Month: June 2024

Bringing the world to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to the world

Dance Base and Assembly announce 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme

  • Dance Base Festival 24 in partnership with Assembly Festival will present the landmark venue’s 23rd festival programme, welcoming dance companies across the globe to Edinburgh, as well as showcasing home-grown talent and giving a stage to some of Scotland’s most exciting dancers and choreographers at the world’s biggest arts festival.
  • The unique partnership between Dance Base and Assembly Festival, now in its second year, combines Dance Base’s expertise in dance curation with Assembly’s expertise in delivering a world-renowned festival programme.
  • The 2024 programme is the first full programme curated under the tenure of Dance Base Artistic Director Tony Mills. 
  • 33 companies from 16 countries will present 274 performances of 29 dance and physical theatre shows exploring, celebrating, and questioning the human experience with all its challenges and joys.
  • New for 2024, Dance Base introduce Fringe Fragments, a new pitching platform showcasing dance talent from around the world, bridging the gap between public event and industry showcase.
  • Dance Base will continue to help dance flourish and change lives in the Scottish capital with public classes taking place in August for regulars and visitors alike. 
  • Tickets are now on sale at dancebase.co.uk & assemblyfestival.com 

Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, is thrilled to announce its 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme. Delivered in a unique partnership with Assembly Festival, the 2024 programme will present 274 performances of 29 shows from 33 companies in the home of dance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

This multi-genre showcase celebrates, interrogates and shares different perspectives on shared human experiences in all their joys and challenges, bringing important themes to centre-stage including ageing, sexuality, gender, societal expectations of bodies, the climate crisis and more. 

The unique partnership marries Dance Base and Assembly’s commitment to building strong relationships with some of the world’s most daring and innovative artists and dance companies, andthis year’s programme welcomes performers from across the globe, as well as providing a continued platform to nurture local talent.

Dancers and choreographers from countries and territories including Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Belgium, Denmark, and Germany will arrive in Edinburgh this August to share their dance talent on the world’s biggest stage.

The venue will also host some of the most exciting professionals working in Scotland today including Charlotte Mclean, Matthew Hawkins, Alan Greig, Bridie Gane and Rob Heaslip. 

Dance Base is proud to support dancers at every stage in their career no matter their age, and this year’s programme features emerging stars aged 10 to 80+. International rising stars such as Lewis Major and Jessie Thompson will be performing in the venue, as well asDance Base’s own Christine Thynne, who is set to make her solo debut at the age of 81.  

This is the first full programme to be curated under the tenure of Dance Base Artistic Director Tony Mills, who assumed the role in 2021 succeeding Morag Deyes MBE.

This year’s programme champions and challenges, inviting a diverse range of performers to take centre-stage and share their perspective and their practice with audiences from around the globe.

With the return of the Industry Hub and the introduction of new pitching platform Fringe Fragments, the programme also reflects Dance Base’s desire to strengthen the sustainability of the Fringe for both performers and venues, creating a space where arts professionals can forge new relationships and strengthen lasting ones.  

Artistic Director of Dance Base, Tony Mills, said: “I am beyond happy to present to you our festival programme for 2024. It has been a huge privilege to meet and see artists at home and abroad and have the chance to bring the world to Dance Base once more.

“This year, we will be hosting emerging to established artists from 16 countries, each sharing their own perspective on different and similar topics and aesthetics. It is my hope that you might just encounter those different perspectives as they co-exist in our programme.

“Making that possible is something I think cultural spaces should do.  

“This year’s programme has been a massive team effort between Dance Base and Assembly Festival and we are grateful for their partnership and support to make this programme happen in what are difficult times.

“I wish to make our festival platform more of a launch pad for Scottish artists, leverage more industry activity for partners and artists, build more relationships to secure routes for artists to our platform and create an exciting and diverse programme of thoughtful, provoking and entertaining dance from around the world.”  

Artistic Director of Assembly Festival, William Burdett-Coutts said: “We are proud to be partnering once again with Dance Base for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024. Assembly and Dance Base hold a shared global outlook which is reflected in the diverse programme curated by Tony Mills.

“We delighted to support them in this endeavour and to welcome all the artists performing this summer into the Assembly programme.”   

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

Presented by House of Oz, rising star of Australian dance, choreographer-director Lewis Major, is set to bring two UK premieres to this year’s Fringe. In a unique collaboration between Lewis, his company, and his mentor “Britain’s leading modern dance creator” (The Daily Express), the legendary Russell Maliphant OBE, Triptychis a captivating evening of dance, of connection between internal and external worlds – of non-duality – all set within a whirling maelstrom of movement, sound and light. 

Experience a show like none other in Lewis Major’s intimate and moving Lien. In this extraordinary exchange, one audience member and one dancer come together on an otherwise empty stage for a singular ten-minute encounter that will never be repeated. Lien reimagines shared performance as a deeply personal, spiritual event. With limited performance slots, Lien is the hot ticket at this year’s Fringe! 

Drumming to her own beat, up and coming Irish artist Jessie Thompson makes her Fringe solo debut with the world premiere of CRAWLER. Collaborating with street performer Jason McNamara, they mix adrenaline, mind-stretching sound and extreme physicality to embark on a journey of chaos, calm and collaborative climax. This euphoric mix of dance, drums and electronic music conceived through improvisation will be moving audiences between 2 and 11 August.

