Tag: dance

Pensioners prove you are never too old to dance

A MULTICULTURAL care team in Edinburgh has had residents lining up to participate in traditional activities from nations around the world.

Pensioners at Cramond Residence, which is situated to the north of the city, have been enjoying country line dancing lessons with North American staff members.

Staff have been using their heritage and traditional activities from home as a way of enabling residents to experience a variety of new hobbies and cultures from the comfort of their own home – a favourite of which has become dancing.

Lisa Sohn, Lead Lifestyle Coordinator at the 74-bedroom plush home, said: “Residents and staff are always keen to develop a close relationship and learn new things about each other.

“That’s why lots of our staff members have volunteered to host a day full of activities dedicated to their home countries, which means everyone can learn more about that country and its food and traditions.

“All of the activities we put on encourage social interaction, so all of these different experiences give residents time to reminisce and chat about their own travel experiences, while also learning about each other and staff.

“The line dancing afternoon was a huge hit with lots of our residents, who are now very keen for us to add it as a permanent activity to our monthly planner!”

Previous months have included a presentation about India and samples of food by Vinay Naik and Sai Chand A Pinnoju, food service assistants at Cramond Residence. Other cultural events have included Spanish, Italian & German language classes accompanied by traditional foods from these countries, most recently, a pizza making masterclasses.

During lockdown, Lifestyle Coordinators led activities from The Residence Cinema, connecting via video with residents in their own private lounge or in their bedrooms via smart TVs to enable two-way communications.

Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care, with all residents enjoying a wide range of amenities and activities, delicious food and a tailored care programme.

The home offers residents an abundance of different amenities, including beautiful gardens, a library, a hair salon, a private fine-dining space, physiotherapy room and cinema, which also doubles as a large, multi-purpose space for a host of social events.

Places in the care home start from £1850 a week. To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Free Theatre Auditions in Edinburgh this Weekend

Renowned talent management and theatre training programme, Stagebox, will be hosting its Edinburgh auditions at Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, on Sunday (16th May 2021). 

If you know a young performer aged 8-18 years old who is looking to take their talent to the next level, Stagebox is inviting auditionees to take to the stage at this weekend’s in-person audition workshops.

Successful talent will enjoy the exclusive award-winning performance training programme during the school holidays, as well as benefitting from the talent management at Stagebox.

For the first time, auditions are free of charge, with Stagebox founders keen to encourage everyone with a love of theatre to come along and audition.

https://youtu.be/ACfjwCqHAgY

Stagebox recently released a video featuring its Edinburgh cast performing an original medley from Disney’s The Little Mermaid on YouTube, so hopeful auditionees can envision just what it’s like to be part of the Stagebox world. The video has already amassed an impressive 5,000 views in less than a week.

With Stagebox alumni starring on stage and screen, many securing lead roles for Disney, Netflix, in the West End and beyond, Stagebox offers rising stars the chance to train smart, build industry connections and gain unrivalled opportunities in theatre, television and film.

Stagebox’s General Manager, Jasmine Quinlan Gardner, said: “It’s been a turbulent period for the performing arts industry to say the least, and we’re so delighted to be holding the free auditions in Edinburgh.

“Stagebox is about opportunity, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating the country’s budding talent.”

Kirsti Bagger, Head Agent at Stagebox said: “We’re looking to meet new performers with passion, ambition and star quality.

“We’re very passionate about accessibility and inclusivity which is why we’re removing audition fees this May – we welcome children from all backgrounds, from newcomers all the way up to advanced level and we can’t wait to see what the young people of Edinburgh have to offer!”

These auditions are guaranteed to fill up fast and limited spaces apply. To register your spot for the Edinburgh audition date, please visit Eventbrite.

To find out more about Stagebox, please head to: https://www.stagebox.uk/

*Auditions will be socially distanced in adherence with COVID-19 guidelines.

Edinburgh boy defying doctors celebrated with artwork at New Sick Kids

 
An Edinburgh teenager who defied medical experts has had his passion for dancing transformed into artwork for Edinburgh’s new Sick Kids hospital. 

Evan Glass, 13, battled through his first two hours of life and mum Danni was told he may never eat, talk or walk. Since birth, he has been fascinating medical experts with his resilience – but it is his dance performances which most often leave people speechless. 

Evan began dancing five years ago through attending classes run by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) Arts Programme. Run in partnership with Dance Base, the classes support children receiving treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children with their physiotherapy. Through dance, Evan has completely transformed the way he moves. 

Danni Glass, Evan’s mum, said: “I was given the news that every mum fears after giving birth – I was told that my baby wouldn’t make it. Doctors still can’t believe he is here but he is proving everybody wrong!  

