Over 100 free dance events will turn Edinburgh into one giant dancefloor for Big Dance Edinburgh today and tomorrow.
Today and tomorrow Edinburgh is playing host to a weekend of free dance events to excite, inspire and entertain. Big Dance Edinburgh promises to be the largest celebration of dance that Scotland has ever seen with opportunities to watch, perform and learn from hundreds of people passionate about dance. Aligned with The Scottish Government’s initiative to Get Scotland Dancing, the weekend showcases dance at all levels and for all ages featuring everything from aerial performance to zumba tasters. Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace will act as ambassadors for the event as their Midnight Tango tour arrived in Edinburgh this week to get audiences in the mood for dance.
Big Dance Ambassadors Vincent & Flavia are thrilled to be involved in the weekend’s celebrations saying: ‘The weekend of Sat 30 June and Sun 1 July offers you the chance to experience almost every style of dance. Enjoy watching performances or join in the fun and try something new. From ballet to aerial, belly dance to breakin’ and everything in-between, we hope you’ll be excited, inspired andmost of all, that you’ll get dancing too!’
Edinburgh’s Dance Base is the local hub for Big Dance activity and has been co-ordinating the celebration on behalf of all the participating groups. Artistic Director Morag Deyes MBE said:-
“We have always been about the joy and openness of all kinds of dance and how great it makes you feel regardless of size, age or ability. This weekend will reaffirm that with bells, tutus, whistles, tassels and tiaras on! Even if you don’t feel like joining in I’m guessing you will feel the excitement surging throughout our beautiful dancing city.”
Speaking ahead of the launch of Big Dance Edinburgh, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Dance is part of Scotland’s rich cultural identity, with everything from ceilidhs and Highland reels to ballet and break-dancing contributing to our strong dance tradition.”We are committed to supporting this vibrant sector, using dance to promote Scottish culture and creativity on the world stage through our ambition to Get Scotland Dancing. The Big Dance project chimes with that ambition.
“The 2012 Olympics, its Big Dance programme and the Year of Creative Scotland provide great platforms to engage Scots of all ages and abilities in dance activity. We will build on this through to 2014, when Scotland will host a second Year of Homecoming, the Ryder Cup and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Three main spaces at Castle St, Grassmarket and St Andrew Square Gardens will host two full days of events. Rose St will come to life with pop up dance performances with support from Essential Edinburgh and the National Museum of Scotland host workshops, taster sessions, talks and dance screenings. Dance Base opens its doors for those wishing to dip their toe into dance as well as hosting a Professional Dance Open audition and breath-taking aerial performance from All or Nothing Dance Theatre. Even shoppers will be tapping their feet in-store at Harvey Nichols to bite size demonstrations of a variety of dance styles.
Closing Big Dance Edinburgh a Guinness World Record attempt will be taking place in a transformed Grassmarket as Edinburgh attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest tea dance.
Expert friendly teachers Susan and Gary will guide absolute beginners through some moves setting them loose to join more experienced dancers. Partners and 1940s costume are optional!
To take part register by texting your name to 64446 or click here
Other programme highlights include:
Castle Rocks Park Jam bringing beats, breaks and battles inspired by New York Bloc parties of the 1980s
The Big Dance-along-movie: Dirty Dancing at St Andrew Square Gardens featuring Dance Base’s Dirty Dancing performance group
Step in Time, The MGA Academy of performing arts presents a new dance extravaganza taking audience on a trip through the history of dance on stage and screen
Broadway Mania – The Flashmob Musical! Jazz Art UK will present a fast and furious fusion of musical theatre numbers in a number of high energy pop up performances on Rose St.
With almost 100 dance groups taking part, 120 different events and almost as many different dance styles to choose from Big Dance Edinburgh promises to be a spectacular celebration of dance – bringing dance to the people and people to dance.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
