With a stellar lineup of headliners set to bring you back to the 80s who will be performing alongside Opera North's powerhouse of musicians.
If you love to head down to the club on 80s night but would rather party outdoors than in a packed out nightclub, the 80s Classical is the summer festival you don't want to miss.
With the likes of Nik Kershaw, Go West and Nick Heyward headlining, this is set to be one of the biggest years yet for the festival.
Taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July 2023 in Millenium Square, the two-day event will see Leeds own Opera North perform an exclusive set of chart-topping hits as well as providing their symphonic might behind the headliners to create an unbeatable sound. The band are 50 members strong and are all looking forward to the opportunity to perform live once more.
Image: Supplied
Friday will see 80s pop legends Nik Kershaw, Go West, Nick Heyward and Heaven 17 take to the stage in Millenium Square alongside the orchestra's powerhouse of musicians.
Saturday is also set to be a riot as dance music from the 90s to present day gets a radical revamp with Club Classical Anthems, where international artists take their hits up a gear with the expanded power and colour of Opera North’s musicians behind them.
Joining the Orchestra will be Leeds’ own electronic pioneers Utah Saints, Dreamer hitmaker Janice Robinson, twice UK number one vocalist Kelli-Leigh and singer-songwriter Karen Harding.
Cliff Masterson, composer, arranger and conductor for both shows said: “We’re thrilled to be coming back to our second home in Millennium Square, and excited to reveal some stellar debuts, as well as the return of some familiar faces, for this fourth instalment of 80s Classical.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “We are delighted to be hosting these fantastic events again on Millennium Square at the end of July. The magnificent Orchestra of Opera North together with a range of star performers promises to be more must-see outdoor concert experiences for people to enjoy.
"We are especially pleased these events are taking place within Leeds 2023, as the city showcases its musical and cultural offering and talents to the world.”
The Good Food Guide has released its annual list of the top bakeries across the UK – and one in Leeds has made the cut.
The prestigious guide has been travelling across the nation testing out the joy of British bakeries, from pastries to loaves to croissants to biscuits. What a tough job.
The Good Food Guide has said that the nation is going through something of a ‘modern baking boom’ and selected one spot locally that are doing it better than anyone else.
And that bakery is the fabulous Nova Bakehouse that is co-owned by sisters Sarah Lemanski and Hannah Mather.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Leeds Dock, Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality loaves.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
It was the only Leeds spot to feature on the list, for the second year running might we add, but elsewhere in Yorkshire Haxby Bakehouse in York and Baker’s Yard Bakery in Sheffield are included.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Editor of The Good Food Guide, Chloë Hamilton, said: “Choosing just 50 winners was an almost impossible task given how diverse and highly skilled the British baking scene has become.
“From wood-fired sourdough in Perthshire to a central London café peddling pains au chocolat that take you straight to the streets of Paris, one thing uniting them all is sheer unadulterated deliciousness."
All of a sudden we're feeling pretty peckish for a croissant...what's your favourite bakery in Leeds?
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
The Hoot -
2nd March 2023 
