What’s on in Leeds this November

2 - 5 Nov | The Shadow Whose Prey The Hunter Becomes at Leeds Playhouse

Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, LS2 7UP

This autumn brings a rare opportunity to watch award-winning, Australian theatre company Back to Back in Leeds.  

Internationally acclaimed, Back to Back Theatre’s ensemble of artists with disabilities weaves the personal, the political and cosmic – their stories challenging the notion of what is possible in theatre. 

If artificial intelligence took over the world, would human beings all end up living with an intellectual disability?

The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes is a sly theatrical revelation inspired by mistakes, mis-readings, mis-leadings and misunderstandings, SHADOW reminds us that none of us is self-sufficient and all of us are responsible and poses the question: how do we come together to make decisions that are in the best interest of a civic society? This is a play about individual and collective responsibility.

Book your tickets here.

3 Nov | Kendrick Lamar: The Big steppers Tour at First Direct Arena

Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY

Indisputably the most acclaimed rap artist of his generation, Kendrick Lamar is one of those rare MCs who has achieved critical and commercial success  while earning the respect and support of those who inspired him.  Lamar’s discography explores styles that are unconventional to modern hip hop music such as jazz, funk, soul, and spoken word. His lyricism is inspired by his personal life and often contains political and social commentary.

Lamar has achieved massive critical and cultural success since his debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city released in 2012. Since its release, Lamar has accumulated a staggering total of 14 Grammy wins, and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album DAMN. Lamar’s latest album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, was released in May 2022 immediately earning rave reviews.

Now, Kendrick takes the global stage once again for The Big Steppers Tour, sponsored by Amazon Music, Rotation, and Cash App. With support from Baby Keem on all dates and Tanna Leone on select dates.

The tour which started in Milan has sold out at every venue played since it started in June. Get yours while you can. Ticket prices start from £53.50. Book here.

7 -21 Nov | Sound Beats at Leeds Library

Leeds Central Library, Calverley Street, LS1 3AB

Join Leeds Libraries for a family friendly drum session! 

In proud partnership with ArtForms, Leeds Libraries invite you to try Djembe drumming – anyone can do it! It’s good for the soul, you all are welcome to have a go – bring the family and join the fun! The session will be delivered by Dave Mitchell. 

ArtForms is a music and arts service, working with children, young people, families and schools. We offer an extensive range of arts and cultural programmes, both in and out of school, either directly delivered by ourselves or brokered through our partnerships. Find out more.  

This free event is part of SoundMind – a Leeds Libraries programme of activities to promote positive health and wellbeing through music. Events include author talks, live music performances, instrument taster sessions and singing workshops. Find out more.

Tickets are free, but booking is recommended. Click here. 

3 - 17 Nov | Leeds International Film Festival

The world’s first films were made in Leeds in 1888 by Louis le Prince and today the city is a leading national centre for film culture. Home to Channel 4 and Screen Yorkshire, Leeds is a major hub for film and television production and for talent development.

At the 36th Leeds International Film Festival you can explore an epic selection of films from 78 countries, with a huge variety and diversity of film experiences to choose from over 15 days. The LIFF 2022 films are spread across the official selection plus six other major sections: documentaries, fantastic genre, short films, films Afrique, Disability Futures and One Love from Jamaica. 

LIFF are presenting at Vue at The Light, Everyman Leeds, Howard Assembly Room, Cottage Road Cinema, Leeds School of Arts, and the National Science & Media Museum in Bradford. There is also a selection of films available to rent on their streaming platform Leeds Film Player.

Leeds and Leeds Film Player. They offer a selection of different pass options with discounts available, depending on how many films you want to see: LIFF LITE and LIFF BUZZ give you 6 films for the price of 5; LIFF EXPLORER is best for viewing between 9 and 29 films; and the unlimited LIFF EXPLORER GOLD is best for viewing 30 films or more. There are over 200 films to choose from. 

For full programme details see here.

