Back to Ours brings ‘Junemas’ cheer with the return of the beloved Christmas parade!

Back to Ours brings ‘Junemas’ cheer with the return of the beloved Christmas parade!

It may be summer but Christmas magic is already beginning to sparkle in Hull. Known for delivering outstanding arts and cultural experiences, Back to Ours is thrilled to announce the return of the much-loved Christmas Parade and this years’ festivities are set to be more enchanting than ever.

Today, Tuesday 25 June, marks exactly 6 months until Christmas Day and officially starts the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year with Back to Ours’ special Junemas Parade announcement.

Back to Ours believe in spreading joy and community spirit all year round and ‘Junemas’ is an exciting and unique celebration to remind everyone that the magic of Christmas isn’t just for December.

Igniting the festive spirit this Junemas, a Victorian adventure awaits in Hull City Centre on Tuesday 25 June 2024, when Jerry McBaubles will be spreading Junemas cheer for all to hear. As he searches the streets for a treasured ornament – the missing 2024 Christmas bauble, but this is no ordinary bauble. This is the final piece of the festive puzzle that will bring the magic of the parade to life.

Renowned for its vibrant and interactive displays, the streets and neighbourhoods of Hull will come alive with the charm of Back to Ours’ Christmas Parade this December, where families are encouraged to step outside, celebrate, and engage with the festivities that bring the spirit of Christmas right to their doorsteps.

Louise Yates, Artistic Director and CEO of Back to Ours says, “We encourage people to wrap up, come out, and join in the festive magic – from waving from bedroom windows, to standing at the bottom of the garden with a brew and gathering with friends, family and neighbours – it’s all about getting in the Christmas spirit and bringing people together.”

At the heart of Back to Ours is a commitment to community and cultural enrichment. The Christmas Parade is more than just a festive event; it’s a celebration of togetherness, creativity, and the enduring spirit of the season. Each stop on the Parade route will feature interactive activities, performances, and opportunities for families to create lasting memories together.

Louise continues, “The Parade brings so many elements of Back to Ours together – reaching and engaging thousands of people with a beautiful event that connects on a hyperlocal level, involving our fab Act to Ours drama group together alongside professional performers, and working with Hub members to create small, static events that sit alongside the main Parade route.”

Back to Ours is here to ensure that this festive season is the most magical one yet and invites everyone to join them in celebrating Junemas as the magical countdown to Christmas begins.

The Christmas Parade will wind its way through Hull on an enchanting adventure, Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th December 2024. Keep an eye out on Back to Ours’ website and social media channels for more exciting announcements coming soon.

Hull Comedy Festival announces huge launch event – headlined by comedy superstar Chris Ramsey

Comedy superstar Chris Ramsey will headline a very special launch event for Hull Comedy Festival this November.

The 2024 festival will launch with a special show at Connexin Live, Hull on Friday 1 November, to celebrate their 18th event. It will be the biggest show in the festival’s history.

Chris Ramsey will be joined by Chloe Petts and a number of other to be announced comedians at the launch event, called Live at Connexin. Tickets go on general sale this Friday (28 June).

Hull Comedy Festival has been a mainstay in the region since the first event in 2007. Taking place in November, the festival brings some of the UK’s best comedy talent to multiple venues across the city.

Festival organisers have teamed up with Connexin Live to host a comedy showcase, which will see five top class comedians take to the Myton Street venue’s stage. Chris Ramsey will headline the show, with Chloe Petts hosting proceedings. Other comedians will be announced soon.

Sam Ryder, General Manager at Connexin Live, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Hull Comedy Festival to host the biggest show in the festival’s history. We all still fondly remember the test event held in the summer of 2018 to help get the Arena open and we’re very much looking forward to the festival’s return in November.”

Jed Salisbury, Director of Hull Comedy Festival, said: “l am delighted with our collaboration at Connexin Live. To partner with a venue that injects fresh life into Hull, this partnership presents the festival with a fantastic opportunity to welcome national comedy fans to the city and to bring eyes to grassroots comedy in Hull, encouraging greater support for Hull’s talented comedians.

“We’re excited to host this year’s event at Connexin Live and celebrate the vibrant comedy scene that that is forever growing in Hull.”

This year’s Hull Comedy Festival features shows at venues such as Hull Truck, Hull Comedy Lounge and the Edge Hub in late October and November.

