By community reporter
Armley Festival 2024 is set to be a day of good stuff – according to organisers. Festival goers coming to Armley Moor can expect a full afternoon of live music, arts workshops, games and activities, and food.
The Festival runs 12pm-6pm tomorrow (Saturday 14 September) on Armley Moor, Town Street, LS12 3HD and is free entry.
Festival organisers said: “This year’s line-up is eclectic, joyful and irreverent. It’s our chance to celebrate some of Armley’s creative talent in the form of musicians, artists, makers and play-makers.
“We all need fun, community and camaraderie in our lives so we hope you’ll find some of that here tomorrow.”
On the Live Music Stage:
A range of creative activities are taking place too, including the opportunity to have your cartoon portrait drawn for you by Doctor Simpo, to try out Claymation, or to learn how to crochet and knit with A Close Knit, who meet at Armley Industrial Museum to click and chat.
Assembly House Artists will be live-painting the event, which includes some very unusual wildlife.
The Armley Olympics is open to anyone of any age from 2pm-5pm and includes some dizzingly daft Olympic Games such as jar opening, a wheelie bin relay race, and a hobby horse dressage in memory of Fudge of the Moor.
One aim of Armley Festival is to support local creatives and local businesses. Organisers try to support the local gig economy as much as possible and give different groups an opportunity to perform each year.
“We’re really delighted to have bands like the Armley-based folk group Lonan, and the uplifting Manouche Ganouche (Gypsy Jazz, Balkans and klezmer). They’re on the same bill as local legend Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip – ahead of their latest national tour and new album Pop, and alongside community musicians from Armley and Bramley.
The Festival is a produced each year by local organisations and voluntary groups working in collaboration. This year the event has been funded by Leeds City Council Wellbeing Funding (Inner West Community Committee Funding), UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Funding), and a Play Enabling Grant from Child Friendly Leeds.
Fran Graham, of Armley Action Team, said: “We’re really grateful to Leeds City Council and UKSPF, without whom tomorrow would be a very different event.
“This year’s Festival is a smorgasboard of tasty, daft and delightful stuff that proves how much good stuff there is on our little bit of the planet.
“We’re excited about tomorrow and the chance to showcase creative people from the West Leeds area; bring in a few surprises from further afield and encourage as many people as possible to join in, let their hair down, and have fun.”
“And we’re looking ahead to next year already – so if you’d like to help organise or sponsor Armley Festival 2025 please get in touch at armleyfest@gmail.com.”
Armley Festival, Saturday 14 September, Armley Moor, Town Street, Armley, LS12 3HD.