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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T190000
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UID:9368-1790967600-1790976600@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Janzen Boys
DESCRIPTION:The Janzen Boys are a Canadian father-and-sons folk trio known for their tight 3-part harmonies\, heartfelt songs\, and touching live shows. \nHeading to the UK this autumn\, they are playing in Newcastle for the very first time\, bringing their folk-country sound to The Common Room for an evening of songs\, stories\, and harmonies. \n🎶 What to Expect:\nTwo 45-minute sets with a short break in between. \nIt’s going to be an evening full of songs that’ll make you smile\, cry\, and maybe even sing along. \nThis is an all-ages show\, so bring friends\, family\, or just yourself — you’ll feel right at home. \nTickets are limited\, so don’t wait – grab yours now and come be part of their first-ever show in Newcastle upon Tyne. \nThis show is first-come\, first-served seating. Please make sure you are prepared to show your order receipt and your name at the door. \nMORE ABOUT THE ARTIST:\nThe Janzen Boys are a father-and-sons folk/roots trio from Winnipeg\, Canada\, known for their tight three-part harmonies\, heartfelt songs\, and touching live shows. Formed in 2012\, their journey began as a busking act at The Forks market before quickly growing into a full-fledged family band. Often described as a male counterpart to The Wailin’ Jennys\, their sound is frequently compared to artists like Simon & Garfunkel\, Neil Young\, and the Barenaked Ladies. \nSince 2024\, The Janzen Boys have toured relentlessly throughout Canada and the U.S.\, steadily building a loyal following through captivating live performances and a grassroots approach to connecting with listeners online. Known for heartfelt originals and familiar covers\, they’ve built a reputation for delivering both warmth and energy on stage. \nFunding from FACTOR Canada and Manitoba Film & Music is now fuelling their upcoming project\, The Great Unknown. Produced by Murray Pulver (Crash Test Dummies\, Doc Walker) and Trey Mills (Forest Blakk)\, it promises a vibrant mix of originals\, traditional songs\, and country-driven rockers. As they prepare to unveil The Great Unknown\, The Janzen Boys are poised to bring their earnest\, harmony-rich sound to new heights\, proving that in a crowded musical landscape\, their authenticity and craft stand tall among the weeds. \nWhat people have to say: \n“For starters\, they are the Wailin’ Jennys of male harmony trios… If you think dudes can’t move you with the beauty of their delicately intermingling voices\, you need to hear the Janzen Boys sing ‘One for the Road.’” – Heather Kitching\, Roots Music Canada \n“With harmonies that are out of this world\, The Janzen Boys will have you laughing\, crying\, and singing along as they perform classic country songs that we all know and love\, and great catchy originals that will be delightfully stuck in your head for days.” – St. John’s Heritage Church & Arts Centre \n“Whether you are in need of soul soothing harmony or the upbeat strum energy of Americana instruments like mandolin\, bass\, and guitar\, these boys will deliver… their combination of honesty and integrity in the way they shape a note within unique songwriting will stand out among the weeds.” – Canada Music Spotlight \n“I have never booked someone to the Calgary Folk Club without seeing them live\, but I did with these guys.” – Suze Casey\, Artistic Director\, Calgary Folk Club
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/the-janzen-boys/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-Janzen-Boys-1.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261003T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261003T160000
DTSTAMP:20260827T154158Z
CREATED:20260827T154158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T154158Z
UID:9313-1791021600-1791043200@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Faber Academy: Writing Day with Jessica Andrews
DESCRIPTION:How can we render the pain\, joy and expectations of our bodies in the world? How can we translate our physical experiences in language which will resonate with readers? \nIn this one-day masterclass on writing the body\, novelist Jessica Andrews will guide you through a series of close readings\, generative exercises and discussions to reimagine how you might write about the body. \nThe day will end with a Q&A with Jessica about her writing life and career as a novelist. \nWhether you are a novelist\, short-story writer\, memoirist\, essayist\, poet – or a combination of these – this workshop will help you create compelling writing through an examination of sensory evocation\, narrative action\, tone\, and structure\, across both fiction and non-fiction. \nSchedule\nThis course takes place over a full Saturday\, at The Common Room in Newcastle city centre. \n10.00–11.25\nWhat is\nembodied writing?