What’s on
Welcome to our events page! Please take a look at our rich and varied programme of events as listed below.
We do recommend booking your tickets in advance, either online or in person. If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, or if an event is sold out online, please contact the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 / library@litandphil.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
Although many events are free, The Lit & Phil depends on the support of members and guests to do its good work, and a minimum donation of £3 would be most welcome. Thank you!
Missed an online talk? Catch up on our YouTube channel – Subscribe and you’ll be updated every time we add new content.
Pierre Mignard’s portrait of the Marquise de Seignelay and Two of her Sons | Lecture
Monday 21st September | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Gail-Nina Anderson will explore the background and themes and places in the larger context of French 17th century art, looking at and Mignard’s career as a painter of portraits and religious works.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £6
Eveningtime Jazz | LEWIS WATSON: A JOHN COLTRANE CENTENARY CONCERT
Wednesday 23rd September | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Join John Coltrane fan and scholar Lewis Watson (tenor saxophone), Mark Williams (guitar), Andy Champion (double bass) and John Bradford (drums) to celebrate the life and music of John William Coltrane (born one hundred years ago today, 23 September 1926).
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £12
Local Voices | Poetry Readings
Thursday 24th September | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Join us for an evening of poetry on Thursday September 24th when Joan Johnston will be celebrating the launch of her recent poetry pamphlet ‘The Lay-by’ accompanied by readings from friends and fine local poets Catherine Ayres, Nev Clay, Kathleen Kenny, Pippa Little, Ally May, Steve Urwin and Ellen Phethean.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE
10 Week Drawing Class | Drawing From Scratch – Beginners Only!
Saturday 26th September | 9:45 am to Saturday 5th December | 11:45 am
This ten week course is to introduce you to the fundamental aspects of observational drawing, with Slade School of Art trained tutor and artist Nick Banks.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £100
North East Miners’ Memorials | By Ken Smith
Monday 28th September | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
This illustrated talk will throw the spotlight in particular on a selection of memorials to the men and boys who lost their lives in the numerous pit disasters. Some general memorials to the miners and their collieries would also be included.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5
8 Week Novel Writing Course | Tuesday Afternoons
Tuesday 29th September | 2:00 pm to Tuesday 24th November | 4:00 pm
Join tutor Ellen Phethean for an 8 week novel writing course, to explore techniques of novel writing including: Dialogue, Plotting, Character, and receive feedback on your work.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £140 (payable at first session)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Alison Gill performs George Crumb’s Makrokosmos Book 1
Friday 2nd October | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE (donations)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Zoe Gilby with Johnny Hunter + Andy Champion (Solo)
Friday 2nd October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £10 advance (£12 On The Door Subject To Availability)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Zoe Rahman Trio
Friday 2nd October | 8:00 pm to 9:45 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £18.00 (£22.00 On The Door Subject To Capacity)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Anemone Quartet + Jeppe Zeeberg
Saturday 3rd October | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £10 (£12.00 On The Door Subject To Availability)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Zbigniew Chojnacki, Manon McCoy & John Pope
Saturday 3rd October | 5:45 pm to 6:35 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £10 (£12.00 On The Door Subject To Availability)
Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 | Olie Brice Quartet + Alexander Hawkins + Harper Trio
Saturday 3rd October | 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm
We’re absolutely delighted to announce funding has been secured for Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 and gratefully acknowledge Arts Council England along with our partners and investors for their support. We’ve an amazing programme lined up and tickets are now on sale.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | Doors 6.45pm £14.00 (£16 on the door subject to availability)
Anthony Powell | Lecture
Monday 5th October | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thirty years ago, a major newspaper asked question – “Who is the greatest living novelist writing in English?” The responses were dominated by the US trio of Bellow, Updike and Roth, but among English-born novelists one name stood out – that of Anthony Powell.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £3
Halloween Thoughts | The Fairy, the Angel and the Nymph | Lecture Series 1 of 3
Monday 12th October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A series of three illustrated lectures on the visual history of some of our favourite traditional characters from beyond the bounds of our everyday experience by Gail-Nina Anderson.
