An inaugural event championing independent food and drink producers will give visitors the chance to take a trip around the world – without leaving the North East.

The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall, Church Bank, Jarrow , on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, with a feast of a programme packed with fine food and music – along with the opportunity to test out the products from craft breweries and distilleries.

Festival organisers Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle (STAN), has teamed up with street food vendors Geordie Bangers – which has a range of gin and bourbon sausages – PHI Pies, which offers traditional Greek cuisine including pork and chicken gyros and vegetarian options, and Caribbean street food experts, The Calabash Tree run by former County Durham fire fighter Ryan McVay.

Dave Eason operations manager for events and campaigns at Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle said: “We’ve got some amazing talent here in the north east and we’re hosting this event at our Jarrow Hall venue to help showcase it and any money raised in profit will be ploughed back into Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle our community focused social enterprise.

“We have an eclectic mix of musical maestros, diverse food and beers brewed here in the North East and North Yorkshire.

The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. Autumn Brewing Co.
The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. Autumn Brewing Co.

“We’re collaborating with Little Black Dog Beer, which is producing an American Pale Ale; New World Pale Ale and Stout specifically for Flavours and Beats.

“We’ll also feature an Around the World Gin bar with tipples from all corners of the globe, including Tarquin’s Cornish Navy SeaDog Gin – voted “Best Gin” at the San Francisco World Spirits event, which is the Oscars of the spirits world.”

Participants include Dark Steam Division run by well-known Durham-based business man Marc Gordon of North East Expo fame and his son an ex-army commando and Iraq-based body guard Marcus, bringing along their coffee van, which will offer signature coffees along with its “grown-up” range, including coffee blends with Irish Cream, Amaretto, whisky, orange liqueur hot chocolates and expresso Martinis.

Topping the list of acts on Friday are North East cover band Rivelino and popular local band, Dead Man’s Shoes. Confirmed for Saturday’s line up is South Shields -born Sonny , who’s making waves in the music industry after releasing his debut single, Princess, on Spotify, Soundcloud and Apple Music – and is supporting Gabrielle Aplin on her UK tour.

The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. Sonny.
The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. Sonny.

Sonny said: “It’s great to be coming back to my home town after travelling the country.

“I’m really looking forward to what promises to be a great event – and one that champions independents.”

Globally-recognised DJ Jay Stone, from Newcastle – who’s played alongside David Guetta, Brandon Block and The Freemasons – will bring his unique mash-up and funky style to both nights.

Autumn Brewing Co will also be at the event, with its range of gluten-free beers for drinkers suffering from coeliac disease. The business was set up by Peter Briggs who brews the beers in County Durham.

Spirit of Hven Organic Gin, which is made on the island of Hven in Öresund, between Denmark and Sweden, will also be available, as well as rhubarb gin and London dry gin from The Spirit of Harrogate gin company.

Andrew Watts, Chief Executive of Groundwork STAN, said: “We’re delighted to be working on what promises to be a fantastic event showcasing some of the best talent in music, food and drink.

The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. The Calabash Tree food.
The Flavours and Beats Festival will be held at Jarrow Hall. The Calabash Tree food.

“Our team have been working hard behind the scenes to deliver a whole range of new events at Jarrow Hall and this promises to kick off a new era for events at the site.”

Tickets cost £6 and include a complimentary arrival drink, with the event running from 6pm to midnight. They are on sale now and can be purchased in person from Jarrow Hall Reception or online at: https://is.gd/83opEZ

Additionally plans for the next 12 months are set include the return of popular cultural historian and BBC broadcaster Dr Janina Ramirez in May 2018, new and exciting breeds of livestock including ponies, outdoor productions of As You Like It and The Importance of Being Ernest and exciting developments and family fun around the Jarrow Festival and Dragon Parade.