events

AN ABANDONED department store’s roof is being turned into a huge new attraction – after success in two other UK cities.

Freight Island will open at the abandoned Debenhams in Eldon Square Shopping Centre in Newcastle in June.

Costing £16million, the “island above the city centre” is set to become the largest food, drink, and entertainment venue in a UK city centre.

The venue itself will be on the top floor of the empty Debenhams store and span 5,574-square-metres.

Inside, the main hub called The Plant Room will boast communal areas for guests to dine under a retractable roof.

The Plant Room will feature 12 street food-style restaurants with specific brands including Meat: Stack, I Scream for Pizza, Miso, V.Goode Pies, Fab Bakery, Churros Kingdom, Fuku and Pita.

When it comes to grabbing a drink, there will be four bars including a specialist Aperitivo cocktail bar with cocktails on tap and Two by Two Brewing beers.

For music lovers, there will also be a 1,200 person venue called the Music Box, where touring acts, theatre shows, festivals and DJ sets will take place.

Reportedly, there will even be raves for kids, as well as multiple screens showing live sporting events.

The venue will be inspired by New York‘s Coney Island and Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.

When the new destination was announced last year, Co-founder and Managing Director of Freight Island, Dan Morris, said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind.

“We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30million to the local economy.

“This incredible venue in the heart of a very special city offers a truly exciting opportunity to create a cultural space that could become a focal point of Newcastle for years to come.”

Freight Island is already open in Manchester and, back in January, announced that it is opening a new site in the Trinity Leeds shopping centre.

Similar to the Newcastle venue, there will be street food-style stalls, bars and live entertainment.

There will also be an outdoor terrace looking over City Square.

Construction of the Leeds site is set to start in late spring.

And next month, Freight Island will open a venue in Brixton, south west London.

The rooftop destination will be able to host around 1,000 people and officially opens on May 7.

It is expected to be the capital’s largest rooftop venue with chef residencies, cocktail bars, live music, DJ sets, food festivals and major sports screenings, amongst other events.

For the upcoming World Cup, the rooftop will even have a dedicated World Cup Fanzone with screenings of the matches.

Other upcoming events include Reggae Brunch and Maggi Brunch.

There will be family-friendly daytime sessions in the summer too.

Similar to the Newcastle venue, Freight Island Brixton will have a number of speciality bars including the Casamigos ‘House of Friends’ and Hotel Milano – themed around much-loved Italian aperitivos.

Freight Island already has a destination in Manchester, located near Piccadilly Station.

It was the brand’s first venue, opening its doors back in July 2020.

In other attraction news, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is getting a huge new £3million indoor attraction this summer.

Plus, there’s a new £379million attraction dedicated to chocolate opening in Europe with rides and hotels.

Thousands of protesters against the Trump administration policies rallied as part of the nationwide No Kings protest in front of City Hall in downtown Orlando, Fla., on October 18. No Kings organizers expect even more people to turn out for protests Saturday. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo

March 28 (UPI) — Thousands of cities across the United States — and internationally — were set to hold a series of so-called No Kings events Saturday to protest the President Donald Trump‘s policies.

The organization, which formed in response to the Trump presidency, said it expects Saturday to “be the biggest protest in U.S. history.” There are more than 3,000 demonstrations planned, including some in Canada, Mexico, Iceland, Kenya and Ecuador.

Saturday marks the third No Kings protest held since the start of Trump’s second term. More than 5 million people took part in the first protest on June 14, Trump’s birthday, and the second in October drew about 7 million people, The Hill reported.

Among the Trump actions the No Kings organization opposes are the increased immigration actions, what it describes as threats to “overtake elections,” and gutting the Affordable Care Act, environmental protections and education resources.

The group has also recently opposed Trump’s actions in Iran, launching attacks on the Gulf nation without congressional approval, a consequence of which has been skyrocketing oil prices, The Guardian reported.

“Find your local No Kings event to make it clear that America rejects the regime’s brutality at home and abroad,” the organization said on its website.

“What happened to my dreams? Simply put: they changed,” reads Phil Augusta Jackson aloud to a crowd in a furniture store. Tonight’s theme is change. From a podium, the television writer reflects on the long, thorny odyssey of his career. A pinball machine blinks in the background. Behind him, dreamy abstract prints hang on the wall, their shapes seeming to melt in the unseasonable spring heat.

Alongside mid-century furnishings and art in Echo Park, siblings Madeline Walter and Evan Walter host their wildly popular reading series, Essays. It’s a warm spring night. In a tender essay, Evan considers what he’s inherited from his idiosyncratic father. “I scream-sneeze like him now,” he reads. “It feels like a mess figuring out what parts of your parents you’re going to keep.”