In its UK premiere after debuting at Dublin Dance Festival, Mufutau Yusuf presents Impasse, a powerful work featuring two performers which attempts to understand the politics of the black body in a contemporary western society. By challenging the historical racial projections of blackness – its crudeness, threat, sexuality, rage and immorality – the performance unveils its power, grace, sensuality, tenderness, intelligence and love. 

Dutch performers Charles Pas and Courtney May Robertson bring two explosive but intimate physical poems to this year’s programme: Victory Boogie Woogie andthe pleasure of stepping off a horse when it’s moving at full speed. Desires and fears collide in an attempt to embrace the contradictions that make up a multifaceted human in this exhilarating double bill which will be providing late-night entertainment for audiences from 13 to 25 August. 

SCOTLAND AND BEYOND

Scotland-based dance artists Rudy Mbunzama and Laura Mathana & Chinyanta Kabaso present a double bill exploring African history, culture, and artistry in King Bantu & Stories From The South. Created and performed by Rudy Mbunzama, King Bantu follows a young Congolese prince from the Musakata Tribe who was born with extraordinary powers unknown to him. Early-career artists Laura Mathana & Chinyanta Kabaso weave dance and spoken word to illuminate the history of African migration and colonisation in the exciting duet Stories From the South.  

Bringing old traditions into new places and a new time, Rob Heaslip’sMan & Board features the unlikely pairing of Rob’s moving body with a ritualised wooden board with which he sings, he dances, he wins, and he loses. This is an impassioned and moving show about tradition, heritage, and masculinity where a gay father celebrates his own Irish cultural heritage as he passes it on to his son. 

In shows for younger audiences, Scotland’s longest running children’s theatre company Catherine Wheels is set to present The Last Forecast, their first ever dance piece. Created and choreographed by the incredibly stylish Bridie Gane, the show is set on an island where Gael, a gecko-like creature lives alone, in harmony with the surroundings, until a stranger arrives, disturbing this island sanctuary… 

ARTISTS OF ALL AGES

In a sensitive and rich performance piece making its world premiere and Dance Base this August, Robbie Synge – aged 44, and Edinburgh-born Alfie aged 10, explore the question of what it is to be a man today through dance and play in The Show for Young Men. Directed by Eoin McKenzie, this is a funny and tender new contemporary dance performance for audiences aged 8+ that considers familiar and unexpected ideas about masculinity and friendship. 

Weaving stories with dance and physical objects, Compagny Abis and Julien Carlier present Golem, an artistic dialogue between dancer and choreographer Julien Carlier and 75-year-old sculptor Mike Sprogis. This melting of two disciplines is an organic, sensitive and beautiful piece that speaks to us about the passage of time, our repeated gestures and their impact on body and mind. 

Reflecting Dance Base’s commitment to supporting dancers’ careers at every stage of life,Timeless by Dance Base’s own PRIME & Lothian Youth Dance Company Scotland, is a life-affirming showcase that brings together dancers aged 14 to 80+ for a joyful celebration of the dance of life, regardless of where you are on the road.  

81-year-old emerging artist, PRIME’s own Christine Thynne, is teaming-up with co-creator Robbie Synge to present her solo debut, These Mechanisms. Among precarious assemblies of materials, Christine performs and informs, evolves and dissolves, splashes and crashes. Committed to the joy of playful experimentation, this performance takes us to absurd and surprising places. 

A regular collaborator with Dance Base, Alan Greig is set to deliver a site responsive solo dance performance, Within Reach, that looks at the ageing body and plays with gender, identity, and LGBTQ+ icons including Quentin Crisp, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Tennessee Williams. Delivered through a combination of eccentric spoken word monologues and crisp choreographed vignettes as he traverses the halls of Dance Base, the work provides a captivating, engaging and humorous exploration of identity, culture, and the cracked glamour of fame. 
 

Matthew Hawkins’READY weaves around a series of Beethoven piano sonatas which are purposely selected for each performance. Set to be performed in the Dance Base garden exclusively for the opening weekend, this low-tech site-sensitive solo performance marks and celebrates over half a century of dance practice with immediacy and ample variation. 

BODIES THAT DEFY EXPECTATIONS

Enter a mesmerizing world of illusion in Macarena Recuerda Shepherd’s Fringe debut The Watching Machine as she plays with light, shadows and reflections to experience what is illusion, what is representation and what is theatrical convention. 

In the European premiere of Taiwan Season: Palingenesis by D_Antigone Production Taiwan, three lithe, masked bodies emerge as if from a primordial ooze and proceed to morph their way through a series of carefully crafted chain reactions. Inspired by a biological concept of regeneration, hot-shot Taiwanese choreographer Chuang Po-Hsiang’s timeless, absorbing dance trio is an extreme expression of intimacy, trust and transformation.  

Next Zone makes its Fringe return as part of #DANISH inTRANSHUMANIST, a popping duet between two male dancers who unfold in an alluring universe where the boundaries between artificial and human nature dissolve. In an electronic soundscape, they take the audience into what feels like another reality in this journey of heart and mind. 

Hong Kong artists Wong Tan-Ki and Dick Wong team up to present a double bill. Wong Tan-Ki’s It’s not my body – Chapter 3.5 looks to visual art to reinvestigate time, space and the body on stage, while Dick Wong wrestles with his own shadow, as pause and limbo on stage construct a strong proposition about his dance life in This is. Presented as part of Hong Kong Soul 2024. 