Cheer On Your Team – Euro 2024

The excitement is growing and our city centre is ready to come alive in support of England and all the teams taking part in Euro 2024!

There are so many amazing city centre businesses showing the games and are ready to welcome you with a party atmosphere.

You can find screens showing Euro 2024 games here:

Social

Kicks (Book in Advance)

Yates

Admiral of the Humber

Trinity Market (only showing games with 2pm kick-off)

Come on England – Its coming home!

Rainy Days Out In Hull

We’re not saying it’s definitely going to rain all the way through the autumn and beyond, but just in case, however, here are some of the best activities to see you through the great British weather.

Museums & Galleries:

Learn about our city’s history and heritage in one of Hull’s museums, starting in the Museums Quarter.

Climb aboard at the Streetlife Museum Of Transport and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the past, experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940’s high street, board a tram or enjoy the pleasures of our carriage ride. While visiting the museum take in the fascinating exhibition Lionesses Of Hull, which explore the rich history of women’s football in Hull through the lives of Carol Thomas, England defender from 1974 – 1985 and captain from 1976 – 1985. It will also touch on the life and work of Flo Bilton, also from Hull, co-founder of the Womens Football League who set up the Reckitt & Colman team that Carol played for early in her career (until 23rd February 2025).

At the Hull & East Riding Museum, you can journey through 235 million years of history. From a face-to-face encounter with a woolly mammoth to appreciating the beauty of the stunning mosaics within a Roman bathhouse, the museum displays show what it would have been like to live in the region throughout time.

Celebrate the legacy of Hull’s most famous son William Wilberforce (MP and champion of the abolitionist movement) at his birthplace Wilberforce House. The Grade I listed building has recently re-opened following major conservation work. This October, during Black History Month the museum will host to Sound Of Our Skin Festival, which spans several impactful events showcasing the powerful influence of Black culture, particularly through music and storytelling (5th -6th October).

Leading artist Deanio X has been commissioned to produce a series of thought-provoking artworks for temporary display at the museum, including To Heal A Butterfly a visual response to the Wilberforce Institute’s research on the ‘Sea Islands & Jamaica’ enslavement records, through a combination of improvisational portraiture, digital animation and sculptural installation (until 31st March 2025)

Ferens Art Gallery has a magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures, including works by European Old Masters, portraiture, marine painting, and modern and contemporary British art. This autumn enjoy In Living Colour, featuring three exhibitions and a vibrant events programme celebrating untold stories and spotlighting creativity from leading People of Colour in art, music and fashion. Exhibitions featuring artists Nahem Shoa, Desmond Haughton and Deanio X challenge exclusion from the art world and untold stories from history, making the invisible visible whilst Hull’s Black Heritage Collective have developed an exhibition celebrating the transformative power of Black musical traditions. This programme has been co-produced with the artists and local people of colour. (18th October – 26th January 2025).

Regular free guided tours for visitors are will be available from November to book across the museum sites. Find out more here.

Indoor Fun:

Dive into the amazing world of marine life at The Deep, one of the most spectacular aquariums in the UK. Explore the underwater tunnels, meet mesmerizing sea creatures, and even touch some friendly rays. This half-term The Deep introduces Let’s get Glowing, a fun way to discover the deep sea world of bioluminescence (18th October – 3rd November)

Step back in time at Dinostar, Hull’s very own interactive dinosaur museum to see, touch, hear and smell these mighty prehistoric creatures – a must for any dinosaur fan.

Get your game on at Lost City Adventure Golf to test your skills on its two 18-hole indoor adventure golf courses, head to Gravity Trampoline Park for astronomical fun, climb to new heights at Rockcity , strike out at Superbowl Ten Pin Bowling or get your skates on at the Hull Ice Arena, home to the regions only Olympic size ice rink.

If it’s a little ‘escape’ you need why not try the intrigue and puzzlement of one of Hull’s many escape rooms – sure to be a winner with all the family!

Whatever the weather there’s always something fun to do in Hull, while sheltering from the showers!

Artlink Hull to Host ‘Cold Junction’ A Photographic Journey of Chilean Exile in Hull

A new exhibition celebrating the experiences of Chilean refugees will open at Artlink Hull’s 87 Gallery in June 2024. The forthcoming exhibition ‘Cold Junction’ brings together work by Luis Bustamante and Sebastian Bustamante and is co-curated by Tom White.

