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What's on in Leeds

Jan/Feb/Mar

If you feel like learning or trying something new this year, Leeds has much to offer. Café Scientifique, at Leeds City Museum, is a place where people meet over a coffee or glass of wine to discuss aspects of science that affect their lives. Subjects covered in the coming months include Leeds Life: A Perspective on Wildlife and the City (8 January), Polymaths: Who Needs Them? (12 February) and Fantastic Figs (11 March).

Strictly Pudsey is the chance for movers and groovers young and old to step out onto Pudsey Civic Hall’s 2,800-sq ft beech dance floor and try your feet at ballroom, sequence dancing or a little rock ’n’ roll (Thursday and Saturday evenings until 31 March).

At Temple Newsam House you can learn about the immaculate, two-year restoration of the 300-year-old Queen Anne State Bed, a confection of crimson velvet and gold lace with a canopy weighing almost a ton, in the special exhibition Bedtime Stories: Chapter One (until 1 May).

Finally, improve your cookery skills at one of Casa Mia Millennium’s acclaimed Sunday masterclasses, which include pasta (8 January and 19 February), meat (5 February), fish (4 March) and Spring Dinner Party (25 March).

United Enemies

Until 11 March
This exhibition explores the problem of sculpture in the 1960s and 70s, when the very idea of the discipline was radically contested. It examines work by over 50 artists, including Roelof Louw’s Soul City (Pyramid of Oranges), 1967, a piece containing over 6,000 oranges which visitors were welcome to eat.

henry-moore.org

Phoenix Dance Theatre

1 - 4 February
A new mixed programme includes two world premieres: Catch, by Ana Luján Sánchez, is inspired by Magritte’s painting The Son of Man; and SoundClash, the latest creation from Kwesi Johnson, a choreographer famed for blending contemporary, hip-hop, breakdancing and parkour.

www.wyp.org.uk

Banff Mountain Film Festival

2 February
The prestigious mountain film festival returns to Leeds with a new selection of exhilarating short films from top adventurers. Be transported to the world’s last great wildernesses and enjoy amazing footage of adrenaline-packed action sports.

carriageworkstheatre.org.uk.

5 things to see and do in Leeds

Yorkshire Dance
Creating opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to dance, the centre offers classes and courses in jazz, tap, zumba, pilates, ballroom, salsa, belly dancing, ballet, flamenco, street dance and much more. Learn the steps for the first dance at your wedding, or arrange a dance-fuelled children’s party.
Golden Acre Park
Outside the city centre, at Bramhope, lies this former amusement park, now a 55-hectare area of gardens and mature woodlands surrounding an attractive lake. At the park’s heart is a Demonstration Garden providing visitors with horticultural inspiration and ideas, and a former miniature railway has been transformed into a blooming garden.
Kirkgate Market
The largest covered market in the country, housed in impressive Edwardian buildings, is home to over 800 traders selling everything from the mundane to the exotic. Fish and game, carpets and curtains, music and games, clothing and accessories… whatever you need, it’s bound to be here.
Granary Wharf
Shops, pubs and restaurants continue to spring up in the restored railway arches and on the water’s edge at this award-winning development. At the heart is Mint Hotel with its stunning Skylounge offering views of the city; other notable pit stops include coffee shop Out of the Woods, and authentic Brazilian restaurant Fazenda.
Pole Position Indoor Karting
A new Paintball Arena has opened at the site, offering the fast and furious Speedball style seen in the US. Perfect for birthday parties, the massive karting arena can host groups of up to 20 people aged 12 and over. Elsewhere you can still enjoy a race on the 580m-long, high-spec tarmac circuit, an exciting route incorporating tunnels, bridges and elevated pit areas.

Near the station

Pop Boutique, 12-16 Central Road, LS1 6DE

Heaven for vintage junkies, the store brings clothes from the 1960s, 70s and 80s back to life. Prices are kept sensible and the shop’s own label specialises in ethically sourced and recycled materials. A basement area is dedicated to shoes and accessories.

Nicholas Deakins, Victoria Quarter, 61 Vicar Lane, LS1 6BA

The flagship store for the men’s shoe and clothing brand is a luxurious space, balancing antique chic with cutting-edge contemporary design. Find the popular Bullet boot here, as well as Green Label casual wear and Craig Nicholas Tate’s signature line.

Fizz Bomb, Unit 414, Row F, 1981 Market Hall, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7JJ

The handmade cosmetics online shop has opened a branch in Kirkgate Market. Soaps, shampoo bars and bath bombs, all made with natural, divine-smelling ingredients, include lime and coconut soap and Satsuma buttery bath cake.

Rib Shakk, Corn Exchange, Call Lane, LS1 7BR

Leeds’ acclaimed Anthony’s Restaurant has launched a new dining concept. Rib Shakk serves sweet and juicy ribs and burgers with a selection of BBQ sauces, from Classic Kansas City to San Diego Piri Piri. Buckets of wings and sharing platters are also available.

The Food Academy, 3rd Floor, Flannels, Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH

This collaboration between Leeds City College and the Flannels luxury retail group showcases the College’s most talented catering students in a restaurant offering light bites, à la carte lunches and afternoon teas. Unpretentious but delicious dishes include onion soup and Lancashire hotpot.

Chino Latino, Leeds, Park Plaza Hotel, Boar Lane, LS1 5NS

The menu at this vibrant Pan-Asian restaurant draws on the delicate flavours of China, South-East Asia and modern Japan. Signature dishes include lobster jungle curry, inside-out chicken wings and nigiri sushi and sashimi.

The Hop, The Dark Arches, Granary Wharf, Neville Street, LS1 4BR

A traditional real alehouse serving an impressive range of brews, as well as pies from the multi-award-winning Andrew Jones of Huddersfield. The venue’s intimate atmosphere is ideal for live bands every Friday and Saturday night.

The Reform, 12-14 Merrion Street, LS1 6PQ

Stylish and cosy bar-cum-music venue for discerning drinkers. Lounge on leather Chesterfields and enjoy continental beers, classic cocktails and eclectic sounds. Open until 6am on the last Saturday of the month.

Toast Bar & Bistro, West Point, Wellington Street, LS1 4JY

A city-centre bar with a continental feel, serving a great selection of beers, wines and freshly cooked food all day. Pop in for a quick coffee, a Sunday roast or an early evening cocktail, such as Vanilla Mule—homemade vanilla rum, lime and ginger beer.

Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, LS1 6HW

Both an active church and an arts centre, the magnificent 18th-century building hosts a wide variety of writing workshops - which are usually either free or £1 to participate - exhibitions and live music.

Leeds Boules Court, Bond Court, LS1 2JZ

This little haven in the hubbub of the city is a tree-lined public space where you can sit and watch petanque players, and admire Roger Burnett’s delightful bronze sculpture of a traditional French player being watched by a Yorkshire family.

The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, LS1 7RB

The Victorian architectural masterpiece, built by young Hull architect Cuthbert Brodrick in 1864, has been magnificently restored and is home to speciality shops and acclaimed restaurants. It also regularly hosts fashion shows and live music events.