A free 6 week course exploring poetry, place, nature and hope. Build creative writing skills and capture nature in words, photography and lino print with local spoken word artist Natalie Davies.
Beginners welcome, no experience needed, all materials provided.
January 1999.
George Coleridge-Taylor, retired Sierra Leonean diplomat, finds himself trapped in Fourah Bay College when the civil war that has been ravaging the country reaches Freetown. In hiding, he reflects on his and his country’s stories, wondering if he dares defend the woman captured by the fearsome rebels.
His imagination takes him to more peaceful climes, where he sings the beautiful songs of his famous uncle, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Contains allusions to, and suggestions of, gender-based and war violence, and one profanity.
Live in the Assembly Bar + Kitchen!
Readings by a different local published poet each month and this month were delighted to welcome SUSAN E DARLINGTON.
Susan is a Leeds-based poet. Her work regularly explores the female experience through nature-based symbolism and stories of transformation and has been published in Northern Gravy, Pennine Platform, Dreich, Dream Catcher, Anti-Heroin Chic, Hedgehog Press and Ethel Zine among others.
Steven Camden, aka Polarbear, is an acclaimed spoken word artist, YA novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Testament is a spoken word artist, rapper, theatre-maker, and world record-breaking human beatboxer! Alongside our feature acts will be school pupils from around Leeds who've participated in poetry workshops as part of our festival programme. Part of Leeds Storytelling Festival 2025.
A pay-what-you-decide family-friendly event recommended for children and young people aged 10+.
It’s 2025, and Chemistry kicks off another year of poetry and spoken word on Friday 31 January! Instead of our usual two wonderful headliners, we’ll be having three, as welcome South Yorkshire legend Ian Parks, and our first ever double act, the self-described “poetry twins” Rachel Davies and Hilary Robinson. Plus, of course, our amazing open mic!
Relaxed and engaging stories and songs with one of the city's favourite storytellers, Olivia Corbin-Phillip. Part of Leeds Storytelling Festival 2025. Taking place at various venues across the city:
Wednesday 19th February, 10.30am-11.30am - Wetherby Community Hub and Library
Wednesday 19th February, 2pm-3pm - Scholes Library
Thursday 20th February, 10.30am-11.30am - Bramley Community Hub and Library
Thursday 20th February, 2pm-3pm - Morley Community Hub and Library
Got something to say?
Want to share your music, art, poetry, stories, songs or passion?
Listen up is a safe space to share your creativity with an audience ready to listen.
An open mic with a difference.
To book a slot email us at hello@leftbankleeds.org.uk
We are delighted that local author Maria Ferguson will be in the shop to chat to readers and celebrate the launch of her latest poetry collection ‘Swell’. Maria will be in conversation with the award winning British poet and novelist, Helen Mort.
In the consultation room I stared
at the purple flowers in their purple
vase and imagined my insides:
an ocean, a cave, a storm.
These relaxed events are for parents with babies (pre-walkers). With grown-up poems about new parenthood (as well as life outside of that bubble), it's an opportunity to unwind and escape through the power of words. Maria Ferguson is a poet and multi-award-winning playwright whose second collection Swell is published by Penguin.
These relaxed events are for parents with babies (pre-walkers). With grown-up poems about new parenthood (as well as life outside of that bubble), it's an opportunity to unwind and escape through the power of words. Hollie McNish is an award-winning poet and Sunday Times bestselling author.
Part of Leeds Storytelling Festival 2025.
A pay-what-you-decide event for adults and their pre-walking babies. Includes refreshments.