Hollie McNish / The Lobster Paperback Tour With Michael Pedersen's Muckle Flugga Novel Launch The Show: Hollie McNish is a poet whose live shows are not to be missed. After a run of sold out gigs up and down the UK, she is back with the paperback of Lobster and other things I'm learning to love. A top three Sunday Times bestselling book, expect strong language and adult content, gift-wrapped in gorgeously crafted poetry as she reads from her latest collection, plus a selection of firm favourites from Slug and Nobody Told Me. In Lobster, Hollie brings her much-loved style to questions of friendship, flags and newborns, clocks, cocks and volvos, shining a ridiculous and beautifully poetic lens upon all those things we have been taught to hate, and which we might just learn to love again. Here, she will be joined by fellow poet and performer Michael Pedersen reading from his brand new book. Adult content warning 14+ / Book signing after the gig This is an 14+ event

Weekly pay-as-you-go life drawing classes with expert tutor Scott Bridgwood. Ideal for complete beginners or more experienced artists seeking a flexible opportunity to do some life drawing with experienced models and a professional tutor. No need to commit to a long course, simply book the dates you can make it and pay for individual sessions, so it’s more flexible if you’re juggling other commitments, and more affordable offering payment week by week. You will be able and encouraged to pursue your own style of working in this class, with guidance from the tutor as/when required. Scott will listen to each individual’s needs and goals and support everyone individually, with areas such as draughtsmanship, composition or concept. A range of drawing materials, paints and papers are provided and we aim to rotate models so you have a variety of body types to inspire your drawing each week. This term there will be 10 sessions on the following Friday evenings, 6pm - 8pm - please book each session individually: 17 January 2025 31 January 2025 7 February 2025 14 February 2025 21 February 2025 28 February 2025 7 March 2025 14 March 2025 28 March 2025 PLEASE NOTE: We also offer our Independent Life Drawing classes on Tuesday evenings which also provide a great opportunity for Life Drawing, but these sessions do not include materials (bring your own) or a formal tutor. Participants must be aged 18+. All materials are provided. Tutor Scott Bridgwood is a working artist with over 30 years’ experience after graduating from Chelsea School of Art in 1992. He worked and taught art in Rome (Italy) for 10 years before moving to Leicester. It was during his time in Rome that he developed his passion for drawing/painting the human form, which continues to the present day. Scott has taught for nearly 20 years. He also teaches Life Drawing at De Montfort University and from his home studio in Leicester. Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

The Empire's Old Clothes is a short non-linear film which challenges the insidious myths and propaganda around the 'British Empire' and draws on influences, aesthetics and politics from Indian and Afro-Futurism, queer culture and experiences of ableism and racism in post-Empire Brexit-Britain. This short non-linear film borrows from the symbolic style of 'tableaux vivant', science education films and Empire propaganda. This piece is inspired by the folktale of The Emperor's New Clothes, which tells a story that speaks about the ways in which the perpetuation of deceitful narratives support out-dated and malevolent power structures continue to work even once 'outed'. It utilises and subverts the language/s of Empire and embedded belief systems that live within it. This work is commissioned by Unlimited, and Disability Arts Online (DAO), with support from ONYX and is in response to the Queen's Honours List. It was brought about specifically because Unlimited's senior producer was awarded an MBE (Order of the British Empire), which she accepted, a controversial and awkward decision. This work is at once a provocation and an invitation to rethink and rewrite 'histories', to demand change and define what it really means to take action against racism. The Empire's Old Clothes is not only for those who Identify as British, those of dual Heritage or those who have a 'British Experience', the awkward, queer, Dis/abled and those who experience exclusion. But seeks to connect to those who don't experience racism, think Empire ended and consider colonialism obsolete. The Commission was made by an intersectional BIPOC / Global Majority Identifying team of artists and professionals. This work was set to give a challenging stark contrast to the national celebrations planned Jubilee and Commonwealth Games. It became public in 2022, a year when the Queen's death saw this work removed from viewing at The Southbank Centre.