In its Fringe debut, Miller de Nobili bring PACK to Dance Base. This energetic performance features five dancers performing hip-hop, breaking, contemporary and everything that fits in between. Presented as part of the Made in Germany Showcase, this dynamic show plays with group dynamics, exploring what rules and roles make up togetherness. 

THE PHYSICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL

Having mesmerised audiences and critics alike with her 2022 performances of AND, Arbroath-born Charlotte Mclean returns to Dance Base alongside collaborators to present Futuristic Folktales.Part of the MADE IN SCOTLAND Showcase, this dance for hope scrutinises reproductive injustices by re-imagining the tale of the first womb, a folkloric creation narrative often silenced. Two dancers perform alongside an evocative soundscape of experimental bagpipes composed by Malin Lewis in this beautiful, emotive, and at times humorous, show.  

In Nak Dara, Hasyimah Harith’s body is interwoven with the batik fabric, which often accompanies a Malay woman’s life at different stages from cradle to death. Likewise, the batik accompanies Hasyimah on stage in a dance embodying the twists and knots of life, breaking boundaries between action, performance, play and ritual. This European premiere tackles womanhood, sensuality and sexuality from a Southeast Asian perspective, and questions the ownership and intersections of a woman’s body against the backdrop of feminine pleasure and erotic agency. 

Described as “soulful, imaginative, and rhythmically contagious” (The NY Times), Ragamala Dance Company is one of the USA’s most highly regarded companies of the South Indian diaspora. Their new work by Artistic Director Aparna Ramaswamy, Ananta, The Eternal, is the first duet performance featuring sisters and acclaimed Bharatanatyam artists Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy, in a performance describing the eternal relationship between the deity and the devotee. 

STORIES TO MAKE YOU THINK AND FEEL

Sit back and enjoy your flight as ACCA Dance Theatre presents its first full-length show: Occupational Hazard. Fusing comedy, clowning and choreography, Occupational Hazard follows a day in the life of air hostesses Becky and Linda as they navigate consent as a woman in the service industry. Recipients of the 2024 Keep it Fringe Fund, this comedic Fringe debut from ACCA Dance Theatre will be landing in Dance Base for 2-4 August only so be sure to make it to the gate on time. 

The Passion of Andrea 2 by Simone Mousset, Associate Artist at The Place, is a stylised, contemporary, laugh out loud piece of dance theatre about feelings of uneasiness, the inability to fully understand, and the painful desire for more. It is a medieval fable, a magic trick, deadly game, bizarre dance-off, absurdist musical, sci-fi epic – all in one! – that explores the feeling of overwhelm and uneasiness during an age of confusion, confrontation, and power struggle, in a surreal, silly and magnificent way. 

 
Award-winning choreographer Mathieu Geffré with his production company Rendez-Vous dance present What Songs May do… A traditional love duet through a queer lens, two dancers expose the fractured relationship of a once romantic couple as they delve into the past in an attempt to rebuild their future together. This moving piece is performed to the evocative songs of Nina Simone. 

From across the pond, Canadian dancer and choreographer Éowyn Emerald returns to Edinburgh following her acclaimed Fringe runs with a riveting jazz programme, which showcases her dazzling dancers and stunning choreographic vision. Featuring 144 Ferrero Rochers, this is a show that follows a couple from their post-war meet-cute through the journey of their life, and leaves audiences feeling the highs and lows of the emotions they convey through stunning dance technique. 

RESPONDING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS 

As our planet’s voice gets louder, are we ready to listen? Lila Dance’s Fault Lines pulls at the tension in our relationship with nature, blending stunning dance, immersive imagery, evocative writing and cinematic music. Fault Lines explores our environmental impact, but asks what happens when we stand together in hope?  

In its European premiere, Jajack Movement’s, Sleeper presents a beautiful partnership for a sustainable tomorrow. Part of Korean Season and presented by Atobiz Ltd, choreographer Kim Yu-mi’s unique dance language replaces the words we use to deal with the climate crisis with tying and untying knots, a traditional act of Korean community spirit, and praying for the restoration of life. 

THE HOME OF DANCE

New for 2024, Fringe Fragments is a platform showcasing dance talent from around the world. Designed as a public event and industry showcase, audiences can see excerpts from tour-ready performances by artists from Sweden, England and Canada represented by Nordberg Movement, The Place and ArtCirculation. As well as enjoying a jam-packed hour of new choreography, there will also be an opportunity to hear from and get to know the artists. Whether you’re an industry professional or simply a lover of dance, Fringe Fragments will give you fresh insight into new international dance work. 

As part of Fringe Fragments, Sensory and immersive experienceRadiomaton arrives in Dance Base from 15 – 19 August. Installed in a cubicle resembling a photo booth and equipped with headphones broadcasting live a local radio station, Radiomaton questions the construct of truth, media contamination, “fake news” and the role of the body in the perception of information. A coproduction and artistic partnership between MARIBÉ – SORS DE CE CORPS and Montréal Danse, Radiomaton is another way for Fringe audiences and Dance Base regulars to engage with dance this August.

Dance Base is delighted to welcome the return of its Festival public dance class programme this August. On each Sunday during the Festival, a selection of dance classes will be offered, affirming Dance Base’s commitment to providing a home for Scotland’s thriving year-round dance community and those inspired to try something new amidst the excitement of the festival season. 

