Head to Masham Market Place in North Yorkshire on Sunday 6th May as Europe’s longest running Caribbean Carnival parade brings wow factor to Stage 4 of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire . Leeds Pop Up Carnival’s jaw dropping costume creations, high energy dance moves, joyful soca and calypso music are all set to transform Masham with an unexpected slice of Carnival in the heart of God’s own county.  Over 30 stunning costumes adorned with gorgeous feathers, glittering gems and sparkling sequins will join mini parades from the Town Hall leaving at around 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Come early, pick a good Continue Reading

Hats off to all the designers, makers and participants who competed for 2017’s Leeds Carnival 50 titles.  The stakes were higher than ever for everyone taking part. Let’s take a look at the winners.

Pan Master Dudley Nesbitt is all set to take us on a musical journey at A Brief History of Pan. Wednesday 2nd May 2018 7pm – 9pm RJC Dance Studio @ The Mandela Centre, Leeds LS7 3HY Born in the Caribbean and delighting the world since the early 20th century, the sweet sound of steel pan has roots in rebellion and uprising. From Trinidad and Tobago to the streets of Leeds steel pan is at the heart of authentic Caribbean Carnival, brought to popularity in England by the Windrush Generation, as time goes by it is an artform whose existence Continue Reading

A TASTE OF CARNIVAL – FAMILY WORKSHOP DAY  Date                Bank Holiday Monday 2nd April 2018                       Admission       A one off registration fee of £5 payable to register and secure your booking Venue               Leeds West Indian Centre, Laycock Place Leeds 7 Time                  Please arrive for sign in from 10:00am Workshops start 10:30am prompt. The day will end by around 4:30pm following group performances. You can register online here Who is A Taste of Carnival for? This is a family event sharing carnival arts and crafts with children aged 6-15 accompanied by an adult. Adults – come prepared to Continue Reading

Tickets now on sale The Carnival Golden anniversary celebrations continue with Queen of Chapeltown.  Join West Yorkshire Playhouse as a company of professional actors and community participants come together to share and celebrate the story of the birth of Leeds West Indian Carnival. Woven from first hand accounts collected by Colin Grant, curated by Burt Caesar and directed by Associate Director Amy Leach; The Queen of Chapeltown follows the stories of those who campaigned, sewed and danced their way to the first carnival in 1967 and of one woman’s journey to become a Carnival Queen. 13-15 Sept. Book tickets – https://goo.gl/HTk53R

Leeds Carnival never fails to attract the biggest names, and they’re out in force this weekend for our 50th birthday. We are privileged to welcome Barbadian soca music star Edwin Yearwood (pictured above) to Leeds, with the “Soca King” appearing across the city to join the celebrations with us. Anyone lucky enough to grab a ticket for our now-sold-out King & Queen Show at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Friday evening will be treated to a special guest appearance from Edwin. If you weren’t lucky enough to grab tickets, the entire show will be streamed live in both the Leeds Continue Reading

Tickets are now on sale for the new play, Carnival Chronicles, commissioned especially for Leeds West Indian Carnival’s 50th year. In this moving play, charting a love story spanning 50 years, from the Caribbean to Leeds, Melody and Cyril tell their story of migration, love, loss and celebration. Carnival Chronicles is embroidered with key moments and images from Leeds West Indian Carnival’s half century history and the real life memories of the pioneers and community that brought Carnival to the city. Performances: West Yorkshire Playhouse September 11th | Box Office:  0113 213 7700 Mandela Centre October 20th | Box office: Continue Reading