“Since beginning ECHC’s Step Out dance classes, Evan has come on leaps and bounds. His movements used to be quite stiff and robotic but now he moves much more fluidly. His balance has also really improved but where we have seen the biggest changes are in his confidence – it has really helped to bring him out of himself.”

When Evan was offered the opportunity by ECHC to have his dancing made into a piece of artwork for the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP), he jumped at the chance. 

To create the piece, Evan and Dance Base Instructor Christina Liddell wore sensors on their wrists and ankles which tracked their movements as they danced together. These movements were digitalised and coloured, then transformed into the beautiful piece of artwork that is now displayed for all to see on entering the new children’s hospital.  

Danni said: “Evan is my little miracle. I am so, so proud of everything that he has achieved. He just forgets everything when he dances and loses all of his anxieties – it’s just wonderful to watch. 

“He was so excited to take part in the making of the artwork with Christina and thinks the finished piece is the greatest thing ever. I never realised it would be as big as it is – it’s absolutely amazing! When he first saw it, he was so chuffed and wanted to take photos from every angle. It’s just incredible to think that his artwork is now on display for people to see in the hospital forever.” 

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “We are all so proud of just how far Evan has come with the help of our partnership with Dance Base. Since starting out, he has danced with Christina at a number of our events and he always steals the show! 
 
“Our Arts Programme doesn’t just provide distraction for children in hospital – it achieves real results that help to improve patients’ health and wellbeing.  
 
“Evan is testament to this and we are thrilled that his artwork is now on display at the RHCYP so visitors can see just how remarkable he is.”

ECHC’s Arts Programme will play a key role at the RHCYP when it opens next year. The charity has funded over £3.1million worth of enhancements at the new hospital to give children and young people a positive hospital experience.

Evan’s artwork is just one of the many beautiful and often interactive art and design pieces that can be seen throughout the new building.

To help support more children, young people and families in hospital and healthcare like Evan and Danni, donations can be made at www.echcharity.org/donate 

Council launches £100,000 BAME arts fund

A new £100,000 fund to support Edinburgh-based Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) artists, practitioners and producers in the Capital’s arts and culture sector opens for applications.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Diversity & Inclusion Fund will focus on projects that promote greater creative collaboration between black, Asian and minority ethnic artists, practitioners and producers and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.

Grants of up to £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to organisations or individuals based in the Capital to help with the costs involved in developing new performing artwork (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.

This is the first of two cultural project funding opportunities in Edinburgh, established through the creation of the Flexible Fund as part of the new approach for Third Party Cultural Grants agreed by the Council last year. Details of a second Flexible Fund opportunity, currently planned for Arts and Health Projects, will be announced in May 2020.

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh has a long and strong reputation for creativity and excellence in the arts and we must continue to identify new and collaborative ways of resourcing the sector, and this fund will go some way to support new talent.

“As part of our policy of widening and deepening engagement with artists and communities across the city this fund is targeted at Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic artists and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations.

“We are committed to promoting stronger collaboration, developing new partnerships and creating new funding streams. The creation of our new Flexible Fund will help nurture more new work and emerging artists and enable greater access to our funding programmes for previously unfunded groups or those who have found it difficult to access mainstream funding in the past.”

A Panel of industry specialists will review applications for Diversity & Inclusion Fund grant awards in April 2020.

Further information on Diversity & Inclusion Fund

Who can apply?

Projects involving Edinburgh-based artists and practitioners and taking place within the City of Edinburgh boundary. Grants will be awarded to projects that promote greater collaboration between minority ethnic artists/practitioners, and Edinburgh-based cultural organisations. Projects should reach, involve, benefit and engage BAME artists and/or cultural organisations and creative practitioners.

Projects and activities could include: visual and performing arts (music, dance, spoken word and theatre), film making and screenings, digital art, cultural events and creative writing.

A total Fund budget of £100,000 is available for projects developed in financial year 2020/21 offering:
6 grant awards of up to £5,000;
3 grants of up to £10,000; and
2 grant awards of up to £20,000

The deadline for submissions is 3 April 2020 (23:59 GMT).

An online application form and further information about the fund can be found via the consultation hub.

You can also register your interest in attending information sessions.

Join Strictly couple for Havana Nights

Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima is preparing to dazzle and delight audiences with stunning new dance show Havana Nights which tours the UK in 2020 – including dates in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The 25-year-old will be joined by fellow Strictly professional and fiancée Giada Lini on this first solo UK tour which opens in Chelmsford on 3 March.

Havana Nights promises an exciting mix of Latin dances with individual performances from Graziano and Giada, as well as entertaining group numbers with their supporting dancers.

