Unique Christmas Opportunities for Local Shoppers and Artists
Posted: December 11, 2014 Filed under: Culture, Leicester | Tags: Highcross, Leicester, somewhereto_ Comments Off on Unique Christmas Opportunities for Local Shoppers and ArtistsLooking For Handmade Bespoke Gifts For Your Friends And Family This Christmas ?
The Highcross and somewhereto_ are hosting Leicester’s young creatives in a two day Christmas Craft Fair on 13th and 14th of December.
Join them for festive fun with fresh brands, kids’ entertainment and some winter warmers from 11-5pm at the WOT Space, opposite Costa Coffee.
Get festive with refreshments, the chance to network, meet other artists and see what others are creating as the shop is dressed in preparation for Christmas, from handmade Christmas trees to window and wall art.
For further details please contact jennifer@somewhereto.org
Local bar goes global with range of craft beers
Posted: October 16, 2014 Filed under: Culture, Leicester | Tags: beer, Braunstone Gate, Leicester Comments Off on Local bar goes global with range of craft beers
O Bar, Braunstone Gate, Leicester
Craft beer fans in Leicester are in for a treat after the Obar in Braunstone Gate was given a revamp to become a specialist craft beer venue.
The bar now has one of the most extensive craft beer selections in the city, with over 20 different bottles, 14 beers on draught and two ales. The range includes beers brewed by local breweries, as well as craft ales and beers from as far away as Iceland and the USA.
At the same time, the trendy bar has been given a facelift and begun offering a new bar menu created by the Smokehouse restaurant above the Obar, which opened permanently earlier this year having initially launched as a pop-up venue.
General manager at the Obar, Phil Hewitt, said: “The craft beer we’ve been offering upstairs in the Smokehouse has been going down a treat, and in general terms craft beer has been rising in popularity, so we decided to give the Obar a fresh look and introduce a wider range of craft beers.
“We believe we’ve created something different – not just for Braunstone Gate but for the city of Leicester too. We plan to rotate the beer we offer, as well as feature guest craft beers, so that we can serve a dynamic range and appeal to all tastes.”
Phil has been working with chef Liam Watson to source beers that complement the food being served at the Obar, as well as beers that are likely to be popular with punters.
The venue has introduced four house beers from London-based brewery Meantime, a rotating selection of up to three local cask ales, a range of imported American keg beers, and will serve a wide selection of imported and home-brewed bottled craft beers from Europe and the US, including items from breweries such as Camden Town Brewery, BrewDog, Crafty Dan, Innis & Gunn, Blue Moon Brewing Co, Goose Island, Brooklyn Brewery, Anchor, Founders and Sly Fox.
It will also serve Orchard Pig Explorer Cider, produced in the West Country.
The Obar, which is part of the East Midlands-based Orange Tree group of pubs, bars and venues, was opened in 2001 as the group’s third venue. It also operates the Orange Tree in High Street, Leicester, the Lansdowne in London Road, Leicester, late-night venue the Basement in Wellington Street, Leicester, as well as the Orange Tree and the Kelso in Loughborough, and the Orange Tree in Nottingham.
Director Ben Hings, who runs the group with Gareth Smith, said: “Innovative flavours of beer developed by breweries have become very popular with beer connoisseurs and bar-goers in general, and we’ve worked hard to create a range that we hope will appeal to drinkers in the Braunstone Gate area, and will also encourage people to come from other areas of the city to try the craft beers.
“After getting fantastic feedback last year when we opened the Smokehouse as a pop-up venue above the Obar, we launched the restaurant permanently earlier this year and it’s now become a popular place to eat in the city. As a natural extension, we’ve recently begun offering lighter, smaller meals from the Smokehouse menu downstairs at the Obar and the new range of craft beers we’ve introduced fits very well with these dishes.”
The Obar is open from 4.30pm to 2am daily, and is based at 59-61 Braunstone Gate.
For more information visit http://www.orangetree.co.uk/obar
City mourns loss of a giant
Posted: August 25, 2014 Filed under: Culture, Leicester, Uncategorized | Tags: Embrace Arts Centre, Lord Attenborough, Picasso Comments Off on City mourns loss of a giant
A longstanding friend and admirer of Leicester
The city of Leicester joined in tributes to film icon Lord Richard Attenborough, who died on Sunday just five days short of what would have been his 91st birthday.
During a movie career which spanned several decades, Lord Attenborough starred in the classic films The Great Escape, Brighton Rock and Jurassic Park, as well as earning two Academy Awards for his work on 1982 biopic Gandhi.