Luis Bustamante, a Chilean photographer, arrived in Hull with his wife Carmen in December 1974 as political refugees. Their son, Sebastian Bustamante, is a British-Chilean artist, curator, and researcher.

On 11 September 1973, General Augusto Pinochet overthrew Chile’s socialist president, Salvador Allende. The Pinochet regime’s campaign of terror against Allende’s supporters included kidnapping, arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions. In response, international solidarity efforts, including the Humberside branch of the Chile Solidarity Campaign, helped relocate 30 Chilean exiles to Hull, including Luis and Carmen.

While studying at the University of Hull, Luis captured the essence of his new surroundings through photography. His images offer a vivid portrayal of everyday life in mid-1970s Hull, a time of significant social and political change.

To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Chilean refugees arriving in Hull, “Cold Junction” merges Luis’s historical photographs with Sebastian’s ongoing project “El Otoño.” This project, incorporating objects, photographs, and video, delves into Sebastian’s identity as a second-generation exile, honouring those who disappeared, those who stayed, those who left, and those striving for a better future in Chile.

The exhibition will feature a film produced by the gallery, including interviews with the artists and showing how some of the locations in the photographs have changed—or not—over the past 50 years. Artlink has been delivering creative workshops with refugee communities in Hull around themes of home and belonging. These workshops will continue throughout the exhibition and some of the work produced will be displayed at the gallery later in the summer.

E. Books will be at the launch event selling copies of the Cafe Royal Books, which feature Luis’s work from Hull in the 1970s. Luis has also kindly lent the cameras he used to take the Hull photographs.

The archives of the Humberside branch of the Chile Solidarity Campaign are held at the Hull History Centre. On Tuesday, 11th June, in the lead-up to the opening of ‘Cold Junction,’ co-curator Tom White will give a talk at the History Centre. “Venceremos!: the Humberside Chile Solidarity Campaign, fifty years on” will trace the early history of the group, its work to bring political refugees to Hull, and the challenges they faced after they arrived. From 1st June to 1st July, the History Centre Library will also be exhibiting material from the archive, selected by Tom White and archivist Sarah Pymer.

‘Cold Junction’ will launch on Friday, 14 June, 6-8pm and will run until 14 September 2024 in Artlink’s exhibition space, 87 Gallery, open Thursday-Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm .

Picture of a pink and blue light conference room with chairs and speaker

Culture Strategy needs your views

We are seeking your views to help shape a new Culture Strategy for Hull.

In 2023, Hull City Council undertook engagement and consultation with partners and communities across the city. From this research we identified six ambitions which make up the new ten-year Community Plan for Hull (2024 to 2034).

These ambitions also serve as the starting point for consultation towards creating a new five-year Culture Strategy for 2025 to 2030 with the main theme being ‘Continue to build Hull’s reputation as a leading UK city in community led culture and heritage’.

You told us what culture means to you and what role it should play in our city, our streets and our communities. Now, in developing the Culture Strategy, we want to deepen our understanding of what matters most to you, ensuring our delivery plan represents a shared ambition for the city, and is shaped by the people who live, work and study here.

Responses to this survey will work in tandem with in-person data collection, directly impacting the contents of the new Culture Strategy and consequently the things that happen here in Hull.

You can complete the survey here(External link)

The survey will close at midnight on 31st July 2024

Hull launches Milk Trail – highlighting city’s breastfeeding-friendly venues

A new trail around Hull city centre highlights some of the best places for breastfeeding. The Milk Trail shines a light on nine venues where anyone breastfeeding their baby can find a comfortable spot and a supportive atmosphere. A specially created map guides visitors to the nine locations – and also includes a quiz about breastfeeding. Every venue on the Milk Trail has an answer to one of the quiz questions hidden inside it. Participants can record the answers on the maps and trade completed sheets for a Milk Trail sticker.

The aim of the trail is to ensure breastfeeding-friendly spots are easy to identify, while also normalising breastfeeding through education. It has been created by Hull City Council in partnership with Humber NHS Foundation Trust, and input from local parents and breastfeeding support groups.

