Amazingly Awesome Circus Hub 2019…

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Edinburghfestivalsforkids

Image result for underbelly circus hub 2019

The ever amazing and creative Circus Hub by Underbelly returns to the Meadows this year, bringing with it an incredible variety of spectacular and innovative shows and this year, even more family friendly circus shows – great news !!

You can visit the Circus Hub for two dazzling circus tents – The Lafayette and The Beauty – and a charming bar ! ( I’m also hoping the yummy churros stall will be back this year – that was a highlight for our mini reviewers in the past !)..

It is tricky to single out any shows to see as they all look so great, and there are some old favourites returning too – but here is a top five to get you started…. !!! :

Circa: Humans – Pushing their physical bodies to the limit and having lots of fun in the meantime- this awe inspiring show returns to Edinburgh – read our review here from 2017. This is definitely a show for the whole family, perhaps best suited for slightly older children as it has no dialogue – but it comes highly recommended ! ”Ten acrobats take us on a stirring journey of what it means to be human, and how our bodies, our connections, and our aspirations all form part of who we are. ” 2nd – 24th August (not 7th/12th/19th)

Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Live – This has got to be a ‘must see’ for all Danny MacAskill fans out there – and something quite unique in the Fringe programme this year! .Joining Danny will be highly acclaimed trials rider and fellow Scotsman Duncan Shaw, plus more athletes to be announced. Expect an action-packed display of gravity-defying tricks, guaranteed to amaze children and adults alike under the big top! 3rd – 24th August

YUCK Circus – Discovering new shows is part of the joy of the Fringe and this looks fantastic ! For 12 + – Sugar, spice, and apparently “nice”? With our good sense of humour, we’re going to rip into the uncomfortable using high-flying acrobatics, absurd confessions and groovy dancing. Get ready to witness a powerhouse of female circus performers kick art in the face. 3rd – 24th August (not 7th/12th/19th)

Hotel Paradiso – From the makers of The Hogwallops comes this Irresistibly colourful, loud and fun show for all the family. Thrillingly spectacular circus skills, physical comedy, clowning, theatrical storytelling and slapstick combine. A rundown hotel becomes a physical playground for the six multinational highly skilled acrobats, clowns and jugglers. Madame and the charming staff of the quirkily ineffective Hotel Paradiso battle to save their home and livelihood from the dastardly banker. 13th- 24th August (not 19th)

Splash Test Dummies – Our favourite Aussie circus guys are back !!!! Returning with the splish, splashingly awesome adventure from last year ( read our review here ). Splash Test Dummies are here, ready to roll out their beach towels and spring into an hour of circus-filled hilarity for the whole family. See a brilliant array of catch-your-breath stunt work, acrobatics, juggling and the side-splitting, slapstick comedy for which the dummies are famous. 3rd – 24th August (not 12th/19th)

Pitch and ‘Pitt’ Perfect Pianodrome returns …..

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Edinburghfestivalsforkids

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If you were lucky enough to visit the Pianodrome last year at the Botanics, you will be as excited as we are that it is returning to the festival – and this year in a new home within the Pitt Street Market…

The biggest small venue in town. This year their majestic 100-seater amphitheatre made entirely from upcycled pianos goes wild downtown in a post-industrial warehouse in Leith. Join them for new music, new writing, street food and drinks. All singing, all dancing, all welcome. Intimate. Epic. Drop in for live music and activities from 11am.

Kids are very much included in the jam packed schedule throughout August – see the full line up and details here – we’ve had a look and picked out some of the family friendly goodies over the month, but it’s definitely one to explore, the programme will be full of magical delights to unearth, and even popping by and playing the pianos or appreciating the wonder of the structure is well worth it….

The Adventures of Prince Achmed with live score by Sink –

This is sure to be SPECTACULAR – with this animated film coming alive with the soundtrack being played right beside you – and the film being shown on FIVE screens in the round !!! Swirling, spiraling strings, saxophones, accordion, percussion and voice transport you to a world of conjurors and princesses, where Aladdin battles demons and nothing is as it seems. Lotte Reiniger’s classic and groundbreaking paper-cut animation is a delight for all ages. 31st July – 4th August