Although born in Cambridge, he was brought up in Leicester, where his father was principal of University College (later Leicester University) and his mother chaired the board of the Little Theatre. Together with his brother David, who would become equally distinguished as a naturalist and broadcaster, he attended the Wyggeston Boys’ Grammar School, and credited the city as a significant influence on his outlook on life. Indeed, it was at the Little Theatre where he gave many of his earliest acting performances.
A passionate advocate of social inclusion, Lord Attenborough co-founded the Embrace Arts Centre at the University of Leicester, which promotes and encourages engagement in the arts by people with disabilities. He also entrusted the city of Leicester with his collection of ceramics by the artist Pablo Picasso, which are on permanent display at the New Walk Museum. Both he and David were made Honorary Freemen of the City of Leicester in November 1989.
Although he retained a great affection for Leicester throughout his life, which was evident in a message he sent to the then Lord Mayor in 2011, it was not entirely unlimited. When moving to west London in the late 1940s to pursue his acting career, Attenborough became a keen supporter of Chelsea Football Club, and served as a director for 13 years before stepping down due to work commitments in 1982. He subsequently held a number of roles before being made Life President of the Club in 2008.
In a statement whose sentiments will be echoed by many who had the privilege to work with him, Chelsea said, “Lord Attenborough was a thoroughly lovely and talented man who used his fame and influence for the good of the many causes close to his heart. We will always be grateful that our football club was one of them.”
Ironically, Chelsea’s final game during his lifetime was a 2-0 home victory against Leicester City.
Lord Attenborough is survived by his wife Sheila, two brothers and two of his three children. There will be many in Leicester and elsewhere who will feel and share in the family’s loss.
A writer who inspired a city and a generation
Posted: April 11, 2014 Filed under: Culture, Leicester | Tags: Adrian Mole, Sue Townsend, The Queen and I Comments Off on A writer who inspired a city and a generation
One of Leicester’s most inspirational and influential writers
Leicester has moved from euphoria to shock in a matter of days.
The joy at seeing Leicester City finally confirm their long-awaited return to the Premier League has been swiftly replaced by grief over the passing of Sue Townsend, one of the city’s most notable and cherished literary figures.
When the news broke via social media. many reacted with shock and disbelief. It was only when Bali Rai, a fellow author and friend of Sue’s took to Twitter to confirm her death that rumours of a cruel hoax could finally be dispelled.
Born and raised in what might charitably be described as modest surroundings in the south of Leicester, Sue initially sowed few signs of the stratospheric talent that lay within her possession. Indeed she left school at 15 and became a mother while still in her teens. It was only once her second husband persuaded her to join a writers’ workshop at the former Phoenix Theatre that her prowess as a writer became apparent.
Sue was best known for her numerous works featuring the progress of Adrian Mole from adolescence to middle age. Mole was a socially-awkward individual with whom many in the 1980s could readily identify, and he soon attracted a substantial following which has remained loyal through the decades.
But Sue’s creative talents extended well beyond that. Her book, The Queen and I, in which the royal family is forced into internal exile on a Midlands council estate, displayed a particularly keen, and much-appreciated sense of humour which succeeded in disarming and pacifying the most ardent of monarchists.
Wealth and fame did not spoil her in any way, shape or form. Despite battling with diabetes and consequent blindness during the later years of her life, Sue remained in touch with her working-class roots and became a fierce critic of New Labour, particularly in the aftermath of the Iraq war.
The volume and range of tributes to her on social media, even during the early hours, illustrate the deep affection with which Sue was regarded, not just in Leicester and Leicestershire, but nationally and beyond.
She was warm, witty and a wonderful writer. It is to be hoped that the city council will devise a fitting way of celebrating her life and honouring her memory in a manner which will reflect the enormous esteem in which she was held within the community.
Sue was an iconic talent, who will be greatly missed by family, friends and followers alike.
Comedy proves just the tonic for the Regent!
Posted: March 6, 2014 Filed under: Culture, Leicester | Tags: Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival, Just The Tonic, Leicester, Regent Club Comments Off on Comedy proves just the tonic for the Regent!
Just The Tonic banner outside the club during the Festival
A city centre club has received widespread acclaim for its debut role in this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival.
Over 1000 people attended shows at the Regent Sports and Social Club, at 102 Regent Road, during the Festival.
The Regent staged the performances in association with local comedy club Just The Tonic. Its programme was opened by comedian Marlon Davis on Friday 7 February and ended with a show by sketch group Mixed Doubles on Sunday 23 February.
Colin Hall, spokesperson for the club, said “ We’re thrilled and delighted by the support the community have given us”.
“We contacted the Festival organisers last summer about the possibility of hosting a few events. They referred us to Just the Tonic, who devised a programme for us.
