Itsy's two flagship event promotions Kabarett and Torture Garden Edinburgh (co-produced by TG London) return with a double header on the 12th and 13th of April 2013.

12th April - 7:30pm to 10:30pm (aftershow to 1am) - The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

Kabarett brings a Parade of Peculiarity to the Voodoo Rooms with a cabaret revue and twisted cinematic production which includes performance by Rachel Renegade, La Loco, Miss Annabel Sings, Aurora Winterborn, George's Marvellous Magic with our very own Dee Itsy on Emcee duty. Visual and audio accompanyment to the show will be specially created and brought to you by the Itsy Collective.

13th April - 9pm to 3am - The Caves, Edinburgh

TG Edinburgh returns with a kinky springtime soiree featuring performance by Suri Sumatra, Jon John, Am Statik Latex + Alotta Bounce, Apple Tart, Charlie Buckitt and Dott Cotton of the Late Night Shop Cabaret with DJs David TG, Allen TG, Charlotte TG, Dee Itsy & Cat Prim8 over three themed rooms with include a newly revamped dungeon themed play area & private booths.

Tickets for Kabarett are available via Brown Paper Tickets (TG Edinburgh ticket holders can pick one up at Half Price).

Tickets for Torture Garden Edinburgh are available at TortureGarden.com and via TGEdinburgh.co.uk as well as to buy in person at Ripping Records in Edinburgh.

RSVP on Facebook via the following links:

Kabarett: https://www.facebook.com/events/568294773189127

Torture Garden: https://www.facebook.com/events/465219136867216/?fref=ts

The Sunday Curio is a series of lectures, performance and moving image on curiosity and curiosities.

For our first installment, sideshow enthusiast and anthropologist Donna McGrory (aka Dee Itsy) will present a talk on the Curious History of the Circus Sideshow.

"The history of the Circus Sideshow is awash with genuine curiosity, from its parade of 'working acts' performing life threatening feats with nails, knives and swords to risqué 'girl shows' entertaining with seductive striptease, to the controversial 'freak shows' which appear stuck in a politically incorrect time. The sideshow has a rich history and has given birth to a thousand tales.

In this talk we'll look at the sideshow's origins and past, focusing on famous and notorious acts from times gone by, with a short performance of skill-based feats straight from carny past."

Film Screening: TOD BROWNING's FREAKS

Among classic horror movies, FREAKS stands alone as one of the most grotesque and the most controversial. All-too-rarely screened since its 1932 release, and in fact banned in Britain for more than thirty years, it has achieved cult status as a masterpiece of the macabre.

From acclaimed director of the original DRACULA, Tod Browning, also a former circus performer, FREAKS is a fascinating drama, which depicts prejudice and injustice against timeless morality.

Arrive for a 6pm start. Talk from 6:15pm.

Film screening from 7:15pm.

This event takes place in the Cinema Space of the Banshee Labyrinth in Edinburgh.

There is no cover charge for this event, but a £2 donation to our running costs is suggested.

RSVP On Facebook

Fantasy clubbing behemoths Torture Garden return to Edinburgh with the Scottish edition of the World's most famous Fetish club, TG Edinburgh.

Next event will be the 8th of December at the historic Caves venue.

We're, once again, partners in the show's promotion and production, tickets for the event are available online now, get yours at: http://bit.ly/SKNEKq

Event line up:

Club Arena

Fashion Show by:

House of Harlot

- Renowned latex fashion house makes its Scottish stageshow debut

Twisted stage performance by:

Yusura Bush Watcher (Japan)

Highly regarded international fetish and body artist making her debut Scottish performance.

Marnie Scarlet (London)

Twisted, latex-clad neo-cabaret performer.