After opening in Chelmsford, Havana Nights will tour the UK visiting Stevenage, Milton Keynes, Crawley, Tunbridge Wells, Hayes, Bury St Edmunds, St Albans, Kettering, Leamington Spa, Cambridge, Exmouth, Redruth, Cheltenham, Swindon, Yeovil, High Wycombe, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Whitley Bay, Fleetwood, Warrington, Guildford, Reading, Shrewsbury, Southport, and Lichfield. 

The show will be fantastic and fast paced and is guaranteed to be fresh and innovative with amazing routines to dazzle and wow its audience.

And along with the spectacular sizzling performances on stage, there will also be opportunities for a special pre-show meet and greet with Graziano and Giada.

Graziano Di Prima was born in Sicily and started dancing at the age of six when his mother enrolled him in classes. He is an Italian Latin Champion, as well as representing Belgium at the World Championships, and made the top 24 at the under 21s Latin World Championships.

He went on to spend three years performing with the world-famous Burn the Floor dance company, where he met his future wife 28-year-old Venetian Giada, romantically proposing to her live on stage between performances.

Graziano joined the Strictly team in 2018, partnering DJ Vick Hope through a series of sparkling and high-energy routines. He recently made Strictly history when he performed the first same sex couple dance with fellow professional Johannes Radebe.

Giada is ranked in the top 25 in the world in the Latin-American style. She won the Italian Showdance Championship nine times and represented Italy at the World Showdance Championships, where she was a finalist and won the Show Dance World Cup in 2014. She was also a finalist in Freestyle Latin representing Italy at the World Champions in China in 2013 and 2014.

She worked as a professional Latin American dancer on a high-profile Italian TV show called Amici di Maria De Filippi for three years, and toured Australia, the UK and Japan with Burn the Floor. Giada joined Strictly as a pro dancer in 2018. 

Graziano said: “I’m so excited to be able to bring Havana Nights to the many dance fans we know there are across the UK.

“Giada and I have worked closely together on the choreography and content for the show and we’re really proud of it. Now I can’t wait to visit so many venues around the country, meeting fans and performing all my favourite routines for them live on stage.” 

Website:         www.havananightstour.co.uk

Twitter:           @_HavanaNights

 

HAVANA NIGHTS TOUR 2020 – SCOTTISH DATES

 GLASGOW

Royal Concert Hall

25 March 2020

0141 353 8000

https://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

ON SALE NOW

 

EDINBURGH

Assembly Rooms

26 March 2020

0131 228 1155

http://www.usherhall.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

Free Multicultural Festival coming to North Edinburgh

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival

4 – 6th October 2019

Music, dance, storytelling, films and audio visual celebration of Edinburgh’s multicultural communities (the newest event on Edinburgh’s festival calendar)

African Connections CIC (an Edinburgh-based community interest company promoting diversity through performing arts) is delighted to announce the very first Edinburgh Multicultural Festival, on 4-6 October 2019.

Website www.edinburghmulticulturalfestival.co.uk   (www.edmcf.co.uk)   

The festival programme features a bright array of Edinburgh’s diverse talent with spoken word, poetry, music, dance and visual arts created by African, Asian and Eastern European artists living in the capital.

The festival will also present two international acts: albino Malawian singer and canjo player Lazarus, and Sowhereto Africa, a South African dance and music show promoting street talent from the township of Soweto (previously performed at Edinburgh’s Dance Base and the Studio).

A poetry and storytelling programme (on Friday afternoon) will be curated by Nadine Aisha Jassat, with storytellers Fong Liu and Daiva Ivanauskaitė, while the weekend will feature musicians including Samba Sene & Diwan (Sengalese Mbalax/Afrobeat/ska fusion), rappers Billy Got Waves & Joell, Moroccan grooves from Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion and Bollywood//Indian classical music from Swaryatra; the dance programme on Saturday includes Scotland’s leading Indian dance group Dance Ihayami, a range of African dances from Sankofa Beats, plus Olga Kay, Iraya Noble, Pirita Tuisku, and many more.

There will also be a specially curated short films programme and a specially created installation by Polish audio visual artist Robert Motyka, inspired by diverse cultures and identities.

The events will take place across two venues in north Edinburgh – creative writing, poetry and storytelling at Drumbrae Library and Community Hub (4th October only), with the main programme taking place at Edinburgh College, Granton Campus (5 & 6 October), in the open café space (unticketed) and the PASS Theatre.

There will be opportunities for audiences to mix with performers and community organisations, to share their experiences and find out more about how to be involved in cross-community activities.

All events are free to attend, and all age groups are welcome.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival director, Morgan Njobo, said: “With this programme we would like to celebrate Edinburgh’s diverse multicultural talent and its contribution to the cultural life of the city.

