Press Release: Grassmarket's Circus Weekend

Roll up, roll up to the Greater Grassmarket’s Circus Weekend

Let’s Circus comes to town on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th June

The Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District (BID) in association with travelling circus school and performance company, Let’s Circus, will bring an acrobatic circus show to the Grassmarket on Saturday 18^th and Sunday19^th June (11am – 5pm) as part of their free Circus Weekend.

The international line-up includes contemporary circus, Head First Acrobats, who will perform their family-friendly pirate-themed circus show, ‘Arr we there yet?’ on the Greater Grassmarket’s Community Stage at 12.30pm and 3.30pm. The 40-minute show will feature slapstick comedy, extraordinary acrobatics and spine-tingling tricks such as juggling with knives. From 11am until 3.30pm, there will be amateur workshops for anyone interested in learning circus disciplines including trapeze, juggling, tight rope, acrobatics and even hula hooping. Let’s Circus will bring a team of international artists including Francis 'Odo’ Odongo, one of Kenya’s elite circus artists, who will be on hand to show off his skills and get everyone involved. As well as two shows per day, there will be demonstrations from artists in diverse circus disciplines such as hand balancing, trapeze, tight wire, and toothbrush twiddling.

The Greater Grassmarket BID’s Circus Weekend follows on from the success of their Vintage Weekend and is part of their plans to drive greater footfall to the area by offering unique family-friendly events.

Norrie Stewart, Grassmarket BID Project Manager, says: “We’re really excited to be bringing international circus acts, from as far afield as Australia and Kenya, to the Greater Grassmarket for our Circus Weekend. Travelling circuses have wowed audiences around the world for hundreds of years, so where better to host a weekend dedicated to this notable art form than the performance space in the historic Grassmarket?

“The extraordinary acrobatic shows will not only mesmerise kids but impress adults too, making the Circus Weekend the perfect family day out.”

Steve Cousins, artistic director of Let’s Circus, says: “Our mix of high quality touring shows and workshops makes what we do of really broad appeal. As a travelling circus school we cater to all ages and stages - from kids touching a trapeze for the first time, to acrobatic enthusiasts working on their one armed handstand. We’re very excited to bring this activity to the beautiful and historic Grassmarket for the first time. Many of the young people that we meet during these events, and indeed adults, have gone on to become highly skilled circus enthusiasts and indeed professional artists. You no longer need to runs way to join the circus, as we’re running away to join you!”

The Greater Grassmarket’s free Circus Weekend takes place on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th June from 11am – 5pm, with performances on the Greater Grassmarket’s Community Stage at 12.30pm and 3.30pm each day.