APPLAUSE (Leicestershire) was launched on Tuesday evening (January 27th) amongst considerable razzamatazz at the LCB Depot in the heart of Leicester's new cultural quarter. APPLAUSE is a Community Interest (not for profits) Company set up with the twin aims of raising money for local good causes and promoting and supporting local performers in the field of popular music.

The APPLAUSE team consists of well-known and established local directors and choreographers, stage and technical experts and local BBC personalities.

APPLAUSE was officially launched not with the breaking bottle of champagne but a toast by Leicestershire's Lord Lieutenant - Lady Gretton. Leicester's Deputy Lord Mayor along with the Mayors of Hinckley and Charnwood and the Vice Chairman of the County Council were also there to enjoy a reception and entertainment from Combust - Fire and Performance Artists as well as local singer Gloria Pryce.

Martin Ballard, Monica Winfield and Dave Andrews from BBC Radio Leicester gave a short presentation outlining the aims of Applause, along with the charities which have been selected for this year (The Lord Mayor's Special Olympics Appeal, together with the appeals of the Mayors of Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Melton). The dates of the shows that will make up the season were also revealed!

Dave Andrews who is also APPLAUSE Chairman said "this really is a great opportunity to provide live entertainment in the field of popular entertainment by promoting our many local talented stars and the great venues we have around the City and County. At the same time we'll be raising money. It's fantastic that BBC Radio Leicester is supporting the venture."

There is a season of 10 concerts planned using some of the biggest venues in the region - theatres and churches in Hinckley, Melton, Loughborough and Leicester along with Curve and the Cathedral

The season begins on Saturday April 18th at St Mary's Church in Hinckley with APPLAUSE Classics - the Launch, this is followed by three further Applause Classics shows in the regions biggest Churches; then on to Leicester Cathedral with APPLAUSE Brass with the Ratby Band on June 6th; next stop Curve for a Charity Gala on Sunday June 14th (tickets already available from www.curveonline.co.uk) finishing with four APPLAUSE "Somewhere" shows - a musical world tour - at the four regional theatres ending on Sunday July 5th at the Little Theatre in Leicester.

More information about APPLAUSE and tickets from www.applauseonline.co.uk or visit their feature on Thebestof Leicester