Out of Many Festival

We’re excited to be part of The Jamaica Society Leeds’ Out of Many Festival, celebrating the impact of the island’s rich cultural heritage on Leeds to mark the 60th year of its independence.

Named after Jamaica’s national motto, Out of Many, One People, the festival will span nine months in 2022, taking in 60 events featuring over 100 artists across 10 venues. Directed by Susan Pitter, the programme of literature, film, music, theatre, art, heritage and family events was developed in response to two years of audience consultations and conversations with partners and artists.

Three events at the Howard Assembly Room are on sale now, with more to be announced:

Celebrating his 70th birthday and 50 years of activism this year, the internationally lauded, multi-award winning dub poetry pioneer and activist reads from his poetry and talks to acclaimed author and broadcaster, Gary Younge.

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Courtney Pine CBE, who’ll be returning to the venue following a string of recent sold-out visits, comments:

“The Howard Assembly Room is the perfect venue for presenting a recital concert of this nature. It is my wish in bringing this Spirituality project to Leeds to share a positive message about music creation. In spite of the recent history of the pandemic, the Out of Many Festival will hopefully give artists, and all present, a chance to celebrate the varied sides of Jamaican culture in a city that has always welcomed creativity”.

The Out of Many Festival is made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. Staged in collaboration with the British Library and the National Library of Jamaica, in partnership with the Howard Assembly Room and with the support of Leeds City Council.