EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- CeilidhKids

Tell us a bit about CeilidhKids.

Fun Scottish Dancing for all the family - jump clap, skip and twirl to the music. What better way to kickstart your day at the Fringe than with some family dancing to traditional Scottish music? It's all about joining in, but if your wee one is a bit reluctant, just sitting and enjoying the music is fine too. We're in Edinburgh and Glasgow all year round running family Scottish dancing workshops, parties, classes and fundraisers, but the three weeks at the Fringe spent meeting families from all over the world is something special.

How has it been received in previous years?

Very well - the first year with the Free Festival I had no idea how popular it would be, and so after the first day I had to double the number of sessions just to fit everyone in the room! Numbers fluctuate but even on the busiest days there is usually enough space to dance...

Which dances are covered?

It varies slightly from day to day but always a mix of old favourite ceilidh dances, adapted so that the smallest people can join in, and so that one adult can dance with two partners. We always start with a Gay Gordons and finish with Circassian Circle.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

Because we're all about participation! Nobody sits still at a CeilidhKids event - everyone gets up to dance, adults and children alike. To quote a Fringe-going family from a previous year, 'The potential to exhaust an audience isn't something I'd have previously valued when deliberating over the Fringe programme but... it is definitely something I will look for again. Very strongly recommend.' (Entertaining Arlo, Aug 6th 2014)

Who would you recommend comes to join in?

Anyone and everyone! The sessions are aimed at 3-7 year olds and their parents and carers (5 year olds and under must be partnered by an adult or older child), but we welcome everyone at CeilidhKids - if you're happy to dance, we're happy to have you.

Timings for CeilidhKids are available on the edfringe website.

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