We’ve rounded up 10 of the top things to do around the region this weekend and beyond.
1. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Living Dangerously, Sunderland Empire, January 14
In Living Dangerously, Sir Ranulph offers a personal journey through his life, from his early years to the present day. Both light-hearted and strikingly poignant, Living Dangerously spans Sir Ranulph’s childhood and school misdemeanours, his army life and early expeditions, right through the Transglobe Expedition to his current Global Reach Challenge - his goal to become the first person in the world to cross both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. He'll be telling his story at Sunderland Empire on January 14. Photo: Submitted
2. SAFC talk, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, January 11
A talk celebrating the 35 year SAFC career of Arthur Wright will be hosted by FOSUMS at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens on Saturday, January 11 at 2pm. He spent 35 years at Roker Park playing 280 first team games, followed by serving the Club as a trainer/coach. His son Billy Wright will talk about his father. Visitors welcome, admission is £2. Photo: JPI Media
3. Slipknot, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, January 17
In the wake of their return to the Number 1 slot on the Official UK Albums Chart with much lauded sixth studio album, We Are Not Your Kind, Slipknot announced their UK & Irish tour dates for early 2020, returning to Newcastle Utilita Arena on Friday, January 17 2020. Behemoth are special guests on all UK & European shows. As well as taking the top album spot in the UK, Slipknot, who are as much a cultural phenomenon as they are a band, made a resounding global impact, with No.1 debuts in the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium and Finland, as well as Top 3 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, The Netherlands and New Zealand. Photo: Promo image
4. The Wizard of Oz, Billingham Forum, January 12
Join Ballet Theatre UK as they follow the yellow brick road and discover all the wonders of Oz at Billingham Forum on January 12. Enjoy Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, (and yes Toto too) as they seek the Wonderful Wizard to find that there’s no place like home. The Wizard of Oz is a two act, full-length, ballet adaptation of the iconic tale by L. Frank Baum, told through the magic of classical dance. Set to a classical score which brings the story to life, this production is family friendly and is the perfect way to introduce children to the classical ballet. Photo: Promo image