\nWe will look at a brief history of embodied writing and put together a working definition which will inform our own writing going forwards. We will read and discuss representations of the body in literature and there will be guided exercises to try out some new techniques. \n11.25–11.35\nBreak\n11:35–13.00\nAction\, physicality\nand emotion\nWe will consider the role of action\, physicality and emotion in representing embodied experience. We will read and discuss the work of writers who do this in different ways and there will be guided writing exercises to try out some of these ideas in our own work. \n13:00–14.00\nLunch\n14:00–15.00\nFormal and linguistic experiment\nWe will look at the ways in which different writers experiment with form\, language and style to convey bodily experience. We will look at some examples of this and push the formal and stylistic boundaries of our own work through writing exercises. \n15:00–16.00\nSharing ideas\, work and Q&A\nAt the end of the day\, there will be time to share work and discuss ideas\, and an opportunity to ask Jessica questions about her own writing practice and journey.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/faber-academy-writing-day-with-jessica-andrews/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wring-Day-Jessica-Andres-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T160000
DTSTAMP:20260827T154700Z
CREATED:20260827T154700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T154700Z
UID:9316-1791626400-1791648000@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Faber Academy: Writing Day with Amy Key
DESCRIPTION:How can we craft personal narrative stories that can leave us stunned with self-recognition? \nIn this workshop\, led by acclaimed memoirist Amy Key\, you will write together using exercises which interrogate the nature of memory\, what defines our writing voice and why we tell the stories we tell to come up with new ideas. \nSuitable for complete beginners and people with a work in progress\, the workshop will be relaxed\, warm and above all\, generative. \nSuitable for a novelist\, short-story writer\, memoirist\, essayist\, poet – or a combination of these – a complete beginner or an experienced writer\, this one-off workshop will be relaxed\, warm and above all\, generative. \nSchedule\nThis course takes place over a full Saturday at The Light in Durham\, as part of Durham Book Festival. \n11.00–16.00\nWriting Day with\nAmy Key\nIn this one-day masterclass on crafting personal narratives\, memorist Amy Key will guide you through a series of close readings\, generative exercises and discussions to reimagine how you might write about our experiences. \nThere will be an hour break during the workshop.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/faber-academy-writing-day-with-amy-key/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wring-Day-Amy-Key-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261012
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270406
DTSTAMP:20260827T161821Z
CREATED:20260827T161559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T161821Z
UID:9325-1791763200-1806969599@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Faber Academy: Writing a Novel (6 Months\, Evening)
DESCRIPTION:This is Faber Academy’s flagship course\, which has seen alumni such as S.J. Watson\, Saara El-Arifi\, Rachel Joyce\, Gail Honeyman and Alice Feeney go on to conquer bestseller lists around the world. Designed by the Director of our Fiction Programme\, Richard Skinner\, it’s a six-month deep dive into the art of the novel\, with sessions on every aspect you’ll need to take you from the bare bones of a draft to a finished novel. You’ll also hear from guest speakers including published alumni\, acclaimed authors and industry professionals. \nIt’s also a chance to build a writing group that you can take with you into your future writing career. Over the course of the six months\, you and your classmates will give feedback on each other’s work\, honing your own editorial eye as well as helping them develop their stories\, and will be there to cheer each other on as you approach the finishing line of your first draft. \nThis fifth iteration of Writing a Novel in Newcastle will be taught by Richard T. Kelly. Born in Newcastle\, Richard has written much about the north-east\, in particular his debut novel\, Crusaders (Faber\, 2008)\, and has taught Writing a Novel in London since 2017. \nOf Crusaders\, New Statesman said: ‘An ambitious and convincing account of political chicanery\, ideological quandaries and gang violence in 1990s Newcastle… In Crusaders\, the north-east has found a new champion.’ \nIs this the right course for me?\nThis is an advanced course\, designed as a practical alternative to a Creative Writing MA. Accordingly\, it’s not suitable for writers who would consider themselves complete beginners. That doesn’t mean you need to have taken courses before\, but it does mean that you need to feel confident that you’re ready to start work on your novel. You will also need to have an idea for it – it might be one you’ve been working on for a while\, or it could be something a little more unformed that you’re hoping to pin down with the help of the course.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/faber-academy-writing-a-novel-6-months-evening/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wring-A-Novel-6-Months.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTSTAMP:20260908T111515Z
CREATED:20260908T104947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T111515Z
UID:9347-1792692000-1792695600@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Worms\, Monkeys and Killer Pigs: The Strange Folk Tales of County Durham
