15 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding

Our own take on the traditional advent calendar continues, with  the fifteenth post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: We love Leeds.

There are lots of good things going on in Leeds at the moment. The Tetley is a destination in itself, with a restaurant, bar and two new exhibitions all in one place. There’s the brilliantly-titled Some Women, Other Women and all the Bittermen, a large-scale video installation that explores the role of the worker under global capitalism (using both real and fictional documentary footage). Then there’s Educating Damien, a fascinating archive of slides and lecture materials from Glyn Thompson, former teacher of Damien Hirst and other Foundation Art students at Jacob Kramer College in Leeds. The Tetley, 11am-4pm, free.

Do more. For something a bit different, book The Wood Beneath the World. This immersive experience takes place under Leeds Town Hall – we don’t want to give too much away, so let’s just say that it’s pretty whimsical. If you don’t manage to get tickets, there’s a great pop-up bar in the Town Hall’s old cells that’s a fun trip in and of itself. Try San Carlo Leeds for a meal afterwards. Leeds Town Hall, 5pm (until 23 Dec). Tickets £8/£6 conc.

Festive Happening Camerata
Spotlight on

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

As the big day approaches, you can count on theatres and concert halls across the North to pull out all the festive stops.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

It’s a good season for contemporary art fans in Manchester, with many of our favourite small galleries launching something big.

Theatre

The nights are drawing in. Theatre across the North is refusing to play it safe. November brings experimental performance, queer comedy and plenty of surprises.

Music

Grubby dance music meets high-gloss hyperpop and wildly ambitious opera in our latest music guide.

Food and Drink in the North

It's autumn and time to get scheduling those hearty meals. Here's the October guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...