In March 2024, the Walter siblings began the reading series in a friend’s backyard. “It was cold and wet, and we were so nervous nobody would come,” says Madeline. Since then, the show has moved through a series of venues before settling into a home at The Hunt Vintage. In just two years, it has grown into a local phenomenon, regularly drawing crowds of more than 150 people into the singular space.

The idea for Essays took shape during a conversation about creative constraints. Both writers and comedians, the siblings wanted to host a show that pushed beyond snappy punchlines and polished half-truths. “The objective is different from just being funny,” Madeline says. “It’s to tell me about yourself. Tell me something you’re thinking about.”

Like many readings across Los Angeles, Essays taps into a growing appetite for sincerity. “People are really craving a space where you can be funny, be vulnerable, laugh at yourself — and where there’s an earnestness,” Evan says. That sensibility feels familiar to them. They grew up in what Madeline describes as a “very NPR-coded household that loved David Sedaris-style stuff.” She adds: “Doing something in the essay space feels like a surprising return to form.”

“One of my roommates describes it as a church-like experience, because everything is just so emotionally0driven and connective,” says Kaitlyn Kilmer, a longtime attendee.

The legacy of the series has begun to ripple outward. Their reading series has created a complementary Substack. Kilmer is now hosting a reading in her living room among friends.“We decided that we wanted to do our own, so I gathered a few friends who had been fans of the Essays show,” she says.

Essays exists in a larger network of reading series that make up Los Angeles’ diverse and ever-evolving literary scene. “There are so many readings now,” explains non-fiction writer Diana Ruzova, who frequently attends readings. “I’m not mad at it, though, mostly grateful that L.A. has a thriving literary community.”

In Los Feliz, Skylight Books continues to host intimate book launches for some of the most anticipated literary releases, drawing local favorites and celebrities.

“Our vibe is cozy,” says Mary Williams, general manager of Skylight Books. “We set up chairs under the big tree that grows in the middle of the store, and we hope this is a go-to place for our community to see their favorite authors while mingling with other book lovers.”

Elsewhere, at Heavy Manners Library, the tone of literary events leans more toward the experimental. “Experimental, unpolished writing can be shared and reflected on in an accessible, communal setting,” says program assistant Jane Shin.

This spring, literary events across the city run the gamut — from independent book fairs to poetry workshops, from the bizarre to the deeply vulnerable — welcoming everyone from curious newcomers to die-hard bookworms.

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Keeping and maintaining friends as an adult is hard, especially with the demands of life, travel and work. In volunteering, I encounter more people like myself, which is nice, but sometimes it’s difficult to participate without a lot of commitment to the organizations. I’m wanting to explore smaller, intimate groups to build community with people who I share similar values with. I’m interested in self-growth, psychology, games, mindfulness and yoga. I loved the L.A. Times story “Awaken your inner child at this welcoming collage club for adults” and I would love to know about similar activities. Thanks! —Marlen I.

Here’s what we suggest:

Marlen, I couldn’t agree more. As we get older, it can feel more and more difficult to sustain friendships, especially in Los Angeles, where people live so far apart and have busy lives. This struggle is exactly why so many social clubs have been sprouting up in L.A. over the last few years. From board game clubs to junk journaling meetups, there’s so many different ways to connect and maybe try something new. I’ve compiled a list of social clubs and community spaces that I think you’ll enjoy.

Since you’re already familiar with Art+Mind Studios, you should definitely check out Junk Journal Club. Junk journaling is essentially a craft practice that combines elements of collaging, journaling and scrapbooking. With the rise of junk journaling content on social media, the once solo pastime has turned into a lively social scene. Junk Journal Club, dubbed “the original junk journal club,” hosts monthly meetups, which can be found on its Instagram page. When my colleague Malia Mendez went to an event recently, people told her that attending Junk Journal Club “has made befriending strangers easy,” and many of them stay in touch.

Another craft-centered event that’s worth exploring is the Crafters Clubhouse, which founder Victoria Ansah calls “a creative third space for adult makers.” She hosts monthly arts and crafts workshops including activities like scrapbooking, punch needle embroidery and clay art.

Given that you’re interested in yoga and mindfulness, you may like WalkGood LA, a community-centered wellness organization that hosts a variety of activities including a run club and accessible yoga classes. During the pandemic, I found solace in attending their weekly yoga classes called BreatheGood. The outdoor sessions take place every first Sunday at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area and feature free chiropractic adjustments and healthy food vendors. The vibe of the intergenerational event feels warm and welcoming. All you have to do is show up with your yoga mat. The organization also hosts various classes including yoga, breath work, mindful meditation, mat Pilates and step aerobics at their studio, the WalkGood Yard, in Arlington Heights.

Another social club I recommend is Love, Peace & Spades, which my friend Kevin Clark started in 2022, to create a space where people could play the card game with others. With music provided by a live DJ, the monthly game night feels like being at a family cookout. Spades can be extremely intimidating to start as a beginner playing with pros. But don’t worry. Love, Peace & Spades has instructors who can teach you how to play.