Launching just in time for half term, the family-friendly trail is a great way to explore the city centre and free to take part in – as are almost all the participating venues. The nine places which make up the trail are part of a wider network of 120 Breastfeeding Friendly venues throughout the city.

Cllr Linda Chambers, Portfolio Holder for Public Health at Hull City Council, said: “We want everyone who chooses to breastfeed to feel supported and comfortable when they’re out and about in Hull. The Milk Trail brings together breastfeeding-friendly venues with a fun activity – and the added bonus of learning about the benefits of breastmilk along the way.

“Historically, we’ve had lower breastfeeding rates in Hull. One of the ways to challenge that is to create an atmosphere where expectant and new mums feel comfortable feeding in public and breastfeeding is normalised. Educating about it, and proudly increasing awareness are an important part of that process – which is why the Trail will be such a vital asset.

“While all participating venues are breastfeeding friendly, the trail is an activity anybody can enjoy and you absolutely don’t need to be breastfeeding or supporting someone who is to take part. Half term is the perfect time to join in – if you know you’ll be out and about at Hull’s museums, shopping centres and attractions, grab a map and make the trail part of your holiday activities”.

Ellie Talbot-Imber, Infant Feeding Lead at the Humber NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Milk trail is a fun and free activity for all families, to come and see some iconic venues in Hull City Centre, whilst finding out some amazing facts about breastfeeding.

“We want to raise the profile of breastfeeding and show everyone that not only is breastfeeding increasing in Hull, it is both encouraged and very much supported”.

To take part in the Milk Trail, just pick up a map from any Family Hub, the Tourist Information stand in Paragon Interchange Station, libraries, museums, customer service centres, or any participating venues.

Studio Eleven New Summer Exhibition

Studio Eleven Gallery presents third new show of 2024 entitled: Still Life.

The Still – Life subject is a well-known composition within fine art painting. The subject may evoke a mood, demonstrate skill, and remind one of life’s hidden or temporary beauty.

Traditionally, the Still – Life painting evokes a collection of objects that recall a time or place – fruit, game, kitchen paraphernalia. The composition may be a celebration of material pleasures such as food and wine, or often a warning of the ephemerality of these pleasures and of the brevity of human life (memento mori).

Our new exhibition offers a new way of seeing the Still – Life. Esther Cawley, Painter, and Lesley Doe, Ceramicist, have collaborated to offer us this concept both within the real state, and captured on the canvass. They have created new works inspired by the ephemerality this genre, rendered in porcelain, alongside a series of painted compositions of Lesley’s new collection of transformed objects.

The Artists:

Esther Cawley – Painter.

Esther is a visual artist based in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. She has a workspace at Juice Studios on Humber Street, Hull. Since graduating from Kingston University, South London, she has completed artist residencies in schools and galleries, producing new artwork and delivering workshops to pupils, teachers, and the public.
From January 2023 – January 2024, she was awarded a bursary to undertake the one – year drawing development course with the prestigious Royal Drawing School, London. This opportunity offered a new developed in her work with a new exploration of Still – Life as a vehicle to explore many of her own theories and teachings. The Still – Life became a poignant exploration of composition, colour, form, and tone.
Esther is currently commissioned to produce creative engagement programmes for art galleries and open community settings. Her practice extends to enabling the community to respond creatively to artist exhibitions, including her own work of Life Drawing, Portraiture, and the Still – Life.

Esther, a long-time admirer of Lesley Doe’s ceramics work, was eager to develop new paintings in collaboration for this exhibition at Studio Eleven. In addition to exploring formal aspects of the genre, Lesley’s work has brought with it a palpable softness (paradoxical to the robust materials she works with). This sense of softness, harmony and balance is something Esther has successfully brought to her own work.

Lesley Doe – Ceramicist

Based at her home – studio in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lesley is a Ceramic Artist who explores the repetition of form through slip – casting. Drawn to casting the mundane, ‘everyday’ objects that populate our lives. Objects that surround our environment without a great deal of emotional attachment; objects which are considered useful but not beautiful; objects which are often disposable. Lesley’s process is transformative of these ‘found’ objects. By rendering them into porcelain, a material considered to be of high status, and firing them to a high temperature, these otherwise ephemeral items are transmuted into objects of beauty and permanence far removed from their original conditional life. The final pieces subtly question our own relationship with these objects which are comfortably familiar; used and touched every day, but rarely considered.

