Achi news desk-
A decade after hosting the first full Hidden Door festival at the Market Street Vaults in 2014, organizers have announced Level 3 Basement Car Park in St James Quarter in the city center as the home of its birthday party celebrations which will run on Friday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11.
Hazel Johnson, Hidden Door festival director, said: “B3 is unlike any other space that has hosted a Hidden Door event, and we can’t wait to reveal its transformation in May.
“This huge basement car park has plenty of room to play with; we will make the most of the wide open floor plan, while creating nooks and crannies among the pillars for people to explore the art installations and projections.”
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Drws Cudd has worked with some of the city’s leading creative forces to develop an event that offers an ‘immersive multi-art experience’.
Synth-pop duo Maranta have helped curate both nights, with unique collaborations built around their multi-sensory live show, Microsteria.
Over two nights, they will be joined by record label Paradise Palms Records (Friday, May 10) and radio station EHFM (Saturday, May 11) to bring an ‘uplifting line-up’ of musical acts and DJs, along with live performances as well as an exhibition of work by 18 visual artists and several other surprises.
Susan Hewlett, director of brand and marketing at St James Quarter, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Hidden Door and hosting their 10th anniversary party, bringing life, music and art to this unexpected space.
“We have already held the Edinburgh College of Art Graduate Fashion Show as well as ‘Rêf Biddar’ in B3 but now to make the most of this vast space with amazing acoustics, with one of the biggest arts organizations in the city is amazing.
“Everything we do in St James Quarter is woven into the culture of the city, celebrating its rich heritage.
“We can’t wait to welcome event-goers to what will be a very special showcase of music and arts in one of the most creative cities, under a destination that is redefining retail as a new lifestyle area.”
To help complete the transformation of the basement space, Hidden Door is partnering with Edinburgh Tool Library, which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Their volunteers have helped to create a special bar for the event, while other aspects of the building will be supported by members of their Making with Pride initiative, in partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing.
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The venue is fully accessible with lift access down to Basement 3 and is ‘spacious enough for audiences to explore artwork and have a drink’ before making their way to the dance floor for the music and performances.
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As with all Drws Cudd events, there will also be an opportunity for the public to visit the space for free.
Between 1 and 5pm on Saturday, May 11 the venue will be open to all, offering access to visual art and installations, with pop-up bars serving a range of refreshments, sponsored by Bellfield Brewery.
Hazel Johnson continued: “Hidden Door’s 10th anniversary event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past decade of festivals, collaboration, community and creative innovation.
“What better way to do that than by opening another of Edinburgh’s fascinating spaces and filling it with art, music and performance?
“We can’t wait to welcome you to our anniversary batch, to celebrate what has been and what is yet to come.”
For more information or to book tickets now, click here.
