Racism row over ‘Gypsy Nightmare’ event

Anti-racism campaigners are calling for Saturday night’s event at The Common Place to be picketed.

Critics claim the theme mocks travellers and gypsies and amounts to “racist humour”.

They are particularly incensed because the venue is styled as “Leeds’ autonomous, radical social centre”.

An anonymous posting on the website indymedia accuses the organisers of being “sneering middle class idiots”.

The posting, calling for a picket, claims the event caricatures gipsies.

It says: “Guests are told to dress in their ‘wildest attire’ – presumably like ‘real’ Gypsies.

“Can’t you just imagine the sneering of art-school racists attempting to caricature people they clearly see as some sort of circus act?

“The Common Place should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for accepting a racist event which seeks to demean and belittle a minority group who already suffer widespread persecution.”

The organisers of the event, Leeds band Madam Laycock and her Dabeno Pleasures, apologised.

A band spokeswoman said: “We are really sorry for offending the gypsy and traveller community and everyone else who has been offended by the event title and event A Gypsy Nightmare.

“The title or night has nothing to do with targeting the gypsy and traveller community. It’s called a ‘gypsy nightmare’ because it’s trying to describe the music we play and the other bands at the event. In the past we have been described as gypsy music many times in reviews and so have the other bands.

“When we named the night we just thought about this musical link and I suppose the romanticism of Eastern Europe back in 1400s.”

She added: “I know it’s at a very late stage but we want to change the name to ‘Madam Laycock presents...’ and apologise for any offence caused to anyone.

“We have been in contact with (Leeds) Gypsy and Traveller Exchange apologising and explaining why we chose the name.”