A Santoor recital by Kamaljeet Ahluwalia, accompanied by Jas Ahluwalia on the tabla. Kamaljeet Ahluwaliawalks an innovative path on the Santoor, a rare and exquisite hammered dulcimer/zither. Her performances invite audiences on an emotional and spiritual journey, exploring sublime melodies and intricate rhythmic patterns that build to an energy-filled crescendo. She began her training at the age of 7 under Sitar Maestro Dharambir Singh (MBE), then with Santoor Maestro Harjinderpal Singh. Her most transformative learning came from her tutelage with late greatPandit Shivkumar Sharma. Jas Ahluwaliastudied the Tabla drums under the world-renownedUstad Tari Khan. His deep understanding of rhythm and thoughtful accompaniment elevates every performance with rhythmic intricacy and emotional depth. Together, this husband-and-wife duo founded the production companyAbsolute Focus, where they work on a diverse array of projects. Their portfolio includes work with major television and film clients such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon, Disney, and Facebook. They have composed music for live theatre, cultural projects, and strive to introduce Indian classical music to new audiences around the world. Kamaljeet and Jas remain deeply connected to their Indian classical roots, whilst innovating for the modern age. They continue to perform in Indian classical concerts across the globe, taking audiences on a journey from meditative introspection to dazzling energy-filled heights.

An annual celebration of Guru Purnima – a special day between students and their teachers. Students of all standards will play special pieces as a homage to their guru(s). The event is open to all, with a particular emphasis on students, their families and friends. Food/snacks and soft drinks will be available.

The University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden is an inspirational place. Spend three days immersed in the gardens as you experiment with different drawing, painting and mixed media approaches, leading to a final painting or mixed media piece. The Botanic Garden is an inspirational place for artists to work, both in the garden areas and the green houses. Drawing, painting and mixed media pieces will be undertaken using a number of different and interesting approaches, with materials and settings suggested by the tutor. Students will be encouraged to develop versatile and wide-ranging ways of creating images. There will be time to develop initial ideas and exploratory drawings into one final painting or mixed media work by the end of day three. At the beginning of each morning the tutor will identify the challenges for the day and at the end of the afternoon the class will meet to discuss the images created. A classroom will be available at the Botanic Garden and parking arrangements will be sent to students prior to the course. There are bus services which run in close proximity to the garden. Tutor Diane Hall has three teaching qualifications, a BA degree in Art and Education and an MA in Fine Art (with Distinction). She is a practicing artist and founder member of g8. Diane has undertaken two Art Residencies at the University's of Lincoln and Loughborough, and is currently President of the LSA. She has worked at the Attenborough Arts Centre since its inception and is passionate about its aims, ambitions and imaginative approaches to the Arts. All materials will be provided. You’ll have access to tea/coffee making facilities but there is no other catering on site so we recommend that you bring a packed lunch with you each day. Participants must be aged 18+. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

Performance will be held at:Botanic Garden, University of Leicester, 3 Glebe Road, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 2LD The Dukes Theatre Company's production ofMacbethoffers a dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Known for their bold and innovative interpretations, the company brings a contemporary edge to the dark tale of ambition, murder, and madness. Director ROBERT SHAW CAMERON (Coronation Street, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Sheffield Crucible) and designer JESSICA CURTIS (Hampstead Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Royal National Theatre) make a production with a cast of six industry leading actors. With a strong focus on the psychological unravelling of the protagonists, this adaptation takes The Duke’s into a new era of open-air Summer touring. “...the humour (especially the humour!)and the dramatic structure are impeccably presented.” Hastings Independent “The Duke’s Theatre Companysets a new standard for Open Air Theatre…”BBC Radio Wiltshire “Sold out?? Of course it’s sold out– it’s terrific!” Twelfth Night – Brighton, 2023 “As good as any RSC I’ve seen previously. Was enthralled throughout.”Romeo and Juliet – Goodnestone, 2021 PARKING Parking will be available at Knighton Grange and Lasdun car parks, with on-road parking on Glebe Road. Parking is free of charge. We have a limited number of parking spaces for Blue badge holders. Blue badge holders must contact in advance to reserve a place (first come first served). TOILETS Toilets will be located beside the Knoll building, including disabled toilet facilities.

