The astonishing light installation will see five stunning, iridescent figures land on Victoria Gardens for this year’s unforgettable two-night artistic showcase on October 10 and 11.

Entitled Angels of Freedom, the interactive display will also give thousands of visitors the chance to don a glowing halo and wings, step inside the artwork and capture a unique photo on the night.

Created by artists OGE Group from Israel, the dazzling piece has previously wowed crowds at light festivals in Canada, Romania and America and will be one of more than 60 installations from around the world that will come to Leeds next month.

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Gaston Zahr, one of the artists behind the piece, said: “It’s really a joy to see what a simple pair of wings can do to people. You always get a happy smile, and people engaging with one another.

“People often tend to be super busy and surface oriented and not paying enough attention to each other, no matter if it is a partner, kids, your neighbour or just strangers. That’s why these social sculptures offer a different view, a little hint to the observer to focus on what really counts.

“We have never been to Leeds before and are very curious about the city. Light is not only about illumination, but also about enlightenment and lightening up and we love to see everyone smile. Leeds, here we come!”

Each of this year’s installations will help transform one of eleven zones located across the city, supported by local businesses. Angels of Freedom will welcome visitors to the Town Hall Zone, which is supported by Steeper.

This year, Light Night Leeds is set to explore the themes of Mind, Body and Spirit, beginning with the incredible When Dreams Run Wild illuminated parade, which will start on The Headrow at 7.30pm on October 10.

Supported by headline sponsors Vastint UK, the world class light festival will also feature huge projections and imaginative installations at some of the city’s most well-known buildings and locations.

Vastint UK will be presenting their own installation at the historic Tetley Brewery site at Light Night Leeds. Other venues which will be transformed during the event will include Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Civic Hall, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Dock and The Queen’s Hotel.

This October will mark the 15th year the city has hosted the event, which regularly attracts more than 80,000 people and showcases the work of artists from around the globe.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Light Night exemplifies the very best of culture in our city and we’re incredibly proud that Leeds is home to such a world-class celebration of creativity and imagination.

“Year after year, Light Night also brings together tens of thousands of people and families, giving them the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable spectacle and see both modern and historic Leeds from a completely different perspective.”

Light Night Leeds takes place on October 10 and 11 from 6pm until 11pm.

More details about the programme and installations will be released in the coming weeks.

The annual cultural spectacular is set to transform the city centre for the 15th year in a row on October 10 and 11, with a stunning programme of more than 60 impressive installations and performances by artists from across the world.

This year’s event will explore the themes of mind, body and spirit, with an array of impressive artistic creations delving into everything from the intricate mechanics of the human body to the limitless realms of our imaginations.

And launching the highly-anticipated festival will be a magnificent procession of illuminated dancers, drummers, monsters and marionettes that will bring dreams to life on the streets of Leeds.

Beginning on The Headrow, the When Dreams Run Wild parade will feature a special centre-piece created by The Lantern Company and local community groups, Spanish artists El Carramato’s Big Dancers and Picto Facto’s giant Lampadophores from France, making their way through the city centre accompanied by performers from Northern Rascals and the Spark! LED Drummers. If you’d like to grab a bite to eat after the occassion why not take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Leeds.

The parade takes place on Thursday, October 10 at 7.30pm and will mark the official opening of this year’s two-night extravaganza.

Supported by headline sponsors Vastint UK, the international festival will feature large scale projections and imaginative, interactive installations which will take over some of Leeds’s most recognisable buildings and locations. Vastint UK will be presenting their own installation at the historic Tetley Brewery site at Light Night Leeds.

Among the other sites reimagined during the event will be Leeds Town Hall, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Dock and The Queen’s Hotel. Elsewhere, the unmistakable white stonework of Leeds Civic Hall will once again be the backdrop for a striking digital artwork.

Polish visual artist Pani Pawlosky’s piece Telekinetic Rumours will see the historic building on Millennium Square become the setting for a surrealistic projection that will examine the flow of energy between mind, body, and soul.

Pani, who has previously created large scale projections for events including the Berlin Festival of Lights, said: “Telekinetic Rumours is my private collection of thoughts on the subject of body, mind and spirit. It’s surrealistic, energetic and edgy and I hope to evoke emotions in the audience through my artwork.

