The delayed, official opening of the new Leeds School of Arts (LSA) building took place on Wednesday 29th March. In the spring of Leeds Year of Culture 2023, a celebration of artistic output, including the work of students and staff, seems appropriate.
The LSA building brings together all aspects of the arts. Students from Performing Arts, Music and Sound, Film, Creative Technologies, Art and Design and Architecture work together in the new building. Facilities include bright studios, specialist workshops, recording and printing facilities – all equipped with the latest technology. There are also purpose built theatres and cinema for public performances.
The opening ceremony show-cased work from students and staff. The session was kicked off by Zac Bryan who sang his own lyrics and a few covers. With a clear, melodic voice and competent guitar playing, this singer-song writer may be one to watch. He was followed by a duo, Sophie Rumbold on keyboard and vocals with Alex Roberts on guitar. The music from these musicians provided a welcoming backdrop whilst visitors arrived and mingled, enjoying canapés and drinks.
The formal ceremony was introduced by poetry. ‘When I Feel Like I’m Sinking’ was written by LSA graduate Zodwa Nyoni to mark the opening of the building. It was read, expertly, by Theatre and Performance student Maya Watson. I loved the lines ‘Imagination does not belong to me; it passes through me.’ Hopefully, the new building will make imagination available to many.
PhD student Lara Rose talked about how studying in Leeds had taken her creativity and her life to places she had never imagined. Rose’s life-size sculpture of renowned black theatre director Dr Geraldine Connor has been prominently displayed in the new building. She talked about her pride in representing a black woman in sculpture and her commitment to exploring her Yoruba heritage through her Ph.D. She encouraged others to express themselves and live out their dreams.
Speeches by Leeds Beckett University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Tracey Lancaster, and the Dean of LSA, Dr Oliver Bray celebrated both the opening of the building and the creative activities of students. Lancaster referred to the new building as ‘a £80 million love letter to Creative Arts’. Bray gave examples of staff and students who are already making notable contributions to the development of Creative Arts.
The celebrations ended with a stunning performance by Charanga del Norte.
This exuberant 12-piece Latin dance music band is led by Professor Sue Miller, who earlier in the day had presented her inaugural professorial lecture around the importance of Charanga and Paranga music. Over two sets, the band presented original musical compositions and re-workings of tunes made popular in 1950s New York.
I confess that the term Charanga was new to me. I have visited Cuba and listened to Son and Salsa in Cuba and the UK. This was the first time I had come across either Charanga or the New York version, Paranga. The musical form has much in common with Son and Salsa but is distinguished by the presence of violins and flute.
Miller is an accomplished flautist. It is impressive to meet someone so immersed in both the academic study of music and musical practice. The flute is the main improvising instrument in Charanga and the band was expertly led by Miller. She also sang alongside the two vocalists at times, in perfect Spanish. Miller originally studied languages including French and Hindi.
This was the first outing of the band for three years, but you would never have known. The ensemble has been playing for over two decades and is the UK’s only Charanga band. Many of the songs came from their 2020 album Pachanga Time, including an unusual version of Mack the Knife. There was also completely new work that has been written during lockdown, including a composition from pianist Kim Burton.
The concert was a good example of how a School of Art can lead to cross-discipline collaboration. Throughout the performance the music was accompanied by graphics based on the cover of the vinyl record. During the fifteen minute interval, three animations to accompany Charanga del Norte songs were played.
There can be only one building opening but I hope there will be many more performances by Charanga del Norte. I also look forward to seeing the creative outpouring of students across a multitude of disciplines.
