If you're looking for live performances this week then we've got a few ideas for you to check out.

Whether it's classical music, an intimate acoustic gig, comedy, a play or a large-scale concert, the live music and theatre scene has plenty going on in Durham, and there are the venues to match. Here are five ideas for concerts and theatre events this week, March 4-10 2019.

The starred links below are affiliate - at no extra cost to you, ExplorAR receives commission, without which we couldn't keep this site running. We greatly appreciate it if you're able to use these links when you book. Thank you!

#1: Orchestra North East Russian Gala, Durham Gala Theatre

This should be an impressive concert. Orchestra North East plays large scale works as well as symphonies, choral works and concertos. On Sunday March 10 at 3pm, Orchestra North East is performing a Russian Gala at - appropriately - the Durham Gala Theatre. Works will include Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D, op.35, Borodin's In the Steppes of Central Asia, and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite. Star performers are violin soloist Anna-Liisa Bezrodny and conductor Michael Bawtree.

Tickets cost adults £16, concessions £14, students £8, and tickets for children aged 16 and under are £1. You can book tickets from the Gala Theatre box office on 03000 266600.

#2: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, The Turbinia

On Wednesday March 6 at 7.30pm, The Turbinia in Newton Aycliffe is hosting Hilarity Bites Comedy Club. This time, the comedians are Markus Birdman and George Egg, and the host is Tom Houghton. Markus Birdman has been an Amused Moose Best Show at the Edinburgh Festival Nominee 2015, a NZ Comedy Guild Nominee for Best International Act 2014, and a Time Out London Top Ten Comedians 2013.

Meanwhile, award-winning George Egg sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and 2018 and the Brighton Fringe 2017 and 2018 with his show which involved ingenious live cooking and laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy.

You can book your Hilarity Bites tickets* from the booking page.

#3: Durham Quintet, Palace Green

Part of Durham University Music Durham Lunchtime Concert Series, run by students from the Music Department but open to everyone, this Durham concert in the series features the Durham Quintet.

The concert takes place at the Durham University Music Department on Palace Green on Wednesday March 6; doors open at 1pm, the concert starts at 1.15pm and ends at 2pm. It's free entry.

#4: Divinity Wind Quintet, Hatfield College

Another enjoyable classical live music concert in Durham, the Divinity Wind Quintet will play a concert including Jacque Ibert’s Trois Pièces Brèves and August Klughardt’s Wind Quintet Op. 79.

The Divinity Wind Quintet is made up of talented students from a variety of years and degree subjects. The concert takes place at Hatfield Chapel on Friday March 8 at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). Tickets cost £4.50, students £4, and Music Durham members £3.50.

They can be purchased from the Music Durham website here.

#5: Acoustic Weller, Old Cinema Launderette

Love The Jam? Then this is the gig for you. In the lovely surroundings of the Old Cinema Launderette on Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate Moor, Mark Simpson plays a set of acoustic tunes from The Jam, Style Council and Paul Weller’s extensive solo material. Acoustic Weller comes to Durham on Friday March 8, doors at 7pm.

Tickets* are £12 (£13.20 including booking fee) from the official booking page.

#6: Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales, Gala Theatre Durham

Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales are back at the Gala Theatre following their successful show The Vaudevillians. The new show is called The Ginger Snapped, where music and mental health collide.

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales showcase music from their new album but Jinkx worries that her best years are behind her. In order to avoid a breakdown of diva proportions Major must act as both pianist and therapist to the Manic Miss Monsoon.

It takes place on Wednesday March 6 at 8pm, and tickets cost £18, £16 concessions. You can book tickets from the Gala Theatre box office on 03000 266600.