From St Patrick’s Day to painting, March is bursting with fun ways to fill the days
The third month of the year is officially upon us, and if you, like us, are swinging between denial at the rapidity of passing time and disbelief that we even made it through 2021 at all, it’s probably time to put the kettle on and get some plans in the diary. And you’re in the perfect place to do just that, because this month’s round-up of the best doable things in Leeds is here to make your schedule look more important in just a few taps. Ready to make PLANS?
Read on for the best things to do in Leeds this month.
Lou Sanders – One Word: WOW | City Varieties | 3 March
The blurb for Lou Sanders’ latest show on the Leeds Grand Theatre website suggests that it could be the "real" vaccine, and while that’s unlikely to be true, (in fact, I’m not even sure what it means at this stage) her whacky yet witty comedy style is set to be a laugh a minute. Grab your ticket now.
City Varieties Music Hall, Swan Street, Leeds LS1 6LW (7.30pm; tickets £17.60 at leedsheritagetheatres.com)
Paint Street Art! | Leeds Postal Service | 5 March
Prepare to channel your inner Banksy and set those creative vibes free in this sip-along-a-painting event down at Leeds Postal Service (a bar, not a post office, you’ll be pleased to know). Themed around Annie Dalton’s Coming of Spring painting and with all supplies provided, you’ll be guided by a practising artist and leave with your very own canvas masterpiece.
Leeds Postal Service, Westpoint, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4JY (7.30-10pm; tickets £34.99 at popuppainting.com)
Villagers | Brudenell Social Club | 8 March
Following the release of his fifth studio album in August 2021, Villagers is set to grace Brudenell’s hallowed stage this March, with support from lo-fi alt-pop artist, Laundromat. Expect thought-provoking lyrics, high production and an atmosphere to rival all atmospheres.
Brudenell Social Club, 33 Queen's Road, Burley, Leeds LS6 1NY (doors at 7.30pm; tickets £22.50 at seetickets.com)
Art Doctors: Cycles of Life | The Tetley | 10 March
Looking for a relatively gentle way to sound more intelligent when talking about contemporary art? This talk might be the opportunity of a lifetime. Get ready for a playful exploration of The Tetley’s current "Alpha Salad" exhibition by Justin Fitzpatrick (tl;dr, food, growth, class and spirituality), with activities to unpack concepts like lifecycles, seed-planting, renewal, beginnings and endings.
The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ (6.30–8.30pm; free entry, booking required at shop.thetetley.org)
Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade | Millennium Square | 13 March
Famously not on 13 March, St Patrick’s Day is the year’s best opportunity to drink unholy amounts of Guinness and indulge in a spot of questionable cultural appropriation. If you’re ready to get into the spirit four days early, why not head down to Millennium Square for the annual family-friendly celebration? There’ll be a parade through the city, plus plenty of music, dancing, food and (of course) drink.
Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD (10am–4pm; free)
Leeds Craft & Flea | Left Bank Leeds | 13 March
One for all you trinket lovers, this craft and flea market within Left Bank’s cavernous walls promises a breathtaking selection of local crafts and products – so get ready to part with some cold, hard cash if you decide to head down in mid-March. You’ll find vintage bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, ceramics, candles, illustrations - the kitchen sink (probably) and more.
Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan Road, Burley LS6 1LJ (10am–4pm; tickets £2.50 at eventbrite.co.uk)
Stormzy | First Direct Arena | 16 March
Thought we were done with the rescheduled events? Think again. This twice postponed beauty is set to be one for the books, as Stomzy takes to the arena stage with his signature energy and mastery of grime and hip-hop
Leeds First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY (tickets from £40.75 at ticketmaster.co.uk)
Northern Ballet’s Casanova | Leeds Grand Theatre | 19 March
It wouldn’t be a Things To Do round-up without some mention of unbridled passions and all-consuming desires unfolding somewhere on a stage in the city. This month’s dose of racy scandal comes in the form of Casanova, danced by Northern Ballet and ready to take you on a journey inside the heart and mind of the notorious lover-come-trickster himself. Sounds weird, should be one to remember.
Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU (various times; tickets from £21 at leedsheritagetheatres.com)
John Cooper Clarke| O2 Academy | 24 March
From Chickentown to Chapeltown (or at least, that’s what you might call it if the man himself hailed from Leeds rather than our metropolitan Mancunian sister) and onto the O2’s ample stage, John Cooper Clarke is set to bring his signature brand of punk poetry to life for us this month. Ready for a smattering of caustic anarchy? This one might just be for you.
O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge St, Leeds LS2 3AW (doors 7pm; tickets from £26 at ticketmaster.co.uk)
Stewart Lee – Snowflake/Tornado | Leeds Playhouse | 30 – 1 April
If you’re after bang for your buck, (and some of the best, most critically-acclaimed comedy around) look no further than Stewart Lee’s triple threat of back to back 60-minute sets at the end of the month. The Snowflake half has been adapted for a post-Covid audience, while the Tornado part has a good old laugh at an unfortunate Netflix description, and subsequently questions everything.
Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP (7.30; tickets £26 at leedsplayhouse.org.uk)
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