Special Guest MC: Mr. Des O'Connor

Kabaret Boudoir

Neo Burlesque & Cabaret Performances by:

Marnie Scarlet

Amelie Soleil

Crimson Skye

Warren Speed & Voodoo Blue

MC: Dee Itsy

Club Arena DJs:

DJs: Allen TG + David TG (TG Founders & Residents)

Playing: Dirty Electro, Electro House, Dub Step, Drum n Bass

Kabaret DJs:

Charlotte TG, Cat Prim8 & Dee Itsy

Playing: Kabaret, Neo Swing, Burlesque, Steam Punk, Sleazy Rock n Roll

3 Themed Dungeon Playrooms + Chill Out Balcony

With SM Equipment supplied by Dv8 + ambient performance.

*Strictly Enforced Fantasy Dress Code*

Fetish, Body Art, Burlesque, Berlin Kabaret, Medical, Militaria, Moulin Rouge, Venice Carnival, Circus Freak show, Steam Punk, Top Hat & Tails

No Casual Street-wear / No Jeans / No Fashion Camo / No Cotton T-shirts / No Cheap Fancy Dress Copies / No Refund if Not in Dress Code!

No Cameras / No Use of Mobile Phones

Tickets: £18+bf In advance via: www.torturegarden.com & www.tgedinburgh.co.uk

+ in person at Ripping Records, 1 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1HN - Reserve with Ripping online at: http://www.rippingrecords.com/tickets.php?id=1090

On the door: £20 (subject to availability)

Event location: The Caves, South Niddry Street, EH1 1NS

- Presenting emerging theatre in Edinburgh with five plays over five days -

This October a new grassroots theatre production company, Black Dingo Productions, launches in the city of Edinburgh with a season of new theatre. From the 8th to 12th of October the Company will produce five plays by new and established playwrights.

9th & 12th October, 7:30pm

Presented by A Company Called Andy

Grace under pressure, by Richard Morris.

A subversive and darkly humorous look at the struggles of a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer and the inability of those close to her to understand and relate.

- Time Out award winning production -

10th October, 7.30pm

Presented by A Company Called Andy

Lone Star & Laundry and Bourbon, By James Mclure.

Two companion comedies about the trials and tribulations of three men and three woman native to the Lone Star state.

'Thoughtful and often very funny... a vivid early-evening shot of theatre' - Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

8th & 11th October, 7:30pm

'Shots' - three plays from new and established Edinburgh Playwrights.

Love Lost, by Jen McGregor.

The story of a sat nav that falls for it new owner.

Sanctuary, by David McFarlane.

The story of a couple breaking up due to an abortion.

Eros and Psyche, by Hope Whitmore.

A modern adaptation of the Greek myth of the god of love falling for a girl.

All productions will be staged at The Granary, 32 - 34, The Shore, Leith, EH6 6QN

About Black Dingo Productions

Black Dingo Productions has been established to help and support grass roots theatre in Edinburgh. By providing funding, casting solutions, technical support, directorial and dramaturgy services; the company aims to support new and emerging theatre in a truly dynamic way. Money invested in each production will be recouped through ticket sales with profit reinvested into a central fund which will help future projects.

October 2012's launch event is a showcase of work that Black Dingo Productions will present, helping to shepherd projects through development and workshop stages, to public staged performances and tour preparation while engaging with local artists and theatre makers to utilise their skill and allow them to be paid.

With 17 years of Fringe revolution under its belt, the Free Fringe returns to the once-expensive Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 5,650 hours of quality free entertainment. In 2012 PBH's ground-breaking organisation seeks to truly bring the Fringe back to the citizens of Edinburgh.

Running from the 4th to 25th of August 2012, PBH's Free Fringe is back at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a characteristically eclectic and talent-laden programme of comedy, theatre, cabaret, magic, science, music & spoken word, hosted across a number of partner venues.

This year the Free Fringe smashes the 5,000 performance barrier for the first time, bringing 5,600 performances of more than 375 shows over 44 stages. An increase of more than 13.6% on 2011 which sees it grow larger than any of the Fringe's 'Big Four' venues (and is in fact larger than three of them put together*).

As well as building hugely on the number of shows in its programme, PBH's Free Fringe welcomes a number of new venues for 2012, including a cluster of stages at the Greenside / Picardy Place area of the city, bringing a strong Free Fringe presence to this venue rich spot.

