Guest blogger, Bex Shindler, previews this year’s On The Edge 2012 Festival . . .
I once convinced myself that the cultural landscape in Leeds was dull in comparison to other cities in the UK. Returning from a year of travelling, I was determined to make more of the city, to be pro-active, creative and to engage with the community. As soon as I opened my eyes, I discovered the breadth of creativity, diversity and culture that Leeds has to offer. Ahhh, I thought, so it’s not that it doesn’t exist; we’re just all too good at keeping it a secret.
Creative. Pro-active. Inclusive. Diverse. Collaborative. Enthusiastic. Transformational.
On The Edge Festival is all of these things, and it seems a shame to keep it a secret. Combining theatre, live music, visual art, poetry, dance, an arts and crafts market and some good grub, the festival aims to bring both new performers and audience members to Leeds, to shine a spotlight on the talent that lies in its varying communities. So, let’s celebrate!
Word on the grape vine is that this year’s festival will feature a Classical Hip Hop Fusion Soiree, partnering West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra with Leeds’ Hip Hop Outfit Invizible Circle. I’m curious to see how the fusion pans out! The concert will headline the On The Edge line-up for Saturday 21 July, and there will also be Live Graffiti Arts during the day, with Freestyle and Body Popping, just to add to the cultural experience…
Other highlights include the EdgeStock live music arena, the Furry Mic poetry slam, a cinema space, a Rowdy Pirates’ Tavern and a Festival Gallery curated by the Woolgather Art folks (and if their opening night is anything to go by, this not only promises an eclectic mix of art, but a buzzing, slightly drunken atmosphere). It seems that On the Edge will have a bit of everything, with acts from the comical to the classical to the downright strange.
The festival occupies Temple Works in Holbeck from 20 – 22 July and tickets are £5 for the whole weekend.
Confirmed acts include: Ben Lydiat, The Vicars of Skiffle, DJ Booma, Delorean Drivers, Kog Moorcroft, Propane Penny, Rita Payne, What the cat dragged in, Mr Gary C, The Simon Pollard Band, Marc Otway, Peter Marshall And The Lomos, Speed Dinosaurs, Dean Biscuithead, Georgette Hilton, Kayla Kavanagh, LeeSun, The Antics, James Wheale, Pony and Trap, Oriental Dance Company, West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, Invizible Circle, Remember the Hurricanes, Petrol Bastard…
As for me, I’ll be soaking up the atmosphere in the Rowdy Pirates’ Tavern. Maybe see you there?
On The Edge Tickets online
Twitter @OntheedgeLeeds
By Bex Shindler
Very much looking forward to this. After seeing James Wheale at Cabaret Expose II I can’t wait to watch him perform again!
Its going to be a fantastic weekend not to be missed! Utopian Love Revival are also playing!!
Sounds good to me Bex. Cultural events are definitely hard to find in Delhi! The Delhi Time Out is so thin considering it is a capital city & you can read in a few minutes, yes I miss english cultural events! I am not moaning but it makes you realise how lucky we are in the UK when it comes to culture, maybe we lead the world??? The weather well that is another thing!