Celebrating the rich history of the Caribbean and the inclusive culture of Carnival, the Carnival Legacy: Pop-up Street Performance saw New Briggate “come alive with the vibrant colours and joy of Carnival”.
The city centre came alive with an explosion of dance, music, costumes and storytelling as part of East Street Arts’ Hidden Histories of New Briggate Project.
Our photographer Steve Riding was there to capture the event in the below pictures:
7. Explosion of music, dance, colourful costumes, and storytelling
With steel-pan, soca and calypso, there was an explosion of music, dance, colourful costumes, and storytelling. Photo: Steve Riding
8. Leeds West Indian Carnival
There was also carnival-themed Take Away Art giveaways including whistles, flags, bandanas and postcards Photo: Steve Riding
9. Leeds West Indian Carnival
Khadijah Ibrahiim, Artist and Artistic Director for Carnival Legacy pop-up event, said: “Leeds West Indian Carnival attracts thousands of people to Chapeltown to share in the celebration of emancipation, our local community, our identity, and our culture." Photo: Steve Riding
10. Leeds West Indian Carnival
"In its early days, the Carnival parade route was much longer and wound its way down into town and through New Briggate. We’re delighted to be working with East Street Arts to bring it back to New Briggate for this one-off special event.” Photo: Steve Riding
11. Leeds West Indian Carnival
Helen Moore, East Street Arts’ engagement lead, said: “New Briggate has a truly fascinating past but in one of its more vibrant incarnations, it played host to part of the parade route for the spectacular Leeds West Indian Carnival. As part of our Hidden Histories of New Briggate project, we felt it was important to honour this and make sure that this thrilling creative heritage is not forgotten." Photo: Steve Riding
12. Leeds West Indian Carnival
The Carnival Legacy: Pop-up Street Performance event was set to complement an upcoming series of Carnival-themed East Street Arts projects taking place this year, in collaboration with Leeds West Indian Carnival Photo: Steve Riding