Tag: Grassmarket

Dance Base announces the first shows in its 25th festival programme 

Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, Dance Base is known for curating an ambitious programme of Scottish and international shows every August, giving a world-class platform to up-and-coming and established dance artists.

Dance Base Festival 26 in partnership with Assembly, a collaboration now in its fourth year, is Dance Base’s 25th festival programme – a milestone the team is marking with a fantastic line-up of shows.  

2026 is also a landmark year for Dance Base as the organisation celebrates 25 years in its purpose-built home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket which becomes one of the festival epicentres every August.  

As always, Dance Base nurtures and celebrates the breadth of Scottish dance talent, this year featuring, among others, YDance – Scottish Youth Dance company, Penny Chivas and her politically charged Where We Choose to Stand and Jack Anderson, Charlotte Mclean, Malin Lewis’ not for glory which dissects heritage and resuscitates tradition, Marc Brew’s moving Boys Don’t Dance and Two Destination Language’s 40/40 celebrating a life of a woman, artist and a migrant.

Outwith the UK, artists from Brazil, Basque Country, Italy, Netherlands, Japan and Taiwan call Dance Base their home this August, presenting work as part of Taiwan Season, São Paulo Showcase and Basque Showcase.

From Breakdancing to Butoh, from Pole Dance to politics – this diverse programme caters to both dance curious and Dance Base’s regular audiences.  

Tickets go on sale on Friday at 12 noon at assemblyfestival.com and on Monday 30 March at edfest.com with further shows to be announced in due course.  

NEW SHOWS ANNOUNCED  

Penny Chivas – Where We Choose to Stand (7-16 August)

A powerful dance-theatre show inspired by activism and political change. Blending movement, music, real stories and moments of audience connection, it invites reflection on the choices we make—and what it means to stand together. 

YDance & National Youth Arts Wales – Celtic Collective (7-16 August)

Bringing together the National Youth Dance Companies of Scotland and Wales for an electrifying night of bold choreography, this special show celebrates the power of dance, blending distinct cultural influences with cutting-edge vibrant contemporary dance. 

Erain / Helena Wilhemsson – Jarraibiderik Gabe / Trembling Frequencies (7-16 August)

A double bill of emerging choreographic voices from the Basque Country. Bodies and objects create shifting physical landscapes in Jarraibiderik Gabe, while the mysterious and dynamic solo of Trembling Frequencies takes a look at the shifting landscapes within. 

Marc Brew Company – Boys Don’t Dance (7-23 August)

A poignant dance theatre show by acclaimed disabled choreographer and dancer Marc Brew, it draws on his experience as the only boy in a rural Australian town who wanted to dance, defying societal expectations. It combines movement, BMX tricks, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack, alongside visual projections and animation. 

T.F. Cia de Dança – Border Bodies (7-30 August)

Border Bodies desires to rediscover ways of being together in times of social segregation. Despite their diverse backgrounds, artists unite, believing that their differences empower each other when they act as one.  

LEI Dance Theatre – Proximities (6-30 August) 

LEI Dance Theatre and Lao-French choreographer Olé Khamchanla create a captivating quintet about boundaries and rules, distance and closeness, alienation and connection. An intelligent, imaginative show, questioning blend of traditional, contemporary and classical styles. 

Mailantia Dance Company – Under Mask (6-30 August) 

What lies beneath the roles and identities we choose to play? Drawing upon folk ritual and a battery of cross-cultural movement styles, Lai Yun-Chi’s company Mailantia presents a bold, intricate quartet about concealment and transformation. 

COSMIC DANCE – Space In Between (9-16 August)

A South Asian triple bill exploring tensions between intention and outcome, self and society. Blending Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Contemporary movement, three interconnected works examine regret, conflict and misalignment, revealing unseen forces shaping identity, relationships and choice. 

Jack Anderson, Charlotte Mclean, Malin Lewis – not for glory (11-23 August)

A rebellious unravelling of traditional dance and music. not for glory is bodies and bagpipes, kilts and queerness, a battering, flinging skirl. This dance-theatre gig resuscitates tradition, dissects heritage, not for glory – but for what? 

Corpo Máquina – Poles (18-30 August)

A champion pole dance artist. A spider-like steel structure. A live soundscape. At the cutting edge of personal and public space, pole dance virtuoso Yvonne Smink delivers a performance of technical strength and intimacy, choreographed by Guilherme Miotto. 

