SOME of the biggest names in dance music are coming to the region next month.

North-East house music pioneer Shindig is celebrating 12 years in clubland with an open-air party for 6,500 people.

The event, part of the Orange Evolution festival, will be held in Times Square, next to the Centre for Life, in Newcastle, and will feature Scooby from Shindig, plus DJs Erick Morillo, Yousef, Sandy Rivera and Steve Lawler.

It follows the success of an outdoor party held outside the Baltic arts centre, in Gates-head, last Easter.

Festival co-ordinator Jim Mawdsley said: "Last year's party at Baltic Square on the banks of the Tyne was a great site and an amazing event, but many people were disappointed as they just could not get tickets.

"This year, by holding the party at Times Square, we have doubled our capacity, with 6,500 tickets available."

Maureen Dixon, Orange regional public relations and sponsorship manager, said: "Shindig is one of the highlights of Orange Evolution and this year promises to be better than ever before, with one of the most impressive line-ups ever. It will certainly be the hottest ticket at the festival this year."

Orange Evolution's May Bank Holiday Clubber's Bonanza begins on Saturday, May 1.

Shindig's 12th birthday party will take place place on Sunday, May 2, in Times Square, Newcastle, from 6pm to midnight.

Tickets, priced £27, are available from Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0001.

For festival details, visit the www.orangeevolution.co.uk website.

Published: 13/04/2004