The Industry Hub 
Operating with support from the British Council, Dance Base’s Industry Hub returns for the third year. Located in Dance Base’s Grassmarket building in the heart of Edinburgh, this space provides a much-needed location for arts professionals and delegations to meet, network and collaborate amidst the bustle of the festival season.  

Progress in tackling child poverty

Annual report published

The Scottish Government is estimated to have invested almost £1.4 billion to benefit children in low income households in the last financial year.

The investment is detailed in an annual progress report which highlights key actions to tackle child poverty including:

  • Awarding almost £430 million to families through the Scottish Child Payment, supporting more than 329,000 children as of 31 March 2024
  • Widening eligibility for Best Start Foods, the benefit which helps low-income families access nutritious food, so thousands more children and pregnant women can benefit
  • Supporting around 4,400 children through continued work to develop a system of school age childcare and continuing to provide 1140 hours of funded childcare for all eligible children
  • Providing free bus travel to over 2.3 million people, with 727,000 children and young people registered as of March 2024
  • Delivering 6,045 affordable homes across Scotland, with two thirds for social rent, between April and December 2023 – helping an estimated 2,015 households with children into affordable housing

Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the First Minister’s top priority and the actions we are taking are making a difference. Modelling published in February estimates that our policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.

“Over the last year we have continued to provide immediate support to families through investment in the likes of our ‘game-changing’ Scottish Child Payment, and by mitigating the Benefit Cap as fully as possible within the scope of devolved powers.

“We have set out, through our Building a New Scotland series, how we would deliver differently in an independent Scotland. Only with the full economic and fiscal powers of an independent nation can we use all of the levers other governments have to tackle inequalities, and we will continue to make this case. However, this will not stop us from taking all the action we can towards our goal now.”

Best Start Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – Annual Report

Child poverty cumulative impact assessment: update – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Following a further increase in the value from 1 April 2024, together the Scottish Government’s five family payments of Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and the three Best Start Grant payments could now be worth over £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six, and around £25,000 by the time they turn 16.

Under 12’s Football Kit Sponsorship Opportunity

For the second year running, Under 12s football clubs in West Lothian have been given the opportunity to enter a sports kit sponsorship competition, courtesy of The Centre, Livingston, following the success of the partnership with Mid Calder Colts 2014s team last year.

The sponsorship is part of The Centre, Livingston’s ‘Support in the Community’ initiative aimed at helping various local sports clubs, organisations and local charities and social enterprises to raise awareness, funds and to benefit from sponsorship opportunities.

All football clubs with Under 12s teams are being invited to enter the competition by highlighting why their team should be picked to win the kits.

Last year the management team were inundated with entries, with the Mid Calder Colts 2014s application standing out for many reasons including the dedication and team spirit of the young players, the commitment from all of the coaches all year round to make sure all the kids have fun and the welcoming of players from Craigshill Thistle FC which folded due to financial difficulties.

Applications should be emailed to enquiries@thecentrelivingston.com by Thursday, 20th June at 5pm, to ensure the winning team receives the new shorts and branded tops in time for their first football match after the summer holidays.

Gary Anderson, Operations Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Supporting organisations in our community who are going the extra mile and local sports clubs is very important to us.

“By sponsoring another local football club it gives us the chance to help build the team morale even more, by looking and feeling the part when they play their first match in the Autumn, and help them to get off to a flying start.”

All details and terms and conditions can be found at www.thecentrelivingston.com

RoSPA: The three items new parents need to know how to use safely

THIS Child Safety Week, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has identified three products that can cause devastation if used incorrectly and urges parents and carers to skill up on the risks.

Following devastating stories in the press about babies who have died, RoSPA says there’s still more work to do when it comes to education around baby slings, nappy sacks and baby baths.

Baby slings

Baby slings have become a popular choice for parents, offering a convenient way to carry their infants while keeping their hands free. However, safety is largely dependent on the safe usage of slings.

As with all child-related products, RoSPA says it is vital to follow safety advice and manufacturer’s guidelines, and that parents should always check the instructions relating to size, weight and age. Importantly, baby slings should never be used for premature or underweight babies, as these scenarios pose a risk of death.

RoSPA advocates products that keep babies upright and allow parents to see their baby and to ensure that the face isn’t restricted. Babies should be able to breathe easily, be at a comfortable temperature, and held in positions that are healthy and beneficial for them.                                         

The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: “Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S acronym”:

  • Tight
  • In view at all times
  • Close enough to kiss
  • Keep chin off the chest
  • Supported back.

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Baby wearing is a natural phenomenon that has been around since the dawn of time – and while we encourage people to find a way to carry and connect with their children, we are keen to highlight how to do so safely.

“We urge people to be aware of the TICKS advice and to always ensure the carrier they are using is suitable for their child’s height and weight – they should never be used for underweight or premature babies.”

Bath seats

Since 2019, RoSPA is aware of at least 5 deaths that have been reported where babies have drowned in baths using baby bath seats. 

There are several bath seats and other devices on the market that enable a young child to remain seated whilst in the bathwater. 

The main risk with these products is the baby being left unattended (even for short periods of time), the seat then tipping over or become detached and the baby sadly drowning.

