FROM things to do with the kids, to bird watching, Marilyn Monroe and a brass band concert there are loads of things to do in the North-East and North Yorkshire this weekend. 

Here's our pick of the events taken from our new What's On section - and don't forget you can find hundreds more at http://whatsonindarlington.co.uk and http://whatsoninthenortheast.co.uk

The Northern Echo:

What? A new exhibition in neon lights by acclaimed artist Gavin Turk.

Where? Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

When? Saturday and Sunday from 10am.

More details: A dazzling display by artist Gavin Turk which brings together all of his neon works, from 1995 to 2013,  for the first time. Includes an eye-catching  a piece highlighting the world’s population at the time the show opens – 7,201,964,238 – on the museum’s facade.

What? Hammonds Saltaire Brass Band in concert.

Where? Civic Theatre, Darlington.

When? Saturday, 7.30pm.

More details: A concert packed with a variety of music to appeal to everyone. Hammonds Saltaire Brass Band has an impressive pedigree and roots going back 150 years. They have won multiple awards including six times European Champions and five times British Open Champions. From marches to film music, musicals to opera scores, and Salvation Army tunes to specially commissioned works, the versatility of the brass band is never heard better than with these fine players, who have won all the major awards in Brass Band music. This fantastic band of 27 players are guaranteed to raise the roof. Tickets on 01325-486555.

What? RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Where? Durham Cathedral.

When? Saturday, 10-3pm

More details: Come and participate in this year's national RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch by coming to the Cathedral and helping us look in our garden (the city centre Woodlands and Riverbanks) for birds. There are walks to the bird hides on the riverbanks at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. There will be family friendly arts and craft activities in the Cathedral's Education Centre from 10.00am - 12.00 noon and 1.00pm - 3.00pm making bird feeders, bird masks and playing bird bingo.

What? Jez Lowe with support from Barnard Castle youth folk band Cream Tees.

Where? The Witham, Barnard Castle.

When? Saturday, 7.30pm.

More details: For the past 30 years, singer and songwriter Jez Lowe has taken his songs of life in his native North East England to audiences across the world, sometimes solo, sometimes with his band The Bad Pennies, and sometimes in a variety of collaborative and commissioned musical enterprises, all of which have made him one of the most hard-working and popular acoustic/folk artists of the present day.

What? Marilyn Monroe: A British Love Affair.

Where? Hatton Gallery, Newcastle.

When? opens this weekend

More details: Photographs and magazine covers from 1947 to 1962 celebrate the transformation of the world’s most popular pin-up into an acclaimed actress, highlighting the British photographers and personalities who worked with her. Marilyn Monroe: A British Love Affair shows photographs from the National Portrait Gallery including Antony Beauchamp’s poses of Monroe taken in 1951 wearing a yellow bikini and Baron’s portraits of Monroe bathed in Californian sunlight taken in 1954. Cecil Beaton’s 1956 photographs taken in his Ambassador Hotel suite in New York include Monroe’s favourite image of herself, clutching a rose. Exhibition organised by the National Portrait Gallery, London.

 

Don't forget you can find hundreds more at http://whatsonindarlington.co.uk and http://whatsoninthenortheast.co.uk