Everyone's favourite pop princess, Kylie Minogue, will be performing at the Metro Radio Arena in July, as part of a brand new show for 2008.

According to the star, the show, which is inspired by her latest album 'X', is "fresh, exhilarating and innovative". Demand is so high that she has already extended her stay in Tyneside to four nights, and will be performing on July 20th, 21st and 23rd.

While Ms Minogue is no stranger to spectacular live shows that provide the perfect backdrop for her unique brand of pop, the new show is being billed as something a little bit out of the ordinary.

The singer said: "I am putting together a show that is going to be a new and exciting experience for both the audience and myself.

"After two celebratory tours, 'X' will be a look to the future but will definitely include favourites alongside the new."

Tickets are on sale now, but selling fast.

Kylie fans can stay in Thistle's Newcastle hotel, made easy with online price check and booking.

© Adfero Ltd

An "exciting and innovative" display of installation art will arrive in Newcastle next month.

On September 13th at the Northern Stage, award-winning Chinese artist Wang Qingsong will reveal her new collection entitled Changing Cities.

Tourist organisation NewcastleGateshead says: "Don’t miss the unique chance to see one of the artist's theatrical, grand scale installations come to life, as the process is transmitted live on to screens throughout Northern Stage."

It adds that the finished photographs will then come together for a "spectacular exhibition" later on in September.

Ms Qingsong will turn Stage 1 at the venue into a giant photographic studio, exploring the notion of "pain and healing and of theatre as a cathartic experience".

The exhibition is part of Newcastle's EAST08 programme, which is a celebration of contemporary Asian culture.

Later in the month, the Northern Stage will present Angela Carter's thrilling tale of "seduction, perversion and love", called the Blood Chamber.

Art fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

British tenor singer Russell Watson will be gracing the north-east of England with his vocal talent this summer.

On July 7th for one-night-only Watson will perform at Newcastle City Hall, marking his return to the stage after he had an operation to remove a brain tumour seven months ago.

The singer will perform a range of his old hits, as well as material from his new album 'Outside In', which has been described as showcasing his voice as "better and more powerful than ever".

Fans who want to get acquainted with Russell's material before the gig should seek out his Ultimate Collection, which is a compilation of his hits so far.

When released in 2006, the album charted at number two in the national charts and scored him a fifth number one in the classic charts, affirming his popularity.

Tickets for the event, which will start at 19:30 BST, will range in price between £27.50 and £57.50 and can be purchased online.

Russell Watson fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

A double bill of funk and soul music is coming to Gateshead this month for one night only.

On July 25th a New Orleans Boogie Night will take place at the iconic Sage Centre in Gateshead, which is located on the river bank and is a two-minute walk from the centre of Newcastle.

The show will feature the Neville Brothers and "pivotal figure of the New Orleans R 'n' B scene" Allen Toussaint.

According to tourist organisation NewcastleGateshead, Toussaint's work has been "performed by everyone from Dr John to Patti LaBelle".

The show has been organised as part of the SummerTyne programme of events, which is now in its third year and will run until July 27th.

NewcastleGateshead says: "SummerTyne continues to grow, bringing the sounds of summer and drawing inspiration from the River Tyne and its iconic bridges."

This year's line up includes the Nothing Compares 2 U singer Sinead O'Conner and a free outdoor event on July 19th and 20th that will feature Latin and Caribbean summer sounds.

Boogie fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

Art lovers will be flocking to Newcastle this month to see a "magical new" exhibition by top Japanese artists Yoshitomo Nara.

From June 14th to October 26th Nara's unique village of characters will be on display in a collection that aims to transform mundane everyday activities into intriguing works of art.

At the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, on South Shore Road in Gateshead, the artist's 'graf' exhibition will explore the "tensions of a hyper consumer culture'.

Kristin Chambers, who has curated Nara's work in the past, said of the characters: "Their direct gazes and impish grins suggest that although they're young and darling, these kids sense what the world has in store for them."

The event is taking place as part of Newcastle's city-wide East' 08 festival, which is being billed as a "world-class celebration of contemporary Asian culture" in the north-east of England.

Deliberately timed to coincide with the year that Beijing is playing host to the Olympic Games, the initiative promises to bring a whole array of music, dance and art from Asia to England.

Art fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier

© Adfero Ltd

Credit cards at the ready - Tyne and Wear is launching its first festival of shopping this year.

Between Saturday May 24th and June 8th, the festival will take over shops, town centres and department stores across the region, providing visitors with a retail therapy-heaven.

During the three-week long extravaganza a range of events will take place including 'Sunderland rocks in style', 'Beat the Stylist' and a Fashion Show in Newcastle city centre, showcasing the work of the region's top designers.

Between May 26th and June 2nd the 'Beat the stylist' event, which will be held at the Royal Quays Outlet Centre, will provide budding designers with the chance to promote their own talents.

Meanwhile, a series of activities will take place throughout the festival under the umbrella of the 'The art of shopping' project.

This series will take place in Eldon Square, Newcastle and feature a whole variety of "surprising goings-on" for fashionistas to enjoy during their trip to the city.

Shopping fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

Music fans looking for some fun and largely free action will be heading to the SummerTyne event in Gateshead this month.

At the iconic Sage centre, which is located on the banks of the River Tyne and is a two-minute walk from Newcastle city centre, the programme of entertainment will run from now until July 27th.

Featuring concerts, salsa workshops and a celebration of the building of Newcastle and Gateshead's eighth bridge, which is made out of bamboo, the SummerTyne is as much about the region's culture as it is about music.

Highlights of the programme include a performance by the Young Sinfonia Strings on Monday July 21st in Hall Two and a Capoeira Workshop at 1000 BST on Tuesday July 22nd at the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.

The event's organisers say: "SummerTyne is part of NewcastleGateshead's world-class festivals and events programme, managed by culture10, based at NewcastleGateshead Initiative."

Music fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

Architecture-enthusiasts will be heading to Newcastle next month to celebrate one of the nation's most-iconic roadside landmarks.

The Angel Party will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the huge Angel of the North structure, which drivers can not fail to miss as they drive past Newcastle.

Between 11:00 BST and 18:00 BST revellers will gather around the structure for a party that will feature live music, theatre, angel art and song writing workshops.

The two football pitches, which surround Antony Gormley's creation, will serve as the central ground for the celebrations.

On these sports fields, food and drinks stalls will refresh party-goers, while film screenings will also take place, illustrating the diversity of the event.

The angel first spread her wings in February 2008 and since then has become one of the most talked about pieces of public art ever produced in the UK.

Event organisers say of the party: "This is set to be the highlight of the summer, with family and friends coming together for an amazing celebration."

Architecture fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd

After a sold-out run on the West End, Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox is set to hit Newcastle next month.

On August 10th the play will wow audiences with its "adrenaline-fuelled expose" of the teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl.

The show is the creation of author and stand-up performer Eoin Colfer, who was the first writer to win a Herald Angel Award for Performance at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004.

VisitNewcastle says: "This show is a must for Artemis Fowl fans of all ages."

On his website Colfer claims that he will keep writing until "people stop reading or I run out of ideas".

"Hopefully, neither of these will happen anytime soon," the Wexford-born author adds.

The play will run at the Journal Tyne Theatre, which is located a few miles from Newcastle Central Station, and tickets cost £8.50.

Other shows playing at the theatre in coming months include Barney Live and CBeebies at the Theatre.

Theatre fans can stay at Thistle Newcastle, which with online price check and booking facilities, couldn't be easier.

© Adfero Ltd