ON THE LOINER GRAPEVINE

The latest news and gossip from the city's people in the know

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The Danny Harris Appeal Bungee jump

If you've got a head for heights and an appetite for the extreme, then you're in luck. On Sunday 10th August, at The Roundhay pub, there will be a bungee jump in order to raise money for the Danny Harris Appeal. Danny Harris, an 11 year old boy from Wetherby, was diagnosed in September 2007 with multiple cancer tumours attached to the major nerves in his body. He has had to endure many operations and extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the money raised will contribute towards Danny's treatment and rehabilitation. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £60. Sponsorship forms can be downloaded from www.bungee.co.uk.

10 August, 4pm to 6pm, The Roundhay, Roundhay Road, LS8 4AR

Retail therapy

Don't forget about the Leeds Guide Retail Therapy Awards. Leeds has some of the finest boutiques, salons and stores to be found in the north of England, and for the fourth year running we're celebrating the very best in Leeds' retail culture on 12th October at the official Retail Week closing party. So how do we choose the shortlist? Well, that's simple: we don't. You do! Just follow this link, register your details and select your favourite shop for each of the categories. Once you've pressed submit, your vote is registered and you're entered into the draw to win exclusive tickets to this year's event at The Met Hotel.

Academy Arrival

The Leeds Academy is coming. The Academy Music Group (AMG) has announced its 13th live music venue, coming to the city in autumn 2008. It's making home at a very historical site -- the former Town and Country Club on Cookridge Street, a Grade I gothic building, originally opened in 1885 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, no less. It's been through a few facelifts -- from cinema to bingo hall -- and now its going to be a live music and club venue with a capacity of 2,300. AMG promise more details soon for what they say will be Leeds' largest independent music venue. Check out www.leeds-academy.co.uk for gig dates.

Blue Geek

Were you a Blue Peter Badge holder? If not, bet you wish you'd got one now in these times of economic struggle -- it gets you loads of free entries to places all over the UK. Not only that, you could get some fame for it in the National Media Museum's new exhibition. They're searching for past winners because, on 8th August, there will be a photocall for all those clever clogs who held onto their badges. And then in October, the 'Here's One We Made Earlier... 50 Years of Blue Peter' will be opening in Gallery One at the Museum. Now where's that sticky back plastic? All the information can be found online at www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk.

Lofty Heights

The Loft, formerly Northern Light, is launching in September. After the closure of the Northern Light, known for delights such as the 'Super Conductor', 18 months ago, the building has been left empty. Now the co-owners of Oracle and Battered, Deborah De Vittoris and Steve Hawkins, are getting ready for the big opening of a brand new events venue -- designed for weddings, Christmas parties, meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The venue will have three different size rooms, a courtyard for parties and barbecues and, depending on the event, will cater for groups as small as 30, or as many as 1,000. We'll keep you posted.

7th Annual Leeds Guide Curry Awards

In celebration of Asian culture, we've teamed up with Thomas Danby College to re-launch the region's premier awards for fine cuisine. Eight to ten fantastic regional restaurants will produce a starter and a main course from scratch using the facilities at Thomas Danby's International Kitchen.

The dishes will be presented to our judging panel anonymously and will be assessed according to Presentation, Taste and Innovation. Once judging is concluded, we will hold an awards ceremony with photographs for the following categories: Best Starter, Runner-Up Starter; Best Main, Runner-Up Main and Overall Winner.

The 2008 Curry Awards will be held on the 14th October at Thomas Danby College from 1-4pm, and will be the main theme of our 29th October edition of the Leeds Guide.

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