DESCRIPTION:Rich and wonderfully strange tradition of folk tales\, from monstrous worms and unfortunate monkeys to a surprising number of killer pigs. \nCounty Durham’s history is filled with stories that are strange\, gruesome\, funny and sometimes almost impossible to believe. Drawing on his book County Durham Folk Tales\, author and storyteller Adam Bushnell explores some of the region’s most memorable legends\, including the origins of its famous worm tales\, the dark history behind Hartlepool’s monkey-hanging story and the curious number of murderous pigs that appear in the county’s past. \nAlong the way\, Adam will look at where folklore ends and history begins\, how stories change as they are passed from generation to generation\, and why these old tales still matter today. And\, as you might expect from a storyteller\, he’ll also tell a story or two in the way they were meant to be heard. \nAdam Bushnell is an award winning and Amazon number 1 bestselling author of fictional and academic books. He has had over sixty books published including Descriptosaurus: Story Writing and Modelling Exciting Writing. \nHis book of 100 Ideas for Outdoor Learning\, published by Bloomsbury\, won the prestigious ‘Creative Play Awards’ in 2020. He was a finalist for the ‘Education Resource Awards’ in 2023. His book The Dragon Inside Me won the Fiction Express ‘Book of the Year’ award for 2021 and Son of the Samurai won the award again in 2023. \nHe works in the UK and internationally in both state and private education delivering creative writing workshops to all ages. \nPreviously a teacher\, Adam also delivers CPD to teachers on how to inspire reading and writing in the classroom. \nFollow Adam on Instagram and X @authoradam and see www.adambushnell.co.uk for more details.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/worms-monkeys-and-killer-pigs-the-strange-folk-tales-of-county-durham/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Adam-Bushnell.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261031T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261031T223000
DTSTAMP:20260709T133148Z
CREATED:20260422T105131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T133148Z
UID:8983-1793475000-1793485800@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Briana Corrigan
DESCRIPTION:The Common Room & Hapless Museum Worker Gigs present…Briana Corrigan\, BRIT-winning former vocalist of The Beautiful South. \nBriana Corrigan (The Beautiful South)\n“One of the most distinctive voices in pop” – Time Out \nDon’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an intimate\, heart-warming\, and joyous evening of story and song with Briana Corrigan\, the iconic former vocalist of The Beautiful South. \nReturning to the stage following a 10-year hiatus\, Briana has already completed five hugely successful\, largely sold-out tours across the UK and Ireland\, and arrives with a brand-new album in the pipeline. \nAbout the Artist\nBorn in Belfast\, Briana’s unforgettable voice is best known for delivering The Beautiful South’s most successful single: the chart-topping\, Brit Award-winning No. 1 hit\, A Little Time. Her unique vocal styling\, combined with Paul Heaton’s brilliantly acerbic lyrics\, created an enduring anthem to broken love. \nBeyond her band years\, Briana has established herself as a formidable songwriter in her own right. She has released two critically acclaimed solo albums\, drawing widespread praise from the music press: \n“Her forte… chest-hugging\, breast-beating balladry of the highest calibre.” – Q Magazine\n“A songwriter of wit and elegance.” – Hot Press\n“A revelation! It’s like listening to someone sing you a story. The rain outside is drifting along the glass and this is a good soundtrack to the tale of its falling.” – Melody Maker\nWhat to Expect\nDescribed by VOX as a voice that “could melt icebergs at 50 paces”\, this is a unique chance to hear her stupendous vocals up close and personal. \nBriana will lead the evening on vocals and guitar\, backed by a beautifully stripped-back band featuring an additional guitarist and cellist. The setlist will pack an emotional punch\, weaving together: \n– Classic hits from The Beautiful South\n– Her own beautifully crafted solo material\n– Unique\, fresh takes on traditional favourites \n“Corrigan’s vocals still sparkle with gold dust.” – The Irish Independent \nTICKETS ON SALE 10AM\, 29TH APRIL\, 2026.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/briana-corrigan/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Briana-Corrigan_EVENT.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261120T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261120T230000
DTSTAMP:20260512T142837Z
CREATED:20260512T142837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T142837Z
UID:9017-1795201200-1795215600@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:INES RAE: Loud But Lonely Tour