If you’re interested in chess, L.A. Chess Club is “an event with the laid-back ease of a chill game night and all the social and romantic possibility of a night out on the town,” according to Times contributor Martine Thompson, who wrote a story about the event. At the weekly gathering, which features a food vendor, cocktails, tattoo artists and DJs, you can “competitively play chess, learn the game, meet new friends or mingle as a single person,” Thompson shares. Another fun event is RummiKlub, a monthly Rummikub game night that takes place in elevated, design-forward spaces across the city.

L.A. also has several fun creative venues that regularly bring people together, such as Junior High, a nonprofit art gallery and inclusive gathering space that hosts artist showcases, comedy nights, pottery workshops and more. There’s also Nina in Atwater, which holds a variety of gatherings including a monthly series that focuses on mindfulness called “Be Here Now: Simple Tools for an Everyday Nervous System Reset.”

I hope that these suggestions are a good starting point for finding the group, or several groups, that are an ideal fit for you. Just by putting yourself out there and being open, you are bound to build and find community. Best of luck on your journey!

WE are just days away from St Patrick’s Day and the UK is full of events to celebrate.

Even though St Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday (March 17), this weekend there are a number of events you can head to soak up the celebration.

Some cities are hosting parades and others have more family-orientated events – so here are some of the best.

Belfast St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Of course, it wouldn’t be this list without the capital of Northern Ireland.

St Patrick’s Day celebrations are spread across several days in Belfast, with a Music Festival from March 13 to 17, Celebrations at St George’s Market on March 14 and 15 and a parade on March 17.

When it comes to the parade on Tuesday, the streets will come alive with performers, music, dance troupes and community groups.

Also on Tuesday, visitors will be able to enjoy the St Patrick’s Day Festival Village between 1pm and 4pm at Belfast Cathedral Car Park.

The village is free to enter and will boast music, dancing, food and family activities.

London St Patrick’s Day Parade

This Sunday, March 15, London will host one of the largest St Patrick’s Day parades in the country.

Starting at 12pm and running until 6pm, the parade will follow a 1.5 mile route and feature carnival performers, musicians, dancers and marching bands.

There will also be lots of celebrations in Trafalgar Square that are free for the public to enjoy.

For kids there will be arts and crafts sessions and if you get hungry there will be plenty of food stalls around.

Manchester Irish Festival

Manchester Irish Festival will take place across several days with Irish art, comedy, dancing, music, sport and theatre performances.

The parade will take place on Sunday, March 15, starting at 12pm.

It will follow a route into the city centre.

From March 12, there will be the Irish Festival Village at St Ann’s Square, with live music every day, Irish-themed pizza and pints, of course.

Leeds St. Patrick’s Day

Leeds‘ annual St Patrick’s Day celebration will be on March 15.

The day will be full of entertainment but there isn’t a parade this year.

In a statement on social media, the team said: “The Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade committee would like to inform you of an important change to this year’s festival day.

“Due to matters out of our control, we have had to make the decision not to have floats and walkers travel the parade this year.

“This is a decision which was not made lightly and we hope to have this aspect back next year – bigger and better than ever.

“However, we will still be celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Millennium Square.

“There will be lots of entertainment and displays in the square for all to enjoy.

“It is still set to be a brilliant day – so don’t miss out.”

Birmingham St. Patrick’s Fun Day

On March 15, there will be a St Patrick’s Family Fun Day in Birmingham.

The event will take place at the Irish Centre, starting at 12pm.

There will be entertainment, activities, food, live bands and music.

For children, there will be a lot of fun to get stuck into including a funfair and face painting.

Meanwhile, parents can peruse stalls and have a go at the tombola.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, there will be Irish sausage baps as well as Fitzgerald’s Irish Store, which sells a range of Irish products.

Tickets to the event cost £10 per person, but children under the age of 10 go free.

Cheltenham Festival St Patrick’s Thursday

If you happen to be at Cheltenham Festival on March 12, you will get to see St Patrick’s Thursday.

As the battle for the Prestbury Cup continues, attendees can also make the most of live music across six areas.

For example, The Tumbling Paddies will perform live in The Guinness Village.

Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Family Fun Day

In Scotland, you can head to Glasgow‘s St Patrick’s Festival on March 14.

Running from midday to 5pm, the festival on Merchant Square will include live Irish music, face painting, a balloon artist and stalls with deals on holidays in Ireland.

There will also be a number of bars and restaurants involved in the event.

Can’t make March 14? On March 17 – actual St Patrick’s Day – head to the Grosvenor Cafe in Glasgow’s West End for live music, dancers, spice bags, pints and even a special appearance from Jedward.

For more upcoming events, here’s what’s on in the UK this month.

Plus, these are the cheapest family holiday destinations under three hours from UK that are over 20C this Easter.