Erotica UK

Erotica was an adult, consumer exhibition held each November at Olympia, London, UK. A mainstream "lifestyle show" aimed primarily at women and couples, it encouraged visitors to celebrate or re-kindle their relationships with goods and services aimed to enhance their love lives. Erotica's organisers claimed that it was the world's largest lifestyle show "for freethinking adults who are comfortable with their sexuality". Erotica cancelled its 2014 show and has not taken place since.

Exhibitors, including many small- to medium-sized companies and sole traders, offered fashion, corsetry, lingerie, shoes, jewellery, art, photography, sculpture, adult toys, games, books, DVDs, furniture and romantic gifts. Popular free entertainment included stage shows that ran several times each day (produced by London's Torture Garden), Dreamboys, entertainers that wandered among the crowds, workshops and demonstrations (including glamour photography, bodycasting, and burlesque classes), and a team of National Health Service sexual health advisors offering free advice, condoms, and chlamydia testing. Erotica was keen to promote safe, respectful and responsible sex, and welcomed visitors of all sexual orientations – straight, gay, and transgender.[1]

History

Erotica's first show was at Olympia London, in 1997[2] and was an annual event there every November thereafter. Erotica Manchester had its first show at the G-Mex Centre in March 2003[3] but ticket sales were poor in 2005[4] despite attempts the previous year to attract visitors by having former Conservative Member of Parliament Neil Hamilton promote the event[5] and the organisers did not return.

Erotica London exhibitor, 2008
Stage show at Erotica Olympia, London

Previous shows
Erotica in London
YearDatesVisitors
199728–30 November12,000
1998??–?? May14,000
199827–29 November[6]17,000
199926–28 November19,379
200024–26 November41,237
200130 Nov – 2 Dec54,984
200222–24 November59,797
200314–16 November65,542
200419–21 November70,000[4]
200518–20 November80,000
200617–19 November82,000
200723–25 November70,000
200821–23 November56,000
200920–22 November56,000
201019–21 NovemberTBC
Erotica in Manchester
YearDates
200321–23 March
200426–28 March
20051–3 April

Erotica 2013 was held on 25–27 October 2013 at Tobacco Dock in London.

Notes
  1. Bates, Stephen (24 November 2007). "Women dominate the annual lifestyle fair". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  2. Treneman, Ann (29 November 1997). "Erotica show gives Britain a first". London: The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  3. "Erotica returns". Manchester Evening News. 19 March 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  4. "Erotica show blames 'chauvinists'". BBC News. 1 April 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  5. Glover, Julian (27 March 2004). "Hamiltons promote Erotica 2004 festival". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  6. Vigar, Simon (27 November 1998). "Erotica Show: Olympia". ITN Source. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2009.

Media related to Erotica UK at Wikimedia Commons


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