This year’s comedy offering brings Never Mind the Buzzcocks & QI star Phill Jupitus into the Free Fringe fold, with his afternoon show Porky the Poet at new venue addition the Jam House on Queen Street. The hugely popular Far Kitten Comedy Impro troupe also return boasting sold out laurels for the magnificent Fat Kitten Vs the World (The Voodoo Rooms, Speakeasy). Free Fringe director and founder, Peter Buckley Hill brings the 16th edition of the show which pioneered the Free revolution at the Fringe Peter Buckley Hill and Some Comedians (Canon's Gait). Also back after playing to packed audiences in 2011 are musical comedy award winning duo Jollyboat (Voodoo Rooms, Ballroom).

Proving that the Free Fringe focusses on more than just comedy, the programme boasts shows by renowned psychologist Richard Wiseman, popular young magician Paul Dabek, sinister Glasgow-based cabaret duo The Creative Martyrs and Phd wielding exotic dancer Dr Gypsy Charms.

Late night Free Fringe staples The Midnight Hour (Canon's Gait) and Midnight Kabarett (Voodoo Rooms) are back to entertain audiences into the wee small hours with a mixed bill of Fringe favourites and special guests.

FREE FRINGE FACTS:

PBH's Free Fringe runs from the 4th to the 25th of August 2012

In 2011 the Free Fringe featured 4,973 performances of 326 shows over 37 stages

In 2010 the Free Fringe featured 3,513 performances of 230 shows over 22 stages

In 2009 the Free Fringe featured 3,063 performances of 176 shows over 21 stages

The Free Fringe began in 1996 and was the first of its kind at the Fringe. Run by performers and overseen and managed by founder and award winning comedian Peter Buckley Hill, it seeks to return the Fringe spirit to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by keeping performances free, not charging participants to hire performance space and building strong relationships with the venues with whom it works.

PBH's Free Fringe is not dependent on corporate sponsorship for its survival and does not charge mandatory fees to performers, nor does it charge venue hire. These factors separate it from all other venue arrangements on the Fringe and ensures a fair deal for audience, performers & venues alike.

Free Fringe Awards

PBH's Free Fringe: winner of the Chortle Award for Innovation 2007

PBH's Free Fringe: winner of the Chortle Award for Best Off-Stage Contribution 2007

PBH's Free Fringe: winner of the Tap Water Awards 2006

PBH Awards

Peter Buckley Hill: Edinburgh Comedy Award (Formally Perrier Award) Panel Prize 2009

Peter Buckley Hill: Fringe Report Award for Revitalising the Fringe 2008

Peter Buckley Hill: Three Weeks Editors' Choice Award 2006

*The number of shows brought by the Free Fringe in 2012 out number those of the Gilded Balloon, Assembly and Underbelly combined.

Itsy are bringing three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012.

Following the huge sucess of our Fringe run in 2011, where our Kabarett & midnight Kabarett shows played to 42 different audiences over our three week run, enjoying a number of sell out and near sell out events, this year we're adding a part-run day time show to our roster.

Our daily schedule is:

4th to 17th Aug 2012 - 13:45hrs - The Voodoo Rooms (venue 68) - 19a West Register St, EH2 2AA

Itsy & CultureBurn Present: Bring Me the Head of Variety Entertainment

Is variety killing the cabaret? What's the ruddy difference? Do Britons got talent? This lunch-time friendly variety revue, masquerading as a chat show, disguised as a talking shop seeks to delve into the lives, loves, gains and losses of the variety, cabaret, sideshow and speciality acts trading their wares at the Edinburgh Fringe and to discover the future of this age-old genre. Featuring different guests daily and presented by one of Edinburgh's most highly regarded cabaret collectives. "Finger on the pulse of who's pushing boundaries" - Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls).