If parents do choose to use a bath seat, they should:

  • always keep the child within arm’s reach
  • never leave the child, even for a second
  • do not let bath seats give you a false sense of security – bath seats are NOT safety devices

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “A child can drown in a bath very quickly and quietly in very shallow water. This situation can be made worse by a young child’s inability to self-rescue – their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed.

“We therefore would like to remind parents and carers that they should always stay within arms reach of their baby at all times when they are in the bath, and that it’s not safe to leave them unattended, even for a few seconds.”

For more information on bath seat safety, please see here.

Nappy sacks

Parents and carers are generally aware of the dangers posed by plastic bags, but in many cases do not make the same link to nappy sacks and so may be less likely to take the same safety precautions.

RoSPA is aware of at least 22 deaths since 2001 where a baby has been suffocated by a nappy sack. The typical scenario associated with deaths is that the nappy sacks are stored within the baby’s reach, close to the baby’s cot, including under the mattress.

This method of storage is often for the convenience of the parent or carer. In some of the cases, the nappy sacks had been left near to or in the baby’s cot for ease of changing the baby’s nappy in the night.

In many homes these loose nappy sacks are kept within easy reach of babies, under the baby’s pram, or close to the baby’s cot.  In other cases, nappy sacks are left loose on the side are at risk of blowing into the cot from the wind, or being accessed by the child’s young siblings who don’t understand the risks.

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Young babies naturally grasp at anything and put it in their mouths, and once they have grasped a nappy sack, they find it more difficult to let go. Nappy sacks are flimsy and can easily fit over a baby’s mouth or nose or into a baby’s mouth.

“Babies under one-year-old are particularly at risk of suffocation and choking from plastic sheets and bags.  Once the nappy sack is over their face, they do not have the manual dexterity to remove the nappy sack, which can result in suffocation.

“We therefore advise parents and carers to make some simple changes that can increase their child’s safety, such as always keeping nappy sacks and other plastic bags away from babies and young children, and to always store them out of reach, ideally in a drawer or cupboard, and out of close proximity to cots, sleepers and prams. 

“Nappy sacks should be kept in their packaging, including on a roll if supplied that way, and never stored loose”

For more information on nappy sack safety, please see here.

Fort Kinnaird to host Big Kid Circus

The Big Kid Circus spectacle is set to land at Fort Kinnaird for the first time this week – with each performance guaranteeing thrills, excitement and laughter.  

From tomorrow – Wednesday 5th June – Sunday 9th June, the big top will be pitched in the car park at Fort Kinnaird, with several performances taking place each day.

The show, called ILLUMINATION, celebrates the extraordinary abilities all circus performers have and includes the first ever all-female ‘globe of death’ act in Europe.

Andrew Kinross, Outdoor Commercialisation Manager at Space and People, which has organised the event, said: “Customers have absolutely loved visiting the Big Kid Circus at other venues across the UK and we are thrilled to host the Big Kid Circus at Fort Kinnaird.

“I’m in awe at how talented the performers are, I can’t wait to see what tricks they have up their sleeves this year. They’ve promised lots of surprises so I’m sure it will live up to its mayhem theme.”

Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re always looking for new and different experiences for our visitors and Big Kid Circus is just that. It will be a great summer’s day out for all of the family to enjoy and we look forward to welcoming everyone in the local area to see the show.” 

Fort Kinnaird has advised walking or taking public transport to and from the event where possible. If travelling by car, please be aware that the car parks are likely to be busier than normal.

The Big Kid Circus will officially kick off tomorrow – on Wednesday 5th June at 7pm. Following this, the dates and showtimes are as follows:

  • Thursday 6th June at 4.45pm and 7.30pm
  • Friday 7th June at 4.45pm and 7.30pm
  • Saturday 8th June at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm
  • Sunday 9th June at 12.30pm and 3pm

The Box Office is open on site from 10am – 8pm from Monday 3rd June.

Tickets range in price from £12.99 for adults, £10.99 for children and people aged 60+, while children under two can attend for free*.

To avoid disappointment, tickets can be booked in advance via the Big Kid Circus website: https://www.bigkidcircus.co.uk/tickets/

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the box office at the circus, subject to availability. Wheelchair users and visitors with disabilities should call 07766552211 to discuss access arrangements and to book tickets in advance.  

Terms and conditions about tickets and the event itself are also available via the Big Kid Circus website www.bigkidcircus.co.uk/events

*Adults are 16+ and children are between 2 – 16 years old.

Edinburgh International Book Festival announces programme for 2024

2024 programme FUTURE TENSE as it enters new era at Edinburgh Futures Institute

  • Edinburgh International Book Festival announces programme of over 500 events, featuring authors from over 40 countries
  • The theme Future Tense explores how future-oriented and long-term thinking can bring imagination and perspective to urgent and complex issues including Data, AI and Complex Systems; Future Politics and Economics; and The Imaginative Realm
  • Additional programme strands include How to Live a Meaningful Life;Brilliant Fiction; and Voterama
  • It is the first year under new Director Jenny Niven and at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI)
  • EFI is located in the extensively refurbished old Royal Infirmary building on Lauriston Place
  • 2024 sees the welcome return of outdoor spaces hosting children’s events, food vendors, a buzzing bar and late-night events in the Spiegeltent
  • Digital events and workshops return for audiences worldwide

Edinburgh International Book Festival announces its 2024 programme with the theme Future Tense as it moves into a new era and home at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI).

