The Leeds School of Arts building will launch later this month and will feature an exciting programme of academic and student events.
Leeds Beckett University are to launch their brand new, state-of-the-art Leeds School of Arts building on Wednesday 29 March 2023.
The new building will house a community of 3,000 diverse creators studying design, fashion, architecture, music, film and the performing arts.
The launch will be marked with an exciting programme of events, including an exclusive live performance, reception and concert featuring live academic and student performances.
Image: Leeds Beckett University
There will also be an inaugural lecture from the school's Professor Sue Miller, who will be celebrating her professoriat and the launch of her new book Improvising Sabor -Cuban Dance Music in New York.
This unmissable lecture will discuss the importance of Latin influence across music and dance all over the world.
Following the lecture will be an incredible live performance from Sue Miller’s 12-piece Latin music band, Charanga del Norte, as they release their new LP, Pachanga Time.
The launch will form part of LEEDS 2023's opening season and also marks the partnership between Leeds Beckett and Leeds 2023's Year of Culture.
Image: Leeds School of Arts
Dr Oliver Bray, Dean of Leeds School of Arts, said: “Leeds School of Arts is a key educator of artists and creatives who go on to enrich and transform all sectors of arts and culture with their limitless ambition and innovation.
"Our talented students are actively making a difference across art, design, fashion, music, theatre, film, architecture, and creative technologies."
Anyone is welcome to attend the launch and celebrate the incredible role that the university plays in the arts and cultural life of our city.
Leeds is set to become one big fat coffee festival this September.
Born in Manchester, Slurpfest is a much-love celebration of coffee that is coming to the city for the first time ever.
Working alongside the Slurpfest founders, North Star Coffee Roasters and headline sponsors Oatly and Indie Coffee Guide are bringing the festival to Leeds on Saturday 26 September with over 30 venues already signed up to take part.
The festival is designed to showcase the incredible talent, creativity and community behind Leeds’ thriving independent coffee scene, bringing together independent cafés, coffeenprofessionals, roasters and coffee lovers for a weekend of tastings, workshops, events and experiences.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“Leeds has an amazing independent coffee scene and we want to celebrate the people who make it so special,” said Holly Kragiopoulos. “Slurpfest is about bringing the whole coffee community together and turning the entire city into one big festival. Best of all, so many of the events are completely free, making it super accessible for everyone to get involved and try something new.”
Unlike a traditional festival held in one location, Slurpfest Leeds will take over the whole city, with coffee shops and venues across Leeds hosting their own events throughout the weekend.
We're talking tastings, workshops, a city-wide coffee trail, an opening and closing party as well as a full day of coffee workshops, talks and experiences at North Star’s Coffee Hub at Leeds Dock.
“We’re super excited to see the city of Leeds take on Slurp Fest and make it their own” said Nat, Slurpfest Co-Founder.
Tickets for individual events are expected to be released from August, with the full festival programme announced soon.
A massive food and drink festival is coming to Temple Newsam this weekend
Clementine Hall
We hope you're hungry Leeds, because a big festival dedicated to all things food is coming to Temple Newsam.
The Temple Newsam Food Festival is now in its second year after a resounding first edition, aiming to celebrate cultural diversity, independent businesses, and global cuisine.
It will take place this weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026, with the beautiful and historic Temple Newsam providing the perfectly picturesque location.
The festival will celebrate local talent, independent businesses, world cultures and international flavours.
The Street Food Arena will feature an array of global cuisines, cultural delicacies, and irresistible desserts whilst the event's bustling Artisan Markets will showcase a plethora of small businesses and local entrepreneurs offering freshly-baked goods, quality produce. hand-made crafts, unique experiences, vibrant art, and much more.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it doesn't stop there as festival-goers can enjoy a selection of independent bars serving cocktails, specialty spirits, fresh cider, wine and beer.
This year there will be a huge focus on live cookery demos, with ten demonstrations from a whole range of talented chefs including Leeds' own Josh Whitehead of Finer Pleasures, Bobby Geetha of Kerala Canteen and stars from Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off.
And it's not just about food and drink, as new for this year there will be a dog show, plenty of live music and lots of fun activities such as inflatable jousting and target paintball.
Tickets are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.
Clementine Hall -
8th March 2023 