4th to 25th Aug 2012 - 19:15hrs - The Voodoo Rooms, Speakeasy (venue 68) - 19a West Register St, EH2 2AA (not Wednesdays)

Itsy Presents: Kabarett: Alternative Variety

The Free Fringe's much-loved alternative variety revue returns to the Voodoo Rooms for its fourth year at the Fringe, presenting an informal showcase of cabaret, variety and alt. comedy talent from across the Fringe. Presenting a different line up each night of performers hand-picked by Edinburgh's own variety vixen & resident MC Dee Itsy. "Refreshingly non conformist" - The Scotsman

4th to 25th Aug 2012 - 00:00hrs - The Voodoo Rooms, Speakeasy (venue 68) - 19a West Register St, EH2 2AA (not Wednesdays or the 19th)

Itsy Presents: Midnight Kabarett

Late night twisted antics at their very best! In 2011 Midnight Kabarett established itself as Fringe's premier late night cabaret show, we intend to set that in stone in 2012. Showcasing twisted cabaret, alt. comedy & neo-burlesque from across the fringe, mixed with a plethora of Scottish talent, cabaret circuit superstars and plenty of absurd, obscure and downright sexy performance art. Expect a different show every night and prepare to become a member of one of the most celebrated audiences on the Fringe cabaret scene.

We also have a hand or two in booking a rather lovely family-orientated 'Kids Cabaret', which has opened a whole new world of wonderful performers to us. The show will run at the beautiful new Hall space at Café Camino on Little King Street, by York Place (adjascent John Lewis at St James' Centre) daily from the 13th to 25th August (not the 19th) at 13:15hrs.

As this show is quite different from our general Fringe (& year-round) offering we have a co-production team dedicated to the event's delivery. It is going to be very, very special and perfect for those attending the Fringe with those under 16. That we promise.

We're proud to, once again, be working with the Free Fringe for our August events. Each of our shows are entirely free-to-enter with voluntary donations taken from the audience at the end of each event We believe this to be the fairest arrangement at the Fringe and in the face of ever-rising ticket prices and an increasingly industry rather than independent artist and audience focus from the pay-to-players we're proud to be a solid part of the true Fringe of the Fringe.

See you in August!

- originally posted on the Festival of the Erotic Arts' site at: http://www.erotic-arts.co.uk/news

It has been five days since the first Festival of the Erotic Arts closed its curtains and we've had some time to assess, gain feedback and look forward.

Overall, feedback has been hugely positive, from audience members, participants, artists and crew alike and the vast majority of you want us to come back bigger & better in 2013. We plan to do just that.

First, some stats, we had more than 800 artists & guests visit our various events across the weekend. With circa 75% from central Scotland and the remainder from across the UK, Ireland & Europe. The highest attendances being at TG Edinburgh (600+ patrons) and Kabarett: Alt. Variety (circa 180 patrons).

We had 62 artists take part with more than half coming from Scotland and our international artists came from as far afield as Denmark, Australia and Thailand.

Naturally, in our first year there were a small number of inevitable glitches which we're also keen to address, so stand by for our assessment...

Our performance-driven events were a huge success all round, Kabarett, TG Edinburgh and Kink Bijou were each sold out on their respective nights and feedback on the Sugar Revue, ArtWank and Dr Sketchy has been positive.

Our gallery exhibition was busy across the whole weekend, with several hundred people passing through the doors of Whitespace. Feedback on that front is that the standard of both the curated and open art exhibitions were very high, though many would have liked a longer run to have more chance to revisit the exhibition - also more staffing at the gallery would have combated a longer (though unavoidable) closure on Friday afternoon than was initially scheduled. Many also mentioned they would have liked to have seen a larger exhibition in a more central location. We will look at all of these options.

Further on the gallery exhibition, sales of prints etc greatly outnumbered sale of original artwork – we think more prints, postcards & affordable artwork from exhibiting visual artists should be included in future.

Additionally, due to a printer error many of our printed materials simply did not arrive, including our printed programme / catalogue. At time of writing these are still 'lost in transit' so we are seeking compensation. We will pop the PDF of our printed catalogue online for all to view as soon as we have received final artist and photographer permissions to do so.