“Hosting over 30 shows during the course of the Festival was quite a challenge for the club. But the staff and members responded magnificently.
“We provided a warm, welcoming environment which was enthusiastically received and praised by acts and audiences alike.”
Several of the performers gave lavish praise to the club on social networks, describing it as “awesome”, “a great venue” and “absolutely delightlful”.
The Festival has also swelled the Regent’s coffers by several thousand pounds, with over 1200 pints of real ale being sold during its duration. Wine and cider also proved popular with customers.
Mr Hall added, “Like many licensed premises, the Regent has had to battle with tough trading conditions in recent years.
“There have been times when our future has looked a little uncertain. But the extra income that the Festival has given us has helped to ensure we’ll be around for many years to come.”
“Our profile within the local community has received a real boost, with increased interest from local residents and businesses alike.
“Many people have told us they couldn’t believe they had such a wonderful facility on their doorstep.”
The club has received a further boost after being shortlisted for the Best Small Venue award.
The winner will be announced at the Festival awards ceremony which will be held at the Mercure Hotel, Granby Street on Monday 17 March.
Mr Hall said, “We’re deeply honoured to have been given this accolade. It’s a fitting recognition for the exceptional efforts made by club staff and members to ensure our events would be a success.
“We felt we could make a contribution to the continuing success of the Festival. This nomination shows we have done just that”.
Further information on the Regent Club is available at http://www.regentleicester.co.uk
Further details on Just The Tonic is available at http://www.justthetonic.com
Our Time To Shine
Posted: November 6, 2013 Filed under: City Council, Culture, Leicester | Tags: Leicester2017, UK City of Culture Comments Off on Our Time To Shine
Leicester is proud to be bidding to become UK City of Culture 2017. The decision on this honour will be announced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on 20 November.
Our bid has showcased the creativity and diversity of its people –people who have backed the bid in song, in pictures and even in pastry… Will it be enough? Keep everything crossed for us!
The bid highlight Leicester’s strengths as a cultural destination: a city that’s attractive to its residents, many visitors, and potential investors. We will do this in four ways…
Building pride in our city
We will build up pride in Leicester making our city more visible to the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.
Opening up culture to all
We want to open up culture to everyone in the city, county and beyond. We also want our activities, people and venues to create cultural opportunities and long lasting partnerships.
Sharing the benefits
We will share the success of our growing visitor economy, and the expertise of our creative industries, by increasing opportunities to learn about culture through education and training.
Connecting young people with culture
We want our young people to enjoy culture. Over 50% of our population is under 30 and we want them to engage with culture and the wider city.
Here’s why we believe Leicester is the ideal candidate:
An eventful city
Our cultural scene covers art, craft and design, dance, film, music and theatre. We also have a great track record for hosting big events and a rich history that includes the recent discovery of King Richard III’s remains.
Diwali
Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are among the biggest outside of India, with up to 35,000 people attending the annual switch on of the lights on Belgrave Road.
Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival
Britain’s longest-running comedy festival, nationally acclaimed as “one of the top five comedy festivals in the world”
Richard III Exhibition
This record–breaking exhibition tells the story of King Richard III, his life and the search for his lost remains.
In Leicester, a successful bid could be worth millions of pounds to the local economy – and could lead to the creation of around 6,000 new jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector by 2020.
An exciting programme of events in 2017 would attract visitors to Leicestershire in their thousands – and should make everyone in Leicester feel proud that the city they call home has finally got the recognition it deserves.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
It’s easy to show your support and you can do this in several ways.
Pledge your support on Twitterand Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter (@Leicester2017) and share with us how you’re backing the bid.
Use the hashtags, #Leicester2017 and #UKCityofCulture, so you’re part of the conversation.
Help us spread the word about Leicester’s bid, Tweet from your personal or organisation’s profile to show you’re backing the bid!
Show that you’re supporting the bid by using our suggested tweet below:
I’m backing the bid to make Leicester the #UKCityofCulture 2017. Follow @leicester2017 and RT to show your support! #Leicester2017
For added impact, send this tweet to the DCMS (@DCMS)
Like us on facebook and send your messages of support, images and videos.
Help spread the word about Leicester’s bid, post on your personal or organisation’s profile to show you’re backing the bid!
Big up the bid by posting our suggested facebook message below:
I’m backing the bid to make Leicester the UK City of Culture 2017. Like their page to show your support too! facebook.com/leicester2017
Further information is available from the official bid website http://www.leicestercityofculture2017.co.uk/
Online success for Leicestershire author
Posted: May 13, 2013 Filed under: Culture, Ebooks, Leicester | Tags: Fiction Comments Off on Online success for Leicestershire author
Not So Noble Books, the independent digital publisher, is proud to announce the release of Dan Carver’s wildly funny and dark new novel RUIN NATION.