Taking place from 10-25 August the Festival is the first to unfold under the innovative Directorship of Jenny Niven in the state of the art surrounds of what was Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

Along with a change of location, the Festival has been refocused to put fresh perspectives, relevance and active learning in the spotlight, with over 500 events that will empower audiences by bringing new and often opposing points of view together.

In a present full of tensions and seemingly intractable issues, the Festival will create conversations aimed at finding new pathways to change.

In ‘Future Tense’, across six elements, we explore how future-oriented thinking, learning across generations and disciplines, and approaching change with curiosity, compassion and imagination, could help us untangle the huge systematic challenges we currently face, both as individuals and as a society.

And in an age when transparency is key, the programme will tackle topics that directly impact the Festival, from ethical funding to sustainability, as well as topics that impact those living locally and those living in crisis, both at home and across the world.

And at a time when so much information is gathered online and shared within the echo chambers of social media, this year’s programme offers audiences increased opportunity to engage and swap ideas and knowledge, in person, and interactively.

Jenny Niven, Director at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “I am enormously proud of the programme we have created for this year, our first Festival in our new home at the Edinburgh Future’s Institute. 

“Our programme Future Tense speaks to the complexity of the moment we’re in, but hopefully also brings some optimism – the world is full of brilliant, insightful people working in so many imaginative ways. We’re excited to showcase some of that incredible thinking and writing – and the ways people are working together to solve problems and keep learning. 

“It’s been an honour to engage with authors, publicists, poets, performers, artists and audience members since I took on this role, and all of these conversations have informed what you will find on site this summer.”

FUTURE TENSE comprises six sub-themes, each exploring and aspect of how we can, or should, change our individual and collective futures:

A TOAST TO THE FUTURE will bring a kaleidoscope of perspectives and expertise, from the hopeful to the momentous, at a special Gala event of readings from writers including  Martin MacInnes, Naomi Alderman, Joelle Taylor, Richard Holloway, to EFI’s Chair in the Ethics of Data and AI, Shannon Vallor, who each explore their vision of the future in just 7 minutes.

FUTURE LIBRARY puts The Future Libraryproject centre stage in its 10th anniversary year. Not only does Margaret Atwood, who was the first contributor to this unique library in Norway which comprises work by authors that will remain unread for 100 years, explore her concept of ’Practical Utopia’, there will be a hands-on workshop alongside the announcement of the 2025 Future Library contributor.

GENERATIONS explores our responsibilities to those who come next and acknowledges that we can only plan effectively for the future by understanding what came before. Roman Krznaric and Ella Saltmarshe explore being ‘good ancestors’ and Wales’ first Commissioner for Future Generations shares how policy can support this. And, we’ve created a series of conversations which span generations, including poets Roger McGough with Hollie McNish, and foreign correspondents Allan Little and Jen Stout to hear fascinating insights and anecdotes from writers who share common ground.

AI, DATA AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS includes events like Writing the Wrongs of AI , featuring Pip Thornton, Sam Riviere and Heather Parry, which discusses the findings of a pioneering series of workshops EIBF and the Braid Fellowship have supported bringing together authors, publishers, legal and technical experts to confront the industry challenges and opportunities of the AI revolution; and Page Against the Machine, a fun interactive challenge where AI is put to the test live in the Spiegeltent, by both authors and audience members . Durham University also return with the ReaderBank: the world’s most ambitious study of reading, imagination, and health.

FUTURE ECONOMICS AND POLITICS will ask some of the hardest questions, including; How is capitalism changing? How are we going to finance the green tech revolution we need? With a more unequal world than ever before, how much wealth is too much? Featuring Nobel Prize winner Joseph E Stiglitz, BBC’s chief economics editor Dharshini David, Ken Costa, Ingrid Robeyns, and more, audiences can expect robust debate that allows for all perspectives to be heard.

THE IMAGINATIVE REALM speaks to the fact that sci-fi writers and authors of speculative fiction have been imagining the future for decades and are well placed to advise on where we may be heading. As engineers imagine the workings of new machines, authors, writers and poets imagine how these machines will and do impact the world around them, and audiences can expect the insights and wisdom of first-class writers from across these genres, including R F Kuang, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and Irenosen Okojie.

Along with our hard-hitting programming, and in contrast to the seemingly never ending negative news cycle, How to Live a Meaningful Life invites authors and audiences to come together to explore what makes it all worth it, with a series of events delving into philosophy, joy and the utmost of pleasures – food. 

We’ll reflect On Creativity with Rachael Sermanni, to On Paying Attention with Olesya Khromeychuk, and On Making It Count with Oliver Burkeman, among many more.

Part of How to Live a Meaningful Life, is Table Talks, a strand featuring the delicious combination of food demos, conversation and specially created menus in an intimate setting, delivered by some of the world’s best chefs and food writers.

Taking place at Elliott’s Studio just across The Meadows from EFI, audiences can expect experiences with the likes of Palestinian chef and author Sami Tamimi; Pam Brunton, head chef of Michelin Green Starred restaurant, Inver; first generation farmer and internet sensation Julius Roberts; Rachel Roddy – who writes delicious dispatches from her kitchen in Rome; owner of London’s Darjeeling Express restaurant (and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for 2024), Asma Khan; the person who transformed the mid-week meal with her one pan revolution, Rukmini Iyer; and eternally curious travel writer and critic Caroline Eden.

