capital of all kinds of culture

Firstly the chattering professional classes were out in force at the Met Quarter where Brabners Chaffe Street (or Brabners IN Chaffe Street as compere Kev Seed insisted on calling it) had organised a fashion-show-come-networking event.
Legions of legals queued at the entrance to the Met Quarter - and were met with classic humour by a passing taxi driver who rolled down his winder and urged them to get down to Matalan where he'd bought his own shirt. "Two for £7" he shouted from his cab, grabbing at the offending top.
The solicitors weren't to be swayed however and were more intent on getting into the centre and checking out the catwalk parade from the likes of Kurt Geiger, Coast, Whistles and Flannels.
Unfeasibly skinny pre-pubescent models in Carnivale (Capital of Carnivale anyone? I can see the extended Leeds to Liverpool canal with Phantom of the Opera types punting around) masks strutted up and down in their size 4 clothes making some of us feel decidedly old and fat.
They almost succeeded in their primary task however, as I for one got a rush of blood to the head and felt I really needed to spend vast amounts of money on a dress RIGHT NOW.
One too many glasses of wine later - but mercifully shopping bag free - I headed off to the tiny Dragon bar in Berry Street for a diametrically different event.
My friend Kelly has, unbeknown to me, being taking part in Sense of Sound singing classes and last night her choir was ready for its first performance.
Singers and supporters packed into the tiny bar where tutors Saphena Aziz and Jennifer John led the choir through a capella versions of You're All I Need to Get By, Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and some very good African songs.
Jennifer John, accompanied by a talented guitarist called Raj, also sang a short solo set.
It was very enjoyable and shows there is a real appetite and audience for all sorts of cultural events in this city. More power to the elbow of people like Sense of Sound in the run up to 2008.