In the year that China hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the North East will host a number of events ‘looking east’. As global markets and power shift eastwards, and as London prepares to receive the Olympic torch from Beijing, these events are designed to make connections with Chinese, Japanese and South Asian cultures and countries, and receive inspiration, ideas and co-operation from them. EAST’08 is set to bring the finest art, dance, music and spectacle all the way from the east to the North East.

Download the official EAST’08 guide (1.5mb)
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Sat 2 Feb - Sun 6 Apr / FREE / Side Gallery
www.amber-online.com
SIDE GALLERY PRESENTS
GO! INTERNAL MIGRATION IN CHINA
Side Gallery exhibits photographs by Rhodri Jones, documenting the complex phenomenon of internal migration in China. Rhodri’s photographs capture the scale of migration and its human faces; the ambiguities, the ambitions and the social costs.

Several images from Go! will be developed as 48 sheet billboard posters and displayed at different locations on Tyneside for two weeks from Mon 25 Feb.

Thurs 7 Feb - Thurs 3 Apr / £ / Side Cinema
www.amber-online.com
SIDE CINEMA PRESENTS
CHINA SEASON
A season of classic and contemporary documentaries and feature films from and about China. Side’s exciting programme includes Blind Shaft, a powerful drama of China’s illegal coal mines, a film of murder, blackmail and cover-up, and The World, a film of the loves, friendships and dreams of young people from the provinces, who come to live and work in Beijing’s bizarre ‘World’ theme park. For full film listings go to www.amber-online.com

Tues 18 March, 7.30pm / £ / The Sage Gateshead
www.thesagesgateshead.org
HONG KONG
CHINESE ORCHESTRA
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, founded in 1977, is one of the leading Chinese orchestras. Comprised of traditional Chinese string, wind and percussion instruments, this 85-strong ensemble has an outstanding international reputation for its powerful and evocative performances of music both ancient and modern. The works featured tonight include one by Zhao Jiping, who wrote the soundtracks to ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ and ‘Farewell My Concubine’ and Terracotta Warriors Fantasia, a stirring panorama of sound and emotion.

Tour sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

Fri 4 - Sun 6 Apr / £ / The Sage Gateshead
www.thesagesgateshead.org
CHINESE CONNECTIONS
Celebrating Chinese music of every kind - contemporary with strings and beats; classical, including world-class recitals by Jian Wang and Xuefei Yang; traditional with ancient instruments and modern counterparts; opera from three Chinese traditions; plus The Long Walk, a moving musical journey to a place we call home featuring over 120 musicians and singers. Children’s activities and performances, free Concourse performances, workshops and even some Chinese cooking complete the festival atmosphere.

Please note: The Chinese Connections: Tianjin Opera Troupe event has unfortunately been cancelled as The Tianjin Opera Troupe have been unable to secure funding to cover their international travel costs. Please contact www.thesagesgateshead.org for more information.

Begins Fri 23 May – with exhibitions continuing until
end of August / FREE / Various venues, Tyne & Wear
Latest details will appear on www.NewcastleGateshead.com
as they are confirmed.
BEDE AND BEIJING
The Bede & Beijing programme features music, art installations and exhibitions including rare early Anglo-Saxon manuscripts from the British Library and an extraordinary Chinese carved ivory garden from the V&A. Work by leading Chinese artists will also be displayed at the six unique and historic venues that are partners in the Wearmouth-Jarrow World Heritage Site bid: St Peter’s Church in Monkwearmouth, St Paul’s in Jarrow, Bede’s World, Monkwearmouth Station Museum, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and the National Glass Centre.

Thurs 15 – Sun 18 May / £ / Dance City
www.dancecity.co.uk
EAST WIND
As part of Dancing the World ‘08, coming to venues around the city and region throughout May, East Wind is an exploration of contemporary dance from the East, curated by Pit Fong Loh. Kim Itoh’s company The Glorious Future will be headlining the programme.

Mon 14 July / £ / Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
FLYING DRAGON CIRCUS
This show is a groundbreaking celebration of the very best of Chinese and European circus traditions, with circus artists, musicians and Kung Fu performers taking to the air. Newcastle’s Theatre Royal is very proud to host the show’s UK debut on 14 July following its premiere in Beijing in May 2008. Directed by the highly renowned Pierrot Bidon, whose previous creations include Archaos.

Also showing at Stockton International Riverside Festival
Wed 30 July - Sun 3 Aug
www.sirf.co.uk

Fri 5 – Sun 7 September / £ /
The Botanic Gardens and Oriental Museum, Durham
www.festivalofjapan.co.uk
THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN
The Festival of Japan in Durham bring Japan to the UK with everything from martial arts, Japanese food, music, dancing, children’s entertainment and of course geisha!

Two venues have been chosen this year. The main festival venue is the truly beautiful Botanic Gardens in Durham, world famous for its array of trees and plant life, butterfly house and alpine garden. The second venue is the wonderful Oriental Museum, a must for anyone with an interest in the Orient.

Throughout the day there will be something on every hour, the children’s corner will be open throughout with a Japanese storyteller, drawing and face painting (please note there will be an extra charge for face painting). Performers include Shamisen Player, Taiko drums, relaxing therapies, martial arts, street performers.

Mon 8 – Sun 14 September / Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk
CHANGING CITIES – A RESIDENCY WITH ARTIST WANG QINGSONG
Award-winning Chinese artist Wang Qingsong collaborates with Northern Stage to create an exciting and innovative one-off exhibition. During Qingsong’s week-long residency in September 2008, Stage 1 will temporarily become a giant photographic studio housing a team of over 100 people. This is a unique chance to see one of the artist’s theatrical, grandscale installations come to life, as the process is transmitted to screens all over Northern Stage. The finished photographs will form a spectacular exhibition in and around the theatre.