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for unforgettable live music as the incredible Ines Rae brings her highly anticipated Loud but Lonely Tour to Newcastle! \nKnown for her captivating vocals and deeply relatable songwriting\, Ines is set to deliver a performance that perfectly balances high-energy anthems with intimate moments. \nWhether you have been a fan from the beginning or are just discovering her sound\, this is your chance to experience the raw emotion and undeniable stage presence that makes her live shows so special.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/ines-rae-loud-but-lonely-tour/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/INES-RAE-EVENT-PAGE-IMAGE-Small.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261121T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261121T160000
DTSTAMP:20260827T155418Z
CREATED:20260827T155418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T155418Z
UID:9319-1795255200-1795276800@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Faber Academy: Writing Day with Sarfraz Manzoor
DESCRIPTION:This is a one day workshop designed to equip you with everything you need to start writing for newspapers\, magazines and online publications\, taught by Sarfraz Manzoor who will condense his three decades of experience as a journalist into one day. \nIn the morning we will look at the key skills you need to write for newspapers\, magazines and online publications. Sarfraz will guide you through all the basics so you’ll understand how to use your unique writing voice and how to come up with ideas. You’ll also look at how to interview people and how to craft opinion and feature articles using your own passions and personal obsessions as the starting point. \nIn the afternoon we’ll use what we’ve learned in the morning by writing\, using our own passions and personal obsessions as the starting point. We will also discuss some contemporary features and opinion pieces and Sarfraz will walk you through the best way to pitch to commissioning editors. \nThe day will end with a Q&A with Sarfraz about his career as a journalist. \nSchedule\nThis course takes place over a full Saturday\, at The Common Room in Newcastle city centre. \n10.00–12.30\nIntroduction to\nwriting for the media\nIn the morning session\, Sarfraz will talk through what you need to write for newspapers\, magazines and online media\, how to come up with ideas\, how to structure feature and opinion pieces and\, most crucially\, how to develop your writing voice \n12.30–13.30\nLunch\n13:30–16.00\nGet\nwriting\nIn the afternoon\, you’ll put what you’ve discussed in the morning session into practice with writing exercises\, close reading of key texts and a ‘how to pitch’ guide. \nThe day will end with a Q&A with Sarfraz on writing for newspapers and online publications.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/faber-academy-writing-day-with-sarfraz-manzoor/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wring-Day-Sarfraz-Manzoor.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261121T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261121T223000
DTSTAMP:20260720T104718Z
CREATED:20260701T110035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T104718Z
UID:9130-1795289400-1795300200@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Pye Corner Audio (plus special guests)
DESCRIPTION:Wandering Oak & Hamilton Hunter Live presents…\nPye Corner Audio (PCA) is an electronic music project by Martin Jenkins\, which specialises in majestic\, cinematic electronica that evokes sci-fi soundtracks\, dystopian futures and the sound of haunted dance floors. \nJenkins refers to himself as the mysterious and nameless Head Technician in most of his online profiles\, and extra detail is taken to make the audio and visual elements of his performances look and sound worn and vintage. \nOn his latest full length release “More Songs About The Sun” Andy Bell (Ride/Oasis) adds guitar across ‘Euphoria’\, ‘Analogue Dreams’\, ‘Cycle’ and ‘As We Begin’\, bringing a hazy melodic edge\, while Ian Rankin adds spoken word to ‘The Breath Of Now’ too. \nPCA first came to attention with four volumes of Black Mill Tapes on his own label\, Pye Corner Audio Transcription Services. Like his contemporaries Demdike Stare and Ghost Box\, Martin seemed to be tapping into some hidden energy current\, channeling spirits via electrical means. The pioneering transmissions of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop could be detected lurking within the music’s staticky swirl; so could the ominous throb of John Carpenter’s film soundtracks. \nWhile the musical landscape has shifted over the years\, Pye Corner Audio’s retro-futurist transmissions remain timelessly compelling\, resembling a rickety tape transfer of a collective nostalgia\, waiting to be rediscovered. \nFor fans of Boards Of Canada\, Belbury Poly\, Marconi Union \nSupporting act for this show will be Eat Lights Become Lights. \nTicket link active from 3rd July at 10am.\n– £17 advance\n– Ages 18+ only\n– Doors open at 7:00pm
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/pye-corner-audio/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/pye_audio_corner_hires_13_EDIT_Wide_Small.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261128T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261128T170000
DTSTAMP:20260908T142011Z
CREATED:20260908T142011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T142011Z
UID:9354-1795865400-1795885200@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Northern Gothic Hexmas Market
