Up and Running - The Leeds Festival Fringe- Den's Blog

Sammy Lee

Leeds Festival Fringe was opened on Thursday night at the New Conservatory by John McCabe of Hounddog Promotions. A quality start to the week-long festival. The entertainment for the evening consisted of the opening act Sammy Lee, a solo instrumentalist and singer.                                                                

The Burlesque Girls

He was followed by a small burlesque show featuring Miss Anna Fur Laxis. Anna recently became the runner up in the "Miss Burlesque Exotic World" in Los Angeles. This will surly enhance her standing in the burlesque world. A free-lance artist who has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the USA and Japan. On 17th September she will be appearing at The Wet Spot at the Wardrobe, Leeds. 
A very interesting lady with an interesting act which includes knife throwing and burlesque. Her further ambition is to win the aforementioned competition. Our next act was Ben Green and Al Leaming who played to an enthusiastic following who thoroughly enjoyed their performance. Two more acts followed in quick succession, Scott Wainwright and Matt Butler. These were very popular and accomplished artists who were very well received by the attendees at the New Conservatory. 
Headliner for this evenings performance was our very own Claire Cameron. As usual she did not disappoint.
 Three of our crew went to check out the Carpe Diem who were also hosting their own opening night of the Fringe. On their agenda were The Guilt Charm, Swindells (Yorkshire Punk band) and headlining was Miranda vs The Crock. Our girls were welcomed by hosts Bad Brains (Nick the Russian) and thoroughly enjoyed the musical entertainment provided for the evening. 
The Leeds Festival Fringe is now well and truly launched!!
Members of the Yorkshire Gig Guide visited various venues on Friday 19th calling at Carpe Diem, The Dry Dock, Empire (see Andrew's report about the new Metal Fringe events) and eventually ending up at the Baby Jupiter where Two Sevens hosted the reggae DJ night which they enjoyed hugely (pictures to follow shortly)

  Saturday found  Leeds city center buzzing with music, fashion show, dancers, and magicians all part of the inaugural Leeds Buskers day (also part of the Fringe) whilst at all the venues involved in the Fringe were holding day-long concerts. Yorkshire Gig Guide were stationed at Dortmund Square along with Joy Fashions where we were
entertained by Dan, Jilly Reiley - who will also be playing at the
Lime Tree Festival -,
G7 was next to entertain us and the passers by, Middle Man gave a rousing performance which gave us another taster for Lime Tree.     

The Red Pills appeared and gave a scintillating acoustic rock performance much appreciated by all those who stopped to watch them. Also the same can be said for Raw Peaches. 
Further artists turned up to do a bit of busking until Eddy Andersen played out the day. All the artists had collection boxes in aid of Martin House Children's  Hospice which is again being the focus of fund raising by the Leeds Festival Fringe. 

Once everything was cleared away Andrew and Eve went to the Empire to catch a bit more of the Metal Fringe and onto the Grove Fest - a jazz and folk event. Jason covered some of the evening events (pictures to follow).
All in all a very satisfactory day.
There are still four days to go of this year's Fringe. Check out the Leeds Fringe web site via Yorkshire Gig Guide for venues and line ups.
Denis and all the Crew at Yorkshire Gig Guide. Have a great Leeds Fringe!