There's always plenty happening in and around Newcastle as the city is known as a party hot-spot with lots of choice for things to do no matter what night of the week it is - and we're not even talking about the range of bars and restaurants to pick from.
So, that means there's always guaranteed to be something to suit all tastes.
We regularly draw up a list of ideas of where to go and what to see if you find yourself at a bit of a loose end and our current top five suggestions for this weekend has something - hopefully - for everyone.
There's dance, comedy, music, musical fun and sci-fi drama.
Dance to the Music
The Playhouse, Whitley Bay
Bringing a touch of glamour to the coast on Wednesday will be former Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff, Robin Windsor and Oksana Platero.
This 7.30pm show has been created by dancer and choreographer Rihanoff and will see her team up with ex-dance partner Windsor as well as Platero and husband Jonathan.
Joining them will be a full cast of dancers plus entertainers Chris Maloney - an X Factor finalist - and singer-songwriter Beth Sherburn.
Fans can expect all styles of dancing, starting from the roaring twenties and including tap and Charleston; Argentine Tango; Lindy Hop and jive, waltz, disco, breakdancing, ballet and modern ballroom.
Tickets are available to meet the cast too. See here.
Bright Club
The Stand
The Newcastle comedy club is this time hosting a “thinking person’s stand-up night” and that means local academics are out to raise the laughs.
They will be taking to the stage on Tuesday to perform comic routines centred around their research and the event is being billed as “funny and fascinating in equal measure” as well as a “night out unlike any other”.
Doors will open at 7pm for an 8.30pm showcase of comedy, music, new writing, research and performance.
See here.
Rock School Festival: Raindance Maggie
02 Academy, Newcastle
From 6.30pm on Tuesday a mixed bag of music will be on offer at this showcase of performances by bands from Churchill Community College; Kenton School; St Thomas More in North Shields plus Burnside; St Mary’s; Seaton Burn and George Stephenson high schools.
That’s a lot of schools and a lot of local talent on show.
For ticket details see here.
Shrek the Musical
Sunderland Empire
Based on the Oscar-winning film from DreamWorks, this stage production turns the fairytale world upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy. Audiences can tag along as Shrek (Steffan Harri) and his loyal steed Donkey set off on their quest to rescue to Princess Fiona (Laura Main) from her tower. But the pair will have to overcome a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon; vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad; a gang of fairytale misfits, and even a biscuit with attitude.
The adventure, which promises a treat for all ages, will run until Sunday at 7pm nightly (5pm Sunday) with matinees at 2.30pm on Saturday and 1pm on the last day.
Tickets available here.
The War of The Worlds
Northern Stage
The Newcastle theatre’s production of H.G. Wells’ classic revives the scary scenario of invisible missiles with an invading force of Martians hurtling through space en route to Earth. This new adaptation by Laura Lindow, set in the North East, charts the fortunes of a band of survivors as they battle against the devastation and destruction of their planet by the unseen enemy. The inventive re-telling of a sci-fi classic runs at the theatre until Saturday.
See here for ticket details.
