Queens Hotel will host a spectacular projection as part of 2021's Night Light Leeds when the event returns to the city this October.
In a tribute to the power of nature and technology, exhibit 'Arc' will be hosted at the iconic city centre location throughout the duration of the Night Light festival.
The installation will showcase some of the natural world’s elemental forces, as well as digitising the historic building.
Bringing the building's facade to life with waves of colour, sound and light, the high tech digital projection has been created using a mixture of sonic composition, digital mapping, animation and film.
Image: Night Life Leeds
It has been put together by brother Jude and Jolyon Greenaway, of Greenaway and Greenaway - who has previously worked on installations for the V&A and Roundhouse.
The pair also worked on music videos for The Pet Shop Boys and helped with The Who's performance during the London 2012 Olympics.
“We wanted to create something that could be both entertaining and thought-provoking, and so, in an abstract and dynamic way, we centre on a couple of motifs that we feel are fundamental to everyone in the modern world," said Jude, speaking on the new exhibit.
“We have two opposing themes that form the arc of our narrative, from the acceleration of technology that is ever present in our lives, driving our future development, to an observant homage to the power and forces of nature.
"This is a nod towards the current global environmental situation and predominately a celebration of our home, planet Earth.”
“We are really excited about being part of Light Night Leeds and anything that is made for public display is a really humbling experience. We pour energy and passion into our work and always hope that we manage to create connections with the audience,” he added.
This year's theme for Night Life Leeds is Back to Nature and hopes to encourage visitors to think about climate change and new ways to support the planet’s fragile ecosystems.
The 2021 programme will feature more than 40 installations across Leeds.
Light Night Leeds takes place from 14 - 15 October, running from 6.30 pm until 10.30 pm.
Feature image- Night Life Leeds
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Georgina Pellant -
24th September 2021 