Sat 12 Nov | Brown Girls Do It Too: Mama Told Me Not To Come at Leeds Playhouse

Playhouse Square, quarry Hill, LS2 7UP

Fierce, funny, and wonderfully frank, Poppy and Rubina enjoy sex and they aren’t ashamed to talk about it. Their critically acclaimed podcast Brown Girls Do It Too (‘Best Podcast of the Year’ British Podcast Awards 2020, Asian Media 2021), explores messy realities, fantasies, and navigating life and relationships as British Asian women.

Two seasons in, they have amassed fans who love their honesty and openness and faced enormous backlash online for breaking the silence on sex in Asian communities.

Bringing their characteristic candour, quick wit and infectious personalities to the stage, Poppy and Rubina reflect on the seminal moments from their lives from first orgasms and loves, to racism and family politics. Expect songs, sketches, and some very graphic content!

Described by The Times as “The funniest women in Britain”. This show will be at the Leeds Playhouse for one night only. 

Ticket price £16 to £26 plus booking fee. Book here. 

8 - 19 Nov | Fisherman’s Friends The Musical at Leeds Grand

Fisherman’s Friends: A Musical that tells the story of the world’s most unlikely ‘buoy’ band!

Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs.

When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. They are spotted by a fish-out-of-water music manager on a trip from London, who must learn that there is more to life than selling your ‘sole’ for fifteen minutes of fame.

A star cast includes James Gaddas, (Coronation Street, Billy Elliot the Musical), Parisa Shamhir (Mamma Mia!), Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey), Anton Stephans (The X Factor) and Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire).

So climb aboard, set sail and feel the salty sea air rush through your hair with this brand new musical.

10 Nov - 31st Dec | Chow Down Winter Village

Temple Arches, LS11 5QG

Chow Down Winter Village is back for 2022. Eight weeks of festive fun begins on 10 Nov with a wonderland of food, drink and entertainment to keep the party going right up to New Years Eve. 

The Winter Village promises a host of Apres Ski Nights, Winter themed Drag Brunches, and Bingo Lingo. The cosy Christmas Tipis, Winter Gardens and Alpine Corner are back along with some new additions. There’ll be fire pits, heaters and winter snugs to ward off the chill plus a festive bar menu including mulled wine, craft beers, mulled cider and cocktails. 

Go for gold and head over to the lanes to challenge your friends and family to a game of curling or head to the Ciroc Winter Chalet for Tipple cocktails against a backdrop of Alpine cosiness. Brand new for 2022 is the Hutte Bavarian Beer Hall – the perfect place for a stein. 

Over the eight weeks, Winter Village will welcome headline DJs Fat Tony, Norman Jay MBE, The Cuban Brothers and DJ Spoony. Entry is free with tables bookable in advance. Some events will be ticketed. For full details see here. 

11 Nov - 23 December | Christmas Market at Leeds Corn Exchange

Call Ln, LS1 7BR

Rolling Social Events, brains behind the legendary Leeds Rum Fest,  Leeds Whisky Fest, and Leeds Tequila Fest are returning to Leeds Corn Exchange for the 2022 Christmas Market. 

From Friday 11th November The Christmas Market will take over the Corn Exchange basement floor for seven weeks with masterclasses, bars and games set to raise the roof in true festive style. An incredible feast of rotating food and drink will also reside in the lower ground level of Leeds most iconic building. 

Have a drink, get a bite to eat and do some Christmas shopping at the stalls from Mahogany Market and Indie Makers plus all the amazing retail already in Leeds Corn Exchange. Head to the festive bar for salted caramel espresso martinis, hot toddies plus a selection of draft from Camden Town Brewery. Get into the Christmas spirit with live music from local artists including The Pretend Beatles, Matt Baxter and Hayley Gaftarnick. Sing along to your seasonal favourites with Lucy’s Pop Choir and Joy Choir.

For 2022 Rolling Social have paired up with local favourites Dijon boys and Latitude Wines. Dijon Boys will be providing an alternative Christmas menu, inspired by festive classics. Think braised ox cheek stew with  polenta mash and braised red cabbage, embutido stuffing sandwiches with sauerkraut and gravy, and harissa spiced winter veg pastilla. Latitude Wines will be hosting masterclasses in the experience room, talking guests through a range of speciality spirits including Filey Bay whisky and Woodford Reserve bourbon. 