“This is my fourth large scale mapping and every time it’s a crazy challenge which brings different ideas and difficulties. I have never been in Leeds before but I’m honoured to design my art for such a monumental building as Leeds Civic Hall.”

Since Leeds held its first Light Night in 2004, the event has grown to become one of Europe’s most popular festivals of its kind, regularly attracting more than 80,000 people and commissioning pieces from around the globe.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Light Night exemplifies the very best of culture in our city and we’re incredibly proud that Leeds is home to such a world class celebration of creativity and imagination.

“Year after year, Light Night also brings together tens of thousands of people and families, giving them the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable spectacle and see both modern and historic Leeds from a completely different perspective.”

Light Night Leeds takes place on October 10 and 11 from 6pm until 11pm.

More details about the programme and installations will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up-to-date, visit www.lightnightleeds.co.uk or follow @lightnightleeds on Twitter and Instagram.

THE LOUDEST, PROUDEST SPICE GIRL ANNOUNCES INTIMATE ‘IN CONVERSATION’ STYLE SHOW

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE, SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST

SUPPORTING WOMEN’S AID

Fresh from the success of the Spice Girls sell-out tour, her Sunday Times best selling autobiography, ‘Brutally Honest’ and her explosive Piers Morgan Life Stories interview the loudest, proudest Spice Girl has announced two exclusive, intimate ‘in conversation’ style shows in her home town of Leeds and in London.

Melanie will be appearing at the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House on Sunday 25th August. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 26th June at 10 am via www.leedsgrandtheatre.com.

If you’d like to grab a bite to eat after the event, take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Leeds.

Fans will get a rare chance to get up close and personal with the star as she reveals the real truth behind the headlines, with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. The live show will support Women’s Aid for whom she is a patron.

As one-fifth of the iconic Spice Girls and judge on X Factor and America’s Got Talent, Melanie Brown, aka Scary Spice, has been an international star since the age of 19. And yet there are sides of Mel that no one has ever seen or really known.

The show will examine every aspect of Mel’s life, from where she began to where she is today. Mel’s self-effacing, mercurial story-telling will shatter your illusions in every way possible. The show takes the Spice Girls sell out reunion as its starting point and will zigzag back and forth through an exceptional life story. The show will also feature never-before-seen video content.

With deep personal insight, remarkable frankness and Melanie’s trademark Yorkshire humour, this event removes the mask of fame and reveals the mother, wife and daughter behind the Spice Girl everyone thinks they know.

Melanie said: “ I’m so honoured to be sharing my story – good and bad – because I kept so many things secret for so long out of shame and I have learned over these past few years that through talking, through sharing you learn and you make real bonds with people. This is a first for me. I want to make it very special, very real and very intimate. I know there will be tears but I am also hoping for few laughs too because that’s the woman I am – as you will discover.”

Melanie will be interviewed by co-author of her book and trusted friend, the celebrity journalist, Louise Gannon.

Louise commented, “Having spent years of my life talking to Melanie Brown I know there are so many sides to her that people don’t always see – there is Mel B the Spice girl, the gobby, Scary outrageous star but there is another Melanie, the real Melanie Brown and the real Melanie is one hell of a woman as everyone is about to find out. It’s exciting to be doing this very exclusive event in the company of those who mean the most to her – her family and those who know her best. I have no idea what to expect – that is always the deal with Melanie – but I can guarantee it will be an unforgettable night.”

As well as the enormous highs she has experienced in her life, Melanie will also touch on the dark times; talking openly and honestly about the struggles, pain and coercive control she experienced in her most recent marriage and how it culminated in an attempt to take her own life. The domestic abuse Melanie suffered has led her to become an ambassador for the charity, Women’s Aid.

Teresa Parker, Head of Communications at Women’s Aid, said, “Melanie bravely sharing her story helps other women, and we know what a difference it makes. Women are telling us they are seeking support after hearing her speak. We are so grateful to Melanie for helping to raise vital funds and awareness for Women’s Aid through this show. She is a courageous and inspirational woman, and we are proud that she is our patron.”

Melanie will be joined, on stage, for part of the interview, by her mum, Andrea, sister Danielle and daughter, Phoenix who will add their own funny memories and anecdotes of life with Melanie.

