15 December 2014

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.