Feedback from our artists is that they would have liked more artist-focussed workshops. We entirely agree. This will be included in our 2013 schedule and we plan to have a venue dedicated to this so no doubling up use of our gallery space.

The art & craft fair required to be bigger and with more dedicated promotion – we are looking at increasing the size of this significantly and adding a lifestyle element to increase patronage – we are also in talks with a venue on this front, so watch this space.

One niggling complaint was that venues were difficult to journey between and due to the overrun of ArtWank in the West of the City many weekend ticket holders chose to miss our short film showcase in order to travel across town at their leisure, which was a real pity as the showcase deserved a higher attendance - particularly as it was, in fact, sold out in advance.

Our spoken word selection was also very well received and Zoe Margolis' talk a true highlight, again we will look at the options relating to this part of the programme. We will always champion written and spoken erotica, but need audience support to keep dedicated events.

Dr Gypsy Charms' talk was a programme highlight and a very well attended event - we'd like to run more free-entry events to help spread the sex-positive message, so the success of this was particularly encouraging!

Due to scheduling issues a number of our 'academic' talks were shelved, we think these were needed and the programme greatly missed having more researched discussion on sex positivity and the arts. We are much more than a performance arts festival – it's important to us that academia is represented.

Staffing, quite simply we needed more. Naturally, as people largely donated their time to the festival we had many last minute let downs and changes in arrangments. We'll have a more organised and dedicated delivery team for future - as much to preserve our director's sanity as to ensure even smoother running of the event.

The success and profile of the event in 2012 has seen many venues and collaborators approach us for 2013, so we are looking to return and will be in a position to announce dates very shortly.

We are very proud to have presented this event, it was a huge risk, both in financial and reputation terms, but one that we as organisers and our sponsors feel was entirely worth it.

We have many people to thank for making the event possible, but first and foremost must thank our VIP & weekend ticket holders – your support was invaluable. To our artists & co-promoters – thank you for supporting the festival with your skill and talent you helped to make FEA 2012 truly stunning. Thanks also to each of our venues, particularly our multi event venues the Banshee Labyrinth & Sapphire Rooms, housing our festival in some of Edinburgh's finest locations was a delight and last, but by no means least, our team of volunteers & crew, each hour you donated to us was more important than our words can express. We are forever indebted.

Be sure to keep an eye on our website at www.erotic-arts.co.uk and social networking pages for fund-raising events in advance of FEA 2013, we will also be increasing the offering of the Erotic Arts' Store (www.erotic-arts.com/store)– profits from which help toward running the festival – we have lots of products to add there, from erotic art books, to sexy novels; through to bondage restraints, luxury adult toys and associated sex positive paraphernalia and lifestyle gadgets – so please consider us if you are making a purchase in this vein.

FEA 2012 was ground breaking. We promise to make FEA 2013 even more important than that!

- Donna McGrory, Festival Director

Sonja Jensen, Participant Co-ordinator & Ecommerce Manager

& the entire Erotic Arts cast & crew!

We've been incredibly busy over recent weeks working on the Festival of the Erotic Arts programme and completing jury processes,selecting the visual artists, performers and film makers to be showcased at events in June. We're excited to now announce artist line ups and details of shows presented by Itsy over the weekend of the 22nd to 24th June 2012.

Visual Art Exhibition – Erotic, Surreal & Abstract, 22nd - 24th June, Whitespace Gallery, 11 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3NG

Featuring original work by: Ray Leaning / Ben Newman / Gianluca Mattia / Tom Bradford (AKA InkFetish) / Spencer John Derry / Chris W. Parker / Aleksandra Marchocka

Visual Art Exhibition – The Art of Erotica – Juried Open Art Exhibition

Featuring original work by: Uliana Maksymiuk / Laura Griffin / Anne Roberts Nicoll / Youngjoo Yoo / Svetlana Kondakova / Ian Allaway / Mohammad Javad Adibi Sedeh / Bibo Weber / Alan Brown / Nathalie Cortada / Eloquent Graffiti / Mark Bell / William McEvoy / Gregor Laird / Culloden Robertson / Nora Emilia / Emma Horsfield / Duncan Hardie / Saule Zuk / Frodo McDaniel

