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Leeds Erotica Festival: Meet the Burlesque beauties VIDEO
A bevy of burlesque beauties took to the streets of Leeds to encourage people to expose themselves...to the city's first-ever Erotica Festival.
The event, described as "a celebration of sexuality, sex and the human body," is sure to raise a few eyebrows when it hits the city later this year.
The four-day extravaganza, which starts on October 30, will include art exhibitions, a short story competition, screenings of erotic films at the Hyde Park Picture House and lectures in the history of erotica.
The highlights will be a stunning masquerade ball on Hallowe'en night, followed by a burlesque and cabaret night on Saturday, November 1, which is expected to be one of the biggest events of its kind ever held in the North of England.
But organiser Amy Minns, who will also be working with sexual health charities throughout the festival, told the YEP that the events would not be sleazy or pornographic – the aim is to break down barriers and celebrate erotica in a serious, tasteful and intelligent manner.
She said: "It's not porn. The event is primarily an arts festival and the focus will be on visual and performance arts.
"We plan to use the arts to break down the stigmas associated with sex and erotica.
"The idea is to get people to break down the barriers of erotica and to understand what it really is. We want people to embrace and celebrate their sexuality rather than be embarrassed by it."
Amy joined well-known burlesque dancer and promoter Bella Besame and lingerie and fetish model Ellen for the launch of the Erotica Festival on the steps of Leeds Town Hall yesterday afternoon.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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