If you have an ipad and apple pencil and are wondering how to start your digital artistic journey, then this course is for you! Procreate is an app that is similar to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator but much more user friendly and MUCH cheaper at just £10! Tutor Rosie is a self-taught artist and illustrator and since she started using procreate it has completely revolutionised her art and business. PLEASE NOTE: For this course you will need your own iPad, digital pencil and have the Procreate app downloaded onto your iPad. We are unable to loan this equipment to participants. This course will consist of 3 stages - Beginner, Intermediate and Pro - and for each session we will learn the technical aspects of Procreate whilst taking creative inspiration from the wonderful gallery space at Attenborough Arts. This means that you won’t need any fully formed ideas, we’ll take the galleries lead for our artistic imagination giving us the head space to drill into the techy stuff! Book all or some of the following workshops to suit your level of experience: WEEK 1: BEGINNER (SATURDAY 21 JUNE) For the first session we’ll learn the absolute basics of drawing with a digital pencil in Procreate. We’ll learn how the different ‘brushes’ work. How to save, select, change and move images. We’ll learn how layers work, how to use different colours and ‘colour drop’ and the general inner workings of the app. If any of this sounds like jargon, then you’re in the right place! And we promise it’s easier than it sounds! WEEK 2: INTERMEDIATE (SATURDAY 28 JUNE) This session will use more of our imagination and creative skills by getting to grips with the effects section of Procreate. We’ll be taking more inspiration from the gallery space by learning how to insert images, what can be done with them and how they can be manipulated. We’ll learn how to add other things too like text, and how you can start to build up your drawn images. WEEK 3: PRO (SATURDAY 5 JULY) This final session will be all about how to make your work ready to sell. If you’re doing this course just for the joy of it, that’s great! But learning these extra special skills will still be mega useful! Like repeat patterns, logos, alpha lock, text and saving for print. We’ll explore the effects more and consider how we might merge other art into this new digital landscape. For example, enhancing our own photography or physical drawings. We’ll also explore any specific interests you have personally and how we might continue on this new digital venture! Tutor Rosie Johnson is a self-taught artist and illustrator. She specialises in modern calligraphy, hand printing, decorative homeware, digital illustration and graphic design with a sprinkle of glitter! Rosie has been teaching for a number of years now and runs her own business making all things quirky and alternative. She believes everyone has creative talent and loves proving herself right in every class she teaches! Recommended for ages 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

Think of the wire as a pencil line and then take it for a walk! Using wire, as you would draw a line, is anengaging way of creating a unique artwork. In this four-hour wire working workshop you will create three dimensional flower heads and leaf stems. You will learn how to bend, weave, fold and wrap various types of wire, using the different colours and thicknesses to create detail and add interest. Bring your own drawings of flowers and seeds for inspiration if you wish, and/or tutor Emma will provide lots of ideas on the day. During this workshop you’ll learn techniques for working with coloured craft wire, thin copper wire and iron binding wire, mixing and matching the different colours to add interest and contrast to your designs. Tools and equipment used to shape and bend wire include various types of pliers and snips and a board to hammer pins into to help keep the wire under control while working. Jigs to create repetitive patterns will also be available. Craft wire in particular is quite soft, making it easy to bend and use and wire wrapping, weaving andsnipping are not tiring techniques. During the four hours there is plenty of time to master the technique and create a beautifully made outcome or two. Your finished collection of flower heads and stems can be displayed in vases, a wooden block, as a garland or in plant pots (not provided) - keep for yourself or make them for a special gift! Tutor Emma-Jane Rule is an award winning Contemporary Metalsmith and Silversmith, with a workshop at StudionAme in Leicester. She is a member of Design-Nation and has exhibited nationally at contemporary art, craft and design events. Her handcrafted contemporary metalwork is created using traditional silversmithing skills as well as ametalworking technique called fold forming. This involves folding sheets of metal and using hammer blows to stretch certain areas, when unfolded and manipulated by hand they are transformed into three dimensional forms. Taking inspiration from the rhythms and patterns found in nature, Emma-Jane’sportfolio includes decorative vessels and wall art in silver and base metals, lighting and jewellery. THIS ONE-DAY WORKSHOP STARTS AT 10.30AM AND ENDS AT 3PM, WITH HALF AN HOUR BREAK FOR LUNCH. OUR CAFÉ WILL BE OPEN OR YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN REFRESHMENTS. All materials will be provided. Please wear shoes or boots that do not have open toes and old clothes, or bring an apron if you prefer. Participants must be aged 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week. We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Through a whole series of drawing exercises, explore a wide variety of methods of seeing and therefore drawing the portrait from a live model. ‘Drawing is looking’, so in this one-day workshop you will explore a variety of ways of looking, covering structure, anatomy, light and shadow, the gestalt and much more, and utilise a variety of media and drawing methods to respond to short and long poses. The tutor will demonstrate a step-by-step method of drawing the portrait from a live model, looking at more traditional and contemporary approaches. After a short lunch, you’ll move on to colour and eventually paint if you feel ready to, where you can work towards a more ‘finished’ final painting or continue to produce a series of quicker observations. Tutor Scott Bridgwood is a working artist with over 30 years’ experience after graduating from Chelsea School of Art in 1992. He worked and taught art in Rome, Italy, for 10 years before moving to Leicester. It was during his time in Rome that he developed his passion for drawing/painting the human form, which continues to the present day. Scott has taught at the Attenborough Arts Centre for nearly 20 years. He also teaches Life Drawing at De Montfort University and from his home studio in Leicester. All materials will be provided. This one-day workshop will start at 10.30am and end at 4pm, with a short break for lunch. Our cafe will be open, or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments. Participants must be aged 18+. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