DESCRIPTION:Step into a world of dark treasures at the Northern Gothic Collective Hexmas Market! Returning for our 3rd event\, we bring you an extraordinary\, free-entry holiday gathering like no other\, showcasing the finest Northern creators\, oddities\, and alternative artisans. \nExplore a curated collection of gothic decor\, handcrafted art\, tarot readings\, luxury food\, and unique occult finds. \n01.\nGothic home decor\nTurn your home into a gothic sanctuary.\nLEARN MORE \n02.\nArtisans’ creations\nHandcrafted treasures with a touch of darkness.\nLEARN MORE \n03.\nDark art\nOriginal artwork and prints by artists from all around the UK\nLEARN MORE \n04.\nMystical readings\nUnlock the secrets of your future.\nLEARN MORE \n05.\nCuriosities & oddities\nUnearth treasures that defy convention.\nLEARN MORE \n06.\nDelicious treats\nLuxury hot chocolate & coffee\, burgers & fries.\nLEARN MORE \nAdmission: Open to all ages — bring your dark holiday spirit! \nJoin us for a day of community\, craftsmanship\, and dark seasonal magic.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/northern-gothic-hexmas-market/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nothern-gothic-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261204T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261204T223000
DTSTAMP:20260908T113710Z
CREATED:20260908T113710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T113710Z
UID:9350-1796412600-1796423400@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:A Christmas Party with Gloria Love and Friends
DESCRIPTION:Join Gloria Love and friends for a fun-filled Christmas bash with laughter\, music\, and festive cheer! \nGet ready to celebrate the season in style with Gloria Love\, the Side By Side Arts Band and all her friends! \nThis event promises good vibes\, great company\, and festive fun. Whether you’re here to dance\, laugh\, or just soak up the holiday spirit\, this party’s got you covered. \nDon’t miss out on a night full of joy and holiday cheer — we can’t wait to see you there!
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/a-christmas-party-with-gloria-love-and-friends/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Gloria-Love-wide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261211T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261211T213000
DTSTAMP:20260910T100045Z
CREATED:20260910T100045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T100045Z
UID:9358-1797015600-1797024600@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Whisky Tasting: Springbank Takeover!
DESCRIPTION:In person Whisky Tasting Event \nThat’s right folks\, the one and only Andrew Wallace will be visiting Newcastle once more with seven exceptional whiskies from Springbank Distillery. \nOn the menu will be a welcome dram and a cornucopia of six whiskies encompassing the Hazelburn\, Longrow and Springbank makes. \n– Campbeltown Loch\n– Hazelburn 8yo – Oloroso Cask Matured – 48.2% 2025)\n– Springbank 21yo – 46% (2025)\n– Springbank 10yo Local Barley – 60% Bourbon & 40% Sherry – Cask Sample (2025)\n– Springbank 10yo Fino – Cask Sample (2025)\n– Springbank 5yo 100 PROOF – 57.1% (2025)\n– Longrow Peated – 46% (2025)
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/whisky-tasting-springbank-takeover/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Whisky-December-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261217T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261217T223000
DTSTAMP:20260805T090333Z
CREATED:20260805T090333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T090333Z
UID:9116-1797535800-1797546600@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Janice Burns & Jon Doran
DESCRIPTION:Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who’s songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. \nJanice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin\, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener. \nFollowing the success of their self-titled EP in 2020\, Janice & Jon released their debut album\, No More the Green Hills\, in Autumn 2022. The album had overwhelmingly positive feedback\, finding its place in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart\, as well as gaining airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland. With their relaxed and personable approach to performance\, Janice & Jon are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From opening Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival\, to playing at the likes of Celtic Connections\, Ceòl Cholasa\, Edinburgh Tradfest\, Sidmouth Folk Festival and Cecil Sharp House\, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond. \nThe duo’s winter gigs have become something of a tradition over the last few years\, and now they’re heading out for their final Christmas tour for the foreseeable\, singing songs from their festive album\, ‘Great Joy to the New’\, and more \n. People have always forged customs to survive the winter\, with rituals that bring people together and bring light to the dark nights. These rituals have often been born of necessity. Beautiful\, colourful\, musical traditions\, linked by the common cause of sustaining people spiritually\, mentally\, or financially through a harsh winter. Janice and Jon’s new album and live show explores these themes through a collection of traditional folk songs about Christmas\, winter\, and optimism for the new year. \n**** “Clever and uncluttered musical storytelling” – Songlines Magazine \n***** “Five stars for this duo that have made an album destined for repeated listening.” – Irish Music Magazine \n“They’re a revelation – crystal clear voices\, great musicianship and an obvious deep love of the tradition.” – Mike Harding \n“Really nicely done” – Mark Radcliffe\, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show \n“They play lovely strings\, they have gorgeous harmony arrangements. Really well crafted\, intimate\, beautifully understated.” – Karine Polwart
