SLAP stands for Salacious Live Alternative Performance, as can be witnessed in SLAP Weekender, three days of progressive performances and dance in a variety of spaces and venues in York, including the Theatre Royal Studio, from September 21 to 23.

Programming regional and nationally acclaimed artists whose work is bold, touching, personal and political around the city from September 21 to 23, SLAP will showcase fearless performance for and with older women with a public exhibition in the streets of York; a series of dance and theatre works at the Theatre Royal and York St John University; a performance on a public bench and bold queer cabaret performances at The Crescent Community Venue.

SLAP co-founder and director Sophie Unwin says: “The SLAP Weekender is a performance event offering a daring and left-field alternative to the City of York’s current cultural offering, and we're thrilled to have the opportunity to programme celebrated artists from across the country; most of whom have never performed here in York.”

SLAP started with the vision of bringing fascinating performers from around the world to York, while creating a performance platform for the city’s own cohort of talented and idiosyncratic artists.

After a series of pop-up events in York, the SLAP Weekender is the most ambitious project yet, not least working for the first time in partnership with York Theatre Royal, programming work into the Studio and collaborating with associate producer John Tomlinson.

The event has enabled SLAP to work with York St John University too, both as a venue and sponsor, offering their students an opportunity to see contemporary national performance work on their doorstep.

"This project will enable SLAP to further consolidate these partnerships and open up new collaborative possibilities with other venues and organisations across the City of York," says Sophie. "We're delighted to be bringing work to the city, finding and building new audiences for unusual work and contributing to the developing cultural landscape of the city."

In the Theatre Royal Studio, Third Angel presents 600 People on September 21 at 7.45pm; Pauline Mayers, What If I Told You?, September 22, 5pm; ARC Stockton, Learning How To Die, written and performed by Luca Rutherford, September 23, 2pm, and Massive Owl, Castle Rock, September 23, 6.30pm. Tickets are on sale on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

SLAP around the city opens with GRACE's Old Wives' Tales in the city centre on September 21 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Live Art Bistro's Dryhump, at The Crescent; Non Existent Activity, with Hamish McPherson and Paul Hughes, York St John University, September 23, 3pm to 6pm; Rhiannon Armstrong's Everything You Ever Wanted To Say But Didn’t Part 1, York St John University, September 23, 3pm to 6pm; Christopher Owen's show In The Shadow Of The Penis, Christopher Owen, York St John University, September 23, 4pm (free, booking essential).

For further information on SLAP and to book tickets for the shows around the city, go to slapyork.co.uk.