Released Friday May 3, the ebook RUIN NATION is a hilarious dystopian thriller describing a very British apocalypse. Filled with more than a fair share of horsemeat, lying politicians, marauding leopards and booze-soaked masses we witness the rise of a new establishment from the ruins of the old order.
Quite why the Welsh, Scots and the French turned their backs on the UK is not yet known, but hero Hugo Jupiter, a dishonourably discharged Army Surgeon, does his damnedest to find out.
RUIN NATION shot up in the Amazon charts on release, hitting the no.2 spot in the political fiction category and leaving authors the likes of John Grisham in its dust.
‘New writer’s hilarious vision of a blockaded Britain where only the drunk survive hits bestseller spot.’
About Not So Noble Books
Dan Carver’s book follows Not So Noble Book’s penchant for producing ebooks very much of the times, such as ‘Woof Hall’, a parody of the Royal romance by Hilarity Mental, and Marketing is Violence, a challenge to the demigods of the sign.
London digital publishers Erik Empson and Jasper Joffe are proving just how you can sell books on the net. Since launching in June of last year, Not So Noble Books has added over twenty titles to its fast growing catalogue of fiction and non-fiction which doesn’t conform.
Joffe comments: “Ebooks allow near daily revision of texts, covers, blurbs etc. They have changed what a book is, and allow direct access to the public without the filter of agents or big publishers. We can find the newest and best talent and get their books out there faster than ever.”
Download the book on amazon here:
NOT SO NOBLE BOOKS: http://www.radicaleyes.it/notsonoblebooks/
Contact for press copies or images: notsonoblebooks@gmail.com
These city investors deserve a return
Posted: February 25, 2013 Filed under: Culture, Leicester | Tags: City Centre, nightlife Comments Off on These city investors deserve a returnYards away from one of the most famous car parks in the world, another of Leicester’s treasures has been unearthed.
But while the recently-excavated remains of King Richard III provided an eminent example of the city’s prestigious past, the Bankers Club, in Friar Lane, is seeking to attract modern-day movers and shakers.
The venue’s name pays due homage to its previous use as the home of the Phoenix Assurance Company, who vacated the site some years ago.
The club aims to provide a discreet, secure and stylish ambience which will enchant and entice a select group of followers. With a prime location in the heart of Leicester’s professional quarter, it is already attracting considerable attention from representatives of the city’s top financial, property and law companies.
Judging by the favourable response that was evident at the corporate launch on Friday 22 February, it seems set to become a firm favourite in the area.
During the launch, a visibly diverse audience of men and women, from across Leicester’s age ranges and racial groupings, enjoyed an exquisite range of canapes, washed down with complimentary champagne.
Many of the guests present indicated their intention to promote the delights on offer within the club among the local community, especially as corporate membership is FREE for the first twelve months.
The luxurious facilities provide substantial opportunites for both formal and informal networking.
Offering both light lunchtime nibbles, and convivial ground-floor and basement lounge areas for evening refreshment, the Bankers Club provides a uniquely sophisticated, elegant and entertaining environment, as well as a discretion and commitment to personal security which elevates it above other, more established parts of Leicester’s local night scene.
The club’s team of highly-experienced, fully-trained bar and security staff are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of customer service. For select groups, an individual waiter service can be provided to ensure that instant attention can be given to premium customers.
In addition, further exclusivity can be offered on request, with smaller dining areas accessible for reservation to those members seeking greater privacy or intimacy.
With a wide range of wines, spirits, champagnes and cocktails, plus several premium European beers available on draught, the venue seeks to meet the needs of all types of discerning drinker.
Members seeking to entertain those particularly-important guests, or wishing to enjoy the occasional self-indulgence, can place an order for their own favourite brand, and store it within their personal, individual vault.
In conversation with the club’s owners, their determination to succeed with this venture was evident in every word they spoke. They left no doubt about their desire to oversee a venue which is renowned throughout the city, county and region, as well as contributing to Leicester’s continuing expansion and regeneration. On visiting the club, their blend of ambition, enthusiasm and optimism was reflected in the atmosphere within it.
The charms of this venue are certain to leave many of its visitors wanting more. It’s certainly more dignified than some of the other erstwhile resting-places in the immediate vicinity..
The Bankers Club is at 10 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA. To enquire about membership, call 0116 262 1932 or email thebankersclub@gmail.com. Its website will be launched soon.
Leicester Voice 