Exhibitions. Live Music. Live Entertainment. Special Events.
WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS
Across The Black Swan Bar & Venue, and our Art Courses, there’s activity for everyone to get involved in every week at Newcastle Arts Centre
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan:
Tuesday Jazz Jam
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month
In the Black Swan Bar
Doors 6pm / Music 7:30-10:30pm
Free admission!
The Black Swan’s long standing Jazz Jam, where the house trio invite all jazz instrumentalists and singers to join them and jam together. All listeners welcome too. Upcoming Tuesday Jams…
18 August
Joe Steels (guitar), Paul Grainger (bass), Abbie Finn (drums)
1 September
Stu Collingwood (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), John Hirst (drums)
15 September
Ben Lawrence (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), Bailey Rudd (drums)
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan:
Jazz Jam Sandwich
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month
In the Black Swan Bar
Doors 6pm / Music 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Free admission!
This Jam comes in all kinds of flavours covering afro-beat, funk, soul and world music. It’s all about freedom, expression and good vibes. We invite you to take up your instrument of choice and contribute to the creativity. Drop in and take part or simply sit back and soak it up. Upcoming Jam Sandwiches…
11 August
8 September
13 October
Black Swan Quiz!
Every Wednesday night
In the Black Swan Bar
Doors 6pm / Quiz 8pm-10:15pm.
£1 per person to enter. Up to 6 members per team
Test yourself on General Knowledge, Film and TV, Music and the Specialist Subject, plus earn extra points in the Bonus Challenges.
Come first to have a spin on The Wheel of Plenty and win some cold hard cash, but don’t worry if you fall short, there are plenty of “booby” prizes up for grabs too
For more info click HERE…
Art Courses
Run in our Studios on Wednesday evenings and Saturday daytimes, offering a tutorship in a variety of mediums and art skills.
For more info click HERE…
SalSeduce
Salsa Classes and Club every Friday night in the Black Swan Bar & Venue.
For more info click HERE…
EVENTS CALENDAR
Listings of Live Music with Guest Artists, Exhibitions and Special Events
August ’26
Newcastle Arts Centre & The North of England Art Club Presents
The Northern Summer Exhibition 2026
Mon 3rd Aug – Sat 12th Sept
NAC Gallery
Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm
FREE ENTRY
A staple of Newcastle Arts Centre and The North of England Art Club’s calendar, this annual, open submission exhibition invites entries from all North Eastern and Cumbrian artists. It welcomes pieces from across mediums, genres, subjects and abilities, striving to celebrate the range of creative vision and artistic practice in the region. Each year it introduces new artists and further enriches the network of practicing creatives at home in the North.
For more info click HERE
LIVE Thursdays
Gypsi Gitane – Thursday 27th August
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Born a Geordie and raised in the woods of rural Normandy, Molly (Gypsi) is a self-taught singer-songwriter whose musical journey began with her mum’s old guitar, discovered tucked away in a cupboard in the family home. She named the guitar Gitane, a reflection of her free-spirited, travelling nature, her Celtic roots, and the deep connection she shares with the instrument.
Molly often describes Gitane as her soul sister, a lifelong companion that has travelled with her through every chapter of her musical journey. Finding her voice through busking on the streets, Molly developed a distinctive style rooted in honesty, emotion, and storytelling.
Writing raw, heartfelt acoustic songs in both French and English, she draws inspiration from artists such as Amy Winehouse, The Cranberries, and Renaud. Her music blends influences of jazz, rock, soul, and blues with poetic lyricism and worldly inspiration, creating a sound that is both intimate and powerful. Soft in delivery yet deeply moving, her songs reflect a love of freedom, travel, nature, and human connection, leaving a lasting impression long after the final note.
For her Instagram click HERE
September ’26
LIVE Thursdays
Classics with Carmen – Thursday 3rd September
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
This evening we are delighted to be joined by classically trained singer Carmen Silk, a phenomenal local vocalist who will be treating us to an evening of Classics With Carmen. Delivering an intimate mix of jazz, swing, blues and showtunes, Carmen will take inspiration from artists such as Liza Minelli, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee and much more. A connoisseur of musical numbers, showtunes and classic cabaret, Carmen has been performing all over the North East for years with a voice that is both silky smooth and beltingly powerful.
For her Facebook click HERE
For her Instagram click HERE
LIVE Thursdays
Jacenaite All Crew: From Ella to Ozzy – Thursday 10th September
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Get ready for a musical carousel ride with charismatic Lithuanian singer Julija Jacenaite. Celebrating 35 years on stage, and 15 years in the North East of England, Julija is preparing two exciting sets of her favourite songs. Known for her curiosity to explore and infuse her distinctive jazzy singing to various genres, Julija has collaborated with Latin and hip-hop music artists, led a rock band, opened the concerts of jazz legends Joe Zawinul and Kurt Elling, recorded albums of French chansons and her own compositions.
Jacenaite All Crew unites Newcastle’s jazz heroes Stephen Glendinning (guitar), Paul Grainger (double/electric bass) and emerging performers Murray Oak (keys) and Joe Deans (drums), who together will keep the beat, heat, and groove. It’s the gig you don’t want to miss, as Julija will be performing it all: songs of Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, Amy Winehouse, Jamiroquai, Erykah Badu, Patricia Kaas, Gil Scott-Heron, Norah Jones, Jill Scott, Mac Miller, Ozzy Osbourne, and more!
