EAST'08

In the year that China hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the North East will host a number of events ‘looking east’. As global markets and power shift eastwards, and as London prepares to receive the Olympic torch from Beijing, these events are designed to make connections with Chinese, Japanese and South Asian cultures and countries, and receive inspiration, ideas and co-operation from them.

EAST’08 will launch with the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations on Sun 10 Feb. Many of the first events within the programme will have a Chinese theme celebrating the best of contemporary Chinese culture. These include a photography exhibition and season of films at Side Cinema, indoor and outdoor screenings of Chinese artists’ film and video work around China Town, a dance event featuring the winner of the Chinese DMC Championships, and performances by Beijing Modern Dance Company and Shanghai Children’s Palace (see below).

In February The Sage Gateshead will present two performances by KODO Drummers as the first of a series of Japanese cultural events, celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the UK-Japanese cultural protocol.

Ticket prices vary, please contact event venues.

For full details please visit www.east08.com