Crowds gather for fun at Hull Freedom Festival 2012

LOOKING like a red-headed Bettie Page, vintage glamour devotee Lili La Scala joined a number of acts at travelling dance hall Teatro Spiegeltent.

The cabaret show was the opening performance for the first full evening of festival entertainment based around Humber Street and Hull Marina.

The doll-like starlet, who sang Second World War songs, greeted her fans with a cheerful "hello darlings".

She was accompanied by Hull pianist Paul Rogers, who Lili praised for stepping in to help out with the act.

It was one of a number of stunning performances from the likes of Hull acoustic act John Copley, of Goodnight Ohio, who silenced the crowd with hauntingly beautiful self-penned love songs.

John, of Kirk Ella, spoke to The Mail after the show.

He said: "I've performed at Freedom Festival before and it's great to play to different audiences of all ages.

"The sound tonight in Teatro Spiegeltent was brilliant – it's probably the best I've ever had acoustically.

"It was a nice way to start the first full day and everyone was really listening to my music.

"It's rare for my gigs to be that quiet."

You could hear a pin drop as the bearded musician strummed on his guitar and sang a stripped down version of Bob Marley and The Wailers' Three Little Birds.

Mind-reader Doug Segal also entertained the crowd as he read the minds of audience members. He said: "People say I'm like Derren Brown but less smug with better hair."

The crowd chuckled as he demonstrated some mind-blowing magic skills and interacted with the audience.

Anna Millar, 30, and partner Jason Harvatt, 27, went along to see the show and have a meander around the streets.

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The couple, of west Hull, said the programme for this year's Freedom Festival was "absolutely fantastic".

Anna said: "I've been every year and the layout this time is a lot better. It's important to support the regeneration of Fruit and the old market areas.

"I saw a photograph of the Teatro Spiegeltent and knew I had to come along to watch a bit of cabaret.

"It's nice to see something completely unique on the programme and there's a lot more support for local talent.

"It's also important to remember Hull's heritage and this is a modern way to celebrate it."

Jason said there was a good mix of music on the bill and a wide variety of activities to get involved in.

He said: "It's nice to see it's not purely pop music and there's something for all ages."

Over at the E20 stage in Wellington Street, folk acts were clearing their pipes and tuning their instruments.

The area, supported by Pave in Princes Avenue, west Hull, will deliver a number of performances from top local and national musicians over the course of the weekend.

Glen Marsell, 37, of east Hull, watched at the stage with mum Lillian and daughter Ruby, 5.

He said: "The sun is shining, so we thought we'd come out and take a wander round to see what is going on.

"This is the first time I've been to Freedom Festival and it's great to see so much happening near the marina."

Down Humber Street there was plenty to get involved in as musicians set up for a night of live entertainment.

Visitors saw the likes of Last Dinosaurs, Towns, Sulk and electro artist End Of Level Baddie at the Fruit space.

Artists and photographers were also soaking up the atmosphere and capturing activity throughout Humber Street.

Families made the most of The Freedom Factory hosted by Hull Youth Service and the city's Future Ferens group.

Lydia Caprani, 19, and friend Rosie Owen, 22, were involved in creating the Andy Warhol- inspired exhibition space.

Future Ferens member Lydia, of east Hull, said: "The old market was a dump when we started and the unit has been completely transformed.

"We have about 25 of our own photographs on display and a photographer taking snaps of visitors.

"They can be put on tin money boxes as gifts and some of the Polaroid pictures are being stitched together."

Foster carer Anna Dinsdale, husband Paul and 10-year-old Alisha had fun exploring The Freedom Factory.

Anna, 47, said: "I really enjoy the street art at the festival and even have some of my own cards on show this year.

"I'm an artist, so I like to have a good look round at what is on show and enjoy the live music."

Alisha said she had learnt about Andy Warhol at school, she said: "We've looked at his pop art work and I found out a lot about the history of his work.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what else Freedom Festival has to offer."

As well as live music, art, dance and more, there are plenty of stalls to browse around at Freedom this weekend, selling everything from custom-made T-shirts to handmade jewellery.

Sisters Katie and Sarah Bowes, of the Avenues in Hull, set up their vintage stall with racks full of individual pieces.

Sarah, 26, said: "We made about £200 in one day at Freedom last year and we'd like to do even better this weekend.

"All of the stalls complement each other well and we see a lot of the owners at the Fruit market, it's like an extended family.

"There are loads of local acts we want to see at the festival, including The Neat and End Of Level Baddie."

The headline act last night was Spritualized who headlined the free gig at the Pier Stage, while Gypsy Hill took to the E20 stage in Wellington Street.

The evening was topped off by a comic strip cabaret in the Teatro Spiegeltent, with cheeky acts to surprise the crowd.

If you missed out on any of the fun at Freedom Festival yesterday, this weekend's programme is packed with live music, comedy and even political debate.

For more news, information, pictures and details from the Freedom Festival, visit www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/freedomfestival