International Women's Festivals - interview with Cindy Edwards, Festival Director of L Fest, L Fest Del Mar and L Festive



In March Planet London started a new 'featured theme of the month'. For obvious reasons March was 'Marriage Equality' and we ran a number of interviews and articles on this subject as well as publishing some informative; yet interesting blog pieces.

 

April has arrived; and our latest featured theme of the month is 'International Women's Festivals'.

 

This is the second in a series of interviews with women who work on these festivals.

 

This interview is with Cindy Edwards, Director of lesbian festivals L Fest (UK) and L Fest Del Mar (Spain) along with fringe festival L Festive (UK).

 

This video features some outtakes at the end because we lost Cindy part way through the recording; and well a girl's got to keep herself amused!

 

Enjoy!



L Fest 2013 line up released

The line-up has finally been announced! L Fest released its secrets today for what it has planned for the 69 hours of fun in July. With a new location, an extra music stage and the retreat, where else would the lesbians be on the weekend of the 19th?

The Music
It's going to be an eclectic mix of country, soul, hip hop, R'n'B, rock, acoustic-folk and electro-pop, performed by a prestige selection of musicians who, like us, are proud to tread a different path.

L Word  favourites BETTY will be performing their tight harmonies, fun melodies and clever lyrics and getting the lesbians hot under their sparkly collars and so will award winning US singer Rachael Sage, fresh off her tour. Red N Pink will be rapping, tapping and getting the crowd clapping and Heads Hearts will perform their electro dancy tracks along with AMiTY and Faye Bagley who has been performing on the L Fest crew's tour.

On the brand new stage there a range of talent handed to you on a plate, ready for you become a fan and discover some exciting new music. Cat Chinn, Nikki Rous and Jasmine Kennedy to name a few will all be showing off their acoustic guitar skills and range of lovely lyrics on the L Fest Presents stage.

The Arts
With literature there is so much talent in one place you'll be leaving with your mind full of wonderful stories and beautiful poetry. Festival regular VG Lee will perform her brand-new one-woman play 'The Lady of the Wild West Hill,' before taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe.  There will be extracts from the book by Clare Summerskill 'Gateway to Heaven: Fifty years of lesbian and gay oral history,' a book that has been getting talked about more than Fifty Shades of Grey. Jackie Kay will also read from her latest work.

The Comedy
The laughing Cows comedy is set to be amazing this year. Lesbian favourite Jen Brister will take to the stage to make you laugh and cringe at stories of her relationships and the long list of things that she hates. Latitude New Act of the Year finalist, Suzi Ruffell will make you giggle with detailed stories of growing up and being told repeatedly that she can 'be cured,' of being gay and Julie Jepson and Kerry Leigh will complete the night with talented, witty quips and gay humour.

The Other Bits
With all that and more there's also some other lovely bits to make the weekend more enjoyable and even more girly, such as the retreat so you can pamper yourself after a hard day of watching bands. There are workshops galore, activities, a cinema to showcase some of the best films and of course The L Project will be performing their charity single.

If you're a parent there's somewhere for your little ones to stay and play and under sixteens go free so you can bring the whole family. The L Fest solo club is back so coming by yourself is more fun. A specific crew designated to meet and greet you and introduce you to others in the group as soon as you arrive. There's a solos camping area, a group meet & greet at 8pm on Friday at L Fest where you can meet others to take part in activities together.

Don't forget the sports and activities,taking you back to your youth with the School sports day and games such as rounders and tug of war, so put on your best St Trinian's outfit and join us on the field.

Tickets are priced at £99 for the whole weekend so get yours now. 

Full line up information and more details on www.lfest.co.uk 

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