Jam on Toast

Fresh Junk and Aamina Stenhouse have joined forces to bring you Jam On Toast, a space for dancers and musicians to meet, exchange knowledge and jam.

The evening is split into two, with a dance workshop followed by an open styles jam - accompanied with live musicians! The Jam is open styles which means that any dancer of any background can join in. We welcome those with and without experience and foster a space for connection and exchange.

Workshop

House Of All

A valentine for black hearts! An electric array of magic sounds! The shock return of a missing legend! The surprise formation of HOUSE Of ALL by five former members of The Fall was bound to provide some pleasant surprises, not the least of which being the creation of an identity distinct from that of any specific Fall line-up, and here the band offer an steep evolution of sound of their two previous albums . . . darker, more elliptic and can we say it? A more mystical sum of talents than most groups ever manage.

Σtella

Almost as soon as Stella Chronopoulou began writing Adagio, her fifth album as Σtella, she knew the time had finally come to sing in Greek, her native tongue. It would be a first. She started the record almost by accident in 2019, during an 11-hour boat ride to the island of Anafi. Σtella had recently gone through a patch of personal turmoil and needed a break from home. On the ferry, she pulled out her cell phone as the boat clipped through the Mediterranean and began with a simple melody, steadily piecing together a rough instrumental.

Unwound

Born in 1991 in the Pacific Northwest as the Riot Grrrl and grunge musico-social movements took hold of underground pop culture, Unwound leveled their small corner of the '90s punk scene with a scathing Future of What barrage in the brightest corners of the underground. One of the flagship bands of the Kill Rock Stars label, the band also released material on iconic labels such as Gravity, Troubleman Unlimited, and Matador over their initial 10 year run.

Murder Inc - The Improvised Murder Mystery

Every night it's a raucous, improvised, made-to-order murder with Murder Inc – where the audience chooses the setting, the characters, and even the motives.

Murder Inc have returned from their stellar stint at Edinburgh Fringe and now the North of England's funniest criminals are back. Murder Inc have been performing regular monthly shows to sold-out crowds in Manchester and Leeds for over nine years and invite you to join us once again for a theme that changes every month.

SEND Next Choices - Getting ready for adult life 2025

SEND Next Choices - Getting ready for adult life is returning to Leeds first direct arena on Tuesday 24th June 2025!

The event is an opportunity for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents, carers, support workers and teachers to prepare themselves for adult life. You will be able to find out about jobs, training, apprenticeships, college courses, voluntary work, leisure activities, finances, support and benefits available in Leeds. Over 70 organisations will be there on the day with support and information.

Our City, Our Lives, Our Stories

Join us for a celebration of a city and its people. 

With a Pan-African outlook, this anthology includes narratives from people born in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Zimbabwe, as well as those born, raised or living in Yorkshire of African diasporic descent.

Our City, Our Lives, Our Stories is the first anthology of writing about life in Leeds written entirely by writers of African descent

Who Am I - Music, Tales & Dances

Gnawa Manchester is defined as trance music from Morocco.  

The repetitive beats with the spiritual performance creates more than just a music genre! It is a deeply cultural tradition from the 11th Century.   

Zakaryae who plays the Gimbri (bass guitar) has brought this music to a modern audience in the UK by creating a band with a fusion twist of instruments incorporating Sub Saharan sacred traditions to Jazz and Blues mix. Gnawa music will take you on an elevated magical and mystical journey! 

LIAAF 2025 Press Launch

We’re proud to unveil the Leeds International African Arts Festival 2025 — a dynamic celebration of identity, heritage, and creativity rooted in the African diaspora.

We ask the questions that shape us — through music, art, fashion, and storytelling. Join us for the answers!

With special guests. Expect powerful performances and an exclusive preview of our 2025 programme.

RSVP by reserving your free ticket, see Tickets below.

Canned Heat Garden Party

The Garden Party returns on Saturday June 7th at Scott Hall Farm, a secluded 200-year-old Grade II listed farmhouse on the edge of Scott Hall Woods. It’s a 15-minute walk from Leeds City Centre and a short walk from Chapeltown, Meanwood and Woodhouse.

MUSIC & SOUNDSYSTEM

There will be music throughout the day and late into the evening, showcasing the mountain of local talent we have on our doorstep.

FOOD & DRINK

We will be joined by a variety of local street food vendors and there will be plenty of drink options, including alcohol free beverages.