Tinderbox – If you’ve never seen the Tinderbox orchestra play, then please, please get yourself along to one of their shows at the Pianodrome – the combination of the venue and the orchestra is going to be tremendous. Tinderbox Orchestra’s spellbinding 20-piece band bring a set of original music, orchestral experiments and site specific performance to this unique venue. Featuring special guests and new collaborations for each show. Tinderbox Orchestra brings together some of Scotland’s leading young musicians across genres. Fiercely independent, they combine core values of inclusivity and togetherness with an ambition to hit the highest levels of creativity and originality. 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August

I Piano – In this one-of-a-kind venue the piano and the little girl set off on their quest, searching from the North Pole to the bottom of the sea. They meet dancing dinos and monks on scooters, and explore everything from Beethoven to boogie-woogie, but will they findmusic? If music is in all of us, they will need all our help. 7th – 11th August 3pm

Amazing Assembly’s Locals Offer for 2019 !! 31st July – 4th August

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Edinburghfestivalsforkids

Assembly are being SUPER generous yet again this year and offering Edinburgh locals a superb bargain discount with £5 tickets for ALL Assembly shows from 31st July – 4th August !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check out full details here –

How to claim £5 tickets

Just head down to any Assembly box office

Show us a proof of address & photo ID

Get tickets to any of our shows for just a fiver

**Each customer can claim up to 6 tickets using the discount**

There are some FANTASTIC circus and children’s shows on at Assembly this year – so do try and catch them with the locals discount if you’re lucky enough to be around then….some top picks are :

image of event Chores – We really enjoyed this show last year – see here. It’s some madcap, silly circus that will definitely get the kids giggling away. Chores is the story of two typical young rascal boys playing in their messy bedroom. Suddenly, Mother’s alarming screams rattle the boys into acrobatic action. A generous serve of comedy and chaotic acrobatics accompanies every attempt at cleaning their room. 1st – 25th August (not 12th/19th)

image of event Children Are Stinky – Yay !! These guys are back – we LOVED this show when we saw it (check our review here)….they will surely bring their madcap, hilarious, mischievous magic back to the Piccolo tent this August – and it’s up to you to prove them wrong that children are infact stinky – are you up to the challenge ?? ”Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lightning-fast hula hoops and loads of laughs” 1st – 26th August (not 7th/14th/21st)

image of event Blizzard – Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay………….Flip Fabrique are back to weave some more magic into our lives – Attrape Moilast year was a total, total highlight of the fringe for us and we are beyond excited to see what they have to offer this year with Blizzard !! ”What if winter has taken over? With Blizzard, Flip Fabrique take you on a crazy, poetic and gentle journey in the dead of winter, and invite you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. ” 1st – 26th August (not 7th, 12th, 19th)

360 Allstars – Returning after huge success in 2016, this show is a true spectacle that the whole family will enjoy…A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 Allstars connects street with elite in a supercharged circus. Boasting a stellar cast including the two-time world champion BMX flatlander, two world champion breakdancers, an internationally acclaimed basketball freestyler, a world record-holding cyr artist, an X Factor-winning vocalist and a multi award-winning drummer, 360 Allstars is a spectacular fusion of street culture that’ll leave you dizzy with excitement! 31st July – 26th August (not 12th)

image of event Morgan and West: Unbelievable Science– We are big fans of Morgan and West and the mini-reviewers always enjoy their magic tricks and illusions …so we are excited to see they have a new show for the festival this year – and something a bit different as they are bringing scientific experiments this time !! ”Unbelievable Science is an interactive science show for the whole family, where experiments take place right before your eyes! Captivating chemistry! Phenomenal physics! Bonkers biology! Magicians, time-travellers and all-round spiffing chaps Morgan & West have a secret past – they are genuine, bona-fide, legitimately qualified scientists and now are bringing their knowledge to the stage! ” 31st July – 25th August (not 21st)

image of event Back Of The Bus – For something a little different – check this show out – all based in a bus ! Come ride on a bus through the streets of Edinburgh as dancers propel themselves along the aisles and hang from the roof. Physical comedy, kinetic energy and outrageous scenarios combine to create a magical mystery tour. Fresh from sell-out seasons at 21 New Zealand, Australian and international arts festivals. 2nd – 25th August (not 7th, 12th, 19th)

Fringe By The Sea 2nd – 11th August 2019

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Edinburghfestivalsforkids

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The fabulous and incredibly located Fringe By The Sea is fast approaching..bringing us sun, sea, sand and a jam packed programme brimming over with great shows and events….