For her Wesbite click HERE
For her Insta click HERE
LIVE Thursdays
Front Porch Blues – Thursday 17th September
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Join the band on the front porch for a laid back, rootsy, acoustic take on classic blues, jazz country and soul. Relaxed and soulful, but always looking to connect these varied styles back to their roots on the dance floor. Front Porch Blues are a Blues and Swing band made up of dancers, often found playing dances around Newcastle. So come on down and join Anders, Alec, Owen and Jon on guitar, banjo, bass, drums and vocals.
Jazz Cafe Presents… at The Black Swan
Dayna Dixon – Tuesday 22nd September
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Dayna Dixon is a UK-based Nouveau Jazz-Tro artist, blending timeless tunes with vintage vocals. Her rich tone and potent lyrics are delivered with playful,expressive flair. Influenced by Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Ella Fitzgerald, she brings a contemporary identity to classic jazz and soul sensibilities.
Rooted in raw, real-life experiences, her sound prioritises real musicianship and rich orchestral arrangements. Drawing inspiration from the scale and sophistication of Bacharach’s big scale compositions, to create an immersive live experience
Jazz Cafe Presents… at The Black Swan
The Red Kites – Tuesday 29th September
The Black Swan Bar
Doors open 6pm / Live music from 7:30pm
FREE ENTRY
Presenting a hot new jazz ensemble from here in the North East, The Red Kites. This versatile quintet’s repertoire ranges from Great American Songbook standards through Bossa Nova to numbers by the likes of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. So join Terry, David, Greg, Martyn and Gerry as they treat you to an evening of live jazz on guitar, keys, drums, bass and sax.
The Kites will be joined on the night by guest vocalist Kathryn Burchett, a regular supporter and singer at our famous Tuesday Jazz Jam
For their Facebook click HERE
Newcastle Arts Centre & The Showcase Presents
ECLECTICUS – Sat 19th Sept – Sat 31st Oct
New Drawings and Sculptures by Nick Banks
Preview – Sat 26th Sept, 2-4pm
NAC & Nick invites press and members of the public to this Preview to meet himself, and to celebrate this impressive collection of work.
Refreshments served from 2pm.
NAC Gallery & The Showcase
Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm
FREE ENTRY
This latest body of work by Nick Banks, comprising drawing and sculpture, captures an eclectic breadth of subject matter, across moments, objects, and memories. As a collection, ECLECTICUS deviates from theme, developing ideas and imagery that have flowed to Nick ‘like figures emerging from the mist.’
The drawings show Nick’s dedicated and consistent exploration of tone. Each work is pushed and pulled through multiple, quite physical transitions of line and shade, worked back and forth before settling at a resolved state. Despite their size, each one has been rigorously worked upon as if creating on a much larger scale.
The sculptures have come from the notion that simple objects can have a potent charge. Inspired by trips to The British Museum as an art student, where Nick was drawn to the modest, often domestic artefacts, rather than the grand imposing sculptures. His intrigue in their timeless nature and their lasting resonance was the trigger for Nick when creating these new pieces.
october ’26
LIVE Thursdays Presents, From Stand-up Comedian Michael Akadiri
Don’t Call me Uncle – Thursday 22nd October
The Black Swan Venue
Doors open 7pm / Show from 8pm
TICKETS – Standard: £17 / Concession: £15 (no booking fee)
Book HERE
Introducing stand up comedian and junior doctor Michael Akadiri, on tour with his latest show: Don’t Call me Uncle! Having scooped up awards with his earlier productions including Trust me, I’m a Daddy and the No Scrubs Special (check that out here on YouTube) Michael has been inspired by recent events to write and produce Don’t Call me Uncle!
november ’26
Newcastle Arts Centre & St. Mary’s Sixth Form Presents
St. Mary’s Student Exhibition
– Mon 9th Nov – Sat 14th Nov
NAC Gallery
Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm
FREE ENTRY
St. Mary’s High School Fine Art & Photography Dept. boasts an array of vision and talent from its students, and it strives to provide them with the opportunity to develop their artistic practice.
Newcastle Arts Centre has long played a role in platforming the next generation of artists coming up through the North East. For many years we’ve been the home to Newcastle College’s Degree Shows. So we’re thrilled to be welcoming back for a second year the Art Students of St. Mary’s Sixth Form, and continuing to showcase the artwork of our region’s young people.
With us for only one week, make sure to catch this exhibition and witness the art of the future.
Newcastle Arts Centre Presents
Artists of NAC Winter Exhibition 2026
– Mon 23rd Nov 2026 – Jan 2027
Preview – Sat 26th Sept, 2-4pm
NAC invites press and members of the public to this Preview to meet the Art Centre’s network of artists, and to share in our creative community.
Refreshments served from 2pm.
NAC Gallery
Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm
FREE ENTRY
Newcastle Arts Centre has many spaces, departments, and facilities. Our community of Studio Holders; from painters to puppeteers, sculptors to bookbinders, a dynamic group of artists have chosen to make the Arts Centre their creative home. Our long standing shops, Details Art Materials, Craftshop, and the Frameshop, supporting and supplying creative practice and craftspeople. The Office staff programming the Art Centre’s activity and projects. Art Course Tutors delivering a range of practical classes. The Black Swan Venue team hosting our live music and events. The Trustees and Building Operatives working hard on maintaining and developing our site.
We’re proud that so many of our team are artists as well. This exhibition celebrates the artwork of those who work and spend time at the Arts Centre, and who contribute to its collective creativity.
