With half term just around the corner The Thackray Museum of Medicine is here to help keep you and the little ones occupied.
Ever wanted to see what it's really like to perform open heart surgery first-hand? Or how about learning about the ins and outs of germs and how they affect our day to day lives?
Well, you can do all of this and more at The Thackray Museum of Medicine this February.
Located just a short trip out of the city centre in Harehills, The Thackray Museum is an award-winning haven of learning, jam-packed with an ever-changing collection of immersive galleries, mind-blowing exhibitions and so much more.
Wander through the sights, smells and seems of 19th-century Leeds before visiting a seventies-style sexual health clinic, or why not get behind the microscope yourself and learn about what makes the human body fit for battling against disease.
There's so much to get up to this February, all of which is created to inspire and entertain our next generation of big thinkers.
So, let's have a look at what you can get up to at Thackray this February.
Fragile Microbiomes
Saturday 10 February - Sunday 23 June 2024 | Free with admission
Image: Thackray Museum of Medicine
Thackray’s newest exhibition ‘Fragile Microbiomes’, features the innovative works of internationally renowned artist Anna Dumitri and delves into the intricacies of the microbial world. The exhibition features sculptures and installations made using bacteria, DNA, altered vintage objects, 3D printing, textiles, video and digital technologies.
A true testament to the transformative power of BioArt, the exhibition showcases the emerging and groundbreaking art movement that incorporates living media, such as bacteria and synthetic biology.
Find out more about this incredible exhibition here.
Germs, Glorious Germs
Saturday 10 - Sunday 18 February 2024 | Free with admission
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Germs are often frowned upon, but in reality it's only a mere 1% of germs that make us poorly. This half term, learn about the trillion microbes in our tummies that help us digest our food and help us fight disease.
The museum's brain box Thackray Boffins will look at what germs really are, and what happens when good and bad germs become unbalanced.
Saturday 10 - Saturday 17 February 2024 | £3 (with a museum ticket)
Image: Thackray Museum of Medicine
Throughout half term, local artist Jenny Wright will be offering drop-in screenprinting sessions which makes for the perfect half-term activity. All materials will be provided and sessions will run from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, limited spaces are available and you can book yours here.
Thackray Lates: Anatomy of Love
Thursday 15 February 2024, from 6pm | £10 per person
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Warning: not for the faint hearted.
At this one-of-a-kind Thackray Late event, expect a whole host of up-close medical experiments from a heart dissection to a living autopsy to really get you feeling loved up this Valentine's season.
No humans are harmed during this event, but it is most definitely not for the squeamish and is recommended for those aged 18+.
As well as these exciting exhibitions, there's also the permanent immersive street of Victorian Leeds, the Sparks! under 5s play area and so much more to enjoy this month.
Tickets cost just £11.95 per adult, and £8.95 per child with under 5s going in free. Tickets are for 12 months so you can come and go as you please to this wonderful museum.
For more information on exhibitions and ticket prices, visit The Thackray Museum of Medicine's website.
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food
Clementine Hall
What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.
The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.
Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.
We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.
I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.
From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.
By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.
Clementine Hall -
9th February 2024 
