vintage events and the Sugar Bowl club night in Durham.
As a pivotal member of the community she knows the ins and outs
of the North East rockin’ scene. “It’s not about looking like Elvis.
You have people who love it all – the cars, music and fashion – as
well as others who just love particular elements, but it’s not about
middle aged men at all! There’s a massive range of people, from 10
year-old kids to guys who were there the first time around in the
50s.”
Fashion is a key part of the rockabilly lifestyle, as Julie Pickard,
who runs Hepkat Kitten Vintage Hairstyling, explains. “I really get
a buzz out of wearing the clothes, the music and the whole
lifestyle.” She says. Julie lives and breathes 40s and 50s fashion, and
she now helps others to achieve the same look. “I’ve loved
American clothes since I was 14. I have always thought the
American girls had better style.”
The perfect opportunity to experience the rockabilly lifestyle is at
the first ever weekend event in the region, the Rock Ridge Rumble,
taking place from Friday 2nd until Sunday 4th August at East
Broomshiels Farm in Durham.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to see some of the top bands in
the country,” Kevin Greener, organiser of the event, explains. “It’s
everything – the music, the fashion, the dancing – a big group of
people with the same hobby generates an atmosphere within itself.”
Performers include the striking Carmen Ghia & The Hot Rods and
authentic 50’s band Gene Gambler & The Shufflers plus many
more. The three day event also boasts a range of DJs and vintage
clothing and accessories stalls.
The all-encompassing nature of a weekend event like Rock Ridge
Rumble is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the rockabilly
world. “The atmosphere is like nothing else,” says Emma Lowes. “If
you are digging the local gigs get yourself along to a weekender as
you will get the full impact, it just draws you in, it’s addictive.”
www.facebook.com/lilmissmary
www.thesugarbowluk.blogspot.co.uk
www.facebook.com/hepkatkittenvintage
www.facebook.com/rockridgerumble
RUTH EDMUNDSON DISCOVERS THE REGION’S VIBRANT ROCKABILLY SCENE
WE ALL PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO KEEPING
THE SCENE ALIVE. IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR
THERE TO BE A CHOICE OF 10 OR 12 EVENTS
TO CHOOSE FROM ALL ON ONE NIGHT
UPCOMING
EVENTS
FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST
THE SUGAR BOWL
All the way from LA, The Rhythm
Shakers play an exclusive Northern gig.
Trimdon Grange Club, Durham
www.thesugarbowluk.blogspot.co.uk
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST
THE INFERNOS
The Infernos will have you dancing
with their mix of rockabilly, blues and
rock ‘n’ roll.
Chester-le-Street Catholic Club,
Chester-le-Street
www.facebook.com/groups/
sugardollsdiner
SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST
NORTH EAST ROCKABILLY ALLDAYER
A packed event full of live music in aid
of Macmillan Cancer charity.
The Flat Tops, Boldon
SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST
MAD JACK & THE HATTERS
An electric hillbilly blues band known for
whipping up a hurricane of rock ‘n’ roll.
Hallgarth Social Club, Winlaton
www.madjacknthehatters.com
SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST
LITTLE RED WAGON VINTAGE EVENT
A full day of live music, vintage clothing
and accessory stalls, a car show and
an autojumble.
The Little Red Wagon Market,
Easington
www.facebook.com/
littleredwagonvintageevents
Sugar Doll by Eyes of Jobe Hepkat Kitten Vintage Hairstyling by Sugar D Photpgraphy