AGENDA

The AgendaDECEMBER'S HOTTEST HAPPENINGS

MUSIC

Rod Stewart

FIRST DIRECT ARENA, LEEDS, 13 DECEMBER

Sir Rod Stewart hits the road with a massive UK tour, visiting Leeds this month. Following the success of his previous sold-out tours, his 2022 shows promise to be fi lled with show-stopping classics and new hits in his unmissable captivating style. Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with an estimated 250 million records and singles sold.

MUSIC Kate Rusby

18 December YORK BARBICAN Hailed as ‘The Start of Christmas’ for many, a Kate Rusby Christmas Concert perpetuates the tradition of Yorkshire carols, still sung in the pubs of South Yorkshire. Her happiness, humour and storytelling are a feature of Kate’s live shows branding herself as a ‘Holly Head’ – someone who loves Christmas. Joining her on stage for this unmissable evening will be, as ever, her hugely talented and intuitive band of musicians. yorkbarbican.co.uk

FAMILY Festive Fun

Throughout December THE PIECE HALL, HALIFAX We're blowing away the cobwebs and getting ready for a big delivery of Christmas spirit at The Piece Hall. A vintage carousel and a brand new Christmas tree are heading to the courtyard to create a real festive feel ahead of their Winter Makers Market. They are also welcoming an ice rink alongside their ever popular Spiegeltent, which has dozens of outstanding shows, performances and workshops. thepiecehall.co.uk

ART LAKWENA MACIVER

Until 19 March, 2023 YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) announces an immersive solo exhibition of new painting and textile works by Lakwena Maciver. Vibrant colour and bold text combine in Lakwena’s joyful and gently subversive work. Her paintings, murals and installations often reference everyday popular culture. Bringing messages of hopeful possibility, Lakwena speaks to points of connection and commonality between people. ysp.org.uk

EVENT

Vintage Christmas

3-4 December YORK RACECOURSE There's no time like Christmas past… Enjoy a nostalgic day out to get you into the spirit of Christmas at York Racecourse. They will be celebrating the fashions, music and yuletide traditions of the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, with live music, dressing competitions and a few festive surprises thrown into the mix too. yorkracecourse.co.uk

This Month’s Must See

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

UNTIL 3 DECEMBER, ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD

It’s 1934 in the heartland of America and we meet a group of wayward souls who cross paths in a time-weathered guesthouse. Standing at a turning point in their lives, they realise nothing is what it seems.

But as they search for a future, and hide from the past, they fi nd themselves facing unspoken truths about the present. bradford-theatres.co.uk

THREE for the FESTIVITIES

Cinematic releases to look forward to at Everyman Leeds

MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Roald Dahl’s classic 1988 tale of a bookworm’s quiet rebellion was already a hit stage show – now the creatives behind the West End smash bring Matilda to the big screen with more jokes, new songs, added naughtiness and an extra helping of A-list stars. Newcomer Alisha Weir plays the lead.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Set more than a decade after the events of the fi rst fi lm, Avatar: The Way Of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their children), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fi ght to stay alive and the tragedies they endure.

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

The joyous, emotional and heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical super stardom, this is a must see for any Whitney fan. everymancinema.com/leeds