“As a South African artist living in Edinburgh, I feel privileged to be able to present an eclectic programme that aims to engage local communities and increase access to arts and entertainment in the north of Edinburgh.

“We are collaborating with artists whose work is influenced by African, Asian and Eastern European cultures and we wish for all Edinburgh residents engage with our diverse performing arts and visual arts scene and enjoy the benefits of diversity brought by the artists involved.”

It is hoped that Edinburgh Multicultural Festival 2019 will be the first of many, growing over the years, contributing to promoting tolerance and inclusivity across Edinburgh and beyond.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival is delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College, PASS Theatre and Drumbrae Library and Community Hub and supported by City of Edinburgh Council. 

LISTINGS

Fri 4 Oct 2 – 5pm        Drumbrae Library and Community Hub, 81 Drum Brae Dr, Edinburgh EH4 7FE

                                     Storytelling, poetry and creative writing

Sat 5 Oct Noon-5pm   Edinburgh College Granton Campus, 350 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1QE

(Doors 11am)                DANCE inc Dance Ihayami, Sowhereto, Sankofa Beats

Sun 6 Oct Noon-5pm  Edinburgh College Granton Campus, 350 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1QE

(Doors 11am)                MUSIC inc Lazarus, Samba Sene & Diwan, Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion

All events are free, and tickets can be reserved in advance via Eventbrite

Fringe: Six Feet Three Shoes

Six Feet Three Shoes is a celebration of friendship across borders told through feisty, percussive flamenco, Scottish and contemporary dance, with three dancers, in colourful costumes that combine threads of Scottish tartan and Spanish frills, and two musicians on exhilarating live guitar and fiddle. Continue reading Fringe: Six Feet Three Shoes

MIX UP Theatre: Fringe Festival Summer Camp

THE MIX UP THEATRE FRINGE FESTIVAL SUMMER CAMP 2019! Ages 5-16 

Monday 29th July – Friday 2nd August: 10am-4pm on The Pleasance.

Still a handful of spaces left so book in now at: www.mixuptheatre.com/fringefestival

Here’s the full programme for this year!

AGES 5-12 (Age 11+ will go to Seniors in afternoons):

MONDAY 29th July

AM – Puppetry Workshop with Ditto Theatre Company (Rocket Girl)
PM – Ceilidh Dancing with Ceilidhkids
PM – Stand-Up Comedy with Comedy Club 4 Kids

TUESDAY 30th July

AM – Bubble Making Workshop with The Highland Joker (The Bubble Show)
AM – Kafka for Kids Workshop with The Kafkateers (Beetlemania!)
PM – Mime Workshop with Bric à Brac Theatre (Mustard Doesn’t Go with Girls)
PM – Rap / Spoken Word with Mark Grist (Down with the Poetry King)

WEDNESDAY 31st July

AM – Electronic Music Movement Workshop with The New Victorians (Rave + Behave)
AM – THEATRE TRIP: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Rubbish Shakespeare Company
PM – Comedy Animal Acting Workshop with Goblin (Hey Diddle Diddle)
PM – Shakespeare Comedy Acting with the Rubbish Shakespeare Company

THURSDAY 1st August

AM – Word and Story Workshop with Dan Serridge Storyteller (Feast of Fools)
AM – THEATRE TRIP: Mustard Doesn’t Go wtih Girls by Bric a Brac Theatre
PM – Singing Workshop with Nonsenseroom Productions (Shark in the Park)
PM – Clowning Workshop with Stickyback Theatre (Sunshine)

FRIDAY 2nd August

AM – THEATRE TRIP: Games with James
PM – Storytelling Workshop with Flossy and Boo (Ned and the Whale)
PM – Circus Skills Workshop with Dummies Corp. (Splashtest Dummies)
PM – THEATRE TRIP + Meet & Greet with Cirque Berserk UK

AGES 11-16: AFTERNOONS (Seniors Class)

Monday 29th July + Tuesday 30th July

PM – Rehearsals

Wednesday 31st July

PM – Spy Comedy Acting Workshop with Paprichoo (Number, Please)

Thursday 1st August

PM – PERFORMANCE: Murder on the Dancefloor by Spies Like Us Theatre
PM – Physical Theatre Ensemble Workshop by Spies Like Us Theatre

FRIDAY 2nd August

PM – SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE – Royal Mile, Mercat Stage

The students will perform a short performance on the Mercat Stage of the Royal Mile as part of the Fringe Street Festival. This will take place at 3pm and will last approx 15-20 minutes.

Families will be invited along to meet us there (beside St Giles Cathedral).

Added to this our students will also be reviewing for Families Edinburgh Magazine as part of the Wee Reviewers team!

Don’t miss out! Book NOW!

www.mixuptheatre.com/fringefestival