IRL events happening in Sheffield: Spring/Summer 2021

Time to dust off the calendars! Here’s a selection of confirmed IRL events that you won’t need a Zoom code for…

‘Inner Space’ by Tom J Newell: Running until 15th May
Sheffield’s newest artspace, Artcade Gallery, situated amongst the Forum shops on Division Street, recently reopened its doors for a new exhibition by Tom J Newell, which will be running through to the middle of May.

‘Inner Space’ will see the popular Sheffield artist and DJ, whose work you may recognise adorning number of bars and retail spots, exhibiting a series of new artworks, including a collection of 366 daily drawings that he produced throughout 2020.

Tom will also be decorating his ‘Bears of Sheffield’ sculpture live in the gallery ahead of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital art trail that will appear later this summer. A selection of original artworks, prints and other limited edition merchandise will also be available to purchase exclusively through as part of the exhibition. The gallery will evolve as the show progresses, becoming an open studio where Tom will continue to produce and exhibit new work and play records in the space during his residency.
@tomjnewell

Doc/Fest 2021: 4-13 June
Sheffield’s famous film festival returns this year, announcing plans to deliver a hybrid festival to bring people together with a selection of in-person and online events.

The opening and closing films were announced last month. Kicking off proceedings will be the European premiere of’ Summer of Soul (…Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’, by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. It is a film that will inspire the next 10 days of programme through its testimony of a unique moment in history, the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and the transformative power of culture and music. The closing film will be the world premiere of ‘The Story of Looking’, the latest film by Mark Cousins. In a time when our common experiences are shaped by long confinements and a constant assault from images, this film proposes that we look again into the world’s complexities, contradictions and beauty. Cousins will also participate in a live-streamed Q+A following the screening.

The international Industry Programme for 2021, including the marketplace, pitches and panels, will be taking place online only. Information on how to access the public programme of physical film screenings, exhibitions and talks in Sheffield, subject to Covid-19 guidelines, will be announced online on 12 May.
sheffdocfest.com

Credit: Henry Rees

Peddler: Triple Cooked Garden Party: 21 June
Oh, it’s been too long since we had a proper Peddler bash! Thankfully, Sheff’s tastiest social event is planning a return to form with a big ol’ do at 92 Burton Road and plenty of their usual shtick: great food, music, drinks, art and independent traders showcasing their wares.

Joining the party will be Triple Cooked – a collective of artists, musicians and creatives travelling the length and breadth of the country since 2015 in search of the quirkiest event spaces to party together with open minds and huge smiles. Combine Peddler, Triple Cooked and a plenty of hungry/thirsty Sheffielders and you’ve got a social occasion we’ve been yearning for since the party came to a halt last year. As such, it’s almost guaranteed to sell out, so get yourself on t’internet and book in if you fancy it.

Of course, the event is still rolling in a slightly more stripped-back fashion at the moment and with all the correct safety restrictions in the Peddler car park. There’s another taking place this month over 7-8 May – it’s the usual mouthwatering arrangement but focused mainly on the food and drink side of things with table service.

Bookings and walk-ins both available.
peddlerwarehouse.com

Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things: Middle of May–4 July
An exhibition organised by the National Portrait Gallery, Cecil Beaton’s glittering portraits from a golden age will be brought together to view at the Millennium Gallery.

The fascinating exhibition will explore the extravagant world of the glamorous and stylish ‘Bright Young Things’ of the twenties and thirties through the lens of the renowned British photographer.

150 works will showcase a dazzling cast of society figures, artists, writers and partygoers, each seen through the prism of Beaton’s portraits. In addition to Beaton’s own work, the exhibition also features paintings by friends and artists known to Beaton, including Rex Whistler, Henry Lamb, Ambrose McEvoy and Christopher Wood; portraits of Beaton by Paul Tanqueray, Dorothy Wilding, and Curtis Moffat; as well as books magazines, photograph albums, and other ephemera.

Visitors can plan and book their visit online at museums-sheffield.org.uk/welcome-back

Get Together Festival: 7-8 August
Taking place at Sheffield University Students’ Union, the dates for Get Together Festival have been rearranged for 7th-8th August 2021.

The two-day event has announced an exciting lineup featuring Self Esteem (right -top), Black Honey (right-below), Tim Burgess, Dream Wife, Billy Nomates, Ibibio Sound Machine, plus many more established and up-and-coming acts.

Brighton four-piece Black Honey will headline the Saturday of Get Together, having just reached no. 7 in the album charts with their latest release ‘Written and Directed’. Closing Get Together on Sunday 8th August is Sheffield favourite Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor). Having played in every venue across the city and toured the world with South Yorkshire duo Slow Club, Rebecca fired up the solo project and unveiled debut album ‘Compliments Please’ in 2019 – a critically acclaimed record loaded with bombastic pop bangers.

Charlatan’s frontman and record shop expert and all-round lovely bloke Tim Burgess also joins the line-up. Tim’s latest solo record ‘I Love The New Sky’ came out on Bella Union in 2020, and with his popular Twitter Listening Parties Tim’s positive vibes were a shining beacon of optimism during a difficult year; now he’s bringing the feelgood factor back in the flesh and on a live stage.

Tickets for Get Together Festival are priced at £27.50 for the day and £44 for second release weekend tickets, available at somewhere.seetickets.com/get-together-2021.

Credit: Charlotte Patmore

Sensoria Festival:1-9 October
Sensoria, the UK’s festival of film, music and digital will return to Sheffield from in October 2021. After a year of being confined to online projects, the event will bring a combination of real-life and streaming events, performances, screenings and talks to the city.

Over the years, Sensoria has hosted performances from the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Bill Drummond, Richard Hawley, Forgemasters, Chris and Cosey, Laurie Anderson, Jlin, DJ Stingray and many more. Renowned for its use of unusual venues, events have included city centre drive-sns, swimming pool screenings and an AV installation in a 60s hotel ballroom.

The lineup will be announced early summer but, for now, the festival is on the hunt for exciting new work based around this year’s themes of ‘SuperNature’ and ‘Better Together’ to feature at the event.
sensoria.org.uk
@gettogetherfest

Image credit: Laurra Merril

Yorkshire Chocolate Festival: 24 October
After a bitter 12 months, we can now look forward to the taste of sweet luxury this year as youth homelessness charity Roundabout hosts the first Yorkshire Chocolate Festival.

Taking place at Sheffield’s historic Kelham Island Museum on October 24, the festival will be the perfect event for chocoholics, bringing together live music, workshops and over 50 stalls featuring a veritable smorgasbord of treats to get stuck into.

We are super excited to launch Yorkshire’s first ever chocolate festival,” said Roundabout Event Fundraiser Emily Bush. “There is going to be something for everyone, from brownies and doughnuts to hot chocolate and rum.You’ll find numerous treats to indulge in and other non-edible chocolate themed gifts that will save your waistline too.”

Anybody interested in having a stall at the Yorkshire Chocolate Festival should email Emily at emily.bush@roundaboutltd.org for full details.
roundabouthomeless.org