Karl Jay-Lewin and Matteo Fargion – If I Can’t Dance I’m Not Coming (18-27 August)

Reimagining Fritz Lang’s 1927 Metropolis as a score for dance, an eclectic ensemble of performers embraces dignity over virtuosity, blending rebellion with humour in a process shaped with clarity and care. 

Compagnia Bellanda – Il canto dell’assiolo (18-30 August)

In the silence of a summer night, a call returns. A duet rooted in Breakin’ explores love’s borders – between desire and control, tenderness and violence. Breath, language, and movement intertwine, exposing intimacy as threshold, conflict, and transformation. 

Two Destination Language – 40/40 (18-23 August)

An inspiring and moving celebration of Two Destination Language co-artistic director Katherina Radeva’s 40 years as a woman, a migrant and an artist. Claiming space on a dance floor, she dances with joyous abundance and presents stories of her past and present.  

Dance Base Yokohama/Conan Amok – R/evolution(s) (18-30 August)

A contemporary Butoh work, this piece reimagines Butoh for the present while carrying its inheritance forward. Uniting Conan Amok – heir to the lineage of Dairakudakan, one of Japan’s leading Butoh companies – and contemporary dancers, renewing the form from within. 

Frauke Requardt and Vivienne Franzmann – Anatomy Of Survival (25-29 August)

A woman walks into a cafe. She orders a coffee. The barista doesn’t understand her request. The woman loses her sh*t. Chaos reigns.  

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED 

Dance Base’s PRIME – We Are (6-9 August)

Who are we when we’re together? When we’re alone? When we fight for what we believe in? Hot off the heels of its 10th anniversary last year, Dance Base’s in-house company for dancers over 60, PRIME premiers new work from Artistic Director Kally Lloyd-Jones and choreographer Malcolm Sutherland. 

Dance Base’s Common Ground(11-16 August)

Dance Base’s two in-house companies PRIME (for dancers over 60s) and Lothian Youth Dance Company (for 14-21 year-olds) come together in a quadruple bill to explore the pressures we all face. Features new pieces created over the past year by PRIME’s Artistic Director Kally Lloyd-Jones, as well as guest choreographers Malcolm Sutherland, Tough Boys Collective and Rosie Mackley. 

Dance Base’s Fringe Fragments (24-25 August)

Catch a glimpse of the next big thing. An industry pitching platform open to audiences, Dance Base’s Fringe Fragments spotlights dance artists from Scotland and around the world as they share 15-minute excerpts of tour-ready performances. A unique event strengthening Dance Base’s position as the major launchpad for dance artists at the Edinburgh Fringe.  

Continuing Dance Base’s commitment to providing a home for Edinburgh’s thriving dance community throughout the Festival, the venue also hosts a vibrant programme of public and professional dance classes from Monday 3 – Sunday 31 August. 

Duke of Edinburgh visits Dance Base

HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, witnesses first-hand how Dance Base helps dance flourish and changes lives

HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, paid a visit to Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, on Saturday. The Edinburgh-based charity has a mission to encourage and support the potential for dance in everyone.

Jim Hollington, Dance Base CEO, said: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to Dance Base.

“In 2001 his brother, His Majesty King Charles, officially opened our brand-new centre on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. We were delighted to show HRH some of what we have achieved over nearly a quarter of a century, helping dance to flourish and change lives.”

During his visit, the Duke of Edinburgh received a tour of the purpose-built building, a centre for creating, nurturing, and celebrating dance in the heart of Edinburgh.

Completed in 2001, the building hosts four unique studios, over 60 classes a week, broad reaching support for dance artists, performances, international exchanges, community projects and more – all delivered by a knowledgeable and passionate team. HRH visited children taking part in an Aerial Skills class, hosted by All or Nothing, and dancers in a West African dance class.

Duke of Edinburgh also enjoyed a series of curated performances featuring dancers aged from their teens to their eighties, offering a snippet of the important work the organisation has been doing across their public, professional and Health & Wellbeing programmes. These included:

Dance for Parkinson’s film – When We Dance

When We Dance is a collaboration between Dance Base’s Dance for Parkinson’s and filmmaker Lucas Chih-Peng Kao. The collaboration comprises of people living with Parkinson’s, their families, friends, carers, our volunteers, and a team of professional artists. Running since 2013, Dance for Parkinson’s is a core part of Dance Base’s Health and Wellbeing work and established a strong president of supporting people living with neurological conditions through dance. Dance Base has supported satellite groups to be established all over Scotland and continues to support the network.

