It's the first full week of June so let's make it a belter.
The bank holiday weekend is behind us, we’ve welcomed a new month with open arms, and it’s really starting to feel like summer now.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our 'what's on' this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
Cocktail pop-up at Opposite Cafe
Saturday 8 June – Saturday 29 June 2024 | Opposite, Chapel Allerton
Image: Supplied
From Saturday 1 June, each Friday and Saturday night throughout June and July, visitors can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at Opposite in the heart of Chapel Allerton.
Blank Canvas Drinks, which are handmade right here in Leeds, is teaming up with Opposite to offer a monthly menu of fourteen hand-mixed cocktails this summer including crowd-favourite Espresso Martinis, made with Opposite’s very own coffee.
Honi Poke Opening
Tuesday 4 June 2024 | Albion Street
Image: The Manc Eats
The popular Hawaii-inspired poke bowl eatery is opening inside Trinity Leeds and to celebrate their highly anticipated opening, they’ll be serving poke bowls for just £1 all day long.
But what is a poke bowl you may ask? Well, allow us to fill you in. Poke, meaning ‘to slice or cut’ in Hawaiian refers to chunks of fresh, raw fish which is tossed over sticky rice and vegetables and topped with umami-packed sauces. Delicious.
Thursday 6 June – Sunday 16 June 2024 | Victoria Leeds
Image: Supplied
Following the huge success and popularity of last year’s Fashion Weekender, Victoria Leeds Fashion Week will begin on Thursday 6 June, starting in style with a spectacular fashion show staged in the iconic Victoria Quarter.
Kicking off at 7:30pm, the catwalk will showcase the spectacular runway trends of SS24, from the ongoing domination of 90s-inspired minimalist oversized tailoring, through to sports luxe and ‘Western Rebel’.
Victoria Leeds Fashion Week will run from Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 June, with Fashion Show Standard tickets starting at £20 and VIP tickets available for £35. Grab your tickets here.
Free pizza with every drink at Fibre
Monday 3 - Friday 7 and Sunday 9 June 2024 | Call Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you’ve ever been out on Call Lane over the past twenty four years (yes, that’s almost a quarter of a century), then you most definitely will have popped into Fibre. And now, they’re hosting an offer which you simply cannot refuse. A free pizza, baked fresh to order, with every drink purchased.
Available Sunday – Friday all day before 8pm, you can munch on pizza and sip on cocktails to your heart’s content.
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Clementine Hall -
3rd June 2024 
