First ever Cabaret and Burlesque Festival to come to Leeds this August

Leeds will play host to the city's first ever Cabaret and Burlesque Festival this August, showcasing the finest UK and international performers.

Taking place from Friday 10 to Saturday 19 August, the festival will welcome the very best dancers, acrobats and live stage performers for 10 eventful days of entertainment.

A glittering schedule of events

The festival will bring a jam-packed schedule of impressive cabaret and burlesque acts, offering attendees a chance to enjoy everything from dance and theatre, to circus acts, magic and film.

Friday's opening night will kick off with The Death Do Us Part Danger Show at Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, featuring daredevil husband and wife duo Charlie and Rachel Atlas.

Fusing a traditional circus show with burlesque and magic, attendees can expect a thrilling cabaret performance, complete with knife-throwing, fire-eating, sword-swallowing, stage magic and plenty of burlesque dancing.

On Saturday The Chemic Tavern will host the Tavern of Tease, where guests aged 18 and over can enjoy an evening of cabaret and burlesque acts, with all money raised from the evening going towards Motor Neuron Disease charities.

Wednesday 15 August will see Wapentake host a charitable evening entitled Cabaret vs. Cancer: Last of the Summer Whine, featuring stories of trials and tribulations from cabaret professionals in the Northern Varietease.

The festival will welcome the very best dancers, acrobats and live stage performers (Photo: Shutterstock)

Thursday evening will offer an opportunity to watch a series of movie shorts on the big screen at Belgrave Music Hall, featuring some of the biggest names in Burlesque, followed by a life drawing class afterwards.

Friday's entertainment will take place at Hyde Park Book Club, where some of the most famous burlesque names from around the UK will be in attendance, including stars from Norway, Iceland and America.

The weekend will bring with it a huge variety of entertainment, with events including flexibility and splits workshops, drag bingo and live DJs at the Burlesque Emporium at Belgrave Music Hall, and a two hour 'Cabaret Extravaganzaaaa'.

The festival will be rounded off with the Tassel Off Satans Angels Final, which will see one performer crowned burlesque queen, in what promises to be a gripping evening of entertainment.

How to buy tickets

To purchase tickets, visit facebook.com/leedscabaretandburlesquefestival.