24 Carat Gold – Freak Out

24 Carat Gold is a company offering opportunities to underrepresented elderly dancers with current members ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. They will perform Freak Out, choreographed by Alan Grieg.

Lothian Youth Dance Company – Kids Today

Lothian Youth Dance Company are Dance Base’s in-house dance company for young dancers aged 14 to 21 years old. Inviting new members each year, LYDC provides opportunity for young people to find their creative voice through dance. They will perform a piece titled Kids Today, choreographed by Dance Base’s Artistic Director Tony Mills.

Jo Richards – Barbieland

Jo Richards has been a professional dancer and dance teacher for over 23 years. She teaches Commercial Improvers, Commercial Jazz Beginners and Street Dance classes at Dance Base and represented the organisation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Ceremony in India. She will perform her piece Barbieland alongside students from her dance classes.

The Dance Base team was proud to showcase their achievements and broad reach which includes:

  • 50,000+ attendances at public classes
  • 10,000 attendances at our August festival performances
  • 50+ artist residencies where dance artists based in Scotland come to create new work
  • 330+ live performances in August and throughout the year
  • 60+ weekly classes in 12+ dance styles

They also talked about the upcoming events at the organisation, including Skills ‘N’ Billz, a Breakin’ battle on Sunday 26 May featuring Breakers from across the UK and beyond, invited for the daylong battle; Dance with Pride event to celebrate Edinburgh Pride and this term’s specialist workshops in Reggaeton, Ballroom and Contemporary techniques.

On 6 June, Dance Base announces the 25+ shows from Scotland and all over the world which will be presented this August as part of Dance Base 2024 Festival in association with Assembly Festival.

Scottish Water unveils Scotland’s ‘Top of the Taps’

Edinburgh consumes nearly 250,000 litres of water from public Top Up Taps

THE BUSIEST and most-used taps across Scotland over the summer have been identified in the latest data revealed by Scottish Water.

The research paints a fascinating picture of exactly where thirsty drinkers have been using the national water provider’s network of Top up Taps from May to August.

Topping the chart, retaining its top position, was the Grassmarket Top up Tap which dispensed almost 35,000 litres. Seven of Edinburgh’s 10 taps featured in the top 10,

Impressively, the Top Up Taps initiative has inspired a 19% increase in people carrying a refillable bottle, and figures show that well-hydrated people across Edinburgh filled up almost 18,000 water bottles and consumed 236,353 litres of water across the area’s 11 taps.

Following the Grassmarket, the other most used taps in the region was in The Meadows Pavillion which served up 31,869 litres, and Portobello Promenade with 31,621 litres.

The Botanics West tap was the least used in Edinburgh with 2,780 litres dispensed. Meanwhile the tap in Rutland Place clocked in with a total tap usage of 15,092 litres and Leith Links at 18,259.

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “It’s brilliant that so many locals and visitors alike are using our Top Up Taps in such numbers.

“But nothing would make us happier than seeing them used even more! There couldn’t be many better reasons for carrying a refillable water bottle and topping up when you’re out and about – it’s good for your health, good for your pocket and good for the planet.”

Publicly funded Scottish Water recently installed its landmark 100th Top Up Tap in the shadow of the Kelpies in Falkirk. Since launching the initiative in 2018, the 100 taps collectively have topped up the equivalent of nearly 6 million single use plastic bottles.

The aim was to put the distinctive blue Top Up Taps in key locations all over the country – and they now stretch from Arran to Arbroath and from Shetland to Stranraer.

It couldn’t be easier to see where your communities tap is – just visit

www.YourWaterYourLife.co.uk/TapMap 

and search by putting in any postcode or viewing a complete list of the Top Up Taps across Scotland.

Brian Lironi, added: “Water is our most precious natural resource, and we want the people of Scotland and visitors to have access whenever they need it.”

