ARTS DIARY
Caribbean festival at Leeds Playhouse:
A vibrant Caribbean festival of music, dance, literature, heritage and conversation is coming to Leeds Playhouse this month. Showcasing the cultural exchange between the Caribbean and Leeds as a global 21st century city, Rise Up Festival will bring more than 20 British-Caribbean and Caribbean intergenerational artists, raconteurs and trailblazers to the Playhouse on April 13 presenting words, music, performance, talks, food and drink. Directed and co-curated by Omari Swanston-Jeffers and Melanie Abrahams, the festival celebrates 21st century Leeds and explores the ways it has been transformed by the efforts, dedication and culture of Caribbeans who call it home. The day features live performances from acclaimed poet John Agard, Dr Arthur France MBE, Sharon Watson, Tobago Crusoe, Malika Booker, Christella Litras, Adam Lowe and many more.
Pioneering new course: The National Film and Television School Leeds has announced that it is introducing a new certificate in Intimacy Coordination for Film and Television. This intensive six-month course is designed to cater to the growing demands of the UK’s entertainment industry. The curriculum, developed with Intimacy Coordinators from the UK, Spain, and the US and under the advisory of BECTU’s Intimacy Coordinator training branch, aims to set a new standard in the field. Under Intimacy Coordinator Haley Muraleedharan, NFTS Leeds is now seeking ten aspiring students for this part-time course which begins next month.
Artwork call out: Hebden Bridge Arts has just launched a call out for artwork on the themes of the story of a new play, The Man Who Planted Trees, for its three public exhibitions. Artists at any stage of their hobby or career are invited to submit work themed around nature, legacy, rebirth and celebrating the power of the individual. The first exhibition opens on May 28 at Hebden Bridge Town Hall and runs for three weeks, with further free public exhibitions in July in Elland and another venue in Hebden Bridge. There are two deadlines to submit work – May 7 and June 17 – and submission of artwork is free.