Roll up, roll up. The circus has come to Leeds and it needs some young volunteers to learn some new tricks during half term.
Throughout the half term holidays, Briggate will be brought to life with everything but the big top as it transforms into a circus scene with everything from performances and workshops to entertaining activities for a week of free family fun.
Brought to the city by LeedsBID in association with The Yorkshire Circus and Super Friendz, the pop-up experience aims to provide children with the chance to become the performers with Leeds city centre as their stage as they learn the skills of the circus.
There's going to be aerial hoops, trapeze, stilts, parkour, tightropes, juggling, unicycling and far more adrenaline-pumpical activities to get involved in.
Whether you want to try your hand as a plate spinner, want to have a go at acrobatics and hula hooping or reach for the sky by stilt walking, you can watch and learn from circus performers and teachers before testing out your abilities at the pop-up circus.
Offering activities for all ages and abilities, there’s the opportunity to get involved with an array of circus disciplines. And that’s not all with daily story time sessions, arts and crafts, face painting and free candyfloss for those taking part.
Image: Leeds BID
The following events will be available on the following dates:
Saturday 19th February - Aerial Hoop, Trapeze & Stilts
Sunday 20th February - Acrobatics & Parkour
Monday 21st February - Spinning Props (Diablo, Flower Sticks, Poi)
Tuesday 22nd February - Balancing & Equilibristrics (Tightrope and Slackline)
Wednesday 23rd February - Juggling
Thursday 24th February - Wheel Props - Unicycle and Hula Hooping
Friday 25th February - Spinning Props - Diablo, Flower Sticks, Poi
Saturday 26th February - Aerial Hoop, Trapeze & Stilts
In addition, there are circus themed crafts to enjoy and face painting every day between 12.30-2.30pm, and Story Corner running 11am-12pm and 3-4pm, not forgetting the free candy floss and a stilt walker or two to be spotted on both Saturdays.
The pop-up circus will run activities from Saturday 19 – Saturday 26 February, with workshops and performances every day between 11am-4pm outside the former Debenhams location on Briggate.
Feature Image- Unsplash
Leeds
Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Sophie Smith -
18th February 2022 
