This month, a series of free mini-concerts are springing up around central Leeds – to surprise commuters heading home, and to raise a smile at lunch-hour. Dreamed up by Leeds Inspired, influenced by the spirit of the festive season and happily diverted by a spirit of playfulness, the 8 Woolly Warmer concerts offer an eclectic, daft and delightful playlist – from reggae to disco via Bavarian Oompah and contemporary jazz.
The Christmas-jumper-inspired concerts begin on 5th December, when the Oompah Band will be roaming around Leeds Kirkgate Market & Leeds Train Station offering a big portion of Bavarian-style cheeriness, lederhosen and disco. On 8th December – witness a special dready christmas set by A Dread Supreme, a jazz-reggae band from Leeds who’ll be squeezing into Bus Stop 11 at the central bus station, and filling the band-stand at Christkindelmarkt with reggae variations of Christmas hits. On 14th December, look out for a piano in the middle of Emmaus’s furniture stall at Leeds Markets, with sounds powered by Matt Bourne and Richard Ormrod as Stockpot Stopcock, and for the Woolly Warmers finale – Ho ho Hope & Social are swapping their band jackets for knitted reindeer sweaters and performing two free gigs at Leeds Markets, and Leeds Bus Station.
In honour of this homage to the great festive pullover, here’s a quick quiz. Post your answers and we’ll randomly award a noisette* triangle (or non-praline alternative) to the person who’s answers make us chuckle the most. (*the green ones not the toffees).
1. What is the name of the oldest sheep in the entire world (clue, born in Australia) ?
2. Does the thought of Cliff Richard in a festive pully make you giddy? (explain yourselves)
3. Which heavy metal band has recently embraced the festive jumper?
4. Name a song that has a connection to wool?
5. Where do you believe the first ever Christmas jumper was made?
6. Which building in Yorkshire apparently had it’s own flock of high-altitude sheep?
Answers on a postcard or posted below.
Woolly Warmers are 5th, 8th, 14th and 21st December. For full details visit leedsinspired.co.uk or follow @leedsinspired #woollywarmers
Oh and you can make your own cut-out-and-keep woolly warmer at leedsinspired.co.uk – PRESS THIS IT IS MAGIC