Sage Gateshead birthday celebrations get underway

By The Journal

THE Sage Gateshead is celebrating in style with champagne and cake tomorrow at the launch of three music-filled days to mark its fifth birthday.

And what a difference five years make, with a world-class reputation built up on bank of the Tyne.

After 5.30pm fizz, the landmark building will echo to the sound of massed voices celebrating the achievements of the institution.

On Friday, music lovers will have a chance to peek into rehearsals before the concourse comes alive with the sound of music as performances, ranging from a ukulele band to a children’s choir, start at 4pm.

Dame Evelyn Glennie and Northern Sinfonia will perform James Macmillan’s percussion concerto Veni Veni Emanuel at 7.30pm, while The Hot North, from 8pm, brings an evening of vocals from Lapland, India and the UK ahead of late-night music from 10pm.

On Saturday visitors are invited to open sessions offering, while steel pans and jazz will entertain.Jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard will present his Five Sided Dream at 8pm, while, at 8.15pm, classic indie-rock band Spiritualized will perform – alongside Northern Sinfonia.

At 10pm it’s the turn of Maximo Park’s lead singer Paul Smith who will DJ at a late-night party.

Sunday might be the last day of the big birthday bash but what a way to wrap up.

There’ll be more open sessions, involving all ages, plus folk, jazz, blues and join-in choirs.

At 11am, Northern Sinfonia’s music director Thomas Zehetmair’s quartet will perform one of Beethoven’s quartets while also at 11am – as well as 2pm – the Soundbites Family Fiddle Concert promises a lively music and adventure for the family.

And finally the big concert: Kathryn Tickell’s Surprise Party starts at 7.30pm, when special guest Sting joins the award-winning Northumbrian piper and a few pals.

Unfortunately, the last of these is sold out but there are still tickets for most other concerts. Tel. 0191 443 4661.