Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
So, there I was, in Leeds on a November evening with the temperature hovering around freezing, dressed up like one of Ernest Shackleton’s crew members and heading to Howard Assembly Room to see a musical ensemble whose instruments were made out of ice. The concept of the Ice Quartet was inspired by the sounds of…
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When I saw that Opera North was presenting a piece in conjunction with Shadwell Opera, I assumed that the North Leeds Suburb of that name had an amateur operatic society, news of which had failed to reach me. In fact, the company is from the East London Shadwell and is a professional outfit. I have…
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On Monday, 20th March, 1967 I went to the Free Trade Hall in Manchester to see a folk duo who had just had their first taste of fame. The venue was almost empty with only about a quarter of the seats filled. On Friday, 17th October, 2025 I went to Howard Assembly Room in Leeds…
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It’s not often that I spend a Tuesday tea time dancing to the beat of two African drummers, in fact I can’t remember it ever happening before, but this event was to change that. I was at the amazing Hyde Park Picture House for the launch of the 2025 Leeds International African Arts Festival, but…
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Back at the wonderful Howard Assembly Room after a short break, to see an artist with whom I was totally unfamiliar, but who obviously has a dedicated following, as the place was packed, and the atmosphere buzzing. Karine Polwart is a Scottish folk singer who, it appears, also does a lot of other work nurturing…
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After my overdose of The Magic Flute, it is folk music which seems to have filled the void. I pointed out that the artists on last week’s gig were individual performers, being support and main act, here we had two artists who were a duo, but also appeared singly as their own warm-up. Kerching! Aidan…
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Just to get things straight from the start, these are two separate acts rather than one ensemble. They are, however, both folk artists and their music of Celtic influence. Hannah Rarity is a Glaswegean who has had the good taste to make her first visit to Leeds, and I certainly hope it will not be…
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After the pantomimes, Christmas shows, brass bands and the odd festive drink or several, a night of traditional music and stories was just the most amazing way to end my year’s reviews and look forward to the big day. The star of the show was Eliza Carthy MBE, who is bona fide folk royalty, her…
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Any concert by Manchester Collective or Abel Selaocoe is well worth seeking out, but one which includes them both transcends the term concert and becomes an event and one which should not be missed. I first saw this collaboration in March 2022 in a work called The Oracle, and was more than impressed. That ensemble…
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What better way could there be on a November evening when the sun has chosen not to appear for several days, leaving us only in the company of grey, dank and moist weather, than to enjoy the fun and sheer exuberance of a band from sunny Senegal, where the smiles shine brighter than the star…
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Tyke It To The Limit 