Hull Cultural Strategy needs you!

Views from residents and businesses across Hull are being sought to further develop Hull’s Cultural Strategy.

A month on from the city’s inaugural cultural conference, Cultural Tides, which 170 local cultural organisations and individuals attended, along with industry experts from across the UK and Europe, Hull City Council is now looking to progress the plans for the new strategy.

Amongst a whole host of workshops, focus groups and an online survey which will be run across the summer, two open engagement sessions are planned at Hull’s Guildhall in early July.

The sessions will be filled with discussions, ideas, creativity, and aim to gather input and insights from the community to shape the cultural future of Hull.

Matt Jukes, Chief Executive of Hull City Council said:

“The Cultural Strategy will shape the future of the sector in Hull over the next five years, so its vital we gather as many thoughts, opinions and ideas as we can.

“Being part of the conversation and sharing your thoughts will help us to create a vibrant strategy, making Hull an even more exciting place to live, work, and play.”

Louise Yates, CEO and Artistic Director of Hull arts organisation, Back to Ours Ltd said:

“It’s so important that local people are involved in the development of the city’s cultural strategy. Culture means different things to different people, so it really can’t be written behind closed doors.

“I’m hoping that this process will bring local people and the cultural sector together to create a new strategy that’s bold and exciting.”

The engagement sessions can be booked now for the morning and afternoon of Tuesday 2 July. They are free to attend.

More sessions will be planned, with details across Hull City Councils’ social media channels – Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

A celebration of Yorkshire’s History, Landscape & Culture at the Yorkshire Heritage Summit in Hull

Now in its 3rd year The Yorkshire Heritage Summit will be held in Hull over the weekend of the 11th & 12th May 2024. This year will be the biggest Summit yet with volunteers from Yorkshire’s many heritage organisations and people with an interest in Yorkshire heritage descending on Hull for a range of events.

The main events on Saturday will be held at Hull Minster and have been planned to showcase the importance of Yorkshire’s unique culture, history and landscape.

The Yorkshire Heritage Summit offers heritage organisations large and small, a chance to connect, network and collaborate with each other as well as an opportunity to meet, educate and engage with the general public.

There will be a free to attend public Heritage Exhibition in Hull Minster’s nave, where as well as many local heritage organisations exhibiting, there will also be national and regional organisations such as English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

There is also a full day Yorkshire Heritage Symposium with keynote speakers and the presentation of the Harry Gration History Prize. There are still a few tickets left for the Symposium (£10) and attendees will get to hear presentations about The “Chalkshire” Project, the vision for a proposed UNESCO Geopark in The Yorkshire Wolds and the Distinctive Culture & Heritage of the East Riding.

Hull Minster will be hosting an outside Farmers Market on the Saturday and Hull White Badge Tourist Guides will be running free Maritime heritage walks throughout the day.

On the Saturday evening local maritime folk band Spare Hands will be performing a special concert in the Sailmakers Arms and then on Sunday a number of longer guided walks and tours will take place including The Great Wolds Discovery Bus Tour and a Hull Rocks – a Hull Geology walk.

To find out more about the event and to purchase tickets for the symposium, the Spare Hands concert or the Sunday tours and events click here.

Humber Street Sesh to Widen Artistic Programme for 2024

Hull’s biggest music festival, Humber Street Sesh, is set to widen its artistic programme by introducing some exciting new elements at this year’s event.

The award-winning festival celebrated 10 years on Hull Marina last August, showcasing over 100 acts and providing a platform for regional emerging artists and musicians, as well as critically acclaimed breaking bands from further afield.

As the festival enters its second decade; Sesh Events Ltd, the company behind Humber Street Sesh, plans to expand the cultural offering by introducing new genres of music.

Plans are afoot for an impressive Dance Stage which will host some of the city’s finest DJs, as well as a UK Rap Music Marquee. The festival will also see the resurrection of the Rock Stage, which has been absent from the event for some years.

With community at its heart, Humber Street Sesh 2024 will continue to offer family fun, with the much-loved Silent Disco and ScrapStore Creative Arts Marquee. Photography and art exhibitions will be located across the festival site.