In addition to the kitchen residency from pop-up Dijon Boys, a rotation of independent food traders will be bringing their wares including Don’t Feed the Dog, Mans Market and Shouk. 

To book your place for the masterclasses or find tickets for other events, visit their website.

12 & 13 Nov | Makers Market at Tetley

The Tetley, Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ

A weekend of art, activities and more at the November edition of The Tetley Makers’ Market. 

Start your weekend with Morning Yoga, then drop in to one of the free workshops. Get creative designing and decorating your own festive baubles in the Bauble Decorating Workshop. Wooden baubles, paints and materials are all provided. Suitable for all ages and you get to take home your beautiful bauble at the end!

In the Cyanotype Printing Workshop, have a go at this hands-on alternative photography technique using dried leaves and flowers. Paper and printing solution will be provided, but you can bring your own fabrics to print on like tote bags or tea towels! 

This is their biggest Makers’ Market yet, with over 25 independent makers and artists to shop from. Book a table in the Bar & Kitchen and treat yourself to a fantastic brunch, lunch, coffee & cake, or an afternoon pint. Especially for the market, their Family Makers Lab sessions are also running all weekend.

For a full list of artists, makers and vendors visit the website.

4 - 10 | Thought Bubble Festival

Thought Bubble Festival Week is one-of-a-kind in the UK (maybe even the world); a celebration of comics, their creators, their fans and everything in between. The festival week is full of workshops, film screenings, art exhibitions, socials, and so much more! The Festival happens during the lead up to the comic convention. 

Our highlights festival wek are an interview with Gail Simone and the Mondo & Death Waltz Takeover. Gail Simone is one of the most influential women in the comic book industry. She has worked on notable titles such as Batgirl, DC’s Birds of Prey, Deadpool, and is known for being the longest-running female writer on Wonder Woman.

On 9 Nov, Gail will be interviewed by her husband and manager, Scott James. There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. Tickets are free. Book your here. 

Everyone loves Mondo right? On 10 Nov the team at Mondo will be taking over the Belgrave Music Hall for one night only. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Dredd soundtrack, head along for the Mondo Exhibition,  special edition posters, a pop-up record shop by Crash Records, live drawing with Jock and DJ set from Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite plus kitchen takeover and beer specials.

For full festival details see the Thought Bubble website and Eventbrite.

25 Nov | Florence and the Machine at First Direct Arena

After her short run of intimate UK shows sold out within minutes of going on sale,  Florence + the Machine has announced her album tour for November including a very welcome return to the first direct arena.

Florence’s chosen charity partner for this tour is Choose Love whereby £1 from every ticket sold on this tour will be donated to them. Choose Love does whatever it takes to provide refugees and displaced people with everything from lifesaving rescue boats to food and legal advice. Their work has reached over 1.8 million people and supported over 250 fast-acting community organisations across Europe, the Middle East and along the US-Mexico border. Everything they do is powered by a vision of a world that chooses love and justice every day, for everyone.

Get your tickets here. Prices start from £66.78

25 Nov | Ice Cube at Millenium Square

Millennium Square, LS2 3AD

Glide your way into Christmas as the popular Ice Cube returns to Millenium Square. 

Experience the magic of outdoor ice skating, whatever the weather, on the 400 sqm real ice rink with a special transparent roof. Suitable for all ages and abilities – the popular Penguin Club will run every Saturday and Sunday morning, and our dedicated accessible session will take place every Thursday morning. After skating, relax and refuel with a selection of hot street food and drink from traditional Christmas chalet style huts with outdoor covered seating areas. Immerse yourself in the Spirit of Christmas Igloo Bar – a giant inflatable structure boasting a winter garden-themed interior décor, live music and entertainment, as well as a festive drinks menu.

Open daily from 12pm to 9.30pm and free to enter subject to capacity on a first-come first-served basis. A limited number of tables will also be available to book in advance – for reservation enquiries, please email james@igloodisco.co.uk.