Looking forward to a three-day weekend? We are! We’re hoping the sun will grace us with its presence again and shine down on all of the amazing things happening in Leeds. Still not got your bank holiday weekend sorted? Don’t worry! We have the lowdown.

Saturday 25th August

Toy Art, Riley Smith Theatre, 10am – 4pm
After a respectable lie-in, we’d recommend heading across to Riley Smith Theatre at Leeds University Union to check out Toy Art. An exhibition brought to you by some of the leading toy artists in the UK, you’ll be able to experience their work and chat to some of them in person.

Image: Toy Art UK

Eat North, North Brewing Co, 12pm onwards
Fancy some beer and fantastic street food? There’s no better to place to find it than Eat North at North Brewing Co’s brewery tap. With a selection of coffee, sweet treats and street food goodness, you’re bound to find something which tickles your fancy.

Mango Lassi launch, Northern Monk Refectory, 11.45am onwards
From one brewery to another, Northern Monk is hosting a special celebration for its much-loved Mango Lassi IPA which is returning to its taps as part of Leeds Beer Week. There’ll be street food and fun on offer too.

Image: Northern Monk Brewery

Pride and Prejudice at Roundhay Park, 2pm and 7pm
It is the truth universally acknowledged that bank holidays are the absolute best. Make sure yours continues to be top notch with a trip to Roundhay Park for an open air performance of Pride and Prejudice. Swoon as Elizabeth and Darcy fall in love and feel the warm glow of knowing that you still have two more lie-ins to come.

Sunday 26th August

Leeds Feast, Water Lane Boathouse, 11am onwards
Not had enough street food yet? We hear you! Head down to Water Lane Boathouse for a feast and a half at the aptly named, Leeds Feast! Enjoy the beer garden in the sun (fingers crossed) with a pint or two, food from our friends at Ox Club and many others and music from Hyde Park Brass and a selection of DJs. This event is on 27th too!

Left Bank Opera Festival, Left Bank Leeds, 2.30 to 3.30pm
Catch the last day of the Left Bank Opera Festival with a performance of Calcutta by Ensemble Tempus Fugit. There will be other fun activities throughout the day so head up from 1pm.

Black Music Festival, Potternewton Park
Formerly known as Leeds Reggae Festival, the Black Music Festival is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Get in the mood for carnival with some of the best reggae, hip hop and r ‘n’ b performances from across the globe! There’ll be food and arts and crafts too!

Image: Black Music Festival (Photography: Guy Farrar)

Monday 27th August

Leeds West Indian Carnival, Chapeltown
Right, this one is our favourite and we strongly recommend that you make it the cornerstone of your bank holiday weekend. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, see the very best of Leeds with this all out party! Expect costumes, music and an awesome atmosphere. Keep an eye on social media for announcements about timings.

Chapel Allerton Arts Festival Week, Chapel Allerton
Just up the road from the carnival, you’ll find the beginnings of the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival. A week of celebration before the main event (31st – 2nd), head to Seven for a Short Film Festival from 7.30pm or enjoy an Art Hunt with the kids around Gledhow Valley Woods during the day.

Image: Chapel Allerton Arts Festival

Leeds Piano Trail, Leeds city centre, all day
Completed the Art Hunt at Gledhow Valley Woods (see above) and still fancy hunting some more…? Well, LeedsBID is supporting the 2018 Leeds Piano Competition and has hidden 12 pianos around the city to celebrate. You can pick up a trail map from info points across the city or just wander round and see how many you can find. Here’s a starter for 10, there’s one at The Tetley if you fancy some food to kickstart your hunt and there’s also one hiding at Corn Exchange, which is always worth a visit!

There you have it. Our bank holiday round up is bound to keep you busy. Have we missed anything? How do you plan to spend yours?

You might have seen one or two envelopes marked ‘READ ME’ turning up in the Art Hostel and other East Street Arts locations. It’s part of a guerrilla publishing project called #foundfiction. Here we reveal how #foundfiction is connecting writers and readers across the world through anonymous short stories.

‘Smile, it might never happen.’
‘Live every day like it’s your last.’
‘Be true to yourself.’

Everyone has words to live by – particular phrases that define who we are and guide how we handle any curveballs life throws at us.

