The countdown is on until one the Yorkshire’s biggest festivals of culture kicks off – and the line-up just keeps getting better and better.
If you haven't got your tickets yet for the Leeds International Festival of Ideas, then there's no time like the present as a whopping 80% of tickets are already sold.
And it comes as no surprise, as this year's festival boasts a fantastic lineup presenting a diverse array of topics and discussion.
This year, conversations span from addiction, artificial intelligence, care, neurodiversity, and the impact of reality TV on our perception of reality amongst other exciting topics.
Image: Supplied
LIFI 2024 will see the likes of Kate Adie, Stacey Dooley, Kate Garraway, Goldie, Paterson Joseph, Nile Rodgers, Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, Tim Spector, Carol Vorderman and many more take to the stage.
If you're not sold quite yet, then allow the four new speakers tempt you to get your ticket and join the discussions.
Jazz Boatswain, a former contestant on the second series of the BBC hit show The Traitors, will delve into reality television and ask 'How is TV Distorting our Reality?'.
Images: Supplied
Taylor Little, a plaintiff in the ongoing U.S. lawsuit In Re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, joins the panel on addiction along side Chris Sylvester, founder of Getting Clean CIC - an innovative project that aims to change the perception of addiction while addressing environmental issues.
Last but not least, renowned jewellery designer Daniella Draper will be hosting an engaging afternoon session with Grace Beverley, discussing everything from the gender pay gap to what it truly takes to be an important business woman.
When is LIFI24?
Taking place from Wednesday 2 October – Saturday 5 October 2024, the full event timetable for 2024 is as follows:
Courtyard Theatre
Quarry Theatre
Wed 2 Oct
7pm – How do we talk about addiction?
7:30pm – The evolution of creativity with Nile Rodgers (hosted by BEKA)
Thu 3 Oct
12pm – How to break moulds and influence people with Grace Beverley
7pm – Could AI be humanity’s saviour?
7:30pm – Trust your gut with Tim Spector (hosted by Dr Amir Khan)
Fri 4 Oct
7pm – How is TV distorting our reality?
7:30pm – Does the media need to grow a pair? With Carol Vorderman and Self Esteem
Sat 5 Oct
2pm – We’re all neurodiverse aren’t we?
7pm – Who really cares?
7:30pm – This means war with Kate Adie (hosted by Stacey Dooley)
Martin Dickson, Festival Manager, says, “The power of LIFI to bring the people of Leeds together and have a courageous, open, and honest conversation about major issues affecting us all in society today is one of the unique elements that sets this festival apart. There’s nothing as bold, confident, or influential in the UK today as a people-focused festival.”
Images: Supplied
“LIFI aims to shout louder about the city, confidently and boldly projecting an innovative, creative, exciting place to be and amplifying that to the world; that is what makes it the ultimate place-marketing festival of its type, not only in Leeds but the UK. The heartbeat of the festival lies in the experiences and sentiments shared by the people who came to witness it. After last year’s sell-out, we are super proud of this year’s line-up and hope many people join the conversation!”
How can I get tickets for Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2024?
Tickets are on sale and you can buy yours via the LIFI website here.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
An Italian-American ‘paninoteca’ and diner serving stacked subs has opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
The team behind Stuzzi - one of Leeds’ best-loved Italian restaurants - have opened up a brand-new sandwich shop.
Introducing La Grassa, the new concept from Stuzzi Leeds co-founders Jimbob Phillips and Brett Lee, that just a few weeks ago opened up inside Amity Brew Co. over in Farsley.
La Grassa is a new Italian-American ‘Paninoteca’ and diner concept, where you can get your hands on paninos filled with house-made meats, cheeses and glossy sauces. But be warned, your hands may get a bit messy whilst doing so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're open afternoon and evening, so whether you fancy a quick sandwich whilst exploring Sunny Bank Mills or tucking into some hearty grub alongside a few pints from the brewery, they've got you covered.
Sandwich wise you can opt for a 'Hero' which is your classic semolina sub stuffed with either grilled pork and greens, pork and veal meatballs or crispy buttermilk chicken tossed in a creamy Caesar salad.
Or you can get your sub grilled and pressed with fillings like dry aged beef and peppers or your classic grilled cheese with hot honey.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They've also got potato rolls filled with very naughty deep fried mozzarella, basil pesto and marinara sauce. One thing's for certain, you won't leave here hungry.
If you're after something sweet they've got a selection of soft serve on the menu, perfect for soaking in the sunshine this summer.
If you don't fancy a sandwich you can get the fried mozz and the meatballs on their own, and on Sundays the menu gets a special roast revamp where all subs come with crispy, herby potatoes. Yum.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This is a great addition to Leeds and it seems like you lot are loving it as much as we do, with the space being full to the brim with hungry punters ever since they opened their doors back in March.
So get yourself to Amity for a few pints and check out the deliciousness that La Grassa has to offer. Bellissimo.
Clementine Hall -
29th July 2024 
