The Black Swan for many years has ran a varied Jazz Programme, and been a popular city-centre Venue for performances of theatre, dance, cabaret, andlive music.
Already popular for Salsa with SalSeduce on a Friday night, and our traditional Tuesday Jams. And as a venue for celebrations and events, such as birthdays, weddings, and functions.
So we were happy to expand The Black Swan’s programme to include a regular programme Tues-Thurs, every week from Sept 2025.
celebrating live music
Inviting independent artists into our beautiful basement venue was at heart of this expansion. The Black Swan and Newcastle Arts Centre already had a proud history as a home for live music, having been the base for The Jazz Cafe after its move from Pink Lane.
So naturally we were eager to honour this and offer more spots for grassroots musicians to connect with audiences and celebrate their sound. Jazz Cafe Presents… every Tuesday became a regular platform to celebrate the genre; our long standing Tuesday Jam, the addition of a contemporary Jazz Jam Sandwich celebrating world Jazz, and headline gigs platforming the Jazz musicians of the North East. Meanwhile, Live Thursdays provided a varied space for live entertainment, be that alternative genres, cabaret, or acapella sound.
Debuting Black Swan’s own Pub Quiz
It wasn’t just music we wanted to offer our audiences. We introduced our new Wednesday Pub Quiz! A chance for those who already love The Black Swan, and those who want to get to know us better, to get together and have some fun.
Danny “Eyeballs” Gaffney joined our team, and brought with him his many years of hosting quizzes. In his confident, friendly hands, quizzers get to test their wits, show off their knowledge, and most importantly have a laugh. Classic rounds are enjoyed, but bonus challenges keep you on your toes, new specialist subjects every week testing niche knowledge change, and of course The Wheel of Plenty is the winning team’s last play for a prize…
RETURNING FOR 2026…
Alongside our historic Tuesday Jams, every 1st and 3rd Tues of the month, we’re pleased to be bringing back some of our events for 2026. Going forward, you can always join us for FREE live music on Tuesdays, getting to know and supporting local, independent musicians. Also we’ll continues to see you on Wednesdays to have some fun at our Pub Quiz, and who knows what you’ll walk away with.
Friday nights SalSeduce‘s Salsa Class and Club continues to welcome new faces to the dance. Classes for beginners, intermediates, and Club Salsa for everyone to have a go together. So don’t be shy! All are welcome to see in the weekend on the dancefloor.
Thursdays and Saturdays are for those who want to hire us for an event. The Black Swan can cater for events with up to 60 / 130 guests, is adaptable, and comes with a fully staffed and licensed bar. It’s ideal for wedding receptions, birthday and anniversary parties, awards and celebrations, galas and fundraisers, socials and functions. Whether it’s a big event or an intimate occasion, our Venue Team is ready to tailor our Bar & Venue to your individual requirements, and to make your occasion memorable for you and all your guests.
Talk to us about your event at admin@newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk / 0191 261 5618
Or tell us more on our enquiry form via this button here…
Every 2nd Tues of the month
Doors 7:00pm / Music 7:30pm – 10:30pm
FREE ENTRY
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.
Continuing to platform North East Jazz and celebrate live music. And now FREE ENTRY to all our music programme!
Headline Jazz gigs coming up…
SQUABBLE Tues 27th Jan
JAMMSHED Thurs 5th Feb
LIAM & SHAYO Tues 24th Feb
Doors 7pm / Quiz 8pm-10:15pm
£1 per person to enter / Up to 6 members per team
You’re curious about the Wheel of Plenty I hear? Who isn’t! Spin the wheel and you could win a doodled keepsake! A new car! An average sized financial windfall! The contents of “The Mystery Box”™! Or something else entirely…
ARCHIVE FOR AUT/WINT 25 BLACK SWAN PROGRAMME
SEPTEMBER ’25
Thurs 4th
Live Thursdays: Classics with Carmen
Thurs 11th
Live Thursdays: Julija Jacenaite
Thurs 18th
Live Thursdays: The Turner Brothers
Tues 23rd
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan: Liam & Shayo
Thurs 25th
Brand new After Hours Art Club
Tues 30th
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan: Under The Welly
OCTOBER ’25
Thurs 4th
Live Thursdays: Mills & Farrell
Thurs 9th
F54 presents… Kelly Moran
Thurs 16th
Live Thursdays: Pete Tanton and The Cuban Heels
Tues 28th
Jazz Cafe Presents… At The Black Swan: Eva Fox & The Sound Hounds
november ’25
Thurs 6th
Live Thursdays: Side Cafe Orkestar
Thurs 13th
Live Thursdays: Maxim Yarushkin
Thurs 20th
Live Thursdays: Howlin’ Mat
Tues 25th
At The Black Swan Presents…: Laurie Shepherd and the Moonfires
DECEMBER ’25
Thurs 4th
House of Trixie Blue presents: The Sapphire Showcase
Thurs 11th
Live Thursdays: Ransom Van