Entry to exhibitions is £2, payable on entry. (Unlimited exhibition entry is available to Weekend Ticket holders)

Itsy Presents Kabarett: Alternative Variety & Performance Art Revue - 22nd June, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA

Red Sarah / Vivid Angel / Mr Pustra / Vendetta Vain / Lottie Kixx / Clanadonia / Cat Aclysmic / Cherry Loco / Cherryfox / Black Diamond Express / Ophelia Bitz + Dee Itsy.

Tickets £15/12 +bf. Available online at Brown Paper Tickets. (This event is included in Weekend Tickets).

Literary Artists & Authors

Molly Moore / Kirsty Logan / Ever Dundas / Phoenix Wolf-Rayet / Donna Campbell / Laura McIntyre / Tabitha Rayne / Zoe Margolis

- Authors work will appear at our Spoken Erotica Showcase (£3 entry) & Performance Art Revues – all are included in our Weekend Ticket.

Modern Erotica: The Art of Sex Blogging

A talk by best selling author and award winning sex blogger Zoe Margolis. This talk will focus on sex blogging as modern erotica and Zoe's experiences as a sex positive campaigner and renowned author Girl With a One Track Mind the renowned sex blog and international bestselling book of the same name.

Tickets £8/6 +bf. Available online at Brown Paper Tickets. (This event is included in Weekend Tickets)

Torture Garden Edinburgh, 23rd June, The Caves, Niddry Street South, EH1 1NS

Performance by: Missy Macabre / Vivid Angel / Cat Aclysmic / Mr Pustra / The Kamikaze Girls / Vendetta Vain / Cherry Loco / Ophelia Bitz + Fashion Show by Jane Doe Latex & DJs Allen TG, Janette Slack, Dee Itsy, Cat Prim8 & Djinn + rope master Cuffkey & dungeon equipment by Dv8.

Tickets £18+bf available at: www.torturegarden.com/tickets & in person at Ripping Records, 91 South Bridge Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1HN

ArtWank, 24th June, The Sapphire Rooms, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AW (note new venue)

The ground-breaking, award-winning cabaret event for sex geeks comes to Scotland for the first time – founded & hosted by cabaret award nominated compere Ophelia Bitz.

Tickets £8+bf - Tickets on sale soon. This event is included in our Weekend Ticket.

Short Film Showcase – The Banshee Labyrinth, 35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1

Naked Love Ea's garden – A film by Sara Koppel & Koppel Animation

Herbal Essences – By Megan Quigley

l'Origine du monde – A film by Lilianne Milgrom

VORE – A film by Bryan M. Ferguson

+ presentations by Lust Films & Itsy Productions.

Tickets £5 (This event is included in Weekend Tickets)

The Joy of Sex at the Sapphire Rooms, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AW

The people behind the 2011 photo exhibition ‘THE JOY OF SEX’ invite you to become involved and live out your hidden fantasies or at least find out if you have any! We explore the humorous side of sex and highlight the absurdities of human nature.

Tickets TBC - Further announcements to come via www.erotic-arts.co.uk

Kink Bijou - The Banshee Labyrinth, 35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1

With performance by: Lexi Sexx / CherryFox / Tom Delish + special guests.

Tickets £7/5 +bf at Brown Paper Tickets. (This event is included in Weekend Tickets)

To keep up to date with new events & event times, please see www.erotic-arts.co.uk. Line up for the Sugar Revue will be announced at a later date.

Further events will be announced over coming weeks at our newly announced venue partner, The Sapphire Rooms.

Our official online ticketing partner is Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets may also be bought over the phone at: 0800 411 8881

Transactions will be billed from 'Itsy PR'.

Please direct queries to: tickets@erotic-arts.co.uk