For #foundfiction it’s ‘the best stories you find are the ones that find you’. This is the idea that literature is about a reader taking the outstretched hand of a writer they’ll probably never meet, making a powerful bond through a story they didn’t know they were looking for.

The concept behind #foundfiction is very simple. Writers send in their stories, which are printed out, folded up, put in envelopes marked ‘READ ME’, and left in public spaces for someone to find. To date, there have been over 4,000 envelopes distributed across the world – throughout the UK and Europe, and as far as the US, Canada, Australia, Africa and Japan.

#foundfiction has also printed stories in Polish and French – and it has plans to broaden the languages it publishes even further by working with translators and welcoming short story writers worldwide.

Where are the stories left? Anywhere they’re likely to be found and appreciated. Bookshops, cafés and train stations are where readers usually stumble upon these mysterious envelopes – but they’ve also turned up in the crevices of trees, at cash points and in mannequin hands in fashion stores. #foundfiction defines street literature.

How is #foundfiction growing?

After initially starting out as a means by which one shy writer could get his work read by others anonymously, #foundfiction now publishes work by over 50 writers.

Steve Clarkson, the founder of #foundfiction, said: “The project began when I was chatting to a friend who was a writer and really wanted his work to be read. However, he was shy so he didn’t want anyone to know it was him responsible for the words.

“The primary purpose of #foundfiction is to connect writers and readers across the world – and we’d love to think we brighten someone’s day in the process. If we’re going to make the world a more positive place, it will be one envelope at a time.”

In February 2018 #foundfiction received a grant from Leeds Inspired, which funds many arts projects, venues and organisations across the city. The funds went towards staging a launch night at the Leeds Library – and the project has gone from strength to strength ever since.

It’s explored a variety of avenues over the past six months, including:

• Expanding into new languages – printing stories in French as well as Polish, and growing into communities in those respective countries.
• Working with youngsters – to inspire kids to read more and write better through writing workshops and competitions.
• Helping authors publicise their work – delivering creative publicity strategies for authors and small publishers by scattering extracts of new work in the run-up to book launches.
• Co-writing short stories with the public – installing the #foundfiction writing desk at literary festivals and across cities nationwide, encouraging members of the public to co-create short stories.

Looking ahead – how can travellers get involved?

#foundfiction is always keen to hear from any creative writers – emerging or established. They can email fictionfound@gmail.com with stories up to 500 words, which will be printed and distributed for free. Travellers who wants to distribute short stories while they’re globetrotting can get involved by sending a mailing address – they’ll receive a bundle of stories in return. You can also join the community on social media using the #foundfiction hashtag.

Steve said: “It’s always been our goal to grow #foundfiction. Ultimately, if every major city across the world had the scale of a following we have in Leeds, we’d be making a considerable impact on the way people publish and consume short fiction.

“#foundfiction belongs to our community. Keep writing, keep sharing and keep in touch.”

Twitter: @fictionfound
Facebook: foundfiction
Instagram: found_fiction

Happy Leeds Beer Week everyone! From stouts to blondes, we have some of the best beers around in our city’s fine establishments. Whether you nip into one of our breweries or sup your ale in a hidden alleyway pub, you’re bound to find something that wets your whistle. Here’s a run down of our favourite taverns…which can all be found by following our Art Hostel map. How very convenient?!

North Bar
Based on New Briggate, North Bar is part of the North Brewing Company family of bars which can be found across the city and in its wonderful suburbs, including Further North (Chapel Allerton), Alfred (Meanwood) and The Cross Keys (city centre).

Possibly the very first craft bar in Britain (we don’t know that for sure!), North has a fantastically diverse range of beers on tap and in its fridges. It’s won an award or two in its time and is top notch for music and art with a great atmosphere. The staff are helpful and will point you in the right direction if you’re a novice! This bar is an all round good egg – cheers to you North Bar!

Tapped
Just landed in Leeds? Not sure where to head to from the station or the 757 bus stop? We’d recommend you start your trip with a visit to Tapped which is on Boar Lane, just down from the train station. It’s an American-style brew spot with more than 25 draft beers on tap. There’s absolutely something for everyone and you can get a darn good pizza too. Bottoms up!