Create your own funky punch needle bag charm or key ring in this fun half day workshop! Not only will you learn a new skill, you’ll also enjoy the wellbeing elements of this incredibly therapeutic and rhythmic craft. No experience is necessary as tutor Caroline will take you through each step of the process, from threading the needle, punching your stitches and finishing the piece ready for you to wear/use! There’ll be plenty of patterns to choose from, or if you’re feeling inspired, come with your own ideas! This workshop brings the traditional craft of punch needle right up to date. All materials will be provided. This 4-hour workshop will start at 10.30am and end at 2.30pm, including a short break for lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments. Tutor Caroline Colam is an experienced teacher who has been teaching punch needle for several years. She creates a wide range of fabulously bright and colourful punch needle pieces and is as passionate about the therapeutic process as the finished result. Caroline is also a freelance punch needle designer/maker for Hobbycraft, writing tutorials for the Ideas Hub on their website. Participants must be aged 12+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week. We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Get together to learn more about the genre and play the blues with other like-minded musicians. This five week blues guitar course will take you on a journey through all the shades of blue from Robert Johnson to Stevie Ray Vaughan and beyond. Whether you're new or experienced, if you love the blues there will be something for you. Tutor Ray will help you hone your craft by giving you the tools you'll need to express yourself musically. During the five weeks we will study the various types of blues music from early 1900s 'delta' blues to electric blues music of the 60s and 70s. You'll be encouraged to bring your instruments and try out the techniques demonstrated in a relaxed environment. This new course is for guitarists of any level who love the sound of blues music. It is a chance to meet like-minded people and grow as a musician. You will need to bring your own guitar each week – acoustic or electric (with own amp) – we are unable to provide instruments for this course. Tutor Ray will be playing an electric guitar at 'conversational' volume. Or if you prefer to attend without your guitar to learn the concepts in the session and then put them into practice in your own time, that works too! Tutor Ray Garner, new to our team of tutors here at Attenborough Arts, has been playing guitar passionately for nearly 20 years and teaching professionally in Leicester for 3 years. He is fascinated by all kinds of music, but blues has a special meaning to him as it was the first style of music he fell in love with.

Discover the art of oil portraiture and take your painting skills to the next level with this hands-on pet portraiture course. Designed for those with a basic understanding of painting, this course will deepen your knowledge, refine your technique, and help you create stunning portraits. Explore the timeless methods of the Old Masters, learning techniques like layering, glazing and achieving life-like skin tones and fur textures. Capture the essence of your subject by focusing on expression, character, and composition. Through step-by-step demonstrations and one-to-one mentoring, you'll build confidence in your abilities while developing your personal artistic style. Whether you're inspired by classical approaches or modern interpretations, this course will equip you with the skills to bring your vision to life. By the end of the five week course, you'll have created a beautiful, finished portrait to be proud of – and gained a deeper appreciation for the art of oil painting. Each week, you will learn through: Group explanation and demonstrations, taking your through each stage of the portraiture process Personalised mentoring: one-to-one support to help you refine your skills and overcome challenges, with an emphasis on building confidence and creative expression Life coaching principles: Encouragement and mindset techniques to help you unlock your full potential, embrace your unique artistic voice, and stay motivated.

Explore the world of devised theatre and unleash your creativity in our new collaborative writing and devised theatre course. During this five week evening course we will collaboratively create original pieces from scratch, blending writing, improvisation and acting. Use your subconscious to unlock new worlds, characters, and stories – then explore them further through collaboration. This workshop is for actors and writers looking to develop new material in a collaborative environment. Bring your creativity and a willingness to explore! This course is ideal for anyone eager to experiment, learn, and perform. All levels of experience are welcome. Please note: please come prepared to perform in front of others as part of the workshop! Across the five weeks we will: Develop unique characters and narratives through creative writing and improvisation. Explore acting techniques to embody characters, emotions, and themes. Collaborate with others to create a cohesive, original performance.

