News

Leeds Festival of Ideas reveals full September line-up

Guests for all five panels have been announced today, as have the topics they will be discussing.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 2nd July 2021

Leeds International Festival of Ideas is set to make a storm in the city this September when it presents an ambitious program packed with inspirational speakers

Formerly known as Leeds International Festival, highlights include thought-provoking panel debates and inspirational keynote speeches, aiming to explore and challenge the ways in which we view the world.

Some big-name speakers like Lenny Henry and Katherine Ryan have already been teased out, but now organisers have finally revealed the full 2021 lineup and there are some brilliant names on there.

These include Guilty Feminist podcaster Deborah Frances-White, multi-award-winning Parliamentary sketch writer Matthew Parris and Dazed columnist Bolu Babalola.

Organisers have also given insights into what the debates will be on this year, revealing that questions like 'Can we ever be who we want to be? Does the future have enough food? Are we more lonely? Is the UK media broken and finally Green or Growth?' will take center stage at the event.

This year, the festival runs from Monday 13th to Monday 27th September and will take place at three key venues: City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Corn Exchange.

The festival aims to provide a platform for the exploration of new ideas and innovation while confronting the challenges of our time and discussing the world of tomorrow.

Leading the line-up this year are four famous figures: actor, comedian and campaigner Sir Lenny Henry CBE, comedian and presenter Katherine Ryan, architect and campaigner George Clarke and founder of the MOBO organisation Kanya King CBE.

Others due to attend includ economic expert and BBC presenter Evan Davis, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alix Fox, Tony Blair’s former Communications Strategist and Chief Spokesman Alastair Campbell, campaigner, speaker and writer Gina Martin, Masterchef Judge, Guardian food critic and Author Grace Dent.


“After a long time planning we are so pleased to reveal the plans," said Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas Lead.

"From Sir Lenny Henry headlining and talking at Leeds’ premier venue to chatting over why the UK media is broken with some of its best journalists, to the important chats around businesses growing whilst being sustainable after a pandemic with hot topics in Leeds around the airport, to what does the future of food hold for us.

"Imagine, in just 6 of the days sitting in the Corn Exchange watching such a calibre of acts like George Clarke, Kanya King, Katherine Ryan and culminating with Sir Lenny Henry.“

Tickets for Leeds International Festival of Ideas and the full program will go live and on sale at 9am on Friday 2nd July 2021 via the festival's website.



The full list of events taking place as part of this year's festival:

Are we more Lonely?
13th September - 19:00
City Varieties Music Hall
Featuring Deborah Frances-White, Dr Melrose Stewart, Alix Fox, Emilia Van Hauen, Bolu Babolula

The MOBOS and Me with Kanya King CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 19th - 16:30

Does the Future have enough food?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 20th - 19:00
Featuring: Grace Dent, Dr Morgaine Gaye, Mike Lee, Ben Davy (Meatless Farm), Ness Knight

Living in a Future City with George Clarke
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 21st - 19:00

In Conversation with Katherine Ryan
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 22nd - 19:00

Can we ever be who we want to be?
Leeds Town Hall
September 23rd - 19:00
Featuring: Amrou Al-Kadhi, Hashi Mohamed, Caroline Criado Perez, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Gina Martin

Is the UK media Broken?
Leeds Town Hall
September 24th - 19:00
Featuring: Evan Davis, Amol Rajan, Alastair Campbell, Matthew Parris, Robyn Vinter

Who am I, again? With Sir Lenny Henry CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 25th - 19:00

Green or Growth?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 27th - 19:00
Featuring: Michaela Strachan, Henri Murison, Paul Chatterton, Noga Levy-Rapoport

News

One of Leeds’ most historic buildings is being transformed into an all-day cafe, bar and events space

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A family-run business is about to breathe new life into one of the city's most culturally significant buildings.

Introducing Moods - a new all-day cafe, bar and events venue that will open to the public at First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate on Friday 31 July.

Created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo, Moods will occupy the ground floor of the Grade II* listed building.

Originally built in 1711 for the sale of white, undyed cloth, some of its roof timbers have been dated to the
mid-1470s, and the building spent more than 20 years on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register
before a major restoration by Rushbond returned it to use.

Images: Supplied

Moods will bring speciality coffee, in-house patisserie, elevated day dining, cocktails, wine, beer and
events together under one historic roof.

Doors open at 6pm on Friday 31 July for drinks and bar snacks, with all-day food service beginning at 8am on Saturday 1 August.

The kitchen will be led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred
restaurant group, including time at L'Enclume and Fera at Claridge's.

Will Moody said: "Leeds has been our home since university, and First White Cloth Hall felt like the
kind of building you do not get a second chance with. From the moment we saw it, we knew it could
become much more than a studio home.

"Moods is about opening the ground floor up and giving people a reason to use the building from morning through to night, whether that is coffee, food, drinks, private events or simply a good catch-up with friends."

We can't wait to check out the space, and you can find out more about Moods here.

Read more: Leeds is set to be transformed into a huge interactive game of Trivial Pursuit this week

Featured image - Supplied (Press image)

News

Leeds is set to be transformed into a huge interactive game of Trivial Pursuit this week

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Leeds is set to become a giant board game this summer as Trivial Pursuit arrives in the city centre to celebrate a landmark moment in its history.

The famous board game is being brought to life as LeedsBID transforms the city centre into a live version of Hasbro’s iconic Trivial Pursuit board game, marking 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter.

And a few famous Leeds faces are helping to make it happen.

Running from this Saturday 25 July to Sunday 30 August 2026 and is completely free, players embark on journey across the city centre, travelling from category to category and testing their knowledge of Leeds. Correct answers earn wedges, and once all six are collected, players face a final question to complete the game.

Key locations represent the six traditional Trivial Pursuit categories: Entertainment, Geography, Sports and Leisure, Science and Nature, History, and Art and Literature.

Central to the game will be the stories and achievements that have shaped Leeds over four centuries, from the origins of Marks & Spencer to a connection with the first British internet provider.

An array of well-known personalities are involved, appearing digitally to look back and look ahead at the city’s notable events.

Leeds-born presenter and podcaster Alex Zane, historian Ruth Goodman, and commentator Daniel Norcross each take on Entertainment, History, and Sports & Leisure, telling the stories behind the people, places, and moments that define Leeds.

Angela Griffin says: “LeedsBID have come up with a fun and engaging way to introduce visitors to the Leeds story through Trivial Pursuit, and I was happy to play a part in some of this trivia this summer, which is a real honour as a Loiner.”

Sara Merritt, Principal Keeper, Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre. “Leeds City Museum is excited to host TRIVIAL PURSUIT as part of Leeds400 this summer, offering visitors a fun and interactive way to celebrate knowledge, curiosity, and everything that makes Leeds unique.”

You can find out more here.

Read more: Restoration of beloved Leeds mural preserves a piece of the city’s cultural heritage

Featured image - Supplied

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