The Midnight Bell
Leeds Brewery’s flagship pub, The Midnight Bell is situated within one of the oldest buildings in the city. You’ll find it down on Water Lane in Holbeck (close to the Water Taxi stop!) and it’s a great spot to take in some “traditional Leeds” with amazing oak beams and ancient brickwork. It may well be an oldie but it’s certainly a goody with a great variety of beer ready for you to sample. Order a pint or two before heading off the Northern Monk which is just down the road. Chin-chin!

Water Lane Boathouse
Another Water Lane beauty is the recent addition (more recent than The Midnight Bell anyway)… Water Lane Boathouse. It has a fantastic outdoor space next to the canal and claims to have a massive selection of…wait for it…more than 70(!!) beers. From pale ale to fruit beer, your head may be spinning before you have your first sip. You can enjoy great food options and some very good deals too. We salute you Water Lane Boathouse.

Whitelock’s
Remember we mentioned hidden alleyway pubs? Well, here’s where we’ll elaborate. One word… Whitelock’s. It was built in 1751 (Hear that, The Midnight Bell?) and is THE oldest public house in Leeds. Much of the real ale and craft beer on offer comes from Yorkshire breweries and there’s a nice outdoor space which you can settle yourself into while you sup your pints! If you’re with a non-beer drinker (**spits out pint in disgust**), fear not, they can nip next door to The Turk’s Head to get themselves a terrific gin and tonic and join you outside. Whitelock’s, we doff our hats to your age and experience, old boy!

Headrow House
A very good friend of Water Lane Boathouse, Headrow House is situated on (you guessed it!) the Headrow. Blink and you’ll miss it, the entrance is a little hidden but there’s usually a bouncer outside giving it away. It’s all about the Beer Hall with 60 beers from around the world! The Pilsner Urquell is the star of the show…an unpasteurised, unfiltered delight…HH claims that its “the best Pilsner you’ve ever tasted”. We dare you to find out if they’re right. Other points to note is the fantastic Ox Club, its brunch is a dream, and the wonderful terrace. Headrow House, we really don’t deserve you!

The Angel Inn
Boasting one of Leeds’ cheapest pints, The Angel Inn is another of the city’s hidden alleyway bars. Just off Briggate, you’ll find The Angel nestled in a fabulous spot. Its old school all the way beer is grand. We just love it!

Foley’s Tap House
Another Headrow hotspot is Foley’s Tap House, located in the very lovely, and listed, Pearl Chambers. It’s the only York Brewery outside of York and you can try interesting beers from around the world including those from York Brewery itself. There’s a few ciders to choose from should you fancy too.

Outlaws Yacht Club
One of our neighbours (kinda), Outlaws Yacht Club is just around the corner and is a feast for the soul. Good music..check. Board games…check. Excellent beer…check! You can’t go wrong. It even has its own pale ale brewed by Bad Co Brewery. We couldn’t recommend it more highly.

The Palace
We know, we know! The Palace makes it into nearly all of our round ups. Well, we can’t help it…perhaps it needs to stop being so great! A traditional pub, just down the road from us, The Palace is the perfect spot for a good beer and a natter. It’s the place to be for sport viewing too. Good on you, The Palace.

Right, that’s it! You’re free to head out and enjoy a pint or two but please, please, please drink responsibly. We wouldn’t recommend using our guide as a pub crawl! And remember to check out the Leeds Beer Week website to find out all you need to know: www.leedsbeerweek.co.uk

What’s your favourite drinking spot in Leeds? Tell us what we’ve missed in the comments below.

Australia’s monumental ‘yes’ vote for same sex marriage came as my plane touched down at Melbourne Airport and, as the country’s renowned cultural capital, the city seemed to shout its acceptance in a flurry of rainbow flags and creative street art.

0

0

Moments into my Melbourne trip I was told to promise, hand on heart, that “I will never step foot in Starbucks whilst in the city”. I soon understood why, as I discovered laneways bursting with bright artwork and alternative coffee spots and elderly bohemian-style street performers. Just a few steps later I stumbled upon creative subway exhibitions, with yet more stalls to serve my caffeine fix. The city instantly appeared to embody the independent, artistic narrative it is famed for.

