Live Art Bistro

LAB is a tricky one to explain. It’s a little bit like speaking another language and having a word that you can’t translate — you can work around it with various feelings and fumble with inferior words, but nothing can quite get to the nub of that specific phrasing. I’m rambling; I’ll do my best to let you in on one of Leeds’ arty secrets. Especially since art shouldn’t stay secret nor on the fringe forever — it’d stagnate without fresh blood, and plus, art can always use new audiences. (Now I’m getting preachy.)
Live Art Bistro first came onto my radar years ago when it was in another location — some amazing, unused building near Outlaws and Crowd Of Favours. It was like a weird hotel and the space was labyrinthine. A shame they had to move on, but that’s the nature of the beast. Now its home is Regent Street, and I’ve visited for several events.
That’s one of the things that happens at LAB — the space is used for all manner of events. I’ve been for the Tour De France pop-​up (an amazing night of celebration), I’ve been for an electronica/​DJ night pop-​up that Joe’s Bakery held (fantastic DJs and dancing), I’ve been for a workshop with Uncanny Theatre (arty types workshopping material towards the next show), and more. The space is open for artists/​theatre makers to get involved and hold a scratch night/​workshop/​exhibition. Given that it’s an old carpet showroom, it’s huge, it’s open plan, and it’s pretty cold — so if you plan to hold something/​attend something there, consider many jumpers.
There’s always some up and coming events in the diary, so definitely get involved and have a look at what’s going on. Consider it both a sort of theatre space to visit as an audience member/​participant, but also as a space to utilise if you’re a performer/​maker yourself. The chaps that run it seem right lovely too — the folks behind impossible lecture at Beacons, I believe.
Anyway, it should be on your radar. Upcoming at the moment: 13^th Feb Uncanny Theatre Sharing, 26^th Feb NEWK Scratch Night.