Nice Up Again

Hibiscus Rising provides the stunning venue for this celebration of musical cultures that people have brought to Leeds from across the world. There will be spoken word performances too.

This is a mini-festival of joy and togetherness. We can mix and mingle and enjoy the variety of music that is being made today by our diverse populations in Leeds -- whatever your particular taste, you'll hear it here, and then you'll probably hear something new, and marvel at your discovery.

We are bringing Leeds' people together in friendship and dialogue for an afternoon of conviviality and pleasure. It’s aimed at everyone, whatever your age, whatever your history.

Yinka Shonibare's world-class sculpture for David Oluwale shifts David's story from persecution to progress, from injustice to justice, from denial to hope.

The #RememberOluwale charity is working with everyone who is helping to make Leeds a city where people of every culture and every background feel at home.

(The first Nice Up was held last August, warming the city up for the installation of Hibiscus Rising in November 2023. It was created for us by the young people at Music House in Leeds — they called it A Festival of Jow and Welnness. Some of them will perform at this event, too.)

There will be stalls with street food, crafts and hibiscus tea and a good time will be had by all. It's a Pay As You Feel event.

The Yoruba Dancers and friends at the opening ceremony of Hibiscus Rising at the Meadow Lane Garden © Max Farrar

Host or Publisher David Oluwale Memorial Association