As members of the Oh Yes! Net Zero Campaign, Sesh Events Ltd are committed to improving their green credentials and will continue to build on their impressive environmental achievements. Last year, supported by the University of Hull and JR Rix & Sons Ltd, the festival’s carbon emissions were reduced by 90%, by transitioning from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil to power the event. Festival organisers will be working with partners and sponsors to move towards being an even more sustainable festival in 2024.

Humber Street Sesh 2024, Hull Marina, Saturday, 3rd August, midday-11pm
Tickets can be purchased here.
General Admission advance tickets £20 (+booking fees)15th February – August 2nd.
Festival Gate price £30 – August 3rd.

Free entrance for children 12yrs and under, when accompanied by an 18yrs+ fee-paying adult.
Wristband exchange locations TBC

Lights, camera, action! New trail lets visitors walk in Hullywood’s footsteps

Visitors to Hull will now be able to discover famous film and TV locations thanks to a new map.

New film and tv guide ‘It must be Hullywood’ includes locations from classic UK comedies Only Fools and Horses and Clockwise, smash-hit series’ Enola Holmes, Victoria, Bodies and The Crown, and movies A Royal Night Out and The Personal History of David Copperfield, amongst others.

City centre visitors can walk to at least six locations, with other spots across Hull also highlighted.

Hull residents have provided the images for the leaflet through a photography competition organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire late last year. Photos include sets and characters from several of the productions.

The ‘It must be Hullywood’ Film & TV Trail’ is now available to download from the Visit Hull website or in person from the Welcome Information Centre, Paragon Interchange.

Paul Weller to bring UK tour to Hull this October

Rock icon Paul Weller is to bring his UK tour to Hull later this year.

The ‘Modfather’ will celebrate the release of new album ‘66’ by performing at Connexin Live on 31 October. Standing and seated tickets go on sale for this event on Friday, 8 March at 10am.

Paul Weller achieved huge success in The Jam and then the Style Council, before becoming a hugely successful solo artist.

Paul Weller previously performed at the Hull venue in April 2022 to a sold out audience.

He recently announced a 15-date April tour which sold out in record time, leading to the extra dates announced today.

His brand new album, ‘66’, marks his milestone birthday in May and features guest appearances from Noel Gallagher and Madness frontman Suggs, both of whom have also graced the Arena’s stage. Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie also performs on the new album.

A spokesperson for Paul Weller said: “Expect to hear new tracks from Paul’s forthcoming album, along with deep cuts from his back catalogue and fan favourites.”

Tickets will be available from www.connexinlivehull.com or by visiting Ticketmaster. VIP and hospitality upgrades are also available for all shows, email hull@eu.asmglobal.com for further details.

Late night event at the Streetlife Museum celebrates Women’s History Month

Hull Museums are partnering with community producing company, ARCADE, The Warren Youth Project, Middle Child Theatre & Hull Truck Theatre to host a late-night event in celebration of Women’s History Month.

‘Hear Them Roar’ features music, live performance, protest and vigil and includes a headline performance from award-winning Hull theatre company Middle Child.

Middle Child’s Artistic Director, Paul Smith, says: “Everyone at Middle Child is a huge fan of ARCADE’S work so we’re delighted to be bringing a sneak preview of Maureen Lennon’s new play to Hear Them Roar in March.

Middle Child will be performing a few extracts from the piece, which includes original live music by Yssi Wombwell, offering audiences a glimpse into a brilliant new play.

As well as showcasing some hard hitting new writing, ‘Hear Them Roar’ will also showcase live music acts, bringing original talent from Warren Records. There is also a pop-up cocktail bar, protest sign making and ‘warpaint’ style make-up workshops.

Shannon Barker, ARCADE’s assistant producer, who is curating the evening, said: “We want this to be an event where audiences can get involved and have fun. Having a workshop element means the audience are an active part of the evening too.

Throughout the evening, there will also be rallying speeches by Sarah Hicks from Justice For Our Sisters and Karen Ellis, a body positive coach. At the end of the night there will be a moving vigil to commemorate the women who have lost their lives to male violence, led by members of Say Her Name Hull.

The Hear Them Roar event also features the opportunity to view artistic work curated and created by young people from the Warren Youth Project. Inspired by the women in the young people’s lives and the museum collections, their artwork gives space to local women’s voices past and present.

