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What’s on this weekend

This week’s top pick

National Trust Festival of Walking - Sat Oct 22 - Sun Oct 23.

This weekend the National Trust introduces its first National Festival of Walking, with a host of ‘easy walks’ launched across the North East. Walks, wanders and rambles are planned at some of the Trust’s most iconic places, such as Hadrian’s Wall, Penshaw Monument and Lindisfarne Castle. Designed as self-led, the easy walks aim to provide fun for the family without the need for heavy walking boots or equipment. Each will have a key theme or story unique to the area, which can be downloaded along with a colour map, to help you navigate. This is the perfect opportunity to go out leaf-kicking and searching for conkers on an autumn walk.

Wallington Family Challenge Walk - Sat Oct 22 & Sun Oct 23. 11am-3pm.

Seaton Delaval Hall Bat Walk - Sun Oct 23. 5pm-7.30pm. Tickets: £5.

Seaton Delaval Hall Country and Coast Walk - Sun Oct 23. 11.30-2.30pm. Tickets: £2

Washington People and Places - Sun Oct 23. 10.30am.

To download maps visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast.

Museums and Exhibitions

Turner Prize Exhibition - Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. All weekend. 10am-6pm. Free entry.

Arguably the world’s most prestigious contemporary art award, presenting the best of British art. Established in 1984, the Turner is awarded to the best British artist under 50 for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding April 4 2011. This is the first year that the exhibition will be held outside of the Tate, London. This year’s exhibitors include sculptors Karla Black and Martin Boyce, along with painter George Shaw and Hilary Lloyd, who works with film.

Music

Polarsets - The Empire, Middlesbrough. Sat Oct 22. Tickets: £5.

Catch this young Tyneside three-piece who have been making waves with their highly accessible pop sound that references electro, dance and indie. Previously described as ‘deep-disco’ they will almost certainly appeal to fans of Friendly Fires and Calvin Harris. Touted by the likes of 6Music’s Tom Robinson.

Theatre

Happy As Larry - Northern Stage. Fri Oct 21 & Sat Oct 22. Tickets: £12.50-£20 adults; £10 students and childrens.

A playful, funny and poignant new dance show that explores the elusive nature of human happiness. Shaun Parker is the award winning Australian choreographer behind the show which combines a mix of ballet, break-dance, roller skating and contemporary dance. The Daily Telegraph described it as a dance hit, “so cutting edge that it actually wanders off the edge of the stage.”

Comedy

Paul Zerdin: Sponge Fest - Durham Gala Theatre. Sat Oct 22. 7.30pm. Tickets: £15; £13 concessions.

One of Britain’s most talented ventriloquists, Paul Zerdin was the stand-out performer at last year’s Royal Variety Performance, and has since gone on to sell-out a run of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Paul brings with him friends Sam, Albert and Baby for what promises to be a hilarious show. The Guardian said: “Technically immaculate, it’s what he does with his slick talent that really sets him apart.”

Cinema

Troll Hunter - Stockton ARC. Fri Oct 21 & Sat Oct 22. 8pm. Tickets: £6; £5 concessions.

A trio of college students in Norway set out on an expedition to find out what has been causing trouble in the forests and mountains. The government dismisses it as bears, but the team encounter a mysterious poacher, and soon learn about his interest in creatures that were only thought to have existed in fairy tales: trolls.

Food and Drink

Durham City Food and Drink Festival. Sat Oct 22 9am-5pm & Sun Oct 23 10am-4pm. Tickets: £2.50 adults; free for children under 16.

Enjoy the continental market situated in Durham Market Place that will bring together some together some of the produce and culinary fayre in the North East, as well as exotic world foods. A gourmet food marquee on Palace Green will feature Chef demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs and a wide range of events and entertainment throughout the weekend.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .