Annual youth arts festival ‘Breezes’ in to Leeds

The biggest arts festival for young people in West Yorkshire heads to Leeds this week with the start of the Breeze Arts Festival.

Now in its nineteenth year the festival is back and bigger than ever, with over 30 events over eight days, and runs from Saturday 18 July to Saturday 25 July.

The festival, for 11-19 year olds, has got even bigger with even more events to take part in than last year. The festival team has been working with many partner organisations such as Phoenix Dance, Chapel FM, Pyramid of Arts, Skippko, First Floor and many more to give young people in Leeds a platform to showcase their talents. The majority of events are free or have a Breezecard discount. Events take place all over the city; in libraries, Trinity Shopping Centre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds Town Hall.

A group of young people have helped the festival team plan, programme and manage the festival. The young people, who are aged between 11 and 16, have chosen the projects and performances that make up the festival, been involved in designing the posters and marketing. This year they have organised their own event – Breeze Live at Trinity Leeds, which will showcase some of the best young performers from Leeds. The young people have chosen the groups who will perform at this event and will manage the event themselves.

The group chose events for the festival that they felt will appeal to young people with lots of different interests. Activities on offer include creative workshops in libraries, arts exhibitions by young people, a radio festival, film screenings and live performances.

For the first time this year, the festival is hosting Under the Owls in partnership with East Street Arts and Leeds Beckett University. This is a free live music and arts event for teenagers, and will be held on Millennium Square as part of their summer series. Headline act Beardyman will close the day-long event that will host some of the most exciting new music and artistic talent from young people in the city, from electro to hip hop. Live DJs, dancers and vocalists from DJ School UK, Yorkshire Dance and First Floor will also come together to create an exciting showcase of their work!

There will also be a variety of arts activities for young people to get involved with on the day, an arts market, Rock School workshops, a BMX track and mobile skate park with a quarter pipe!

Councillor Judith Blake, council leader and executive member responsible for culture said:

“Breeze Arts Festival continues to offer a huge range of opportunities for young people to get involved in the arts, and I’m proud to support the festival. Breeze Arts Festival works with a lot of different partner organisations who put in a lot of hard work to create the excellent range of activities and events.”

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member responsible for children and families said:

“It is fantastic that young people are on the management team for the festival, and that their voices are at the heart of planning this event. They have helped to create a festival which will appeal to young people with a wide range of interests.

“Child Friendly Leeds is all about listening to our children and young people, and by getting involved in this year’s festival these youngsters will not only have had a fantastic experience themselves, but they will have also produced an event which is relevant and exciting for other young Leeds citizens to enjoy.”

More information and how to book tickets can be found at: www.breezeleeds.org/breezeartsfestival

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact

Helen Taylor, Leeds City Council Arts Development, on 0113 247 8539

Email: helen.taylor@leeds.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Breeze Arts Festival is run by Leeds City Council’s Arts Development team. The Arts Development team create opportunities for people to take part in the cultural life of their city as participants, creators and audience members.
• Other photographs available on request. Please contact Helen Taylor.
• Press reviewers and photographers are welcome to attend the festival. If you would like to cover the festival, please contact Helen Taylor in advance to arrange appropriate access.
• To help festival goers plan their week, Leeds City Council have produced a full colour brochure, containing information about all the projects, a full schedule of events, and booking information. A downloadable programme is available at www.breezeleeds.org/breezeartsfestival