If you have not yet made any plans for the May Day bank holiday weekend, then you might consider trying something a bit different.
Global stars and local talent will gather in the upper Calder Valley for the inaugural Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival – one of the first events of its kind to be held outside of London. Organised by local performers and choreographers Lady Wildflower and Heidi Bang Tidy, the festival will feature several events held at various locations around Hebden Bridge.
After producing burlesque shows for several years, Heidi and Lady Wildflower decided to do something bigger and came up with the idea to organise a festival.
“I have been teaching burlesque in Hebden Bridge for about two years now, which is how I met Heidi,” Lady Wildflower said.
“I started to produce the Frou Frou Club in 2011 at the Little Theatre.
“Heidi produces her own shows in Bradford, Leeds, Halifax and Brighouse. The two of us really wanted to do something big and make an impact on the town and show Hebden Bridge what amazing performers there are out there.
“We came up with the idea for the festival last year and it kind of snowballed.”
Heidi said: “It started off that we were going to do one big show but it really grew.
“We have got three big shows, an opening night party and a full day bazaar at the town hall.
“There are seven events in total, and we are 75 per cent sold out already.
“We are expecting everything to be sold out.
“I think we have got it right in terms of the offer.
“We are really excited.”
The Frou Frou Club shows at the Little Theatre are becoming more and more popular, resulting in more top names coming to perform in Hebden Bridge.
“The Frou Frou Club is becoming known as a really exciting gig to play,” Heidi said.
“Our names have kind of got out there.
“Hebden Bridge lends itself really well to a festival because it has got some really cracking venues and places to visit.
“We sat down to plan the big show and made a list of everyone we wanted.
“Then we realised that we had enough acts to sell four shows so we decided to do more.”
The festival follows a fortnight after another first in Hebden Bridge – the debut piano festival in the town – and is another example of the thriving arts scene which is one of the reasons it has been named the coolest place in Britain.
Running from May 3-5, the burlesque festival programme includes an opening night party, three burlesque shows and a full day bazaar at the town hall featuring a range of stalls such as vintage hair and make-up and a live tatooing station.
Heidi and Lady Wildflower said the aim is to cater for everybody, with shows for seasoned burlesque audiences and events for newcomers.
“There are people coming from all over the country, so we wanted to make it really exciting,” Heidi said.
“The idea is to include people who have not seen a burlesque show before so they can feel welcome.
“We are passionate about breaking down the conceived notions about burlesque and the idea of people who do it and who come to watch it.
“It’s not all dirty old men in macs!”
Lady Wildflower explained that burlesque is traditionally taboo and has always been on the edge of popular culture.
“Performers were traditionally taking the mickey out of the upper classes and Royalty,” she said.
“It was also a place for women to break the rules.
“The fact that women could show the shape of their bodies, it was pushing the boundaries.”
Lady Wildflower and Heidi, who will be performing a special double act routine at the main show, have funded the festival themselves.
“We thought it would do well,” Heidi said.
“We have been really pleasantly surprised by how well it has been received.”
Lady Wildflower said: “We were really surprised by how much the performers are looking forward to coming here to perform.
“It seems a bit surreal that people are excited to be here.”
The organising duo thanked all the festival sponsors for their support: Vivien of Holloway, London; 20th Century Foxy, Elland; Vintage Twists, Manchester; and Flibbety Gibbet, Sowerby Bridge.
For more information about the festival, the full programme of events and ticket details, visit www.hebdenbridgeburlesquefestival.co.uk. Ticket prices range from £2.50 up to £50 for a weekend pass.