Members’ priority booking till 14th September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £6
The Border Readers present | WORDS OF LOVE
Tuesday 13th October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Contemporary short stories about people in and out of love read by professional actors. A live audio event suitable for anyone 11 – 100 Lasts approx.1hr 50’, inclusive of interval.
Members’ priority booking till 14th September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £7
Halloween Thoughts | The Devil, the Demon and the Vampire | Lecture Series 2 of 3
Monday 19th October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A series of three illustrated lectures on the visual history of some of our favourite traditional characters from beyond the bounds of our everyday experience by Gail-Nina Anderson.
Members’ priority booking till 21st September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £6
The Lives of Others | Adam Sisman in conversation with Keith Jewitt
Thursday 22nd October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Adam Sisman has spent half a lifetime writing biography, of subjects ranging from Wordsworth and Coleridge to John le Carré. Join Keith Jewitt in discussion with Adam as they talk about his wide range of works.
Members’ Priority booking until 24th September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £7/£5
Halloween Thoughts | The Ghost, the Skull and the Sheet | Lecture Series 3 of 3
Monday 26th October | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A series of three illustrated lectures on the visual history of some of our favourite traditional characters from beyond the bounds of our everyday experience by Gail-Nina Anderson.
Members’ priority booking till 28th September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £6
Nunkie Theatre Company presents | Dead Men’s Eyes | Two Ghost Stories by M R James
Friday 30th October | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Two chilling and thrilling tales from M R James, the master of the English ghost story. Performed by R M Lloyd Parry.
Members priority until 28th September
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £15 / £12 concession
Lunchtime Classical Concert | Mike Gerrard and David Murray
Friday 13th November | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Come to this incredible concert and join Mike Gerrard (viola) and David Murray (piano) who will be performing Shostakovich Viola sonata.
Members’ priority booking till 16th October
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE
Lunchtime Jazz | Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion: The Music of Duke Elligton
Friday 20th November | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
At this Jazz at the Lit & Phil lunchtime concert, award-winning vocalist Zoë Gilby and renowned bassist Andy Champion will perform a selection of Ellington’s many signature compositions.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £8
Books on Tyne | An Evening with Trevor Wood In conversation with David Whetstone
Tuesday 24th November | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Newcastle based crime-writer Trevor Wood will be talking to David Whetstone about his work and, in particular, his latest crime novel, The Angel of Death as part of 2026 Book on Tyne.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £7
Books on Tyne | The Jack Common Archive at Newcastle University
Thursday 26th November | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Join rare book dealer and actor, Neil Pearson and freelance historical researcher Peter Mitchell for a conversation exploring a remarkable new addition to Newcastle University Special Collections & Archives as part of 2026 Book on Tyne.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5
Hadrian’s Wall: Exploring the Past, Present and Future of the Roman Stronghold | Lecture
Wednesday 2nd December | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
What DID the Romans ever do for us? This isn’t just a story of imperium and of empire – it’s your story too.
Members’ priority until 2nd November
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £3
Bright Sparks: University of Sunderland Research Talks: connecting research, people and place.
Tuesday 8th December | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Join University of Sunderland researchers and creative practitioners to find out more about the Sunderland artist Audrey Amiss (1933-2013), who was until recently relatively unknown.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5 (Students Free)
HA Lecture | Fighting for Hitler, Murdering for Hitler: The Waffen-SS and the Holocaust
Thursday 21st January 2027 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A three part lecture series brought to you by the Historical Association. This lecture will be given by Ben Shepherd of Glasgow Caledonian University.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5 (Free for HA members)
HA Lecture | A Peaceable Kingdom? Militarism in Britain between the Wars
Thursday 4th March 2027 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A three part lecture series brought to you by the Historical Association. This lecture will be given by Rowan Thompson of Northumbria University.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5 (Free for HA members)
HA Lecture | ‘Once Liquid with Pulped Men’s Bodies’: The Long History of Walking Battlefields, from the Middle Ages to Today
Monday 17th May 2027 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
A three part lecture series brought to you by the Historical Association. This lecture will be given by Sophie Ambler of Lancaster University.
A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5 (Free for HA members)
