Survival Guide

 

Hints and tips

Whatever the weather, we will be holding a Summer Party on Briggate late into the evening. However, it is worth noting that Light Night does take place at night... in the autumn... and what with the British weather being the way it is...

Bring a brolly - a white umbrella if you have one.

Wear sensible shoes.

Carry a pac-a-mac.

Walking around every venue is nearly impossible. Believe me, I've tried. It's about nine miles and three hours worth of walking. Bring supplies. A packed supper in Tupperware perhaps.

We hope you will visit parts of the city that you have never been to before. In case you can't find your way back, take a torch, a whistle, a safety pin and a length of sturdy twine. Attach a label to yourself with your name and phone number on it. Be warned - trails of breadcrumbs may be erased by pigeons.

 

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Areas and routes

We want Light Night to be an adventure. A free-form, improvised stroll around a city that you thought you knew. There is enough happening for you to just turn up and wander!

However, we are aware that this is not the way that everyone likes to do things. For those of you who like to plan a route from A to B to C, here are some suggestions:

Download the brochure from here, or the timetable from here.

Alternatively, turn up at one of the Light Night info hubs and ask for guidance. These hubs will be at:

1. The Light Shopping Centre, The Headrow. Look for the info desk on the arcade level.
2. PSL [Project Space Leeds]. There is a range of activities in the ‘new' city this year, along the river and to the south of it. Be brave: try out the new footbridge. Promenade along the water's edge. If you turn up at PSL [Project Space Leeds], have a look at their exhibition, then ask for help and a map to other projects on the waterfront.
3. Black Dogs Summer Party on Briggate. Follow the light and heat. Join in the party, and ask for further information.

Food and drink

If you haven't packed marmalade sandwiches for your Light Night adventure, you could get a little peckish along the way. If it's cold you might want to warm up with a nice cup of tea - or even something a little stronger. There are a few suitable establishments we can recommend to intrepid art explorers...

 

Victorian Tiled Hall

Situated between Leeds City Art Gallery and Leeds Central Library
Leeds
LS1 3AB

www.tiledhallcafe.co.uk

This former Victorian gentleman's reading room joining the Art Gallery to the Library was ‘rediscovered' and refurbished, and now houses the excellent Tiled Hall Café. Closed to the public for over 50 years, it's a beautifully decorated space boasting original Burmantoft tiles which have been carefully restored, and a superbly decorated parquet floor.

What's more, they're open late for Light Night, and will be hosting events as well as providing a range of food and drink for sale. Local produce is a speciality - we particularly recommend their selection of cheeses, pies and pickles...

 

The Reliance

76-78 North Street
Leeds
LS2 7PN

www.the-reliance.co.uk

Open until midnight, this bar/dining room offers a great selection of food and drink, served in a friendly and relaxed environment. All the food is homemade to order from carefully sourced, fresh ingredients.

The Reliance has an ever-changing selection of artwork on its walls, with a new exhibition every six weeks. We're not really sure what will be displayed on Light Night - the best way is to head down and see for yourself.

 

Smokestack

159a Lower Briggate
Leeds
LS1 6LY

Smokestack is a lounge-bar-club set over two floors, playing music from gumbo funk and Memphis soul, to Chicago blues, jazz and reggae.

It also hosts ad hoc art exhibitions, currently the 'Love You All Madly' photography exhibition by Leeds-born photographer Terry Cryer. With portraits of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, it gives a compelling insight into the jazz scene of the 50s and 60s, and provides a suitable backdrop to the bar's grooving soundtrack.

"Terry Cryer's photographs are jazz classics" according to The Guardian.

 

Arts Café

42 Call Lane
Leeds
LS1 6DT

www.artscafebar.co.uk

As the name suggests, art plays an important role in this café-bar's ethos: the work of local artists adorns the walls, and exhibitions change regularly.

The emphasis remains resolutely on serving fantastic modern European and English grub though - you can order food until 10.30pm and drinks until around midnight.