‘A feeling of back home’: Free Black History Month reggae celebration set for Leeds city centre venue
Nattylyn Maddix-Butler is bringing a free, family-friendly afternoon of reggae, vinyl selectors, and street food to the Howard Assembly Room Bar for Black History Month 2026.
A free, family-friendly celebration of music, food, and culture is coming to Leeds city centre this month as part of Black History Month 2026.
Titled Back a Yard, the event will take over the Howard Assembly Room Bar and aligns with this year's national Black History Month theme, "Honouring our communities."
The afternoon promises a fusion of Reggae, Dancehall, Ska, and Hip-Hop hosted by DJ Natty Congo Bongo I alongside guest vinyl selectors.
Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy Asian-inspired street food and child-friendly menus provided by independent venue restaurant Yuzu.
The event marks a new monthly partnership between organiser Nattylyn Maddix-Butler's Ital Roots initiative and Tony Green at Opera North's Howard Assembly Room Bar, taking place on the final Sunday of each month.
For promoter and youth community advocate Nattylyn, the celebration offers an intentional space for connection and intergenerational reflection.
"Black History Month is a time for reflection," Nattylyn explains. "A month is never enough to consider Black history; however, it gives an opportunity to reflect on the valuable contribution of Black history and how it’s shaped - and is still shaping - UK culture.”
"Attending Ital Roots (Back a Yard) events allows the audience to engage in grassroots music, culture, and arts, and have an enriched time to meet in a safe and nurturing environment to reset and reflect."
The title Back a Yard draws on a deeply rooted cultural phrase representing home, community, and comfort across generations.
"Back a Yard events aim to give you a feeling of back home in the foothills of your landscapes, or even in the hustle and bustle of a city," Nattylyn says. "It’s that feeling that when you have little, you can be enriched with a lot. It evokes the senses - the sounds of dominoes playing or the conversations of people meeting for the first time.
“You know you’ve experienced a feeling that stays with you for a lifetime.
"I want the audience to feel welcome and invited to participate, enjoy the live entertainment, engage in conversations, and gain a sense of supporting independent promoters and venues in Leeds."
Visit the Howard Assembly Room Bar on October 25, from 3pm to 6pm for the free, family-friendly Black History Month event featuring live reggae music and street food.