Melbourne’s movement towards cultural growth is apparent everywhere you look – from the pop up installations in the Botanical Gardens to the city’s ever growing collection of public art. Possibly one of its most famed features is that of the Lanes. The side streets of the inner city have been transformed into quirky warrens, dotted with independent eateries, coffee shops and vintage stores. Once nothing more than slums during the gold rush of the Marvelous Melbourne era, these urban alleys now hold great cultural significance as home to some of the finest arts and brunch spots in the city.

Anyone who has spent any time in Melbourne will have experienced its street art culture. The cities laneways have become a contemporary symbol for the city where, since the 1990s, there has been a growing acceptance for graffiti as a form of art. Alleyways within the city centre have become iconic spaces for the legal creation of street art. The initiative was borne from the desire to promote creativity in unused or dirty spaces of the city – creating vibrancy where there was formerly darkness. One piece in particular uses the environment as a muse, creating an urban jungle that brings bursts of greens and blues to the grey of the city’s alleyways. Artists, such as Mike Makatron, have become famous for their urban creations here in Melbourne leading to streams of camera-clad tourists descending upon the iconic Hosier Lane and ACDC to get that perfect Instagram shot.

The laneways initiative has brought a rich form of organic culture and heritage to Melbourne. I spent much of my time away from the main high streets, hopping from lane to lane to lap up their unique feel and experience. Rather than being a part of town to be avoided, the lanes have taken centre stage – some strung with ornate lighting and bunting, many adorned with vibrant art, whilst others are home to a bustling coffee culture and overflowing boutique cafes.

0

0

0

This isn’t to say that Melbourne has generated a new credibility for graffiti as a form of art. In fact, the work of internationally renowned street artist Banksy has been vandalised and destroyed on 3 occasions within the city. This led to the response that, although it was a shame, it was hardly the Mona Lisa… So, whilst there is still a very real impression among many that graffiti isn’t valued artwork, the laneways initiative evidences a real movement towards organic and niche cultural city growth.

It wasn’t just the marriage vote I’d arrived to; it was also Melbourne’s annual music week – where 250 artists perform at 105 live events in 40 venues across the city. This led to days of basking in the novelty of sunshine in November, whilst uncovering new and emerging artists from the southern hemisphere. The cultural capital is also host to an annual comedy festival – along with the iconic fringe festival, which sees 400 shows held in venues across the city. Whilst I was a little too late to go myself, as a self-proclaimed culture chaser, I’d heard of its success in celebrating the 2017 motto of “Everything is Art” – featuring exhibitions such as Pivot, a live art display by Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey. This piece was comprised of a talking seesaw which aimed to overcome the echo chamber of reality by prompting conversation in an interactive way – connecting people to one another, to their city and to art. In many cases, without people even realising that it was art they were engaging with.

For me, the beauty of Melbourne was the inclusive nature of its creative culture. Art was not just something I saw on a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria. Whether I was taking a shortcut down an artistic alleyway or stopping for a coffee, I was almost always engaging with the open and independently creative nature of the city. The urban edge of Melbourne is paired with its acceptance for art of all forms – and I can safely say that just a week spent soaking up this creative energy definitely wasn’t long enough…

“Living in Singapore as a creative is like living in a famine…” (Artist, Zi Xi)

A day in the city wouldn’t give you this impression. Bright lights of the iconic skyline mirrored on the waters of the lavish Marina Bay – Singapore is a city nation that screams modernity, acceptance, and innovation. Or it is? It is only when you dig a little deeper, looking beyond the clean and orderly city centre streets and asking the question, but why?

Public art is banned. The only art you see decorating the urban hub is that which has passed rigorous checks, art that supports an important city narrative. The kind of message that says, ‘We are Singapore, we are a successful, accepting and multi-cultural nation state’. Commissioned murals take you on a creative journey through the city’s history, whilst monuments depict the industrial progression of years gone by and symbolic sculptures take the shape of harmonious figures holding hands. There is an element of freedom in creating, an ability to act on impulsive innovative desire, that isn’t welcomed here – a feeling, at least, that it doesn’t meet with the strict contemporary city brand.