There are loads of family friendly experiences – including music, science colouring in and some brilliant sounding craft workshops – check them out here.

Some of our top picks would be:

Eilidh Muldoon : Giant Colouring In With Tea And Cake – We have been to a few of these events before with Eilidh and have really enjoyed them – it’s always a great creative, relaxing atmosphere with some delicious goodies to help the artistic juices flow ! Celebrating our coastline and waters, adults and kids alike can help create the final result in this relaxed session. Sunday 4th August

So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs… With Dr Ben Garrod – So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs is the hit stage show starring dinosaur aficionado Dr Ben Garrod. Get ready to go on an exciting pre-historic adventure as Ben explores the biggest, deadliest and weirdest predators that ever roamed the planet. Yes, dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus and Spinosaurus would have walked or swam right where you are now! Saturday 10th August

Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dancehall – Returning to Fringe by the sea, this is a musical treat for little ones who love to dance !! Selling out shows around the world, come find out why DJ Monski Mouse is a hit with the under fives and parents/carers. Expect high energy, retro hits, pop favourites and funky nursery rhymes! Sunday 4th August

Major Minor Music Club Presents C Duncan – This looks like a GREAT idea and very unique – a club that adults can take children along to, and see bands that everyone can enjoy together ! Formed by frustrated parents of young kids, MMMC is a safe place for parents to take their kids to see some of the best bands. Bands play at a lower volume and shorter sets plus there’s music-inspired face painting, doughnuts, balloons, stickers and a ‘tiny tattoo studio’. Mercury Prize nominated C Duncan is a Scottish composer and multi-instrumentalist whose classical music upbringing seeps into his sophisticated, billowy indie pop creations. Saturday 3rd August

Top Five shows for the even littler little ones 2019….

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Edinburghfestivalsforkids

So, earlier this month I published my top ten children’s shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year (see here) – and as always it was a difficult process choosing from the amazing array of shows available. It helps if I am able to do this separate list of shows I would recommend seeing along with even smaller children. All of these shows are developed with the youngest children in mind, providing a sensory treat for them and a perfect introduction to theatre and performance…

There are obviously loads more shows for even the youngest children out there during the fringe, so please do explore and let me know how you get on !

image of event Valentina’s Galaxy – I remember bringing my very mini – mini reviewer along to Paperbelle a few years ago and they loved it – Frozen Charlotte create beautiful and inspiring shows for children and this one looks particularly exciting ! ”An intergalactic adventure for children aged 2-6, inspired by real-life female astronauts, this immersive performance captivates children and adults alike with a combustible concoction of experiments, rocket launches and stargazing.” 3rd – 18th August (not 5th/12th )

image of event Celeste’s Circus – We LOVED this enchanting show and are delighted it’s back at the Fringe (see our review here). The hand crafted set is the perfect backdrop for this gentle adventure aimed at the under five’s. ”Celeste invites you to spot a peek-a-boo pussycat, applaud a highwire hippo and fall in love with the cutest seal pup ever. A complete joy to watch, with a delightful retro feel.” 1st – 25th August (not 6/7/8th, 13/14/15th, 20,21,22nd)

image of event Little Top – Starcatchers create incredible shows for younger children and this first experience of the circus Big Top looks as inventive and interactive as ever ! ”Welcome to Little Top, a magical first circus experience for babies aged 0-18 months. Little Top invites babies to experience all the fun of the circus. Roll up for a gently thrilling performance with spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling. Be transported into a joyous, topsy-turvy world where patterns fill the air and anything is possible.” 2nd – 17th August (not 5th/12th)

image of event Fox-tot! – Returning after the success of BambinO, Scottish Opera are back with a brand new opera for 12 to 24-month-olds. ”Fox-tot! is full of imagination – a magical journey of discovery for those taking their first small steps into the big wide world. Set in a woodland world where anything can happen, this engaging mix of music and puppetry is an interactive experience for toddlers and adults to enjoy together.” 2nd – 16th August (not 5th/12th )

image of event Jelly or Jam – Have you ever seen a giant block of jelly – wobbly, jiggly and strong enough to stand on? Jelly or Jam takes you on an acrobatic adventure into the brains of young humans. Guided by real interviews with kids about their emotions and friendship, don’t miss this rollercoaster ride filled with squishy, messy jelly that will inspire people, young and old, to consider the importance of individuality and friendship. 3rd/4th and 10th/11th August

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