Leeds Mind Charity Firewalk

Local mental health charity, Leeds Mind, is hosting an exciting firewalk event, right in the centre of Leeds. Join us outside Leeds Art Gallery (Victoria Gardens), for a memorable experience of walking barefoot across a bed of red-hot embers.

Training is provided from one of the UK’s leading firewalk companies, to get revved up and prepared for a fiery adventure. The fire is lit and participants will step-up to face the firewalk challenge one-by-one.

Poetry or Bust: Tony Harrison on the Trail of 'The Bingley Byron'

An oboe buried on a moor; a lichen-encrusted name carved into a rock; a lost grave; an empty plinth in a Bingley park; a chipped Burmantofts ceramic plaque...

This display tells the cautionary tale of ‘The Bingley Byron’, John Nicholson – and playwright and poet Tony Harrison’s efforts to bring his story to the stage.

John Nicholson was a woolsorter who achieved local fame as a poet in West Yorkshire in the 19th century, but was undone by a fatal combination of arrogance, pliability and drink.

Introduction to Bookbinding with Abbie Mooney

Starting with a simple notebook/zine and working through to a larger sketchbook featuring your own stitch design. This workshop is perfect for beginners and will equip you with the skills to bind books, whether that be for your own artwork or gifts to share with others.

You will leave the workshop with three hand-bound books and worksheets to keep you going at home. All materials and equipment included.

Please note - this workshop is for beginners but you must be 18+

Banned Books talk with Harry-Anne

Join publisher and librarian, Harry-Anne (Dragonhide Studios) for a talk about the past and present of book bans. Hear about the history of puritanism, anti-gay bans on children's books and the Nazi book burnings. Harry-Anne will chat about the modern British perspective including the social pressures and cyber bullying aspects of book banning.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A and you will be able to browse and purchase (banned!) books.

Queer Open Mic with Out + Loud

Out + Loud are back at the Bookish Type for another queer open mic!

As the winter evenings draw in, we’re thinking about what keeps us hopeful and connected. Come along and share something; personal, political, rage or joy, new words or old favourites to chase away wintery disillusionment.

To sign up to perform simply send us a message or email, there will also be a few spaces to sign up on the night if inspiration strikes. So whether you’re a poet, comedian, musician, or something else entirely, we’d love to have you perform with us!

Scrooge

Christmas has come early to Classics at the Cottage with a screening of Scrooge!

Ebenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly, miserly businessman, has no time for sentimentality and largely views Christmas as a waste of time. However, this Christmas Eve, he will be visited by three spirits who will show him the error of his ways.

Trading Places

Christmas has come early at Back at the Cottagewith a screening of Trading Places!

A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

1983 · 15 · 1hr 56min