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City Library will come alive in a night of performance on Saturday 19 May to celebrate this year’s Late Shows. From 7pm to 11pm tours of the building will be illustrated through contemporary dance performances by Dance City, including a peak behind the scenes.

Library staff will also be on hand to talk about the different parts of the building and the stories behind its design. There is no need to book for this event but places are limited. The tours start at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.

The Late Shows is an inspiring, after dark programme of events and exhibitions centering on the cultural venues in NewcastleGateshead that are usually closed in the evening. Find out more about the Late Shows.

The Late Shows marks the international event ‘Museums at Night’, which takes place across Europe.

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Monday 23 April 2012 is World Book Night. A million books will be given away across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the USA as part of an evening of events to celebrate books and reading. Twenty-thousand people have been recruited to distribute 24 free copies of their chosen book to members of the public across the world.

Schedule of events on Monday 23 April 2012

11am
The unveiling of the bronze sculpture of Mercutio by Lisa Delarney in the foyer of the Theatre Royal. Mercutio emerged as the region’s favourite Shakespeare character in a campaign led by the Theatre Royal and The Journal.

12noon – 1pm
The World Book Night Book Swap! Join staff from Newcastle Libraries outside the Theatre Royal and recycle a recommended read by passing it on to a complete stranger!  Share one of your unwanted books and spread the passion for reading.  Let us know what you picked up by tweeting @ToonLibraries on Twitter using the hashtag #worldbooknight.

5pm-7pm
The World Book Night Giveaway! Staff and volunteers will distribute free copies of new books around the city centre at the Tyneside Cinema, Theatre Royal, Eldon Square, coffee shops and restaurants.

5:30pm – 6:30pm
A music performance in the atrium of City Library by Silver Linings.

6:30pm – 8pm
Local actors from Spectrum Arts perform ‘Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits’ in City Library.

6:30pm – 7:15pm
Meet the author Adele Parks at City Library.

To book a free place at the Adele Parks author event please email information@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 2774100.

Live streams directly from events in London will be showing in the Bewick Hall in City Library
7:15pm – 9:15pm
Live footage from the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London of short readings and music by authors and celebrities.
9:30pm – 10:30pm
Live streaming of an open mic session with celebrities in London.
10:30pm – 11:30pm
Live streaming of the candlelight readings of Shakespeare’s sonnets overlooking the Thames.

To book a free place at the live streaming please email information@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 2774100.

Find out more about World Book Night 2012.

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Following the success of last year’s Mini-Comics at the  Canny Comic Con,  we are running another Mini-Comics making workshop on Saturday 21 April at Newcastle City Library. It’s free and open to all, regardless of age or prior comic making experience. Come along any time between 1pm and 5pm to give it a try.

Forget the superheroes! Mini-Comics can be about any subject you like…an illustrated diary, reviews of local events, poems, jokes, adventure stories or just your collected thoughts. They are small, easy, quick and fun to make!

Between 11:45am and 1pm, before the workshop starts, there will be some Comic Wisdom presentations from local comic creators Paul Thompson and Ingi Jensson. These will be about comics, visual story telling and styles. The talks are titled ‘Comics: Words + Pictures where Space = Time’ and ‘Embracing our own originality, the dangers involved’. Presentations are free, but pre-booking with the library is essential as spaces are limited. Book your place by phoning 0191 2774100 or by emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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