The Wendy House
Encyclopedia
The Wendy House is a goth and alternative
nightclub
based in Leeds
, England
. It generally occurs on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9.00pm to 2.30am at Leeds University Union
.
The night was started in May 1998 by three graduates
of the University of Leeds, who wanted the north of England to have something comparable with events at London
venues such as The Slimelight and The Electric Ballroom
.
Originally the night was held in the (now defunct) Harvey Milk
Bar of Leeds University Union. In 2001, during construction work at the Union, the event moved to the Bassment at the Merrion Centre in the city centre.
In 2002, the event returned to Leeds University Union, where it has remained ever since. As in the early days, it occupies two floors, the main room being the Stylus venue while the Pulse venue (formerly known as Bar Coda) is occupied by the Mutate room, which takes a more industrial
and underground electronic
angle. In 2005 they also briefly featured a third "indie" room.
The night claims to have become the largest event of its type in the north of England. In order to fill the larger venue, it has become less of a pure goth night (though its organisers say it was never strictly intended to be one), and more of a general alternative night, playing music from the 1980s onwards. It has an emphasis on fun and not taking itself too seriously—they typically close the evening by playing a Britney Spears
track.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
based in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It generally occurs on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9.00pm to 2.30am at Leeds University Union
Leeds University Union
Leeds University Union is the representative body for the students at the University of Leeds, England. LUU is a charity for over 32,000 students. LUU is led by students, although many of the decisions are made by staff. There are shops, bars and clubs in the Union building...
.
The night was started in May 1998 by three graduates
Alumnus
An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...
of the University of Leeds, who wanted the north of England to have something comparable with events at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
venues such as The Slimelight and The Electric Ballroom
Electric Ballroom
The Electric Ballroom is a performance venue and indoor market located at 184 Camden High Street in Camden Town, London . The Electric Ballroom has been in operation for over seventy years, during which time it has been used in many different ways.The two storey building has two dance floors and...
.
Originally the night was held in the (now defunct) Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk
Harvey Bernard Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors...
Bar of Leeds University Union. In 2001, during construction work at the Union, the event moved to the Bassment at the Merrion Centre in the city centre.
In 2002, the event returned to Leeds University Union, where it has remained ever since. As in the early days, it occupies two floors, the main room being the Stylus venue while the Pulse venue (formerly known as Bar Coda) is occupied by the Mutate room, which takes a more industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
and underground electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
angle. In 2005 they also briefly featured a third "indie" room.
The night claims to have become the largest event of its type in the north of England. In order to fill the larger venue, it has become less of a pure goth night (though its organisers say it was never strictly intended to be one), and more of a general alternative night, playing music from the 1980s onwards. It has an emphasis on fun and not taking itself too seriously—they typically close the evening by playing a Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
track.