Of course, the Festival will continue to deliver once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to; see some of the world’s greatest novelists (Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Lauren Groff  and ​​Karl Ove Knausgård); hear from debut authors (Lorraine Kelly); glimpse the lives of famous faces from varying walks of life (including Front List appearances from James O’Brien, Alice Osman and Dolly Alderton); and not least the chance to have cherished copies of favourite books signed in person by many attending authors.

Poetry is in fantastic shape in this year’s line up too with Natalie Diaz, Michael Ondaatje, Ray Antrobus, Jenni Fagan, Sean Hewitt, Gerald Murnane, Andrew McMillan and Kathleen Jamie, and many more all on the bill.

With more people voting in 2024 than in a single year ever before in history. Voterama: Elections, Democracy and Geopolitics explores both UK and international politics and the changing face of democracy itself. Leading voices Jess Phillips, Caroline Lucas, Alistair Campbell will help unpack the UK election, and David van Reybrouck,

Ingrid Robeyns and Ed Wong broaden our horizons internationally. Marianna Spring illuminates misinformation and Mona Chalabi makes complex information visually stunning. In the 25th year of devolution Mark Drakeford and First Minister John Swinney swap perspectives; and Andy Burnham gives his view from the North.

Long standing friend of the Festival Raja Shehadeh, Nathan Thrall and Avi Shlaim share first hand perspectives on Israel, and Palestine, in what will undoubtedly be powerful conversations.

And in partnership with Beyond Borders Scotland, we look directly at peacebuilding and conflict resolution with those working first hand and at the highest level – exploring everything from the Islamic principles of peace-making, to UN diplomacy, and the impact on the climate.

Asking the hard question ‘how does conflict ever actually become resolved?’ audiences will hear from a range of experts including Mark Muller Stuart KC, Andrew Gilmour, and Ebrahim Rasool.

Marking the 200th anniversary of James Hogg’s seminal work The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, Justified Sinner 200 willre-examine this iconic story of the Calvinist Robert Wringham who believes that his place in Heaven is predestined.

At once a bold exploration of the darkest parts of the human soul, and a wildly creative novel, we have commissioned a series of equally bold reimaginings to explore its relevance and resonance today. 

Kirsty Logan, Esther Swift, and folksinger Kirsty Law reset the text in a contemporary Scottish cult, acclaimed theatre company Grid Iron and Ray Interactive create an immersive walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town (featuring voiceovers from none other than Louise Welsh), Stewart Laing and Pamela Carter bring us Extraordinary Trash: A Theatre Essay revisiting their own iconic reworking of Hogg via Paul Bright, and there are a range of interactive, immersive experiences inspired by this title in August, none of which are to be missed.

And finally, making the most of our new location in the midst of the Festival City, the Spiegeltent returns by popular demand with Back to Ours – a strand of evening and late night events ranging from performance to poetry, comedy to podcasting, and everything in between.

Whether it’s belly laughs courtesy of BAFTA Best Comedy Writer awardee Jack Rooke (of Channel 4’s uproarious series Big Boys), being a book Weirdo with Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd, rocking out to Festival favourites the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, or dancing the night away with a rollicking ceilidh to round the festival off, there is something for everyone to come back for.

For those engaging with the world of literary festivals for the first time and taking their first step in their writing career, the Festival continues to provide unrivalled resources and workshops aimed at demystifying the industry.

From discussions on AI, sustainability, audiobooks and pitching sessions, aimed at editors, publishers, festival organisers, translators, and other experts, this year’s programme features a dedicated three-day lineup of panels, showcases and receptions. Aimed at those working within the publishing industry this years’ Industry Days & Global Ink events also tackle one of the trickiest things for an author to do – take their work outwith the confines of their own country.

Finally, at a time when the amount and wide-ranging nature of the news can be overwhelming, the Festival introduces First Edition, a daily discussion of the morning headlines and issues of the day with a local member of the media, hosted in the Spiegeltent and free for all.

And the new (Lunch) Box Fresh sessions will take place at lunchtime and feature readings from new and vibrant talent in partnership with Scottish Book Trust, Glasgow Women’s Library, Scottish Poetry Library, and Jenny Brown Associates.

Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “This year marks Edinburgh International Book Festival’s first year in their new home and the inaugural year under Director Jenny Niven. 

“Welcoming in this new era, the festival has curated a bold and ambitious programme engaging many of the critical issues facing the world today. To do that, they are bringing together international authors with both Scotland’s own world-renowned talent and our exciting emerging literary voices.

“The Futures Institute events will nurture a love of books and reading for all ages. Additionally, there are valuable programme strands highlighting the significance of community work, extending the festival’s influence beyond its new location.”

Our new site at EFI

Opened in 1729 Edinburgh’s old Royal Infirmary is one of the city’s most beloved buildings and with huge care, has been brought into the 21st century as Edinburgh’s Futures Institute, a futures-focused space for learning, research, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh, and new home of Edinburgh International Book Festival.

In addition to enjoying events in brand new, state-of-the-art theatres, audiences and visitors can find a plethora of places to read, relax, meet and converse throughout this grand and iconic building, as well as across the specially designed, grassy courtyard that unfolds at the south of the venue, making the Festival site a destination worthy of lingering this summer.

