Welcome to Leeds September 2022

Show Me Love, The History of House at Belgrave

Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave St, LS2 8JP | 8 Sept, £16.50 inc booking fee

“A night of pure nostalgia that will put a smile on your face.” Tony Hannan, club promoter and dance music pioneer who put Leeds on the map with nights Kaos and Up Yer Ronson in the late 80s and 90s is bringing a one-off live music showcase to Belgrave Music Hall. A 10 piece live band and four singers will celebrate the history of house music, playing all your favourite tunes as you reminisce about our clubbing days at The Warehouse. Keep your eyes peeled for a surprise guest on stage.

SOLD OUT/ Limited tickets available.

Blood Brothers at Leeds Grand Theatre

46 New Briggate, LS1 6NU | 6 – 10 Sept

Willy Russell’s legendary musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. Few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. Former The X Factor finalist Niki Evans returns to the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone. The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe, Easy Terms and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Tickets here.

XO Races

Basecamp location to be revealed | 7 Sept, £19 per person

XO Races brings a new format in adventure racing. On 7 September Leeds will host its third XO race and is open to teams of any two adults. XO events are intimate events designed to challenge entrants physically and mentally; encouraging teamwork, strategy and exploration. Races start from a Basecamp location that is released on the day and runners plot their own course around the city collecting as many points as possible in the allocated time by scanning QR codes placed around the centre. Events take place on weekday evenings. 

Enter via the XO app.

The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse

Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, LS2 7UP | 5 – 17 Sept, Tickets £14 – £32

A Leeds Playhouse, English Touring Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston co-production. Oscar Wilde’s genius humour meets contemporary culture in a theatrical rollercoaster packed with shade, wit and plenty of gags.   Denzel Westley-Sanderson, winner of the The Royal Theatrical Support Trust 2021 Sir Peter Hall Director Award, breathes fresh new life into Wilde’s sharpest and wittiest comedy: The Importance of Being Earnest.   This is a classic satire, vibrantly retold about dysfunctional families, class, gender and sexuality.

Tickets here.

This Is Going to Hurt at Leeds Arena

First Direct arena, Arena Way, LS2 8BY9 | 9 Sept, Tickets from £30.50

Following the success of the Sunday Times number one bestseller book and major BBC comedy-drama series, award-winning comedian Adam Kay shares entries from his diaries as a junior doctor. This is going to hurt has been adapted for the stage as an evening of stand-up and music. This extended and updated show will feature brand-new stories from his forthcoming book Undoctored: The Story of a Medic Who Ran Out of Patients. Charlie Brooker calls  it “Hilarious and heartbreaking”. Leeds 

Tickets here.

Professor Brian Cox at Leeds Arena

First Direct arena, Arena Way, LS2 8BY9 | 10 Sept, Tickets from £43.35

Horizons: a 21st Century Space Odyssey takes audiences on a dazzling cinematic journey; a story of how we came to be and what we can become. Having set two Guinness World Records with his previous sell-out world tour, Professor Brian Cox, joined on stage each night by Professor Alice Roberts, is back with a brand-new show.

The deepest of questions will be explored using the latest advances in our understanding of quantum theory, black holes, biology, planetary science, astronomy and cosmology. Using state of the art LED screen technology, Leeds Arenas will be filled with images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and a time before the Big Bang.

Tickets here.

Leeds Rum Festival at Corn Exchange

Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Ln, LS1 7BR | Sat 17  Sept,  7.30pm – 11pm, Tickets £30

Leeds Rum Fest is returning to the iconic Leeds Corn Exchange – bringing you more Rum, infectious music, in-depth masterclasses and delicious street food. With 100 rums (yes, you read that correctly, ONE HUNDRED) available for you to try from all over the world, each one is represented by experts ready to talk you through every sip. For a list of all rum brands see their website. Keeping you in the festival mood will be Caribbean Breeze, a five piece steel pan based in Chapeltown plus Leeds West Indian Carnival dancers and West African soul food provided by Delice D’Ivoire.

This year will also feature the Monin Rum bar, shaking up some tropical classics and twists such as Piña Coladas, spiced mango rum punches and watermelon daiquiris. 

Included in the ticket price is a selection of masterclasses hosted by rum ambassadors ready to fill you with knowledge and Latitude Wine & Spirit Merchants will be operating the festival bottle shop so guests can purchase their favourites from the festival to take home. An absolute must for rum lovers or anyone who loves a party! Get your tickets here.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas

Howard Assembly Room, 32 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU | 22 – 25 Sept

A festival of new ideas & innovation. Now for its second year (of Ideas), Leeds hosts world-leading thinkers to share new ideas and discuss the world of tomorrow through a series of compelling talks and discussions.  For 2022 the festival will be covering the themes of climate activism, food culture, mental health, the metaverse and screenwriting. They have an impressive lineup of speakers for their keynote talks and panel discussions from experts in their fields including Yotam Ottolenghi, Kevin McCloud, David Olusoga, Mary Beard and Aisling Bea.

See the website for the full programme details. This year they have introduced LIFICAST, a series of podcasts and interviews discussing festival themes and ideas that are changing the world.

Tickets are selling fast so grab yours while you can. 

Nine Night at Playhouse

Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, LS2 7UP | 24 – 15 Oct

Directed by Amanda Huxtable Nine Night is part of Jamaica Society Leeds’ Out of Many Festival, an extensive Leeds-based festival to celebrate 60 years of Jamaican independence.

How do we remember the people we love? When Gloria’s time comes, her family celebrate their revered mother with the traditional Jamaican Nine Night Wake – a touching yet testing multi-generational gathering packed with music, food, laughter and tears. Nine night is a heartfelt comedy that celebrates the rituals of a traditional Jamaican Nine Night wake. 

Natasha Gordon’s remarkable award-winning debut play, which was originally commissioned by and played at the National Theatre ahead of a successful West End run, holds a mirror up to family life – and loss – reflecting the heartfelt comedy and deep sorrow that occurs when they gather together to share memories, good food and grievances older than Gloria’s well-loved dining table.  

Inherently funny and intensely moving, Nine Night is a family celebration of life you won’t want to miss. 

Tickets here.

Well Oiled Pizza at Meanwood Tavern

Meanwood Tavern, 607 Meanwood Rd, LS6 4HQ | Opening 1 Oct

Whitelocks have taken on a new site in the suburbs. The latest edition to the independent group that also owns the Turk’s Head will be in Meanwood at the site previously home to East of Arcadia on Meanwood Rd. Closing in Sept for refurbishment and rebrand, the pub is due to reopen on 1 Oct as The Meanwood Tavern. It will be joined by Well Oiled, artisan pizza makers serving things up Detroit style with focaccia dough and premium toppings from local producers.