It’s getting a bit colder and the wind and rain has been giving the city a battering over the last week or so. Don’t let the weather put a dampener on your spirits though, Light Night returns on 4th and 5th October and is certain to illuminate your life (see what we did there?) with a full programme of dazzling fun.
Overwhelmed by all of the events on offer? Don’t be! Here’s our guide to the top Light Night Leeds picks.
The light of Leeds’ skyline, Leeds Beckett at Art Hostel on Kirkgate (yes, that’s us!)
Ok, so this one is a tad self-serving but bear with us. We’ll be opening up our little city centre hostel to a group of print students from Leeds Beckett University on 4th and 5th. They’ve been exploring the light of our beautiful city’s skyline and have created work inspired by exactly that.
Lucent with talent, we’d advise that you start your night off here, before heading out into the evening to experience the city’s light, and other Light Night pieces, for yourself.
Ultiverse at The Tetley
Akeelah Bertram first exhibited her work, Ultiverse, at Patrick Studios (East Street Arts) back in 2016. Two years later, she’s come a long way. Having developed her piece with a variety of collaborators at Union 105 this summer, you’ll be able to experience Akeelah’s piece for yourself at The Tetley. An immersive installation combining light and sound, this is one of our very best suggestions. Check it out, here.
Evaporation, cALLective at Leeds Dock
Leeds Dock always has an extra-special Light Night treat up its sleeve! Remember the suspended moon last year or the whale from 2015? The description of Evaporation promises to leave you with “a sense of awe, deeper understanding and appreciation of the surroundings and technological progression” which sounds pretty good to us!
It’s another immersive installation which will make your Instagram feed look fantastic! Curated by Alex Webb and Stephen Bickers the piece includes videography from Sonder Studios and was created in consultation with Pop Up and Play Company. Find out more, here.
Neon Nights, East Street Arts at 34 Boar Lane
Ok, ok, here’s another one we have a vested interest in but that’s not the only reason we’ve included it in this post. For two nights only, five talented artists will take to 34 Boar Lane (near the station) for a group exhibition. If you’ve not been to this space yet, we would highly recommend that you take a look.
On this special Light Night, Debi Keable will show TRACES, her piece which explores the phenomenon of ghost signs and Romily Alice Walden’s Utopias will make you question modern western society’s relationship with looking and being looked at.
Alongside these two fantastic pieces, The Young Alchemist artist, Jonathan Lang, presents his series of rare gas filled glass objects in partnership with Neon Workshop. If that’s not enough, you can feel the “amour” with 12 Months of Neon Love from Richard Wheater and Victoria Lucas too. You may have seen some of the pieces in situ around Leeds, remember when Drake was up in lights at Headrow House (“You used to call me on my cell phone”)? Check out more, here.
Loops by Jonas Vorwerk at Granary Wharf
Let yourself be transported back in time to the music labs of the 50s and 60s at Granary Wharf as Vorwerk explores the experimentation with analogue magnetic tapes which paved the way for modern music production. Roll up your sleeves and get fully involved. Find out more.
50 Years Leeds-Lille Partnership at Leeds Town Hall
Explore the 50 year relationship between our own city and Lille in France in this collaborative exhibition. What have been the exchanges between schools, creatives, businesses and residents in Leeds over the years?
Have a look through this exhibition of memories. Although it’s not as “lit” as the other Light Night pieces, it’s a good one to catch…especially if you’re visiting the hostel from France. It’ll be in place until January so don’t worry if you miss it on the night.
The Stars Come Out at Night, Stellar Projects at Holy Trinity Church
This is our final recommendation which is located at an amazingly stunning venue. Be captivated by the beauty of the night sky in this impressive installation. The large sculpture slowly reveals beautiful star patterns on the Holy Trinity Church, beneath the stars of our very own city. Take a look, here.
What have we missed? Is there a Light Night event you’ll be heading to which we haven’t mentioned.