Their exhibition ‘Women That Inspire Us’ will be on display at the event and is also available to view in the Streetlife Museum Open Space throughout March and April to honour International Women’s Day. A person from The Warren Youth Project who is working on the exhibition says: “I have enjoyed the process of thinking about which women inspire me. It has been a great experience to get creative and I am excited for the woman I have picked to see the artwork I have created of them.”

The Warren Youth Projects Forged manager, Elle Douglas, said: “It is so important for young people to have access to creativity, to be given opportunities to express themselves through art, to use art as a tool to work through something and to have a space to be heard and listened to. Working with ARCADE has been a dream in the past, and we know this event will be no different.”

Museums and Gallery Manager for Hull Museums, Jane Avison said “Following the success of last year’s event we’re delighted to be working in partnership with ARCADE again to share the inspiring stories of women past and present as we celebrate Women’s History Month at the Museums Quarter.”

Hear Them Roar is at the Streetlife Museum on Thursday March 28, 6 – 9pm. This evening of live entertainment, participation and protest promises to deliver. Tickets are free, but booking is essential due to limited capacity. You can get tickets via Hull Museums – Hear Them Roar. Recommended age 16+.

Connexin Live, Hull has been named as one of the most successful arenas in Europe!

The venue has been ranked as the 52nd best rated in Europe as part of the prestigious Pollstar 2024 European Magna Charta industry report.

The news comes as the venue, based on Myton Street in Hull, has just sold its 500,000th ticket for events since opening in August 2018.

The Pollstar 2024 European Magna Charta rankings are based on number of visitors and revenue streams. Artists such as Noel Gallagher, Sean Paul, Donny Osmond, Micky Flanagan and Russell Howard helped boost attendances last year.

The Hull venue beat large Arenas in cities such as Berlin (Germany), Bundapest (Hungary), Olso (Norway), Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France), Bari (Italy) and Malaga (Spain).

The WiZink Center in Madrid was ranked as Europe’s busiest Arena, with the O2 in London (third) and AO Arena, Manchester (fourth) the highest ranked in England.

The venue has some fantastic acts in 2024 that have already sold out – Michael McIntyre, Bowling For Soup, Paul Smith, Sarah Millican and many more – with many other great announcements coming soon!

For more details about future events at the venue click here

Middle Child bring ‘immersive’ wedding play to Stage@TheDock

Hull theatre fans are invited to dig out their favourite wedding outfits as the latest Middle Child show takes over Stage@TheDock in April.

Baby, He Loves You, by local playwright Maureen Lennon, is a tense new play set at a family wedding, with the audience seated at tables in the round, inside a marquee.

The show features original new music by Hull producer Ysabelle Wombwell and aerial acrobatic choreography by Late Night Circus’ Danielle Clements.

The story follows bride-to-be Jodie on a rollercoaster of engagement parties and hen dos as her big day approaches.

But when skeletons begin to tumble out of the closet, she must finally question what it means to love your family, no matter what.

Middle Child artistic director, Paul Smith, said: “Everyone at Middle Child is delighted to bring Maureen’s brilliant new play to life in a wedding marquee at the gorgeous Stage@TheDock, hosted by our friends at Wykeland.

Maureen’s last play, Helen was produced by Theatre 503 and Terrain Theatre in 2023.

The Coppergate Woman was produced by York Theatre Royal in 2022, while Us Against Whatever was produced in 2019 by Middle Child in association with Hull Truck Theatre and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

Hull actor Laura Meredith (Hullraisers, Coronation Street, Emmerdale) plays Jodie, alongside fellow locals Elle Ideson as best friend Lucy and Dan McGarry as her dad, Phil.

University of Hull graduate Madeleine MacMahon (A Super Happy Story: About Feeling Super Sad) plays mum, Alison, while Jonathan Raggett plays fiancé, Mike.

Baby, He Loves You will run for 13 performances from 19-28 April, including four afternoon shows on Saturdays and Sundays.

Both performances on Saturday 27 April will include BSL interpretation by Sarah Cox.

Tickets go on-sale at noon, Tuesday 27 February, available through the Middle Child website, from £15.

Baby, He Loves You is funded by Arts Council England and Hull City Council, with support from Wykeland and Stage@TheDock.

For more details and to book tickets click here