Located just off The Meadows in the leafy heart of the city, the Festival’s new home is a stone’s throw from key Fringe venues at George Square and the home of the Edinburgh International Festival at the Hub.

Luxury Scottish care home opens its doors to families 

Open day offers first-hand insight into home more akin to a lux hotel

FAMILIES are being given an opportunity to visit Scotland’s most upmarket care home as it opens its doors for the public to see its “luxury hotel” facilities.

Taking place on June 8th between 10am-2pm, Cramond Residence is set to host a family-friendly day featuring arts and crafts for kids, along with homemade baked goods, teas, and coffees.

The day aims to give those looking at care options a glimpse into the home’s world-class amenities including a private cinema, library, salon, and bespoke therapy areas.

It will also allow guests to find out more about the nurse-led care provision and expertise in supporting residents living with forms of dementia.

Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence said: “This open day will be the perfect occasion for families to witness first-hand the comforting, homely atmosphere that we pride ourselves on.

“Our open days are always an enjoyable experience for both our team and those who come to see us.

“We have a fun-filled day planned with plenty of arts and crafts to entertain the kids. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a cup of coffee and some delicious baked goods from our incredible kitchen team, while our specialist staff will be available to answer any questions you might have about our home.”

Set in a purpose-built facility that represents a £8m investment, Cramond Residence boasts small group living in nine distinct houses. Each house provides a nurturing environment where residents can socialise, dine, and engage in activities, contributing to a vibrant community life.

The residence not only offers a high staff-to-resident ratio but also features advanced dementia care within its general setting or in a specialised area tailored for those in more advanced stages of the condition.

Christian added: ” At Cramond Residence, residents can look forward to exceptional care in an environment designed for them to thrive during their golden years.

“Our fantastic lifestyle team constantly arranges wonderful activities, ensuring there’s always something to look forward to. The residence itself offers a warm, homely feel that provides comfort to those who stay with us.

“We’re excited to welcome guests into our home and address any questions they may have. Choosing a care home is a significant, life-altering decision, and our team is here to help ease any concerns, providing the information needed to make this important choice with peace of mind.”

Cramond Residence offers a wide range of activities tailored for dementia care, enhancing residents’ quality of life and providing relief and support through specialist facilities and trained staff.

For more details on the open day or to learn more about Cramond Residence, please visit Cramond Residence’s website or contact them directly at enquiries@cramondresidence.co.uk.

Edinburgh family hails son’s ‘Happy Place’ at The Yard’s Charity Ball

Over £80,000 was raised for a disabled children’s charity during its annual star-studded fundraising ball at the weekend.

Almost 300 people turned out for the Secret Garden-themed black-tie affair, The Yard’s Big Fun Raiser, at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh on Saturday 1 June 2024, raising funds through tickets, a raffle and silent auction.

The Yard works with children and young people aged 0-25 with Additional Support Needs through adventure play sessions in Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy. 

The service offers creative and inclusive play experiences in a well-supported environment, alongside wraparound support for the whole family, with a varied programme of drop-in, respite and transition youth clubs, early years, specialist sessions with schools, family play sessions, plus inclusive play and disability training.

Celine Sinclair, CEO of The Yard, said, “Since opening our secret garden at Canonmills our dreams have taken root and flourished. We’ve grown, extending our arms to over 2600 young people annually across Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife.

“Now, we’re actively working towards spreading our unique model of family support and service excellence even further across Scotland.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity shown at The Big Fun Raiser,  we can unlock the potential of countless more families across Scotland by expanding The Yard’s reach and opening the doors to even more secret gardens of support, joy, and friendship.”

Edinburgh Mum Megan Davidson whose son Toby (5) attends The Yard, gave a speech highlighting the importance of the charity to her family.

Megan said, “Toby is unique, creative, fun and loving, and big brother to Phoebe who is two, going on 25. Toby is also autistic and has a chromosome duplication.  When he started playgroup, Toby really struggled and his behaviour was challenging. Although the staff were amazing, I dreaded pick-up and what they might say. Then, one day, a member of staff told us about The Yard. At that point, he hadn’t been diagnosed but that wasn’t an issue and, what’s more,  I could take Phoebe too!

“From our first visit, the nerves began to get lighter and Toby was having so much fun. I was no longer the odd one out; everyone got it! They offered us support, advice and friendship.  There is nowhere else you will find such selfless people; the team are 100% there for the children and he adores them. The Yard is his ‘yes’ place, his safe space, his happy place where he can be himself and celebrated for who he is.

“It’s also a place where Phoebe is included alongside her brother. Her experiences and the friendships she is forming are making her an advocate for inclusion. I wish all children had the opportunity she has had.

“The Yard saved me; it gave me a place to heal when I needed it the most. It has educated me and, most importantly,  made me see just how beautiful our children are and that the world is better for having them in it.”

For more information, visit www.theyardscotland.org.uk

Gaza: G7 Leaders back Biden Plan

The leaders of G7 countries issued a joint statement on Gaza yesterday:

‘We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), fully endorse and will stand behind the comprehensive deal outlined by President Biden that would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian assistance for distribution throughout Gaza, and an enduring end to the crisis, with Israel’s security interests and Gazan civilian safety assured.

‘We reaffirm our support for a credible pathway towards peace leading to a two State solution.

‘We call on Hamas to accept this deal, that Israel is ready to move forward with, and we urge countries with influence over Hamas to help ensure that it does so.’