What is the most stylish and sustainable way to celebrate our 10th anniversary? We started with Ten out of Ten – a series of events with traditional dance roots across Edinburgh in autumn 2024 highlighting the diversity and breadth of activities by our 200+ members. Then we were invited to be the national charity of … Continued

Reflections by Xiaoxuan Zhong Participating in the first-ever Ceilidh Plus was a vibrant and enriching experience that included traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing, Chinese square dancing and American line dancing. From the moment I stepped onto the dance floor, I felt an energetic and enthusiastic atmosphere. The lively Ceilidh music set the tone for the event, … Continued

Interview by Inesa Vėlavičiūtė   New to the International Festival Fringe’s scene, Yucca Dance presents In the Round – a captivating dance theatre piece that explores the universal symbolism of circles and perpetual cycles. Drawing inspiration from nature, spiritual beliefs, and modern life, the performance weaves together diverse cultural interpretations of these timeless motifs. I … Continued

Review by Iliyana Nedkova Here we go ‘round the young oak tree on a cold and sprightly morning at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. This resilient seven-year-old Portuguese oak, the centrepiece of our al fresco traditional dance, music and art session, is likely to outlive us and the biodiversity crisis, just like the fabled mulberry bush … Continued

  Review by Vassia Bouchagiar-Walker Is it possible for humans to break out of the endless repetitive cycles that human nature is comprised of? Or should we? And if yes, which ones do we choose to break out of and how? These are some of the questions two young and talented dancers/choreographers pose to the … Continued

Review by Yanmei Bowie I went to see the sensational Legend of the White Snake four times at C ARTS in Edinburgh, performed by Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre from Beijing, China. With a history of over six hundred years, kunqu evolved from a music and vocal style local to Kunshan (near Suzhou and Shanghai in China), … Continued

Review by Vassia Bouchagiar – Walker There is a sense of intrigued expectation as we wait for the performance of Futuristic Folktales to start. To everyone’s surprise director Charlotte Mclean, along with her two performers Orrow Bell and Seke Chimutengwende, take to the stage in full bright white light in order to introduce themselves and … Continued

Review by Catherine Coutts As Greek dancer Vassia Bouchagiar-Walker moves lithely onto the floor at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, her task is not an easy one. The audience – largely Scottish traditional music afficionados – are there for the preview of Mairi Campbell’s Living Stone exhibition. They have already been sitting for forty minutes on … Continued

How do we encourage collaboration and exchange across all traditional dance forms practised in Scotland? The short answer is that we, at Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland, offer support through three major routes – festivals, productions and residencies. Let’s zoom in on the range of residencies as one of these support routes we initiate, champion … Continued

We are delighted to announce a new chapter in our ongoing partnership with Dance Base, Scotland’s national centre for dance. For the first time this year, our joint Trad Dance Residency is part of Pomegranates Festival – Scotland’s festival of international traditional dance. This professional development opportunity for dance artists based in Scotland reflects our … Continued