Spring is a-springing, and events are a-coming…here are fifteen dates to put in your diary
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY | Leeds Town Hall | 1-2 March
Get bevved with sixteen of the city’s finest bars as they compete to be crowned best cocktail maker. Taste your way through the year’s new signature entrants, or embark on a sensory challenge and flavour matching masterclass, with plenty of street food available to soak things up. Ticket entry includes a free cocktail, and all others are priced at just £6.50 all night. This could get dangerous…
Leeds Town Hall, LS1 3AD (6-11pm; tickets from £12.50 at cocktailsinthecity.com)
THE STATE OF URBAN LONELINESS | The Bowery | 1-22 March
Curated by art history student Bella Quirin, this thought-provoking exhibition explores the difficulty of making real connections in our cities and digital worlds. Featuring work from both amateur and professional photographers, snippets are also available at Hyde Park Book Club, Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds University Union and the Cross Keys Pub.
The Bowery, LS6 2AL (8.30am-6.30pm; free)
TRUMP THE MUSICAL | Carriageworks Theatre | Saturday 2 March
In need of some political levity? Watch everyone’s least favourite president get a much-needed dressing down in this comedy stage show, from the same team who gave us their jazz hands interpretation of Boris Johnson back in 2017. Expect satire in spades, with a 15+ age limit promising jokes bluer than Trump’s opponents.
Carriageworks Theatre, LS2 3AD (7.30pm; tickets from £12 at carriageworkstheatre.co.uk)
LEEDS STEAMPUNK MARKET | Abbey House Museum | 2-3 March
Embrace all things goth, fantasy and military at Leeds’ annual Steampunk Festival - featuring an owl flying display, coffee jousting (nope, no idea either) and a vast array of stalls to peruse. Get down early to see the best of what’s on offer, as well as the beautiful surrounds of the nineteenth century building itself.
Abbey House Museum, LS5 3EH (Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 10pm-5pm; admission from £2 on the door)
ADAM KAY: THIS IS GOING TO HURT | Leeds Grand Theatre | 3-5 March
Having experienced runaway success with his diary of life as a junior doctor, award-winning comedian Adam Kay is taking his bestseller to the stage, interspersing horror stories from the NHS frontline with his own songs. Limited tickets remain, but be quick – this is a guaranteed sell-out.
Leeds Grand Theatre, LS1 6NZ (5.30pm & 7.30pm showings; tickets from £23 at leedsgrandtheatre.com)
LEEDS LIT FEST | Various Venues | 6-10 March
Get your bookworm on with Leeds inaugural literature festival. Showcasing local talent through talks, workshops, performance and storytelling events, the festival takes over the likes of Hyde Park Book Club, Carriageworks Theatre and local libraries and has plenty of events for all ages.
Various venues (individually priced tickets available at carriageworkstheatre.com)
GIRL GANG’S INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY | Headrow House | Friday 8 March
Celebrate international women’s day in style with local community group Girl Gang. Open to all genders, the day will include talks and workshops with inspirational local creatives; including comic artist Kristyna Baczynski, the team from spoken word night Sunday Practise and potter Emma Low. We hear there might even be cake…
Headrow House, LS1 6PU (2-9.30pm; free)
NORTHERN BALLET PRESENTS VICTORIA | Leeds Grand Theatre | 9-16 March
Travel back in time to experience the life and times of Queen Victoria, told for the first time through ballet, in this powerful performance - choreographed by Cathy Marston, creator of the acclaimed Jane Eyre. The final showing will feature a special performance from Pippa Moore, who retires after 23 years with Northern Ballet.
Leeds Grand Theatre, LS1 6NZ (2.30pm & 7.30pm; tickets from £19 at northernballet.com)
BEN FOGLE: TALES FROM THE WILDERNESS | Leeds Town Hall | Sunday 10 March
Live vicariously through TV presenter Ben Fogle as he recounts in person the thrilling adventures he undertook as part of his travelling show. From crossing Antarctica to swimming with crocodiles, he’s truly got a story for it all. Warning: may provoke excessive wanderlust...
Leeds Town Hall, LS1 3AD (7.30pm-12am; tickets available from £26.50 at leedstownhall.co.uk)
ST PATRICK’S DAY | Millennium Square | Sunday 17 March
Don your finest green outfit because it’s the twentieth anniversary of Leeds’ Irish heritage celebrations. Follow the parade of colourful floats around the city, or stay in Millennium Square for an afternoon of traditional music and dance, as well as various activities for children. Pass us a Guinness.
Millennium Square, LS1 1UR (from 10.30am; free)
BLUE PLANET II LIVE IN CONCERT | First Direct Arena | Tuesday 19 March
Swim deep with everyone’s favourite TV show-turned-orchestral experience. Projected on a state of the art LED screen, iconic scenes from the award-winning documentary will be accompanied by a full symphony, highlighting the natural wonder of our oceans. Not bad for a Tuesday night eh?
First Direct Arena, LS2 8BY (7.30pm; tickets from £46 at ticketmaster.co.uk)
LEEDS QUEER FILM FESTIVAL | Live Art Bistro | 21-24 March
Leeds Queer Film Festival returns to showcase marginalised voices in indie cinema with a long weekender of films, workshops, talks and parties. This friendly not-for-profit is open to both members and allies of the LGBTQA+ community and features sliding ticket fees to ensure accessibility for all.
Live Art Bistro, LS2 7QA (various times and prices; tickets at leedsqueerfilmfestival.co.uk)
THE VINTAGE HOME SHOW | Pudsey Civic Hall | Sunday 24 March
Spruce up your home for spring with some stylish additions. Stocking everything from mid-century furniture to kitschy cushions, the Vintage Home Show promises affordable homewares from the fifties to seventies, a great way to balance out all the usual IKEA fodder.
Pudsey Civic Hall, LS28 5TA (11am-4pm; tickets £2.50 at tickettailor.com)
COLONIZIN IN REVERSE: CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN CULTURE | Leeds Central Library | Wednesday 27 March
This inaugural library late event tells the story of Leeds’ Caribbean culture through live music, poetry, performance and discussions - part of a partnership with the British Library to mark 70 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush.
Leeds Central Library, LS1 3AB (6pm-9.30pm; free tickets at eventbrite.co.uk)
BLOOMS AND BOTANICS | Harvey Nichols| Sunday 31 March
Treat your Ma to something special this Mother’s day with a trip to Harvey Nichols, who is joining forces with Bloom & Wild and The Old Curiosity Distillery. You’ll learn to craft a hand-tied bouquet in a 90-minute masterclass, colour-matched with pastel botanical gins to sip on as you make. Each guest will enjoy light bites and refreshments, as well as taking home their floral creations.
Harvey Nichols Bottle Room, LS1 6AZ (11am-12.30pm, tickets £60 at bloomandwild.com)