They will also talk candidly with Louise and Melanie about their experiences of coping with and supporting a loved one who is in an abusive relationship, which resulted in a seven-year estrangement. Warm, relatable and of course, ’Brutally Honest’ this will be an evening not to be missed.

The show will be produced by Jet TV’s Yvonne Alexander, executive producer on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, NHS Heroes Awards and The Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards.

Yvonne commented, “We are thrilled to be working with Melanie on this. She is a brilliant storyteller with an awesome sense of humour and there are bound to be loads of laughs as well as some emotional moments. We are also delighted to have the brilliantly talented celebrity journalist, Louise Gannon, on board as interviewer”

Melanie’s relentless enthusiasm against all odds and refreshingly blunt compulsion towards honesty will make these shows the hottest tickets in town.

Firstly, they’ll be hosting the third Sakura Japanese Cultural Festival in Leeds. Sakura (meaning cherry blossom) is a celebration of all things Japanese. Special pop-up experiences on the day will include trying on a Kimono, enjoying traditional Japanese tea, sweets and snacks and Sake and looking at the art of calligraphy. There will be performances on the day in the event space of traditional music from Okinawa and demonstrations of Yosakoi a traditional Japanese dance.

They will also be hosting another popular Teenage Market for young traders aged 13 to 30. The market (teenage) is the first of three to be held this year at Leeds Kirkgate Market giving local traders and entrepreneurs a fantastic opportunity to run their own stall and sell their merchandise and products. A panel of judges will be on hand to choose the top 3 traders who will then go on to represent Leeds Kirkgate Market at this year’s regional Young Trader final in York.

Next up is the regular Leeds Record and Book Fair. Set up in August 201, the fair has quickly established itself as a popular event for vinyl and book collectors with over 45 tables of vinyl and 10 plus tables of books.

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Finally, to celebrate what will be their new business within the Market Kitchen, Columbian-based street food vendor Kanassa will be making smoothies on their ‘smoothie-bike’ and sharing a taste of what will be on the menu when they open in late Summer 2019.

Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council’s deputy executive member with responsibility for markets:

“The events taking place at Kirkgate Market on Saturday show a real sense of how the Market Kitchen Event Space is being utilized for so many diverse, creative and cultural activities. It is showcasing new talent and businesses with the Teenage Market, attracting a new audience to the market with the Sakura Festival, being a platform for new and inspiring street food and bringing return footfall to our regular Record and Book Fair.”

Fans of the 27-year-old Leeds baker, who was one of the last three finalists in the popular TV show earlier this week, can catch a glimpse of Kim-Joy as she turns on the lights of the 60ft Christmas tree at Trinity Leeds on Saturday, November 3^rd.

Dan Wharton, Marketing Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Kim-Joy sadly didn’t win Bake Off but she certainly won the nation’s hearts.

“It’s fantastic to see someone local do so well on the show and fly the flag for the city, and we can’t wait to welcome Kim-Joy to Trinity Leeds.”

A whole host of surprises are planned throughout the day, starting from 11am and culminating in a spectacular finale from 5pm, which will be hosted by Capital FM DJ JoJo and includes circus-themed performances.

Kim-Joy, who lives in Leeds, will switch on the lights at 5.30pm as part of the ‘Kissmas’ event – so-called because when two people kiss beneath Europe’s biggest Kissmas tree, the circuit is completed and the 25,000 bulbs light up.

Shoppers will also be able to try a special edible perfume from new arrivals Smith & Sinclair. The ‘Taste of Christmas’ features key flavours of the festive season, including gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas pudding. Smith & Sinclair will also host a Christmas Experience, with a deconstructed chocolate and Baileys blend available to try.

Trinity Leeds visitors can get a free ‘Treat Card’ to enjoy throughout the day, with ‘Trinity Treat’ bars dotted around the shopping centre, offering free treats such as access to a VIP Pamper Parlour and Slumber Cinema, festive candy floss and popcorn and toffee apple workshops. A Kissmas Coin Drop will also offer shoppers the chance to win prizes.

Other events include a special Bongo’s Bingo event and a food eating challenge with competitive eater and YouTuber Beard Meets Food at Trinity Kitchen.

To sign up for the Trinity Leeds Treat Card, and for more information about the Kissmas event, visit www.trinityleeds.com.