Full usage list of Top up Taps in Edinburgh:

Total Usage May – Aug 2023 (L) 

Edinburgh- Grassmarket – 32135

Edinburgh- The Meadows Pavillion – 31869

Edinburgh- Portobello Promenade – 31621 

Edinburgh- Scottish Parliament – 28910

Edinburgh- South Queensferry – 21975

Edinburgh- Botanics East – 21853 

Edinburgh- Silverknowes – 18407

Edinburgh- Leith Links Refill Station – 18259

Edinburgh- Rutland Place – 15092

Edinburgh- High Street – 13452

Edinburgh- Botanics West – 278

Police appeal for information following Victoria Street assault

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted in the city.

The 30-year-old man was assaulted around 3.30 am on Saturday, 1 July, 2023, on Victoria Street near the Grassmarket area.

He suffered a facial injury and was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Detective Constable Christopher Stewart of CID said: “We are looking to trace a man aged between 18 and 24 years old.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time. We would also be eager to hear from motorists travelling in the area who have dash-cam. Please check the footage, as it may have captured something which could prove vital to our ongoing enquiries.

“Any small piece of information could assist our enquiries, so please pass it on. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 0752 of 1 July, 2023.”

Tree of Hope to boost secondary breast cancer research

Buy a bauble and help fund vital studies and support patients  

Edinburgh residents are being invited to join a joyous festive fundraising campaign to support people living with secondary breast cancer. 

Charity Make 2nds Count has launched its inspiring Tree of Hope initiative, giving people the chance to donate by buying a Christmas bauble which will not only become a gorgeous decoration for the tree but can also be a beautiful tribute to a current patient or a lost loved one.   

The aim is to raise £15,000 in a national Tree of Hope campaign to fund more new and dedicated research into secondary breast cancer, a disease that kills 1000 women a month in the UK.  

Two Christmas Trees of Hope are located in Edinburgh, in McLarens on the Corner in Morningside Road and in the Cold Town House in The Grassmarket – venues of the Signature Group hospitality collection which is supporting the fundraiser by hosting the trees and donating a percentage from a special dish served in its various locations. 

Both real and virtual baubles are available to purchase, with donors receiving their personalised decoration as a keepsake in January. Individual Baubles of Hope are £25 with corporate Baubles of Hope available for £100. 

The initiative is part of the charity’s Make Christmas Count campaign to highlight secondary breast cancer.  Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, it is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.  On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer. 

Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Make 2nds Count, says: “Every family has cherished decorations that come out every year, baubles that mean something poignant to them personally, and this is just a lovely way of sharing a bit of that special Christmas spirit with others. 

“It really is the most wonderful time of the year and we’re confident that people will embrace our message of hope this festive season by taking the opportunity to add some sparkle to our trees and to boost our research funds.” 

Siobhán Leith, Head of Sales and Marketing, Signature Group adds: “Signature Group is delighted to be supporting Make 2nds Count for the second year.

“We’re so grateful to the six venues in our group who are hosting the Trees of Hope in order to be a voice within our communities. The work that this charity does is so important and we’re proud to be able to help raise awareness and funds through this fun and meaningful initiative.” 

Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis when she learned she had primary and secondary breast cancer (SBC) in 2017. It is in the majority of her bones and brain.  She says the value of donations cannot be underestimated. 

“Last year, the first year of our Tree of Hope campaign, we had an amazing response and outstripped our £10,000 target by several thousand pounds so we’re aiming a bit higher this year.  

“The generosity of those who contribute to our fundraising has allowed us to make several important grants to researchers and donations from our trees will fund even more new and innovative projects, maintaining our mission to give hope to patients and their families affected by SBC, particularly at this special festive time.” 

Fore Play Crazy Golf submit plans for new Grassmarket home

Fore Play Crazy Golf is looking to open a new home of golf in a sought-after location in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. 

The successful crazy golf concept which currently operates out of Picardy Place on a temporary basis in the city has submitted planning applications to Edinburgh City Council for a 9,139 sq ft A listed building on a mixed-use license. 

The new three-floor venue would accommodate up to 200 guests and bring at least 30 new jobs if successful. 

Proposed plans include a multi-level experience-led playground for grown-ups featuring two courses, street food vendors, and inventive drinks that capture the brand’s playful energy with competitive socialising lying at the heart of the sympathetic renovations. 

The independent venue would require a significant investment from the owners and their vision looks to encapsulate the vibrancy of the neighbourhood with local landmarks inspiring the plans for their imaginative crazy golf courses. 