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/janice-burns-jon-doran/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Janice-Jon-Selects-43-SMALL.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270130T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270130T160000
DTSTAMP:20260827T160327Z
CREATED:20260827T160327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T160327Z
UID:9322-1801303200-1801324800@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Faber Academy: Writing Day with Chris Power
DESCRIPTION:What makes a good short story? Many writers are drawn to the form\, but find it tricky: where do you start\, how many words should it be\, what should you leave in or take out\, what form should this take. And the biggest question of all\, is this a short story or is it a longer piece of fiction? \nIn this one-day course with acclaimed short-story author Chris Power\, you’ll learn about the art of the short story and its form – discussing work from writers such as Kevin Barry\, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah\, Carmen Maria Machado and George Saunders – before beginning to flesh out one of your own. \nIn the company of up to nineteen other writers\, this short story masterclass is a supportive and lively environment to get under the skin of one of the most exciting and ambitious forms of storytelling. \nThis workshop is for writers of all backgrounds and skill levels\, who are looking to explore and experiment with the form of the short story. You might be a novelist who wants to expand their writing toolbox – writing short stories is an excellent way to sharpen your editing skills! – or a poet\, non-fiction writer or memoirist taking their first steps into fiction. \nSchedule\nThis course takes place over a full Saturday\, at The Common Room in Newcastle city centre. \n10.00–11.30\nStarting at the\nbeginning\nIn our first session we’ll look at some openings of short stories to better understand the immediacy with which they plunge us into a world. We’ll discuss the way in which the short story form means there’s no time to waste. Then we’ll try creating some stories of our own. \n11.30–13.00\nWhat is\nyour story?\nWe’ve touched on the how\, but what about the what? We’ll look at a selection of short stories\, that take subjects ranging from the mundane to the outlandish\, and how they turn each of them into something extraordinary. Then we’ll discuss what aspects of our own lives – or purely imaginary events – we might want to transform into fiction\, and why the short story might be the appropriate choice. \n13:00–16.00\nStructure and\nediting\nIn the afternoon\, we’ll turn our attention to structure and editing. \nWhen you break down most successful short stories\, they turn out to be very carefully structured. We’ll look at the classic dramatic form of three-act structure and create a (short) short story based on its principles. \nNo piece of writing comes out right first time. We’ll look at some principles of editing that will help you in all your future projects. And at the end of the day we’ll have some time for any questions you might want to ask about Chris other aspects of the writing process.
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/faber-academy-writing-day-with-chris-power/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wring-Day-Chris-Power-.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20270205T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270205T220000
DTSTAMP:20260805T094124Z
CREATED:20260805T093859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T094124Z
UID:9288-1801857600-1801864800@thecommonroom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Will Mars: Life's A Joke
DESCRIPTION:After years spent knocking on closed industry doors\, Will shared his story online — and audiences decided to kick them open instead. \nMillions watched. Hundreds of thousands followed. One question kept appearing: \n“Why isn’t this guy famous?” \nSo Will is finally doing what nobody expected: his debut tour. \nExpect a relentless barrage of razor-sharp one-liners\, hilarious true stories\, and a comedy show about never quite fitting in — a working-class lad who became middle class\, a northerner in the south\, and a comedian who built his own route when the usual doors stayed shut. \nThe industry didn’t create this tour. The audience did. \n— \n18 years + only
URL:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/event/will-mars-lifes-a-joke/
LOCATION:The Common Room\, Westgate Road\, Newcastle upon Tyne\, NE1 1SE\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thecommonroom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Will-Mars-Event-Image.png
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