When we first pick up a camera, our main aim is usually to master the settings and learn how to compose a photograph. Once these techniques have been mastered, many will settle into a comfort zone, following the same processes over and over again, but then, they may find themselves becoming frustrated and end up in a creative rut.
There is so much more to discover about photography and this talk is a window into how we can tap into it.
Join Carolyn Mendelsohn as she shares the story of her journey into photography; exploring what drives her to tell peoples stories through portraits, and talks through the commissions and projects that she has become known for. From Being inbetween, and the story behind it, through to the contemporary art commission Hardy and Free, and much more. Carolyn will talk though her process, her motivations and share insights she has gained on the way, and is happy to answer any questions about developing your project .
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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!