INCOMING

“I think my horror films have actually influenced psychoanalysis…”
David Willoughby has snared an interview with director David Cronenberg ahead of the release of his new film, A Dangerous Method, which examines the early days of psychoanalysis.
Click here for his words of wisdom…

This looks really canny…
First In 3 is a cabaret show at Northern Stage showcasing the best in new writing, comedy, theatre, dance, music and plenty of other interesting stuff besides. February’s event seeks to interrogate the relationship between performer and audience with nine bite-sized events. We particularly like the look of: “I can see better from here” (Tender Buttons will be presenting extracts of material from their forthcoming production of Susan Sontag’s Alice In Bed in the form of an interactive performance installation) and “His Master’s Voice…” (You are sitting in a theatre, you begin to read the blurb for the piece you're about to see when you notice that familiar voice in your head saying “You are sitting in a theatre, you being to read the blurb for the piece you’re about to see when you notice that familiar voice in your head saying...” by Tom Walton).

First In 3, Northern Stage , Newcastle, February 16, 7.30pm, £4.50

The UK’s best orchestras! Five quid!
Gala Theatre in Durham is taking part in a pioneering digital project that will see music from some of the UK’s best orchestras brought to region. The project, which aims to reach new audiences in the north-east, will use the latest digital technology to stream concerts by some of the country’s most exciting orchestras direct to Gala’s main auditorium from around the UK. The concerts will be shown on the big screen and will also be available to view live online and to download. The first concert is by Aurora Orchestra on Saturday February 25 and you can find more info HERE .

Attention local bands!
Fancying playing at Evolution Emerging, 2012’s biggest event for new music? Over 25 emerging north-east artists will be playing alongside big headliners at six venues in the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle on Friday June 1, in advance of this year’s Evolution Festival. All you have to do to apply to play is submit a track to the organisers, by February 24, to this site HERE .

Understand the opposite sex!
The mysteries behind the battle of the sexes will finally be revealed in Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Kind of. Based on John Gray’s best selling book of the same name, this hilarious show promises to provide audiences with the key to understanding the opposite sex with the witty one-man show taking the audience through a series of everyday situations, looking at why they can be so frustrating and what we can do to make them better…

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Saturday February 11, Gala Theatre , Durham, 7.30pm, £15/£13.

Fancy being in a film?
TallManShortMan Films are on the look out for people interested in appearing in their latest short film, Tackle. It concerns Daniel who faces the consequences of coming out as being gay not only to his family and friends but also his Sunday League football team-mates. The production company are casting for the roles of Daniel, his best friend Bobby and other supporting roles. They require male actors aged 16-20, who can play football… Auditions will be held at Biscuit Tin Studios in Newcastle this February. Please contact Jamie to express your interest:  tallmanshortmanfilms@googlemail.com

Is it just us, or are there some particularly amazing gigs coming up at The Sage?
It’s true! We’re chomping at the bit for a piece of Laura Veirs (with her jaunty new folk songs – February 2); The Floating Palace (curated by renowned English eccentric Robyn Hitchcock, The Floating Palace is an intimate evening of free-wheeling musical collaboration with KT Tunstall (pictured), Martin Carthy, Krystle Warren, Eliza Carthy and Howe Gelb – February 6); Moishe’s Bagel (An intoxicating, life-affirming mix of Eastern European dance music, Middle Eastern rhythms and virtuoso performances – February 12); and Lambchop (led by the brilliant and enigmatic Kurt Wagner, Nashville-based Americana music pioneers, Lambchop return on the back of their hotly anticipated new record ‘Mr. M’ – March 3). All the details of these AND MORE from their website .

Hey! Win tickets for the Kerrang! Tour!
The Kerrang! annual tour is always just the job for those of us who are in need of a healthy chunk of mega-watt mayhem to help us on our way. And their February bash looks set to be a real doozy as it’s being headlined by two of the biggest names in pop/punk, namely New Found Glory and Sum 41. (For more info on the tour go to: www.relentlessenergy.com )
WIN: We’ve got two pairs of tickets for this gig and you can nab a couple if you can tell us which country Sum 41 hail from. Send your contact details and answer to  info@thecrackmagazine.com (with “Kerrang! Comp” in the subject line).

Kerrang! Tour, Sunday February 12, O2 Academy , Newcastle, 7pm, £20.

Meditation, meditation, lunchtime meditation is what you need...
For health and happiness let Little Yogi be your guide to inner something or other. Here's his rather wonderful ten minute lunch-time relaxation Click here >>