The Durham music listings are full again this week. We've picked out the best live music in Durham plus standup comedy gigs and theatre performances.
County Durham is on the circuit for a lot of big name performers, but it also has lots of high quality local entertainment too. Here's our pick of Durham music and comedy for this week, July 8-14.
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Durham live music and theatre #1: Darlington Comedy Festival
The Darlington Comedy Festival is in full swing and this week has several standup gigs.
On Monday July 8 at the Old English Gentleman, Darlington Comedy Festival presents Matt Forde and The Delightful Sausage, with his political comedy show Brexit, Pursued by a Bear. The Telegraph last year said Matt Forde is "possibly the best political comedy show on the Fringe". Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm.
Tickets cost £5 plus 50p booking fee. You can purchase tickets* from the official booking page.
Then on Tuesday July 9 at 7.30pm is Gein's Family Giftshop and Rachel Fairburn. Gein's Family Giftshop won Audience Choice Award winner and Best Sketch Act at the London Sketchfest 2014. It was nominated for Best Newcomer in the prestigious Foster's Comedy Awards and was Chortle Best Newcomer 2015.
Tickets cost £5 plus 50p booking fee. You can purchase tickets* from the booking page.
On Wednesday July 10 at 7.30pm it's the turn of Alun Cochrane and Tom Taylor at the Darlington Comedy Festival. Alun Cochrane's show is Brave New Alun, and Tom Taylor's Is the Indie Feel-Good Hit of the Summer.
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Tickets* cost £5 plus 50p booking fee on the booking website.
Finally, on Sunday July 14 it's the turn of Scott Bennett and Ruth Cockburn, doors .
Scott Bennett's show is We Are All Born Artists, which was Best show Nominee Leicester Comedy Festival 2019, and Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee.
Ruth Cockburn's show is Knees Bent, Bras off, Ra Ra Ra! Like all family parties there are weird traditions, songs, games and drama. At the party you will hear family secrets, sing along to songs and learn new traditions.
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Durham live music and theatre #2: Pramkicker, Durham Cafedral
The Cafedral on Owengate, next to Palace Green, hosts Pramkicker by Sadie Hasler on Wednesday July 10, doors 7pm.
One day, in a cafe full of 'yummy mummies', Jude loses the plot and kicks a pram. Then gets arrested. Then gets sent to anger management. Susie goes along for the ride and uses the opportunity to confess a secret.
Tickets* cost £10 plus £1 booking fee from the official booking page.
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Durham live music and theatre #3: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, Outstanding Arts Durham
On Thursday July 11, doors 7.30pm, is Hilarity Bites Comedy Club featuring Chris Washington and Jonny Pelham. Chris Washington: Raconteur has been described by Chortle as 'A mainstream comedy star in the making', while Jonny Pelham: Off Limits has been on Russell Howards Stand-up Central and Live From the BBC and got four stars from Chortle.
Tickets* cost £10 plus £1 booking fee from the booking site.
Durham live music and theatre #4: Hayley McKay, The Peoples Bookshop
Ahead of the Durham Miners Gala, Darlington based singer-songwriter Hayley McKay to perform an intimate acoustic American gig in the Peoples Bookshop. Hayley McKay has appeared at various festivals such as Glastonbury, Cornbury, Summertyne, Northumberland Live, Liverpool’s Folk on the Dock, Hardwick Live and Twisterella.
It's on Thursday July 11, doors 7.15pm.
Tickets* cost £10 plus £1 booking fee from the booking site.
Durham live music and theatre #5: Alice in Wonderland, Bowes Museum
The Castle Players perform Alice In Wonderland in the grounds of Bowes Museum, regardless of the weather. It's on Wednesday July 10 to Saturday July 13, at 2.30-5pm and 7.30-10pm.
Tickets cost between £10-15 from the booking site.
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Durham live music and theatre #6: Durham Brass Festival
Durham Brass Festival begins on Friday July 12, starting with a secret brass concert. You can read everything that's going on at our Durham Brass Festival page.
Durham live music and theatre #7: Showaddywaddy, Empire Theatre Consett
Formed in the 1970s, Showaddywaddy have sold more than 20 million records and toured the globe over four decades.
Showaddywaddy play the Empire Theatre Consett on Friday July 12 at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £23 from the booking page.
Durham live music and theatre #8: Gangsta Granny, Raby Castle
Raby Castle will be hosting a production by Heartbreak Productions of David Walliams' Gangsta Granny on Saturday July 13, at 5.30pm. Picnics are available to prebook and there will be food in the Walled Garden.
Tickets cost £15 adults, £10 children from the booking page.
Durham live music and theatre #9: Lipstick on your Collar, Empire Theatre Consett
Direct from London's West End, step back in time to the golden era of music from the 1950s and 60s. A full band will play hits from Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Cliff Richard and Cilla Black. It's on Saturday July 13 at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £21 or £20 concessions from the booking page.
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