THE sixteenth Leeds Gathering festival returns this month – with some of the best established and emerging Irish artists on the line-up.
The popular event is a citywide celebration of Irish music and arts, designed to appeal to people of an Irish background and also those from the wider community.
For 2021 they continue that theme, with a month of events planned bringing the best of Irish culture to Leeds.
Organisers The Irish Arts Foundation confirm: “The sixteenth Leeds Gathering festival is a celebration of traditional Irish music and song from Thursday, October 28 to Tuesday, November 23.
“Our aim is to bring you the finest examples of established and emerging local Irish musicians,” they add, “and we’re sure you’ll enjoy it.”
Here is the full line up of what you can expect from the festival – for tickets or further information click here or visit the Irish Arts Foundation Facebook page here.
Irish events will take place across Leeds tin the coming weeksLeeds Gathering Festival Schedule
Thursday, October 28, 8pm Samhain .... almost!
An evening of traditional Irish music and song. Meaning "Summer's End" and pronounced saah-win or saa-ween, ‘Samhain’ is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or darker-half of the year. In the northern hemisphere, it is held on November 1, but with celebrations beginning on the evening of 31st October, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset.
Free Event The Highland, Cavendish St, Leeds LS3 1LY
Wednesday, November 3, 6:30pm Wednesday Creative Takeover
On the first Wednesday of every month, our friends from Irish Arts Foundation join us with some amazing live music too. There’s always something to watch or listen to, prepare to be entertained.
Free Event - In collaboration with Left Bank Leeds www.leftbankleeds.org.uk.
Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan Road (opposite Milford), Leeds LS6 1LJ
Friday, November 5, 12.15pm Over 55's Lunch Club
New people are always welcome to join the relaxed Irish environment at the Montague Burton Resource Centre. This week and to celebrate the Leeds Gathering Festival, musicians from the Irish Arts Foundation will deliver inter-generational and participatory performances of Irish music and song.
For information contact Leeds Irish Health & Homes. Tel 0113 2625614 www.lihh.org. Montague Burton Resource Centre, Banstead Street West, Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 5RU
Tuesday, November 9, 12.15pm The Tuesday Club
The weekly Tuesday Club includes bingo and refreshments. This Tuesday features music from Irish Arts Foundation musicians Kevin Mullowney and Gerry Brownridge.
Contact Leeds Irish Centre for details on how to join The Tuesday Club. 0113 2480887 www.theleedsirishcentre.co.uk.
Leeds Irish Centre, York Road, Leeds LS9 9NT
Wednesday, November 10, 11am South Leeds Irish Elders Group
The South Leeds Irish Elders Group meet up fortnightly. This week musicians from the Irish Arts Foundation will deliver inter-generational and participatory performances of Irish music and song.
For information contact Leeds Irish Health & Homes. Tel 0113 2625614 www.lihh.org.
Beeston Community & St Mary's Parish Hall, Town Street, Leeds LS11 8PN
Wednesday, November 10, 6pm Rush Hour Trad
Chill out with a drink or coffee after work for an hour’s traditional Irish music.
£PWYF Seven Arts, 31a Harrogate Road, Leeds LS7 3PD
Sunday, November 14, 2.30pm Traditional Irish Music Afternoon
An afternoon of traditional Irish music with special guests.
Free Event, at The New George, 2-4 Commercial Road, Leeds LS5 3AQ
Tuesday, November 16, 7pm Tuesday Night Live
The Christy Herron Band: a musical evening of rhythm and blues. Tickets £5.00 available from HEART reception and online https://www.heartcentre.org.uk/events.
The Shire Oak Room, Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART), Bennett Road, Leeds LS6 3HN
Friday, November 19, 7pm Friday Night Live
An evening of traditional Irish music and song with special guests.
Tickets £7.00 available from HEART reception and online https://www.heartcentre.org.uk/events.
The Shire Oak Room, Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART), Bennett Road, Leeds LS6 3HN
Tuesday, November 23, 8.45pm The Leeds Irish Music Programme
‘Not merely bashing out the standards and old favourites but a sensitive educational series exploring Ireland’s different regional traditions, as absorbing to the expert as the lay listener,’ as described by Ian Duhig of The Irish Times.
Broadcast online on East Leeds FM, all shows now available online at https://www.chapelfm.co.uk/elfm-player/shows/list/leeds-irish-music-programme/East Leeds FM.
Old Seacroft Chapel, 1081 York Road, Leeds LS14 6JB
Throughout the month of November, ‘Timeline’: cultural historical timeline information exhibition In collaboration with Leeds Libraries.
Free Event. Seacroft Library & Community Hub, Deacon House, 1 Seacroft Avenue, Leeds LS14 6JD