A provisional opening date has been set for summer 2022. 

Craig Neilson, Chief Greenkeeper at Fore Play Crazy Golf said: “We love Edinburgh and ever since we opened our first temporary venue in 2020, we’ve been looking for the perfect venue to call home. 

“1 Grassmarket has been lying empty for three years and when we clapped eyes on the 19th century Listed building we knew we wanted to create something special for the community to be proud of. 

“The sense of place in the Grassmarket has been intrinsic to our development plans and we feel that our immersive venue will benefit those in the surrounding areas.

“We are looking forward to hearing from the council on our applications.”

Fore Play Crazy Golf is an independent Scottish business and is a Living Wage Accredited Employer and has a profit share model for its staff.

To make a booking visit their website:  https://www.foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk 

A celebration: Dance Base presents SNOW MOTION

As the year draws to an end and festive cheer starts to build, Dance Base celebrates all things dance by hosting a new showcase, SNOW MOTION: three evenings of live performance back in the glorious Studio 1 space.

This December, Dance Base is delighted to welcome a fantastic array of dance artists from across Scotland to bring their work back to the stage and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dance Base making its home in the Grassmarket building.

Each artist joining the company has a deep connection to the Company having developed work with Dance Base over the years through residencies, Festival performances and sharings. This new showcase also marks the first major Dance Base project for the company’s new Artistic Director, Tony Mills, which is set to showcase his bold new vision for the organisation.  

With a different programme each evening, there is truly something for everyone, from playful takes on office life, to lyrical explorations of an enchanted Hebridean world, to a delightful tale about food (and being eaten!) for younger audiences. 

Featuring new and reimagined performances by Bridie Gane, Jen Wren, Kirsten Newell, Mamoru Iriguchi, Taylor Han and Tess Letham, SNOW MOTION celebrates storytelling and connection, showcasing an array of live music, physical theatre, spoken word and contemporary and traditional dance. 

Click here for more information on each performance.

SNOW MOTION is a celebration of Dance Base in its 20th year in the Grassmarket. As well as featuring artists connected to the organisation, it will also showcase the organisation’s history, and hugely popular programme of dance classes.

Audiences are encouraged to arrive early and take part in a fun and uplifting dance class suitable for all levels. A bar will be set up so if a class doesn’t appeal, there’s also the chance to chat with friends over some festive drinks and follow Dance Base’s history with a brand-new exhibition display in the building.

SNOW MOTION is an evening for us to come together again, raise a glass to all that has been, get in the Christmas mood, and – most importantly – dance!

This event has been made possible thanks to support from Creative Scotland and funding from Scottish Government through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund.

Police appeal following serious assault in the Grassmarket

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a serious assault in the Grassmarket.

The incident happened around 2.20am on Sunday (3rd October), when a 21-year-old man was found injured on the pavement next to the junction of Cowgatehead and Candlemaker Row.

He had sustained a serious head injury and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, from Edinburgh CID, said: “This area was extremely busy at the time of the incident and I am appealing to anyone who can help with our enquiries to come forward.

“Likewise, anyone who was driving in the area and may have das-cam footage that could help is asked to get in touch.

“If you have information please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0562 of Sunday, 3 October, or make a call anonymously to the chartity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police seek information following serious assault in Grassmarket

Detectives are continuing enquiries and appealing for information after a serious assault which took place in the Grassmarket area on Sunday (29 August)

Around 5.45am a 25-year-old woman was with friends near to the junction of Cowgatehead and Victoria Street when she was approached by a group of three men and a woman. An altercation took place which resulted in the woman sustaining a broken wrist.

The victim attended the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and was released after treatment.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe of Gayfield CID said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and I am appealing to any witnesses to come forward.

“We believe the group involved in the assault made off along King Stables Road and I would urge anyone who may have seen a group of three men and a woman acting suspiciously to please get in touch.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident numer 1129 of Sunday, 29 August, 2021.

“Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Vaccination Bus is back in the Grassmarket today

NHS’ Lothian’s vaccination Lothian Buses vaccination bus is rolling into the Grassmarket again today.

Anyone over 18 who requires either a 1st or 2nd dose of Moderna or AZ (provided they received the 1st more than 8 weeks ago) can attend – no appointment necessary.

More details: https://www.nhslothian.scot/…/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx