Stockton Stages: Seven things to look forward to

Stockton Stages music and comedy festival returns for its third year from Thursday 6 June - Saturday 8 June with a range of exciting free and ticketed live performances at venues across Stockton.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "Stockton is home to some excellent live music and comedy venues and there's no better place to see the range of talented acts during Stockton Stages. 

"There'll be performances for adults and children alike as well as free entertainment for families at the weekend so make sure you come along to enjoy all that's on offer."

Here are just seven performances to enjoy:

How to Make a Killing in Bollywood
Thursday 6 June, ARC
7pm
Pay what you decide

Disillusioned with his job in a takeaway, and daydreaming of a different life, out of work actor Raza and his best friend Gurjit decide to head to Bollywood in search of fame, fortune and themselves.

Full of upbeat and familiar Bollywood songs and spectacular dance routines, this funny story - with a twist - will have spectators on the edge of their seats.

Mike McGrother presents: Joe's Speakeasy 'Re-imagining The Globe'
Friday 7 June, Town Centre Marquee
1.30pm - 3.30pm
FREE

Joe's Speakeasy is a weekly gathering where memories of the Tees Valley's past are shared around a pub table. Led by Wildcats of Kilkenny frontman Mike McGrother, stories are reinterpreted into songs and enjoyed by old and young.

Joe's Speakeasy heads into the Stages marquee where Mike and his regulars invite you to tell your stories of The Globe and Stockton's other dance halls and venues of days gone by.  All are welcome. Children to be accompanied by adults.

Live Music

Town Centre Marquee
Friday 7 June, 7pm - 11pm
FREE

Thrilling live performances throughout the evening:

• 7pm - 8pm - Los Capitanes
  A three-piece Latin style acoustic band playing an eclectic range of covers.

• 8.30pm - 9.30pm - The Funk Collective
  Six funky musicians from the North with a passion for 60's soul, 70's disco, 80's electro-funk and everything in between.

• 10pm - 11pm - Hip Hop Hooray
  This inimitable eight-piece provide the very best classic hip-hop covers.

Live family comedy
Town Centre Marquee
Saturday 8 June, 10am - 3pm
FREE

Enjoy a selection of the best family comedy acts from the national circuit:

Stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter Ben Van der Velde spreads joy and nonsense, while guitarist and comedian Jay Foreman presents his unique mix of live music and sit down comedy. There'll be magic comedy and spoof mind-reading from El Baldiniho and wrestler-turned-comedian Lee Kyle will entertain all ages.

Satellite Stages
Town Centre Marquee
Saturday 8 June, 10.30am - 3.30pm
FREE

Enjoy an array of live music at venues across the town centre, including: The Shambles, Fountain Shopping Mall, Panico's, Wellington Square, the Storytellers and the Clock Tower.

Live Music
Town Centre Marquee
Saturday 8 June, 5pm - 11pm
FREE

Join a night of live music including:

• 5pm - 6pm - Phat Tyrtles
  Step back in time with the Phat Tyrtles. Playing well known numbers by The Beatles, The Stones and The Kinks along with obscure tracks from the likes of The Everly Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Beach Boys as well as some 60's classic hits.

• 6.30pm - 7.30pm - Big Red and the Grinners
  Featuring banjo, accordion, double bass, acoustic guitars and percussion, Big Red and The Grinners move seamlessly from the likes of Technotronic's 'Pump Up the Jam' to Tony Rice's bluegrass classic 'Freeborn Man', or from Jay Z's '99 Problems' to Kelly Joe Phelps' masterpiece 'Window Grin'. An unmissable act.

• 8pm-9pm - More Commitments
  Fans of the film, Motown and soul rejoice as the ultimate Commitments tribute band returns.

• 9.30pm - 10.45pm - Solid Gold ABBA
  Solid Gold ABBA have entertained the nation for longer than ABBA existed and have become known as the UK's ultimate ABBA Tribute band. Perfect for those looking for an excuse to party, reminisce or simply be entertained by some of the best music ever written.

Raise A(nother) Glass with Mike McGrother
ARC
Saturday 8 June, 8pm
Pay what you decide

Join Mike McGrother for another unforgettable evening of storytelling and prepare to meet some (extra)ordinary Teesside men and women as their lives are re-told through songs, stories and visual projection.

For the full Stockton Stages line-up and more information visit www.stocktonstages.co.uk