There are music events taking place throughout this week, from free lunchtime concerts, to midweek evening gigs to help you through the week, and weekend music events to fill your Saturday.

We've also rounded up some theatre and comedy events in Durham too. Take a look below for the best music, theatre and comedy taking place this week, April 1-7 2019.

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#1: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, Newton Aycliffe

The Turbinia in Newton Aycliffe is hosting its usual Hilarity Bites comedy club, which brings some of the best comedy talent to the region. On Wednesday April 3, it's the turn of Andrew O'Neill and Archie Maddocks, with host Lou Conran.

Edinburgh Festival magazine Three Weeks describes Andrew O'Neill as 'clever comedy for those who like their laughs original, off-kilter and cliche-free'. West End theatre reviewer Broadway Baby calls Archie Maddocks 'poignant, inventive and razor sharp', while the Edinburgh Guide says that Lou Conran is 'as filthy as she is fabulous, Lou Conran is a superlative storyteller'.

Doors are 7.30pm, and tickets cost £6 plus 60p booking fee. You can purchase tickets* from the official booking page.

Then on Saturday April 6 Hilarity Bites is at the Forum Music Centre in Darlington, and features Nick Doody, Phil Cooper, Stanley Brooks, and host Will Duggan. Will Duggan was Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner 2014, while Stanley Brooks was Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2016 runner-up. Of Phil Cooper, Fosters Comedy says he 'makes comedy look simple, a true talent', and Nick Doody was Dave Gorman tour support.

Doors are 7.30pm, and tickets cost £10 plus £1 booking fee. You can purchase tickets* from the official booking page.

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#2: Martin Carthy, Durham Old Laundrette

This is a big one. On Thursday April 4, Durham Old Laundrette on Marshall Terrace in Gilesgate Moor (DH1 2HX) is hosting Martin Carthy. The BBC describes Martin Carthy as an 'English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon'.

Doors are 7pm, and tickets* cost £20 plus £2 booking fee from the official booking page.

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#3: Beccy Owen, Durham Old Laundrette

Another big gig at the Durham Old Laundrette, North East-based singer songwriter Beccy Owen has developed quite a following for her beautiful music.  It takes place on Saturday April 6 and doors are at 7pm.

Tickets* cost £15 plus £1.50 booking fee from the official booking page.

#4: Spem in Alium, Durham Cathedral

A magnificent concert in a magnificent setting. Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey will recognise the main music. You can read the full write-up in our Durham Cathedral Spem in Alium story.

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#5: Evita, Durham Gala Theatre

The Gala Theatre is hosting Evita, the story of Argentine political leader, Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine dictator, Juan Peron, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the 'spiritual leader of the nation' by the Argentine people.

Evita is performed by Durham Musical Theatre Company and is on from Tuesday April 2 to Saturday April 6, at 7pm with 2pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets cost £18-£19.50.

You can purchase tickets from the official booking page.

#6: Royal Opera House La Forza del Destino, Witham Theatre

Christof Loy directs a star-studded cast of singers, including Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tezier, in Verdi's epic opera, conducted by Antonio Pappano.

Leonora falls in love with Don Alvaro, but when her father forbids their marriage, a fatal accident triggers a drama of obsession, vengeance and tragedy in Verdi's epic La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) opera.

It's on Tuesday April 2 at 6.15pm. Tickets are £15, £13 for 16 and under, and £10 for 11 years and under.

They can be bought from the official booking page.

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#7: Andrew Johnson Out Before Nine album launch, Stockton

The Hamilton Russell Arms in Thorpe Thewles, Stockton on Tees is the meeting point for the launch event for Teesside-based singer songwriter Andrew Johnson's album 'Out Before Nine'. However, the gig isn't actually at the Hamilton Russell Arms pub in Thorpe Thewles, which is only the meeting point. Wear comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and a good pair of shoes to walk in.

The Out Before Nine album launch event will last approximately 90 minutes and there will be some light physical exertion. A copy of the album and other exclusive goodies are included in the ticket price. Children under 14 welcome if accompanied. For more information call 01740 630757.

It's on Sunday April 7 with doors at 8am. Tickets cost £10 plus £1 booking fee.

You can purchase tickets* from the official booking page.

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#8: Black is the Color of my Voice, Witham Theatre

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, 'Black Is The Color Of My Voice' follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist seeking redemption after the untimely death of her father.

Direct from sell-out performances in Shanghai, New York and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Apphia Campbell embarks on her debut UK tour.

Black is the Color of my Voice is on Thursday April 4 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8-10 from the official booking page.

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#9: Ushaw Jazz: Ushaw Ensemble, Ushaw

Originally formed to perform a specially commissioned suite to celebrate the life and story of St Cuthbert, the Ushaw Ensemble is made up of the very best musicians from the North East. The performance is on Thursday April 4 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10, under 18s £1, available on the door.

#10: Askew Sisters, Witham Theatre

Emily and Hazel Askew have become known as two of the foremost performers and interpreters of English folk music. Both women are also skilled multi-instrumentalists and expert players of dance music, using fiddles, melodeons, concertina and cello. The Askew Sisters are on Friday April 5 at 8pm.

Tickets cost £13 in advance, £15 on the door, and can be bought on the official booking page.

#11: Funny Bones Comedy Club, Gala Theatre

The Gala Theatre is hosting top comedians on Friday April 5. It features Noel James, Tom King, the personable and amusing Jack Topher and Manchester-based MC Big Lou.

Tickets cost £8.50 from the official booking page.

#12: Crook and Weardale Choral Society: An Evening of English Music, Ushaw

A concert of beautiful English choral, vocal and organ music from the last century with a well known and admired local choir. The programme includes Parry's 'I was Glad', Vaughan Williams' 'Five Mystical Songs', Stainer's 'God so loved the world', and Parry's 'Blest Pair of Sirens'. It's on Saturday April 6 at 7pm and tickets cost £5, on the door or soon from the Ushaw website.

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#13: The Comedy Store, Gala Theatre

Featuring MC Andrew Ryan, Nico Yearwood, Daisy Earl and John Lynn, the Comedy Store is on Sunday April 7 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £11, £9 concessions, and £8 for students and Gala Members.

Tickets are available on the official booking page.

#14: Hot Club du Nord, Gala Theatre

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord brings to life the classic 1930s and 40s repertoire of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's Hot Club de France. It's on Friday April 5 at 1pm.

Tickets cost £5 from the official booking page.