It's time to prepare for four days of captivating conversation, dynamic dialogue and thought-provoking debate.
It's all getting very exciting, as Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) is just one month away from transforming Leeds Playhouse into a hub of dialogue and thought-provoking debate.
Due to unprecedented demand, the festival has announce that one of its main events has been upgraded to a larger venue so more of the city can engage in the conversation.
“We’re All Neurodiverse, Ain’t We?” is a nod to the iconic Leeds United chant, from ADHD and autism to dyspraxia and dyslexia, neurodivergence touches every corner of society.
Images: Supplied, Chapter 81
This panel will challenge us all to embrace, celebrate, and advocate for inclusion and empowerment. Featuring a powerhouse lineup—Christine McGuinness, Ellie Middleton, Dr. Alice Siberry, Doddz, and Tumi Sotire—this discussion promises to be a standout moment of the festival.
This year, conversations span from addiction, artificial intelligence, care, and the impact of reality TV on our perception of reality amongst other exciting topics.
Among the other standout events, Nile Rodgers' discussion on "The Evolution of Creativity" and the Sold Out Tim Spector chat on gut health “Trust Your Gut”.
Images: Supplied, Chapter 81
Festival Director Martin Dickson remarked, “The overwhelming response to this year’s festival is a testament to the city’s passion for bold, courageous conversations. We’re thrilled to see such high demand, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to what promises to be our most impactful festival yet.”
James Brining, Artistic Director and CEO of Leeds Playhouse, added, "Hosting LIFI for the second year is a privilege. The festival not only brings some of the world’s most exciting thinkers to Leeds but also creates a space for our community to engage with these ideas in a way that’s unique to this city."
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)
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.
In case you missed it, a bakery in Bramley has received lots of attention recently after people have sampled some of its impressive bread and pastries before raving about it online.
Since then, Ruth, the mastermind behind it all, has generated queues from her summer house-turned bakehouse with people coming from far and wide to sample her flaky favourites and doughy delights.
Baking for more than 10 years and opening The Fat Pigeon just outside of Leeds city centre three years ago, there's no denying that the pastries and more produced here are some of the best.
This micro-bakery has a mighty menu and although Ruth's personal tastes might lean more savoury, the menu heavily favours sugary baked goods.
Anyone who loves a good sweet treat will be glad to know there's croissants, traybakes, cinnamon buns and the star-studded kouign-amann, a French-originating buttery pastry that covers all bases as it's sugary, sweet and slightly salty - heaven in baked form.
Ruth posing with a pigeon statue alongside some of her delicious golden creations / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
There's plenty more dough-based delights that cater to the savoury palate too. Think sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia that's oozing with perfectly paired herbs and generous amounts of oil.
What makes this place even more special is the fact that not only the products being created and consumed made by a Leeds local, most if not all of the offerings are made using Yorkshire produce.
Ruth has made sure to keep local produce at the heart of all her bakes with Met's in Farsley who providing cheese, Whiteley's contributing fresh vegetables like parsley and rhubarb, flour from East Yorkshire's own Stringers and The Organic Dales for any dairy items - it really doesn't get more Yorkshire than this.
Enough from us, social media user's are singing this bakery's praises too as one commented "Delicious. Delicious. Delicious" and another going as far to say, "Beats every pastry I had in Copenhagen".
The sourdough loaves and bloomers at The Fat Pigeon are homemade and look as good as they taste / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
Hopefully you're reading this on a Friday or early Saturday morning, otherwise all I can do is apologise for tempting you with all this bakery's homemade golden goodness so far in advance.
The Fat Pigeon is open from 9am to 12pm every Saturday meaning you can stock up on some of Leeds' best bread and pastries to tie you over until the next weekend, depending on your will power.
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
Clementine Hall
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Clementine Hall -
3rd September 2024 
