Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
After a break in proceedings during the summer, the amazing Howard Assembly Room, or, as I like to call it, home, is back with its usual mix of all kinds of music and special events. The season kicks off on Friday, 8th September with Resonance Showcase which will give an opportunity for performers supported through…
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The back end of the year is a busy time for this iconic Leeds institution. There are no less than 53 visitors to its (steeply forward sloping) stage between now and the New Year. I must apologise to artists I don’t mention for only being able to pick what I consider to be highlights. You…
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What a surprise, well, two surprises really. I was sitting at home on Thursday, minding my own business, for once, when I received a mystery email from Sherin Sara Alex at South Asian Arts asking if I would like to join them for a concert at Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton the following evening. After…
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When we refer to 21st June as being the longest day, we aren’t kidding, and neither are South Asian Arts who chose to celebrate the day by holding a concert in the fabulous Leeds Corn Exchange beginning at 11.00am on that date and running until 5.30 the following morning. Sadly my all-nighter events are far…
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I am getting to be a bit of a Courtney Pine groupie, having seen him last October at Howard Assembly Room touring his album SONG (The Ballad Book) This time he was playing pieces from his new offering, Spirituality. I am pleased to say that the incredibly talented pianist Zoe Rahman was with him again…
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Anyone taking even a passing glance at this site will know how much I enjoy going to this venue. The great thing is, because it specialises in one-night stands, I get more opportunities to indulge myself as well as broadening my musical knowledge with every trip. I hope that once you have seen what is…
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I know that I have a mind which works in strange ways but I really could not get the thought of this band being from Bradford out of my mind! In fact they are from all over the place and are some of the most innovative musicians on the planet. The name is a pun…
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Leeds is staging its inaugural Jazz Festival this year at various venues throughout the city. I got into the swing – literally – at the Free Stage on Cookridge Street on a sunny Friday afternoon. The whole shebang started on 1st June, so I had arrived fashionably late, but there are still a lot of…
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Can’t get to Glastonbury or afford Glyndebourne but still crave music in an exotic location with an open air element this summer, then fret not, there is a feast of live concerts in and around Leeds, and best of all they are free! The ones at Lotherton Hall and Meanwood Valley Urban Farm require that…
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On a fairly sunny but chilly evening in Leeds it was great to be transported to the more balmy climate of Havana for a magical evening of music from Roberto Fonseca and his fellow musicians; Yandy Rodriguez on electric bass and double bass, and Ruly Herrera on drums. Despite the music taking us to the…
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Tyke It To The Limit 