The region will be paying homage to the Emerald Isle this month when the 23rd Irish Festival takes place at the Tynside Irish Centre in Newcastle. A diverse range of Irish performers, from musicians to poets, make up this year's line up, including Seamus Heaney, Sailorette and the Sean Keane Band. For full listings, log on to www.tynesideirish.com
Where: Various
When: Oct 10 - 25
Price: Various
Contact: (0191) 222 0398
Alesha Dixon will take a break from her Strictly judging duties this month to perform at Newcastle's City Hall. The nimble-footed songstress will be performing material from her smash hit solo album which has sold almost 750,000 copies and includes the singles, The Boy Does Nothing and Breathe Slow.
Where: City Hall, Newcastle
When: Oct 28
Price: £20.50
Contact: (0191) 261 2606
Hot on the heels of a sell-out American tour, Eddie Izzard is returning to the UK with his new show, Stripped. Eddie, who is widely recognised as one of the foremost stand-ups of his generation, is best known for his surreal comic narratives. See what's been floating around the award-winning comedian's head recently when he performs two nights at the Metro Radio Arena this month.
Where: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
When: Oct 29 - 30
Price: £30
Contact: 08444 936 666
Goya's Prison is a new exhibition at The Bowes Museum that concentrates on a particularly troubled period in the artist's life. Late in 1792, Goya became severely ill, and even though he eventually recovered, he was left profoundly deaf. During the period of recuperation, he produced a set of small cabinet paintings on tin plates that were to define the rest of his career. Interior of a Prison, one of this series of work, is currently on show at the museum, along with a number of other references to Goya's life, including work by Reynolds, Ramsay and Tiepolo.
Where: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
When: Till April 11
Price: Adults, £7, concessions, £6, children, free
Contact: (01833) 690606
Stepping up to The Barre
City Scene
The One And Only
On The Run
Halloween Food and Drink
Insight
First impressions count 
Artworks
Treatment