As an artist living in Singapore, you begin to feel like you are moving through a cookie cutter system – fulfilling what is expected and asked of you. Safe. Clean. Art. Just speaking with local artist, Zi Xi, I could feel her appetite for more. Having lived and studied in London, Zi Xi has experienced the creative chaos of the British urban jungle, along with its freedom in the exploration and expression of your unique imagination. The stark comparison between these two cities is clear to see. The city streets here are spotless, orderly and quiet. Everything has its place and its purpose. Just thinking of London brings back memories of crowded streets, the hum of traffic, the crash and laughter of street performers. We see this as an environment of commotion, disarray and havoc. Yet to an artist it is one of liberation – where you are given the freedom to speak, create and act on desire. Fundamentally, laws and restrictions mean that the public art you are shown in Singapore’s city centre are very intentional.

Walking through the streets of Singapore, I began to feel as though I was part of a film set, in some alternate Truman Show reality. This notion wasn’t new to any of the residents I spoke with, who all laughed in agreement. Zi Xi went on to speak of her interest in what’s happening beyond the Singapore bubble. It was important for her to address controversial themes that were otherwise avoided in Singapore’s social circuits and discuss them in the only forum she could – her artwork. A recent example of this was the ‘Plastic Ocean’ installation, where she transformed gallery space into an ocean of plastic in an effort to demonstrate the very real effects of pollution. Zi Xi has been asked to undertake an extension of this project at Singapore Zoo, highlighting the growing appetite for this exploratory form of artwork in the city.

The clean city centre poses a stark contrast to the vibrancy of its ghettos. Both China Town and Little India have their own personality, presented through an explosion of colour and noise. It felt as though you were stepping from Singapore’s safe and orderly streets into another world as you ventured into each neighbourhood. I was taken in by the informality of China Town. I became one in a sea of people moving with the tides beneath the traditionally ornate paper lanterns that fluttered above our heads – it was refreshing to hear the shouts from street vendors as we passed, to see some element of disorder in the otherwise perfect display that was Singapore.

I was staying in Little India, which has been dubbed the up and coming creative ghetto. It was refreshing to see passionate stories of the community’s rich cultural history told in the form of striking street art. The neighbourhood is home to ARTWALK, an annual public arts festival (run by LASALLE College of Arts and Singapore Tourism Board, supported by Little India’s Shopkeepers’ and Heritage Association). 2017 marked its third year, where interactive art installations, immersive performances and expressive storytelling explored the theme of ‘Your Path to Remember’. These passionate displays were delivered by local artists, who effectively brought the heritage of the Little India district to life. The ghettoes showcase an alternative display of art, shedding light on another side to Singapore and the many faces of its multicultural community.

Expression of creative passion must be supported and approved before it can be displayed in the city of Singapore. This fact was reinforced with a visit to The Substation, which was the first independent arts centre in the city. Although its identity has changed a little, the venue continues to explore experimental and contemporary art. The exhibition currently on display is entitled ‘Discipline the City’, which encourages us to consider the expense and exclusivity of the city – where everyone knows where they need to be and how they must behave. It comes in response to questions of control, of access and politics of space. I found it interesting that these themes should be chosen in such a restricted and authority-led urban environment – yet the very fact that this exhibition is running gave me a sense of faith in the future of genuine and creative displays of artistic passion in Singapore.

‘Discipline the City’ takes its audience on a journey through an anti-building – presenting a fusion of misaligned spaces, walls that don’t quite connect and punk-themed riot scenes. It brings us to question: who does the city belong to? Who has rights over the city? These are poignant themes in any urban hub but, for me, they were particularly important questions to consider here in Singapore – an environment where artist, Zi Xi, stated she felt as though she were on cookie-cutter conveyor belt. She, along with everyone else in the city, has a role to fulfil, expectations to meet, along with rules and regulations to abide by. Perhaps this exhibition – along with the freedom of expression Zi Xi uses in her artistic world – is helping to open up creative conversation in Singapore.

0

0

0

0

0

0

There are many layers to the ‘Singapore experience’. It isn’t easy to get under the skin of the city and see beyond the shiny facade of the iconic skyline. But if you are looking for an element of freedom in expression, of organic artistic flare and passion, it can be found. Step beyond Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay – instead, choose to get lost in the cultural warrens of the cities ethnic ghettos, explore hidden independent arts spaces and find yourself in amongst crowds of like-minded individuals at informal festivals held in celebration of local creativity.

Words and images by Emily Baldwin.