Spoken word poetry is the new rock and roll – from performances at Glastonbury to spoken word nights in every town in the UK. The spoken word scene is friendly, inclusive and allows new and emerging voices to share their work without the limitations of being published. This 10-week course is a combination of both guided listening and critical appreciation of some of the best known spoken word performers currently working in the UK, and a creative writing class. Each week we will deep dive into the work of a spoken word icon and use our reading and discussion as a starting prompt to create our own spoken word pieces.

Esther’s new show ‘Slagbomb’ takes a nosedive into the awkward sandwich years of life. The phase when youthful freedom gives way to the reality of adult responsibilities. It’s a time when one finds oneself juggling everything from prostate checks to hosing faeces off the garden decking, whilst clad in questionable footwear like crocs. Growing up, Esther imagined she would fulfil all the expectations of a lady, poised and dignified, but looking around she realises that just hasn't happened. Esther's life seems to be a magnet for embarrassing moments and endless cockups. No matter how hard she tries to project sophistication, she often ends up highlighting her unrefined side. Now she wants to embrace her lack of dignity - whether it’s her less-than-graceful posture, cringeworthy encounters with shady drug dealers, or the painful realities of waxing gone wrong. At its core, Esther’s show is an exploration of the challenges and hilarities of navigating the sandwich years, and an invitation to the audience to feel good about the madness in their own lives. After all, she has a Lebanese father dealing with war, a mother dealing with cancer, two kids (who seem to have permanently lost their PE kit), a husband who just wanted some birthday nooky, and a sudden loss of hearing. It’s all part of the messy, chaotic, and often hilarious journey of a right Slagbomb.

Adventures in art is our weekly multi-disciplinary art workshop for adults. The sessions are usually in Studio 4 on the first floor, accessible via lift, stairs or external ramp. We have a variety of tutors who will deliver 3 or 4 weeks in a row, and then a different tutor will take over with a new creative discipline/project, which could include printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, clay, collage, journaling, collage and more. Although there is no need to book in advance, we do advise booking ahead of each session if you can, just to ensure a place is available for you, as places are limited and sessions do fill up! No experience is necessary - everyone is very welcome. It’s a great way of having a go and trying new things in a very friendly and relaxed group, working at your own pace, supported by an experienced tutor. All materials are provided - no need to bring anything with you except maybe an apron or old clothes, as some activities can get messy! Participants must be aged 18+. Please ensure that you agree to our updated TERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances. We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

The times we are living through seem to be characterised by precarity and instability on multiple fronts: climate crisis, global conflict, genocide, mass migration, and the violence of Western imperialism. 'We Grown-Ups Can Also Be Afraid' explores how some of the most significant artists of our time are responding to the anxieties of our contemporary moment through their work. Drawn from the David and Indrė Roberts Collection, one of the UK's foremost private art collections, the exhibition encompasses sculpture, works on canvas, moving image and installation. The artists represented in the exhibition respond to these themes in very different ways, but their practices are connected by a sustained engagement with globally important issues that can often feel too big and too difficult for us to think about. This is not an exhibition about art and activism. The artists represented may not consider their work as a form of political activism—indeed, there is no sense that we are being lectured to or told what to think. Rather, it seems that we are being invited to direct our attention to something urgently important, to look more closely at the world as it is now. Art can help us to share stories, to reflect on individual and collective experiences of conflict, to process the unimaginable and empathise with the plight of others. The works brought together in this exhibition may not provide an easy solution to the things that keep us awake at night, but collectively they ask: What does it mean to make art now? Do artists have a responsibility to respond to our contemporary moment? And what responsibilities do we have to sit up and pay attention? Participating Artists: Francisca Aninat, Fiona Banner, Phyllida Barlow, Nina Beier and Marie Lund, Huma Bhabha, Ayan Farah, Mona Hatoum, Jacco Olivier, Doris Salcedo.

Come and explore our exhibitions with our friendly learning team and use resources in the Salmon Gallery to explore through a range of creative workshops. Each week brings something new inspired by our gallery exhibition When booking tickets, please book the accurate amount of children and adults coming to each workshop. adults must stay with their children at all times.

Phil has been getting better at comedy since March 1987.One of these days he may just get it right. Until then Phil just keeps trying. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try your best. This is a tour of Phil, trying his best! Age Guidance: 18+ ONLY