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Leeds International Festival of Ideas announces incredible new speakers with 80% of tickets already sold

The Hoot Leeds is excited to be a media partner for Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2024.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 29th July 2024

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 TheatreQuarry 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 Oct12pm – 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 Oct7pm – How is TV distorting our reality?7:30pm – Does the media need to grow a pair? With Carol Vorderman and Self Esteem
Sat 5 Oct2pm – 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.

Read more: Leeds International Festival of Ideas is back for 2024 – here’s everything you need to know

Feature Image – Supplied, Chapter 81

Feature

Inside the historic Leeds mill transformed into a thriving hub for creatives

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.

Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.

The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.

The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.

Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.  

It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.

The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.

The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.

To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Feature

A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.

Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.

They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.

Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.

New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.

And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.

Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.

So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.

Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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